My Eczema Skin Triggers

I have noticed that there are a few things that trigger my eczema and I thought I'd share it with all of you. For those with eczema, or any kind of skin sensitivity, it is important to identify triggers that set off the skin irritation so as to reduce the likelihood of eczema. Ultimately, I would like to be able to stop topical steroid creams.

1. Alcohol
A very common ingredient found in so many skincare products/cosmetics. It is difficult to avoid it but it is do-able. Alcohol stings my skin and makes my skin turn red. After a few hours or by the next day, my skin will start to itch. It is a common skin irritant but cosmetic companies still include alcohol as it has it's uses - helps product absorb faster, leaves a refreshing feel for those with oily skin, etc. My advice is always look through the ingredients list and avoid products with alcohol featuring prominently on the top of the list.

Problem is, so many skincare products have alcohol within their first 10 ingredients. In most products, alcohol is the second ingredient after water, which means there is a lot of alcohol to potentially irritate your skin. I can't avoid alcohol a lot of the time. The 2 serums I use - Shiseido Whitening serum and Kose moisture serum - both contain alcohol. What I do is a mix it into my Avene Skin Recovery Cream. Yes, I know serums should go first before cream so work at it's best. But given my skin condition, the only way for me to get whitening benefits is to mix the serum into the cream to make it a whitening cream. I mix by rubbing the cream and serum (sometimes both serums) together in circular motion between my palms. After doing this, I feel that a lot of the alcohol evaporates with the heat generated by the rubbing. I then gently spread then pat the cream into my skin. So far, this works for me.

2. Exfoliants
Manual scrubs and chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs irritate my skin but I do have blackhead and clogged pore problems to deal with. What I do now is I only use AHA cream (Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel) only at my t-zone area where I don't get eczema flare-ups. To deal with my cheeks, I use a very mild AHA face wash but only once a week or once in 2 weeks.

3. Harsh chemicals
Chemicals like retinoids and sometimes even Vitamin C makes my skin red and itchy.

4. Some natural skincare products
Since I'm working on this list I thought it would be good to debunk the myth that natural skincare products is safe on sensitive skin precisely because it is natural. Not.True. Don't fall for these irresponsible sales tactics the sales staff use. I've gotten burnt many times by natural skincare products that turn my face red and burns my face like mad. When you buy natural skincare, it is very important to know what goes into it. If you read websites like environmental working group's you'll know how much harsh non-natural and natural ingredients are used. In general, I am wary about natural skincare products, especially if you cannot by sure the ingredients are truly natural or just chemical derivatives of it. I prefer to use skincare brands specifically developed for sensitive skin instead.

5. Dry skin
The moment I don't have sufficient moisture/oil on my skin, it will start to itch. I have to layer on my moisturiser immediately after cleansing before allowing the skin's moisture any chance to evaporate. Immediately after cleansing, I pat dry my skin, use toner and follow with my moisturiser mix (as described above). The Avene Skin Recovery Cream works for me as it is oily enough to counter my dry skin. Creme de La Mer also works but it is also very expensive. Although strictly speaking, I do not have dry skin, but more combination skin. However it is important for me to use products for dry skin as products for normal to combination skin do not provide enough oil/moisture balance for my skin.

It is important to know your skin well. If you have eczema-prone skin like mine, try to identify your skin triggers. It is likely that your skin triggers are different from mine as sensitive skins tend to be a mystery. Just observe how your skin reacts to certain products and if the same reaction occurs repeatedly and results in skin irritation, that might very well be your eczema/sensitive skin trigger.

Share your skin triggers with us so we can all get to know our skin better!

Review: Laneige Multi Cleanser

Product info (pic credit: Laneige.com):
4-in-1 multi cleanser with papain enzymes, removes makeup, removes sunscreen, cleanses and exfoliates skin.

Review:
I use this cleanser on days when I am lazy to double cleanse - days when all I have on is a layer of sunscreen and don't want to go through the oil cleanser, face wash regime. This cleanser saves time as it can remove my sunscreen and cleanse at the same time. (When I use makeup, I will still use an oil cleanser.) Do note that sunscreen has to be removed using a makeup remover. If you are using a water-proof/water resistant sunscreen, I'd still suggest using an oil cleanser.

