Treatment

Review: Skincare: Dr. Bragi Marine Enzyme

Paris B 1 Comment

I was contacted by Paris (Yes that’s her name!) who offered me to review a revolutionary skincare by Dr. Bragi. The item is an age management enzyme that promises to rejuvenate, moisturise, and be anti-inflammatory. I was intrigued, so she kindly sent me some samples to try.

Each sample sachet came in a small little clear square plastic packet with a tiny bit of serum in it, about 1ml. Initially, I thought each sachet would last maybe 1 use. However, I was wrong.

This clear enzyme serume has no smell and no colour. It is very viscous and a teeny tiny bit is more than enough to cover the whole face. The directions are to use it both day and night, but I found that it was a tad too sticky for day, so I only used it at night. With just using it once a day, one little sachet lasts about 1 week. Amazing!

On the skin, the serum goes on slightly emollient. The skin will feel oily if you apply too much so care must be taken to apply only a very thin film on the skin. What I did was to squeeze out a drop and then dot it on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin then slightly spread it and massage it into the skin. This way, the serum absorbed quickly into the skin and did not leave it feeling tacky.

When I was using this, I was also going through quite a bad breakout on my face. I had initially attributed it to this serum so when Paris contacted me, I told her about it. She said that very slight breakouts are not uncommon, but they usually clear up in about a day or two with constant use. I eventually isolated the cause (not this serum) and I must admit that subsequently, my skin has not been better.

I sleep in an air-conditioned room so the air gets dry during the night. However, with this serum, I found that my skin was moisturised when I woke up, and the texture of my skin was improved. It felt firmer and the skin on my cheeks actually felt smoother.

This penzyme (penetrating enzyme) was patented by Dr. Bragi from Iceland and he had developed this penzyme initially for healing wounds and arthritis. He found it so effective that it has now been developed for skincare. People who suffer from rosacea and sensitive skin have reported tremendous success in curing or alleviating their symptoms after using this marine enzyme. It is also supposed to help with acne sufferers and acne scars. I have some pitted scars on my face but I don’t think I’m using it long enough to notice much of an improvement in it. Also, I don’t have very bad eye bags or dark eye circles which this is also supposed to help with.

This Dr. Bragi serum isn’t available in Malaysia at this time, but is available online in the UK and USA. Boutique Unique London retails it for GBP120 (RM829.45) for 50ml and at Bliss Spa its US$240 (RM825.47) for 50ml. Very expensive. However because so very little is used at one time, I can imagine 50ml lasting nearly forever. Honestly, if I could afford it, this would be excellent stuff. But since I can’t, I’m hoarding the last sachet I have left!

Pros: Very little is used at one time, firms skin, keeps skin moisturised

Cons: Very expensive, not easily available

[rating:4/5]

Review: Skincare: Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel

Paris B 4 Comments

I’d read a lot about Philosophy’s Microdelivery Peel and so I had one purchased for me from the USA. The Philosophy brand isn’t available in Malaysia at the time of writing.

What this treatment does is perform a “peel” effect on your skin in that it exfoliates the top layer of the skin to encourage faster skin renewal.

There are 2 components to this treatment. A tub with Vitamin C resurfacing crystals and a bottle with lactic/salicylic gel which activates the properties of the scrub which performs the exfoliating function.

The 1st step is the Vitamin C resurfacing crystals and goes on clean dry skin. It feels rough, rather like a salt scrub and while you scrub your skin, you cannot rub too hard or you might scratch your skin. It smells very fresh and citrusy which is to be expected from something that has Vitamin C in it.

After applying the crystals, you then apply the lactic/salicylic gel. This gel will react with the Vitamin C crystals to perform the exfoliating of the skin. With the chemical reacion going on on the skin, it feels warm and starts to foam a little. You are supposed to leave it on the skin for a few minutes.

These are the features of the product as per Philosophy’s site.

  • rebuilds skin – peptides- a combination of amino acids that help rebuild the skin’s support structure. peptides helps improve the skin’s firmness and elasticity while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
  • brightens skin – vitamin c- this antioxidant and collagen stimulator offers anti-aging benefits, helps brighten the skin and helps protect against environmental attack.
  • keeps skin clear – salicylic acid- helps shed pore walls of dead skin cells and helps keep skin clear while minimizing congestion/breakouts.
  • exfoliates and moisturizes – lactic acid- exfoliates and moisturizes the skin which helps promote smooth, healthy skin.

The immediate effect once you rinse the gel mixture off your face is “Oh My God! I have baby smooth skin!!” And you do. You just can’t stop touching your face because it just feels so smooth and silky.

I do find however that this effect does not last. After a day or two, it feels as normal. I do scrub my skin every other day and I go for facials often so I’m not sure if any brightening of the skin can be attributed to this product alone. I don’t do this peel too often because I don’t think its very good for the skin. As a result, this set has lasted me ages and ages because you don’t use very much at one go.

The set retailed at US$65. Once you add on the taxes, it is over $70. Ouch! Pricey! So you understand why I’m happy that it lasts a while. Since I don’t have access to this brand, and its heavy to ship internationally, I won’t be stocking up once I finish my set.

Update: For those based outside the USA, this product is also available at StrawberryNET.com.

Pros: Baby soft skin! Keeps skin smooth

Cons: Expensive, not available in Malaysia, effects do not last

[rating: 4/5]

Philosophy Microdelivery peel to be reviewed

Paris B 1 Comment

My aunt came back from Las Vegas. This is not of much consequence except that I asked her to check out a Sephora for me because I was told that the Sephora in Las Vegas is large and has a lot of brands in stock. I wanted her to get me a Philosophy Microdelivery set which I shall be reviewing soon. This is a brand we don’t get in Malaysia so I was excited to try it. Baby smooth skin here I come!

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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