I am not new to pimples or pimpy as I've been with it almost half my life! I've had a long list of insecurities and woes just because I had tons of pimpy all over my face. The very reason I started chronicling beauty products & regimens and dermatologic procedures is to make others aware that there are things that help alleviate stubborn pimpy and make them go away.

Belo Essentials now offers an anti-acne skin solutions in the new AcnePro three-step Clear Skin system. The skincare line banks on the efficacy of Purified Bee venom in clinically treating mild to moderate acne by minimizing inflammation. Through AcnePro's Cleansing, Toning and Repairing stages, almost anyone can say hello to a cleaner and clearer skin everyday!

  

Belo Essentials AcnePro Gel Face Wash (50mL, P99.75) "Effectively helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria & remove excess oil leaving skin smoother and pimple-free."

A pea-sized amount of the gel-like facial wash generously foams into a lather that cleans the face well and leaves skin fresh and still well-moisturized. This wash is nice to use in following up a good makeup remover to ensure deep-seated oil and dirt are taken cared of.

Cleansing is almost a forgettable part of a skincare regimen. I was able to love it more when I felt how soft and supple my skin has become after the 2nd week into using this.

Belo Essentials AcnePro Treatment Toner (60ml, P79.75) "Effectively unclogs congested pores, dry up pimples and exfoliate dead skin cells."

The toning experience further refreshes the skin with a cool, soothing liquid. I like how it is lightly scented making me forget that toners usually smell of medication or strong alcohol.

A word of caution to those with oily skin: the toner can take time getting absorbed into the skin so make sure not to over saturate the cotton pad for it. It's fine if it happens in the evening before bed time but can be a pain if you use to much toner in the morning as it can feel a bit tacky against the skin. What's great about the toner is that you don't need too much to make it work.

Belo Essentials AcnePro Pimple Gel (10g, P149.75) "Helps dry up pimples fast, lighten blemishes, calm inflammation and promote healing & ant-bacterial action."

Repair is probably the most exciting stage in the system as this is where "magic" happens. The AcnePro pimple gel tube is packed with a non-fragrant product that effectively retards the ugly process of an exacerbated & inflamed pimpy. The key is to be keen enough to do the Repair Work at the onset of a growing pimple!

I like that all products in the AcnePro skincare system are oil-free and are truly hypoallergenic & non-comedogenic during the whole time I've been testing it out. The three products are also packed well and in durable, fuss-free tubes and bottles and the sizes of each product is perfect either for travel or for a full-month's use.

With the truly affordable price tag on top of it all, Belo Essentials AcnePro 3-Step Clear Skin System is probably the next best skincare line worth checking out. Using the products twice a day makes it easier for anyone to finally take charge of their skin, face the world and do more, and finally say goodbye to pimpy!

Disclaimer: Products were sent to me for review purposes

No teenager or young adult in his/her right mind would say, "Pimples lang yan". Fact is, pimple growth is a serious problem in the adolescent population that a clinical study links the presence of substantial acne with alarming mental health illnesses (depression & suicidal ideation) and social impairments.¹  One relevant video making the rounds in the health & beauty community confirms this fact:

Like Cheska in the Maxi-Peel video, most people experiencing problem skin are embarrassed, anxious, and depressed. They are socially withdrawn and would voluntarily miss out on the fun things they should be experiencing--- like posing for a photo with their buddies in their biggest smiles!

Say, Cheese!

They say the rest was history when the first Nokia camera phone came out. Over a short course of time, aided by the growing popularity of social media, photography became not just a hobby but a lifestyle-- a dreadful reality for someone who wishes he/she had better skin for the cameras.

In 2012, it was estimated that more than 380 million photos are uploaded in Facebook daily.²  DAILY! So how does a camera-phobe live in these "hostile" times?

We will run out of excuses to avoid the camera and there's not much we can do about stolen shots. Like Cheska in the video, a pro-active game plan should work just right! Everyone deserves their own Bagong Ganda, Bagong Pag-Asa and the best way to get the confidence for the cameras is to take charge of one's troubled skin.

Say... Exfoliate?

Everyday, our skin goes through a constant, natural renewal process which brings about old, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. These dead cells are notorious for clogging the skin and making it dull-looking. Exfoliation is the process of getting rid of these old cells and thankfully, our bodies exfoliate naturally through a process called desquamation to keep the skin healthy & radiant-looking.

However, over time, desquamation slows down and can result to dull, flaking skin, as well as, you guessed right, the proliferation of acne. This is most likely what Cheska's skin is having trouble with and when this happens, doctors recommend aiding the natural exfoliation process with physical agents such as chemical peels.

