Remedies for Cracked, Chapped, Dry Lips

I mentioned in my previous blog titled "Petroleum Jelly," that I used to suffer from dry, chapped lips during the cold months during my teenage years. Now that I am staying in a place with temperature that could get as high as 35 degrees Celsius the problem with chapped lips is back with a vengeance. With extreme weather conditions it is a challenge to maintain smooth, healthy skin.  You have to find ways to counter the negative effect of the weather and environment you find yourself in.  Find a product that will work best for you. 

Besides the Un-Petroleum Jelly that I recommended in my previous blog, I've been experimenting on natural remedies for these unsightly, painful chapped lips. 

What are the causes of dry, chapped lips?

There are a several factors that could lead to this, like:

Dry, cold weather
Hot weather
Sun exposure
Smoking
Excessive licking of lips
Vitamin C deficiency
Dehydration

Here are my TOP 6 Remedies

1.    Water 

Dehydration can be a cause of dry and chapped lips. Drinking plenty of water during the day to  keep your body well hydrated is the most natural preventive measure. Remember our body is composed of about 60% water. Every system in our body depends on water, even these little cupid's bows.

2.    Sugar & Olive oil scrub 

As I mentioned from previous blogs, sugar & olive oil scrub really work wonders. Exfoliating dead cells off your lips help reveal the lips' natural soft skin.  

* Mix 1  teaspoon of sugar and add few drops of extra virgin olive oil and apply the scrub on to your lips

3.    Honey & Olive Oil

Honey and olive oil are great moisturizers that will help treat your chapped lips.

* Mix half a teaspoon honey and half a teaspoon extra virgin olive oil. Apply the paste on your lips, leave for ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes, then rinse with water.

4.    Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is a natural moisturizer. Simply apply pure coconut oil on to your lips several times a day to keep them moist.

5.    Milk

Milk contains fats, and these fats are great natural lip moisturizer.

* Apply milk on your lips, leave for ten (10) minutes then rinse it with water

6.    Un-petroleum Jelly

As previously mentioned, I use Alba Un-petroleum jelly as my lip balm. It's very effective in treating dry lips. I apply it to my lips several times a day.
   

Whatever you do, always rehydrate!

Thanks for reading!

Your Skin Will Love Oats Too

Oats anyone?

One bowl of oatmeal a day keeps the doctor away!  

 

 

Everyone knows the nutrients and fiber oatmeal can give to our body. It helps lower down cholesterol level in our blood, hence reducing the risk of heart diseases. It's full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals; it stabilizes blood sugar, prevents development of diabetes and helps control your weight.

But did you know it could also do wonders for our skin? Yes, our skin!
It's one of my favorite face cleansers, especially when I'm breaking out. It helps zits and rashes heal faster.  It also works well on my 18 month-old daughter who has very sensitive skin. She sometimes develop eczema due to environmental pollution, so I use oats to cleanse her body.


Reasons why your skin will love oats:

• Moisturizing. It contains beta-glucan that forms a film on your skin and penetrates deep into the skin to provide deep moisturizing. It also helps remove dead skin cells.
• Fights Dryness. Oats are very effective in fighting dull, flaky dry skin as it contain polysaccharides which become gelatinous in water  and leave a fine protective film on the skin.
• Treats Acne. Cooked oatmeal is great treatment for acne. It absorbs and removes excess oil and bacteria from your skin.
• Skin Lightening. Oats are known for its lightening effects as it improves the skin tone and texture.
• Treats Poison Ivy and Chicken Pox. It has been used to treat eczema, poison ivy, insect bites, and chicken pox. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-itch properties.

I'll be sharing some oat recipes I have been using as cleanser and mask.

You may use the oats straight from the container, but for me I like to really fine. I put it in a blender, grind and put it in an airtight container. It's easier to use when it's ground.

Facial Wash

        I put 1 tablespoon of oatmeal in a small container, add a bit of water, wait for around 10 seconds, smash it with my fingers and apply on my face and neck. I scrub my face and let the oatmeal sit for a minute or two then I rinse with water.

Face & Body Scrub
Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of oatmeal, add some warm milk, mix until it turns into a  paste. Leave the mixture for around 5 minutes until the oatmeal become soft.  I use this to exfoliate my face or body. Let it sit for a while then rinse     with  water.