This cleanser foams well and cleanses well. My skin is left clean with no tight of dry feeling. I did not feel any skin irritation or sensitivity. The exfoliation is very mild and after foaming I can hardly feel anything. It is the papain enzyme that is responsible for the exfoliation and is gentle enough for daily use.  The scent is not over-powering and is a nice refreshing scent that I like. Those who are sensitive to fragrances might have to be more careful though.

Price-wise, I think it is reasonable at $33 for 180ml, almost the same price as my other Avene cleansers.

All in all, a good all-in-one cleanser perfect for the lazy day or days when you get home so late you just want to quickly cleanse your skin and go to bed.

Review: Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel

This Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel is an improved formula of the previous Cleanance K.

Product Information (credit: Eau Thermale Avene website):

Cleanance K is formulated as a daily treatment for oily skin with imperfections. Through its exfoliating, mattifying and hydrating properties, it will help eliminate pimples and blackheads.

For its 10th anniversary in 2009, with constant improvements in mind, the Cleanance K formula was optimized for even better effectiveness:

-More effective in removing imperfections and controlling oil production. Complexion becomes smoother and more even. 

-A new and innovative cream-gel texture: This light and comfortable texture offers a non shiny, non oily finish. Its lamellar structure made of liquid crystals plays a storage role for key ingredients which are released in a slow and continuous manner.

Hypoallergenic and non comedogenic.

Properties

1. Strengthened exfoliating action through the unique synergy of AHA and BHA*. The BHA concentration has been increased in this new formula in order to maximize its effectiveness. The advantage of this synergistic action is to work at several levels, resulting in a true peeling effect which unclogs pores.

2. Lasting mattifying action using mattifying powders combined with Cucurbita pepo and, in this new formula, Vitamin B6.

3. Optimal skin hydration: Botanical-based emulsifier for a slow release of Cleanance K key ingredients. Each component of the oil phase was specifically selected to bring additional hydration while guaranteeing a non oily and non shiny finish.

4. Long-lasting soothing and anti-irritating effect: Naturally active Avène Thermal Spring Water provides true soothing properties that can be felt immediately. The combination of alpha-bisabolol and zinc gluconate strengthens this anti-irritating effect and helps in long-lasting soothing.

My Review:

I used Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel as a starter to AHAs. There is a lot of information about the product on the website but they did not tell me the most important thing I want to know - the percentage of AHA/BHAs. I bought the product anyway since the sales assistant said this is gentler than Avene Diacneal, which I was hoping to use eventually, but was worried it might be too strong for my skin.

I eased slowly into this product, by which I mean once every 3 days for a week. I didn't feel much on my skin so I increased to alternate days. I stopped using the product if I felt any redness or dryness or discomfort. Only when my skin was back to normal then I continued using it. I did not experience any purging or peeling (I experienced both with Diacneal).

As mentioned, I do not like that fact that the % of AHAs and BHAs are not reported as it makes it difficult to compare across products. The reason why I say this is because I experience some stinging every time I use this Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel but I don't experience any stinging with Therapeutic Dermatologic Formula's AHA Revitalizing Gel 15, which is supposedly stronger at 15% Glycolic Acid. The sales assistant at the Avene counter was sure Cleanance K has less than 10% AHAs.

I read that there is higher Salicylic Acid (BHA) with this new formula, which is a good thing as BHAs are oil-soluble and can penetrate the pores to clean them out. I did have the old Cleanance K ingredients list to compare and indeed the Salicylic Acid was higher up on the list, but then again still no % indicated.

I feel that Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel did help with my skin. My skin was smoother but there was not that great an improvement. I think that Avene Diacneal gave me more results. So I would recommend Diacneal as a treatment if you have acne problems, and Cleanance K for milder skin imperfections like blackheads, or as a maintenance after stopping Diacneal or if Diacneal is too harsh for your skin.

I think it is also great that Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel contains some hydrating properties. The old Cleanace K formula made me oil up after a couple of hours due to dehydration of my skin. So I think the new formula is indeed an improved version.

All in all, it is a good product that gave some results but I probably would not repurchase as results were not significant. Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel does seem like it would be good for those with sensitive skin, but do ask for a sample before buying as it does sting a bit.

