Skin Within

Last Saturday I was able to visit my dermatologist after almost 3 months.  My skin was at it's worst, breakouts on my forehead, chin and nose due to the scorching heat we are currently having.  I was able to have my underarm IPL maintenance and my much needed glycolic and diamond peels.   Aah, that felt so good!

She and my mom were discussing sunblocks and other stuff mom needed for her skin when we were introduced to the new generation of sunblocks: Skin Within.

Etude House Speedy Total Mineral Base

One of the products I got from Etude House is their Speedy Total Mineral Base.  It costs Php 578 for the 50ml. tube.  This is a 3-in-1 product because it is a sunblock, a makeup base and a foundation.  It is NOT a BB Cream because it doesn't contain any skin improving properties.

L'Oreal UV Perfect SPF 50

Another sunblock I tried out! This time it's the L'Oreal UV Perfect in Even Complexion. I've read so many raves for this brand that I had to try it out. It costs Php 495 at local drugstores, supermarkets and department stores. It has 3 variants - Transparent Skin (white), Anti-Dullness (lilac) and this one.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter SPF 15

I ran out of my body lotion with SPF so I went to Rustan's and got me the Palmer's Cocoa Butter w/ Vit. E SPF 15.

I like 2-in-1 (or 3-in-1) products because they are easier to use. I put on sunblock even on my body (arms, neck and legs) everyday (well, most of the time if I don't forget or I just don't if I'll only be staying home that day). I saw this product on their shelves months ago and promised to get it as soon as I ran out of what I was currently using (another promise is to use up what I currently have before buying something else!).

The bottle is 8.5 oz or 250ml for Php495. It has broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection that soothes marks and tones skin.

Olay Complete SPF 15 Combination/Oily

Another sunscreen/moisturizer I use in rotation with my other SPF moisturizers is the Olay Complete SPF 15 for Combination/Oily skin. It has UVA/UVB protection and is non-greasy. It makes the skin silky soft to touch while lessening shine for oily skinned gals like me.

Ingredients:

Since it only has SPF 15, I use this only for days when I don't expect myself to be out in the sun at all. Instead I use my Neutrogena ones with higher SPFs.

Like other Olay products, I don't breakout with their use. This doesn't completely eliminate shine but it helps for a few hours. I've tried it under makeup and it can be used as a base too. There is a mild fragrance like their other moisturizers but it goes away quickly.

There are other variants for this line to suit your particular skin type: Normal, Sensitive and Combi/Oily. I got this 6 oz. bottle from drugstore.com for around $10 but checking now, it looks like they have changed the packaging. The other variants are readily available though (fromOlay website).

It may be available locally from PX stores in Greenhills or Somera (Glorietta) but I'm sure the prices would be jacked up.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Waterlight Lotion SPF 50

My new HG sunblock! What can I say? I loved Olay Complete but they phased out the one I use. I discovered Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50 but this new one is even better.

The new Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50. It only costs P460 per 30 ml bottle. It does seem a bit more expensive than the the Dry Touch one which is 3 oz at P509 but I use this one whenever I wear mineral makeup. It is a very good base, it even says so in the bottle.

While the Dry Touch is a cream type, this is more watery. You need to shake the bottle well prior to use. The tip opening is small though so you get control on how much product is dispensed. It smells like the Dry Touch one, not really a sunblock smell but is more refreshing and not too floral.

It dries quickly to a matte finish on my oily face. Again, no breakouts at all and no itchies. Regarding the sunblock properties, I've used it on very sunny days and my face did not darken. My face wasn't an oil slick after a few hours either (which often times happened with Olay Complete right after application).

There are 2 variants of this new product. First is the one I mentioned and second is the Ultra Sheer Complete UV Moisture. It is also in a 30ml bottle much like the former and costs the same at P460. My mom got this one and I tried to see what the difference between the 2 are.

