☀ Sunscreen Showdown ☀ Dr Jart+ vs Somme Institute vs Supergoop! [Sponsored Review]

A little while ago I was very pleasantly surprised to be gifted a small selection of sunscreens from Luxola Singapore for comparison! Seeing as the sunny (omg oh-so-sunny.....┌(▀Ĺ̯▀)┐)  days are upon us, it was perfect timing~ As you may know, pregnancy is one of those times when you are more susceptible to hyper pigmentation and higher production of melanin (I've already discovered 1 new freckle urrgh!) due to decreased adrenal gland function. So I've definitely been in the market for a good lightweight sunscreen! As it turned out, I had quite a few town errands to run over the past week or so and was able to test the sunscreens for 1 to 2 days apiece~

From Left: Somme Institute Double Defense, Dr Jart+ Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector
and Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen with Cellular Response Technology

Let's pretend to be organised and proceed in the pictured sequence shall we? =D

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SUNSCREEN NO. 1

Somme Institute Double Defense SPF 30+

S$65 / 3.8 fl. oz (approx 112ml)

About the product:

Double Defense with SPC30+ and Parsol 1789 is a light-weight moisturising lotion to protect the skin from premature ageing whilst locking in vital moisture. Perfect for the whole body and suitable for all skin types, this moisturiser with added SPF provides the skin with a broad spectrum of protection from UVA and UVB rays ensuring your skin is protected and remains healthy and youthful looking.

In case you were curious about Parsol 1789:

Also known as Avobenzone. Because of its long history of safe and effective use, it is documented as a strong UVA absorber and the most-used UVA organic sunscreen worldwide.

Back of the Box:

Active Ingredients: Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (6%), Octisalate (5%), Avobenzone (2%)

THE EXPERIENCE:

It's a simple but stylish-looking packaging, a little more on the clinical side in terms of design. Features a twist lock pump style dispenser, just turn the pump top in the direction of the arrow and push to dispense~ A tad bulky to pop into your handbag but ok for a beach tote.

I have to say, I was slightly put-off upon dispensing the product because it was thicker than expected =\ Definitely the creamiest of the 3, it'd probably be more suited for those with drier skin types. Although it spread well, absorbed decently and didn't leave a whitish tint, I could still feel like there was an extra layer on my face and that it was just slightly tacky. I was thinking this might be so because it's supposed to function as an all-over moisturiser as well? As a body sunscreen it was fine though, there wasn't that much stickiness and absorbed decently.

The packaging states that Double Defense is suitable for all skin types but my (still slightly sensitive) jawline sprang a couple of oil clogs at the end of my 1st day so....maybe the moisturiser aspect was a little too rich for my combo-oily skin. Whilst the 'sunscreen-y' smell is also present here, it's extremely light and so shouldn't be an issue.

In the ingredients department, you may notice it contains 6% Oxybenzone which was one of the ingredients that both Dr Jart+ and Supergoop! found necessary to omit (see why in the Dr Jart+ section of this post). So that might put you off if you're particular about what goes into your skincare. Personally, though I'm not THAT particular, I would've preferred it to have been omitted as well. That's what reading up does to you.

Oh and there was a little note inside the box that highlighted this:

I would think this is mainly for the skincare products in the line? I still don't like that my jawline reacted so I'm more inclined to use this sunscreen on the body instead of my face in future.

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SUNSCREEN NO. 2

Dr Jart+ Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector SPF 35 / PA++ 

S$36 / 40ml

About the product:

Get maximum sun protection without the harsh chemicals with Ctrl-A Sensitive Sun Protector. Fear not those solar rays with this well-formulated product which shields the skin while leaving behind a smooth powdery finish. Proven safe and non-comedogenic, this product is composed of ingredients that prevent acne and keeps skin from being irritated by external factors. Being under the sun is no longer a cause for concern with Dr Jart's Ctrl-A Sun Protector, giving your skin a natural look with added protection.

Benefits:

• Light on the skin, this product leaves a powdery finish without the stickiness.
• Proven non-comedogenic; does not contain any ingredients that may potentially cause acne.
• Passed skin irritation test and is free from the following substances (10-Free System): Paraben, Fragrances, Tar Colours, Mineral Oils, Benzophenone, Triethanolamine, Sulfate Surfactant, Benzyl Alcohol, Talc, Polyacrylamide.

Active Ingredients: AC-Fensine, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica, Celtic Water.

