Review: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum Fortifying & Soothing 24Hr Hydrating Concentrate

I have been looking for a good hydrating and hypoallergenic serum ever since I finished La Roche Posay's non-oily emulsion serum. It wasn't enough for the winter... Found this on sale in a Vichy set containing the Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser, 24Hr Hydrating Cream and Thermal Water spray.

Packaging: 30mL

Price: $31 CAD (if not on sale) from Shopper's Drug Mart

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Product Description: Relies on Thermal water and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture in skin.
Clinical research shows the follow hydration trends: increase in hydration after 4 hrs, + 57%; after 8 hrs, 44%; after 24hrs, +28%

Suggested Use: Layer under daily skincare routine.

Review: This is perfect for my sensitive dry skin. I have been using it religiously for almost a month. First and foremost, it is paraben free and non-comodogenic. Second, it gets absorbed very quickly, no greasy feeling at all. My skin looks moist and feels soft immediately after. I wake up in the morning, not feeling dry at all. Third, it smells so fresh and nice. I usually apply it day and night under the Vichy moisturizer that came with the kit. One pump is enough for the entire face but it seems to run out pretty fast. I have already used a third of the bottle. I think I will only use it in the evening when the weather gets warmer and less dry.

Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin, dimethicone, serine, alcohol denat, propylene glycol, peg-60 hydrogenated hyaluronate, ammonium polyacryldimethyltauramide, disodium EDTA, caprylyl glycol, citric acid, biosaccharid gum-1, parfum 

Review: Rote Fabrik Anti-Pollutant Deep Cleanser

The smog and all the exhaust that I got in my face as I walked on the streets made my skin so dull and mucky.The sensitivity of my skin, dryness on cheeks and under eyes, and blemishes got worse while I was there. I was recommended this cleanser when I visited a Bonjour cosmetics store in Hong Kong.

Packaging: 120mL

Price: $196-248 HKD (around $25-32 CAD)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Product Description: The cleanser's formula of natural extracts and "Nano-Whitening Factor" neutralizes free radicals and defends against UV rays (not sure how), thereby prevents/slows the aging caused by exposure to the elements. It contains tea-cocyl glutamate, cucumber extract, anthemis nobilis flower, which, when combined, dissolve pollutants, cleanse pores, restore skin pH and remove dead skin cells.

Suggested use: Without wetting the face, massage a pump of the cleanser onto face in circular motion until the cleanser turns from being gel-like, runny and clear to stringy yellow-brown blobs of impurities, skin cells, and make up. Rinse with water.

Review after 2 weeks: PRINCESS and GLAMOUR! The glass bottle is all pink, sleek, with elegant engravings and the cap is like crystal. It is so pretty! The formula goes on skin easily and really does pick up the impurities on my skin, as evidenced by the change in colour and consistency in the cleanser after use. The cleanser simply melts them away. The only downside is that I need 2-3 pumps to clean my entire face - and even more if I have make up on. So cleaning can get messy at the beginning when the cleanser is still runny. My skin is no longer red (for real! from being red prior to cleansing to being calm after!) around the nose and cheeks, and feels cool, dewy, and supple.  I think it's good to use as maintenance of the skin, but once I break out, I need something else.


Repurchase?: I am more used to foam/cream cleansers to be honest, just because it feels easier to be able to work up a lather on the face to cleanse. This product no doubt cleanses deeply. I think I would use it on days when I don't have too much make up on but feel gunky on the face from being outside. I would repurchase if it was sold in Canada, since it is considerably cheaper than other comparable cleansers found here. If I were in Hong Kong, I would definitely repurchase.

***update: I realized that I can no longer use it. I tried to use it again last week and patches of my skin started to sting and peel as though I was sunburned. I think my skin was too dehydrated to use it. The only thing helped it heal faster was using my black bean scrub, a cucumber juice mask, spraying thermal water and an emollient cream. I think it was fine when I was in Hong Kong but my skin has changed since I came back to North America, making this product unsuitable for me.

Papaya and Snow Fungus Dessert Soup (木瓜雪耳糖水) for Better Looking Skin

Whenever my throat was sore and dry, I would cook this dessert. The snow fungus (雪耳) gives the water a gelatinous and soothing quality that coats and calms the burning throat. The sweetness from papaya and rock sugar is fresh and pleasant. When you get a load of the health and beauty benefits of this dessert, you will absolutely want to make it.