Mix 1 table spoon of milk, honey, and extra virgin olive oil (equal portion each). Add 2 -3 table spoons of oatmeal. Leave the paste in a bowl until the oatmeal becomes soft. Use this to exfoliate your face or body and rinse with warm water.

Facial Mask

For Acne-prone skin:
Mix 2 teaspoon of oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, add enough water to make a paste. Apply the paste onto clean, dry face. Leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

For Oily / Combination Skin:

Mix 2 tablespoon of oats, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (juice from half a lemon) and 1 tablespoon of honey (you may also use extra virgin olive oil instead of honey). Apply on your face, leave for 10 - 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

For Dry Skin:
Mix 2 table spoon of cooked oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 -3 tablespoon of plain yogurt (you may also use milk instead of plain yogurt). Apply on to face and leave for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for reading. Happy weekend!

Petroleum Jelly: Is it good or bad?

I was born and raised in Baguio City, a city seated atop a mountain. And since it is on top of a mountain the temperature can go down to 10-15 degrees Celsuis  during the cold months. This is already cold for a tropical county like ours. I used to have chapped and windburned lips during these months. Until I discovered the petroleum jelly. I used it everyday on my lips and served as my lip balm. When my husband and I worked in Shanghai, China in 2009, you can just imagine how much more I needed petroleum jelly then. But by that time I already have done some research about the product and this is what I found out:

Petroleum jelly is  being used as an ingredient in many of cosmetic products and moisturizers. And it has been used by millions of people since its discovery in the mid 1800's. But there have been arguments whether petroleum jelly is good or bad for your skin and whether it is carcinogenic.

What is Petroleum Jelly? 

Petroleum jelly, also known as Petrolatum, is the byproduct of oil drilling. It was discovered in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, where this jellylike substance accumulated on the oil pumps. Until it was distilled into a wax in 1872.

Why is it said to be harmful to the skin?

• It suffocates the skin - therefore it keeps out air and moisture on your pores.
• It just give an illusion or false feeling of hydration but it does nothing to nurture, heal or restore moisture to the skin
• may cause premature aging as slows cellular regeneration
• since it is a thick emollient, it may cause breakouts or  aggravate acne and rosacea

What can we use instead?

There are a lot of natural alternatives in the market. There are products that use natural ingredients such as beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter and cocoa butter that could deeply nourish and hydrate the skin.

I want to share a product that I've been using as an alternative to Petroleum jelly. 

Its Alba's Un-petroleum Jelly.  From the name itself you will notice it is "Un-petroleum" therefore there is no petrolatum in the ingredients.

Product Description: 

Alba Un-petroleum Jelly is the original, multi-purpose skin moisturizer made from only pure plant oils and all natural waxes

It soothes, moisturizes and softens the skin.

It is made without petroleum, paraffin, mineral oil, artificial fragrances or parabens. 

Hypo-allergenic

Here are the ingredients:

Castor seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, hydrogenated castor oil, tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol (Vitamin E)

You can get this thru online stores as I don't see this at Healthy Options though they carry the brand of Alba. Of course it's available in the US. It's where I get my supply.

Thanks for reading!

Face Mapping: What are your zits telling you?

How often do you break-out? Is it concentrated in one particular area of your face?

There are times when I experience horrible, painful break outs. There are a lot of reasons that can contribute to skin break out. Usually I get them when I eat too much oily and salty foods, or when I don’t drink plenty of water. 


What I’m going to share with you now is all about these spots and what they are telling you in relation to your internal health.

Have you ever heard of face mapping? This is an ancient art that can help you identify the cause of your blemishes by splitting the face into several sections. And each sections reflect different part of your internal health.

Zones 1 & 3: Digestive System
If you have high amounts of fats in your diet, this could lead  you to break out on your forehead. Cleanse your diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Take anti-oxidant supplements such as Vitamins A, C and E. Increase your water intake. Green tea also helps.

Zone 2: Liver
Alcohol and dairy are the main culprit for spots in this area. Limit your dairy intake of dairy and alcohol or just remove alcohol altogether. You may also consult your doctor first if you have food allergies or intolerance with dairy products.

Zones 4, 6, 8 and 10: Kidneys
Spots close to your ears and even dark circles around your eyes can be caused by dehydration. Increase your water intake to hydrate your body. Avoid coffee, and salty foods.

