Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

~MG~

Scrubbing my lips is one of my newer night skincare routine. Back when I was still in the U.S., my lips would get so dry, flaky and chapped during the colder weather. I didn't dare look at the mirror that much because my lips were just in that unslightly condition. What I hated even more was how my lips looked when I applied lip-coloured products. It looked so unsightly that I didn't dare to use colored lip products much. 

Using lipbalm did helped but that was only if I diligently applied to my lips. I needed something else to get rid of my flakiness and chappness of my lips and so I turned to Fresh's Sugar Lip Polish! I managed to get a mini size of the lip scrub from Sephora.

I must say that this lipscrub is good! The consistency is abit thick, almost like a brown sugar paste. 
What I like the most about this product is its nature-friendly scent (it smells really great and fresh!) and its exfoliating and moisturizing effect. 
I have only 2 dislikes about this lip scrub. Firstly, I dislike how it is packaged in a tub. I would much preferred it to be in an easy-squeeze tube because it's more hygenic and convienent to use. Secondly, if I were to buy the full-szie of this product, I would not have enjoy the price tag (Note: US$22.50 for 0.6oz). It's not really that expensive but I find that it is abit overpriced for just a tiny small tub of product.

Would I buy the full-size of this lip scrub? Well, maybe not so soon because I still want to explore other brands' lip scrub.

A MG skincare tip before I end this post: Make sure to apply some heavy-duty super-duper moisturizing lip balm after scrubbing your lips so that it will help to prolong your lips to look and feel good!  

BYRDIE: Why the Clogged Pores on Your Chin Won't Go Away

On the one hand, treating acne on your chin is no different than treating acne in general. On the other, there is a certain science behind why the chin is particularly troublesome area and understanding that will make treating chin breakouts easier. Blackheads, whiteheads, congestion, or inflammation—whatever type of breakout you’re dealing, Benjamin says if it’s on your chin it’s mostly hormonal. Which is both good news and bad news. Bad news in that there’s no miracle serum you can apply that will change your hormones. Good news in that knowing the cause is crucial to finding the best solution. 

So what exactly do hormones have to do with your skin? To answer that, Benjamin first gives us a quick biology lesson. Your 28-day menstrual cycle can be broken down into three sections. During the first seven days, estrogen levels are high. On days seven to 14, estrogen begins to drop. Day 14 through day 28 is when estrogen reaches its lowest levels. Benjamin explains that breakouts are most likely to occur seven to 10 days before your period because that’s when estrogen, which helps keep your skin clear, is lowest. Also during this time, testosterone increases, leading to an increase in sebum production. Progesterone levels increase too, causing your pores to constrict. So you’ve got low levels of the skin-clearing hormone, plus excess oil and constricted pores—basically the perfect storm for an acne flare-up.

Click on link to find out what you can do to prevent chin acne
How to get rid of chin acne

Full Credits to BYRDIE

Her World: How to Prevent Acne Breakouts During the Time of the Month

~AG~



SYNC YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

Week 1: The Dry Phase

When your oestrogen and progesterone levels are low, your skin gets dehydrated, so mask more often and focus on moisturising the skin during this period.
 

WHAT TO DO: Sheet masks are great as an instant pick-me-up, but those in a rush for time can also use sleeping masks, which are more convenient.  

Week 2: Skin improves

As oestrogen rises, the skin condition gets better and less dry.

WHAT TO DO: Exfoliate to brighten the skin and encourage cell renewal, and remember to moisturise!

Week 3: Glowing phase

Skin looks the best around the period of ovulation. Here, oestrogen levels peak first, just before the 14-day mark, followed by progesterone, which is at its highest just a while after.

“As levels of progesterone increase, skin swells and pores are compressed shut,” explains dermatologist Audrey Kunin, MD, of dermadoctor.com. So your pores look the tiniest during this period." “But this tourniquet effect also causes sebum to build up beneath the skin’s surface,” said the dermatologist, for a WebMD feature.
 

WHAT TO DO: This is when you should be extra careful to make sure that you’re not putting too much on your face and in turn, clogging your pores. Use a purifying mask during the week to remove any excess sebum, then soothe the skin with a hydrating mask.

Week 4: Oily phase

Here’s when the trouble starts. Your oil glands go into overdrive as oestrogen and progesterone levels start to fall and testosterone takes over. Your pores are more likely to become clogged at this stage – yup, breakout time.
 

WHAT TO DO: Try incorporating products with acne fighting properties into your skincare routine at this point, such as a toner or a serum with AHAs and BHAs. Salicylic acid is one of the most effective pimple busting ingredients for me, but work with what you find is best.

Text Credit to Her World Singapore
Picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

REVIEW: NUA Singapore Facial Treatment

~AG~

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was going for a facial and eye treatment at NUA Singapore. So what are my thoughts on the treatment and service there?

NUA Singapore is located on the second floor of a row of shop houses at Tanjong Pagar. I was kinda lost when looking for the place because the map on my phone showed it located as opposite from Maxwell Road Food Center. Though, it is located on the opposite side of the Fairfield Methodist Church. NUA Singapore occupies a small area but it designed well to maximize the space. The place does not feel tight at all. The design is minimal Zen. The place was very clean and well maintained.