Using Maxi-Peel Exfoliant Solution is one good way to step up one's slowed down natural exfoliation process. One of its main active ingredients, tretinoin, is a known powerful exfoliant. Tretinoin effectively promotes proper cell renewal which in turn unclogs pores thus lowering the chances of acne formation.

How Maxi-Peel Works

Bagong Ganda, Bagong Pag-Asa is Maxi-Peel's promise and true enough through Cheska's video, it is possible for the skin to be reborn. The best results are always the ones that give a slow but steady progress and using an effective exfoliant that encourages the skin to undergo the Remove, Renew, Reveal stages is one of the skin's best bet in achieving a better state.

Remove- at the initial stage of use, Maxi-Peel will cause a harmless stinging which signals the skin easing in to the treatment. With constant use, the stinging dies down as the treatment continues to help remove stubborn dead skin cells

Renew- skin redness is also most likely to occur as the skin adjusts to the treatment but will be more persistent than stinging.

When the skin's natural exfoliation process decelerates, it becomes harder for new cells to grow. At the renewal stage, the slow-to-exfoliate skin is gradually sped up so that new, healthy cells start to move up the skin's surface.

Reveal- as with any other potent exfoliator, peeling is expected to happen. Maxi-Peel's reveal stage signals a breakthrough in bringing back the normal pace of skin exfoliation through visible skin peeling. In due time after the skin has thoroughly adjusted, only minimal peeling is expected.

We live in the social media era where everyone is compelled to look their best for the lenses. Heck, "selfie" has been made word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries in 2013 for its international relevance. It's tough to imagine how one covers up his/her reluctance when someone asks for a group shot or worse, a solo pic, just because he/she has bad skin.

Remove, Renew and Reveal--- more and more young adults can break free from the stress brought about by acne and dull skin! With Maxi-Peel's Bagong Ganda, Bagong Pag-asa promise, many can confidently say, "Pimples lang yan!" while smiling their hearts out for the cameras.

¹ Halvorsen, Jon et al. "Suicidal Ideation, Mental Health Problems, and Social Impairment Are Increased in Adolescents with Acne: A Population-Based Study" Journal of Investigative Dermatology 131 (2011): 363-370. doi:10.1038/jid.2010.264.

² Estrin, James "In an Age of Likes, Commonplace Images Prevail" The New York Times, September 7, 2012. http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/in-an-age-of-likes-commonplace-images-prevail/

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

I haven't used anything new for my skin lately except for the Shiseido Ibuki duo that broke me out badly. Now that my skin cleared up and has recovered from the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from fractional CO2 laser therapy, I'm ready for new skintastic treats before the month ends.

1. Camaru Naturals Amazonian Clay Face Mask - cleanses, detoxifies and purifies the skin for visibly clearer complexion
2. Paula's Choice RESIST Pure Radiance Skin Brightening Treatment - imparts instant radiance, reduces dark spots and diminishes wrinkles
3. Paula's Choice Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish - controls oil, minimizes pore appearance and smooths-out imperfections
4. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid - creates radiant and even-toned skin and unclogs & diminishes enlarged pores
5. Paula's Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator - silky gel-cream that hydrates and firms the skin

I'm thrilled to learn that Proudly Filipino brand Camaru Naturals' has come up with a face mask that contains the very ingredient that makes my fave bar soap from the brand tick, activated bamboo charcoal! Their soap brightens the skin on my body and I can't wait to see how it fares for the face.

And it still feels surreal I'm looking at skincare from Paula's Choice. I'm very excited to find out which of these four my skin will love best!

Disclaimer: This non-paid post contains products sent to me for review purposes

Last October 2, 2013, Paula's Choice Philippines celebrated their formal brand launch at the Manila Marriott's The Den. You can say I was more than excited to finally catch their top acne-clearing products as I once wanted to get hold of their Skin Perfecting line. It was also difficult back then not to get curious about their RESIST Skin Resurfacing System when Trang blogged about how effective it was.

What is Paula's Choice?

Lifestyle & Beauty bloggers were all ears as Paula's Choice Pte Ltd. Southeast Asia Managing Director, Naree Mongkol,  introduced everyone to the brand's role in catering to individual skin concerns. One of the highlights include an apple experiment showcasing the Vitamin C serum, RESIST C15 Super Booster (for brown spots and wrinkles, to be made available in the coming months), as it effectively reverses the rusting of an apple.

Paula's Choice's wide range of effective skincare products originates from its founder, Paula Begoun's, discriminating habit of choosing what she puts on her skin-- a habit formed from a past trauma when she realized acetone was in her skincare staple.

The brand banks and puts emphasis on the science of skincare in coming up with each product, making sure they contain well-researched and proven effective ingredients. Since its creation, consumers worldwide have been drawn to their serums, exfoliants, sunblocks and anti-acne & redness line.

