Product Review: Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion

I"ve been using Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel for my daily skin care routine. In general, it works fine, but the texture is too tacky for my liking. So I decided to go to the mall to hunt for a new moisturizer. I decided to go for a bit high-end type of product, so I chose Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion, which has many positive reviews across the net. However, the emulsion is supposed to be applied before the moisturizer, which is being sold separately. Knowing that Korean skincare routine requires tons of products (FYI, Laneige is a Korean product) as compared to my preferred routine, I neglected to buy the moisturizer as a combo to this. Instead, I would just use the emulsion as my sole moisturizer.

Product Name: Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion

Price and Availability: Php1,500.00/120ml (Laneige Philippines), Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityltetraisostearate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/ PVP Crosspolymracter, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Algae Extract, Glycogen, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dmethicone Crosspolymer, Lysine HCL, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Beta-Glucan, Zigiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract Lactobacillus / Water Hyacinth Ferment, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Mannitol, Serine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose, Stearyl Behenate, Citrulline, Alanine, Arginine, Aommonium Acryloyl Dimethyltaurate / VP Copolymer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Carbomer, Threonine Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Polysorbate-20, Polysilicone-11, PCA, Histidine HCL, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate / Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tramethamine, Fragrance

Remarks: Within the list above, Cetearyl Alcohol  scores 4 out of 5 in terms of comedogenicity.

Descriptions:

According to the label:

- Controls excess sebum and balances hydration for clear and transparent skin.

- Dermatologist tested

- For combination to oily skin types

- Made in Korea

Review:

Despite having one highly comedogenic ingredient in the list, I still decided to go for the product and see if it works for me. The emulsion comes in a large bottle with a pump and cap. I find the packaging very pretty yet simple. The bluish color of the bottle suggests the hydrating effect of the contents.

The emulsion is white in color with a runny consistency. It's very light when applied. The scent is very faintly floral, which I like. One to two squirts is enough for my entire face. It is very easy to spread and the texture is very slippery on the skin. The product is absorbed easily into the skin. It reminds me of my previous moisturizer Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, which works great but comes in a not-so hygienic jar. In comparison, both delivers well due to their lightweight consistency. I can use both as a primer to my BB cream. However, when it comes to the packaging, the easy-to-use pump from Laneige is the clear winner.

One squirt goes a long way..

A swatch of the product. It's really very runny.

Here's what it looks like when applied into the skin.

Is the emulsion enough as a moisturizer? If you have very oily face like mine, it is definitely enough. I even used this during the winter season in Tokyo, and I didn't experience any breakout, peeling, or windburn. Perhaps using it along with a sunscreen (I was using Alba Botanical Hawaiian Sunscreen at that time) had helped a lot.

Now that I'm back in Manila, and the summer has passed, I notice that I still do get breakouts (I use it at nighttime only during the humid months). During my last visit to the dermatologist, he suggested skipping the moisturizer in my routine or using it at least occasionally. I still moisturize though whenever I see a peeling from my acne medications.

To sum up, here's a rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

- beautiful and user-friendly packaging

- does not cause breakouts

- very lightweight

- a few squirts goes a long way

Cons:

- might not be as moisturizing to dry skin

- price

Verdict:

Will I buy this product again? Perhaps. The price may be a bit turn-off, but at least it would take months for me to finish up a bottle. If you have very oily skin like me and doesn't mind spending a bit more, then this product is for you.

Rating: 4.5/5

Product Review: Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel

I had been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream for several months already, but decided to buy a different moisturizer before setting out for a December trip to Hong Kong. The reason was Kiehl's product is lightweight and moisturizing enough only during high humidity days. I was afraid that it wouldn't be enough to protect my skin from the harsh cold wind of Hong Kong.

So I ended up buying Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel. I made a quick research on the Internet and saw that it fared well on ratings from different sites such as TotalBeauty, Amazon, and MakeupAlley.

The product caught my interest because of the high concentration of Aloe Vera and it's affordable price tag.

