Type of serum

Q5: Could you please help? I don’t know how to choose between L-Ascorbic Vitamin C Serum, Collagen Serum and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Serum. Can I use Collagen Serum for fine lines at eyes?

A:

Hi twinklet,

Thanks for your massage.

Regarding how to choose the serum, it depends on what effect you want to achieve.

Vit C is famous for its whitening and anti-oxidant effect. Vit C also boots the production of collagen. With more collagen in the deeper layer of your skin, your skin looks firmer and younger

Collagen Serum – when you apply it on your face, it works great to moistures the outer layer of skin, as it has the capability to lock the water. When use it with the ultrasonic stimulator, it help the synthesis of the collagen.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Serum – HA serum can hold moisture that is 500 times of its volume. So even you apply a very small amount, your skin is till very moisturized. It is the most effective moisturizer so far. When the moisture in the skin layer is enough, then it prevents the formation of wrinkles.

Vit C will not cause break out, but it might bring irritation (red spots) to sensitive skin. If you apply the Vit C and still got break out, then it is the cleansing work that is not done well. If that is the case, then you may want to consider changing your way to clean your face or choosing another cleanser. If you wear make up everyday, it is very important to use make up remover (oil / water based) to remove the make up, then only use the cleanser to clean your face. Using cotton pad to apply toner (gently slide the cotton pad from bottom to top direction) will help to clean the face for second time. That is what Niu Er said in the TV show.

I am not sure if you have pimples frequently, if you do, then I will advise you use the Vit C Serum first. Vit C is good for pimples too. It will help to cure the injuries (because of pimples) faster. But do not use the ultrasonic stimulator on pimples. Just apply the serum on pimple area will do. If you never use Vit C product before, then start with a small amount first (1-2 drops for the whole face). If you feel a bit itchy, then that is normal. Your face will get used to it. Later when your face can take it, then you can use 3 drops.

As for the lines, if it is beside your eyes, then you can use Collagen Serum. You can do a direct apply only, or use it with the stimulator. Please be careful when you deal with eye areas, the action need to be gentle. Do not use on eye balls. I do not advise to use Vit C on eye areas, as eye areas are way too sensitive compare the skin on our cheek.

One more thing I would like to comment is apply sun block or face cream with SPF is important. The sun light not only causes our skin becomes dark, the UV light also cause our skin to lose it elasticity which finally bring to lose skin and wrinkles, and the worst is cancer. The UV light just acts as a scissor, it goes into the deeper layer of your skin, and start cutting it.

Hope this help. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions.

Wish everyone becomes prettier and prettier ~

Cheers ~



Vitamin C + E + ferulic acid: enhancing stability and effectiveness of topical ascorbic acid



Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is one of the relatively few topical agents whose effectiveness against wrinkles and fine lines is backed by a fair amount of reliable scientific evidence (see our article on vitamin C). Unfortunately, vitamin C is relatively unstable. When exposed to air, vitamin C solution undergoes oxidation and becomes not only ineffective but also potentially harmful (oxidized vitamin C may increase the formation of free radicals). A variety of approaches have been used to try to stabilize vitamin C in water solution. Unfortunately, there are no good studies comparing the effectiveness of different stabilization methods under the conditions of real life usage. In this article, we discuss a method where vitamin C is stabilized and potentiated by the addition of vitamin E and ferulic acid.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant. In living systems, vitamins C and E can regenerate each other and thus potentiate each other's antioxidant effects. While the capacity of vitamin E to protect vitamin C from oxidation in a water solution is relatively modest, vitamin E enhances the antioxidant effects of vitamin C when they are co-applied to the skin. Therefore, even if some of the vitamin C in a product is degraded, the remainder works better in the presence of vitamin E. Studies indicate that the combination of vitamins C and E provide better protection from UV-induced damage than either vitamin alone. On the other hand, vitamin E appears to have little effect on the ability of vitamin C to stimulate the synthesis of collagen.

Ferulic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found primarily in plant cell walls. It is a potent antioxidant and may have skin benefits even when used alone. However, skin care related studies of ferulic acid focused on its ability to enhance the effects of vitamins C and E. Preliminary research indicates that ferulic acid may improve the stability of Vitamin C in water solution. Also, the addition of ferulic acid to the combination of vitamins C and E appears to increase protection from UV-induced skin damage. In one study, the addition of ferulic acid to a vitamin C + vitamin E formula almost doubled the UV-protection benefits. Whether ferulic acid affects the ability of vitamin C to increase collagen synthesis is unclear.

