This summer, I’ve been using this glycolic facial cleanser from derma e. Since I’m not a fan of the glycolic acid peel, I thought this would be a more natural and gentler way to exfoliate my skin.

Skin care experts recommend using glycolic acid when your skin starts to show signs of aging such as fine lines or brown marks.

The glycolic acid helps shed the old dull cells and unclogs pores. Even those with no signs of aging yet but have dry skin or acne prone skin can benefit from using glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is usually derived from sugar cane. This facial cleanser also has other botanical ingredients such as papaya and horsetail extract.

The reason I like derma e’s cleanser is because it has marine plant extracts of Spirulina and Seaweed. Those are some of my favorite ingredients to add to handmade facial soap too.

Spirulina is an algae that also help detoxifies and is rich in antioxidant agents. It brings many vitamins and trace elements to benefit the skin.

After using for several weeks now, I’ve noticed that my skin does seem brighter and even my eyes look less tired. Of course that could just be sleep related!

Read the rest of this entry »

I am always on the look out for all natural and effective beauty product, so I was looking forward to giving Lina Hanson Global Face Serum a try.

I’ve used many interesting facial oils in the past, including Sea Buckthorn, Rose hip oil and argan oil. But this face serum made by Lina Hanson includes all the best orgainc oils combined into one package.

Some oils include Neroli, Camellia seed, Ylang Ylang, Marula, and Baobad. The product is 100% natural, free of parabens, silicone, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or other chemical ingredients.

This is the sample they’ve sent me.  I’ve been using it mostly as a nighttime face serum. Although I have used it occasionally in the morning. I love that it absorbs and sinks into the skin so well.

I especially like the Camellia seed which helps brightens skin and lightens spots. And Marula oil is rich in antioxidants and a great source of Vitamin C.

After using this face serum I’ve noticed my skin is much more hydrated.  It has also made my skin appear bright, soft and looks absolutely healthy.

Another nice thing about Lina Hanson Global Face Serum is that it’s fair trade and supports sustainable harvesting. Several ingredients are harvested by women around the world to help promote their economic growth and to give them a sense of empowerment.

Read the rest of this entry »

After I used up all my skin cream I’m ready to try another brand. And lately I’ve been using Life Flo Health’s “Radiant Skin - Revitalizing Skin Cream with Hyaluronic Acid (HA).”

It was the Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that got me interested and the fact that it was third on the list of ingredients is a good sign. Since many other skin cream has HA listed on the very end. Meaning it doesn’t contain much of HA, just marketing hype.

HA is a key component of collagen that is normally produce in the skin and joints of the body. Collagen is what gives skin it’s volume and fullness. But as we age, collagen production decreases.

Here are the first four ingredients are: Purified water, aloe, hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil.

The texture of the cream is a bit clumpy, almost like it wasn’t mixed well. Despite how it looks it does absorb fine into the skin.

After applying the cream, my skin immediately felt a little warm. Maybe it’s the HA doing it’s thing? But after using it for a while my skin must have adapted to it and I it feels fine. Not sure if it’s “radiant” looking, but does look healthy and not as dry anymore.

The smell is very fruity, reminds me of ripe pineapple. I actually prefer this scent over any floral scent. But fragrance free would be best.

The cream comes in a light plastic jar, but a glass container would be better. Preferably a pump so it’s easy to apply. Plus the life of the cream is extended with it’s pumped out rather than dipped out. Less contamination and less exposure to air.

Description
Organic Living
Powerful Skin Nutrient Complex in a High Quality Face Cream Base
Not Tested on Animals

“Radiant Skin cream helps replenish the hyaluronic acid (HA) which is naturally lost with age, and leaves skin feeling renewed, smoother, and younger-looking.” - iHerb.com at $12.24 for 1.7 oz.

Summer is almost here and that means I am ready to experiment with a  new facial moisturizer.

For the past few weeks I’ve been using Aveeno’s new Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30 made with southernwood extract, vitamins A, C, and E.

I’ve always liked Aveeno products for their natural ingredients and affordable prices.  This one retails for about $14.99 for 2. 5 oz.   One thing I didn’t like about Aveeno products is the strong fragrance.  But with this new product the scent is actually okay.  It smells like a combination of fruity floral and fades quickly.  I think it would be better if it was unscented.

The best things about this product is that’s its lightweight and sinks into the skin easily.

SPF 30 is also great since it helps protect skin from sun’s harmful UVA/UVB ray.  I love that doesn’t leave a white finish unlike most other facial sunscreens with SPF 30.

A few more info from Aveeno:  ” Sun exposure, free-radicals environmental toxins and a hectic lifestyle can rob your skin of essential nourishment, resulting in noticeably stressed skin.

