Moisturiser - Geoskincare Hydra Gel

Often, we hear people saying that moisturising is a crucial step to a skin care regime. At first, I thought I was a weirdo for not following this mantra preached by the "overal" beauty community. Later on I realised moisturisers are not necessary all the time. According to Dr. Neal Schultz, you only apply moisturiser when you notice your skin is dry. Other than that, nope.

I have never been a fan of using moisturiser. It was a hassle because I saw no point in applying as my skin was pretty hydrated. The reason to this was because I live in a tropical rainforest climate (pretty much like spring/summer with occasional rain). Thus, we do not have the four seasons.  To sum it up, I do my best to keep my skin regime simple and sweet. 

I honestly think that moisturisers could be one of the main reason why people breakout more often than they should (that's just my opinion and observation on my skin though) I have tried moisturisers in the past and I noticed that after several days of applying it (at night time), I started to have those little whiteheads around my cheek; which is rare because I don't breakout at that area. 

So if you want to give it a try, you could apply your favourite moisturiser on your dry areas only for several days and see what happens (don't try this during winter though). I would love to know how it has worked for you. :) So please do keep me updated.

Enough of my side story with moisturisers in the past and get on with the review. :)

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About 6 months now, I have noticed that my skin has certain dry areas. Around my cheek bone, jaw line and a little on my nose. It isn't noticeable but it feels slightly rough to the touch. The cause of this was my Esmeria Organics Alpine Willowherb Purifying Cleansing Gel (click here if you're interested on my review on it). This particular cleanser is suitable for acne and oily prone skin. The problem is that I don't have oily skin and I only depend on it to control my pimples/acnes/breakouts. It is effective but it leaves some part of my face dry and cracked.

By accident, I stumbled upon this Geoskincare Hydra Gel moisturiser. It is completely lightweight and gel like consistency. After several rubs, it vanishes - leaving the skin smooth and supple (you're not reminded that you have a moisturiser on at all!) It doesn't cause me to breakout at all and it keeps my face plump and smooth.

For the smell, it has a light calming flowery scent that dissipates after several minutes upon application.

This is one of the moisturisers that I have found so far that light weight, natural&organic. I love it.

The only downside to this product is that it is only 50ml which is little if you use it on a regular basis. But personally for me, I use one pump for each application and moisturise only 2-4 days a week. So it will last me for quite some time.

It has a nozzle pump which is good because it's hygenic. Bad because you can't squeeze the life out of it to get as much product as you can.

(Corrected price) The original price of this baby is RM119, I got it at a 30% discount so its RM83. I am sad to say that this product is going to be discontinued at TNS Skin Lab. So I am wondering what am I going to do when my lovely moisturiser runs out. :( The good news is that I will be on a hunt for a newer/better product (yay for more reviews).

Ingredients:

organic botanical infusion, organic aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera) gel, cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar gum), gluconolactone and sodium benzoate (geogard ultra), matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, calendula officinalis (calendula) oil, tocopheral (vitamin e), camillia sinsensis (green tea) extract, lavendula officinalis (lavender) oil, zanthomonas campestris (xanthan gum), cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, jasminum officiinale (jasmine) oil.

Product features:

·  a silky aloe vera based gel

·  penetrates quickly

·  naturally hydrates

·  cools and calms

·  use as a moisturiser or serum

·  reduces inflammation

·  compliments mineral makeup

·  can be stored in fridge for extra soothing effect

·  certified organic

To summarise how to look for good moisturisers:

1. Try your best to purchase organic&natural products. I know they are more costly. But you have got to remember that you only have one face, one body for the rest of your life. So you got to take care of it. 
2. Apply moisturiser on needed areas only (dry, cracked etc)
3. Observe if moisturising daily causes you to break out.


Okay that's it for now. See you soon!

"You only have one face, one body. So cherish it and take care of it well. :)" 

XOXO,

Sunscreen #3

Hello! It's been a superbly long while. Anyway, I have been going out and running errands more frequently these days. And thus, I had to use more sunscreen.