Product information extracted from Luxola

Back of the Box:

To add to the list of active ingredients in the product description; info on the
side also indicates this as a Cruelty Free product!

I thought I might add little extra info here on a few components for us non-scientific folk =P

From the 10-free list:

Benzophenone (Aka Oxybenzone) - Although a common ingredient in sunscreens, a study conducted by the CDC on 2,500 Americans found that 97% of subjects tested positive chemical remnants in their systems. It's also a powerful free radical generator activated by ultraviolet light that can possibly set off  a reaction that may lead to melanoma and other skin cancers. Yikes.

Triethanolamine - A strongly alkaline substance and classified as a respiratory toxicant, can give rise to allergic reactions in short-term use whilst long-term use could damage the skin. Concentration in skincare products or makeup should be within 5% for safe daily usage and even so, be sure to wash it off throughly.

From the active ingredients list:

AC-Fensine - The patented mainstay of the Dr Jart line for acne-prone skin; it is anti-bacterial and serves to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and strengthen the skin's immune system.

Centella Asiatica - Also known as Asiatic Pennywort, native to the wetlands of Asia, is traditionally used (in the area of skincare) in the treatment of skin damage. A popular ingredient in anti-aging formulas, it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is supposedly good for stimulating collagen production and skin repair therefore improving elasticity and firmness.

THE EXPERIENCE:

Primarily a sunscreen for the face, the Ctrl-A sunscreen applied and absorbed well without leaving any sort of whitish tint on me. The texture is slightly thinner than our conventional sunscreen and although 'fragrance-free' there's still an extremely light 'sunscreen-y' smell that you wouldn't notice unless you stuck your nose in it.

I'm happy that it didn't have a tacky finish and didn't make my skin degenerate into an oil slick over the course of the day even though I broke into a sweat going in and out of the afternoon sun and aircon. Promises a powdery finish but I wouldn't go that far. Definitely not oily at all, decently matte but, sorry to say, not to the extent of powdery ( ^_^ ) That said, it didn't interfere with my makeup~

Being from the Ctrl-A (i.e anti acne) series, this isn't your regular sunscreen. I was leaning towards Dr Jart+ in terms of preference at first as the formula included one of my favourite acne fighters: Salicylic Acid. So those who are appreciative of the effect this ingredient has on your skin will probably consider this a big tick in Dr Jart+'s favour.

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SUNSCREEN NO. 3

Supergoop! Everyday SPF 30 with Cellular Response Technology

S$27 / 2.4 fl. oz (approx 71ml) or S$68 / 18 fl. oz (approx 532ml)

About the product: 

Everyday Sunscreen SPF 30 (Also available in SPF 50) provides super broad spectrum sun protection for face and body in an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. Powered by potent anti-oxidant-rich Cellular Response Technology, this lotion preserves and protects skin's youthful glow. Ideal for a day of play, this feel-good formula easily absorbs into the skin allowing skin to breathe and sweat. Replenishing moisture through a unique beta-glucan proven to deliver better long term moisturization than hyaluronic acid. Natural extracts of citrus, basil and boise de rose provide a subtle sensorial experience with no unpleasant "sunscreen" smell. The 18oz has an easy twist-and-lock pump so you never have to worry about spills or drips when you put it in your bag or suitcase. 

Formulated with Avobenzone, it is a good product for people of darker skin tones as it absorbs into the skin and will not leave a white veil. If you're looking for a sunscreen to use while playing sports this is your good go-to as it allows the skin to breathe unlike a mineral sunscreen which creates a physical barrier on top of the skin.

Back of the Box:

Oxybenzone Free!

Cruelty-free!

THE EXPERIENCE:

Just a small note which may or may not matter: this was the only sunscreen that came with a foil seal. Anyway, I LOVE the texture of the Supergoop! sunscreen! It was the lightest of the 3, more on the watery side, and even though I sweat through it (dog walking till around noon), it didn't leave an oil slick and felt comfortably smooth and quite matte on my skin after dabbing the sweat away and thus worked nicely under makeup too!

Can you tell it's more watery in consistency?

Instead of the usual sunscreen smell, Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen is formulated with some herbal & floral extracts so it smells...well...prettier? Instead of bringing a swimming pool to mind, Supergoop! reminds me of the sunscreen my facial salon uses during my sessions =) But as with the other 2 brands reviewed, the smell wasn't strong so no issues there if you're not a fan of any sort of fragrances~

Regarding its performance as a body sunscreen, is it any surprise that there was no issue? Because of the lightweight formula, it absorbed very well and didn't leave any sort of tackiness. Nice!