Ingredients of Avene Cleanance K Cream-gel (credit: Avene.co.uk):

AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER (AVENE AQUA). GLYCOLIC ACID. CYCLOMETHICONE. WATER (AQUA). PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER. PROPYLENE GLYCOL. GLYCERIN. LACTIC ACID. POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE. PROPYLENE GLYCOL CETETH-3 ACETATE. SODIUM HYDROXIDE. CETYL ALCOHOL ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL. POLYCRYLATE-13. GLYCERIN STEARATE. PEG-100 STEARATE. SALICYLIC ACID. ARACHIDYL GLUCOSIDE. BEHENYL ALCOHOL. BISABOLOL. CUCURBITA PEPO (PUMPKIN) SEED OIL (CUCURBITA PEPO). DIMETHICONE. DISODIUM EDTA. FRAGRANCE (PARFUM). POLYISOBUTENE. POLYSORBATE 20. PYRIDOXINE HCL. ZINC GLUCONA TE. 

Review: Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub

I bought Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub to replace my previous scrub when it ran out. I had no particular preference at the moment and since I was at the Avene counter buying Cleanance K, I asked the SA about the Gentle Purifying scrub. She told me it is one of their best sellers (I wonder how true).

This Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub is definitely good for those with sensitive skin as it is so gentle, it didn't feel like I was exfoliating my skin. The scrub has a gel-base and small beads. The gel seems to act as a cushion to buffer the roughness of the beads so it makes it very gentle. There was no irritation or redness when I used this scrub.

I would prefer something less gentle but this is a good scrub to have if you are on AHA/BHA treatments as it is gentle enough not to irritate my skin when I use Cleanance K. Note that I usually stop applying AHA/BHA products one day before and after exfoliating with Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub.

If you are not using any chemical exfoliators (AHA/BHA), then this scrub might be a little too gentle. The tube is quite small (50ml) for the price of around S$29.90. I might not repurchase after I'm done.

Skincare-holic's 2010 Favourites List

2010 is coming to an end and I thought I'd do up a Favourites List like the one I did for 2009! I looked through the reviews I did in 2010 and rounded up the few I really liked.


Best 2010 Cleanser: Hada Labo AHA/BHA Tamagohada Exfoliating Face Wash Foam

This Hada Labo cleanser doesn't exfoliate well but it cleanses well enough. I like that it is self-foaming and convenient to use. It removes dirt and oil without making my skin feel dry or tight. I used to like Fancl Washing Powder a lot and this cleanser is a good competitor as it doesn't require a foaming ball nor do I have to worry about expiry dates.




Best 2010 Lotion: Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion

This lotion helped improve my skin texture. I could see that my dehydrated skin was more plumped up. It comes in a big bottle and each usage only requires a small amount, so it lasts a long time. 



Best 2010 Moisturizer: La Mer Creme de La Mer

This was the only cream I could use when I had patches of dermatitis on my face. It may be rich but if you control the amount you use it will not clog pores (I first press the creme into my cheek area before using the remaining on the t-zone). I like that it is quite soothing, even when my skin was sensitive and would react to most other products. I felt my skin become smoother with usage.


Best 2010 Hydrating Mask: Laneige Water Sleeping Pack

I used to like Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Relief but Clinique did not work well when my skin was very dehydrated and sensitive. It caused redness and stinging. Laneige, however, worked really well and helped restore my skin to normal. I don't experience any clogged pores even when I apply a thick layer. I wake up the next day with hydrated skin.

Best 2010 Clay Mask: BeautyDIY Dead Sea Mud Mask

I think this dead sea mud mask is cheap yet good. Its main purpose is to suck out dirt and excess oil from the pores so I don't need an expensive mask with wonderful ingredients and this mask does just that. As the mask dries, I can see spots of oil where pimple or blackheads are at, which shows it really works. It contains tea tree oil, which helps dry out and heal pimples. It is good to follow up with a hydrating mask to replenish moisture. 

Best 2010 Eye Mask: The Face Shop Raspberry Slim & Lift Collagen Eye Patch

I almost forgot that I really liked this eye mask until I looked through my 2010 reviews again. It is a bit pricey but it works nicely to hydrate and plump up my under eye area. After using this mask, the jelly-like mask becomes thinner, which shows the essence has been absorbed by the skin. I think I will be purchasing some more soon. 