Product Name: Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel

Price and Availability: Php 225.00 (Healthy Options) / 113g (4oz), Amazon

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Aqua (Water), Carbomer, Gluconolactone, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Arginine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Menthol, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, AMyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum)

*Certified Organic Ingredient

Remarks:

Possible irritants include potassium hydroxide, menthol, and fragrances. All ingredients are noncomedogenic according to cosdna.com database.

Description

"This concentrated, non-oily daily moisturizing gel naturally delivers instant dry skin relief. Aloe Vera soothes dry, irritated, sun damaged or newly shaven skin while a boost of nourishing Allantoin and Vitamin B5 replenish and recondition. With use, skin is calmed, balanced and nurtured back to its healthy-looking best." --- Jason Natural

Review:

I mentioned in my previous post that I use a sunscreen during daytime and a moisturizer during the night. Which means I only use this moisturizer gel from Jason Natural once a day. 

A glob of Jason Natural moisturizer.

The first thing I noticed from the product is it's super sticky texture. The consistency is very thick and the color clear. Applying a thick glob of this product over my face isn't exactly a pleasant sensation to me. I can still feel the tackiness after allowing the gel to be absorbed onto my skin.

Applying a bit more leaves my skin feeling cool, a result of the menthol ingredient found in the formulation. I like that sensation, but I had read that some users find the product stinging their skin. So, I don't think this is something that the sensitive skin will like.

Though I don't like the sticky feel, I like how it moisturizes my face. I used this in Hong Kong, where the temperature had plummeted to as low as nine degrees Celsius. The moisturizer prevented my skin from peeling (an incidence I had experienced during my earlier visits to Hong Kong).

However, when I started to use this product twice a day, I started noticing my acne to be flaring up. I assume that this is due to the irritating ingredients found within the tube. Irritation is one factor for acne to develop.

Pros:

-no parabens, sls, and pthalates

-contains high concentration of aloe vera

-affordable

-noncomedogenic

-moisturizes without the greasy appearance

Cons:

-contains irritants that may not be suitable for sensitive skin

-sticky

Verdict:

I love the soothing effect of aloe vera, but the irritating ingredients seem to cancel out the good effects. I will still keep using it though until I find a more suitable moisturizer. If you decided to purchase this product, use it only once a day.

Rating: 3.5/5

Product Review: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45

I have been using Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen, which I have written a review about in my past post, for a few months already. I think the said product is fine, and works well as a daytime moisturizer during the low-humidity periods. However, after using it for a few times during my jogging spree, I noticed that my skin has darkened a bit. So I decided to look for another product from the same brand which hopefully would work better, and has chosen the Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 because it cointains green tea (Skin care products containing green trea turn me on!). Besides, it contains higher SPF, longer water resistance time (80 minutes), and most importantly, it bears a seal of recommendation from the Skin Cancer Organization.

Product Name: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45

Price and Availability: Php375.00 (Healthy Options) / 113g (4oz), Amazon

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 10%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Titanium Dioxide 2%

Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract*, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol*, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum)

* Certified Organic Ingredient

(Comedogenic ingredients: Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, and Glyceryl Stearate SE, Irritant: Alcohol)

Remarks: 

According to cosdna.com database: Cetearyl Alcohol and Cetyl Alcohol are highly comedogenic. Glyceryl Stearate SE is moderately comedogenic. Alcohol is an irritant.

Descriptions:

SPF 45

100% vegetarian ingredients

no parabens, pthalates, or harmful sulfates

water resistant (80 minutes)

broad spectrum

Review:

Back view.

A closer view at the back of the package.

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen SPF 45 is white in color and has a slightly thick texture. It has a faint sweet smell, not really like of green tea, but of a mixture of plants and flowers. The texture makes it easy to apply on the face. A little bit of effort can easily blend the product into the skin, leaving a white-less layer of protection.

Since I have oily skin, I very much prefer this product compared to my previous Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen. My skin appears less greasy (but still kind of shiny) and therefore more cosmetically appealing. For now, I've never tried applying anything on top of my sunscreen, so I'm not sure how it would fare if combined with makeup. Personally though, I hate to combine products. I would rather wear my sunscreen alone and that would be enough.