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THE CONCLUSION

I have to admit I was initially predisposed towards Dr Jart+ from just studying the box but by the time I was done testing all 3, I have to say my money's on Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen.

Product consistency is a big deal for me when it comes to sunscreen and the added fact that it's suitable as a body sunscreen as well just made it that more attractive. I really liked how it absorbed and didn't turn my skin tacky or oily even when I sweat through it, didn't experience any skin reactions over the couple days I used it and it's cruelty free! ｡^‿^｡ 

At S$27 for 71ml, it's reasonably priced and the slim flat packaging makes for easy packing. Should you be purchasing for family use, the 532ml version (S$68) is economically priced too~ I'm popping off for a short trip this week and this sunscreen is definitely coming with me! ^__^

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If you've read the whole post today, thanks for hanging in there! I know it's a pretty lengthy one this time XP 

Luxola has kindly provided me with a promo code for you lovely people! Simply enter at checkout

BLX-RHI

And receive 15% off your first-time order!

(This code expires a month from the date of this post and is not valid on non-discountable brands as stated HERE.) 

It's getting really hot these days so I hope this Sunscreen Showdown post has been useful~
Click to check out the full range of sunscreen on Luxola Singapore! 

Happy Shopping! Thanks to Mallika & Weina from Luxola for the sunscreens and Thank YOU for reading! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

*Products featured in this post were kindly provided by Luxola for my review and comparison. I am not affiliated with the company (or any others, just sayin') and my reviews are unbiased and based on personal usage & experience. Photos are my own and should not be reproduced anywhere else without prior documented consent.

DrGL Restore Gel Mask - Budget-friendly Boutique Skin Solution Review

If you've followed me on my Instagram (@r_san82....oh you haven't? Why not! =P), you may have noticed when I purchased this little titbit during one of my many recent Luxola hauls. I think I bought this at least a month or 2 back so I thought I'd better post this before I forget again ^___^;;;

S$38/100ml, S$68/240ml on Luxola

At only S$38 for the 100ml, it's the cheapest in the Dr.GL range and a very popular item. Combine that with the titles of Cosmo Beauty Grand Prix 2013 Winner, Elle Beauty IT List 2013 and the frequent Luxola sales and you know you really have to try it out~

Description of the Restore Gel Mask:

Bring skin back to equilibrium with this restorative gel for all skin types. Packed with healing botanicals to help sooth skin, it makes a particularly good travel companion as skin tends to be stressed by changing environments, manifesting signs of irritation such as redness and dryness.

A proprietary blend of natural ingredients including Gardenia Florida Extract and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract heals skin with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial powers. It's blue hue extracted from Guaiazulene helps counteract redness while its all-natural fragrance exerts a calming influence. 

Info from DrGL

Comes in a nondescript dark moss green box and plastic pump bottle that I like in all its simplicity. The pump (and bottle) is sturdy and firm, making it quite easy to dispense the small amount that's needed. I do however worry about the potential wastage once it's finishing >___<

Here's a look at the instructions/details and ingredients:

I know the font is quite hard to make out, doesn't help that it's printed so close to each other >_<

Directions:

• To use as a moisturiser, apply a thin layer in circular motions till gel is fully absorbed.
• To use a mask, apply a thick layer onto skin and leave on for 10 - 20min. Remove remaining gel on face.
• Good for sunburns, post-tanning and post-procedure treatments.
• Best used when chilled. (I LOVE it chilled!)
• To use as shaving gel, apply a thin layer before shaving.

Ingredients:

Water, Scutellaria Baicelensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruiticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Carbomer, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rutin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Centella, Asatica Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Beta-glucan, Guaiazulene, Arginine, Aloe Vera.

Made in Korea. 

Some extra info on a couple of the herbs/flower extracts that are more prominent in the makeup of the Restore Gel Mask:

Scutellaria Baicelensis - One of the 50 fundamentals in Chinese Herbology, this is a pretty purple flowering plant known also known as Skullcaps. Often used in traditional Chinese medicines to dispel 'heatiness', hepatitis, diarrhea and inflammation. Increasingly rare in current times due to its popularity and unfortunate overexploitation.

Paeonia Suffruiticosa - The iconic Chinese Peony, it's roots (called 牡丹皮) are also used commonly in traditional Chinese medicines to dispel 'heatiness', mildly invigorate the blood and 'cool' the blood amongst others.