The lotion is more watery (hence the need to shake the bottle)) while Moisture is like Dry Touch, a more creamy type. You also don't need to shake this one. The Waterlight Lotion, I presume is more suitable for oily skin like mine since it is lighter and less creamy. It does not say for what skin type on the bottle so I am presuming any skin type can use both. I am just basing it on how the sunblocks feel on the skin. Also, since it says "Moisture" on the other bottle, it probably works better on those with dry to normal skin or those who want more moisture to their face. I can't comment on the moisturising properties of both because I have oily skin and I use a different moisturizer that's why I got the Waterlight Lotion.

Both have a satiny feel on the skin leaving it soft and matte (or semi-matte). Foundation went on smoothly, too. I just wished they came in a bigger bottle. Well, it would still last long if I don't use it daily. I have the Dry Touch for that.

This is available at all leading department stores and supermarkets. I had a tough time finding mine initially 2 weeks ago. I couldn't find it in Rustan's Supermarket or Essences, not at Robinson's Dept. Store. Instead I got mine at Robinson's Supermarket. I also found this at bigger Watson's stores.

Heliocare Spray SPF 50

Today I visited my dermatologist friend for a follow-up IPL session. I've finished the full session a few months ago but I still go for touch up treatments when needed because IPL is a permanent hair REDUCTION procedure and not REMOVAL. I also had a facial, glycolic peel and diamond peel. Love the impromptu skin treatment. Anyway, she said my skin looked better a year ago. Now I have a few hyperpigmented spots on my upper cheek area :-(

Before I left, she gave me a sample of Heliocare Spray.

I've seen this on her shelves before but as far as I remember, I didn't get it because of the price.

What it is:

Heliocare Spray is suitable for ALL SKIN TYPES. Can be used after Laser Hair Removal and Microdermabrasion to prevent skin damage. Natural daily photoimmunoprotectant against UVB and UVA, with antioxidant and repairing activities.

Indicated for:

-Sensitive skins: Rosacea, etc.

-Photodermatosis

-Medication-induced photosensitivity

-Prevention of skin photoaging

-Melasma and hyperpigmentation

I'll try this as soon as I can (I still need to put on a post-peel cream for 3 days and nothing else) and report back. It's only a tiny 5 ml spray sample,

but I'm sure it'll be enough to know if I get breakouts or other negative side effects. Hopefully not.

Has anybody tried this before? I'd really like to know how it does.

Follow-up Review: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+

I've been using this for around 1 month now and my intial review can be found here. I did not break out with daily use and the more I use it, the more I like it. I even brought it to Boracay with me and used it daily even when swimming at the beach or the pool. It did it's job as a sunblock because my face and neck did not burn. I liked the light tan I got on my face and neck because the color was even.

Did it sting my eyes? I don't think so because even with sweat pouring down my face (doing household chores at home or the heat at the beach), my eyes didn't hurt.

I had an initial review of it making my face oily after a few hours. I've used it with the Garnier Pure A Daily Moisturiser and the combination was very good for my face. My face wasn't an oil slick like I said before. I think it is important to see which combination of products would work well and if at first it doesn't seem to be doing it's job, give it another shot next time with other products.

I've also used it under makeup with and without a primer over it and it works as a good base too.

I will continue to use it in rotation with my other daytime sunblocks. I'm glad I can find this locally anytime (unless they discontinue this too). Surprisingly, I'm liking this more than my HG Olay Complete SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+

I got the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ with Helioplex earlier this week. My HG Olay Complete SPF 30 for Sensitive skin has been discontinued here in Manila and I'm down to half my bottle (why do they do this? I should have hoarded because it's half the price here than in the US but I didn't know it was going to be discontinued) so I am on the lookout for a high SPF for the face for daily use.

I've heard a lot about this but only tried it out recently. It costs P509 for the 3.0 oz. bottle and can be bought at any department store, drugstore or supermarket locally. Despite the negative (but a lot of positive) reviews, the only way I'll know is if I use it right?

This is an initial review as I've only used it for 2 days.

The product doesn't have an unpleasant smell although it's not the typical sunblock smell either. It's white and has a lotion consistency that isn't too thick. I can spread it evenly over my entire face without it balling up which other people say happens to them. Maybe because my skin is oily? It doesn't leave a white cast on me and my face feels smooth and soft after without a sticky film like other facial sunblocks. I guess that's the dry touch effect.