Before applying the sunscreen, I don't need any moisturizers at all. The formulation itself is emollient enough. I apply my daily benzoyl peroxide for my acne-prone skin, and then the sunscreen. By midday, I need to blot my face because my skin becomes extremely greasy.

The packaging doesn't indicate anything about being noncomedogenic. Despite that, I didn't have any problems with breakouts. That may be because after every workout, I wash my face immediately so as to avoid clogging the pores with sweat and sunscreen. During normal office days, I wear the sunscreen all day, and at night, remove the sunscreen with my reliable Clean & Clear facial wash. I never leave the sunscreen on overnight.

Pros:

- has a stable sunscreen formula 

- has SPF 45, which is slightly higher than the minimum requirement of SPF 30

- water resistant

- emollient, good for slightly dry to normal skin

- affordable

Cons:

- people with very oily skin will find it a bit too greasy

- may clog pores

Verdict:

After trying both products from the same Alba Botanica line, I would say I prefer this one. It is less oily and provides more protection against both UV A and B rays. It's impressive sun protective properties outweighs the slightly greasy feel it gives me. I would definitely repurchase this product. 

Rating:

4.5/5

Facial Cleansers for Oily Skin

Cleansing the face is an essential part of your skin care routine. Even if you spend a fortune on the best creams or serums in town, you wouldn't get the desired outcome without proper cleansing. Cleansing removes excess oil, makeup, sweat and dirt. If you have oily skin, it is a must to prevent breakouts.

A good facial cleanser should be sufficient to remove grime without harshly stripping the skin's top layer. It's a challenging task for cosmetic chemists to acquire since there must be a balance between having enough cleansing power and being gentle to skin. I've recently written a primer about facial soaps and cleansers in general. If you're interested, you may visit this page to read a more in-depth discussion.

In this blog post, I've listed some of the facial cleansers for oily skin that have garnered good reviews from different sources, namely, makeupalley, totalbeauty, paulaschoice, and amazon. I've included the price and ingredients list with my own remarks about the formulation. In addition, I've also gathered links to different personal reviews from other bloggers, and if you happen to have your own review regarding any of the products listed, do inform me so I can include your link. I will keep on updating the list for your reference. In the meantime, I hope this list will help you find the right cleanser for you.

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroampho PG Acetate Phosphate, Fragrance, Tetrasodium EDTA, C12-15 Pareth-2, Quaternium-15

Remarks:

This water-based cleanser deserves merit for being able to remove makeup effectively without leaving the skin feeling tight. It contains sodium laureth sulfate yet is still gentle enough even for the sensitive skin type.

Reviews:

http://drugstoregal.blogspot.com/2013/01/clean-clear-essentials-review.html


Basis Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability:
Amazon
Ingredients:
Water (Triple Purified), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, PEG 8, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG 200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Dimethicone Copolyol (Silica), Butylene Glycol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Schoenanthus) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Spearmint (Mentha Viridis) Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Fragrance
Remarks:
Oily skin love the rich lather this product produces. It gently removes makeup and contains plant extracts that doesn't irritate nor clog the pores.
Reviews:

http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/basis-cleaner-clean-face-wash-a-drugstore-gem/

The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Facial Wash

Price and Availability: 
Php 700 above (TBS Philippines) / 125ml, Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol

Remarks:

Contains high concentration of aloe extracts that is very soothing for sensitive skin. Basic make-up removal is fine, but for waterproof mascaras, additional cleansers are needed.

Reviews:

http://allaboutjyl.blogspot.com/2011/03/bodyshop-aloe-calming-cleanser-and-aloe.html

Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability: 

Amazon

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate and PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Phytophingosine, Citric Acid, Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xantham Gum

Remarks:

This formula will definitely attract consumers who avoid sulfates in their wash. Despite having no "soap" in the formula, it removes light makeup easily without stripping the skin.

