Review: Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel 300ml MYR 32.90

When I was down with eczema last year, my TCM practitioner recommended me to use pure aloe vera sap on my affected area. I stand today, healed from my eczema woes and I can honestly say that it WORKS! That, to me, has been the best discovery to date. ( Read more about it HERE )

It has since been a norm to me to use it to treat any skin related issues I encounter, be it pimple, dryness, or contact dermatitis. However, I only have one pot of my precious Aloe Vera plant at my home and it breaks my heart every time if I have to cut one of it's stems. Anyone who have a pot of Aloe Vera plant knows that it is painstakingly long for it to grow into full size.

To save my precious Aloe Vera from further agony, I went into Nature Republic one fine day and bought a tub of their best selling Aloe Vera Soothing Gel.

Review: Paul Penders Products

A few months ago, I was given an opportunity to try out some products from Paul Penders. I have heard of Paul Penders two years ago and was rather intrigued but never really gotten the chance to try out their products. Now that these products were sent to me for review purposes, boy, I was glad!

Now, a little background about Paul Penders taken from their site:

Paul Penders skin care solutions combine the purest ingredients from Mother Nature to restore balance, health and vitality to your skin. Each skin care solution contains ourLevensESSENTIE Gold^®, an extract of 22 herbs from the East and West, a traditional recipe passed down from Paul's grandmother. Paul Penders skin care solutions are cold-processed in small batches to preserve the active properties of carefully selected herbal ingredients.

It is safe to know that their products are never tested on animals and their products are made with certified organic ingredients.

Niacinamide- An anti-aging powerhouse ingredient!

I love reading about ingredients in the products that I use because I want to know what kind of benefits of that particular ingredient would do for my skin. Last week, I did a search on this particular ingredient called Niacinamide.

What is Niacinamide?

Known as Vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, niacinamide is a potent cell-communicating ingredient that offers multiple benefits for aging skin. Assuming skin is being protected from sun-exposure, niacinamide can improve skin's elasticity, dramatically enhance its barrier function, help erase discolorations and revive skin's healthy tone and texture. ( Source from here )

What It Does?

Topically applied niacinamide has been shown to increase ceramide and free fatty acid levels in skin, prevent skin from losing water content, and stimulate microcirculation in the dermis.It also has a growing reputation for being able to treat uneven skin tone and to mitigate acne and the red marks it leaves behind ( known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation ). It is an excellent ingredient for those struggling with wrinkles and breakouts. Niacinamide is stable in the presence of heat and light. ( Source from here )

My December Hauls

From iHerb

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a great New Year celebration. I was MIA last week and decided to give myself a week's break from blogging. No worries now, I am back! Today's post is pretty simple actually. Just giving you guys a sneak peek into my hauls I made last month.

Let's start with the first one. See the picture above? Yup...these items are my first purchase I've made with iHerb. iHerb is an online site from US, which sells a vast selection of brand name natural products...and they sell at a pretty reasonable price too! I am very careful at buying from online sites and when I made a quick check on iHerb, I am happy to find that they are reliable and so far, most customers are happy with their services.

In this first purchase, I manage to get an additional USD 5 coupon code to enjoy an instant $5.00 off my first order. How great is that? In additional to that, I am also entitled to one free sample with every purchase ordered.

The stuff I got from iHerb are: Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash and Devita Revitalizing Eye Cream. The dental tape and the pen are freebies.

Now, moving on to the next one....

Benefits of Manuka Honey for Skin and Health

I have heard of manuka honey many, many years ago but didn't really invest in it. One of the main reasons is, it comes with a high price tag per bottle. I am so used to buying honey that cost me less than MYR 10 and honestly, I don't see myself buying manuka honey because..well..honey is honey right? 

Last few months ago, I found myself purchasing this because my doctor advised me that consuming manuka honey will help me in my irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, I managed to get a good deal via deal mates and why not...just give it a try. It was my first time ever buying from those group deals sites and to my surprise, it was pretty simple and thank God, the distributor was very nice and helpful. I will talk more about this in my next post.