As you know, I am always hunting for the perfect sunscreen with an affordable price. What I find about sunscreens that makes me pretty frustrated is that 1. they finish fast, 2. they come in a small bottle, and 3. they are pretty pricey in the long run. 

So what I do these days is use two types of sunscreen on my face to minimise my cost and at the same time, protect my skin. 


The top two benefits of wearing sunscreen are:
1. Prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines. You do want to look like a beauty when you're older, am I right? :)
2. Lowers the risk of skin cancer which is one of the most major type of cancers. 
3. Reduces the chance of hyper-pigmentation (darkening of the skin) and brown spots.

For the beach babes out there, finding the perfect sunscreen would be extremely crucial for y'all. ;) Just so you know, you can still tan while wearing sunscreen. It's better to safe-tan than to get the long term repercussions in the near future. :)

Without further ado, let's bring on the review. I use the Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 30 PA+++ on my face. I love it because it has a gel consistency and it leaves a no sunscreen-feel on my face. It vanishes easily after several rubs.
I really cannot stand the greasy ones that makes my skin look oily and shiny over time. It's bad for pictures too! 
This product doesn't cause me to breakout like the greasy ones, which is a plus point for me. The price is approximately RM30 ($9) at the pharmacy. You could get this at RM26 (there's sales in Guardian now). It has 90ml of product.

Based on Kao Malaysia, it says that it is:
* Suitable for face and body application, Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Jelly provides effective double protection with SPF30 to block harmful sun rays. 
It is enhanced with a unique Water-retaining System to lock in moisture while hydrating skin at the same time with its cool watery texture. The jelly is non-sticky and non-greasy while it spreads easily on skin, leaving it soft and light so skin feels refreshed & relaxed.

For my body, I use the AIKEN Daily Sunscreen SPF 30 PA++. It is only RM11 for 150g, which is totally a steal. Because seriously, that is a lot of product. 

Although the packaging says it has non-greasy formula, I beg to disagree - there is a slight greasy feel upon application. Give it 5-10 minutes air dry and it should feel less greasy.

It has a thick cream consistency  that disappears after several rubs. It is not as light as the Biore's but for the price, I ain't complaining. :) 

For me, it's fine to use a greasier sunscreen on my hands and legs because it does not cause to me to breakout and I would like to minimise my cost as much as possible. After all  I am using sunscreen for the long run.

One pointer I should give about this sunscreen is be careful when you press the product out. The nozzle of the product is pretty large in comparison with others. So sometimes, too much unnecessary product comes out. 

The back of the AIKEN sunscreen says:

With UVA & UVB filters provides complete protection. Protects skin from signs of premature ageing, sunscreen and skin redness.This light and non-greasy formula absorbs quickly to provide waterproof protection. Use regularly to help maintain skin's natural moisture balance for smooth and supple skin. 

As for how long any sunscreen last, the general guideline is to reapply every 2 hours if you're constantly outdoors. Personally for me, I only apply it once a day before I head out as I'm usually indoors all the time. 

As usual, do a patch test for any new products if you have sensitive skin and enjoy the sun while being health conscious.

Take care 'cause I care. 

XOXO,

Acne soap bar

Hello lovelies! I am back. :) 

About 2 years ago, I talked about Bacne. If you don't know what bacne is, it's acne on the back of your body. If you're interested to see my first post, you can check it out (here).

Previously, I used the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Organic Soap which I really enjoy. However, the price was something I did not. It was RM18 for a single bar which is extremely pricey for a bar of soap. The ordinary price of a soap is usually RM 5 for a packet of 3? 

Today I would be talking about the JF Anti-Acne Face & Body Soap. I have been using this bar for approximately a year now. It costs RM 11.90 and it comes with a packet of 2 large and 2 mini travelling bars. I like products that are affordable, effective and have less potentially harmful chemicals. 

This acne bar is right up my alley because it keeps my pimples at bay. 

Details on the box: 

I usually switch it up with Organic Selections Body Wash - Lemon Myrtle & Avocado to keep my skin "surprised". Check out my review of it (here). 