Reviews:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/skin-care-finally-tried-cerave

http://juletsheeeh.blogspot.com/2013/07/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser.html


Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability:
Php 1,400 above, Amazon
Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylate Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Distearyl Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Laureth-2, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Sodium Methylparaben, Squalane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Remarks:
This one is not only suitable for oily skin, but to all skin types as well. A pea-size amount is enough to produce a lather while gently removing makeup. However, it contains pH adjuster triethanolamine that some may find irritating.
Reviews:
http://www.askmewhats.com/2012/12/amw-reviews-kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser.html
http://corallista.com/2012/01/18/skincare-wednesday-kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser-review-photos/
http://lesleykim.blogspot.com/2012/07/kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser-beauty.html

Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Laureth-10, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin

Remarks:

This product works fine for those who wear little to no makeup. Contains comparably lower concentration of SLS but beware of DMDM Hydantoin (that is, if you're highly allergic to the formaldehyde it produces). Acne-prone skin types love this for its noncomedogenic formula.

Reviews:

http://makeupandbeauty.com/olay-gentle-foaming-face-wash-aloe-review/

http://www.beautyfrontline.com/2012/10/olay-gentle-foaming-face-wash-review.html

Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Polyquaternium-6,Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA-Copper, Blue 1, Yellow 5

Remarks:

Many have noted how it wasn't able to remove the waterproof mascara. But if you wear little makeup, this product will be sufficient for you. Contains no sulfates, which is a plus for SLS haters.

Reviews:

http://lifeofcyndez.blogspot.com/2009/05/review-cliniques-wash-away-gel-cleanser.html

http://shimmerstewsandstreets.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/beauty-review-clinique-wash-away-gel-cleanser/

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-8, Coco-Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance

Remarks:

An effective makeup remover that is very gentle on the skin. This product is a plus for paraben-haters. Results in cosdna.com database shows one irritant though: Sodium Hydroxide. 

Reviews:

http://whichhazel05.blogspot.com/2013/03/100-amazing-la-roche-posay-effaclar.html

http://viewsfromatinbin.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-roche-posay-effaclar-purifying.html

http://andlaughatguildedbutterflies.blogspot.com/2012/08/la-roche-posay-effaclar-purifying.html

Last Updated: July 29, 2015

Product Review: Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash

Also available from Amazon.

If you're like me who's been reading a lot of articles and forums posts about skin care, you may encounter some product ingredients that we should avoid. Parabens, silicones, and sulfates are some of them. While some warnings may be based on facts, most of them aren't conclusive yet. Majority of these hype remain highly controversial. That is probably why a number of people get turned off into buying drugstore brands, because even though they cost less, they contain certain ingredients that majority of internet articles warn us against using.

Ingredients-wise, this facial cleanser from Clean & Clear is no different from other drugstore brands. It contains parabens that many women try to avoid. I must admit I had avoided drugstore brands before because I also became suspecting against certain ingredients and that's why I had refrained from using them for some time. In my previous post: What are Parabens: The Highly Controversial Substance, I've mentioned that I wouldn't be completely avoiding parabens anymore, especially if the product is a cleanser (something that would be quickly rinsed off anyway). 

I decided to buy Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash after reading from Paula Begoun's website that it removes makeup effectively. Unfortunately, the Essentials Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin isn't available in my country, and so I had to give the non-sensitive formula a try, which is, according to online reviews, similarly effective for removing makeup.

Product Name: Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash

Price and Availability: Php 73.75 / 50 ml (Watsons Philippines), Amazon

Ingredients: 

Water, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Lauryl Phosphate, Triclosan, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Benzophenone-4, Pentasodium Triphosphate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methlparaben, Ehtylparaben, Butylparaben, Proplyparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance.

Remarks:
Based on cosdna.com database, ingredients with comedogenicity rating of 3 and above out of 5 scale: myristic acid and lauric acid. In addition,triethanol amine scores high in irritancy scale. 

Review:

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash is liquid in form, and little amount is needed for foaming to occur. It has no noticeable smell, and the color of the formula is translucent orange. After using the product, I've noticed that it dries out my pimples quickly. I've also tested skinacea.com's advice: In order to find out if your cleanser is effective, apply toner with a cotton/cotton pad after washing with your product, and check if there are makeup stains. If the cotton appears clean, then your product should be adequate for makeup removal. 

Following skinacea's advice, after removing my BB cream using Clean & Clear, I applied toner using a cotton. I'm pleased to find out that the cotton was stain-free. No need for shelling out extra cash for expensive makeup removers. I only need this facial wash for cleansing my makeup.