While the combination of vitamin C, E and ferulic acid appears to have clear advantages over vitamin C alone, a number of limitations remain. First, even though combining vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid makes it more stable, some degradation still occurs and may still be a significant factor depending on the usage and storage conditions. Second, vitamin C is acidic and may be irritating for people with sensitive skin, especially at relatively high concentrations required for stimulating collagen production. There are alternatives allowing to get at least some of the benefits of stable topical vitamin C while minimizing skin irritation. (See our articles on vitamin C derivatives and anhydrous vitamin C.)

The topical combination of vitamin C (15%), vitamin E (1%) and ferulic acid (0.5%) has been patented by SkinCeuticals corporation and is available as a commercial product from SkinCeuticals.com and many retailers. (We are not affiliated with SkinCeuticals in any way). If purchasing this product, make sure to check the expiration date and preferably store the product in a refrigerator tightly closed. Alternatively, you can relatively easily make a C+E+ferulic formulation yourself (see DIY Anti-Aging Skin Care Infopack). However, keep in mind that C+E+ferulic combination has been patented by SkinCeuticals. This may not affect the DIY formulation as long as you do not intent to sell it. However, we are not legal experts. If you are considering the DIY route, please check with SkinCeuticals corporation and/or patent authority in your country.

http://www.smartskincare.com/treatments/topical/vitamin-c-vitamin-e-ferulic-acid.html



Moisturizing eye area skin



The skin around eyes is particularly prone to dryness because it lacks sebaceous glands. Keeping it well hydrated is an important step in preventing wrinkles. It is best to use a long-lasting moisturizer providing 24-hour protection without the need to apply it more than twice a day. Even though hundreds if not thousands of different moisturizers are on the market, most containing at least a dozen of ingredients, relatively few substances have been shown to actively trap and/or firmly hold moisture and be skin friendly. Some of the ingredients to look for in a moisturizer are hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and colloidal oatmeal.

If you feel you need additional eye area hydration, you may want to try a night cream specifically formulated for the eye area. These creams tend to be heavier than regular moisturizers and often leave a visible residue after application - that's why they are best used before bedtime.

Simply using moisturizers, even good ones, may not be enough to fully hydrate the skin around the eye. You may also need to adjust some environmental and lifestyle factors. See our article on moisturizing for further details. See also tips for the eye area submitted by our visitors.

====

Tini, I think it would be great. Hyaluronic Acid is a great way to retain the moisture within your skin. I know Philosophy (there's a plug!) has capsules now with just pure Hyaluronic Acid.

Hyaluronic Acid – Skin care products containing this substance are often used in conjunction with vitamin C products to assist in effective penetration. Hyaluronic acid (also known as a glycosaminoglycan) is often touted for its ability to "reverse" or stop aging. In news reports, you might have heard of hyaluronic acid as the "key to the fountain of youth." This is because the substance occurs naturally (and quite abundantly) in humans and animals, and is found in young skin, other tissues, and joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid is a component of the body’s connective tissues, and is known to cushion and lubricate. As you age, however, the forces of nature destroy hyaluronic acid. Diet and smoking can also affect your body’s level of hyaluronic acid over time. Skin care products with hyaluronic acid are most frequently used to treat wrinkled skin.

Hyaluronic acid (also called Hyaluronan) is a component of connective tissue whose function is to cushion and lubricate. Hyaluronan occurs throughout the body in abundant amounts in many of the places people with hereditary connective tissue disorders have problems such as joints, heart valves and eyes. Hyaluronic acid abnormalities are a common thread in connective tissue disorders. Interestingly, they are also common biochemical anomalies in most of the individual features of connective tissue disorders such as mitral valve prolapse, TMJ, osteoarthritis, and keratoconus.

Hyaluronic acid has been nicknamed by the press as the "key to the fountain of youth" because it has been noted that at least some people who ingest a lot of it in their diets tend to live to ripe old ages.

Can any policy,however high minded, be moral if it leads to widespread corruption,imprisons so many,has so racist an effect,destroys our inner cities,wreaks havoc on misguided & vulnerable individuals and brings death and destruction to foreign countries?