As I begin to do more research on manuka honey, I was surprised that it has so many benefits. Manuka honey is a special type of honey that is derived from a particular floral source in New Zealand, that has been found to have extraordinary healing properties. It has been used successfully to cure...

Are you particular about your cotton pads?

Suzuran Attirer 100% Cotton Puff 120pcs RM 9.90

I admit that I am! I wasn't that particular last time until I started to use this baby. It have completely change my views and preference on cotton pads. Crazy, I know.

Below are some that I have tried and used before and it is sadly a meh to me.



Premier Facial Cotton ( Picture not available )

Daiso Facial Puffs ( Picture not available )

I used to be trifty when it comes to facial cottons. I am not keen in spending so much on something which I will throw after using it for toner or removing makeup.

However, my views and preference changed when I discovered Suzuran 100% Cotton Puffs. I was pretty amazed on how delicate it feels on my skin when I use it to remove my makeup. The performance is a far cry from those I have used before because the previous ones will either slowly wear off, leaving bits of cotton shreads on my face, with a few strokes.

The thing I like most about this puff is that it is not abrasive to my skin at all. It is gentle enough for not leaving my skin with unslightly red marks.



So do share, are you quite picky when it comes to using your regular items such as cotton pads?

This item was purchased by me for my personal purposes. This review is based on my honest and personal experience with this product and is not influenced by any parties.

My July Haul-EO Shampoo, Burt's Bees Radiance Cleanser and Pure Lavender Essential Oil



I made a lot of hauls recently...and I did another haul this week too :) My hubby thinks I am nuts for making so much purchases online and my reasoning is that products are cheaper by 20%  if made online. Really it is! I find it hard sometimes to purchase an item that I like in Malaysia because the price is fairly high and I would only purchase if they have a sale or a promotion. ( I am sure most ladies who are residing here would agree with me ) 

Another reason that I prefer online purchasing is that I wish to try some products that are not made available here in Malaysia. It is fairly hard to find good natural or organic products here, much less reputable brands. The only way for me to go is to purchase online.

Of course there are many online websites that you can purchase from, but one have to wise to purchase from a reputable online shop with good shipping charges and good shipping track records too. It also helps that they have good customer services ( especially to international customers ) and that their products are reasonably priced after conversion.

My Recent Haul- Garden of Wisdom products!



Just giving everyone a quick glimpse on my recent haul-Garden of Wisdom! They look pretty, don't they? Well...all new products are and I just can't wait to try them.

Garden of Wisdom is a company that supply all natural raw ingredients that you need to formulate your own skin care line. Well, if you are not the usual DIY-ers, you can also choose from their enormous selection of finished products. Please be aware that their website is a bit overwhelming to navigate but no worries, you will be able to manage it once you are familiar.

I can tell you that when I was browsing through their products, I really, really want to try everything that they offered! All their products sound so promising and all the prices are very, very AFFORDABLE. For example, their Organic Rosehip oil( 30 ml ) sells for USD 5.65/MYR 17.57. Wherelse Trilogy( 20 ml ) here sells for MYR 66.00. For me, it's dirt cheap!

My Current Skincare Regime

For the last 2 months, I have been faithfully following my new skincare regime and I am pleased to see the improvements it made to my skin. Yay! Since then, I have also added some add ons to the routine, to see if it suits me. Read more to find out what are the current add ons and my updated experience with them.

One Balm that We Can't Live Without!

Po Sum On Healing Balm HK$15 ( RM 5.80 )

I am pretty sure that some of us do have some items that we absolutely bring with us wherever we go. Some would say it's their favourite lipstick while some others can't live without their hand moisturisers or their lip balms. As for me ( and my family members ), it will be this Po Sum On Healing Balm. This balm surpasses all other healing balms that are currently in the market. It is used for ( as indicated in the leafet ):

• Temporary relief of: Minor pains and aches of muscles or joints associated with simple bruise and sprain.
• Mild headache and dizziness due to motion sickness.
• Chest discomfort associated with bronchial cough.
• Mild abdominal pain and discomfort induced by chill.
• Itching associated with insect bites.