Licorice - The root extract has shown various medical properties such as being antimicrobial, antiviral and hepatoprotective. In skincare however, it has also shown the ability to treat hyper pigmentation caused by skin inflammation.

Hope this extra info helps give a clearer idea of how the gel works! And just in case some of you were curious where this lovely blue colour came from:

Guaiazulene - The blue hue of the gel is derived from this hydrocarbon, which is an U.S FDA-approved cosmetic colour additive.

Albeit a tad disappointed that the colour isn't a natural occurrence, I still like the calming blue that it is =) And the smell is really soothing too! Makes me think of Chamomile tea mixed with other flower teas. Y'know...like 'ahhhh~~' (▰˘◡˘▰) 

My dad just pointed out that my random squiggle of blue gel-ly goodness looks like umm..well..sperm. 

*awkward silence* (//∇//)

I guess I could've kept quiet and hope that nobody notices but I JUST CAN'T. So yeah, sorry if it looks like a slightly suggestive squiggle of blue~  ~(˘▾˘~)

*ahem*

As recommended, I store it in the fridge and since I'm about halfway through my usual Laneige moisturiser, use this on and off...when I want to give my skin a treat or when it's feeling particularly stressed, dry or sensitive. A little goes a long way so the 100ml bottle will probably last pretty long.    Just so that you have an idea, for basic moisturising I use a little under 1/2 a pump for my whole face, abit lesser than the amount pictured in my lovely Daiso saucer. Oh and may I add that the chilled gel on my face is freakin' awesome in this sticky hot weather we've been having in Singapore recently!

It spreads well and absorbs to a slightly tacky finish after massaging in circular motions but this tackiness will disappear in under 5 min, leaving my skin feeling and looking soothed and really, well, comfortable! It also dries on the matte side so you don't need to worry about the shinies~ 

As a testament to its soothing capabilities, one time when my skin was going through a dry spell and one particular spot on my cheek was so dry that I suffered some abrasion. Nothing too drastic but a flaky red patch on the cheek is pretty hard to miss. I applied just a thin layer of the Restore Gel in the evening and by the next morning the redness was gone and there was only a very slight dry feeling left. Problem solved with a 2nd application that day and no sign of a reoccurence!

So would I repurchase the DrGL Restore Gel Mask? Of course! It's taken a conscious effort NOT to repurchase until my current bottle reaches at least the 30% level~

• Easily available online and with frequent sale deals via Luxola, S$38/100ml and S$68/240ml.
• Often sold out during and around sale period so keep a look out if you want to score a good deal!
• The most affordable in a line of boutique skin solutions, easy on the pocket because a little goes a long way.
• Applies and spreads well, awesome on a hot day when applied fresh from the fridge.
• Requires a minute or so of massaging to fully absorb (if using as a moisturiser) and after a few minutes of very slight tackiness, dries to a matte finish leaving skin soothed and comfortable.
• Keeps my combination/oily skin moisturised without any shine.
• Quickly soothes irritated and dry skin without any discomfort even on my slight facial abrasion.
• Has served my skin very well in recovering from shuttling between dry and humid climates.

Yep, that's all I have to say about this pretty awesome multi-purpose gel~  =) Do drop me a comment if I've left anything out! 

PureHeal's Galactomyces 90 Ampoule - Galacto-what?

Some months ago, I noticed the new range of Korean skincare at Sephora - PureHeal's. Of course this is no longer new NEW but I've had regular usage of the product for about 4 months now and my satisfaction level remains high (^_^)

PureHeal's products fall mainly into 4 lines:

• Galactomyces (Radiance) - Whitening Line
• Propolis (Moisture) - Moisturising and Anti-Bacterial Line (The Propolis 90 Ampoule is incredibly popular, it's always out of stock when I pop by!)
• Centella (Nutritive) - Anti-aging Line
• Caviar (Renewing) - Skin Renewal and Barrier Enhancing (dual-function)

Picked up the PureHeal's Galactomyces 90 Ampoule for the fairly ridiculous low price of S$28!

S$28 / 30ml

Contains 90% Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate which is basically yeast fermentation filtrate combined with honey infused with 10 different Korea-grown herbal ingredients. 30ml doesn't sound like much but I used it twice a day, about 1/2 to 3/4 of a full pump each time and it lasted me about 2 1/2 months!

