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!

Years back, I have sworn to never get my hands on ANY oral glutathione ever again because of the unnecessary weight gain I experience when taking them. Last May, after years of gluta-drought, I finally braved opening a bottle of one of the newest glutathiones in the market, the Relumins Advance White oral whitening formula.

Label says:

Relumins L-Glutathione complex is the most advanced oral Glutathione and placenta formula available. It is the most effective oral skin whitener available and has numerous other health benefits.

Also, the product enumerates a roster of consumer-luring benefits---all of which had me at hello:

  • 400mg L-Glutathione for maximum skin whitening
  • Proven safe and effective in numerous clinical studies
  • L-Glutathione boosters: (1) 100mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid which has been shown to naturally support high levels of Glutathione in the Body; and (2) 100mg of Vitamin C which has been shown to restore intracellular glutathione
  • 200mg of Placental Protein (PP) extract:
    a) PP enhances skin's elasticity and moisture and stimulates cell renewal to revitalize the skin. It also visibly reduces and fights the unsightly signs of skin aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.
    b) PP is a highly-recognized cosmetics ingredient due to its exemplary skin-whitening property that actively influences the activity of tyrosinase, a component of melanin. In fact, it is the most popular and widely used skin whitening agent in Japan.

Continue reading »

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!

The Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser promises to:

• remove 99% of dullness-causing dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam
• provide skin with the proven whitening efficacy of mulberry extracts (Morus alba root extracts) that are rich in Vitamins B3 and C to help visibly brighten skin.

CLEANING ABILITY

The cleanser dispenses a fragrant and astonishingly silky ball of foam I love putting on my face. I use four pumps of the product to properly clean my face and it does the job. That is, if I do not put on foundation or bb cream. Otherwise, I use the Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser as a follow-up to my Shu Uemura cleansing oil routine.

Available at: Watsons 

Price/ weight: 307.50/ 175mL

I have been alternating the cleanser with a salicylic facial wash for almost 2 months now and it never caused me to break out (compared to the Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit variant). It is consistently non-drying and does not leave my face uncomfortably taut.

WHITENING POWER

If you expect this to land you a MAC shade lighter in no time, pull your standards down a bit. In 2 months, I only see brightening wonders after each use. I don't remember waking up and gushing over a fairer complexion. It's also proper to consider that:

• I do not use the cleanser on a daily basis
• I've only almost used up one bottle of the Brightening Mulberry ultra foam wash 

Perhaps a more frequent usage or another bottle of this Neutrogena cleanser will do permanent wonders. Morus alba extracts are known to function as natural skin bleaching agents making it a little difficult to discount the possibility that this cleanser can improve skin clarity over time. 

Recommendation. If you're on the hunt for a mild cleanser that's tough on non-makeup dirt and impurities, this is a good product. I strongly feel that those with less problematic skin (acne-free) will find this a good cleansing staple. Plus, there's a bonus of ending up with a brighter complexion after each wash, too! 

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser.

I've already told you how I use the Camaru Bamboo Charcoal soap to spot-treat pimples on my face. I haven't tried cleansing my entire face with the soap as it can be very drying, but I can attest to how much this bar can brighten my body in a few weeks' use.

I suggest you:

• use it twice a day
• work the soap into a rich lather on the body
• let the soap sink in the skin for 5-10mins (only for the first week; succeeding weeks, I don't wait for the soap to get completely absorbed into the skin)
• use Vaseline Healthy White lotion after bathing
• use Asian Secrets Lulur thrice a week to ensure optimum effects of any whitening product on the skin

It stung like crazy when I allowed the soap to sink into my skin during the first week. My body (and hands!) exfoliated intensely which didn't look very pleasant at all. Thanks to the bits of patience left in me, I reaped impressive benefits after 3 weeks of using the bamboo charcoal soap.

Coping With Its Imperfections

The bamboo charcoal soap has a few cons:

Continue reading »

At the bloggers sit-down with Angel Locsin, we pried her quilted Chanel bag open hoping to find multiple primping stuff and perhaps one or two Mosbeau products. We were surprised to learn that she totes around less makeup than expected!

Raybans are her favorites! She finds great pleasure in collecting these sunnies. She even kids that it felt too bad she can't get her favorite brand to sponsor her!