Ingredients: Botanicals of oleum menthae, mentholum, daemonorops draco, oleum cinnamoni, camelia oleifera. The balm also contains essences extracted from several herbs prepared by esoteric and proprietary process. This preparation contains no scheduled poison.

I would usually use this balm if I encounter problems stated above or I will to dab some on my joints to ward off insects. The eucalyptus scent of this balm is quite acute and it is great when I have blocked nose. A little sniff of the balm and my nose is cleared. It does offer great relief to my tired feet or neck as well. However, be cautioned that you do not use this balm on any broken areas of your skin because it will sting.  Other than that, I can only say praises about this balm is because : It really works! Unfortunately, it is not available here in Malaysia and can only be found in certain dispensaries in Hong Kong. I know Bonjour in Hong Kong do have, but you can get better prices from nearby dispensaries.We would usually buy 2-3 dozens of this balm whenever our family members are in Hong Kong. Call us crazy but it is really worth it! So the next time that you are in Hong Kong, believe me, this will be the best thing that you ever get from Hong Kong!

Have you ever been snubbed? Here is my story....



( Picture taken from Disney )

I am rather positive that many of us has been in that situation where we are frequently snubbed by BA (beauty advisors) when we ask for samples or even browsing through their products at their counters. I am writing this in relation to my recent experience when I have decided to make a new haul in my skincare products. For me, I have dry, sensitive skin and I am very careful in selecting any products that I intend to put on my face and to see if the product is worthwhile before I make the full purchase. From the samples, I would usually check the ingredients in the cosmetic database, to see if they contain any harmful ingredients or not.

I had an unfortunate incident with not one, but TWO brands when I approach them. The first from 'Brand A', which I explained to the BA that was I interested in a particular product and I requested for a sample of it and nothing else. I was told that the sample is unavailable for that product and she just leave me with that explanation. She didn't even try to call other branches or get down my particulars to see if they can do something. She also have that attitude of not wanting to serve 'a potential client'. I was left disappointed because I have heard much reviews about that product and even more disappointed, with the attitude of the BA.

Then I have decided to approach 'Brand B', thinking if Brand A doesn't want my business, fine. I will see if Brand B is able to help. I went to the counter, browsing through their product and only approached sometime later. I explained to her that I was interested in one of their product and asked if I am able to get a sample of that because I need to try it because I have sensitive skin. She told me no and instead, told me  asked me to purchase their gift set that cost me RM400+! Obviously, she hasn't been listening to my explanation of my sensitive skin and want sales instead! I am so put off by that but told myself to CALM DOWN! Sometime later, she served another customer and left me alone. But I am determined to stay put because this product is their best seller and I want to try again. She came back to me again and later gave me a 'trial test' of the product by putting some on to my face. I was sooo scared that my face will break out and thankfully, it didn't. I left the counter, feeling a bit disappointed as well and even end up questioning myself, if I have been too sensitive. I don't think I am because I am a potential buyer and I have been snubbed.

I went back home, browse through their facebook accounts and found out that, many others also requested samples and best yet, they gladly give and said that ALL SAMPLES ARE AVAILABLE AT THEIR COUNTERS! I am definately put off and determined to voice my disappointment to the head office of both the brands by writing in. Brand A, did come back to me on that day, apologized and referred me to another counter with more experienced BA, promising the samples as well. Brand B however, came back to me after 4 days, and offered me the same promises as Brand A. ( I found out that both this brand is from the same company )

To end the story, I went back to the referred counters to retrive my samples. The BA at Brand A, acknowledged me but told me to come back later as they only have 1 BA at that time and was pretty busy. Ok, so I decide to go to Brand B. I was greeted by a very helpful BA and she analysed my skin. She hit all the jackpots regarding my skin condition and got my samples. She added a few more but I declined as I don't want to take advantage of that situation. I was pleased with her and decided to head back to Brand A. The counter was full at that moment, and there was only two BA's. I decide to linger a while but was not served. The BA, which I approched earlier on, saw me, but she didn't come to me and served others. From that, I concluded that I will not give my business to Brand B EVER AGAIN!