Paula's Choice Bestsellers

The brand's crème de la crème include:

• Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (P1120/100mL)
• Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel (P1120/100mL)
• RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum (P1420/30mL)

I've had my eye on the BHA and AHA bottles for the longest time as I've read countless great reviews for both. What I appreciate more is that the brand cared enough to get these two powerful exfoliators in separate bottles. Most brands would have AHAs and BHA in one bottle when there are skin types that are highly sensitive to salicylic acid (BHA).

What's exciting is that these two exfoliators are modestly priced at P1,120! I'm definitely getting the BHA Liquid ASAP before others beat me to it. 

Paula's Choice Philippines

Paula's Choice products can be purchased via placing an order on:

• Paula's Choice Facebook page
• Phone: (02) 8410468
• Email: info@paulaschoice.com.ph

Soon, they will also be available via Zalora and Lazada shopping sites.

Special Prescription

After the event, I grabbed the chance to talk to Ms. Naree Mongkol, who I learned was also the Advisor to the World Anti-Aging Academy of Medicine. She coyly confesses she's 41 when I asked how old she was. Naturally, I shot her the how-can-i-get-that-skin? question and she started to examine my face and asked for my skin type.

She noticed some obvious redness (from my previous fractional CO2 laser treatment) and jotted down a two-phased recommendation:

Part I- Anti-Redness:

• Skin Recovery Cleanser
• Clinical Anti-Redness Relief
• Skin Recovery Moisturizer

Part II- Youthful, Lustrous and Zit-Free Skin (after completely addressing redness):

• Hydralight One Step Cleanser
• Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
• Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
• RESIST Super Light Antioxidant Serum (a lighter, fast-absorbing counterpart of the best-selling serum listed above)
• RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator

She advises I stick with the products that already work for me and pick out the "new stuff" I'd like to try out in strengthening my skin care. We decided I should go for all those listed in phase 2 minus the Hydralight cleanser.

Before leaving, I had to ask what her top three favorite Paula's Choice products are. And she starts gushing about how she cannot live a day without her three favorites and we find ourselves chatting for another 30minutes!

• Earth-Sourced Cleansing Gel
• Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lquid
• RESIST Super Light Antioxidant Serum 

I am too excited for words about Paula's Choice coming to Philippine shores! Its unexpected popularity in Thailand and Korea is a good sign that there's something about these tubes and bottles worth trying out. I am now too addicted surfing their website as it offers so much information for each product. If you have any recommendations from the brand, drop me a note so I can finalize my to-buy list!

I started having fractional CO2 laser (fCO2) treatments, via Multixel, for my acne scars and in totality, I've already had four. (It's technically 5 but the 3rd one had to be redone). The very first session happened February 2012 while the last, just three weeks ago. Sadly, I haven't been a good patient to follow up according to my doctor's prescribed interval because of the discouraging downtime.

I know I shouldn't be expecting outstanding results for my ill-compliance but I'm relieved to see that there are improvements both in the scars and in my skin's overall texture.

Fractional CO2 laser Treatment 2 (taken March last year) versus the recent Treatment 4, show improvement even for the more problematic side of my face. The edges of my acne scars have greatly softened and they look a lot more shallow now. Photo-wise and in real life, the results are commendable.

I don't know if you see the improvement but most of my bukbok (acne scars)-there's just no better way to say it- have resurfaced, most notably those on the upper area of my right cheek. The improvements are still below perfect but I'm really not complaining.

Inefficiency Issues

There's a claim that fractional CO2 laser is ineffective as the scars revert to its original depth a couple of months after. However, this doesn't hold true for me. I have carried over the good results to this very day.

The resurfacing of scars is naturally heightened throughout the course my skin is inflamed but I can say that after all the residual swelling has gone, the depressed areas are a lot more shallow.

Rough Conclusion

• Doctors Know Best. I've had two major faults during my experience which I hope my readers would learn from: not following up within the prescribed treatment interval and asking for low-powered & less dense fractional CO2 laser settings to evade the pain & shorten the downtime. These two have cost me the unmet treatment goals I and my derma, Dr. Six Foronda, have set prior to the first laser encounter. 

• Pore Problem Unaddressed. My pores still look like an orange peel perhaps because I "controlled" the treatment settings-- I wanted less obvious scabs and faster healing! If you plan to have this treatment, be a doll and let your doctor cover ALL your targetable skin concerns.

• Lookin' Better in Makeup.  I find that I am able to make foundation work without slapping on a lot of product just to cover up the scars on my cheeks. I truly appreciate this the most!

• Anticipate the Cost. I have to say that this skin rehab treatment is not for the budget-conscious. Have the treatment only if you have already saved up for the recommended number of sessions. It is also wise to be ready with back-up funds in case you'll be needing an additional one or two more. 