As a side information:
I use loofahs to lather for bar soaps. My review on loofahs is (here). For liquid soap, I use my trusty hands.

This soap has a tolerable smell but not as pleasant as the Organic Selection's body wash. However for the its price and effectiveness, I ain't complaining. :) 

As usual, I am always hunting for products that have minimal chemical ingredients and this soap keeps my paranoia to the minimum.  

Sulfur is known to treat acne and is usually contained in many acne products like facial mask. I noticed that products containing sulfur really works well on my skin. My skin doesn't have itchy reactions compared to when using benzoyl peroxide. 

Does your skin get irritated easily with benzoyl peroxide laden products? 

P.S - For sensitive skin please do a patch test prior to using it.

"Never lose sleep over something that isn't worth staying awake for" - Mark Amend

Love,

Cons of consuming yogurt

Why hello hello! It's been a long time. I thought that I would make it up to you guys by presenting you with another post. A side note, I would be on hiatus until the end of May. Thank you for being patient with me. 

Let's get on with the topic of the day. 

Yogurt, some people love it and some hate it. I used to detest plain yogurt but I learned to love it by adding it with a drizzle of honey. I have been eating  Greek yogurt for the past 6 months. The brand of the yogurt was Farmers Union Greek Yogurt. 

I did a random test by avoiding it for 2 months and I noticed a big difference it had on my skin. I stopped having random breakouts. My only conclusion to this discovery was that the milk used to make the yogurt contained hormones. 

To further reconfirm my assumption, I noticed that organic milk does not cause me to break out at all. I have been consuming organic skim milk for approximately one year. 

If you guys are having random breakouts and you don't know the reason to it, try consuming organic milk products and see the effects it has on your skin.

Normal milk products contains plentiful of hormones, additional and artificial flavouring. When ingested, the hormones might disturb your body's natural hormones and cause reactions such as breakouts, eczema and etc. 

Some of my tips when purchasing yogurt:
1. Avoid buying flavoured yogurt. It contains a lot of unnecessary sugar, artificial fruits and flavouring. Instead, get natural or plain yogurt (organic).

If you like to add some pzazz to your yogurt, add some slivered almonds, drizzle of honey and some fruits. :)

2. Go organic even when it's pricier, it will do your skin wonders. 

P.S - Instead of consuming normal yogurt (non-organic), you could purchase it to apply it on your skin instead. I mentioned the advantages of yogurt as a hair and face mask treatment previously. Check it out (here). :)

"Give the gift of your absence to those who do not appreciate your presence"

À bientôt,

Flu season

Hello! 

I don't know about you guys but in Malaysia, it seems like everyone is getting the flu. And.. that makes me pretty paranoid. 

Based on my perspective, a healthy body translates to a beautiful and glowing face. So you guys gotta take care of your health by getting enough rest and drink plentiful water.

One trick that I always find really helpful when I am on the brink getting sore throat is to have couple of sips of salt water before going to bed. According to mostlyherbs.com, salt water has natural antiseptic properties. 

I did a "Salt Water" post a year ago on the multipurpose use of salt in the beauty department. Check it out (here).

As a recap on how to make your own sore throat remedy: 
1. Scoop out 1 teaspoon of salt (preferably Himalayan salt or sea salt) into a cup. 
2. Add in warm water till it is 1/4 cup full. 
3. Have couple sips of it before going to bed. 

Don't worry if there's any salt water left as you can now use it as a salt toner! ;)

Another trick I noticed is that exercising really helps to keep me healthy. Try doing your best to exercise 3-4 times a week (15 minutes each). 

Moreover, having sufficient sleep (7-9 hours) really makes a lot of difference. I have been surviving on 5-6 hours of sleep for the past month. I noticed that I get colds easily and ample of muscle aches. I tried sleeping 8 hours the other night and WOW. The next day when I woke up, my muscle aches just vanished into thin air. 

Another benefit of being well rested is that I noticed that I am likely to be more positive and energetic. I noticed that my shoulder angel resonates much more clearly when I have sufficient rest. 

