Series 1:Essential Oils: Queen's Favourite:Rose

"Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose."
-Getrude Stein

Cleopatra was known to use in in her beauty regime, as well as in her attempts to seduce Marc Anthony. Today, we too can enjoy its benefits. Rose oil is known as the "Queen of Essential Oils"- it takes as many as 30 roses to make one drop of Rose Otto oil! It is divided into 2 different types: Rose Otto and Rose Absolute. Rose Otto is more expensive, as  it takes more roses to produce.It is also more preferred for topical aromatherapy as Rose Absolute, due to its nature of extraction, may still contain trace amounts of solvent.

The Belle has done a little research, and the uses of rose essential oil are as follows:

1)Aromatherapy: Used in aromatherapy burners, it can help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. A few drops can also be added to the bathtub for a relaxing bathtime.

2)Massage: A few drops, used alone, or combined with lavender, added to a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil make for a relaxing massage that helps to relieve tension and cramps in muscles. This concoction can also be used to relieve menstrual cramps. Experiment, and go with something that your nose likes!

3)Skincare:As a toner for dry, sensitive skins, place about 5-8 drops in 80 ml water. Shake well before use, and apply with a cotton pad. The mixture can also be spritzed and patted onto eczema areas to relieve itchiness. Oilier skins may like to add witch hazel to the concoction.

4)Other uses: As a cure for congestion for blocked sinuses, stops nausea and vomiting. It can also help to ease sore throats and relieve coughing spasms. For relief, place 1-2 drops in a tissue/hankerchief and inhale.

The above list of uses are not exhaustive. The Belle would like to stress again (Now I sound like an old woman, but anyway...) that as with all essential oils, rose oil should be used with caution in the elderly, young, pregnant, nursing, and the very sensitive. Pregnant women, particularly, should wait until their 4th month or after to use it.

What are your favourite uses for roses? Do share!See you back here soon, my beauties!

A rose from The Belle to my beauties!

*End of first series on essential oils. Do let me know of there are any essential oils you want to be featured!

Review:Little Twin Stars X Sophie Monk Body Lotion (Whitening)

My recent holiday in Sunny Malaysia left my skin ravaged by the merciless sun. This, of course led to a frenzied trip to the pharmacy in search of remedies.

I spotted this adorable tube (together with the Mentholatham Whitening Hand Veil, which I will review later), and, tossed it, albeit unceremoniously, into my shopping basket at the pharmacy.

Little Twin Stars X Sophie Monk Body Lotion (Whitening)

 Needless to say, I was attracted to the packaging, but more importantly, printed on the tube, loosely translated from Chinese, was  "diamond brightening whitening body lotion".  The ingredient list also stated goodies like sodium hyaluronate, diamond extract, and tourmaline extract as the first 3 ingredients. The lotion claims to 'nourish, hydrate, soften, refine, smooth, and prevent dryness' Just what my poor skin was in dire need of.

But did it deliver? Let's see!

Pros:
-Left skin smooth, well hydrated and protected, even throughout the next day. My dry, cracked feet, interestingly, showed no signs of dryness even after a day of walking in slippers.
-Skin feels visibly softer. Again, attested to by my horribly neglected feet. Soles were visibly softer, and dry skin on the foot came off easily with scrubbing. Cuticles look less ravaged.
- Patchiness on toes and elbow areas from sun exposure are also almost gone with about a week's worth of daily use.
-Non irritating (for my finicky skin, at least)

Cons:
-Can take awhile to absorb. But no biggie if you apply less and add more only where needed. Once absorbed, skin does not feel oily any more.
-Whitening effect not pronounced. I did see fading of the patchiness due to sun exposure, but the less 'damaged' areas didn't seem to fade as fast. Maybe it needs a little more time to work. Ok, I am being impatient, it's only a week...
-Lacks SPF

Verdict:
I am in two minds about repurchasing this. Definitely, pocket friendly- I found this retailing at around SGD5 when it was on discount. It works well enough that I would want to keep it in my arsenal of body lotions. My   only real gripe would be that it lacks SPF--which means that I have to layer on another SPF product if I were to use it during the day. The hot, humid tropical weather in Singapore does not bode well for layering of products. Perhaps I will reserve this product for night time use, and use my faithful Nivea for daytime.

*Yes, I do know this is not a new product, but I thought I would review it since I didn't find many reviews for this little gem.

More coming up soon. Till then, take care, my beauties!