Zone 7: Heart
This area of the face is full of dilated pores, so make sure you clean your make up brushes, sponges or anything that you use on your face. Reduce high blood pressure for internal solution. Replace bad fats with good fats like nuts and omega 3 rich food. Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Zone 5 & 9: Respiratory System
If you are a smoker you will notice your spots  appear along the top of your cheeks. Increasing your exposure to fresh air and regular exercise will do wonders. And of course giving up on those little sticks will be the key.

Zone 11 & 13: Hormones
For us women, breakouts in this area indicates hormonal imbalances particularly around a certain time of the month or stress. There is little to do that can prevent these changes, but eating healthy with plenty of exercise will help.

Zone 12: Stomach
If your diet is loaded with rich, heavy, fatty and salty foods then spots will appear in this area. A detox, food rich in fiber and exercise will help in your digestion.

Zone 14: Ilness
Spots in this area indicates that your body is trying to fight off bacteria. Drink plenty of water and consult your doctor if you begin to feel unwell.

I hope this face mapping  gave you an idea what to do with your blemishes and spots.

Remember eating healthy, exercise and drinking plenty of water are key to a healthy skin!
Thanks for reading!

Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner Review

Hi everyone! I'd like to share with you one of my favourite toner brands, the Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner. My leaning more towards on natural skin care products lead me to this wonder toner.

I started using Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Witch Hazel Toner when I moved back to Manila in 2011. I've heard about Witch Hazel some time ago before 2011 but I didn't know it was available in the Philippines. I just found out after I came back that it was available at Healthy Options.

Let's see its product details!

• Non-drying, for all skin types
• Gently cleanses
• Conditions pores to maintain clear, smooth and balanced skin
• 100% all Natural formula
• Tightens and refines pores
• Gently removes excess oil, dirt and makeup residue with out over drying
• Locks in moisture

Ingredients:
All natural Witch Hazel, containing 14% Natural grain alcohol, and Witch Hazel Extract

First thing, wash your face with a facial foam. Dry your face using unscented facial tissue. (I'll explain in my next blogs why I don't use facial towel).  Apply the toner using cotton pads/balls on the oiliest parts of your face first like the nose and forehead, then on to your cheeks. I tend to use this toner too as make up remover, except for removing eye make up.  So I tweak the process a little: apply toner first to remove make up, then wash face with facial foam, dry face using facial tissue, apply toner again and finally apply moisturizer and eye cream. It really makes my skin fresh and clean.

It has fulfilled what it promised! It has refined my pores, especially on my nose where I usually get blackheads.

One thing I don't like about this product is the scent!  It smells like the root or bark of a tree. But its benefits far outweigh its smell. 

I have recommended this to my sisters and friends and they love it as I do. One of my sister says, 'Who cares if I have to pinch my nostrils together while applying the toner, as long as I get the benefits the toner promises!'

Dickinson's also have in its product line Witch Hazel Foaming Facial Wash, which, I hope Healthy Options would import and include in its Dickinson's line, too. Errm... Mr RS, if you're reading my blog…

If I get a chance to purchase and try the Dickinson's Witch Hazel Foaming Facial Wash I'll post a
review as well.


Thanks for reading!

Moisturizer Plus

As far as I could remember, my mom would always apply lotion on my skin after bathing when I was young.  She would tell me it's good for my skin, to make it soft and smooth. This was instilled in me as a young girl and it became a habit as I got older. I have tried a lot of body lotions and body creams but there is one brand that I really liked which worked really well with my skin, the Nivea UV Whitening Cell Repair Protect.  I've been using this brand for more than five years already and it has never failed me. I  specially like its texture and its non-sticky feeling. 

Although I was satisfied with this product, I still looked for something that would give more moisture. I have very dry skin so I wanted additional moisturizer that would be easily absorbed and would last longer on my skin.  I did some research and stumbled on the JOJOBA Oil. I was working in Singapore during that time so it was easy to find a store which sells this kind of oil. Jojoba oil is extracted from the seed of a desert shrub called Simmondsia chinensis. It is very similar to the human sebum which is being secreted to lubricate our skin and hair. What I do is mix a few drops of Jojoba oil on my Nivea Lotion. This combination is very effective on dry skin like mine. The Jojoba oil is easily absorbed and provides skin extra moisture that lasts longer.