The benefits of our key ingredients: 
The fungus is believed to have anti-aging properties for the skin and promote the function of cells involved in our bodies' immunity system.
The apricot kernels (南北杏) used in this soup are known to be good for your respiratory tract; relieves coughs.
Papaya is packed with vitamin A, E, and C perfect for skin nourishment and anti-oxidation! It is abundant in dietary fibre and enzymes that aid digestion. The alkaline nature of the fruit makes it soothing for acid indigestion. (The benefits are endless! There are many other DIY papaya skin care ideas, I cannot wait to give them a try.)

BeautyQQ, a youtube beauty guru, shared her DIY snow fungus serum. Even if I told you she's in her late thirties, you would not believe me. She has amazingly beautiful skin and a very fun personality. Should check her out. Anyhow, all I've done is incorporate the making of serum into this dessert soup recipe. Now, you can eat, drink, and use your dessert! Make your very own, preservatives-free, inexpensive, hydration and brightening serum. Why buy snow fungus infused skin care products when you can DIY? :P

Where to purchase:
Snow fungus: you can find them in Asian supermarkets, but I would suggest going to a Chinese herbal/medicinal store to pick them out. Choose ones that are yellow with dark roots/base. Even though the pale/white ones look pretty, they have been BLEACHED... so avoid avoid avoid! Smell them to make sure they don't give off a pungent, stinging scent that is indicative of bleach
Apricot kernels are sold in packages in Asian supermarkets.
Papaya, almost any supermarkets

Honestly, girls, this is so simple yet impressive to the boyfriend's parents.

Ingredients
1 whole fresh papaya
2 tbsp apricot kernels
1 1/2 cup dried snow fungus
4 tbsp cane/rock sugar
2 L water

1. Soak apricot kernels
2. Soak snow fungus in water at room temperature. The fungus should expand and dirt should be loosened. Change the water a few times until clear. Trim and discard the root of the fungus.
3. Bring water to a boil. Add kernels and fungus. Simmer for an hour.
4. Remove skin and seeds from papaya and cut into bite sized chunks.
5. Optional step: DIY white fungus serum *see below
6. Add papaya and sugar. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Serve


DIY serum: The water should now be slimy when rubbed between fingers. That is the essence extracted from the fungus. Take a 1/4 cup of the water, pass it through a sieve and keep in a cleaned bottle. You have just made a snow fungus serum! It is free of preservatives, moisturizes and brightens your skin. It should last in the fridge for up to 10 days. Simply apply it onto your face and neck and massage until absorbed. I used it day and night for almost 3 weeks (So yes, I made it almost every week).

You will immediately feel the moisturizing effects and a slight tightening in your skin. My skin felt more calm and less red. I don't think I used it long enough to really see the lightening of my freckles, but my complexion was definitely less dull :) I just wish I didn't run out of snow fungus!

DIY Black Bean Face Scrub for Acne and Dryness

I used to have flawless skin. I didn't have to do anything for it at all. Unfortunately, ever since I entered my twenties, my skin became sensitive, dry and acne prone. Oh youth, why  must you forsake me???!! I occasionally get redness on my face and on some bad days, my face gets patches of flaky skin and acne on my chin, forehead, and close to the hairline. Products that worked for me before such as the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion left me with whiteheads and even acne the next day.

Anyhow, when I was in Hong Kong this past winter, my grandma pointed out my acne (-__- yea I know) and made mung bean soup for me. A lot of Chinese people make this kind of soup when there's "too much dryness in the body" which, they believe, contributes to acne in some people. I did some research on beans and their effects on skin.  Apparently, mung beans are rich in vitamins and have great antioxidation effects. Since I only had black beans at home, I looked them up as well. I was glad that black beans are also AMAZING for the body and skin. The skin of the black beans are abundant in anthocyanin, which contributes to the antioxidative effects of black beans. It aids in capturing minerals and vitamin E that are great for your skin.

Some sites suggest using black beans as a form of natural skin care. All I do is:
1. Grind the black beans with a coffee grinder until their are grainy, though not powdery.
2. Add some water to them until they form a coarse paste.

3. Wet my face
4. Apply and gently scrub (it'll get slightly messy!) then wash off

I used it day and night for five days straight without other cleansers and my acne dramatically improved! My skin always felt soft and moisturized after the wash. My acne flared up last week and I finally got around to using black beans again. It's so good that I must recommend it!

Some people might add honey to the mixture for honey's anti-inflammatory effects... I can't seem to wash it off well enough so I just stuck to using water.