Review: Fair and Lovely Multivitamin Cream

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about trying this cream as it seemed too good to be true. A SGD$3.50 product that contains vitamins, and whitens to boot? However, I had heard good things about this product from my Indian friends, and so, I decided to take a closer look at the product.

Fair & Lovely Multivitamin Cream

On closer inspection, I realized that it was a product of Unilever. Confidence bolstered by the backing of the multinational giant, I bravely handed over my SGD$3.50 to the cashier.

This product is meant for the face, but I used this product on the horrible sandal tan lines on my feet that I got while running errands in Singapore's blazing tropical sun. (I have a tendency to forget about sunblock on my poor feet, so they are much darker than the rest of me) I was pleasantly surprised.

To give you a rough guide of how well the product works, I have included a picture of the Clear Fairness Meter, conveniently located on the side of the box.

The tan on my foot was roughly at 6 on the scale. With about 2 weeks of daily usage, it has lightened about 2 shades to 8 on the scale. Not bad for a budget product.

Here is the breakdown.

Pros:
-Contains vitamin C,E, B3 and B6
-Left a smooth, powdery finish. (Depending on the type of finish you like, this can be good or bad.)
-Skin was left looking more even toned
-Really cheap, at SGD$3.50 for a 80G tube

Cons
-Tended to leave a white cast (due to the sunblock content, I presume)
-Not moisturizing enough for dry skin, so a separate moisturizer has to be used if you have thirsty skin.

Would I buy this product again? It's a maybe. Although it does work, having to use a separate moisturizer is extra work.  There are products that work just as well (like my Nivea body lotion) without the need for extra moisturizer. But it is a nice boost to your daily whitening care, especially to get rid of an unwanted tan.

Stay tuned for more reviews!

DIY: Rose Tea Refresher

Cleopatra carpeted her floor in it for Mark Antony. King Nero showered his dinner guests in it. The queen of flowers, the rose is not only beautiful,but also great for our skin. Rosewater is a great cleanser, it also balances, soothes and gently hydrates sensitized skin. Its astringent effect also means it can be used as a toner. Here, a DIY recipe that will have you feeling good both inside and out.

Rose Tea Refresher

1 cup of boiling water,preferably distilled.
1 cup dried rosebuds

Pour boiling water over rosebuds that have previously been rinsed in cold water. Leave to cool. Pour into container and seal. Leave to steep overnight in the fridge. Strain and discard rosebuds. Store liquid in fridge and use as needed.  Use up within a week.

You can freeze the  liquid into ice cubes to add to your tea for a heavenly scented drink. Placing cotton pads soaked in the chilled rose tea will help relieve soreness,swelling and redness in eyes. Swipe a cotton pad soaked with it over your face, and use it as a toner, and see your complexion becoming clearer as the days go by. Spritz it on your face and body after your shower daily, and your skin will take on a lovely glow with consistent usage.

Stay tuned for reviews, coming up next! See you soon, my beauties!

Diet Pills-Miracle Cure, or Evil?

As the title suggests, this post is about diet pills. I felt compelled to write this, as I saw some of my nearest and dearest struggle with weight and health issues.

To set the record straight, I am neither condoning, nor encouraging anyone to take such pills. I only hope that those who are taking the pills, after reading this, will make an informed choice.

The most common diet pills are basically divided into three types. The first will be the appetite suppressant. Second will be the fat burner, followed by the fat/carbo/starch blocker. Of course, there are those that are a combination of two or more of the above, but for simplicity's sake, let us just focus on the three.

Thee appetite suppressant works by blocking hunger signals to the brain. Sounds good, right? Less hunger means less food eaten, resulting in weight loss. But what happens when you stop taking them? You go back to your old eating habits. (Let's face it: Would you be taking this pill if you had the discipline to manage your cravings in the first place?) And the foe-your weight- comes piling back on, with a vengeance.

How about the fat burner then? It burns fat, so it will help you to get rid of those pesky bulges on your body... right? Well, yes and no. Unfortunately, there is no firm scientific evidence to back up claims of targeted fat burning, and our body fat comes off the way it came in: Last in, first out. So, rather than shaving inches off your middle, you could very well be losing them from where you dread the most.

The fat/carbo/starch blocker does seem like an ideal solution. It blocks the baddies that are preventing you from attaining that perfect figure, and you can eat what you want.  But, unfortunately, they also block the absorption of many fat soluble vitamins which, ironically, help your body rev up its metabolism for weight loss.