Best 2010 Face Spray/Sensitive Skin Product: Avene Thermal Spring Water

I have been using this for a few years now and I always re-stock whenever there is the 2 for S$29.90 promotion. The Avene Thermal Spring Water soothes my sensitive skin really well and I even use it as an eye mask at times - by saturating a cotton pad with the spring water then tearing it into half and using it as a normal eye mask. It is cooling on the skin and reduces my redness effectively. It also helps when skincare products are too thick/sticky, I spray this over my face and try to massage the products in again. 

**This is all for my favourites list this year. It is too bad I didn't find a favourite sunscreen. I have been looking but haven't found one that I like yet. 

Do comment with recommendations of skincare products you like and find works well! I would like to try more skincare in 2011 =)

Review: Hada Labo AHA/BHA Tamagohada Exfoliating Face Wash Foam

This Hada Labo AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam markets itself as an AHA+BHA product, which gently exfoliates the skin for a softer smoother texture. It is a foaming facial wash so when you pump, foam is produced. I usually use about 3 pumps for the whole face.

The reason why I posted the article on AHA BHA earlier was so I could see if this Hada Labo cleanser really meets the criteria for the AHA and BHA to work. Disappointingly, no. Firstly, the Hada Labo AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam claims to be skin pH balanced, i.e. pH 5. AHA and BHAs require a pH of between 3 and 4 to work, so at pH 5, there is no longer much exfoliating properties. Secondly, the concentration of the AHA and BHA should be at a sufficient level for the cleanser to have exfoliating properties. AHAs should be one of the first few ingredients on the ingredients list and BHA should be in the middle. If you look at the ingredients list, glycolic acid (AHA) and salicylic acid (BHA) are the fourth and third last ingredients respectively. This means the concentrations are too little for the AHA and BHA to work. Essentially, it is just a normal foaming facial wash without any exfoliating properties.

So knowing that there are no exfoliating properties, and that it is just a normal cleanser, I think it does well as a normal facial wash. It cleanses thoroughly and does not leave my skin feeling dry or tight after washing. The foam that is pumped out is dense enough and feels comfortable on my skin. I like that I don't have to manually foam my cleanser like I usually have to do when I use Fancl Washing Powder. But if I look at the ingredients, Fancl is more gentle on the skin than Hada Labo, ingredients-wise.

All in all, if you are planning to buy this cleanser, you should not expect it to have any exfoliating properties despite the claims made. It won't help with removing blackheads or sloughing off dead skin. I felt a little cheated when I researched more about AHA and BHAs when I was going to review this product, only to find that the pH and concentration don't meet the criteria at all. But as a normal cleanser, it works well and I like it. The price is about $15.90. So not too expensive, and quite affordable for a drug store product.

Interesting Reads: About AHA and BHA

I decided to post an article on AHA and BHA before reviewing the Hada Labo AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam. This is from Paula Begoun's cosmetics cop website. Note the properties of AHA/BHA that is needed for proper exfoliation. 


An effective AHA or BHA product. One significant consequence of sun damage is that the outer layer of skin becomes thickened, discolored, rough, and uneven. The best way to help skin shed abnormally built-up layers of dead, unhealthy skin is to use a well-formulated alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) product. Such exfoliation will not only even out skin tone it will also produce a significant improvement in the texture of skin. Another benefit is that exfoliating away accumulated layers of dead skin cells helps other products you use, particularly moisturizers, penetrate skin and be far more effective. The most researched forms of AHAs are glycolic or lactic acids. Salicylic acid is the sole BHA option. For AHAs, look for products that contain at least 5% AHA, but preferably 8-10%. If the percentage isn’t listed on the label, then the ingredient should be at the top of the ingredient list. For BHA products, 0.5% to 2% concentrations are available.

The difference in concentrations between AHAs and BHA is not a qualitative one. AHAs are not more effective or better than BHA because of the increased concentration needed for one versus the other. Rather, leave-on, daily use AHAs are effective at 5% to 10% and BHA at 1% to 2%. (Sources: Women’s Health In Primary Care, July 2003, pages 333-339; Journal of Dermatological Treatment, April 2004, pages 88-93; Dermatology, January 1999; pages 50-53; and Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1997, pages 589-593). There are many examples in skin care (and baking for that matter) where percentage of an ingredient doesn’t demonstrate superiority.