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Let me guess: For days now, you've restrained yourself from thinking about the delectable entrees at the resto across the street because of the unbearable heat. Consequently, you're stuck with tasteless cafeteria food. Did you know that with an umbrella and some Snoe Here Comes The Sunblock slathered on your skin, there's a chance you can grab your gastronomic pleasures without worrying about premature aging?

Snoe Here Comes The Sunblock SPF45, 100mL, 199php
available at Snoe counters and Snoe website

Snoe Here Comes The Sunblock SPF 45 | Bengkoang (singkamas) contains Vitamin C, Flavonoids and Saponins which are natural sunscreen to prevent skin damage brought about by free radicals. It effectively inhibits the formation of melanin and pigmentation due to hormones and the sun, as it prevents and reduces acne scars. This lotion will immediately transform your skin with a whiter complexion that comes with anti-ageing effects

Continue reading »

I got this in the mail and it didn't take a lot of effort for these three to intrigue me. How can something as black as charcoal promote whitening? And what-the-H is Acerola? Camaru Naturals sent me their best sellers, Bamboo Charcoal and Acerola White C face and body soaps. Since anything whitening can degrade the skin's moisture, Camaru guys threw in an intriguing bottle of Camellia Rose moisturizer.

I am honored to try these products out (they're proudly Pinoy!). I usually give soaps a good 3-4weeks trial time before the verdict, but if these two deliver fast, I may have to fill you in quite sooner.

Check out their benefits:

Continue reading »

I finally got my hands on the Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Skin Whitening Set some two weeks ago. The Acnesol Pimple Control Facial Cream, while it did a fantastic job, will have to take the backseat while I check this kit out (I've been on the whitening line for a week already).

The most wonderful thing about it is that it's a complete skin regimen without breaking the bank. It's P355 ($9)! The very inexpensive tag makes it easier for skincare junkies to try out the best beauty & whitening products in the market.

This is the individual cost of each product included in the set:

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Whitening Facial Wash 75 (60)

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Lightening Facial Toner 85 (60)

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Whitening Cream 105 

Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Face and Body Sunblock 180 (100)

The numbers in (red) are the prices when HBC holds their bargain sale. I'm pretty sure the box of Hortaleza, M.D. Illuminous Skin Whitening Set is also marked down, but I have to confirm that from the store.

Psalmstre's Placenta Soap with goat's milk may not be an ideal bath staple, but it tops my list of best whitening soaps. If it were less too drying, it will definitely be something I'd strongly recommend to those who want a fairer complexion in no time.

What I love about it:

• comes in a trial size (affordable at 30php)
• comes in 3 sizes to suit your budget (the largest & most expensive one being the most cost-efficient)
• in my case, (+) noticeable whitening within 3 days
• capable of exfoliating the skin
• no strong scent

Psalmstre Placenta Soap w/ goat's milk, 90g, ~58php
also comes in 30+php and 80+php sizes

Uh-ohs:

• utterly drying; a highly moisturizing lotion is a must
• may cause skin rashes (which I detest, hence, my recommending the soap to those who want to whiten the skin always comes with an emphasized precaution)

Pslamstre's Placenta Soap comes in 2 variants, the white one (with goat's milk) and the orange one. I find the white variant more effective in terms of whitening. 

Some Helpful Hints:

1. for a faster skin whitening result, allow the soap's lather to stay on the skin for at least 5mins (oo, karirin ang pagbabad sa katawan) , use 2x daily

2. although the soap has an exfoliating effect, it won't hurt to use your favorite body scrub to hasten  its  whitening effects (try Asian Secrets Lulur or Abonne Spa Milk)

3. use a towelette when rinsing to remove the dead skin cells exfoliated by the soap (towelette is usually needed on the 3rd-4th day of use)

4. once you have achieved a significantly fairer complexion, decrease frequency of use to make sure that the skin does not experience chronic drying (every other day and make sure that the soap's lather just stays on your skin 3mins tops)

It's an irony that the brand claims to be an anti-aging soap. With the extremely drying effect on the skin, Psalmstre's Placenta Soap with goat's milk may just be the perfect tool to make the skin look old if you do not take note of Helpful Hint #3! This could've been a holy grail whitening soap if it kept the skin well-moisturized.

With the vast sea of whitening soaps out in the market, the average Filipina can just wreck her brains out from having to choose from these soap brands.  I've swum with most girls to find out which among these whitening soaps will work best for me, and it wasn't easy.