• Resurfaces the Skin. I can firmly conclude that I have improved. I can see more skin now than depressed parts which I am truly happy about.

Before subjecting myself to the treatment, I hoped for a perfect skin after only a couple of  fractional CO2 laser sessions. I honestly ruminate about the "if only's" more than enjoying my skin's current state, which is of course, sad. I encourage those wanting to get rid of acne scars via fCO2 laser therapy to: (1) follow up treatment regularly; (2) be ready for the long downtime and embarrassment; and (3) go for the favored settings. If you're not ready for all three, don't go for it yet. It pays to be compliant with the treatment program as results may turn out to be more phenomenal than what I enjoy now. 

A good reader emailed me to ask about the machine my derma, Dr. Sixta Foronda, uses for my fractional CO2 laser treatment, and it goes:

I know that you mentioned that it was a MULTIXEL. How different it is from FRAXEL RESTORE and FRAXEL REPAIR, did your doctor tell you? I believe that the one being offered in BELO is FRAXEL RESTORE, and they don't have the FRAXEL REPAIR. Now my question is, did you actually have a FRAXEL REPAIR through MULTIXEL? Is MULTIXEL the equivalent of FRAXEL REPAIR?

If you are unaware, Repair and Restore are two different modes of the treatment along with Refine (not mentioned above). Refine is non-invasive and is the mildest mode; Repair is more ablative than Restore. In the fraxel mode spectrum, it's Refine, Restore and Repair.

                                    The R2D2 of beauty - the MULTIXEL machine that my doctor uses

Reader L asked a good question to which I responded to:

Multixel and Fraxel are brand names for machines that utilize Fractional CO2 Laser in treating skin concerns. It's really FCO2 that we talk about here; Restore & Repair (popularized by Fraxel brand i believe) denote variations in the setting of the realease of FCO2. Multixel can do both restore and repair. I've had restore and repair done for my skin in one session; my doctor pretty much targets most, if not all, of my skin concerns without having to switch machines.

Multixel is indeed multifunctional and I'm happy to receive two modes of fractionalized CO2 laser therapy for my skin in one go, without having to pay extra. Speaking of extra payments, did you know that in the U.K., the different modes of Fraxel charge differently? Refine ranges from £500-£800; Restore at £600 to £1000; and Repair costs a whopping £1800 and £3000 (source)!. If there's a good thing about living in a developing country, beauty-wise, it's having access to beauty treatments like these at a way lower price!

Two days ago, I started testing two new skincare products from Nature Republic, the Original Power Whitening and Lineless Ampoule and the The First Number One Essence (a GWP trial size I received). I normally don't do a post about products I currently screen, especially if it has only been a few days of use, but these two deserve to be exceptions.

The morning after the first night I used the tandem,  I woke up so late I barely had time to do my face. I risked public scrutiny (of my dry and scarred cheeks & my oily t-zone) by leaving home with only some tinted balm on my lips. And guess what---

I just accidentally discovered how much I can go bare-faced the entire day without feeling too embarrassed. Although it's not the first time I braved the streets without powder on as I've been bare-faced doing car-less errands ever since my skin got better (I used to pack powder foundation even if it's just an errand right across the street! it used to be that bad), but this is the first time I survived a day without makeup. I only had to wash my face 3-4 times (soapless) within the day to get rid of the extra oilies.

        Summary of Nature Republic's The First skincare line. Click out to improve readability; photo from Nature Republic           website

      Click out to improve readability; photo from Nature Republic website

Prior to the no-makeup epiphany, I have been using the Original Power whitening & lineless ampoule alone and it didn't do much for me. I should've road-tested the essence minus the ampoule but for reasons I don't know, I used the two at the same time. I will definitely isolate the essence's results after a few weeks.

I'm still a little skeptic over the improvement it gave my skin at a very short time that I bury myself thinking of the other factors that may have contributed to making my skin look better. Have you had skincare products that worked so quick, too? Did you ever end up stocking up on them? Would love to know!

I'm alive and baaaack from my 5-month long hiatus (long and tiring story...) and I can't contain my excitement on getting back to blogging and reading my fave blogs!

Over the course I've been absent from the blogosphere, I haven't stopped thinking about the stuff I wish I could share with you. Now that I'm finally and officially back, let me give you a rough picture of some of the beauty products I've been crazy about these past months. Presenting...

Six Products I Like So Much (with a short intro/ review about why I love each):

1. Relumins Advance White Oral Whitening Formula. Finally, an oral glutathione that doesn't make me too yellow like tathion 307. I've been on it for a week now and I have to say I'm quite impressed with the effects.

2. Avon Skin So Soft Lotion (especially the soft & white with marula variants). After basking under the summer sun from previous vacations, the intensive whitening lotions from Avon have aided me in evening out and actually improving my body's overall fairness. 