If you are battling wrinkles and stubborn blemishes or blackheads, BHA is the better choice because salicylic acid can also improve the shape of the pore. Whether you choose an AHA or BHA product, it is essential that the pH of the product is between 3 and 4. This range is necessary for either ingredient to exfoliate skin. You can find products with a pH lower than 3, but these tend to be too irritating for all skin types, which negates their benefits. (When I rate skin-care products with AHA or BHA, the pH is always tested to be sure it can indeed exfoliate skin.) (Sources: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, April 2005, pages 1156-1162; Dermatologic Surgery, February 2005, pages 149-154; and Experimental Dermatology, December 2003, pages 57-63.)


Do click the website link to read more about treatment of wrinkles. This website has a lot of useful information about skincare as well. 

My Experience: Microdermabrasion at a Clinic

I decided to go for microdermabrasion at a clinic as I found out that it is cheaper than some ridiculously priced salon microdermabrasion facials. I once asked a beautician why microdermabrasion at their spa is so expensive, more expensive than medical microdermabrasion at the clinic and she gave me a silly 'relaxation and service' excuse.

What I want is a good medical grade microdermabrasion to thoroughly scrub off my layer of dead skin cells and renew my skin, not (lousy) service that most spas provide. My last few facial trips to different spas have been thoroughly disappointing, with me breaking out after the facials. So I decided I would go to a clinic instead, and as my nursing friend put it, if anything happens to your face, there is always a doctor there!

When I first entered the treatment room, the nurse put a pillow behind my back and another at my neck, then the chair was lowered to almost horizontal. She then covered me with a blanket cos the treatment room is cold. (The service is similar to salons and the nurses there are friendly). They offered me drinks: coffee,tea or water and some biscuits while the nurse prepared the machine as it was my 'lunchtime procedure'.

The nurse double cleansed (I think she used Cetaphil, just my guess!). Then the microdermabrasion started! Unlike salon microderm where it feels like the machine is vacuuming/sucking your skin, the clinic one was more painful. It felt more scratchy, a bit like sand-papering your skin - which is of course the intended purpose, to remove the surface epidermis so that the underlying skin is stimulated to produce collagen and newer skin beneath is revealed. So definitely more intense and deeper removal of skin than the spa microdermabrasion. It was painful for me, especially around the area around the eyes. She concentrated the wand at the t-zone and my cheek area where I had more clogs.

Unlike spas, where they just do one round of suction, the nurse made several rounds around my face using the rougher wand, then followed up with a lighter wand which didn't hurt, then ended with an even gentler one for the eye area. So the entire process was very thorough and covered pretty much every part of my face and also part of the neck area.

After the procedure, the nurse will put on a mask for 15-20mins then clean it off and apply moisturiser and sunblock for you. She used La Roche-Posay moisturiser and Heliocare SPF90 gel sunblock.

For me, this procedure was painful and my face was red for about 2 hours and I felt the sting the rest of the day. At around evening time when I washed the sunblock off, my skin became red and stinging again. I think it was cos my skin type is sensitive thats why it was red and stinging for so long. It did not sting that much for my friend but for her, her skin was very dry after the procedure and peeled a bit.

The next day, the sting and redness was gone and my skin looked more even toned, brighter and felt smoother. The blackheads on my nose were gone! But they came back after a few days, which I presume is normal. The red pimple marks were also lightened. I was happy with the results as it seemed more worth it compared to spending big money at spas that aren't that thorough and use a less effective machine. I think I will go back and do microdermabrasion again, since the effects were quite good for me and it seemed more effective than a normal facial.

**Edit: I did not include the clinic name as this post is meant to share my experience of doing microdermabrasion at a clinic as compared to a facial salon/spa. Please respect my decision as I do not wish to advertise for this clinic since it is not mentioned anywhere on forums or blogs. I wrote about my experience with Dr Georgia Lee because there are plenty info about her on forums and blogs and I wanted to share my experience with others.

Skincare-holic's Skincare Tip #7

As part of my skincare routine, I use a scrub once or twice every week. It is important to exfoliate to remove old skin cells so that skincare products can be absorbed into our skin. The build up of old skin cells and dirt can also clog pores and cause blackheads and pimples.

What I like to do is scrub my face with my scrub of choice, wash it off thoroughly then dry my skin and follow with my Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2. I pour slightly more than the usual amount onto a cotton pad (usually I use a fifty cent coin, roughly the size of the bottle mouth opening) then instead of sliding it across my skin in outward movements as I usually do, I move in circular motion all over my face. Note that you should use an exfoliating toner like Clinique Clarifying Lotion or Kose Seikisho Clear Lotion.