Formulated with antioxidant Southernwood extract,  SMART ESSENTIALSâ„¢ Daily Nourishing Moisturizer with SPF 30 helps keep what’s good in and what’s bad out, replenishing and helping to protect your skin wherever the day takes you.

In fact, in a clinical study, 100% of women showed an improvement in the look of stressed skin.”

Oil Free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedongenic (won’t clog pores).

I ran out of my usual night time face cream and decided to try Alba Botanica’s Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisture Cream.

I’ve used other Alba Botanica products before and am usually happy with the product. But my main dislike is the range of scent they use. Last time I bought the Sea Moss Moisturizer and never finished the bottle because I couldn’t stand the smell.  And also the texture was too thick.

With this face cream, the texture is light to medium.  And the smell of Jasmine is not too strong.  It’s a great scent for the summertime and also brings me to Asia or some place tropical.

Jasmine extract ( it’s more of an absolutes) are mainly used to promote good sleep and feelings of happy well being.  The small white flowers have an equally beautiful scent.  There are many artificial version of this flower, but the extract is the best version to use in skincare.

Some of the signature ingredient of this face cream include Vitamin E (derived from wheat germ) and jasmine extracts. As well as gotu kola, vitamin, organic oils sweet almond, kukui nut oil, and carica papaya extracts.

The cream is suitable for all face type. And it absorbs really well into your skin without feeling too heavy or greasy.  I think this cream will be good for my combination skin.

At one time I was tempted to purchase the Arabic Jasmine at our local nursery, but was afraid it wouldn’t grow so well in my hands.

Above is the photo of Arabic Jasmine, it has a really nice fragrant.  The white flower is very small and this version looks like it’s the “double petals” variety.  Jasmine green tea is another favorite use of this flower.

Photo from mondomuse via .  mondomuse say you can propagate from stem cuttings in the spring.

Photo of face cream from Alba Botanica. Price ranges from $12 to $20, depending on retailer.

I also got a free full size bottle of hand and body lotion from Wei East. The promotion is called “Free Body Give-a-Wei“. Just enter the coupon code “perfection” before checking out the items in the shopping cart. Normally they charge $2.92 for shipping, but if you order other items then it’s combined shipping. Or in my case, my kit included free shipping for both.

I have tried many lotions and I have to say this is a great lotion. It is non-greasy and goes on very easily.  I love that is soaks right into your skin. It’s very moisturizing and your hands feel soft for several days too. I have even used it on my feet (heal) and find that it works well too.

The only thing I don’t like is the scent.  I would say it’s has a classic floral scent. It’s not too bad and you eventually get use to it.  But for me, it needs to be more uplifting. Citrus or mint is always a good option for me.

Read the rest of this entry »

My beauty product review today comes from Wei East Cosmetics.

They have the “Skincare Discover Collections” where you can sample a few introductory products. I decided to get the simple kit for $9.99 and includes free shipping too.  I also got a face mask and free hand lotion, but I will post about that later.

The package arrived in regular USPS mail within 3-5 days. I also like that it came in a cute little box with very little packaging necessary.

This is what got my attention:

The Story of Rice: Nutrient-laden rice milk has been Chinese women’s
secret to bright, even-toned skin for centuries. The first milk of
freshly cooked brown rice, infused with a secret herbal blend, has
helped generations of mothers and daughters add luster, gain an even,
smooth complexion, erase spots and blotches. Wei East marries the
ancient recipes with advanced western beauty technology to deliver
these luminous benefits to you. Glow with the radiance of Mother
Nature.

I’ve never heard of this beauty secret before. This kit I chose introduces the rice milk.

My First Pick Collection includes:

Read the rest of this entry »

I always try to avoid going in this shop when I’m in the mall. It’s not because I don’t like it, it’s because the sales lady are so aggressive and that scares me. That’s partially true, it’s really because I don’t want to end up with more new soaps or lotions.

But I did end up shopping here online. It was because of the great price they had on the FitFlops. I also added a purchase of Coconut Lime Verbena shampoo to my order. My favorite scents is the Signature Classics “Country Apple” or “Sun-Ripen Raspberry”. But this time, I thought I try something new and went with their new “Signature Collection“.

I think the label caught my attention.  Pictures of limes and coconut, reminded me of some place tropical and breezy.  And verbena also makes good tea.

In the herbal world, verbena is suppose to have nice lemony scent. And initially the Bath & Body Works scent for this combination was very pleasing. But after I used it to wash my hair, I noticed how strong and powdery it smelled. Not like refreshing citrus, but more floral.  Almost too overpowering and artificial.  So I just used a small amount.

As far as how well it worked, it left my hair very shiny and smooth.   At one time I got some shampoo running into my eyes, and it was painful! I don’t remember washing my hair with anything that stings that much. As my usual shampoo recently has been pure liquid Castile soap with peppermint oil and aloe vera.

Read the rest of this entry »