3. Tony Moly Acerola Sheet Masks. My cheeks have gotten so annoyingly dry lately and these sheet masks have done a good job in helping me wake up to better-looking skin. Too bad these red packets are almost always OOS in stores :(

4. Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen SPF 110. My second most awesome purchase for the summer. I use this for the face during trips to the beach and it has never failed me. Proofs in a lengthier review to follow!

5. Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation. I've purchased this last year, loved it back then but failed to blog about it. I'm still very much in love with it now especially since it fakes a fresh face in this sweltering heat. I top it off with Joppa MMU in Grecian Gold to improve its hold.

6. Clarisonic Mia. I consider this my best beauty purchase for the first half of the year (review coming up!!!). It just really works for me and the results are instant: I get cleaner, clearer and healthy-looking skin after using this. I use the Mia with Clinique liquid facial soap/ Neutrogena Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser and with the deep-pore cleansing brush head.

If you are keen enough, you may have noticed how these product faves are mostly about keeping the skin fair. I noticed that too just now and I don't have a damn good reason why. I will be reviewing each of these products in detail very soon and perhaps by then, I can tell you why I'm such a whitening whore!

Skin resurfacing using fractional CO2 laser has a more severe downtime than my well-loved pampa-blooming TCA peel procedure. Despite this unfortunate consequence, it is able to improve my deepest & most discouraging acne scars better than any chemical peel. 

But before you commit to a more aggressive acne scar treatment, you may want to check the kind of downtime this scar-busting procedure can give your skin. 

Day 0: I look severely, overly, very, annoyingly RED immediately after the treatment (as shown on my first fraxel* post). Positive facial swelling. Dot marks on the skin only visible upon close scrutiny.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 4/5 

I feel abnormally self-conscious because I came to the clinic with a normal-looking face and went out looking bloody red. However, since I come out of the clinic after dusk (around 7pm), I get less uncomfortably conscious about my reddened face making the 4/5 rating drop to 2/5.

Days 1-2: Less reddish but notably more swollen. Untreated areas of the skin, for some reason, look soft and nice. Dot marks still less visible but begins to turn brownish towards the end of Day 2.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 2/5 

I'm still able to meet people but I'm definitely aware that they're whispering behind my back saying, "mukhang nagpaderma." Definitely not the best time to see someone you have a crush on so better be around two types of people only: those who love you for who you are and those you care less about.

Days 3-4: Burnt-look. Dotted marks start to look very brown, almost scab-like, and micropeeling around the "screen wounds" take place. Skin looks rough especially on the nose area. Facial swelling is remarkably reduced by Day 4 though.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 4-5/5

I hang around with only one type of people: those who love me for who I am. I stay home and refuse to go out by Day 4.

Day 5: Major peeling happens on Day 5. Still, I refuse to leave home.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 5/5 

Days 6,7, 8: Redemption Days. Approx 90% of the scabs completely peel off to reveal better-looking skin on Day 6. The scabs that are the last to go off are those on the sides of my face, nose, and on the temples. Some dot marks especially those on the nasal area may still be rough-looking.

Self-Consciousness Factor: 0-1/5

There may still be scabs and dot marks on some areas of the face but the new skin that has resurfaced definitely makes up for it decreasing the self-conscious factor at its lowest. Still, Day 6 is not the best day to be seen by the guy who makes you swoon --- only because you want everything to be perfect when he's around.

Day 6 of Laser Resurfacing session 2: 90% peeled! Do you notice the dot marks along my lower mandible area?

.................................

This timeline is what has generally happened to my skin post-fractional CO2 laser treatment on sessions 1-3. My latest treatment, just last Thursday, yielded a quicker-paced timeline perhaps because Doctor Foronda shifted my retinoids from 0.05% to a 0.1%. 

There's a catch to the early onset of peeling, though. I've never had post-fraxel peeling as unsightly as this:

Day 4 heavy peeling. Day 3 had more of those unsightly peeling scabs.

It may be a cliche but the good old saying holds very true for skin resurfacing via fractional CO2 laser: No pain, no gain. If you're ready to go through purposeful scabbing while becoming overly self-conscious for days, then you're definitely a step closer to better skin with less embarrassing acne scars!

*fraxel - I only use this term to shorten fractional CO2 laser. The Multixel machine is used for my treatment.

I have been using the Crayon Concealer since 2009 and realizing that it's currently The Body Shop Philippines' 2nd best seller, I must say that I'm not the only one loving the product! (All-In-One Face base tops the list while the Oil-Free foundation came in third).

Product Description. Our creamy concealer cares for your skin even as it hides its imperfections. With community Trade marula oil. It effectively covers blemishes and blends easily to conceal redness. Available in a variety of shades.