Oxybenzone

Woah...must avoid this chemical...

Extracts from Wiki

Oxybenzone (trade names Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567) is an organic compound used in sunscreens. It is a derivative of benzophenone. It forms colorless crystals that are readily soluble in most organic solvents. A 2008 study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the compound to be present in 96.8% of human urine samples analyzed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.^[2]

It is used as an ingredient in sunscreen and other cosmetics because it absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA (ultraviolet) rays.^[3] In the EU products intended for skin protection with 0.5% or more oxybenzone must be labeled "Contains Oxybenzone".^[4]

This organic compound has been shown to penetrate into the skin where it acts as a photosensitizer. This results in an increased production of free radicals under illumination,^[5] which makes this substance a likely photocarcinogen.^{[citation needed]} This study concludes that "determining what, if any, type of damage is done by ROS generated by UV filters needs to be explored." The fact that researchers have not discovered how free radicals possibly caused by this sunscreen agent compare with the damage known to be caused by UV ray exposure makes prohibition of it questionable at this point.

This study is of oxybenzone and two other sunscreen active ingredients. Two years after the study this information is now reaching consumers,^[6] but it can still be found in many sunscreens.

Oxybenzone is a derivative of benzophenone, which can attack DNA when illuminated. It generates strand breaks and various photoproducts.^[7]Already in 1993 the use of oxybenzone had been strongly criticized, based on its similarity to benzophenone.^[7]

The British Medical Journal recently showed that sunbathers using some suntan lotions have a higher risk of developing malignant Skin Cancer, and a possible link with Oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is the Chemical used in many sun products with high Sun Protection Factors.

Oxybenzone’s function is to ‘filter’ ultra violet light on the surface of the skin, converting it from light to heat, but it can also be absorbed through the skin. As yet we have not seen any research to indicate what happens when the oxybenzone is absorbed through the skin, but UV light causing cell damage is well known and readers may choose to avoid this form of sun protection. If light is converted to heat in the basal layers of the skin, damage to growing cells is very likely.

Environmental + Health News May 98 reports that scientists at the Memorial Sloan Cancer centre N.Y., U.S.A. and the U.S Government Brookhaven Laboratory have found that sunscreens protected against sunburn and cancers like Carcinoma, but not against Melanoma which has increased twenty fold in Europe and U.S.A. since 1935.

Environmental + Health News also reports that Oxford University scientist John Knowland shows that PABA* seemed to damage DNA, thus increasing the risk of skin cancer. He recommends using non-PABA products.

*Para-amino-benzoic acid is very common and works by absorbing UV rays in much the same way as oxybenzone.

One of the oldest tried and tested methods is to use tin oxide as a ‘reflecting’ coating to the skin. Tin oxide is widely used in wound dressings and considered safe, Applied as a cream it is visible in daylight. Although ‘safe’ it should be avoided by people with dry skin conditions as it has a drying action.

Many people will remember Calamine Lotion as both a sun protection and a soothing after sun. It is based on Zinc Oxide, is pink, visible in daylight and is easily washed off in water. It is likely that this, and other "reflective" sunscreens will, in the long run turn out to be much safer than "absorbing" lotions containing PABA and/or oxybenzone or benzophenone.

If you are in doubt about the safety of your sunscreen, email us, or simply use non-oxybenzone sunscreens rather than "converting" ones. (select "products at the top of the page, then "sun care" from the left)

Chanel Precision Gentle BiPhase Eye Makeup Remover

Woah! This is my HG product!! I just test-drove it and like this product instantly!

The eye areas are very very sensitive part of the face because the skin area there is thinner and more prone to wrinkles formation if you pull and tug that area often.

I decide to look for a better alternative when my maybelline makeup remover for eye and lip began to run out. Though this has been the product that i have been using for many many years since i started to play around with makeup, but it require more few rubs to remove the stubborn mascara. And I don't wish to tug the skin as more wrinkle begin to appear. Oh Remind me to get a good eye gel!

Another one that i tried was Fasio's point makeup removal and I gave it to my friend after first use. This removal is totally uselesss against the waterproof mascara that i used and it stinked my eyes as i repeatedly drip more of it on the cotton pad as the mascara refused to budge! It only worked to remove the Clarin's liquid eyeliner. That why I gave it away to my friend who's using that.