Ultimately, none of these are long term solutions for weight management.  A more realistic solution would be to look into a gradual, sustainable lifestyle change that will help with losing and keeping the weight off. Definitely, these pills can be used as a kick start for those who need a little more help, and the cons of taking the pills are outweighed by health problems. In such cases, it would be a good idea to rope in your family doctor, or a dietician to discuss what is needed.

Take care, and stay beautiful, my pretties!

**Reviews and DIY goodies coming up soon!

Looking Good,Babe!: Shape Me Slender!

With Lunar New Year round the corner, whats a girl to do? There's so much to prepare, and there simply isn't any time for exercise. Hiding at home is not an option. Now, you can look slimmer immediately (although temporarily). Impossible, I hear. Now, now, let Big Sister Crystal Belle help.

1) Posture- Keep tummy tucked in, and back straight. Instantly trims the figure, and helps to tone the tummy in the long term, if you make it a habit. You also look much taller!

2)Shapewear- Corsets are a great invention. They tuck in the excess, and lift what needs to be lifted. Plus, they can become part of your outfit. But don't limit yourself. There is shapewear designed specifically to shape the waist and tummy, as well as lift your derriere. While they may not magically shrink your spare tire, they smooth out the figure for shapelier curves. If they're good enough for Hollywood stars, they're good enough for us.

3)Killer heels-A good pair of heels can do so much for your legs(and your behind). And no, wedges look good, but the effect somehow isn't the same. To minimize discomfort, look for gel cushions to relieve the pressure on the foot.

Now, some may choose the option of tanning to look slimmer.While it does help to a limited extent, the Belle does not recommend it-- a patchy tan is hard to get rid of. Even the bottled ones.

The list is not exhaustive. Feel free to share if you have any good ideas.

Here's to looking good this Lunar New Year, Babes! *clinks glasses*

In the pipeline- a post to help you shed the excess inches and pounds after all the festive eating. See you soon!

Looking Good, Babe!: Drink Me Slim

Misleading as it may seem, I am not talking about any special diet drinks. What I am referring to about some readily available or easily made drinks and methods to help you fight the bloat brought about by water retention. Without further ado, I present to you my tried and tested methods.

Black Coffee

A well known diuretic. It flushes out water.  But those sensitive to caffeine might want to try other options.

Tea

Black tea or green tea should do the trick. Does the same thing as coffee,but with a little less caffeine. Again, those sensitive to caffeine might want to take note.

Barley Water

Listed as 'Cooling' in Chinese/Asian food. It helps to flush out excess water and toxins in the body. (Just boil barley in water, add sugar to taste, and if you like, a squeeze of lemon to add some zing)

Cranberry Juice

Again,a diuretic, plus yummy goodness. Mmmm...

Lemon Water

A refreshing drink that helps cleanse the insides. Feels particularly good after a meal-- it also helps to cut out the greasiness.  (Tip: To save time, freeze the juice into ice cubes. when you are ready to drink, just pop the preferred number of cubes in into a glass of water.)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Add a tablespoonful ACV to water, with some honey to taste. This not only helps with water retention, it has many other health benefits too. More about that later.

The list is not exhaustive. I have however tried and liked the above. Just be sure the restroom is nearby when you try them out. And try only ONE at a time please...(Those with existing health problems, please check with the doctor what you can or cannot take.)

With water retention, it is important that you avoid salt like the plague. Strange as it may sound, you need to drink more water to fight water retention. (Water retention happens when there is too much salt in the body, and the body therefore retains water to try to maintain the balance.)

 While the above may not slim you down immediately, they will greatly reduce bloatedness brought about by water retention. (And allow you to fit better into that gorgeous dress, or tight pair of pants.)

Coming next, quick tricks to make you look slimmer (ALMOST) immediately.

Looking Good, Babe!-Introduction

Doesn't everyone love festivities? I do.  But while I love the holidays, festive eating does not bode well  for my quest to a shapelier body. With Chinese Lunar New Year coming up, and festive feasting up ahead, dieting seems to have become a very distant possibility for me. (Not that I was able to stick to it in the first place.) So, exercise seems to have become the only option for me.

But as time is running short (Yikes, three more days to Chinese New Year), I will be sharing a few methods to help you look better in your new clothes in the next post--even if its just temporary. (Cheating,I know, but hey, what's a girl to do when time is running short?)

Watch this space!