I tell myself: I certainly don't like to put my investment on brands that don't want my business and rather give it to the ones that are helpful and generous. So to any of you out there who has been snubbed,

• Don't be afraid to take it to the higher level. Write to them and honestly explain to them your experience. I found out that they are more helpful and will follow up with your request or situation than those at the counters.
• Reconsider to take your investments to those brands that are helpful, BA's that understand your skin conditions, that listens to you and are willing to give you samples without any hesitations.

Have any of you been in the situation as I have?

Do you ask for samples before you purchase?

Many of us do read reviews from blogs and sometimes, we are so tempted to run out and grab that product as quick as we can. And we, mentally telling ourselves, that " if it works for her, it will work for me". This is not the case and we have to be wise to know what we will be investing. I am particularly careful about using new skincare products before I make a full purchase and that is why I will brace myself to the counter and ask for a few samples to try. Do keep in mind that I don't usually change my skincare products and has always been faithful to using a particular brand for sometime...until recently, I have decided to make a haul. Honestly, skin care products don't come cheap and many would agree that it's getting more expensive each year. And each year, the cosmetic companies will come out with something new and we will end up buying things that we don't need it at the point. ( Ok...I will further elaborate on that matter next time ) Now, coming back to the main point, do you ask for samples before you make a purchase? I think it's most important because we need to test out first whether the particular product will suit your skin condition. We may not be able to see the results so soon but we can have a 'preview' on the texture or scent, or absorption level. 

On my recent experience, I have asked for several samples from several brands, some will gladly provide but some won't and will have the thought 'that we are looking for freebies' Sigh! Anyways, I will give at least 1 to 2 weeks to try before I move on to another, just so, it will have sufficient time to see if I liked the products or not. Sadly, some products worked and some don't. Here is the list:

Sample product that works for me:

Clarins : Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter, Hydraquench Cream-Mask and White Plus Intensive Whitening Smoothing Serum.

L'occitane: Immortelle Eye Balm

Estee Lauder: Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex and Advanced Night Repair Eye.

Sample product that dont't work for me:

Clarins : Hydraquench Intensive Bi-Phase Serum and Hydraquench Cream.

L'occitane: Very Precious Cream

Estee Lauder: Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme

Clinelle: Moisture Glow

Dermalogica: Skin Smoothing Cream, Age Smart Skin Resurfacer, Bioxil Calming Face Oil

By trying out some products, I actually learn that my skin is really more on the dehydrated type and it needed a good face oil, topped with my current intensive moisturiser. I have also obtained knowladge about the ingredients of the samples I've tried, to see if it contains harmful ingredients or not. Lastly, see if the products is worth to purchase.

So, go out there, get a sample ( if they provide ) and try out before you make the full purchase.

Trying out my new skincare regime



Sometimes, I am curious to know the daily skincare routine of other girls. Others would keep it simple yet obtain flawless skin. Others would have loads of products but still complain that it's not good enough. Now, I wonder if mine is complicated? After months of unsatisfactory results of my skin condition, I have decided to improve my daily skincare regime with a few add ons. As said, I am currently in my journey of discovering new products that hopefully, will reap good benefits for me. Here's a peak to my daily routine.

Day

Old routine: Cleanse: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser > Toner: Age Smart Antioxidant Hydramist > Booster: Dermalogica Hydrating Booster > Moisturise: Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance > Protect: Solar Defense Booster Spf30

New routine: Cleanse: Occasionally rinse with tepid water or use Ultracalming Cleanser if skin is slightly oily at T-zone > Toner: Dermalogica Multi Active Toner > Moisturise: Marie Veronique Anti Aging Oil+ > Protect: Marie Veronique Moisturising Facescreen Spf30.