• Medium to high coverage
• Blends easily
• Dermatologically tested

Results. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer's thick texture works well in making my non-peeling/non-flaky zits less visible. It fares even better in concealing redness and post-acne blemishes. During the initial several uses though, I struggled with blending and making the concealer look smooth & natural when working with huge zits. I figured that using a brush to work on the periphery of the makeup works better than using the fingertips.

Also, the very creamy concealer can appear cakey when set with powder foundations that provide great coverage (like the Shiseido Perfect Smoothing Foundation). If you plan to use the concealer under a medium to heavy coverage powder foundation, be sure to set the concealed area/s with a sheer powder  before applying foundation.

Shade Range. The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer comes in six shades, 01-06. 02 fits my NC 25-30 skin.

Product Versatility. The concealer isn't for the undereye --- the texture is too rich. But it can pass for an eyelid base for eyeshadows especially if you don't oil up a lot. I have oily lids but I was able to prime mine to make eyeshadow colors look better.

Comedogenic? It neither caused nor treated zits. It's plain makeup on my skin and does not double as skincare.

Cons.

1. Difficult to blend with fingers without appearing cakey 
2. Does not hold well on oily skin types (4 hours max on me)
3. Needs a special sharpener (costs P200+) --- but you can have it sharpened at The Body Shop stores 
4. Emphasizes skin flaking

Other Info: How much: P600+/3.2g; Shelf-life: 3 years; If you plan to have your concealer sharpened at The Body Shop stores, don't forget to sanitize right after sharpening.

Overall Impression:

True to its claim, The Body Shop's Crayon Concealer hides imperfections by providing medium to heavy coverage. Though blending it out was initially a problem for me, I strongly feel that makeup pros will find the concealer's texture very easy to work with. 

My greatest gripe is that it slides off easily exposing my plump and inflamed pimples in just a few hours. The biggest advantage on the other hand, apart from its being an effective concealer, is its shelf-life. I needed so little of the product that my 2009 purchase lasted me till first quarter of this year --- that's huge savings! I definitely dig why it's a best seller.

The first few months I was with my derma, Dr. Six Foronda, she recommended that I save up for  Fraxel sessions offered by the Belo Medical Group. She explains how cost-effective and efficient the treatment was for the type of acne scarring I have on my cheeks and temples. 

However, I was reluctant to see a different doctor knowing how my skin felt to be under the best care with Dr. Foronda. And so I told her I'd rather wait till she acquires a Fraxel machine.

During the first quarter of this year, she finally gets a fractionalized CO2 laser machine, Multixel. Let me share with you what happened during my first treatment session --- a giant leap for me in getting the best treatment for my acne scars! (I will be using the term "Fraxel" as we go along as it is a more popular term for and a shorter way to type out "fractionalized CO2 laser"). For the record, the procedure I'm getting is laser resurfacing via fractional CO2 laser using Multixel.

BEFORE TREATMENT

• Prior to the big day, Doc Six requested I stop using tretinoin at least 5 days from the treatment date.

• Topical anesthesia, Lidocaine, was applied on areas to be treated (pretty much the whole face). My chin area was breaking out that day and so it was spared.

• Doc Six explains what to expect from the procedure while we wait for the anesthesia to numb my skin.

DURING TREATMENT

• At this point, I am unable to take photos. But let me show you what came in contact with my face:

Dr. Foronda explains the pattern that the laser will create on my skin. Using a paper, the laser beam is applied (red light on left photo). Right photo shows the dots that will appear on my skin

• Doc Six customizes my Fraxel treatment: skin resurfacing on the scars and large pore treatment on the rest of the unscarred skin. Oh the wonders of having a good doctor to work on my skin!

• Despite my low pain threshold, I was able to tolerate the very uncomfortable heat form the machine. It just got painful when the light passed through my forehead, nose and temples. 

• At the end of Fraxel, it was already very painful. I felt like fluids were oozing all throughout my face.

• It is also noteworthy to include how it smelled burnt skin all throughout the procedure.

AFTER THE TREATMENT

• I silently prayed for strength from God to cope with the progressing pain. 

• Doc Six handed me an ice roller to help subdue the pain. Answered prayer! (I pay attention to the littlest things like that)

• I was instructed the following: (1) keep face off water until the evening of the next day, (2) resume tretinoin the next day (evening) to prevent any possible PIH, (3) cold compress & analgesics to soothe pain (4) protect skin form the sun at all times.

• Immediately after Fraxel, I was so red. A day after treatment, the redness decreased a bit but my face looked so swollen.