Not so many people that i knew or on the forum use Chanel's. So why I choose that? One of the reviewer did mentioned about its effectiveness and i decide to give it a try.

Beforehand, i was testing the EDM's eyeshadow brush and both my eyes lids are coated heavily with powder and eyeliner. I shaked the bottle first since there were 2 layers. Then wet the cotton pad with the Chanel eye makeup removal and placed it on my eyelid for a few second and gave it one swap! Oh Gosh, the eyeshadow and the gel eyeliner totally dissolved. The mascara was half gone. Giving it 4-5 gentle rubs, the eye area was totally clean. I'm sold. It is my HG now! Compare this to Maybelline's, it is more gentle on my eye lids as I don't need to rub more to remove the mascara.

For the pricing-wise, it's a bit on hefty side. SGD$38 for 100ml but you only need a small amount each time and hence it will last longer. I think it's worth the money and given that you also save yourself from wrinkles!

Sigma Travel Kit Brush Set

I'm so crazy spending money this month..and it's not even mid-month yet.

I have just did an online purchase on a pink travel kit set of brushes from Sigma Makeup. A lot of raves on these brushes from the Cozycot forum.

Total Damages: SGD$93.14. Quite cheap for whole set of brushes. :)

Till now, i only have 1 blush brush from TBS, 1 kabuki flat top brush and 1 eyeshadow brush from EDM. I have used the EDM brushes only once as I'm still recovering from the outbreak from using mineral makeup. Suspecting it is the new brushes that cause the outbreak. I'm lazy to wash it till now :X

Origins Clear Improvement®

I have been spending bucket of money on skincare recently. Mostly due to the outbreak which show no sign of stopping and recovery since last year. The signs of pores getting bigger and more white heads which the foundation no longer work anymore to conceal it, scare me and I decide to give skin care product a go again.

I used to think that skincare products are just bluffs and gimmicks and feel that people are really that Naive to get those craps. So now i found out I'm the one who is naive..

Anyway back to the topic of this entry. Since i have started to put more stuffs on my face, there bound to be more residues on it right? So I have been desperately looking for deep cleansing mask which i think may help to shrink the pores according to what i have been studying from the beauty forums.

And today, one of my friends who works as air stewardess told me that she uses Origins mask. And I recalled few years back, my ex-colleague did recommended this product before but given my financial status back then, I didn't take much notice since I'm not going to afford it.

Hence after the work, I met up with my dear and went to the Tangs@Vivocity for the Origins counter. The SA was very friendly and immediately show me the wonder product and give a demo on the usage when i asked her about the Clear Improvement.

I have done my research in ensuring that this product's realiability. Knowing that this is a "charchoal" mask, i have my qualms on using it on my face. Some time back, I have bought a Daiso's Charchoal Mask which cost probably SGD$2 only. This was a greatly recommended product in the forums that I frequent. However to my dismay, the charchoal mask peel off most of my facial hair (damn painful!) and a few days later, i ended up with much bigger white heads till my dear notices my pores (he never gave a damn about my face before).

It was so obvious. I went home and dig those out with the needles (I know this is absoletly no no but can't help it) but the holes were pretty big.

For the usage, the SA squeezed an amount from the tube and put some on her hand. She mentioned that the amount need not be too thick but must be enough to cover the skin or else defeat the purpose. The layer should be put for 10 min before rinsing it off. For a cleaner removal, use cotton pad to rub off the clay and rinse it off.

Anyway I asked whether this mask has exfoliator purpose since nowaday many products has dual function. Sadly the SA said no and she introduced me the Origins' top selling star product

Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion

The SA did a demo on my hand. It was quite a "sticky" texture and you push-rub this in circular motion to exfoliate. It claims that the skin becomes fairer and less wrinkle but on the spot i did not see any difference but probably feel smoother. It was quite a hefty-price product which cost SGD$73. I will only buy this if i have too much of the spare cash...

My stewardess friend mentioned that she usually does deep cleansing mask follow by the exfoliation. Won't it be too harsh on the skin since the chemicals is dissolving some stuffs on your face? She reason that exfoliation will dissolving whatever was left behind after the deep cleansing. True. The origin SA however recommend that there is no order to which shall be done first. But in between, you should let your face rest for 1 day before deep cleansing or exfoliation.

