Review: Skin Inc Ceramide Serum

The drier climate in Sydney has been wreaking havoc on my skin over the past week. Due to the over-use of acids/retinols previously, my skin is now sensitive and reacts very quickly to external aggressors. The weather was drying it out, causing greater oil production and resulting in pesky pimples and tiny oil bumps (don’t you just hate those??).

One brand that prides itself on hydrating the skin is Singapore’s Skin Inc. I decided to give their ceramide serum a try to soothe, protect and hydrate my poor skin.

The product is packaged in a transparent glass dropper bottle and you can see the little blue beads containing the active ingredients suspended in a clear serum. Even though the bottle is made of glass, it is actually quite sturdy as I’ve already dropped in once and it didn’t break J I like the packaging and think it is rather classy. This 20ml bottle retails at S$136.

The ceramide serum is light, scentless and absorbs very quickly into the skin. There is no remaining stickiness after.

As you can see, Skin Inc ceramide serum is supposed to resolve roughness, sensitivity and dryness.

My results:

I must say, after only 2 times of using this twice a day, my skin has already stopped breaking out and no new zits have appeared since! :D The skin-healing ceramides in the serum must have indeed calmed my complexion.

What I really love about this product is that it is completely oil and paraben free, making it suitable for oily-skinned gals like myself as it will not clog pores.  

In terms of hydrating properties, I do not think this will make much of a difference to really dry skin. It should provide some level of hydration as my skin does seem to be producing less oil, however it is not sufficient to replace your moisturizer unless you have really oily skin that hates almost all moisturizers out there (that’s me!).

Skin Inc ceramide serum has definitely worked its way into becoming one of my staple products!

Love,

PockMarkFats

Product Review: DrGL Skin Repair

So I have recently relocated to Sydney, Australia from sunny Singapore. Yep, I've left my job, uprooted my life and came here for a fresh start (mainly for a special someone). Now temporarily unemployed, I finally have time to sit down and write my next review. Apologies for the long break guys!

Because of the move I had to stock up on staple skin care items to remain pimple-free in the new country. One treasured item of mine that I now cannot do without is the product I am reviewing today.

Introducing... ... the DrGL Skin Repair!

The brand name stands for Dr. Georgia Lee, a renowned aesthetic doctor in Singapore. I've been to her clinic for treatments before, but that's for another post. ;) DrGL is a skin care line Dr. Lee created and consists of products for acne, aging and sensitive skin issues.

DrGL counters at Robinsons Orchard and CK Tangs. Images taken from DrGL's Facebook page.

DrGL Skin Repair is a watery serum that is meant to speed up repair of the skin (duh!). It has a rather funky smell, probably due to the active plant stem cell extracts. The product description states that these extracts stimulate human stem cell growth to protect and repair aging cells and also replace damaged cells with new ones. It is supposed to reverse the aging process, heal and hydrate the skin.

This serum comes in a sturdy dropper bottle. I just love the green packaging, such a soothing colour!

This serum is very effective; its healing abilities are superb. Results are visible within a day! I use it for:

- speeding up the healing of pimples (if you use this on a pimple, it doesn't leave a mark!)
- healing insect bites, rash, etc.
- after a facial peel or scrub to soothe the skin and aid recovery
- on red areas after squeezing blackheads (I know I know, I shouldn't!)

As for its moisturizing abilities, I find it too rich to be used as a moisturizer daily (which is probably a good thing looking at the price). To prolong the serum I use it only on areas that need attention and once in awhile, as a treat on my entire face.

DrGL Skin Repair has definitely become one of my staple products. One big downside though is its price of $98 for only 10ml of serum! It is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. I've since resorted to stocking up during sales on www.luxola.com. Also, the serum should be kept in the fridge once opened which can be a hassle unless you live in a cosy place like mine :)

Good news for those outside Singapore, both the DrGL website and Luxola ship overseas so it isn't too hard to get your hands on this.

I hope this is helpful for those wanting to give this product a try, as I do not think DrGL has samples for this :(

Signing off,
PockMarkFats

Review: Lush Aqua Marina Fresh Cleanser

Today I will be reviewing a product that has been sitting on my vanity top for a really long time, the Lush Aqua Marina Fresh Cleanser.

When I was searching for more natural skin care alternatives, I decided to give Lush a try. However I realised that the brand doesn't actually promote itself as a natural skin care line, rather they see themselves as a company that is against animal testing. If you look closely at the ingredients of some of their products, you will see chemicals in there. What I like about the brand though is that all their product ingredients are listed clearly on the website.

On to the product itself...

This cleanser comes in a pale pink paste-like texture with a thin green film (it looks like seaweed???) around it. It smells quite strongly of calamine which I actually find quite soothing.

To use, mix a small amount with a little bit of water and massage the product on a dry face. When you're done, rinse off everything with more water.

What did I think of it?

I personally find the product a hassle to use and it does not seem very hygienic to have to keep dipping my fingers in the tub each time. I could have overlooked this if it worked wonders, but unfortunately I really dislike this cleanser. It does not seem to rinse off completely with water and leaves a film on my skin. After a couple of uses, it definitely contributed to clogged pores. My poor oily skin was not properly cleansed with this. Perhaps it would be more suitable for dry-skinned folks.

I hate wasting product, but I will probably throw this one away. Sorry Lush!

Oh yes, the ingredients for your viewing pleasure:

Till next time,
PockMarkFats

Update On My Skin... And The Skin Supplement That Works Wonders!

Happy Saturday everybody!!!

I just wanted to do an update on how my skin is doing. Since using the acne skin care line from mySKINBAR (read about my experience and regime here!), my skin has never been better. I don't have to put on foundation anymore and friends and family have noticed the improvement in my skin.

I can't rave enough about the products! When I see a stranger on the street with bad skin, I'm always tempted to share about the brand but I hold back because 1. They will think I'm crazy ("Why is this random stranger talking to me??? About skin care?????") 2. No one likes to be told their skin is bad 3. They probably feel self-conscious enough without me pointing it out and 4. They may not listen anyway.

OK so here is a picture of me WITHOUT foundation. All I have on is some sunblock, blush and eyeliner:

Yes, this is meeee! Please ignore the messy room.

This is my skin!!! Sometimes even I can't believe it. Compared to how my skin was previously (you can see the 'before' shots in the link above), I find it pretty damn amazing. Yup, even the acne pigmentation has mostly cleared up.

(I've cut down on products used since my skin is better now. I no longer use the DRX toner, mySKINBAR lotion or Dalacin T because my skin is clear.)

Because my acne was also partly due to hormones and would get worse during that time of the month, I also had to deal with the problem internally. One day whilst browsing at Guardian in Takashimaya, I started speaking to the Avene sales lady. She said she was usually stationed at one of the hospital pharmacies but had to fill in for someone that day. I asked her about my skin and she showed me a supplement that she found helped some patients at the clinic. I don't know your name, but lady, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Skin Pearls can be purchased at Guardian or Watsons and costs around $80 for 2 bottles. Each bottle lasts 1 month.

Skin Pearls has starflower and evening primrose oils which are really good for the skin! I've heard that the latter is also good at regulating menstrual cycles. I used to take evening primrose by another brand but it didn't do much for my skin. This one works for me though!

I have gone through around 4 - 6 bottles of this supplement which works out to be 4 - 6 months of taking it. I used to get those pesky large, painful zits before my period but they gradually stopped appearing after a couple of months on these pills. After that I only got small bumps but as I continued with the supplement, it has now reached the stage where I hardly have any sort of breakout at all.

So happyyyyyyy!!!!

Anyway, I strongly recommend giving these products a go if you're still suffering from acne! NOW YOU CAN BEAT IT!

Love,
PockMarkFats


Update 13 Dec 2014: 
        So I've had some trouble getting the Skin Pearl supplements from Guardian/Watsons recently. I found out the distributor may be discontinuing it. Watsons at Bedok Mall has packaged 1 bottle of Skin Pearls with Banana Republic whitening serum. This works out to be more expensive as the price is now $89.90 and I only get 1 month's supply of supplement. For those of you still interested, I have seen the original 2-bottle pack at Guardian City Link. 
        On a brighter note, the Holland & Barrett Evening Primrose Oil & Starflower Oil has replaced my Skin Pearls supplement. This was the closest and most convenient substitute I've found. Good news is, Holland & Barrett should be accessible for most of you no matter which country. This seems to control my breakouts just as well, and a plus point I've discovered is that it does not give me headaches and dull my brain like the Skin Pearls did. I did not realise these side effects till I stopped the Skin Pearls and started feeling much better. Unfortunately I can't recall the price paid for these supplements but Holland & Barrett frequently has 2-for-1 deals :)

My Skin Care Routine Part 3: Exfoliators & Masks

To complete the series on my skin care routine, this third segment will focus on exfoliators and masks that are my product staples for maintaining clear skin.

Here are the products:

Clockwise from left: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask,
Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay Mask, Tony Moly Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack

For exfoliation and gradual brightening of my skin tone, I really like the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and Tony Moly Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack.

The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is quite expensive (I can't remember the exact price) but it is definitely worth the investment as it lasts for aaaaages! This baby is a powder that foams up with water to give the most gentle exfoliation. No abrasive granules that can scratch and tear your skin! After use, my face always feels smooth to the touch. Another big plus for me is that it helps to shrink pimples quickly and this can be seen as quick as the next day. I always use this more frequently when I'm experiencing a breakout and apply a separate acne treatment after. The exfoliation of dead skin helps the latter to penetrate deeper into the skin to kill the acne bacteria.  :)  The Microfoliant can be used daily but I only use it around twice per week and increase to no more than once a day during breakouts.

I really love the packaging of the Tony Moly Tomatox Pack. It's just so darn cute! This mask is to be applied to the face and left on for around 10-15 minutes. Those with more sensitive skin may feel a tingly sensation due to the active ingredients exfoliating the dead skin. I feel that this product does give a slight brightening effect after each use, however this is only temporary and is usually gone by the next day.

After all the exfoliation is done, I slap on the Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask to re-hydrate and nurture my skin. I also use this whenever I feel my skin is dehydrated. This mask is an oil-free, clear gel  that gives a slightly cool feeling when applied. It can be washed off after 30 min or left on overnight. I normally don't use it as a leave-on treatment even though it dries to a non-sticky finish. Upon rinsing, my skin feels soothed and hydrated. It also seems to even out and brighten my skin tone which I really like.

The Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay Mask is a deep cleansing mask that really sucks out the excess oil from the pores. It's green in colour and gives a tingly feeling when applied. Once it dries, I always see small black dots around my nose and cheek areas. These are the excess oils that the mask has soaked up!  EWWW!!! I like that it helps my breakouts to heal quicker. It is also very cheap, less than S$10 I think? I only use this once or twice a week.

So there you go, these are my absolute staples that I'm loving at the moment. Hope this 3 part series helps you get clear skin too!

PockMarkFats


Ingredients List:

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant - 
Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Allantoin, Papain, Salicylic Acid, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, PCA, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Cyclodextrin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891), Hexylene Glycol

Tony Moly Tomatox Magic Massage Pack -
Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Water, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, PVP, Squalene, Polysorbate 60, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, ActinidiaChinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Panthenol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Arginine, Aluminium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Propylparaben, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Sucrose, Tocopheryl Acetate.

Skin Inc Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask - 
Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Algae Extract, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates / C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA

Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay mask - 
Water/Aqua/EAU, Kaolin, Bentonite, Titanium Dioxide, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Montmorillonite, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacrylate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum), D-limonene, Yellow 5 (Cl 19140), Blue 1 (Cl 42090)

My Skin Care Routine Part 2: Holy Grail Alert for Acne Prone Skin!!!

Part 2 of my skin care routine, which I am going to share with you today, is the post that you CANNOT miss if you have been battling (unsuccessfully) with acne.

The regime that I am about to disclose completely healed my skin of unsightly pimples and I HIGHLY recommend you give it a shot. Unlike so many other brands that have let me down, these products actually WORK. My skin is now calmer, less sensitive and consistently CLEAR. Look out for the 'Before' & 'After' photos at the end of the post!  :)

Ok, now to put you guys out of your misery, the brand I wholeheartedly endorse is none other than...

*Drumrolllllllllllllllllllll* ... ...

... mySKINBAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to give you a little background about the company:
mySKINBAR is a Singapore brand (yay for going local!) founded in 2010 by Eva Soh. The range of products cater to problems such as acne, aging, sensitivity and pigmentation via non-invasive solutions and work to boost the skin's natural ability to heal itself. The company believes in a simple 3 step process - Prime, Treat & Protect.

Most acne fighting products in the market are really harsh and drying on the skin. What I love about these products is that they are all really gentle with no 'bad' ingredients. Let's go through them one by one, shall we?

(I previously wrote about makeup removers in Part 1 of this series, including mySKINBAR's Youth Revitalizing Milk Cleanser which I LOVE. Read about it here)

Cleanse / Tone with - Moisturizing Foam Gel & Toner Sebum/Bacteria Control

I love this cleanser. It's soooo gentle and non-drying, yet cleanses effectively. I also like that it doesn't contain SLS or any soaping agents so it doesn't disrupt the skin's natural barrier. Do note that this cleanser has minimal lather. If you enjoy products with lots of foam, this probably isn't for you. I foresee myself sticking to this for a loooong time. <3

Next, I apply the toner by patting it on with my hands. I don't use a cotton pad because I feel it's such a waste of product. This toner is blue in colour and contains probiotics to strengthen the skin, antibacterial witch hazel and allantoin for hydration. It feels comfortable on the skin and absorbs quickly.

Treat with - Corrector Gel

This, for me, is the star product of the range. It is a thick, orange gel that has a cooling effect when applied to the skin. Some of its ingredients include willow bark, ginseng, garlic and peppermint to fight acne bacteria. I believe it has some exfoliating effects due to retinal palmitate (vitamin A). This gel is significantly gentler than typical retinoid products and does not dry out the skin. I use this twice a day and before sunblock in the mornings. It prevents new pimples from forming and maintains clear skin.

Protect with - SunProof Aqua

For years I've tried countless sunscreens, both physical and chemical ones. ALL, and I mean ALL of them have either clogged my pores or caused breakouts. As such, I've not worn sunscreen for 27 years of my life.
*cue gasps of horror*   :o
Enter this baby. Since mySKINBAR products work so well for me, I decided to go with Eva's recommendation and try this water-based sunscreen. Did you notice it does not have an SPF rating? That's because it contains nano zinc spheres which form a shield on the skin to reflect UV rays, providing TOTAL protection against aging. SunProof Aqua has a light, watery texture and rinses off easily at night with the Moisturizing Foam Gel. This has caused neither clogged pores nor zits for me, which is AMAZING!!! Love it!

Supplemental products....

At the beginning when my skin was really congested and constantly plagued with pimples, I used the DRX toner after cleansing and before mySKINBAR Toner just to get that extra exfoliation so that the Corrector Gel treatment could penetrate the skin better. I found that this helped to clear the initial breakouts quicker.
The Corrector Lotion from mySKINBAR is supposed to be dripped on swollen, painful pimples to speed up healing. It works by pushing the bacteria to the surface of the skin where they will be killed by the Corrector Gel. I used this rather generously and regularly at the beginning but now that my skin is clear, I use it only when I get the few large zits before that time of the month. I have not decided how much I like this lotion, as it doesn't seem to heal pimples that quickly.
Both the DRX toner and mySKINBAR corrector lotion contain acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid (DRX) and lactic acid (mySKINBAR) to exfoliate the skin, so if you have similar products you can try to use those instead.
Dalacin T is something that I'd rather not use given the choice, as it is a topical antibiotic. However, it does get rid of monster zits VERY quickly. I use it after the Corrector Lotion and only on really big pimples. Given that I don't constantly apply it to large areas of the face, the acne bacteria shouldn't develop resistance to it.

That is pretty much how I cleared my skin.

Oh, if you've noticed the lack of a moisturizer above, that's because I was advised by Eva not to use one whilst working to clear the pimples. I guess it's due to my oily skin. And no, my skin has not shriveled up like a prune.

Some notable pros and cons of mySKINBAR range:

Pros
- Definitely, definitely DEFINITELY works to clear skin
- Heals skin and helps it to regain balance, rather than attacking it
- Gentle and non-drying. Can be used for sensitive skins
- Products are not exactly cheap, but some of them last a LONG time (Quickest to run out is the
  Corrector Gel)
- Has free local delivery for total purchase of $200 and above (in 1 receipt)
- Good service and NO hard selling

Cons
- My skin seems to get oilier since starting this??? Also the products don't have oil control despite their  
  claims.
- Expect an initial breakout whilst the products work to clear the acne bacteria inside the skin
- The products take time to work. Expect to persist for 3 - 6 months, depending on your original skin
  condition, to see full results. (For me it took about 1 month to get mostly clear, and 3 months for full
  effects)
- Does not totally prevent blackheads/whiteheads although mine have significantly decreased. I plan to
  go for facial extractions once in a few months. (Yes, I don't really need facials anymore!!)
- Isn't good for spot treating big pimples, takes quite long to get rid of them
- Only sold in Singapore for now, so overseas readers may find it hard to purchase

Oh yes, let's not forget the long awaited 'before'/'after' shots!!


BEFORE - Taken 2 Nov 2013:

Right Cheek                                           Left Cheek

AFTER 1 MONTH - Taken 2 Dec 2014:

Right Cheek                                           Left Cheek

AFTER 4 MONTHS - Taken 2 Mar 2014:

Right Cheek                                            Left Cheek

Aren't the products great?!? If you only wish to purchase a few items to try, I would highly recommend the basics of Youth Revitalizing Milk Cleanser (as makeup remover), Moisturizing Foam Gel, Toner and Corrector Gel. The milk cleanser really helps to lighten old acne marks and even out the skin tone as you can see from the before and after shots!

If you are interested to try their products (and after all that you should be), I suggest that you head down to their shop at Park Mall Level 8 so the staff can recommend products suitable for your skin condition.

To learn more about mySKINBAR, you can visit their website here.

Good luck!
PockMarkFats

Disclaimer:
I came across this brand by accident and I am not paid to do this review.
I purchased all products mentioned above.

My Skin Care Routine Part 1: Makeup Removers

I've been M.I.A. for over a month now because I have (finally!) been enjoying my clear skin.

This is the best my skin has looked in YEARS. Except for the monthly hormonal zits (which I will be dealing with soon, and will keep you guys updated), my skin rarely breaks out anymore.

Today I am finally getting down to sharing with you my skin care routine that has been working so well for me.

At last, my search for the 'Holy Grail' skin care is over (as over as it can be, till my hands get itchy again. No no no I must not think like that). YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Because there are quite a few products, I'll be breaking it down into several parts.

Today's post is about my makeup removers:

1. CHANEL CLEANSING WATER - FACE & EYES (SGD 58)

This is actually the first Chanel product I purchased. I bought it on a whim after the sales lady told me it was oil free. I've scrutinized the ingredients list for any pore cloggers but they looked harmless enough.

Pros: Very watery and light in texture with no sticky feel whatsoever.
Cons: Only sufficient alone for light makeup.
          Can't remove waterproof/smudge proof eye makeup.
          Can be expensive and runs out quite fast (150ml for $58 in Singapore)

2. NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEAN EYE & LIP MAKEUP REMOVER

Do you see my dog scratching in the background?

I use this on my eyes and lips as it gets everything off quite easily. You can also use this to remove makeup on your face. I don't because I dislike the slightly oily slip.

Pros: Effective in removing even stubborn makeup
         Relatively cheap (around $12?) and can be purchased at any drugstore
Cons: Slightly oily feel

3. MYSKINBAR YOUTH REVITALIZING MILK CLEANSER (SGD88)

I've recently come across this local brand and I must say their products work really well for me. I've since added this into my routine to double cleanse especially during the work week. My pores clog really easily so I am quite paranoid about getting all the dirt and grime off my face.

Pros: Has a nice milky texture on the skin, feels quite luxurious
         Does not clog pores even though it has some oil content
         Removes makeup well
         Has anti-aging benefits and does not dry out the skin
         Does help to slowly even out the skin tone (my skin has gotten lighter over time)
Cons: Expensive (but it can last around 2-3 months and you get 200ml of product)
          Can only be purchased in Singapore. The company does not do overseas shipping as yet.

Another product that I used to use is the Fancl Cleansing Oil. It is probably the most effective makeup remover of the lot and it didn't break me out despite it being an oil. However as Fancl prides itself on having no preservatives in its products, you have to finish the cleaning oil within a certain amount of time (I think it's 1-3 months?). Also, all the Fancl stores are pulling out of Singapore so it is also convenient to switch to another brand. I've since replaced this with the milk cleanser from mySKINBAR as mentioned above. If you like cleansing oils, I highly recommend Fancl's :)

Notes:
- I can't use cleansing wipes, they tend to dry my skin out or feel oily
- The products mentioned above work for me, but you'll have to test them out to see if they work for your skin
- You don't have to use all the products above, like I said, I'm paranoid and like to feel clean.

That's all for my makeup removers.

Until next time!

xoxo
PockMarkFats