Immediately after Fraxel as the pain continues to build up

I was less conscious of how my face looked like on the fifth day after treatment; it took six days for my skin to completely heal. A month after the treatment, I noticed that my skin further improved versus Day 7 post-treatment. I wrote a more detailed post about my Fraxel timeline, btw.

(N.B. Day 0- treatment day, Day 1 - day after treatment)
You may click to enlarge

Here's an old photo of my skin before laser skin resurfacing taken from this post

There was very little improvement after this first Fraxel experience. It made me think twice about going back for another painful round of skin cooking but waking up to less scarred cheeks (no matter how minute) has motivated me to be patient with my doctor's treatment plan.  I have had three treatments to date and I will post more about my adventures in fractional CO2 laser treatment in the next few weeks!

I admit, it's an interesting title that leans to sounding gross, but the heading pretty much sums up this review on what the Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal soap did for my face. 

Getting The Pus Out Of A Pimple

I have a set of topical staples in response to pimples choosing my face to be their staple. I get hormonal zits and occasional comedones and I must say that the Camaru Naturals Bamboo Charcoal soap can definitely scare the bejesus out of a blackhead!

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During the Jane Iredale event last month, I was lucky to experience how their magic mitt makeup remover was able to magically turn my face into a clean slate! Shen and Jheng got really impressed that they bought one for themselves!

Ms Judith Barran, owner of True Scents & Minerals, Jheng and Shen

Jheng experiencing the Jane Iredale magic mitt action

Shen being too cute for the photos as she poses for me!

The best thing about this type of makeup remover is that it's ideal for travel, gentle, easy to use, exfoliates while cleaning the face, and is less expensive. Check out this Youtube vid.

This has a high-rating at MUA, rating 4.2/5 from 40 reviewers. Check out what this has to offer:

Label says:

• Magic Mitt quickly and completely removes makeup using NO cleanser

• This cleansing process promotes the health of the skin because it does not affect the skin's natural acid mantle

• When this beneficial barrier is intact, it aids the skin in protecting itself from harmful and invasive bacteria

• Not only will your skin thank you for using Magic Mitt, but you will also save yourself minutes at the beginning and end of each day

Magic Mitt is Made Of:

Magic Mitt is made from a new generation of specially knitted micro-fibers many times thinner than a human hair. When wet they create a hydro-mechanical process that breaks the surface tension of the oils that bond makeup to the skin.

Magic Mitt from Jane Iredale, $15 on website
895 php locally

How To Use:

Use Magic Mitt the way you would a washcloth. Soak it in tepid water and remove makeup. When completed, wash the Mitt in soap to cleanse. Rinse in clear water, then hang up to dry. When dry, it is sterile.

Availability:

You can purchase these mitt makeup removers from Jane Iredale website. Jane Iredale Philippines is located at True Scents and Minerals Showrooms at Makati and Davao.

I'm definitely seeing this type of makeup remover as an ideal skincare staple. I have to finish up my Shu Uemura Pink and Kanebo Freshel cleansing oils before getting this. I find the magic mitt a bit pricey though since Aquazorb costs way lower than this.

Some signs that tell you your skin is improving, apart from being complemented by others, are being able to get out of the house bare-faced and being confident about having your picture taken even without makeup.

My macho pitbull, Maxx, wearing my laboratory glasses

I'm now able to go out of the house (to review school, to my home-care patients, and for errands) without having to put powder on! I must confess that I never dared step out of the house without dusting powder on my face. 

Also, I no longer frown at the camera if I'm not wearing my thick liquid foundation. I worry less about how I'd look like in photos without all that heavy makeup.

Maxx took up acting skills some few months back

he's waaay better than local actor, Aljur Abrenica (sorry, fans)

Again, my skin is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from perfect. But I'm loving the big improvements it has achieved to-date. Good skincare line + a good derma = better skin!

Skincare products I use:

AM: Acne Soap (from derma)

      : Clinique Toner 2

    : Hamilton or Lab 46 sunblocks (used interchangeably depending on how oily my skin is; Lab 46 not              recommended o dry-skin days)

PM: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil (on commute days or if makeup was worn) OR kojic soap (from derma)

     : I alternate Pond's Cold Cream to make sure I don't finish up my Shu Oil too fast (haha, I still don't have anyone to buy for me from Duty Free)

     : Local Obagi every other night (glowing solution>retinoic acid gel alternated with glycolic cream>brightening cream 

     : Clinique Turnaround concentrate on non-Obagi nights

     : Acne lotion, spot treatment, if pimples come up

Frequency of Derma Visit: from twice a month ---> bi-/tri-monthly visits :)

Improvements: skin clarity, texture and tone; pore size (not dramatic though); post-acne marks/blemishes; acne scars are present but their discoloration has diminished hugely therefore seem invisible and shallow; occurence of cystic pimples on the Tzone and cheeks; amount of oil on the face (I shifted from Clinique toner 3 to 2)

Points of Improvement: complete removal of acne scarring that becomes obvious under certain lightings

If I were to invest on a skincare tool this year, it'll be on the Clarisonic Mia. I've snubbed this beauty gadget during the height of its raves and I  absolutely regret doing that.