The treatment room

The waiting area. Some products on display.

Expert Night Care Advice by Dr. Hauschka

~AG~

 

While browsing through Dr .Hauschka website, I stumbled upon their "Expert Advice" section. Dr. Hauschka Skin Care does NOT recommend night creams or oil-based moisturizers at night. Yes, you read it right. This is the first time I am hearing such beauty advice. As my curiosity arose, I clicked on the link:  Dr Hauschka Night Care



This is an excerpt from Dr. Hauschka Skin Care website:

Moisturizers are what your skin needs during the day. During the day, our skin benefits from the care of waxes and oils, which protect skin from the elements as we're out and about living our lives. Plus, our moisturizers support your skin's natural processes to balance, firm, renew and refine your skin.
At night, the opposite is true—moisturizers are not needed. Once the sun sets, your skin is biologically programmed to perform its natural night-time functions of self-cleansing, balancing oil production and cellular renewal. However, if you apply oil-based moisturizing products like night creams, they can interfere with these essential tasks.
Oil-based night creams & lotions signal your skin to "take the night off." These products then take over the work your skin would naturally do. If this occurs night after night, your skin becomes "lazy" and learns to depend upon these products to perform its nighttime functions and feel balanced.

WOW! This is amazing. I never thought of that before. It does makes sense. When you sleep at night, your body and skin repairs itself. So, if you are letting your heavy-duty moisturizers do the job. Your skin becomes "out of job" of its natural repairing process. Sometimes when I am lazy, I skip the moisturizer step at night, and feel guilty about it. But now, I don't have to feel bad about skipping the moisturizer at night. All I need on my face at night is a lightweight serum, a good eye cream and spot treatment.

 

The Beauty Department: At Home Facial Series

~AG~

I am a big fan of The Beauty Department. Their website is always full of creative makeup and skincare tips. Yesterday while browsing through their website, I stumble upon their At Home Facial Series. Please click link for more details. The Beauty Department: At Home Facial Series 

The tip is to pair a mud mask with a facial scrub. I never heard of this before, and was instantly impressed by this tip. The mud mask and scrub combination amps up the exfoliating effects of each product. The scrub breaks down the mud mask and removes dead skin cells, while the mud mask clean the pores. Doesn't it sound like a great idea?

How do you combine your mud mask and scrub, you ask?
1) Apply your mud mask as usual, and wait for it to dry.
2) Once it dries, apply scrub on top and massage in circular motions.
3) Then rinse well.

The tip seems simple enough.

I am going to try it out and see whether it works for my sensitive combination skin. :)

Full Credits to The Beauty Department

Allure: 8 Rules of Layering Your Skin-Care Products

8 Rules of Layering Your Skin-Care Products

http://www.allure.com/skin-care/2014/how-to-layer-your-skin-care-products?s_cid=skin_20140819_30073166

1. Start light. Serums—the thinnest products—go first, because a) that just makes sense and b) "they deliver active ingredients into the skin most efficiently," says Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Boston. Plus, they're easy to customize. Pick two or three serums that each treat one of your concerns: formulas with peptides for wrinkles (we like Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum),salicylic acid for oily skin (try Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Serum), and licorice or aloe to calm redness (like First Aid Beauty Anti-­Redness Serum).

2. Add an antioxidant. Vitamin C is one in­gre­dient every skin type needs. "It brightens, protects against sun damage, and promotes collagenproduction," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson, who recommends using a potent serum (such asObagi Professional-C Serum 15%).

3. Take a coffee break. "If you give each product a minute to dry, it won't pill," says Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist in New York City and Miami. "I flow my skin care in with the rest of my morning routine.For example, I put on a product, have coffee, then put on a second product, then brush my teeth."

4. Lock it down. Moisturizer is key to any layering routine because "it seals serums on your skin, which can make them more effective," says Wilson. Feel free to keep it basic: Try Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 for normal and oily skin and Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer for dry skin.

5. Know when to go in reverse. If your sensitive skin reddens at the thought of using even one treatment product, try putting on a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer first and then serums on top. "The cream will reduce the potency of the serums," says Hirsch, "but they'll also be less likely to cause irritation."

6. Add an oil. In small doses, oils make skin radiant. Put them on dry areas after creams—as a rule, oils can penetrate moisturizers, but not vice versa. We like L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil, with sunflower-seed and jojoba oils. Skip the oil if you're wearing more than two serums under your moisturizer, though—at some point, you can't avoid looking greasy.

7. Don't forget protection. "Sunscreen is your last step in the morning," says Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York. "It sits on top of your skin, so if it goes on first, it prevents other ingredients from penetrating." Coppertone ClearlySheer Faces for Sunny Days SPF 30 is lightweight enough to layer over multiple products.

8. Have a nightcap. It's not as sexy as a snifter of whiskey. But ending your nighttime routine with a retinoidmakes you look a whole lot younger. (Every dermatologist recommends this anti-aging superingredient.) "I put my retinol over a serum and a cream—moisturizing helps retinol to penetrate better with less irritation," says Brandt, who uses his own Dr. Brandt Do Not Age Transforming Pearl Serum and Time Reversing Cream.