Whitening Galore: Snow White's Reverie

To be honest, I to have gone through my fair share of stages, of wanting to be tanned when the tanned, healthy look was in. Then,later, as I realized the tanned look was not a good look on me (because I had a tendency to tan unevenly, and I was too poor to visit the tanning salon), I began to change my mindset. After all, what I basically had to do was nothing, as I am the sort that tans easily, but fades easily as well.

But gradually, I realized that as my tan faded, the damage done to my skin by the sun was not as easily reversed. Dryness, peeling and patchy skin told the tale of my misdemeanor.  I began to do research and read extensively on the topic. I tried out many different ways to make my skin regain its former glory, and my little successes through many rounds of trial and error, have been documented on this series of posts on whitening. I am still learning, but I honestly hope they are able to help you.

Having said all that, I am all for, and fully behind those that chose to tan, or are naturally a darker skin colour. Healthy skin is beautiful skin, no doubt about that. Please, do feel free to drop me a comment should you need any help, or simply a listening ear. I will do my best to oblige.

"I see your true colours, and that's why I love you. So don't be afraid, to let them show your true colours..."
 -Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly

Whitening Galore: Cover Up!:Reviews

Sun protection. An integral step in our skincare routine, yet, so often forgotten. Especially in sunny Singapore where yours truly resides, neglecting protection can have devastating consequences. And no, I am not joking. (Repeat after me:UVA rays age, UVB rays burn.). Granted, we all do need our vitamin D from the sun. But, unless you are a hermit that lives in a cave, it is unlikely that you will be lacking.

So many options, which ones to choose? Here are my favourites out of the many I have tried over the years.

ZA True White Day Protector  SPF26PA++

This sunblock (face) has been a lifesaver during the period of time that my T-zone threatened to turn into an oil mine. The face stays matte and protected for hours, and makeup stays matte and perfect, with minimal blotting. It does not irritate my schizophrenic skin. I have however, since stopped using it temporarily since I noticed dry lines forming. (yes, my skin is really thirsty now). Dry skins may want to take note. Great product, nonetheless, especially for oily skins. Budget friendly!

Clarins UV Plus HP Day UVA/UVB Screen High Protection SPF40 PA+++

This sunblock (face) has a lovely light texture that spreads easily, and make up glides on after that. Mind you, I was wary of trying this since I have had bad reaction to mineral sunscreens before, so it took a little courage for me to try this out. But since it was by Clarins (Yes, I love the brand and have used products from it for years without any bad reactions. No I am not paid to say this), I took the plunge. And I was glad I did. This is now a staple in my routine that I reach for quite often. Now, if only the price was less steep...

 Sunplay Super Block SPF130 PA++

  I am sure many of us are familiar with this product. It has one of the highest SPFs on the market. I always had a bottle of this sunblock in my  bag for swimming, and at the beach. This one is a clear winner--I come back from the beach or the pool exactly the same shade as when I left home. It is liquid, and spreads easily, and is dries smooth and non sticky.  The clear winner, and I have not found any sunblock that has performed as well as this so far.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of sun protection--even for those that like being tanned. (Why risk letting yourself become a skin cancer statistic?). For my dear Snow Whites, just think of it, all the work done to make yourself fairer, will go down the drain if you expose yourself to the sun without protection. (hey, long sleeves and umbrellas work too!)

***note: Sunblock on the body needs to be removed before cleansing, just like on the face!

Take care, and come back soon for more reads and some final words on whitening, and staying fair. See you soon!

**No photos here,but any requests, I will be glad to oblige. Just drop me a comment!

Whitening Galore: Soak in the Goodness!: Reviews

Now that we're clean, its time to pamper our skin . Without further ado, presenting my trusted friends!

Johnson's Baby Milk Lotion

I use the milk bath in the same variant, so it was only natural that I progressed to using this milk lotion. Lightly scented, this lotion is easily absorbed, and  non sticky. It does a good job of moisturizing. However, whitening effects are not obvious, and may take awhile before you can see results. However, I do notice that skin becomes healthier and even looking with frequent use. This product is more for maintenance than for heavy duty whitening.

Next up is my personal favourite.

Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair and Protect Body Milk

I was attracted to this product for 2 reasons. Firstly, because of the brand--my picky skin seemed to like it. And secondly, due to the 50x Vitamin C content. (Enough said about the anti oxidant properties of Vitamin C.) Goodies like camu camu and Acerola Cherry make for a stellar sounding product. But did it live up to the hype? It sure did. The  tan lines on my feet from wearing sandals faded considerably after about 2 weeks of use. (Without any other products. Sorry, no before and after photos for now due to a long overdue pedicure.) I used the product only once a day.  (Note to self:Consistency is key!) So, results would probably be better with more frequent usage.

I would like to emphasize again that the route to whitening is not a short one. Consistency is key. (And patience is a virtue...)  It has to become part of your lifestyle. (Now I sound like an old woman.)

 Next, sunblock to protect from the merciless rays of the sun....

Whitening Galore: Showertime!: Reviews

Bath time. A time to rub, soak and rinse off all the tension of the day, or a time to freshen up for the challenges of the day ahead. What better time to brighten up your overall complexion than your daily rub a dub?

Introducing....

RDL Papaya Whitening Soap with Milk

 I have used up 2 bars of this soap previously, and this is the last one remaining from my supplies. This soap, used daily, helps to lighten darkened skin to its original skin tone. Dark scars are also lightened. I stopped using it for a period of time, however, when my skin was in a bad mood--it tends to make the skin dry. It does work well, however. The tiny spots that plagued my arms due to my inconsistency in use of sunblock on the body faded (almost) to obscurity after I completed the first bar. A good product, but moisturizer afterwards is essential. I bought it for about SGD4 at a jamu shop in a shopping centre. Most jamu shops should sell it, or know where it can be found.

Next in the spotlight....

Johnson's Baby Milk Bath

Now, who hasn't  used products from this baby product manufacturing giant at some point? I share this with my boy, who loves the product too, and hence the big bottle. Now, this product is not exactly a 'in your face' whitening product. But having used it in conjunction with other shower foams, I find that this shower foam helps the skin's tan (and mosquito bite marks) to fade faster as compared to when I use other so called 'whitening' shower foams that I have tried. Skin is left subtly scented and lightly moisturized. Its effect is not very apparent, but more like "Eh? When did I get so fair?" after a period of use. Retails around SGD6.50-8.50,depending on the retailer.

As with all whitening products, use the above with patience, and do not expect instantaneous or fast results. Getting fairer is a long process.  What works for someone else may not be as effective for you, but I believe, patience will bear fruit.

More on body whitening coming up, do come back soon!

***All the products I review are bought and paid for by me, for my own use, unless otherwise stated.

Whitening Galore: Kitchen Magic!-Part 2

To all aspiring Snow Whites: Whitening is not just an external process, you have to take care of what you eat too. Here, I am going to share a few simple recipes that will soon have you drinking your way to glowing skin! Note, however, as always that these are recipes that I myself have tried, and found to work well for me. They are not miracle cures, but will help you a little along the way. Every little bit counts!

Almond Milk

1 Dessertspoon Almond Powder (You can grind your own, or if you're lazy like me, just use store bought. Works just fine, for me) 

200ML fresh milk (Unflavoured is best)

Stir almond powder into fresh milk, making sure it is thoroughly mixed. (Those who are lactose intolerant, you can use Soy milk.) Cold or hot, it's entirely according to your preference. Enjoy!

Soy Milk

4 Tablespoons soya beans
350ML water 
Sugar to taste  (may be omitted if you prefer, or replace with other sweeteners)
1 knotted pandan leaf, optional 

Soak soya beans overnight in plenty of clean water. Drain, discard soaking water. Blend soaked beans with water (in the recipe) in blender. Use a sieve/ strainer bag to filter the liquid, making sure to squeeze out all the liquid possible. Pour into a saucepan. (You may add in the pandan leaf at this stage.) Bring to a gentle boil, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the sugar last, stirring to dissolve. Remove from heat, serve hot, or cold. Enjoy!

Pearl Powder

You can easily buy pearl powder from Chinese medical halls in Singapore. Just mix it in milk or juice. Taken consistently, it also helps to improve the condition of acne. Do note that real pearl powder does not dissolve totally, so be sure to stir as you drink


As always with beauty, consistency is key. Do not (obviously)ingest large amounts at one go and expect overnight results. It simply won't work that way. In the case of whitening, you require consistent effort of not weeks,but months to see results. Some people may see results sooner, and some later. Everyone is different. Your patience will be rewarded.

 I recommend that you start with something that is sustainable, rather than embark on an unrealistic programme that is difficult to maintain. Try one thing at a time, so that you can judge for yourself which one works better on you. As always, do take note of allergies when trying out new recipes.