I've even been tempted many times to strike up a conversation with strangers: ladies flashing their gorgeous white skin in front of me, and me dying to know what soap they use.

So I've crossed that out from my list, befriending paper-white-skinned girls in exchange for their beauty secret.  I also grew tired being sold on every whitening soap commercial that's got the fairest endorsers.  It's a convenient thing nowadays to have beauty forums, product review sites and, of course, blogs!

Likas Papaya Soap, 78php @ groceries, selected dep't stores and Mercury drugstore

• non-drying and gentle on the skin
• dead skin cells fall off after bathing if you are newly using this
• no overpowering scent 

Pervil Soap, ~100 to 120php @ groceries, dep't stores and and Mercury drugstore

• a bit expensive but works as nice as Likas Papaya sans the long waiting period
• has an equally pricey matching moisturizing lotion
• a bit drying on my skin
• felt that you had to use the lotion to see its effects

CY Gabriel, not over 30php @ groceries and dep't stores

• a bit too drying for my liking
• saw lightening effects in a month's time

Cyleina Black Pearl, ~ 80php @ hortaleza stores and ebay/multiply resellers

• i don't quite get the hype over this soap
• it works as well as CY gabriel, in my opinion
• it's a bit drying on my skin, too

Kojie-San Kojic Soap, ~60php @ groceries, dep't stores and and Mercury drugstore

• barely saw lightening effects in a month's time
• a bit drying
• has a nice orange-y scent

Psalmstre Placenta Whitening Soap w/ Goatsmilk, 80 to 100php @groceries and Watson's

• the most drying of all lightening soaps I've tried!
• developed rashes and so I had to give it up
• one of the best whitening effects I've seen so far

RDL Whitening Papaya Soap, 30 to 40php @groceries, Watson's and Mercury drugstore

• gradual skin lightening, more gradual than Likas, in my opinion
• i just felt that Likas did a better job in lightening and moisturizing the skin

All these bars helped in easily scuffing off dead skin cells.

If I were to award the best lightening soap, it would be to Likas Papaya (for the natural kind of lightening effect). Psalmstre had a super white effect on my skin that I really liked, but I just can't bear looking at the rashes... white+non-flawless skin=bummer.

I am currently using Likas Papaya. It was the first whitening soap that ever kissed my skin and I just keep coming back to it!

You know that I stopped taking in glutathione tablets (tathion307) for over a month now to fairly conclude how my affordable and local obagi works on my skin.

I've tried two of the best glutathione brands in the market, ph338 and tathion307.  I previously ended my whitening bout with ph338 because of weight gain issues.  Tathion307 didn't make me gain weight for the first few months (well, i'd like to think that).  I gained weight despite taking the tabs just once a day (recommended dosage: 3 tabs daily for both brands).

Photo Source

I weighed myself a while ago.  I lost 5lbs!  From 108 lbs, I'm now down to 103!

Some users say that there are no weight gain issues with oral whitening stuff.  Too bad for me that I did encounter it.  I'll have to stop taking it, I guess.  Or should I take it according to its dosage recommendation to avoid weight gain? Ugh, I don't know.  I'm just done with glutathione products for now.

The first time I got my hands on Asian Secrets Lulur, I got so excited that I forgot to read the label.  I used it on my damp skin and was not too happy with the results.

My skintone went surprisingly darker after bathing.  I suddenly questioned why so many raved about it, but then I thought I shouldn't judge too early.

Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Scrub, 135g tub

Lo and behold, the label read, 'best applied on dry skin'.  And the rest is history.  It's now among my staple beauty products and I eventually discovered the best way it can work for the skin.

If you want to experience the best of what this product can offer your skin, here are some tips:

• If you are gaga about whitening soaps, creams and lotions, then you should exfoliate the skin at least twice a week to get those expensive products working.  Asian Secrets Lulur is the best way to go because it is safe for daily use (I do it every other day though because I don't want to run out of it so soon).  Imagine all those papain, arbutin and other bleaching ingredients seeping through your skin optimally.
• Use the product on DRY SKIN. Many have used it after wetting the skin, myself included, and the results weren't as thrilling as when applied before bathing.
• Use a spatula (or a teaspoon) in scooping the product out.  I noticed my small tub turning sour since I just dip my hands to get the product.
• Scrub per body segment instead of randomly slathering the product to your body.  This is crucial to make sure you are not missing out a spot on your skin (ha, I'm so OC!).  Think: (1) shoulders and arms, (2) upper leg, (3) lower leg and dorsum of foot, (4) low back and butt area, (5) chest and tummy.  Put this body map in your head when scrubbing and you're in for a serious brightening treat. It seems a lot at first, but when you do it often, it'll be a breeze, really.