Why: Cleanse : In the morning, I occasionally rinse with tepid water because I find out that cleansers that uses surfactants actually strip the skin of its environmental protective barrier, exposing it to damage from the elements.

Toner: I find that Dermalogica Multi Active Toner is more suited to my skin( and my wallet too ). However, I am thinking to change to Marie Veronique Anti Aging Mist once I am done with this bottle.

Moisturise: The anti aging oil plus works well as a base for me with the facescreen. However, the facescreen may be a little drying for me, so I use my existing moisturiser beneath it.

Protect: My previous facescreen contains Oxybenzone, which is a hazardous ingredient, according to EWG standards. Marie Veronique Facescreen is one of the safest in the world.

Night

Old routine: Cleanse: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser > Toner: Age Smart Antioxidant Hydramist > Oil: Bioxil Calming Face Oil > Moisturise: Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance

New routine: Cleanse: Double Cleanse with Madara Delicate Cleansing Milk and Ultracalming Cleanser > Toner: Dermalogica Multi Active Toner > Moisturise: Marie Veronique Anti Aging Oil+ > Repair: Marie Veronique Skin Lightening Serum. Eye: Marie Veronique Eye Serum

Why: Cleanse : I double cleanse now to remove daily dirt, oil and facescreen.

Toner: As said, to use my existing one before changing to Marie Veronique's Anti Aging Mist.

Moisturise: The previous oil that I've used, did not give me any benefits AT ALL to my face. The only thing it does is smelling good. MV Anti Aging Oil on the other hand, really give me the hydration I so needed for my skin that others can't perform. Plus, the oils are so beneficial for any skin type.

Repair: I have new pigmentation on my cheeks that I needed to address, so this is what I need now. You may see that I added an eye serum to my routine. My eye area is in need of loving now.

Special Care ( Twice/ Three times a week )

Old routine: Exfoliate: Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant > Masque: Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

New routine: Exfoliate: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant > Masque: Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Masque

Why: Exfoliant : The new exfoliant works better for my skin and I do see improvements. Read my preview HERE 

Masque: This is one of the best masque I've used and it really suits my skin. Read my preview HERE 

 I will be updating new improvements from time to time and also will review the new products soon. So keep tuned in.



So many products to choose from, which shall I buy?

I am sure many of us have been through that, or occasionally still is, as there are so many new offerings in the market right now. Some claim to have all the ingredients you ever need in the bottle to solve all your skin condition. Well, I am skeptical about those 'all in one' product claims though. My personal thought is that, the more ingredients added in the bottle, the more 'diluted' each ingredient is and the efficiency of each ingredient, ie vitamin E, will be less pronounced to your skin. These few days, I have been bombared by many product offerings which left me being fickled, and seems that I will be spending more money than I usual. I realised that we need take one step at a time:

• Identify what you need to treat your skin. These days, I know that I needed to find something to treat my scars( due to insect bites ) for my skin. After much research, I know I need Vitamin E for scar healing, or Rosehip oil, that promises lightening for scars and overall healing. I chose topical Vitamin E at the moment so to treat the scars first. If your concern is treating pigmentations, invest in a product have topical ingredients ie: Vitamin C that to treat your skin first. From my side, I try to look for products that are more 100% natural or organic so that they do not contain any harmful ingredients.
• Treat your skin and give your skin time for healing. Don't be tempted to try other new things during this time of treatment and healing. Give your body the nurturing it needed and patience to see the healing comes.
• Maintainence comes after healing. From my personal experience, I know that my skin is very dehydrated and skin renewal process is slow. Once I have completed healing the scars, I know I need something to maintain it and keep it healthy. I have heard so much about the benefits of pomegranate oil, their anti-oxidant properties that fight free radicals and skin aging. It is used to heal, protect, moisturize dry or irritated skin, as well as for ezcema. Now I know that is what I would prefer for my skin and now it is a good time to do some research on products that offer this.