On the downside, I noticed this cleanser to be too much drying. I have oily skin, so somehow it's balanced. Yet I can still feel the tightness after using it twice daily. Applying a heavy duty moisturizer is a must after using this cleanser. 

Here are the pros and cons of Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash:

Pros:

- dries out pimples quickly

- removes light makeup effectively (haven't tried this with heavy makeup)

- very cheap

Cons:

- contains parabens that may be a turn off to some consumers

- contains triclosan that may be too harsh on skin

- may be too drying to some skin types

Verdict:

It works well for removing my light makeup. No need for me to spend a lot of bucks for other makeup removing products (Hooray!). I will continue using this but only at night to remove light makeup or sunscreen for the meantime. I would gladly trade this for Essentials Foaming Facial Wash Sensitive Skin once available in my country.

Rating:

4/5

Product Review: Marks and Spencer Gentle and Soft Shower Gel

Gentle and soft, just like Duffy bear.

The skin of the body is not as delicate as that of the face, so I usually just ignore body skin care and focus more on my acne-prone face. My skin care for the body is simple, cleansing with a bar soap, scrubbing, and applying lotion. But I must admit guiltily that I only usually adhere to the cleansing step and neglect the rest of the regimen. 

Then one day, I went shopping to Marks and Spencer. I was really into shopping that day, and decided to buy a shower gel to replace my ordinary bar soap. I wanted to have some kind of luxury for shower use but is at the same time affordable, and so I bought the Gentle and Soft Shower Gel.

Product Name: Gentle and Soft Shower Gel

Price and Availability: P295.00 / 250ml (Marks and Spencer)

Ingredients:

Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Parfum, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, *Sodium Hydroxide, Magnesium Nitrate, Methylparaben, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone 

*Note: According to cosdna.com database, sodium hydroxide scores 5 out of 5 scale for irritancy.

Review:

The first time I bought the Gentle and Soft Shower Gel, I was already looking forward to taking my next bath. The daily showers I had was so boring because I only use an ordinary bar soap. It's always interesting to buy a different soap/shower gel each time for variety. 

I chose the Gentle and Soft Shower Gel because of its promise for being non-irritating. Although I don't think I have a super sensitive skin on the body, some soaps do make my skin very dry and reddish, so this is something worthy to try.

Here's what the product looks like close-up:

And the back of the package:

As you can see, the product is contained in a plastic tube. The gel inside has a clear color and a very runny consistency. Some contents poured out a bit outside the tube as soon as I opened the cap. So always be careful when using this product to avoid unnecessary spills!

The fragrance is soothing, yet faint. But what do I expect? It's supposed to be faint so as not to irritate the skin. The gel isn't as foaming as I'd expected though. It's actually the least foaming of all the shower gels I'd ever tried. I assumed it must be due to the non-irritating formulation. It takes some time getting to master the technique to make it a bit more foaming.

What I really liked about this shower gel is it's very moisturizing on the skin. After the bath, I didn't see any red marks which sometimes appear on my skin after using other soaps. The cleansing power is so-so, I didn't see any remaining dirt on my body (I was using a shower puff along with the product). So to my skin, the shower gel is indeed gently cleansing. 

Pros:

- soothing fragrance

- gentle on the skin 

- affordable

Cons:

- doesn't foam much

Verdict:

I might buy this again but not so soon. I would like to try other shower gels from other skincare lines from Marks and Spencer first. Overall, this is a nice shower gel that people with sensitive skin might love to try. 

Rating:

4/5

Product Review: Kiehl's Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro-dermabrasion

Also available on Amazon.

And so, after months of using the Kiehl's Ultra Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer, I was quite contented with it's performance and went again to the store to buy another jar. The saleslady was nice enough to recommend me some other products within the store. Since she found out I was using a bit of makeup, she introduced me to a facial scrub. I got some samples and was excited to try them out, including the scrub that she was so eagerly recommending.