Body diagram edited from this page

• Scrub the skin well till almost all the beads melt into the skin.  You'll know it's time to move on to the next segment if you start seeing flaky white remnants of the product.

nope, that's not the 'flaky, white remnants yet'
 if you still see this much product on the skin, you're at least 10 scrubbing strokes away from completion

• Use Asian Secrets Lulur generously on the skin.  Generously. (that's why I feel that the tubs aren't cost-efficient. i can finish up one small tub in 5 whole-body scrubbing sessions)
• Let the product seep through the skin for a few minutes.  You'll know it's time to wash off when you feel the skin growing warmer (approx 4mins).
• If you have decided to stock on the product, grab the bigger tub.  You save more by doing this.
• It isn't necessary to use this daily.  Results are carried over within 2 days post-scrubbing.  It's best to use this 2x-3x a week.  

Some users claim that they can work with the product better with the skin damp, while majority agree that the best effects are seen when Asian Secrets Lulur is used as a dry brushing agent.  The above tips are drawn from how I've been using the product to achieve a nicer and more radiant skin, but it is not limited to these.

You can try experimenting with your Asian Secrets Lulur scrub and see what works for you!

The title must have given it all already.  By now you must've guessed that I'm giving this product a two-thumbs up rating with the tagline inclusion, "the greatest exfoliation experience".  Well, Asian Secrets Lulur is simply that.  For those who are looking for a skin brightening experience that's easy on the pocket, this might be the tub you'll need to stock up on.

Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Body Scrub, 250g and 135g
available @ Watson's Beauty Store, 130php and 80php respectively

This exfoliator, unlike the Abonne milk spa salt scrub I reviewed earlier, isn't harsh on the body.  Submaximum scrubbing can be done since the beads are finer and easier on the skin.  We all know how beneficial dry scrubbing is to the skin, and Asian Secrets Lulur elevated this essential primping procedure to a higher level.  

Why so?  Because the skin feels nothing but regal with the Tommy girl floral scent it leaves the skin (and it sure does linger!).  Adding to that is the radiance the skin gets after washing the product off the body.

you'll definitely leave the bathroom smelling like you've put on Tommy girl

Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Body Scrub is a beauty treatment inspired by a most luxurious Javanese ritual called Lulur. The ritual was originally intended for the bride-to-be in order to beautify, smoothen, and whiten her skin before her wedding day. Lulur originated from the royal palaces of Java, Indonesia and products inspired by this traditional treatment are still used by Indonesian women today.

An Indonesian royalty ritual rolled in an inexpensive tub?  Sounds real promising, huh?  And here's more.

Asian Secrets Lulur Whitening Body Scrub claims that:

• It gently exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells to soften the skin and give it a radiant glow.
• Frequent usage reduces skin pigmentation and evens out skin tone by getting rid of dark patches, especially in areas prone to darkening such as the elbows, knees, armpits, and the area between the thighs.
• It contains Vitamin E and Green Tea extract, powerful antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals to keep it healthy and young-looking.
• It also contains Squalene and Olive Oil that help maintain moisture on your skin.

I've been using this product for more than a month now (hence, the purchase of a new and bigger tub).  I loved the way the scent lingers on the skin.  It's like you've spritzed on perfume after bathing (but if you hate Tommy girl's scent, you might be better off with Abonne spa milk salt scrub).

I noticed how it evened out my skintone every after scrub like there's no dark film masking the radiance of my skin.  However, if you skip dry brushing using Asian Secrets Lulur 3 days in a row, you'll see how the skin's radiance diminishes.

The available tubs are not cost-efficient for me, though.  They should come up with bigger packaging (I will not hesitate to buy a pail of Asian Secrets Lulur, seriously) because this product is a keeper.  I finished off the small tub in a span of 7 whole-body scrub sessions.  I have yet to gauge how long the 250g tub will last me.