I have been trying this method a few times and I always get a few blackheads/clogs out as I can see the dark yellow bits of the blackheads stuck on my cotton pad. This method works better than the Etude House Green Tea Nose Pack without any need to wait 15 mins for it to dry only to get a measly few blackheads out.

Try out this method and let me know if it works for you!

Review: Kose Seikisho Mask White

Product Information:

• Peel-off black whitening pack eliminates causes of dull complexion to maintain pure white clarity.
• Continually delivers active ingredients deep into keratin layer, while simultaneously removing keratotic plugs (comedos), melanin and old keratin that contribute to dark pores.
• Formulated with black nano-powder that readily disperses on skin, adhering tightly as if bonding with the skin, thanks to excellent film-forming power. Fast-drying too.
• Enriched with five Japanese and Chinese herbal extracts, including wormwood extract and goldthread extract - the first Seikisho product to incorporate these wholesome natural ingredients.
• Soothing floral fragrance enhances therapeutic effect. (source: kose website)

I find that this mask is not very effective in removing blackheads (comedones) for me. If I am lucky I see a few being pulled out, but it is usually not more than 5. What I usually see after pulling this mask off it some whitish stuff, which are dead skin flakes, which will also be removed by other scrubs. I also see fine facial hair pulled off, but I do wonder if it is a good thing or not. Do be careful not to apply the mask near your eyes of lips area as the pulling action will induce fine lines/ wrinkles!

I sometimes find it messy to deal with the blackish mask especially if it drips but it is not a big matter. If you are getting this mask to try removing blackheads, I think it does not work well enough. The whitening effects of this mask is minimal and if any, I would attribute it to the exfoliating effect of the mask after it pulls off your surface dead skin. You will get the same results using a normal scrub. You can experiment by using a scrub only on one hand and you will find it fairer than the other. The whitening/brightening effect is minimal and a whitening mask can do a better job.

I very much prefer Kose Sekisho Exfoliating Massage Gel than this Mask White. I like that the Exfoliating Massage Gel has a warming property that would not only open up the pores to aid exfoliation of dirt and sebum, it the heat also promotes blood circulation for a radiant complexion. The gel turns from black to gray to indicate enough scrubbing and this prevents excessive scrubbing of the skin. The gel acts like a cushion so the exfoliating beads does not feel harsh to the skin. There is also no waiting time involved, unlike Mask White where I have to wait at least 15 mins for the mask to dry. 

I would purchase Kose Exfoliating Massage Gel instead of Mask White, but there are many people out there who love the latter. I suggest trying out the two products at the counter and seeing which you prefer.

Read other Kose Sekkisei product reviews:

• Review: Kose Sekkisei Lotion
• Review: Kose Sekkisei White Powder Wash
• Review: Kose Sekkisei Emulsion
• Review: Kose Sekkisei Herbal Esthetic Whitening Mask

Review: Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Warming Treatment

A while ago, I saw an advertisement on the Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Warming Treatment. I thought this might be a good product to try especially since I enjoyed the warming effect of the Kose Exfoliating Massage Gel.

I was quite disappointed with the Neutrogena Deep Clean Blackhead Eliminating Warming Treatment as I thought it didn't warm up a lot and the heat only lasted for a short while, making the effect seem a bit useless as I felt it wasn't warm for long enough to open up my blackheads for removal. Given Singapore's warm temperature, this product only succeeds in warming up to a few degrees which is very little, especially after a hot water bath.

The only saving grace is the little beads that can exfoliate the blackheads away, however this is present in all other scrubs so there is no need to get a warming treatment just for the scrubbing effects.

I find that this product didn't really work for me at all. I felt that it was a bit of a waste of money. I would suggest getting the Kose Exfoliating Massage Gel instead. At least it can be used for the entire face and warms up more and for a longer time.

Rate: 2/5

Review: Niu Er BioBeauty Daily Pore Refining Microfoliant

The BioBeauty Daily Pore Refining Microfoliant is one of Niu Er's best selling products. This product is good for skin with clogged pores as the product contains papaya enzymes that soften dead skin cells that clog the skin. It also helps with absorption of skincare products as it clears skin of any impurities before usage of your masks. The rice extracts help protect the skin while it is being exfoliated gently.