The facial scrub is actually called a micro-dermabrasion - sounds fancy and expensive right? The product is indeed expensive, but Kiehl's fans seemed to be unbaffled by the high price of this product, as a real micro-dermabrasion session would cost even more. Plus, it's always a wonderful idea to be able to have a micro-dermabrasion session right at the comforts of home. 

If you're new to the entire skincare regimen concept, here's an article on Skincare 101 that might enlighten you on the subject. To roughly summarize, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are the common steps that the majority of the skincare enthusiasts strictly adhere to. Aside from these, exfoliating the skin is also part of the routine but not on a daily basis. Once or twice a week should be enough for the fairly sensitive skin. For the more sensitive skin types, exfoliating the skin is omitted from the regimen. 

The purpose of exfoliation is to remove the dead skin cells that all humans normally shed by sloughing the top layer of skin. Most of the dead skin cells get stuck in our skin's surface, thereby clogging the pores - leading to acne, and giving the skin a dull appearance. Exfoliating the skin can be done in several ways, and micro-dermabrasion is one popular yet pricey method. It uses a high-speed rotating wheel or brush that gently removes dead skin cells and is usually done in a skin clinic. Crystals are used along with the equipment as abrasives and only a thin layer of skin is removed, leading to softer and brighter skin.

Although Kiehl's micro-dermabrasion is no rotating brush equipment, it is labeled as such perhaps due to the micro-dermabrasion crystals present in the product - which is similarly used in micro-dermabrasion treatments in clinics. Going back to the product at hand, here's a quick overview of Kiehl's micro-dermabrasion:

Product name: Kiehl's Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro-dermabrasion

Price: Php 3,045.00 / 75ml (Kiehl's Philippines)

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, Alumina, Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii/Shea Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Solum Diatomeae/Diatomaceous Earth, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Epilobium Angustifolium/Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Algin (according to cosdna.com, hydrolyzed algin is comedogenic)

Descriptions:

• An advanced treatment that has a highly effective abrading quality on skin’s surface.

• Affords an immediate skin-smoothing effect and with regular, tri-weekly use, helps to visibly minimize discolorations and small marks on face, hands, and décolleté.

• Over time, the look of facial lines is reduced and skin texture is significantly smoother and clearer, while the appearance of pore size is diminished.

• As skin is re-texturized, it helps to facilitate the absorption of topical skin treatments to maximize their efficacy.

• Formulated with “diatomatious earth”– crushed microshells derived from ocean sand – as well as a powerful ingredient used by dermatologists to perform micro-dermabrasion procedures.

• Helps to soothe skin with an herbal blend and nurturing sea algaenates. 

- Source: Kiehl's official website

Review:

I've only used this product a few times but the small sample I've got is a reasonable amount for me to see the product's impressive performance. The saleslady from Kiehl's instructed me to use this scrub two to three times a week, but my rule of thumb is, any type of mechanical exfoliation I will only use once a week. And with a relatively lower frequency in a week means that it would take the product a long time to be used up. 

I've tried a number of exfoliating products before, and this by far is my most favorite. The abrasives of the scrub are very tiny and comfortable on skin. Of course, it doesn't mean that I could freely scrub this rigorously on the face. As with any type of scrubs, I use this gently and slowly. So those with heavy hands, be extra careful!

I use this in place of the facial wash once a week, although the saleslady said that I can use this together with my facial wash for a more thorough cleansing. I think a one-step cleansing step is already enough for me. After using it, I notice my face becoming brighter and softer. It is working well with my oily and acne-prone skin.

The abrasives of product is non-irritating to my skin, although I"ve read a few reviews from Makeupalley users stating that it did irritate their sensitive skin. But so far, majority of the votes still favors the product, and I agree with them. If you have super-sensitive skin type though, perhaps using any type of exfoliant should be avoided, or try a small patch test first before trying this out on the entire face.

Pros:

- non-irritating to most people

- contains moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and shea butter

Cons:

- very expensive

Verdict:
I am so loving the results the Kiehl's Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro-dermabrasion had on my skin, and so does my sister! The sample we've got is almost used up, but since it was so expensive, we decided to put off our purchasing plans in the meantime. 

Update (December 5, 2015): I am having a bad skin problem for the past few months and so I finally decided to buy this product. We'll see if this would help solve my skin issues.