Here's an idea of the size:

 Back-of-the-box info:

 

5 stars in the wrinkle improvement department!

Some background information here, I've been on the lookout for something to replace my collagen supplements so in the event I get pregnant, I'll have something on hand ready to take care of those pesky laugh lines! Luckily, I encountered PureHeal's just as I was beginning my search~

It's a clear ampoule that dispenses hygienically out of a clear glass dropper. As mentioned earlier, I use 1/2 to 3/4 of a full pump each time. I started out using a full pump each time but I found that it made my face a little over-moisturized aka shiny.

The ampoule spreads well and is absorbed quite nicely after about a minute or so of light patting.

It only leaves a barely noticeable tackiness that disappears after I apply my moisturizer.

So I stopped my collagen pills and started using this ampoule faithfully twice a day before my moisturizer. I noticed the effect very quickly over the next few days. Being a late sleeper by habit, the problem is without my collagen supplements, my laugh lines become really obvious especially when I just wake up. With the PureHeal's Galactomyces ampoule however, I wake up looking really fresh and dare I say, rejuvenated? =D It works well in hand with my Laneige emulsion and extremely well with the Laneige sleeping pack!

Here's the before and after comparison! The first shot was taken the morning after my first usage...both shots taken first thing in the morning after my skincare routine.

I swear the worst part of having a beauty blog is having to show my naked face so often (=___=);;

The whitening effect is very slight and I can't see that big a difference from an overall look but when I studied the shots close up, there were some slight differences.

I'm not sure if it's as noticeable to you but there were a couple of deeper wrinkles on my undereye area that have disappeared and the pores on my cheek look slightly finer too!

So in a nutshell, PureHeal's Galactomyces 90 Ampoule:

• comes in a nice glass bottle with an easy-to-control dropper dispenser.
• is an effective moisturizing ampoule at an extremely affordable price.
• has a very faint floral scent, only noticeable if you sniff at the bottle opening.
• intensive moisturizing effect doesn't leave skin feeling too oily or sticky.
• helps skin look rejuvenated and fresh on mornings after a late night or lack of sleep.
• is light enough for undereye application, helps with undereye wrinkles too!
• recommended patting motion for absorption takes a little longer than usual so impatient types might find that troublesome.

Would I buy this again? In a heartbeat! I'm actually almost 1/3 into my 2nd bottle actually and intend to pick up a couple more later this week~ I also bought the Centella 90 Ampoule some time ago but haven't seen much effect from that one yet =\

Show & Tell - BeBe Lip Mask from The Face Shop~

On a recent daytrip to JB I bought a batch of random masks from The Face Shop and the Lovely Me Bebe Lip Mask was one of them~ This isn't a new product but I don't usually pay that much attention to Korean beauty products so it takes awhile for me to catch on there ^_^;; Also, the packet was just too cute =P

Touted as an intensive lip mask for dry, rough lips~

I was also quite amused at the thought of walking around with white lips for 20min hehe

It's basically your regular gel type mask with the webbed backing so it fits quite nicely and adheres to the lips well enough to talk quite comfortably!

After 20 minutes~

I couldn't really tell the difference until I had the before and after shots side by side (^__^;;) But I can see the improvement. Had expected a more drastic change since it's supposed to be an intensive lip mask but I like how my lips look softer and pinker than before~

So in a nutshell, the BeBe Lip Mask:

• easily available since The Face Shop is pretty common in Singapore
• can't recall the exact price but it was only a couple of SGD so it's affordable
• applies easily and comfortably, doesn't affect talking
• leaves no weird aftertaste or feel, the gel absorbs completely~
• a decent enough quick fix for dry, tired looking lips. Might not be intensive enough for really dry lips though?

Would I buy it again?

Hmmm probably for when I need a quick fix... I like that my lips look lighter and pinker but leaving a Vaseline 'mask' on overnight will probably deliver similar moisturizing results.

All in all, despite the ok results I'm quite taken by the idea of a lip mask so I'll probably pop by the mall later on and check out the others!

Of Care and Correction - Etude House CC Cream

Hmmm seems I've been buying more Korean products recently...no idea why...maybe it's the lack of pretty, interesting, omgwtfimusthaveit Japanese products being brought into Singapore =\

Today I'm show-telling the fairly new Etude House CC Cream in #02 Glow:

It also comes in #01 Silky, which is the more matte version, but I like a little dewiness on my face so I got the Glow =)

Oooooo Luminosity~

Back of the box info:

Hopefully this'll give you an idea of the size of the tube~

Product dispenses via pump:

It does say apply liberally on the box but too much might be overdoing it as you can see with the swatches below~

 

 

The small amount that's dispensed spreads really well so you don't need to go crazy with it~ Once dispensed, you can see the tiny micro capsules in the stark white cream but as you massage, it slowly turns into a pinkish nude-ish shade which then blends into your skin. The end result is an overall fairer, more radiant look!