Asian Secrets Lulur whitening scrub, 135g --- perfect for giving the product a shot

Now, the big question is if it's worthy to be labelled, "whitening body scrub".  In a month's time, I can attest that it is, coupled with a moisturizing lotion (I use Revlon Aquamarine) and a whitening soap.  It has the power to really brighten the skin and make it look relatively translucent to your previous skintone that's why I'm claiming that it can whiten.

In my opinion, its whitening effect can be best appreciated with NC30 and lighter skin tones.  Application of whitening products, say a whitening soap bar (I use Likas Papaya soap), can help hugely to appreciate Asian Secrets Lulur's contribution to a brighter skin.  I've tried using just Likas Papaya soap sans scrubbing for a week and the whitening regimen just doesn't look and feel the same without it.

Check out what Pammy, Kira and Maria had to say.

Significant whitening results are not achieved using this product as a sole source for whitening.  

Inside the tub: Asian Secrets Lulur is white and creamy!

I will be posting the best ways to maximize this scrub to achieve optimum effects tomorrow, so stay tuned.  Try it for yourself and tip me off if I'm right about Asian Secrets Lulur being a cheap yet effective whitening product!

When I paid Dr. Six Foronda a long overdue derma visit last Saturday, I noticed how glowing and supple one of her patients' skin was.  It reminded me of Obagi skin care users.  The fact that the girl still had envious skin after walking out flushed from a treatment, I knew I had to get dibs on that client's possible treatment secret.

According to my derma, her treatment was pretty much what I'm having --- except for the topicals.

Cheaper Obagi: Doc Six Foronda's glycolic acid cream 10%, Hydroquinone cream 2%, Retinoic acid 0.1% (forgot to take a pic of the glowing solution; Hamilton sunblock isn't really a part of it... she says you can use any other powerful sunblock)

You see, I just couldn't give up on skincare-hopping to be just sticking to derma meds.  I love fancier packagings like Clinique's and L'occitane's that I never bothered to consider that content has much more to offer than what's on the outside (oh why are derma meds in ugly plastic tubs?).

The girl, Dr. Foronda says, has been on glowing solution, glycolic, hydroquinone and retinoic acid topicals that she's been trying to convince me to use (although I've been faithfully using retinoic acid and cannot live without this).  It's pretty much Obagi--- minus the steep price and the popular facial redness.  I can't believe I've been putting this line off my skincare regimen for years!

Glycolic acid cream, 350php; hydroquinone, 400; Retinoic acid gel 450;
I got 10% off my meds, too!
Cheaper Obagi costs me no more that 1200php
Obagi counterparts Clear, Exfoderm and Blender will cost me a whopping 15,000php!

I've started using the line last Sunday evening.  The derma says it wouldn't be as quick-acting as the obagi set but a difference in the skin texture, tone and overall radiance can happen a little over a month's time.

Right now, my skin is in its regular blaah state.  I will be posting updates on how my skin fares with this affordable Obagi line from Dr. Six Foronda.  My skin has greatly improved though from my old zitful, reddish and blemished college face (I wish I had pics), but you know how girls are--- will not stop to achieve perfection.

UPDATES:


Local Obagi Diary Week 2
Local Obagi Diary Week 8
Local Obagi Diary Month 9

'Japan' is actually a pseudonym for the world's largest vanity haven.  Slimming capsules, skin smoothening tabs and tools, breast and butt enhancers, whitening creams and medications, and not to mention a long list of reputable makeup and skincare brands women of all ethnicities have learned to adore.

Name it, and they might just actually have it.

Beauty Gone Mad: Nose Enhancers: Bibana and HanaHana

Now, glutathione is Japan's godsend to every Filipina wanting to have a fairer and finer skin complexion.  Used mainly for its whitening side effect, glutathione can be taken orally (tablets like Shiseido Whisis, Tathion307, ph338) or via the bloodstream route (intravenous shot like Tationil and Reiki) to achieve a whiter, evened-out skintone.

I got the chance to compare 2 warring japanese oral glutathione brands: Tathion307 and ph338.  Both are reputable and have earned mixed reviews from users.  And here's my take.

I took ph338 from March to June 2009, while tathion last May 2010 up till now.

The Dosage.  To achieve significant whitening, both tabs must be taken 3x a day, each pill along with Vitamin C (500mg).  Most users recommend 'cocktailing' where additional supplements are taken daily to enhance the glutathione's effect (like NAC, ALA, grapeseed, etc).  Since I'm not after the paperwhite effect, I took these whitening candies daily, 30mins - 1hour before breakfast, along with 500mg of Kirkland chewable Vitamin C's.  I was only after the much raved 'glow' that it gives.

