Face

Pure Vitamin E Oil for your face

Paris B 84 Comments

Pure Vitamin E Oil as a moisturiser is a recent re-discovery for me, as well as being a recommendation from a friend. I used to use it many years back to heal acne scars but along the way, it got forgotten.

I have been using it for slightly more than a week now, and the results have been amazing! I only use it at night because its terribly sticky, and the box recommends it be left on overnight. The oil is thick and clear and its hard to spread on the skin, and be careful of your hair, if you have long hair. It sticks. The box has suggested to warm it up and apply on moisturised skin, but I haven’t gotten round to trying that.

The next morning, my skin feels soft and moisturised. by then, most of the oil has been absorbed into the skin. I usually lay a towel on my pillow so the oil doesn’t stain it. The immediate result I noticed was the lightening of the lines around my mouth, what is known as “laugh lines”. I had quite prominent laugh lines, but after about a week, they are now barely noticable. The slightly deeper lines will take longer, but any fine lines I have seem to have evened themselves out a bit.

Vitamin E is supposed to make a good natural anti-oxidant for the skin, and its good for lightening scars, acne marks and fine lines. I have some old pitted acne scars which I am hoping this Vitamin E oil will help even out with time.

I don’t intend to use it everyday all over my face (its too sticky), but only twice a week. I’m not sure if this oil will be too much for those will oily skin so if you have oily skin or combination skin, you might want to be more careful when trying it in case it causes more pimples.

For application purposes, I go for the highest IU (International Unit) I can find, which is Colonial Dames Vitamin E Oil.

The highest they have is 35,000 IU. The stickiness and viscousity gets less the lower the IU. I like this one as it comes in a pump bottle which makes it easy to dispense and to control. This is 100% Alpha (Vitamin E) and there is no smell. This retails for RM59.90 at Guardian and some other pharmacies (but not Watsons). You only use a little so it will last a while.

The other brand I’ve tried before this is Organic Aid.

This one comes in a glass bottle without a dispenser. The highest IU I’ve seen is 28,000 IU and the Vitamin E is derived from wheatgerm. I used it a long time ago which I started but I opted not to go back to this brand as I did not like the open mouth of the bottle. The oil residue will collect around the mouth and it goes rancid so it smells bad even if the rest of the oil is still good. This one is cheaper at about RM39.90.

I have also seen Vitamin E oil by Fruit of the Earth and The Body Shop. I’ve never tried them so I will not comment on them.

Opinion seems to be divided if Vitamin E has any benefits for topical application, but while it works for me, I’ll keep on using it.

UPDATE: Try not to use it to often as it could possibly clog pores if you have oily skin. I use it only once a week but nightly on scars.

[rating:4/5]

technorati tags: Vitamin_E, Vitamin_E_oil, face, skincare

Review: Skincare: St. Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub

Paris B 6 Comments

scrub

This St. Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub is my scrub of choice. Its similar to the St. Ives Apricot Scrub that comes in the orange tube, except this one is medicated with 2% salycilic acid. What that does is help with treating problem skin, as it has mine. I use it about 2 times a week as part of my skincare regime, and I think it’s help keep my spots at bay.

This scrub comes in a large tube, and I don’t find the granules over large or harsh. You squeeze out a bit, maybe around 2cm and lather with water then scrub your face with it. Make sure not to scrub too hard for that’s bad for your skin.

This scrub has a slight minty smell, and leaves my skin smooth and slightly tingly. I like it. It makes me feel like my skin is really clear and clean. 🙂

The price is great too. It retails for about RM17 and often goes on discount at Guardian and Watsons. I’d say its worth getting. I’m probably on my 5th tube and still loving it!

[rating:5/5]

Update: It would appear that St. Ives no longer makes this version or even if they do, they no longer call it a “Medicated” Apricot Scrub. I found that the texture seems to have changed and that the granules in the scrub now seem larger and feel more harsh on my skin. I no longer use this for this reason. However, my review stands because it helped me a lot when I was battling acne and it is my first introduction to the wonders of salicylic acid for combating acne and spots on my skin. These days, I just use a different salicylic based cleanser, like the Vichy Normaderm one which is excellent too!