So far, the 2 days I've used it, I did not feel any burning sensation on my face nor break out in rashes. I don't know if it will sting my eyes because it's been raining the past few days so I haven't been sweating that much (but it is still hot). I notice though that my face looks a bit oily after a few hours. I haven't tried it under makeup so I don't know how it'll fair as a base.

Other countries have the different variants of SPF of this Neutrogena sunblock and based on reviews, the lower SPFs have a better consistency and is less thick although they don't have Helioplex which stabilizes the chemical blockers that breaks down under sunlight.

I do put on a layer of moisturizer before this because this isn't a 2-in-1 product which I prefer. This would be a good one to use for me daily from the neck down. I still need to use it the next few weeks in different conditions for the face and update my review.

Have you tried this product?

DW FOTD, SPF Musings

Went to a dog show yesterday which my daughter kept asking us to go to. There was a dog frisbee challenge that was fun to watch.
FOTD:



Baby Magic Daily Protection Lotion for faces SPF 20 as primer
Dreamworld Luna foundation in Themis-Hebe mix
DW Butterscotch Creme Topping
AL Coquille Powder in Nectarine
Blush: DW Pixie Sunset
Lips: Kiehl's Tinted Lipbalm
Eyes:

UDPP as primer
SN Unblush all over
DW Athena from lashline to crease
DW Sweet Cream as highlight

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I've been "obsessing" for the past few months, or maybe the past year on and off, about sunscreen for the face. We all know it is very important to put on sunblock for the face and body because of our current global situation (global warming, ozone depletion). Even indoor light, computer and TV screens emit UV rays that protection is needed. Even if I am not Caucasian (which are more prone to skin cancers because they have lesser melanin in their skin) and have a darker skintone, I still need the SPF. Minimum of SPF15 for the face for daily use and higher if outdoors. And don't forget the benefit of putting on sunblock daily on the face: looking young even when you're much older!
I've been using Olay UV Whitening Lotion SPF 24 for my face and neck as AM moisturiser the past year but I am still on the lookout for better ones out there. This also works as primer underneath MMU if I'm in a hurry. I've tried lots of local brands but still end up going back to Olay. Lucky me I never broke out with it's use.

A few weeks ago I came across this:



I got this 5 oz. tube for only Php145 or less than $3.50. Bought this for my daughter's use this summer and once she starts school in June because we will mainly walk to and from school since it's only a couple of blocks away (unless it's raining then we'll go by car). It's never too young for her to start using sunscreen. It's mainly for kids' and babies' faces and has SPF 20. It is waterproof, PABA and fragrance-free. It says "protection' because it's for drooling babies, he he. One of the main ingredients is Dimethicone to protect against the harsh effects of babies' drool on the skin.

Therefore, if it's good for babies, it's good for me! Dimethicone is one of the main ingredients in makeup primers so I can definitely use this for that purpose. I tried it out and it works just fine. It doesn't leave a white cast on the face like most sunscreens and I didn't break-out. It's also not heavy on the face although it's not as smooth as other primers (like Camellia Rose V2.0). This is what I used in my FOTD in this entry. At least now I have an alternate primer to use although I still need a moisturiser beneath this.
I think I'm going back to that store and hoard more tubes of this stuff (for me and DD). I tried searching for this online but I couldn't find it even in the Playtex Baby Magic website.

I was checking out sunscreens at Watson's yesterday. I wanted to try out Neutrogena Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 but heard not so good reviews on it at MUA si I skipped it. I also found Neutrogena's Cooling Gel sunblock SPF 30 (since gel sunblocks are better for oily-skinned gals like me) but when I tried it on my hand it balled up while I was rubbing it in.
This is what I ended up with yesterday:



Olay Complete Defense SPF 30+ for sensitive skin. Yahoo! An improvement to the regular Olay UV lotion that I use. Higher SPF and it's fragrance-free. My other Olay bottle is running low that's why I got this to use once the other is empty. I like this too because the bottle spout locks when twisted to the left.
Nevertheless, the hunt still continous because I want an all-purpose one: moisturiser, high SPF and PRIMER for mmu purposes.