 

 

The cream definitely brightened up my face and evened out my skin tone. Minimal coverage for blemishes and dark eye rings etc though~ I could definitely use this on its own if I'm not going downtown or if I'm having a really good skin day! I've been using this as a base more often though cos I need the extra coverage (^__^;;) and it does make for longer lasting makeup and smoother application~

 

This would totally be enough for someone with pretty good skin just looking to add a nice made-up luminosity to their face but if you need higher coverage and concealment, this'll just be a base I guess~

 

In short, the Etude House CC Cream:

• is a nice & smooth cream with sheer coverage that is not buildable
• moisturizing effect & sunscreen of SPF30 PA++
• affordable at about S$25 as I recall
• instantly brightens up my face and helps even out the skintone, gives the my-skin-but-better look
• too much product might result in umm over-brightening? This CC cream spreads very easily so you don't need THAT much
• applies smoothly on my combination skin and stays for a good 5 - 6 hours without touchups
• lovely dewy base for smooth application and longer lasting makeup
• been using for a few weeks with no skin issues
• good for those with pretty good skin looking to add that Korean style luminosity to their look!

 

For my first CC cream, it's pretty good. I'm quite happy but not sure if I would repurchase because it strikes me as quite similar to the Maybelline BB WaterGel =\ maybe a less dewy version of the Maybelline? What do you think? ( ^__^ )

P/S: Do subscribe or follow me via google/facebook if you've enjoyed reading! Thank you~ ( ^__^ )/"

Cyber C'kin Cell Recharge Snail Serum - Slime-me!

The whole thing about snail mucin in skincare has been around for quite a long time now but I have yet to experience it first hand until now~ This is the Cell Recharge Snail Serum from CyberColors skincare range, Cyber C'kin!

Retailing at S$42.90 at Sasa (now on promotion at S$25!)

Why did I buy this product? Well, I had the most stubborn zit just under my nose that seemed to be applying for permanent residency so on a spur of the moment, I popped it! And it left this awful gaping pore above my lip. T____T (photos further down)

So I was basically looking for something that would heal it FAST. Chanced upon the Cyber C'kin snail range and it was on sale and I'm such a Budget Barbie so why not?

Containing 90% snail filtrate and a high concentration of cartilage glue sulfate (which I think is a fancy term for collagen), this product claims to increase skin elasticity, overall radiance and heal damaged and inflamed skin conditions. If you'd read my previous post on Japanese & Korean Beauty secrets, you will recall this bit below:

"Snail slime, secreted in large amounts when snails are stimulated, contains proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoprotein enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides and trace elements of copper, zinc and iron. Simply put, it's packed with glycolic acid, elastin, collagen, hyaluronic acid and protein. Given that snail secretion protects its host from bacteria, cuts, UV rays PLUS the fact that Hippocrates (the Father of Medicine) noted an effective combination of crushed snails and sour milk to sooth skin inflammations, this product seems believable enough."

Today's back-of-the-box info:

Dispenses with a regular pump:

I like that the cap and pump are of the stiffer variety but the pump is little stiff. Makes it slightly difficult to control if you want just a drop, but that's nothing to yell about. =) One pump dispenses a small pearl-sized amount, pretty much the amount shown in the following photos.

 

It's also not particularly slimy or sticky, thank god. And absorbs nicely into my skin, leaving it feeling nice and smooth ^_^ The first time I used it I felt a slight warmth for just a few seconds and as the serum absorbed, it felt like a seal was being spread over the applied area.

I have to say I didn't see much difference in my skin tone or fine lines and my skin isn't experiencing any inflammation so I can't vouch for that either. BUT in the area of potential scarring and skin damage, I think my busted zit fits the profile.