When I went back to the Philippines last year I looked for available brands in Manila and luckily I found Desert Essence at Healthy Options. It is priced for only around Php300 plus. You may also find it online stores.

DIY: Sugar with Olive Oil Scrub

My childhood dream was to become a film or theater actress.  It was a childhood dream that I brought well into my teen years and beyond.   Actually until just before I got married haha! I was always consciously gearing up myself for it, like practicing my acting in front of a mirror, mimicking celebrities and making my family and friends laugh, learning how to smile and pose in front of a camera, and most especially taking care of my physical appearance.  To my young mind, actresses must have glowing, unblemished skin. As young as eleven years old I was already looking out for tips, advices and whatnots on how to keep ones skin healthy and beautiful. And even after I gave up on the dream, the habit of learning ways on how to take care of my skin continued. 

I want to share with you the very first tip I learned from my older sister who is a Pharmacist. She said 'If you want a glowing, smoother skin, exfoliate!" She taught me the importance of exfoliation and how to do it using natural ingredients. 

What does exfoliating do to our skin?  It removes the dead or dry skin cells on the outer layer of the skin and reveals the newer skin beneath. It also unclogs pores, thus keeping our skin clean and prevent acne from breaking out.  

Here is how I was taught to do it the simplest and easiest way:

Things you will need:

1. White sugar or brown sugar (I prefer brown sugar)
2. Extra virgin olive oil (any brand will do)

Add a few drops of olive oil to 1 teaspoon of sugar and mix well. You can add more sugar if you are going to use it as body scrub or put just a bit if you're only using it as a lip scrub. Gently scrub your skin with the natural mixture, rinse with soap and water, put on some moisturizer and voila! You have a clean, smoother skin!  Over time you will achieve that healthy glow without having to pay a high price for it.

By the way, you could also add Vitamin E oil into the mixture. You can add the oil straight from the capsule or you can purchase a bottled oil .

Very simple huh?

This can be used on your face, lips, body, hands, and feet.

I highly recommend this. What more could you ask for? It's easy to prepare, its cheap, its very effective, and its natural!

Thanks for reading!

Etude House Sun Prise Fresh Sun Powder SPF 50 PA+++ Review

I wasn't always big on sunscreen before.  I found it greasy, sticky and heavy on my skin. And I bet most of you guys feel the same way, too. 

Until I read an article about Kim Kardashian, and her number ONE beauty advice is "wear sunscreen!"  This made me do some research about sunscreen and what UVA,  UVB, UVC are and their effects on our skin.

And this is what I've found out! Let's make it simple. Ultraviolet radiation is composed of three wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA is a long wavelength which can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, which can cause skin aging. UVA rays are present all daylight even on winter months.

UVB is a midrange wavelength which is responsible for burning, tanning and one of the factors for development of skin cancer. The intensity of UVB varies on the location and time of the day.

UVC is the shortest wavelength which is being filtered by the ozone and so these wavelengths do not reach the surface of the earth and do not contribute to our skin damage. I just don't know if it does reach the earth now, what with the damage to the ozone layer and all that!

Now what is SPF (Sun Protecting Factor) and PA+++?

SPF indicates UVB protection and PA+++ indicates UVA protection, which are both important!

Upon learning this, I scoured health and beauty care stores looking for the perfect sunscreen. I did try quite a few but most didn't go well go well with my skin. Some gave me zits! Plus I totally couldn't take the sticky feeling. I went to look at the products at Etude House at the Mall of Asia and one particular sunscreen caught my attention because it's a different kind.  It was my first time to encounter a sun screen in powder form.  I got excited because I knew immediately one problem would be solved, the sticky feeling. I only had to try its effectiveness and if it would go well on my skin. So I bought it and tried it. And guess what,  I totally LOVED IT!  

Etude House Sun Prise Fresh Sun Powder SPF 50 PA+++ 

The product is in a cute yellow plastic jar. 

Underneath the cap is a powder puff. But I really don't use the puff, instead I use a kabuki brush to apply powder on my face. 

It has a pink ring that serves as the powder shaver. Twist it once and the powder comes out. This is where the puff is placed. 

