Age of Beauty: Elixir(s) of Youth [1]

As promised, skincare ingredients that have tested true to help with retaining your youth. In short, the most common in antiaging.

AHAs & BHAs

Mode of Action
AHAs help sun damaged skin by binding moisture and improving collagen production and smoothing skin texture. BHAs work well on oily, breakout prone skin and also helps reduce redness from rosacea. Both work via exfoliation of the skin, encouraging new skin growth.

Things to Note
Sensitivity to sunlight is increased, so usage of a broad spectrum sunscreen while under treatment is a must. Those with darker skins need to be more careful as darker skins tend to scar more easily, especially with glycolic acid. Mandelic acid and malic acid tend to be safer options.

Retinoids

Mode of Action
Derived from Vitamin A. Cell turnover rate increases, leading to brighter smoother skin. Cellular structure damage is repaired in the epidermal cells, as well as dermaal collagen and small blood vessels, resulting in tighter skin. Oil glands and appearance of pore size shrinks. Scars decrease.

Things to Note
Again, a good sunscreen is a must as skin tends to be more sun sensitive with usage of retinoids. Concentration needs to be high enough for retinoids to be effective, and air tight packaging is needed to prevent the products from becoming unstable in the presence of sunlight. Retinoids should be used with caution, especially in sensitive skins. Pregnant women ahould also try to avoid topical retinoids as it they have been shown to be harmful to the foetus.

Vitamin C & E

Mode of Action
Effective antioxidant, Vitamin C reduces damage by free radicals and boosts the effectiveness of sunscreen by helping us withstand and counteract the effects of sun exposure. It also increases collagen synthesis, which may help to diminish fine lines. It also helps with depigmentation at 5% or higher concentrations. Vitamin C boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin E, which is effective towards protecting our cell membranes. Vitamin E works to protect the cell and bodily structures considered to be 'oily'. It is effective both orally and topically. It is thought to help to protect agains age spots and scarring. Vitamin E also helps to retain skin moisture, by boosting the skin's natural moisture retaining mechanisms.

Things to Note
Look for reputable brands as Vitamin C in skincare tends to break down easily and become ineffective if not properly stabilized. Also, both Vitamins should be used with caution in sensitive skins.


Next up, in Age of Beauty: Elixir(s) of Youth [2]- the latest in anti aging, and why you should be using them. Stay tuned!

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!

Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 UVA-UVB/PA++/Oil-free

I am currently on the lookout for a new sun block to replace my ZA True White Day Protector, as it seems to be drying out my skin. When the SA gave me some samples on my last trip to the Clarins counter, I thought: why not? So here goes:

Likes:
-Smooth, non-greasy texture
-Dries matte and smooth—perfect for makeup.
-Light melon smell. Or is it my imagination?
-Long lasting protection, yet washes off easily. I used some of the sample on my arms to test it out. After many hours in the sun, my arms remained even toned. Rare for me, since I have a tendency towards tanning unevenly. It washed off easily with my usual shower foam, unlike other sunblocks, which I need to pre-cleanse with baby wipes/makeup remover.
-Tinted version reduces the appearance of dark spots/patches.
Gripes:
-None, except the price.

Another quality product from Clarins. I have a tendency towards allergies from mineral makeup/sunscreens, but this little gem did not irritate my skin. Will purchase when my sun block runs out.