There are small microbeads in this microfoliant but they usually cannot be felt if the product is used right. When I first started using the BioBeauty Daily Pore Refining Microfoliant, I followed the instructions written and tried making it into a paste by adding a bit of water, but I realised there was a very strong and piercing smell that is grass-like. However, I found out that it is better to foam up the product. Using it that way is more gentle and made more sense as well.

I usually use this on days when I feel that my face is oilier than normal, or when I have makeup on for long hours, especially if I do not want to use a rougher scrub. This microfoliant is somewhat like double cleansing for me whenever I feel there is a need to cleanse another time. The website states that you can use this in place of your normal cleanser, but I prefer my Fancl Washing Powder so I prefer to use this as a very mild scrub.

I have used the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant before and I think this is a cheaper alternative to that, except the Dermalogica one does not foam up as much.

I do not recommend using the BioBeauty Daily Pore Refining Microfoliant daily however, as I feel that it might be a bit too drying. It might be fine for those with oily skin, but I would advise those with normal to dry skin to not use it daily. You can use it like I do, on days when you need extra cleansing, or perhaps alternate days. I used it daily before and I found it was a bit too drying but I have to say that when I used this daily, I had significantly lesser blackheads.

So all in all, this product works as it did work to reduce my blackheads, skin was smoother as well, but it can be drying if used daily in the long run.

Rate: 4/5

Spree price: About $17.80

(Please note that I am not conducting any sprees, I am only reviewing products.)

Read other Niu Er BioBeauty Reviews here:

• BioBeauty CoQ10 Golden Rejuvenating Pearl serum  
• BioBeauty Ellagic Acid Whitening Essence 
• BioBeauty Advanced Hydrating Eye Freshening Gel HA

Review: Etude House Green Tea Nose Pack

I read raves about the Etude House Nose Pack on Cozycot and so I dropped by Etude House at Ion Orchard to grab a few pieces when I saw that there were stock.

My Review:
I remember a few years ago, there was a Biore Nose Pack and this product is similar to that, except that it is green in colour and has a green tea smell. The way to use this nose pack is to wet nose with water and to stick on the nose patch. However, I found that the nose pack was a bit stiff and the tip of my nose didn't adhere well at all. I found myself holding into the tip of my nose just to get it to stick. However, all that ended up with the tips of my fingers being covered in something that is like glue. I guess that is what Etude House Nose Pack uses to adhere to the blackheads to pull it out, but I didn't enjoy having glue on my finger tips for a nose pack that was a bit too stiff to fit onto my nose.

Aside from the glue, the nose pack did pull out a few blackheads, by 'a few' I mean about 5 or less clogged pores. That was quite disappointing as I had expected more. So the nose pack didn't really work after all.

While waiting for the nose pack to dry, my cheeks started to dry out as I didn't put on any cream or what nots while waiting for the nose pack to dry. The skin around my cheeks and also my forehead became really tight and when I followed up with the Neutrogena Deep Hydrating Mask, my skin practically sucked the mask up and I had to keep spraying Avene Thermal Spring Water to make the mask more moist. I would advise anyone using the nose pack to also put on some moisturiser while using this nose pack, especially if you have dry skin.

All in all, the Etude House nose pack didn't work for me as I found it didn't adhere well to the tip of my nose and it pulled out only about 5 blackheads or lesser. The nose pack also left glue on my fingertips and caused my cheeks to dry out.

Price $0.90 each. Etude House is located at Ion Orchard and Plaza Singapura.

Rate: 2.5/5

Review: Kose Exfoliating Massage Gel

This is really my holy grail when it comes to scrubs/exfoliating products. I really love the fact that it heats up nicely, which means my pores are opened and dirt is scrubbed out and sucked out by the black nano powder (The gel colour is blackish). Not only that, the warmth provides blood circulation which improves radiance for your skin! The black colour turns to grey after a while which signals to you that enough scrubbing has been done, so it helps so you will not over-scrub your face, which is what I tend to do so that I will feel that my face will be cleaner but that harms your skin. So this is a nice touch that kose added. =)

Even though some people think that it is a gel, so it won't scrub well. That's not true at all. The gel is of a thick consistency which makes it nice to massage and there are beads in the gel which are not scratchy at all because the gel provides a "cushion" and the beads can be distinctly felt after the first rinse.

My face always feels very clean after use and I even bought a second tube before finishing my first, which just proves how much I love this product =)