Coming up soon, reviews on whitening products (that I have not reviewed yet,of course.)--my hits and misses over the years. See you soon!

Whitening Galore: Cooking in Progress

In the process of compilation, recipes to brighten you up, both inside and outside. Thank you for your patience!

Whitening Galore:Kitchen Magic!--Part 1

Whether you are on a budget, or have deeper pockets, home remedies are always a good alternative to over the counter solutions for whitening. Not only do you know exactly what goes inside, you also get to control the freshness and quality of ingredients. Do note that while all these remedies are natural, it is always a good idea to do a patch test on less visible areas, especially for sensitive skins.

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Milk

Mix equal amounts of milk powder and honey. Add to the mixture a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to skin, and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. For sensitive skin, you may add less lemon juice or omit it altogether. This mixture can be used both on the body and face

Lemon

Mix lemon juice from half a lemon, a spoonful of honey and enough sea salt (coarse or fine according to your preference) to form a gritty mixture. Apply to skin and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Then, scrub your skin as you would when using a body scrub. Take care not to rub too hard-- let the scrub do its job! Rinse thoroughly. Moisturize. This mixture is strictly for the body.

Orange

Dry some orange peels and grind them to a fine powder. Add a few drops of milk to make a paste. Apply to skin. Leave the mixture to dry, and then rinse off with warm water. This mixture can be used both for the body and face.

Almond

Soak some almonds overnight. Drain. Peel, grind and add to the almonds an equal amount of milk powder, and enough honey to form a paste. Leave to dry, then rinse off thoroughly. This mixture can be used for both the face and the body.

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The above list is not exhaustive. But in line with my usual practices,I only post what I have tried and liked. You may like to tweak the recipes to your preference, that's the beauty of homemade beauty remedies.

Up next, foods to brighten your skin from inside out!

Whitening Galore:Snow White and the Seven Dwarves-Part 2

The Seven Dwarves of Snow White's beauty arsenal, continued.

5)Vitamin C

How and Why it works

An effective antioxidant, it gives a boost to the immune system, and brightens the skin overall. It boosts Glutathione production, thereby lightening skin. (Glutathione, together with L-Cysteine and enzymes, maintains the balance of light and dark pigment in our skin).

Usage

Oral (pills,daily diet), topical (creams, lotions, serums etc), injections.


Pros & Cons

A large dosage (minimum 1000- 3000mg) needs to be taken for visible results. May cause loose bowels if taken in excess for those with sensitive stomachs. Having said that, any excess Vitamin C is flushed out of the body automatically, no major damage, unless you take really excessive amounts in one sitting. (Spread out your intake, and maintain stable levels of the vitamin in your body).Vitamin C is ascorbic acid, so sensitive skin may need to take care when using topical products and select a stable form of  Vitamin C that does not irritate the skin (best to do a patch test). For injections, a doctor's advice is needed as its safety has yet been established (So convenience may be an issue).

6)AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)

How and Why it works

Works by exfoliating the upper layers of the skin, and revealing the newer skin underneath.   Lactic acid and Glycolic acid (included in the group,the most researched forms of AHAs) other than exfoliating,  have also shown to inhibit melanin production.

Usage

Topical and via skin procedures at the doctors'.

Pros & Cons

Helps increase skin's turnover rate, therefore revealing not only lighter, but healthier skin. Sensitive skin, however, needs to use with caution. (These are after all, acids). The higher concentrations used for peels to remove discoloration need to be administered by a qualified doctor. (Repeat after me: A beautician is not a doctor.)

7)Niacinamide

How and Why it works

It is a form of Vitamin B3 that is commonly found in  root vegetables and yeast.It is believed to work by interfering with the signals between keratinocytes and melanocytes, thereby preventing melanogenesis (production of melanin leading to pigmentation--simply put, dark spots and patches).

Usage

Topical (Creams, etc)


Pros & Cons

No known side effects. Helps with acne, fine lines, and helps with skin moisture. However, the effects on whitening have not been very widely researched and proven.


And there you have it, the seven most commonly used ingredients for whitening.


Next up, skin whitening right out of your grocery supplies.

Whitening Galore:Snow White and the Seven Dwarves--Part1

Who can forget it, whether it is the traditional storybook Snow White,or Kristen Stewart's portrayal of the princess of many a little girl's dream? But like every storybook heroine, every girl needs her helpers. Into the picture, Snow White's Seven Dwarves.