During this journey, I've learnt to know what you need for your skin. We are always tempted to buy other things with many good reviews but it may not be necessary for your skin at this point. Invest in something ( may not necessarily be expensive ) to first treat and then followed by the sequence as I've written above.

Review: L'occitane Ma Creme Moisturizing Cream

L'occitane Ma Creme Moisturising Cream 50ml RM 155 and RM 118 for refills

L'occitane Ma Creme Nature was launched last year and here is a little bit about Ma Creme, which is taken from L'occitane's website:

Certified organic by ECOCERT, Ma Creme Nature is a moisturizing cream that you can prepare at home and keep in your refrigerator. Its quick and easy-to-prepare formula, with organic olive tree extracts, brings your skin nothing but the essential ingredients it needs to stay lastingly moisturized, and glowing with health. It allows skin to recuperate from daily over-stimulation, leaving it revived and more receptive to your regular routine with a soft and gentle touch.

Written on the packaging:

100% natural gateway for your skin. Free of chemical addictives. Ma Creme allows you to:

• avoid certain synthetic ingredients, such as sun filters, preservatives and artificial colouring, and replace them with simple ingredients that are more compatible with your skin.
• relax your skin, which is subjected to numerous harsh factors each day, notably the use of highly concentrated creams that are overactive at first, before your skin grows accustomed to them and stops revealing results.

Certified organic by Ecocert. 100% of total ingredients are of natural origin. 20.8% of total ingredients are from Organic Farming.

This is basically a DIY cream and needs to be refrigerated and used within 6 weeks. I started using Ma Creme since last year and currently at my second bottle. When I know my skin needs to a take a break, this is where this cream comes into place.

My experience:

It is fun mixing your own cream from home( especially with the tiny whisk ). The mixture have to be refrigerated 24 hours before using for the cream to become smooth and thick. To avoid contamination, a spatula is provided in the packaging as well. I love the consistency of the cream, lovely smell and especially loving how the cream really works for me. My skin is very well hydrated, smooth and refreshed within days of using. No breakouts or irritations! I know this cream was right for me when my facial therapist commented that my face looked good and well hydrated. She knows very well of my skin condition and was surprised to see it refreshed. ( I ended up recommending this product to her...lol ). However, I did noticed that my T zone area is oilier than usual due to my combination skin. I used more of the cream on both my cheeks and neck and apply lightly on my T zone area and it works. 

Overall:

I give this product a rating of 4.5 out of 5. It works wonderfully for my skin, giving great hydration and my skin really benefited from it. My husband, who have slightly larger pores and oily skin, benefited from this cream too. I noticed that his skin is even toned, healthier and there were no breakouts for him. He looked more radiant! The only cons for this product is that you have to finsh it within 6 weeks. Well, it shouldn't be a problem if you were to share it with someone ( like in my case, my husband! )

Review: LAKME k.therapy peeling shampoo

Lakme K.Therapy Peeling Shampoo 300ml RM 66

As you age, your body will start sending you signs to tell you that you are going through changes. In this case, it's my scalp! My scalp have decided to retaliate by giving me dandruff and started to get oily. My hair condition has always been healthy, thick, strong, full of volume and a balance mix of black and few white strands( age is catching up..yes ). I have always been using salon shampoos and conditioners until I decided to switch to more natural based products. I was persuaded by a lovely sales person to try this product as I was looking solutions for my scalp. Yes, I fell for it and decided to give it a try. I was recommended to use PEELING SHAMPOO OILY, as I need to tackle the oily part too. I got the leaflet too for their products and all sounds promising. Part of it says:

The entire K.THERAPY has been formulated with water from Zermatt glacier, containing minerals and oligoelements with natural properties that soften and protect the skin, as part of its active ingredients. This water, with its unique combination of minerals, is encapsulated in lecithin liposomes so that they can be released into the deepest layers of the skin and so increase its moisturising power.