PH338 (100mg/tab) - I got the glow in a week's time (I took it 2x a day, took it once daily thereafter), my skintone became half a MAC shade lighter (this soooo subjective! but what can I do? I've no whitening meter) after 2 1/2 weeks, and I noticed that I gained a handful of weight a month after taking it.

TATHION307 (100mg/tab) - I got the glow in a few day's use and my skintone was headed to a MAC shade higher in a little over a week's time!  Seriously, I was rather appalled that these little pills are so powerful!  Although I didn't notice any significant weight gain during my intake, I disliked how more yellow my skintone became.  I reduced my intake to every other day and luckily, I'm achieving the kind of glow I want!

The Availability.  I'm getting stocks from a multiply seller (Cheska's Store).  I've noticed that there are more ph338 sellers than tathion's.  On the issue of fake glutathione brands, I'm happy to say that there is no circulation of these fraudulent whitening tabs YET.

back part of ph338

back part of tathion307

The Price.  I chose to buy from multiply sites since Ebay.ph will let you shell out an additional 18-20% of multiply resellers' cost.  Ph338 will cost you 1500-1900php ($30-40) for 90 tabs, while Tathion's price ranges from 2000-2400php ($42-50) for the same number of tabs.

The Verdict?  I wouldn't hesitate to say that these two whitening agents are really effective.  They are amazing.  But I'm choosing to keep Tathion.  It's a runaway winner since:

Tathion307, Japan Glutathione, 2000-2400php/90tabs

1. it is more cost-effective for me.  I know that Tathion is 500 bucks more expensive than ph338, but since I'm taking it every other day, my 2000 bucks is good for half a year's use. While 6 months on ph338 will cost me 3000php.  I'm a cheapskate, I know!

2. i don't feel fat with it like I did with ph338.  Now, this is a controversial point.  Most users claim that there's no weight gain with ph338, while a handful of us swear we grew like hippos!  I find that I'm more hiyang with tathion in terms of the weight gain issue. (NOT SO FAST... Please check my tathion weight gain story!)

3. it gives me a celebrity-ish glow. I honestly have bad skin.  Derma+gluta is actually my savior.  I'm supposed to include 'healthy lifestyle' in the equation for great skin but I'm still working on that department (I sleep really late, I bask in the glory of palengke french fries and pringles).  Ph338 gives me a nice kind of glow that's kinda sossy but Tathion grabs the trophy by allowing me to be capable of turning most guy's heads.  Mwahahaha.  I'm kidding.  It's a hyperbole that people notice me more now that I've got this nice flawless look.

HK trip, 2009, a month after using ph338

Malaysia Trip, 2010, a few weeks of using Tathion

Your choice of glutathione will largely depend on your budget and on how white you want to be.  Ph338 never made me yellowish while giving me the glow, but it took longer for me to see results.  Tathion on the other hand was really a fast deliverer (albeit being 50mg lower in dose than ph338!), but it did some altering on my skintone that I wish it never did.  I suggest you try cheap testers first before getting the full set (trial blisters for ph338 ranges from 600-800/30tabs, 800-1000/30tabs for tathion).  Happy whitening, and happy gluta hunting!

I've done a little experiment with dry brushing to check if it truly deserves an additional few minutes to my already long bath time.

I tried dry brushing for a week.

And then another week sans the procedure.

And then this past work week with it in my routine again.

The verdict: it's a must in my bath routine. Why? Primarily because I noticed how my skin looked softer and noticeably fairer when I combo-ed it with my fave moisturizing products. Dry brushing CAN boost my kikay products' effects!

Related effects of this healthy pre-bath procedure includes:

• Removes dead skin cells allowing you to see a finer skin texture
• Results to firmer and more radiant skin since it stimulates microcirculation beneath the brushed areas.
• Ample amounts of blood distributed in these areas via microcirculation will mean more oxygenation. Imagine how much spas and salons charge us for oxygenation procedures!
• Can serve as an adjunct to an alkaline diet program + regular exercise to ward off ghastly cellulites.
• Stimulates the detox process that stimulates the lymph canals to drain toxic muccoid matter into the colon.

You may want to check how I do dry brushing.