This is a side info but did you guys know that having lack of sleep causes your breath to reek? I get super self conscious that happens. My final resort is to gargle my mouth with my homemade mouth rinse before I step out of the door. You can check that out (here). 

Also, I advise you to drink plenty of water throughout the day if you have lack of sleep. I noticed that for me, my breath doesn't smell as bad if I consistently drink water. And a plus point to that is that I meet my 2 liters quota of the day. 


I would love to hear how does my tips and tricks work for you so please do leave any of your questions or feedback down below. Thank you for being patient with me. I shall talk to you guys soon! 

"Sometimes it's better to be with your own company than to spend your time with bad company." 

Avec bisous,

Moisturising body wash

Hi lovelies!

I seem to be apologising all the time for my absence. Thank you for your patience y'all. :)

Anyways, back to the review. I have been using this body wash called the, Organic Selections Body Wash - Lemon Myrtle & Avocado for 2 months now. If you guys don't know, I have mild eczema and I am always hunting for body washes that don't dry out my skin and cause me to itch like crazy. 

This body wash has a really light and pleasant smell which I really enjoy. I usually do my best to leave it on my body for a couple of minutes to allow my skin to soak up all the awesome ingredients. It leaves my skin really soft and supple after the wash. Sometimes, I am tempted to even skip body lotion after this wash. 

One thing I really adore about this product is that it is natural and partly organic.

Here are the ingredients:

Purified Water, Certified Organic Botanical Blend of Lavender, Rosehip, Burdock, Chamomile, Calendula, Horsetail (herb); Organic Safflower Oil, Biodynamic Avocado Oil, Biodynamic Macadamia Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract,  Australian Bush Extracts of Kakadu Plum Decyl Glucoside (sugar derivative), Aloe Vera, Alpha Olefin, Soy Lecithin, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Citrus Seed Extract, Olive Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sea Salt, Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil

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As you can see, the ingredients are practically derived from things you know instead of some bizarre chemical. That really puts me at ease because your body is the largest organ and it absorbs whatever chemicals you apply on it; which is the main reason why I invest pretty plentifully on beneficial skincare products.

I bought this baby for RM48.30 (30% discount) at TNS Skin Lab. It's normal price is RM69. I entirely agree that it is extremely pricey for a body wash. I honestly do not know why I was inclined to buy it in the first place, but I bought it and I am really pleased with it. So far, I have used a 1/4 of the bottle.

I use it alternatively with another body soap to ensure that I always keep my skin surprised. I realised that my skin gets resistant to products I use over a period of time.  

Among all of the Organic Selections body wash ranges, I like this the most because of its pleasant smell. If you guys are hestitant to purchase this product, you could stop by at any TNS outlet to get free samples. 

Stay tuned for my next review on a body wash that helps acne prone skin.

"Smiling is the best makeup in the world"

Love,

Contact lens & tips to combating dryness

Hello lovelies,

For those who are wearing contact lens, you might find it pretty drying throughout the day. I am a user myself. 

You might be tempted to pull out your trusty eye-drops but stop! 

My optician once told me that frequent usage of eye-drops will cause the natural moisture of the eyes to reduce. This is because, your eyes has become dependent on it. So instead of producing its natural moisture to combat dryness, it "waits" for its artificial moisture.

I find that yawning really helps in moistening the eye. The trick is to do long body stretches and after a while, you will feel the urge to yawn.

Of course the real yawning is better as i feel more teary-eyed compared to an induced yawning.

Everyone wants to look beautiful or better and  for me, contact lenses does give me the extra boost of confidence. 

Just remember to do your best not to wear it frequently as it can thin out your iris. This impedes future prospect of undergoing lasik eye surgery. 

Also, please wear less than 8 hours a day as the lenses does not completely allow oxygen to enter your eyes. Sure you can get oxygen from breathing, but it is much quicker in diffusion through the eyes.

Please do tell me if yawning works for you. Until next time.

"Your eyes are the window to your soul and the pathway to see the world. Cherish them"

Avec amour,