What is Dandruff or Desquamation?

Dandruff is irregular flaking of the outer corneum stratum of the scalp, accompanied by light itching without signs of inflammation. There are many possible causes for this problem, but the most common is an abnormal imbalance in microbial flora.

The main components and active ingredients are:

• OCTOPIROX, a molecule of proven efficiency against dandruff together with the purifying properties of rosemary extract and sandalwood extract, which clean and tone the scalp at the same time as removing the dandruff flakes and preventing their reappearance.
• Sweet-scented fragrance with essential oil of rosemary.
• Water from the Zermatt glacier
• Tested under dermatological control

My experience:

I have been using this shampoo for almost a month now and think it's about the right time to give a review. The shampoo is in mid consistency, with slight tinge of pink. I only use about the size of 50cents and it lathers rather quickly once I use it on my hair. ( Please note that should your shampoo lathers a lot, it means the product do contain sodium laureth sulfate which falls under the category of surfactant,

cleansing agent or emulsifying agent ). I find that my hair is rather harsh after rinsing and decided to add my own conditioner at my hair ends to calm it. Upon towelling it dry, my hair is still dry, squeky clean..or very very harsh. I have decided to add another coat of my leave on conditioner to see what happens. It tamed a bit though. Other than the harshness, I like the smell. It smells therapeutic-ly Rosemary! It's been almost a month now and I do noticed that my dandruff problem have been reduced but no change to my oily scalp. On top of it, the shampoo makes my hands very dry and I dun like this one bit.

Overall:

I will rate this 3 out of 5. It did work on my dandruff and I like the therapeutic smell but it didn't work for my oily scalp, harsh hair and my hands. I will probably look for another shampoo once I've finished using this.

Garden of Eden Scar Serum

Garden Of Eden Scar Serum 15ml RM 55.90

I was at a pharmacy the other day and I was looking for a treatment oil/serum for my scars, accumulated through insect bites. I came across Trilogy Rosehip Oil, which I have heard good raves about it but chose Garden of Eden Natur E Scar Serum instead. It is said to be -100% Natural Plant Extracts, a concentrated natural vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants and skin nutrients that protect the skin from free radical damage and effectively accelerate skin renewal and repair.

Benefits:
1) Reduces skin inflammation
2) Repairs and reduces scars
3) Moisturises & smoothens out dry and cracked skin.

Ingredients: 12000iu Natural Vitamin E ( d-alpha tocopherol ), Medium-chain Triglycerides and Isopropyl Myristate.
Recommended by professionals for treating: Post surgical scars, chickenpox marks, acne scars, burns, scalds, keloids and sunburn.

Stated on the packaging no mineral oils, no animal derivatives, no alcohol, no SLS, no artificial colour or fragrance, no preservatives. I am glad to see the manufacuring and expiry date as I wanted to check how long the product has been sitting at the store. Glad to know this product is only 2 months old.

My experience:
This serum comes in a deep brown bottle, with a dropper. Serum is light in consistency and colour is a little orangey. I was rather concerned to put oil onto my skin as I really dislike my skin being sticky. To my surprise, absorption was rather good and I don't feel greasy. I was rather generous to myself, using 2-3 drops for my arms and 6-7 drops for my leg. In addition to that, I use a drop and dissiminate to some of my 'more serious insect scars' for maximum results. After a minute or two, I love how my skin is hydrated! I sleep in an air conditioning room and the next morning, my skin feels soft, smooth and moisturised. I love that this oil is fragrance free too.
I started using this serum for 2 days and I will do a full result review in a couple of months time, just to show you the if there are any improvements.

Products I have used

A quick look at the products that I have used before:

Skin Care

• Clinique
• Aesop
• Precriptives
• Origins
• Artistry
• Clinelle
• Dermalogica
• L'occitane
• Kiehl's

You may have noticed that most of the products I used are mainly free of common irritants, dermatologist tested and products using natural ingredients. Some of the products worked well for me and some don't.