1)Hydroquinone

How and Why it works

It is a strong antioxidant. Hydroquinone works by getting to the root of the problem--suppressing melanin synthesis and production. In short,melanin production goes down, and so does skin darkening.

Usage

Topical.Available in cosmetics in concentration of 2%, or 4 % and above via prescription.

Pros & Cons

It lightens rather than give an artificial bleached effect. However, it can irritate sensitive skin, especially when in higher concentrations and combined with trentinoin.

2)Arbutin

How and Why it works

Works via melanin inhibition. Exists in two forms, alpha and beta (commonly known as bearberry extract), of which the alpha is more stable.

Usage

Topical, available in cosmetics

Pros &Cons

Although a form of hydroquinone, it is considered to be safer alternative.Sourced from natural sources such as bearberry and mulberry.

3)Kojic Acid

How and Why it works

Inhibits melanin

Usage

Topical, available in cosmetics.

Pros & Cons

Unstable and loses efficacy in the presence of sunlight and air. Can cause skin irritation, and allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive skin. Alternative form of Kojic Dipalmitate used by many cosmetic companies. A good antioxidant,it  has not been shown to be as effective as Kojic Acid.

4)Azelaic Acid

How and Why it works

Used for acne medications/ treatments, but has also been shown to be effective at treating skin discolorations. May also inhibit melanin production.

Usage

In topical skin creams in concentrations of 10 to 20%.

Pros & Cons

No known major ones.


Coming up next, Vitamin C, Niacinamide and AHAs. Keep your fingers crossed for part 2! 

Whitening Galore:Stay tuned!

Gone are the days when a tan was the mark of good health. We have reverted to the good old days--in short, the fairer, the better. Besides anti aging, whitening has become the primary beauty obsession many of women and men, young, middle aged and old.(Of course, tanning salons do still have their clients. I am just talking about the rise in numbers concerned with whitening over the past few years.) I admit, I am not an exception.

Coming up next, write ups on whitening ingredients (and of course new product reviews)--Their pros and cons, as well as their method of delivery, and how they work. Stay tuned!

Beauty Resolutions for 2013

I have not been taking as good care of myself as I should, so I decided to list out a few promises that I hope to keep to myself. Hopefully I can look back on them next year, and give myself a thumbs up.

As above, not in order of importance.

1)I will sleep earlier, preferably by midnight.

2)I will drink more water instead of sweet drinks

3)I will pay more attention to what I eat.

4)I will squeeze in at least an hour of exercise, twice a week.

5)I will apply sunblock not only to my face, but my body.

6)I will take care of the skin on my body as well as my face.

7)I will pay better attention to what I eat.

Our body is the only one we have, ladies and gentlemen, so take good care of it! What are your beauty resolutions?

Review: Stiefel Physiogel Lotion

My skin has been finicky of late. Flakes, rashes, itchiness... you get the drift. Tempting as it may be to bathe my skin in my beloved Jorubi Aloe vera gel (which I use for everything), it simply isn't very budget friendly, neither is it moisturizing enough.

Attracted to the TV advertisement that promises,with its patented DMS technology, to 'repair,rehydrate, and revitalise dry skin', I did a little research. DMS, or 'Derma Membrane Structure'  technology, uses ceramide and other physiological lipids that imitate your skin's natural lipid layers. This means dehydrated skin is repaired and moisturized naturally, and itch and dryness is reduced. It also claims to lock in moisture for up to 3 days.

I put the product claims to test, and this is what I found.

Pros
-moisturizes well
-Really 'repairs' skin'. I used it on itchy, flaky skin to immediate relief that lasted throughout the day and the next. Consistent use saw my skin return to its original condition in 3 - 4 days. It also helps heal my poor boy's itchy legs which  are scratched almost to the point of bleeding to heal faster. So much that he asks to apply it, even though he dislikes the smell.
-Hypoallergenic, no coloring and preservatives to irritate sensitive skin.
-A little goes a long way. It may seem expensive, but a bottle lasts quite a while.

Cons
-The smell. But then, it disappears after awhile so I can deal with it.
-Can get a little greasy if you get over zealous about applying it.

Conclusion:

Heaven sent for my dry, itchy sensitive skin. It works so well that my 4.5  year old boy goes around recommending it to whoever  he feels needs it. Haha...Excellent product that will sit in my holy grail list for a long, long time.