Clarisonic Mia Turquiose, $149

My problem skin arises from its abnormal exfoliation rate. My face's dead skin cells slough off rather slowly which causes excess oil and dirt to be trapped. I badly need a good exfoliating tool apart from my favorite St. Ives apricot bright skin scrub. Clarisonic Mia is among the best investments for maintaining clearer and better skin, in my opinion.

Photo Source

Makeupalley has high ratings for this tool (4.5/5 from 323 reviewers) that's why my heart sank deeper than the Titanic did when I lost the slot to buy it. A local reseller was selling it for a low ~$100 (P4500) since she hoarded during some sale, i think. *hits head on the wall* Most resellers have the Mia for P6500+. I could've saved P2000! :(

There are these so-called affordable dupes out there but most of those who tried both the Mia and the conning exfoliator still preferred the original.

So out of frustration, I got myself a pseudo Mia. Wallet damage? LOL, P40 (less than a dollar). I am just utterly disappointed that I missed getting this baby at $100.

My favorite color is blue but I don't mind getting the limited edition, Mia Hope (this sold out like hot pancakes, though).

Oh Clarisonic Mia, when will you be mine?

I am getting more and more interested with the Obagi Blue Peel. Once I have my finances on greater heights (and the strength to accept that I will be literally blue for a day or two), I will absolutely try this out!

Thanks to Ria (*waves hi*) who asked me 'bout this chemical peel procedure:

What is the Obagi Blue Peel?

This treatment uses a low concentration of chemical trichloroacetic acid (TCA) mixed with a special Obagi blue base to slow down penetration. Blue Peel treatment allows your doctor to monitor the appropriate depth of peel to effectively remove the thin surface layers of aged and damaged skin from the face or other parts of the body. Dead skin cells are replaced with healthier ones, allowing the skin's own clarity and tightness to resurface.

This treatment best addresses sun-damaged skin, wrinkles, large pores, age spots and hyperpigmentation.

Obagi Blue Peel can be performed on the neck, chest, hands, back, arms and legs.

How will the treatment go about?

Application of the blue peel takes about 20mins depending on the number of coats deemed necessary by your doctor. You will experience a mild burning sensation that lasts 2-3mins (a fan can minimize the uncomfortable sensation). Immediately after the procedure, a bluish tint remains on your skin which will usually wash off in 12 to 24 hours.

Photo Source

How long is the recovery period?

You will be experiencing light swelling and your skin will begin to peel within 2-3 days. The peeling will continue over the next several days and should be healed in an average of 7-10 days.

For lighter, exfoliative Obagi Blue Peel, healing is completed in 3-6 days.

How will my skin look after recovery/healing?

You will immediately notice the dramatic results of your newly improved complexion after the peeling process. Your skin's appearance will continue to improve for the next 4-6 weeks, becoming firmer, clearer, smoother and more youthful-looking.

Can I apply makeup after the treatment?

To best aid in the recovery process, makeup should only be applied after the skin completely heals.

How frequently do I need this treatment?

Depending on your goals and skin condition, your derma will tell you the number of peels necessary. In most cases, 1-3 Blue Peels can achieve dramatic improvement in many skin problems. The peels can be performed in 6- to 8-week intervals until your desired goals are reached.

TCA vs Obagi Blue Peel

Essentially, these two have similar, coveted effects on the skin. They pretty much have the same length of downtime (~1 week).  Depending on your budget, you can choose the TCA peeling if you are running quite low on the dough but still want to maintain a radiant, youthful skin.

The Obagi Peel will be very ideal for those who find TCA peel treatment too strong for their sensitive skin. This procedure also decreases the risk for burns (which is rather high with TCA).

Another point of difference is the treatment interval. TCA is designed to be applied monthly/bi-monthly, while the blue peel is performed every 6-8 weeks.

How expensive is the Obagi Blue Peel?

My derma, Doc Six Foronda, charges P7,500 (~$170) per session. House of Obagi offers Blue Peel treatment at P10,080 (~$220) per session.

(my derma did not recommend the obagi blue peel for my skin though. my religious bi-monthly TCA sessions with her were already enough to address my uneven skin tone, rough-looking skin and pimple marks)

****************************

Sixta Foronda, M.D. (7522087)
6F Aesthetics and Anti-Ageing Center
14/F Medical Plaza Bldg.,
Amorsolo cor Dela Rosa St., Makati

House of Obagi
SM North (3320421)
Trinoma (9166564)