Review: Skincare: Lancome Optimum Primordiale Nuit night cream

Paris B 4 Comments

I sleep in an air-conditioned room most nights so my skin was feeling rather dry in the mornings. The normal cream I use during the day just was not cutting it.

I was recommended the Lancome Primordiale Optimum Nuit cream by a friend. Actually, I was at the Lancome warehouse sale and she asked me to pick her up a tub so I asked if it was good and she had nothing but raves for it. So, I decided to give it a shot.

What I don’t like about this cream is the fact that it comes in a tub. Maybe I’m just a bit of a germphobe, but sticking your fingers in the tub every night does not do it for me. So I take some out with a clean spatula into a smaller tub and use from there until its time to replenish. Bit more tedious, but it works for me.

This cream is rather thick and is coloured and fragranced. The colour is a pale pink and the fragrance is a strong rose scent. Those sensitive to scent should avoid this as the smell lingers. I am usually quite sensitive to smell, but this one doesn’t bother me very much. It sort of fades after a while but is still there and I find it quite soothing. So as I said, if you don’t like fragrance in skincare, don’t go near this one!

This night cream promises to be a regenerating night cream to help skin look visibly clarified and fresh from the first application. Despite the rather thick texture, I found that it sank in quite quickly into my skin. It did not feel oily after that, not did it sit on the top of my skin like a layer of clingwrap.

After using it for about 2 months now, I’ve had no reactions to it and in fact, I think my skin looks a bit clearer and more even now than it did before. Its supposed to improve the texture of the skin as well. I cannot vouch for that property as I use a whole host of other products that promise the same thing anyway!

This cream is expensive. It retails at RM269 or thereabouts for a 50ml tub. You only use a touch, to be honest. After 2 months I’ve hardly gone beyond the surface of the tub and have yet to replenish my small tub. I can see this one lasting a long long time. I’ve never used any Lancome skincare before this so the effectiveness of this one is a pleasent surprise.

Pros: Lightweight cream, absorbs quickly, doesn’t feel oily, skin looks nice after use

Cons: Expensive, heavily fragranced

UPDATE: This review was written in December 2006. Its now March 2007 and I’m only halfway through the tub. My skin is still doing ok so I guess it deserves its raves. The only rant would be the price!

Disclaimer: This review is purely my opinion based on my own experience with the products reviewed. I do not vouch for the ingredients in the products nor do I hold myself out as an expert. I’m just another consumer like you. As with all skincare and cosmetics, do check ingredients or test for allergies and reactions.

[rating:4/5]

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner – great stuff

Paris B 69 Comments

A couple of months ago, I had a terrible breakout especially along my chin and jawline area. I tried all sorts of pimple creams but the spots persisted. Then, I suddenly remembered this concoction that I used to make weekly with Apple Cider Vinegar.

Be warned – it smells! So, if you are sensitive to the strong smell of apple cider vinegar, make it with green tea. I’m not too fussed by the smell so I used to make it with just plain water.

This is what you need:-

  1. Small glass bottle – vinegar is acidic – use glass. I use an old toner sample bottle
  2. Steep a bag of green tea (any brand) in a cup then when its cool, pour out some into another cup/measuring cup and mix with equal parts of apple cider vinegar i.e. 20ml tea to 20 ml apple cider vinegar
  3. Use as you would a toner after cleansing and before moisturiser.
  4. Keep in a cool dark place (my room is usually dark and cool so I keep it there).

My skin has cleared up dramatically since I re-discovered my old staple, and in fact, I’ve found that using the green tea seems to be beneficial for my skin too. My skin is clearer and any budding spots are nipped in the bud (no pun intended). I’ve also stopped getting cystic acne (the hard painful bumps under the skin that sometimes never erupt) and my pores seem smaller and finer too. The smell is masked somewhat by the green tea, but not totally so. As I said before, I’m not bothered by the smell.

I’m using it twice a day now, but you can use it only at night if you’d rather. I use a strong facial sunsceen everyday, so I feel alright using this even in the day.

I was told that Braggs is probably the best brand out there for the apple cider vinegar as its unfiltered. Filtered vinegar doesn’t work as well. However, if you know of other brands that are unfiltered you can use them too.

This is natural and chemical and preservative free which should be good for the skin. Also, as its preservative free, I make mine on a weekly basis. I hope this helps someone!

[rating:5/5]

 

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