And this is after agonizing over my busted zit for a few days! I applied the snail serum the night I bought it and went to bed with a silent prayer. The next day I woke up and saw that the gaping crater of a pore had pretty much closed up and the redness and swelling was ALOT lesser! Oh Joy!!! And by Day 3, you can see for yourself that it's almost unnoticeable~ =D

In conclusion, the Cyber Colors Cell Recharge Snail Serum:

• is an affordable serum that should be on sale quite often given Sasa's frequent promotions
• applies smoothly and absorbs like a dream, leaves my combination/oily skin feeling protected and smooth without tackiness or shine
• no smell that I could detect
• works well on damaged skin e.g popped zits & inflammation
• prevented the formation of a pimple scar
• might not be as effective on fine lines (but maybe that's because I don't have that many yet?)
• doesn't seem to have much effect in the radiance department too *shrug*
• pump dispenser is abit stiff, might pose a problem IF you only want to use a little drop. For reference, 1 pump is enough for half my face.

I think this product is probably good for people with acne and those who have itchy hands and pick at or bust their zits (like me =P) as the serum kinda forms a protective layer over the damaged skin and so the skin has a chance to rest and heal without further damage from the elements thus the accelerated healing of my zit. At least that's how I see it.

In my case, I'm really glad that it healed my zit so quickly and without leaving a scar! I've had zits like this before and when damaged like that, they almost always leave a scar.

Cyber Colors/Cyber C'kin also has a moisturizer cream in the snail range that contains 70% snail filtrate that's on sale for S$25~ I think it might be worth popping by and checking out the testers especially while the sale's still on~ (^___^)



Got my eye on Rachel K Youth Complex~

This is another belated post that I took photos of and then proceeded to forget about >_< Apologies all around~

For people who keep frequent late nights like me, beauty solutions for the eye area are always important. So for my fellow nocturnal creatures, I come bearing good news!

I bought the Rachel K Youth Complex Eye cream at BHG during a 20% sale sometime back off it's original price of S$35~ The Rachel K range is also available at Watsons which is pretty good since Watsons has good sales very often!

S$35 / 15ml tube

Certified Organic! Me likey~

This certified organic anti-aging eye cream contains powerful active ingredients (Algae from depth of the oceans, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Jojoba, Olive Oils, Squalane) that rapidly smooth, hydrate, reduce puffiness and dark under-eye circles.

The usual look at the back-of-the-box info:

One of the main features of this product is it's petal shaped pump dispenser cum massage applicator~ The massaging motion recommended during application is supposed to encourage circulation whilst delivering instant de-puffing effects on tired eyes!

 

Just press down to dispense the youth complex cream. The product is smooth, very slightly cream in colour and has very little scent. What little scent I can detect is rather like jojoba/olive oil, so it's not unpleasant =)

By placing the applicator as below, you can massage the cream directly with a smooth back and forth action. The first couple of times, you might experience a very slight warming sensation on the applied area but there were no other side effects for me.

 

The product absorbs well, leaving only a slightly moisturized feeling to my undereye area in its wake. It performed nicely under makeup, not flaking or anything like that. But do note that I did let it absorb very very thoroughly before putting on makeup. Only a small dollop is required for each application, making this product very cost effective!

 

I used this very faithfully twice a day because it's so easy, I didn't need to put my fingers into any dinky little jars and because the applicator was so well-shaped, I didn't really need to pay attention while I was massaging the cream in too~

 

But the best part was the results!

 

 

Not sure if you can see it but there's a small puffy patch under my left eye (right eye from your point of view) that's been there for almost forever... I actually noticed that it had gone down considerably by the 3rd day, which is really pretty awesome~ After about a week I took this photo and was very pleased with the results! The dullness around my eyes had lightened to a slight redness and alot of the initial puffiness was gone! The fine lines, I regret to say, are still there but hey, 2 out of 3 isn't bad at all!

 

So basically now whenever I unfortunately end up going to bed at say 4a.m, I don't need to worry about awakening with puffy eyes! And for just S$35? It's a no brainer!

 

In short, Rachel K Youth Complex Eye Cream is:

• an affordable drugstore option that delivers speedy results
• comes in a stylish pump tube with massage applicator, no need to get your hands dirty
• cap becomes slightly loose after frequent use though
• light to no scent makes it easy on those who are sensitive to fragrances
• product is creamy but not heavy; did not cause milia on me
• highly absorbable product makes it easy/comfortable for day and night wear
• dark eye circles are reduced quickly
• de-puffing action easily rivals Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye cream
• fine line reduction doesn't seem to be as effective though

I'm really glad I happened to buy this eye cream because it really gives the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye a run for its money for almost half the price! Super satisfied! ( ^___^ )