Rating: 4.5/5

Last Updated: December 16, 2015 

Product Review: Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen

Why spend lots of bucks on different anti-aging serums or creams if you can simply prevent the culprit (that is, the sun's harmful UV rays) of premature aging by investing on a sunscreen? Sunscreen is indeed a basic skin care product that every woman (and man) should have. Many women may simply gear toward the SPF-containing cosmetics for their sun protection, but a heavy-duty sunscreen is still the best way to go.

I had been looking for a sunscreen that is affordable, noncomedogenic, has UVA and UVB protection, and has at least SPF 30. The Skin Cancer Organization provides a list of suncreen brands bearing the Seal of Recommendation, meaning the sunscreen is very photostable (doesn't break down under the sun, thus offering an effective layer of protection). The list shows some familiar brands yet only a few are accessible in the malls I frequently visit in Manila. I was glad to find Alba Botanica in the list, which I knew was being sold in Healthy Options stores. So off I went to the store and among a small range of Alba Botanica sunscreens, I chose Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen because it contains moisturizing ingredients - which means I can simply skip my moisturizer during my daytime skin regimen. 

Product Name: Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen

Price and Availability: Php375.00 (Healthy Options), Amazon

Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Homosalate 7.5%, Octocrylene 7.5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5.0%, Titanium Dioxide 2.0%

Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Gingko Biloba Leaf Root Extract, Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract*, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Polysorbate 60, Silica, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol*, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

*Certified Organic Ingredient 

(Comedogenic ingredients: Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, and Glyceryl Stearate SE, Irritant: Alcohol)

Descriptions:
SPF 30

100% Vegetarian Ingredients

No Animal Testing

won't clog pores

hypo-allergenic

water resistant (40 minutes)

paraben free

Review:

Alba Botanica Sunscreen has emollient properties, meaning it has a double function of sunscreen and moisturizer rolled into one. I am particularly concerned about the interaction among different skin care products and sunscreen ingredients. So as much as possible, I avoid using my skin care products simultaneously with a sunscreen. Since Alba Botanica has moisturizing properties, I need not worry about ingredients interaction because I can simply use my sunscreen solely during my daytime regimen.

Yet, I'm not sure if this is the right choice for my oily face, at least in the aesthetic department. The sunscreen is very greasy. I could already see my oil slick face as soon as I apply the sunscreen. Applying less might do the trick, but sunscreens aren't meant to be applied sparingly. Well, at least the sunscreen claims to be noncomedogenic, which my acne-prone skin would be thankful for.

Speaking of comedogenicity, cosdna.com database returned a result of three ingredients of the product garnering a medium to high scale of comedogenicity, namely: Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, and Glyceryl Stearate. It's quite puzzling, since the product is supposed to be noncomedogenic as per claim. Despite having a careful look at the ingredient list before buying, I still pushed through with my purchase to give this product a chance. And so far, it didn't break me out. But of course, to be on the safe side, I still have to remove the sunscreen completely at home to prevent possible clogging of pores.  It may be a bit of a challenge to remove the product, because it's water-resistant, but so far my Happy Tea Time Foaming Cleanser is doing a good job.

I'm not exactly looking for a water-resistant sunscreen, but it's also a bonus given the very hot weather in the Philippines. I sweat a lot in the face, so by having a water-resistant sunscreen, I am certain that I can stay protected.

As I've mentioned earlier, Alba Botanica is very greasy, yet I also love how it glides across my skin. It's very easy to spread, and it took me less time applying it in the morning as compared with other brands. Aside from the greasy appearance, the cosmetic finish of the sunscreen is very nice - no white residue. 

Pros:

water-resistant

noncomedogenic (so far)

easy to spread

no white residue

broad UV protection

has moisturizing properties

affordable

Cons:

very greasy

contains alcohol

may be lacking in UVA protection (check the table below)

Screen capture from cosdna.com database.

Will I buy this again? Perhaps not. I will be trying out other products within the Alba Botanica Natural Sunscreen Line which my oily skin will prefer. On the other hand, I highly recommend this to people with dry skin.

Alba Botanica Natural Sunscreens: