Review: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go

I brought this product on a whim from Sephora while I was on Oahu 3 days ago, and it has quickly become a life saver for me!

I'd been suffering from a dry skin patch at the corner of my left eye for about the past 3 weeks, until roughly 4 days ago, it became a full-blown "I really can't keep ignoring this" kind of issue :S After removing my eye makeup one night, both of my eyes started burning and watering, and by the next morning, both eyelids and the area surrounding my eyes was red, SUPER swollen, painful, and itchy. I still don't know if it was makeup, allergies, or something else that caused it... Needless to say, I was mortified :[ The swelling went down the next day, but then my eyelids and area surrounding my left eye was still red and painful, and then it dried out and started flaking like crazy!

This picture below is from google (because I didn't think to take before/after pictures of my own eye), but this is basically what my eyes looked like, except MORE flaky and dry:

Enter Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go!

Price: $16 for 1.25 oz from Sephora

What they say: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Tube To Go soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has an uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Sulfates

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes

- Petro-Chemicals

- Phthalates



Invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, Yu-Be is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Yu-Be is safe and effective for the whole family. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and stays locked in for hours.

What's in it:

Glycerin, Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camphor, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, EDTA, Methylparaben.

• Glycerin: This natural humectant attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it softer.
• Camphor: Soothes irritation and stimulates blood circulation improving the overall health of skin. The mild scent disappears in minutes.
• Vitamin E: A natural antioxidant and skin protector.
• Vitamin B2: Helps to smooth rough or damaged skin and also gives Yu-Be its natural yellow color.
  

The good stuff:

• Convenient size
• Non sticky/greasy
• Smooths on and absorbs well
• GREAT for dry skin
• Healing and moisturizing
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Safe for pretty much all-over use
  

The low-down:

• Pricey
• Camphor scent

My take: Overall, I am SUPER glad I bought this cream. I originally just grabbed it since it was near the checkout and I wanted to try it on the boif since he has dry skin (it worked for him too!). But after I decided to try it around my eyes, I was hooked! After 3 days of use, it DRAMATICALLY reduced the flakiness, puffiness, redness, and made the area around my eyes soft and smooth. Almost back to normal!

Just a little bit of flakiness remains:

I was a bit wary to try it around my eyes because I had been using a little bit of emu oil but it had the tendency to actually go into my eyes and although it didn't irritate my eyes, it made my vision blurry :/ (sidenote -- I absolutely ADORE emu oil for piercing aftercare and lubricant for stretched lobes. It is pricey but VERY worth it!!!). Anywho, the Yu-Be cream smoothed onto my skin and although I wouldn't say it dries down, it does absorb into my skin and doesn't migrate into my eyes at all. The cream itself is yellow but when you rub it on, it's kinda white. So I just gently smoothed it on until the white color disappeared. From my experience, this cream definitely performed as it claimed, and I'm VERY happy with the results!

For those who don't like scented products though, this might not be for you. It has a somewhat herbal/medicinal scent because of the camphor, but like they said, it does disappear quickly. But if you don't like that kind of scent, it might bother you.

Would I repurchase/recommend?: I would definitely repurchase this product, and I actually want to try some of the other products from the Yu-Be line as well! I would recommend this to anyone who wants a natural product that helps deeply moisturize dry skin!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
A cute tube. Nice and simple.

Product: 5/5
Does exactly what it claims! Perfect for dry, flaky skin.

Price: 4.5/5
It's actually pretty up-there at $16 for such a small tube, but it DOES work, so it's such a small price to pay for quality.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Neutrogena Healthy Skin VisiblyEven cleanser review

Ok, so I've come to the conlclusion that ALL Neutrogena cleansers that say they "foam," DO NOT foam >: Not that I care or anything, since ALL Neutrogena cleansers that say they exfoliate and smooth; do so VERY well. Anyway, I just bought this new cleanser and I've been using it for a couple days now. It's nothing to really rave about, but it works fine.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin VisiblyEven Cleanser

Product Description: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Visibly Even Foaming Cleanser is a dermatologist tested facial cleanser that gently exfoliates to refine skin texture for a more even-toned, radiant complexion as you cleanse. This cleanser contains a combination of Essential Soy, a natural skin brightener, gentle exfoliators and Vitamin C to: Remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil. Help even skin tone. Improve radiance. Rinses clean and leaves skin soft, smooth and healthy-looking. Non-irritating. Gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Ingredients: Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycol Distearate, Lauric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyethylene, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Soybean Seed Extract (Glycine Soja), Ascorbyl Glucoside, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Grapefruit Extract (Vitis Vinifera), Butylene Glycol, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Titanium Dioxide, Fragrance

Pros: light-scented, smooth, milky texture, super gentle exfoliating beads, leaves skin soft and smooth, no adverse reactions.

Cons: contains parabens, is slightly more milky than other Neutrogena cleaners, hasn't seemed to noticeably improve my skin tone.

What I thought about it: I decided to buy myself another cleanser since I gave the hubby my Anti-wrinkle/blemish one (which was working good for me). I think I've tried this a long time ago but I wasn't too sure, so I figured what the heck, I'll just buy it and see how it goes. Overall, this is a decent cleanser. It doesn't foam but does leave skin smooth, soft, fresh, and clean. I wouldn't say it's really improved my complexion, texture, or radiance radically, but it hasn't irritated my skin either (I thought it would, since there's so many acids in this). Also, I might have to use it much longer to see results. I did notice that after using it for about 4 days, the skin around my forehead and nose became a bit shiny. I'm not entirely sure that it's because of the cleanser or not. Either way, this cleanser is still good for making your skin soft and clean.

It's a lot more milky than other Neutrogena cleansers I've used, and it tends to come out in a thin ribbon of product, so a whole lot more than you expect comes out. It has a soft scent, which is not bad. Plus, the exfoliating beads are VERY gentle (unlike their scrubs). I find that Neutrogena's scrubs are better for me in giving that glowy look rather than this cleanser.

What is PA++?

I posted this in my review of ZA's two-way foundation, but I figured I might as well give it a post on its own so I can link it:

WHAT IS PA++?
"PA is a different indicator of protection for the skin. It's usually found after the SPF number. SPF is a sun protection factor of UVB rays. PA is used to measure the protection factor of UVA rays. I don't think they have means of measuring or studying the degree of UVA rays and how quickly they can be absorbed into the skin so they can't numerically tell you how much protection is in them exactly. There are 3 degrees of PA which are PA+, PA++, and PA+++. Of course, the higher the plus, the more protection."

Many asian makeup and skincare products contain atleast PA++.

What is alpha/beta hydroxy?

I've been wondering this for some time, as 2 of the cleansers I use contain beta and alpha hydroxy. Turns out, beta hydroxy is just another name for salicylic acid. Here's some other info I found interesting:

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids are derived from apples, ginger, oranges, grapefruit, sugarcane or willow bark, and will gradually peel off the top layers of dead skin and minimize wrinkles.

The Alpha's (AHA): One of the alpha hydroxy acids found in cane sugar, sugar beets and unripe grapes, glycolic acid, is an odorless, crystalline compound used to control the acid/alkali balance and also as an exfoliant, It works easily into the skin to break up, and remove, bonds of dead skin cells.It has been said that loosening these bonds stimulates the body's built-in dead-cell elimination, or sloughing off, process, making way for new skin cells to emerge and for fine lines to be smoothed over. The use of these alpha hydroxy acids has also been shown to reduce skin discoloration and to even out pigmentation.

The Beta's (BHA): Salicylic, benzoic and buteric acids -- all beta hydroxy acids -- are also reported to be excellent exfoliators, and are often combined with alpha hydroxy acids for their synergistic, complementary activities.

The "hydroxys" have also been shown to help those with oily and acne-plagued skin, since dead skin cells are no longer able to clump up around hair follicles and compromise the natural drainage of the oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands.Citric acid is another hydroxy powerhouse, one extracted from citrus fruits. These fruits are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, including rutin, which are said to strengthen the small capillaries that provide nourishment to the skin.

The main difference between alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid is their lipid (oil) solubility. Alpha hydroxy acids are water soluble only, while beta hydroxy acid is lipid (oil) soluble. This means that beta hydroxy acid is able to penetrate into the pore which contains sebum and exfoliate the dead skin cells that are built up inside the pore. Because of this difference in properties, beta hydroxy acid is better used on oily skin with blackheads and whiteheads. Alpha hydroxy acids are better used on thickened, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not a problem.

Examples:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub contains BHA.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle Anti-blemish scrub containts AHA.

source:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_n4_v58/ai_18178328/
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skincareproducts/a/aha_2.htm

What are parabens?

The notion of having possible carcinogens in your makeup and skincare (as well as food, hair, and body products) is a disturbing one. Ever since I actually decided to read the ingredients in the products I buy, I've found that parabnes are contained in almost every single one. If you don't know what parabens are, here's a little 411 on the topic. My views in regards to this issue are still a little up in the air, but I'm pretty wary at this point, no matter how small the risks are.

WHAT ARE PARABENS?

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry. About 90% of all skincare and cosmetic products contain parabens. Preservatives are used to prevent bacterial growth and prolong the shelf-life of products. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives. This allows the use of lower levels of parabens while increasing preservative activity. Parabens are widely used because of their efficacy as preservatives, their low cost, their long history of safe use and the unproven efficacy of natural ingredients like grapefruit seed extract.

Here’s a list of the different types of parabens:

- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben

- Methylparaben

- Propylparaben

- Isopropylparaben

- Benzyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Methyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Ethyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Propyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Butyl-parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Parahydroxybenzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid)

- Parahydroxybenzoate (p-hydroxybenzoate)

Parabens are used in:

- Cosmetics

- Shampoos
- Commercial moisturizers
- Shaving gels
- Cleansing gels
- Personal lubricants
- Topical pharmaceuticals
- Toothpaste

- Deoderant

- Food items

The controversy

However, controversy over paraben use in skincare and cosmetics has risen due to suggestions that parabens may cause cancer, accumulate in tissue and influence estrogen levels.In 2004, a study was published saying 20 different human breast tumors were tested and parabens found in all of them. However, no one could explain why they were there and whether normal tissue had parabens. The study didn’t determine if the ingredient was the cause of the tumors.

In 2005 the USA FDA (Food and Drug Administration) declared that parabens in the concentrations found in skin care products and cosmetics (up to 25%, but typically 1%) pose no logical risk to the consumer.In 2007, a French study suggested that parabens may accumulate in tissues. In the study, 0.45 mg of parabens was applied to the skin’s surface every 12 hours for 36 hours. The results showed increased quantities of parabens moving across the skin barrier for the first 24 hours. They also showed that parabens applied to the skin had no cumulative effect after 36 hours.

A 2002 study showed that 0.1% butylparaben in the daily diet reduced sperm production. However, this is hundreds of times more than the average skin care product application over the entire body. This means that it is impractical to assume that skincare products can reduce sperm production in humans.

Do All Cosmetic Companies Use Parabens?

Not all cosmetic companies use paraben preservatives and many have announced plans to stop using them now that questions have been raised about their safety.

Alternative Preservatives

Other effective preservatives like DMDM Hydantoin or Kathon have potential safety issues too, while Hydroxymethylglycinate can irritate the skin and the eyes. Other alternatives like grapefruit seed extract, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E), vitamin A (retinyl), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) don’t work too well.

Conclusion

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reviewed the safety of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben in 1984 and concluded they were safe for use in cosmetic products at levels up to 25%. Typically parabens are used at levels ranging from 0.01 to 0.3%.

Source:

http://beautifulwithbrains.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/the-parabens-controversy/

http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/06/21/what-are-parabens-and-why-should-you-avoid-them/

More reading:

The FDA's entry on parabens
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/cos-para.html

Wikipedia's entry on parabnes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabens

Are parabens really dangerous?

http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/05/02/the-perils-of-parabens/

Companies that don't use parabens

http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/Pages/ParabenFree.html

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream review

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS STUFF.
Enough said. Review time nao plz!

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream

Product description: Neutrogena Healthy Skin® Anti-Wrinkle Cream is a daily moisturizing cream clinically proven to start to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in one week. It also helps prevent premature signs of aging from the sun for healthier, younger-looking skin. Oil-free, Hypo-allergenic, Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free (contains no drying alcohol).

Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Ensulizole (1%), Octinoxate (6%)Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Retinol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Methylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Carbomer

Pros: after just one use, skin is noticably smoother and softer, formula is light, absorbs quickly, no bad smell, a little goes a long way, has spf 15 and retinol, with continuous use, skin tone and complexion becomes VERY even, smooth, and glowy.

Cons: the tube is kind of small for the price ($13), may POSSIBLY cause temporary irritation (if this happens, use every other day until your skin can tolerate it, then use every day).

What I thought about it: This is by far the BEST moisturizer I have ever used. It's lightweight, easy to apply, non-greasy/sticky, absorbs quickly, and gives lasting moisture and protection without feeling heavy or oily. At first, I thought that it will run out quickly, but just a pearl sized amount of this is enough to cover your whole face, so it should last quite awhile. The sun protection is definitely a plus.

After only one day of using this cream, my skin became smooth and soft. I did notice however that the second day I used this cream, I got two small itchy spots on my cheek and the next day, one of them became a small pimple. However, I cannot totally attribute this to the cream because I wasn't eating too healthy at the time :P Despite this, over the course of my 1 week testing period, the improvement in my skin from day 1 to day 7 was unmistakable. By about the fourth day, my skin looked better WITHOUT foundation imo. My complexion was THAT much clearer; totally smoothed, toned, and softened with a healthy glow. I used the cream occasionally over night, which helped totally eliminate the dry spots I had been suffering from around my nose, forehead, and chin.

I have not had any really adverse effects with this cream, and I will continue using it off and on from now on, since my skin has really toned and smoothed out; I don't think I need to use it everyday. Overall, this cream is GREAT! The best I have ever used.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle Anti-blemish scrub review

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle Anti-blemish scrub

Product Description: Neutrogena® Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish™ is the first foaming scrub to fight pimples and the signs of aging for clearer, younger-looking skin. Treats and helps prevent blemishes. Salicylic Acid, a proven blemish fighting ingredient penetrates deep down into pores to remove dirt and oil.
Reduces appearance of fine lines. Gentle microbeads sweep away dead skin cells and help hydrate skin. Alpha Hydroxy works deep in the skin's surface to smooth fine lines.

WARNING! Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.

Pros: smooths and softens skin, exfoliates, leaves skin feeling clean, clean, and with a healthy glow, has acne medication & AHA

Cons: a little harsher & doesn't smell as good as Neutrogena's Gentle Scrub, a little pricey, can cause sunburn (although I have NOT had any adverse effects)

What I thought about it: I bought this to go with my Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream, and I'd have to say that this is a good pairing. I use this scrub off and on throughout the week, and I haven't had any adverse reactions to it; no breakouts, no irritation, no dryness, and no redness. It works great at smoothing and softening my skin (I LOVE exfoliant scrubs... maybe a little too much lol) and leaving it glowing and healthy looking. It is not as gentle as the Deep Clean gentle scrub, but it isn't TOO harsh. I just don't scrub my face with too much pressure and it does the job without irritating my skin. It also doesn't smell as good as the Gentle Scrub, but that's not a big deal. This was $9... which is kind of pricy but not too bad. You pay for what you get and this is a great exfoliating scrub to use a couple times a week to rejuvinate your skin.

Do you really need a night cream?

This has been a question I've been pondering for a little bit lately. Is the idea of a night moisturizer something that companies created in order to make us believe that the purchase of such a cream is completely necessary in order to have healthy skin? I think not, but I have to admit, I've been lured in by the proposition. Anyways, I decided to do a little low-fi researching on the topic, and this is what I came up with. Read the articles below for different views on the subject.

NO, YOU DON'T:
http://skincare.about.com/od/facialmoisturizers/qt/dayvsnightcream.htm
http://www.mywomenstuff.com/2009/01/06/do-i-really-need-a-specific-night-cream/

YES, YOU DO:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Really-Need-a-Night-Cream?&id=189092

IT DEPENDS:
http://www.vivawoman.net/2008/12/08/do-we-really-need-a-specialized-night-cream/
http://www.makeuptalk.com/forums/f12/do-you-really-need-night-cream-73679.html

My overall conclusion is:

• Night creams are thicker, heavier (sometimes oilier) versions of regular moisturizers.

• You can use a day cream as a night cream (preferably no spf).

• The skin should be cleansed at night so it can rejuvinate and balance itself naturally, without moisturizers (possibly) clogging your pores or adding unnecessary chemicals.

• Using moisturizers 24/7 doesn't fully allow your skin to breathe.

• If your skin is dry, it should be fine to use a light application of moisturizer overnight on the dry spots.

• If your skin is oily, a night cream is NOT your best bet.

• Basically, night creams are NOT necessary! I would just use your regular moisturizer, but not all the time. I think even skincare products with "good for you" ingredients shouldn't be used daily just so your skin can have some product-free open air.

I was also pondering if it was okay or not to use a moisturizer that contains spf as a night cream. Here's some opinions on that:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081230160020AAixqrI

Top 10 Synthetic ingredients to avoid

I had another list of ingredients to avoid, but I cannot find it, cannot remember the info, nor can I remember the source -_-;; So I found another good list of ingredients to avoid in makeup/skincare. This list is extensive and a couple of these ingredients are seemingly unavoidable. However, this list is also a teeny bit exaggerated. I think using "toxic" isn't the best word to use, but it's better to be safe than sorry, I suppose. All in all, I'd think it's okay to use products that contain these ingredients as long as you aren't having any adverse reactions to it.

Top 10 Synthetic Ingredients to AVOID

1. Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea — These are the most commonly used preservatives after the parabens. They are well established as a primary cause of contact dermatitis (American Academy of Dermatology). Two trade names for these chemicals are Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall chemicals have a good antifungal, and must be combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 releases formaldehyde at just over 10°. These chemicals are toxic.

2. Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethyl Paraben — Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid with the methyl group of chemicals. Highly toxic.

3. Petrolatum — Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly, and mineral oil causes a lot of problems when used on the skin—it can produce photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and it tends to interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that creates the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is very cheap.

4. Propylene Glycol — Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Usually it is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant. Has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions.

5. PVP/VA Copolymer — A petroleum-derived chemical used in hairsprays, wavesets and other cosmetics. It can be considered toxic, since particles may contribute to foreign bodies in the lungs of sensitive persons.

6. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate — This synthetic substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and foam-building abilities. It causes eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp scurf similar to dandruff, and allergic reactions. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut".

7. Stearalkonium Chloride — A chemical used in hair conditioners and creams. Causes allergic reactions. Stearalkonium chloride was developed by the fabric industry as a fabric softener, and is a lot cheaper and easier to use in hair conditioning formulas than proteins or herbals, which do help hair health. Toxic.

8. Synthetic Colors — The synthetic colors used to supposedly make a cosmetic "pretty" should be avoided at all costs, along with hair dyes. They will be labeled as FD&C or D&C, followed by a color and a number. Example: FD&C Red No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. Synthetic colors are believed to be cancer-causing agents. If a cosmetic has them in it, don't use the cosmetic.

9. Synthetic Fragrances — The synthetic fragrances used in cosmetics can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance". Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, violent coughing, vomiting, skin irritation, and the list goes on. Advice: Don't buy a cosmetic that has the word "Fragrance" on the ingredients label.

10. Triethanolamine (TEA) — Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Summary
Look for natural ingredients in the products you buy. Do not use cosmetics that are artificially colored. Is the shampoo green or blue? Very likely it contains a coal-tar color. Does the product contain a synthetic fragrance? Don't use it. Are any of the chemicals listed above on the ingredients label? Don't use it. You may find out that some of your allergic problems will suddenly go away when you no longer use cosmetics with synthetics and petrochemicals.

Source: click here

Neutrogena Deep Clean gentle scrub review

This is my once-a-week exfoliant/face mask. It's my HG of all Neutrogena cleansers (: However, I've read mixed opinions about it. So, I figure I'd do my own review.

NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEAN GENTLE SCRUB

Product Description: Neutrogena Deep Clean™ Gentle Scrub is the daily cleansing scrub with Beta Hydroxy proven to clean deep down into your pores, yet is gentle enough to use every day. Skin looks and feels soft and smooth after just one use. Beta Hydroxy formula penetrates deep into pores to remove blackhead-causing dirt and oil. Gentle microbeads exfoliate dull, dead surface skin. It's rich foaming creamy lather rinses clean. Skin is instantly softer, smoother, healthier-looking and refreshed. Dermatologist-tested formula. Non-comedogenic. Made in USA.

Ingredients: Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Linoleamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Salicylic Acid, Polyethylene, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Agar, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 30 Lake, Fragrance

Pros: smells nice (orange-y), exfoliating beads make skin instantly softer and smoother, creamy texture, rinses easily, doesn't leave a film, after use, skin is visibly smoother and feels fresh and clean (in my experience), contains salicylic acid for acne.

Cons: some people might not like the smell, everyday use might dry out your skin and cause some mild irritation/redness.

What I thought about it: This is definately my FAVORITE Neutrogena cleanser. It's great (for me) because the exfoliating beads in the cleanser really do a good job making my skin feel smoother and softer after just one use. Not to mention, I also love the smell. However, I've found that when I used this cleanser consitently, it did dry out my skin a bit around my nose and forehead (prob. due to the salicylic acid), so now I only use this once a week as a scrub/mask. I like this a whole lot better than the Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating scrub that I tried, since it also has acne medication to keep my breakouts to a minimum. I don't have much else to say about this besides if you have your doubts, do at least TRY this product. In my case, my results were immediately smoother, softer, and more clean and healthy looking skin.

Toothpaste spot treatment

TOOTHPASTE FOR SPOT TREATMENT?

I'm sure most of you have heard of this remedy for troublesome pimples but not a lot of you have actually tried it. From my experiences, it has worked pretty well for me, without any irritation or redness. Here's a basic overview of the pros and cons and other stuff you should know if you want to try this method:

What you need:

• PASTE (white) toothpaste, NOT gel! Find one with minimal additives. Natural or organic toothpastes are a good bet, since they usually have a short ingredient list.

What to do:

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

• Dot a little paste on the pimple (usually after you take a bath).

• It's usually best to use this method on whiteheads.

• Leave it on overnight (or only an hour or so if you have super sensitive skin).

• Wash it off in the morning.

Positive Results:

• The pimple should be visibly smaller and dried out, or gone altogether.

• Results vary with the kind of toothpaste you use, the pimple, and your skin type.

Negative Results:

• The area where the pimple is might be too dried out, itchy, or red if you left it on too long or have extra sensitive skin.

How it works:

• Dries out the pimple (like a clay mask would do), while dehydrating and absorbing oil

Toothpaste method VS Rx treatments:

• Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both common anti-acne ingredients, and both cause some drying of the skin.

• Salicylic acid has been shown to promote cell turnover, meaning that skin gets exfoliated and fresh skin cells come to the surface.

• Benzoyl peroxide fights acne bacteria specifically and also does not cause bacterial resistance.

IMPORTANT 411 for those with SENSITIVE SKIN:

• Menthol is an ingredient that often irritates skin and causes itching and inflammation. It is used in many toothpastes for that minty clean feeling. But in fact, you should avoid any skin product that lists menthol as an ingredient

• Fluoride in toothpaste may be another irritating factor if applied to skin.

• Avoid special whitening toothpastes because they have more hydrogen peroxide which can dry out your skin too much.

SO ALL IN ALL,
This method has worked nicely for me, but I don't really have sensitive skin. I suggest this method for people who know their skin type and what it can handle. So, if you have sensitive skin, use this method sparingly!I would only use this method as a SPOT TREATMENT, not for your entire face, and usually only if/when you don't have a regular spot treatment that you know works. This is not something for everyday use. Leaving it on too long over a large area could badly irritate your skin. So remember, SPOT TREATMENT ONLY!

Neutrogena Deep Clean invigorating scrub review

So, since I've been wanting to try our some new Neutrogena products, I decided to buy their Deep Clean Invigorating Scrub (on sale :P). I've been using it for 2 days and I'd have to say, I'm pretty disappointed with it. So... review time!

NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEANINVIGORATING SCRUB

Product description: Enliven your senses with Neutrogena Deep Clean® Invigorating Foaming Scrub. It deep cleans and leaves you feeling amazingly refreshed and exhilarated. Energizing microbeads gently exfoliate skin while sweeping away dead skin cells. Light gel formula lathers into bubbly foam removing surface dirt, oil and make-up. Feel the surge of invigoration as the cooling gel cleans down to pores leaving skin feeling fresh, clean and energized.

Ingredients: Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Polyethylene, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Panthenol, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Benzotiazolyl Butylphenol sufonate, Menthol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Synthetic Wax, Ultramarines, Blue 1, Fragrance

Pros: Leaves a tingly, refreshing feeling on skin, instantly smooths and softens skin with exfoliating beads, fresh scent, nice packaging.

Cons: "Invigorating" feeling can be a little unpleasant/strong at first, non-medicated (no acne medication), smell can be a little strong, gel does not foam, dries out skin, MAY cause small breakouts.

What I thought about it: Similarly to another "foaming" Neutrogena face wash I used before, this one did NOT foam. When you rub it together in your palms, it does create a light lather, but not foam. The "invigorating" part of the scrub is quite invigorating indeed, but it was a little strong for me. It does a good job clearing your sinuses though lol.

Since I like any product with exfoliants in it, this was a plus for me. It made my skin softer and smoother, but I first noticed a lot of shine on my forehead after using it. However, my biggest turn-off with this product was that after one night's use, I noticed some small pimples around my nose and chin that weren't there before. I figured it was because I used a little "much" for my first use. So I moisturized, medicated, and went to bed. The next morning, I tried using it again, except a smaller amount. After washing, I noticed my skin was dry and flaking in the same places.

Now, I can't totally attribute my small breakout and dryness ENTIRELY to this scrub, but I'd have to say that I'm pretty sure that's what caused it. I've had little to no skin trouble using my Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle scrub once a week to soften, smooth, and exfoliate my skin. But I only used this scrub for ONE DAY and I got such adverse reactions. This seemed kind of odd to me, since this scrub contains no acne medication such as salicylic acid that would dry out my skin. Even medicated scrubs have been less harsh on my skin :S

However, I'm pretty sure that it was the menthol properties that added to the "invigorating" factor that dried out and irritated my skin (this would explain why the scrub opens your sinuses and makes it instantly easier to breathe... think Vicks vapo rub!). I read the ingredients, and not surprisingly, menthol is included. Menthol is an ingredient that often irritates skin and causes itching and inflammation. You should avoid any skin product that lists menthol as an ingredient.

All in all, although this product smoothed and softened my skin and left it feeling fresh and clean, I think this scrub is a little (or a lot) too strong for me, and I would not reccomend it to people who have sensitive or dry skin. I returned this product the next day. Since I usually love Neutrogena's products, this was really a disappointment. I would not buy this again.

Top 10 health/beauty foods

Got this quick list from http://free-beauty-tips.glam.com/ Any added links are from my personal experience, opinion, and preference.

1; APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Has great healing properties, keeps skin supple. It's heavy concentration of enzymes peel off dead skin cells. It breaks down fat and helps to digest food properly.TRY THIS: Shiny Hair Recipe (for brunettes & redheads)

2; CARROTS
Maintains the outer layer of skin to prevent premature aging. Also good for your eyes!
TRY THIS: Burt's Bees Garden Carrot Complexion Soap

3; CHEESE
A slice or two of swiss, cheddar, or gouda added to your daily diet will help block bacteria in the mouth and prevent cavities.

4; CITRUS FRUITS
Holds the skin together by forming collagen. This is important because collagen cannot be added to skin topically. Cleanses and purifies.
TRY THIS: Burt's Bees Orange Essense Facial Cleanser

5; CRANBERRIES
Keep urinary tract lining healthy. Advised to drink if you have a UTI. Good anti-oxidant.

6; GARLIC
Helps combat wrinkles and restores tissue.

7; NON-FAT YOGURT
High in calcium, may help maintain a healthy digestive system.
TRY THIS: Plain Yogurt Facial Mask Recipe

8; SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are full of vitamin A, known to be a remarkable anti-wrinkle agent. The result is clearer, smoother skin.

9; TOMATOES
Rich in vitamin A, C, and potassium.
TRY THIS: Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Complexion Soap

10; WHEAT GERM
Add 2-3 tablespoons to your daily diet (in cereal, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc) to help get rid of pimples quickliy and effectively.

Eyeko beauty review

So, I figured I'd post some pics and do a review of my teeny tiny little haul from Eyeko. I'm so excited it came in :D Shipping took about a week and the only complaint I have about it is that when I got my package, the boxes the items in were a little smashed. But everything else was great (:

Sorry for the semi-grainy pictures, my screencap app destroyed the quality lol. I haven't tried everything thoroughly yet, but I did a quick swipe apply and swatches. At first glance, these Eyeko products are everything that they're cracked up to be.

The packaging is super cute, girly, and PINK (: For some reason, I thought the Fat Balm would be HUGE, but it is pretty tiny. Still adorable though, perfect purse size. The Eyeko Cream comes in a nice-sized tub that looks like it'll last super long. The only thing about this though (like a lot of reviews mentioned) is contamination. No one wants to be dipping their fingers into a tub of product. So make sure you wash your hands before you use! Oh, and my free gift! I got a Beauty Rehab lipgloss tube.

Here's some shots of the ingredients (click to enlarge) and their accompanying reviews (:

Beauty Rehab Lipgloss

Product Description: Commit your lips to Beauty Rehab Spearmint Lip Balm. Treats chapped, dry and flaky lips in 3 steps: Provides Instant Relief, Soothes, Smoothes & Protects, Locks in Moisture. Alleviate symptoms of dryness with an intensive treatment of Sweet Almond Oil and Shea Butter. Lemon and Spearmint Oil freshen breath. Recovery is hydrated lips that are repaired and cared for. PETROLEUM, PRESERVATIVE AND CHEMICAL FREE FOR A NATURAL HIGH. Beauty Rehab Spearmint Lip Balm features nothing but the best quality natural ingredients.

Pros: smells nice, no minty feeling, instant moisture and softness, gives a nice shine

Cons: a little grainy at first, melts easily (will explain)

What I thought about it: Overall, I really like this lipgloss... grateful it was a free gift, it retails for $10 from Liparazzi. It's very smooth, not sticky at all, and doesn't have a minty tingly feeling when applied. It's clear and gives a nice shine which is good for everday wear or whenever you lips are dry; it provides instant moisture and softens and smooths on contact. However, I keep this in my makeup drawer and after a few months of not using it, when I began using it again, it seems melted. It still smells fine and looks fine, but it's just a lot more liquidy than it used to be; which is strange because it hasn't been hot or anything lately. Other than that, I still like this.

Minty Fat Balm

Product Description: Berry-liscious tints with light reflecting particles and added moisture for softer, sexier lips. Smooth on to cheeks too for a fruity flush. Available in 3 sheer shades.

Pros: soft, shimmery, nude pink color, smells nice, minty feeling when applied, goes on smooth, not sticky, super cute packaging, small size

Cons: not too moisturizing on its own

What I thought about it: I'm totally in love with this lip balm (: The color is so soft and nice... perfect for a nude lip with just the amount of iridescent pink color. It smells great and is the perfect size for keeping in your purse or makeup back. I like that fact that it is, well, Fat. A lot more product can be applied without having to go over your lips a lot. The only thing I didn't like was that it didn't seem very moisturizing to me, but that is easily remedied by applying a moisturizing lip balm before the fat balm.

Eyeko Cream

Product Description: Create a flawless base with Eyeko's 3-in-1 Cream: MOISTURISER, HIGHLIGHTER & EYE CREAM in 1! Infused with skin perfecting light reflectors and antioxidant Vitamins A & E plus a Vitamin C boost for a radiant, clear complexion. Eyeko says: "To get that A-list glow skip foundation and use Eyeko Cream all over focusing on the eye and cheek area for lit from within skin."

Pros: Soft, pink shimmery color, goes on sheer for a healthy glow, great as an eye and foundation primer, not sticky, goes on smooth, LOTS of product.

Cons: it's in a tub jar :( was a little "stiff" at first, if you apply too much, it's a little too shimmery and whitish, doesn't seem TOO moisturizing.

What I thought about it: I'm also really satisfied with this cream. It works super well as a primer for face and lids and when you apply foundation or e/s over it, it gives a nice healthy glow. I've found that it works better for me when I mix it with a bit of my moisturizer before applying, which makes it much more creamy and easier to smooth on. The first time I applied it, it was "stiff" and didn't go on too smooth. It might help to hold it under a blowdryer before application to prep the product, but I haven't tried that yet. I don't really use this on my entire face, just as a cheek and eye highlight. It works really well and there's so much product, it'll last me a long time. However, it is in a tub jar, which is unhygenic... wouldn't want to contaminate the whole tub :( So make sure to wash your hands before you dip your fingers in it or use a little spatula to get the product out.

And here's my swatches (in order from left to right:

Eyeko Cream, Minty Fat Balm, Beauty Rehab gloss)

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser review

So, I figured since I did one Neutrogena review, I'd do another. This was the other "foaming" cleanser that I talked about in my last post.

NEUTROGENA FRESH FOAMING CLEANSER

Product description: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser is a cleanser and makeup remover in one. Removing makeup before you go to bed has never been easier. This dermatologist-tested formula effectively removes dirt, oil and makeup. It even removes eye makeup, without soaps or oils that can sting or irritate the sensitive eye area. No more raccoon eyes! It rinses completely and wont leave any pore-clogging residue. Forget the excuses and get refreshingly clean skin and complete makeup removal in one step.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Glycereth-7, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Glycol Stearate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid, Fragrance.

Pros: Hygenic pump bottle, very light cleanser.

Cons: Did not remove my makeup very well, smell can be bothersome, did not foam, somewhat drying.

What I thought about it: So, this product is supposed to be a makeup remover. My mom says it works pretty well for her, but for me, it didn't cut it. It did not remove my eyemakeup well, rather smeared it around... and it stayed there. I had to take it off additionally. Also, the cleanser does not foam, as advertised on the bottle. It barely even creates a lather, imo. No matter how much I used (dime sized to quarter sized amount), it did not seem to lather up well, neither take off any more of my makeup. T0 me, the smell was a bit strong; so I didn't like that either. As for the results on my face after using this product, it made my skin seem a bit tight and dried out (nothing that can't be fixed with moisturizer).

I guess the real downside for this product imo is that it didn't remove my makeup as well as I'd expected it would. Atleast it didn't irritate my skin or cause any breakouts. Overall, I'd have to say that I would only reccomend this product if you want a quick face wash, like in the morning. It's not something I would use daily or purchase again.

Burt's Bees review

I love Burt's Bees. I love them for their availability, reasonable prices, great specials, quality, and natural ingredients. Well, I love MOST of their products, atleast. So I figured it's about time a do a quick review of the products I've purchased from them last year (:

LIP SHIMMER in CHAMPAGNE
Ok, this was a little splurge. I bought it at Border's and this is the only product I don't quite adore. The only nice color they had was Champagne; it's a frosty pink color. When applied, it's really minty and tingly. It smells nice, but the color just didn't work for me :P Plus, it kind of chapped my lips, but that might have just been the day I used it. I love the cute slim packaging and all, but it's definately not one of my favorites.


STRAWBERRY LIP GLOSS
They're not selling this atm! :O This is mos def my favorite lipgloss (ahem, WAS. I used a lipgloss brush I mixed with another gloss and now it tastes funny). Well anyway, when I first got it, it was great. This gloss smells super yummy (there's a bunch of other flavors too), is super smooth to apply, and gives just the right amount of shine and moisture. I hope they put it up again so I can buy another :(

RADIANCE EXFOLIATING BODY BAR
So this was another one of those products I was not crazy about. It was supposed to exfoliate and make your skin radiant and glowing. It didn't do that lol. It smelled nice and natural and lathered and all, but it didn't seem that it had any exfoliant in it nor did it make me especially glowy. In general, it is a good shower soap though.


WILD LETTUCE COMPLEXION SOAP
On the other hand, this is one of those products I cannot stop raving about. I bought this soap because I was having breakouts here and there and my complexion was not at its greatest. Amazingly, after a week of using this consistently, my skin cleared, toned, and evend up. It was GREAT! I highly reccomened this soap for people with different kinds of skin (there is tomato and carrot soap also for oily and dry skin). It worked so great for me, so I use it religiously and have been virtually breakout-free since.

There's still a couple products I want to try, but I'll blog about that later.
Here's their website: http://www.burtsbees.com/