Pros

1. No sticky feeling
2. It has SPF 50 PA+++ (which is a broad spectrum)
3. It doesn't affect your make up
4. It's easy to reapply 
5. Blends well with your skin

Cons

1. The powder puff attached underneath the cap is not useful at all, it won't give an even application. I use kabuki brush to have an even application.

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Score: 5/5

Tony Moly Pure Luminous Aura CC Cream

I wasn't really into BB creams or CC creams but my sister introduced me to these products. She had been using BB Cream from Etude House for a couple of years until she discovered about CC Cream from Tony Moly, which she came to know about because it's being endorsed by her favorite Korean band JYJ.   She got me persuaded when she told me Tony Moly was one of the best sellers CC Cream in Korea.  Though of course I've always been fascinated with Koreans' porcelain flawless skin. Most of the Koreans I've met really have good skin. And I've always wondered why? Maybe it's in their genes or maybe they have really good skin care and beauty products in Korea. 

And so to cut it short,  I bought Tony Moly CC Cream at SM Department Store at the Mall of Asia.

CC means "Colour Control"  or "Colour Correcting." From the meaning itselft it would give us an idea what it would do to our skin, right?. In short, it helps even out our skin tone and helps cover the blemishes. 

Let's see its product description!

7 in 1 smart all in one cream:  UV protection + whitening + wrinkle repair + radiance + moisture + primer + base make-up.

Color change reverse (Capsule changes color, matching to your own skin tone)

Skin colour tone up (natural coverage of aura skin)

 

12 hours moisturizing test complete

Free from 7 harmful chemicals (paraben, benzo phenon, talc, mineral oil, organic pigment, sulcate surfactant)

All in one cream that takes care of skin and make-up at the same time with moisture that remains for hours.

 

Complete of skin stimulus test (Anti wrinkle, whitening and SPF 30 PA++)

45% water base (It's easily absorbed by the skin)

  

Ingredients:

Elder flower extract, sunflower oil, Centella asiatica extract, cherry blossoms extract, water lily flower extract, rose flower extract, lotus extract, safflower seed oil, Portulaca extract, and macadamia oil. 

Pros

1. I like its texture, its creamy but  its not sticky when you apply it on.

2. It easily glides and blends onto skin

3. Its a very good make up base

4. It has SPF 30 PA++

5. I like its light floral scent

6. It has anti aging and lightening effects

7. It gives my skin a nice dewy and glowing effect

8. Very hygienic because of its pump dispenser

9. The price of Php950 for a bottle that could last for up to 7 or 8 months of use (6 days a week) is not bad at all

10. Sheer coverage as it wont clog pores, it wont feel as heavy, and it wont be cakey 

Cons

1. Sheer coverage  as it does not hide very big problem areas such as acne 

 

Verdict: Highly Recommended

Score: 5/5

Where can you buy this?

Manila, Philippines:

Mall of Asia SM Department Store

128A SM Megamall Bldg. A

 

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: 

Tonly Moly Shop Kamporchea Krom Street 

 

Thanks for reading!

Kojie San Skin Lingtening Soap Review

What is Kojic Acid?

"Kojic Acid was discovered in Japan. It is a by-product in the fermentation process of malting rice, for use in the manufacturing of sake, the Japanese rice wine. It is popularly known for its lightening property in cosmetics.  It erases dark spots and blotches from melasma and other forms of pigmentations . And it also has an antibacterial and anti-fungal properties."     Source: Wikipedia

Sounds good to me!!!

Kojie San brand is one of the leading whitening bar soaps in the Philippines. This was the reason I was encouraged to give it a try.

Lets take a look at the ingredients.

Pure Kojic Acid, Sweet Orange, VCO (virgin coconut oil), Glycerine, Vegetable Extracts and Vitamins C

Pros 

1. Easy to lather

2. It has an orangey sent

3. Smoothens and lightens skin

4. It's very affordable and yet very effective

Cons

1. It easily melts

2. Feels dry after use (so you really have to apply a generous amount of moisturizer

3. It leaves a stinging sensation for the first few days of use.

I've been using this for 3 months and so far it's doing a great job. It making my skin smoother and fairer. I even convinced my husband to use it, too.

I don't use it on my face though. Although it's stated on its box that it can be used on the face and body, I find it too drying and strong for the face. The skin on our face is much more sensitive than other parts of the body so I dont dare use bar soap on my face. 

Verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *5 Stars*