Anyway, the deep cleansing and exfoliation should be done once a week to keep your skin in optimal condition.

Afternote: There was a tingling sensation after applying the mask, followed by the tightness. Probably is because the clay is hardening. I find it pretty need more effort to rub it off since the clay has sorta harden. One good thing is that after cleaning up, My face was not red at all as what happened with other kind of cleansing masks (Daiso brand, H2O). I kinda like it especially the pores seem cleaner. But i pretty sure that not all the white heads has been removed. Maybe because some of the pores opening are pretty squeezy. Anyway, I think i have to use it serveral time thereafter i would comment whether this work or not.

Desperate Girl

Desperate(& foolish) Girls are easy catches when they are eager to save their faces from further damages..

I have bartered a hefty SGD$160 for my skincare haul from Watson today. Arg...now i start to wonder does it really work? -.-"

Anyway still, I have signed up for the Watson membership and earned 81 points...which can offset the next billing...$1 for each 5 points. Yeah

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

This is my first review post.



Introducing Cure - Natural Aqua Gel, a product made in Japan. As what its name indicates, the texture is quite watery as 91% of it is aqua. It is really a gentle exfoliator which remove the surface's dead skin cell by reacting with the skin protein.

the product description is as follows:

Natural Aqua Gel Cure is a remarkable skin care product.
Cure is a fragrance-free, color free and preservative free
product made from activated hydrogen water that prevents oxidation.
General chemical peeling use strong acids (approx. pH1.3) to dissolve protein.
Cure, on the other hand, gently catches waste dead skin on surface of skin and remove it.
It helps skin metabolism function better.
You will be surprised your skin more smooth.
Beneficial effects of gel should last approximately 3 to 4 months
if used properly once or twice a week.
No need to rub or scrub your skin too hard.
Cure should be the best one you ever wanted. Feel your new skin.

I truly think that it is better than using the scrub sponge or those body / salt scrub as you need to put into more effort in rubbing against the skin to scrub away the dull surface. You only need to squeeze few drop of the Natural Aqua Gel and distribute eveningly over the areas that you want to exfoliate. Leave it on for probably 30 sec and you can start to rub gently over the skin.


You will start to see the texture become white while it reacting with your skin. Soon it will be bits of white tiny crumbs. Previously, I thought it just a gimmick. Maybe the gel has some reaction in the open air and become white. But it does not do that if you put a few drops on non-human surfaces.




Anyway the after effect is that you will feel your skin quite smooth. I like it!


The first time I used it on my cheeks, probably i rub too hard on my already-sensitive skin, the next day, it was red. So the key note is that dun rub it too much or too vigorous. Just do it gently, the gel will finish the job on its own.

Subsequently, I did not dare to use on my face. And suddenly i thought of my dotted legs which was full of ingrown. So i decide to put my SGD$38 worth gel to good use by exfoliating the legs. The result was not shown immediately but i used every 2-3 days and gradually, the legs become smooths with less ingrown. So now I am quite sure of its exfoliating result.

I also used it on my back of the arms as i have rash-like bumps since young. My boyfriend thought it is contagious disease. Oh my god...I come to realise the rashes are due to the ingrown hair. Some how the hair there are embedded deep that when it grows (btw, I din not do any epilation / shaving on my upper body), it cause in-grown rashes as it circled beneath the skin. After 2-3 times usage of the gel, the rashes decreases and become less inflamed. I'm so glad...

I do occassionally use it on my face with small amount and only once a week. As my face is already quite smooth, i can't sense the difference like what i feel from my legs. However from the forums' discussion, users feedback that their pores are unclogs and white/black heads come out easily. Like what the gel's brochure says. it is a DIY facial.

Anyway another pro is that it is not harsh like AHA product which may cause redness upon usage.

The YouTube below will explain it all on the usage.

If you are living in Singapore, you can get sample from Watson to try out the product first. Or simply go to japalang.com to get your sample delivered to your house. It contain the 2 packages for 2 time usage.

Also, only SGD$38 for one bottle..not that expensive.

Anyone from countries which don't sell this, I can help you to buy and ship over...

Rating:
To buy again? Maybe.

P/S: please pardon the messy background in this post's pic..I'm really a messy person..And by the way, due to busi-ness(or rather, laziness), i haven't been exfoliating my legs for a while..so there are more bumps captured in the pic this time round.