St. Ives Blemish and Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub

picture taken from the St. Ives site

Product claims
Oil-free - 2% salicylic acid • dermatologist-tested • 100% natural exfoliants • 100% natural extracts

I've been buying this product even before it's packaging had changed. This is my favorite face exfoliator. It's inexpensive and lasts for ages as only little amount is needed every time. It's pretty abrasive so I suggest using this on your face with gentle circular motions as I bet you do not want to end up scrubbing your face raw. I use this scrub twice a week and I think it really helps my skin. On the label, it says that you can use the scrub 3 to 4 times a week for best results. This is an indispensable product on my skincare regimen together with the Benzac wash and Benzac gel.

I don't limit the use of this scrub on my face alone though as I also use it on other parts of my body --particularly the chest, back, and the bum area. These areas of the body are prone to pimples too and I think the salicyclic acid in this scrub helps those nasty blemishes under wraps. I use this on my body once a week or even more sometimes.  :)

Iwhite Whitening Pack

I haven't posted anything for the past couple of days in this blog as I've been a little bit busy. For today's post I'm doing a review on the iWhite whitening pack. I was inspired to write a review about them while I have the mask on at the very moment I'm writing this. 

Old iWhite packaging

Php 20 a piece

Iwhite whitening pack removes deep seated dirt, whiteheads, blackheads, dead skin, and other impurities as it whitens to reveal a radiant, glowing, younger-looking skin. Especially formulated with Morus Alba root extract to whiten dark skin and evens out discolorations, Panax Ginseng root extract to revitalize and improve skin condition and vitamins A,C,E and B5 to prevent premature aging.

The Story

After trying out and loving Iwhite Skin Whitening Vita Aqua Moisturizing Cream, I wanted to try out more products from iwhite. Since I already ran out of my Neutrogena Fine Fairness Mask, I went in and bought the iwhite mask. Keep in mind thought that the Neutrogena mask is a sheet type mask whereas iwhite is a peel off mask.

The Verdict

It smells a little weird. I was expecting the same scent as the iwhite cream but it’s not a major deal breaker as its not strong or irritating at all. The mask has a thick consistency but its not hard to apply on the face though its quite hard to wash off your fingers after applying the mask. The mask takes about 30 minutes to dry. Some may not have the patience for that but I don’t really mind it as I usually just let it sit on my face as I watch some random tv show. Once the mask is hard it is easy to peel it off the face. I was even able to take it out in one piece. It removed some of my facial hair (the ones in the sides of my forehead) Don’t ever put this near your brows unless you want them yanked out. My face felt smoother afterwards especially on the nose area. It can definitely take out whiteheads. 

They had changed their packaging quite recently. To the left is the old packaging and to the right is the new ones.  

Iwhite Skin Whitening Vita Aqua Moisturizing Cream

Php 20 for a 6g sachet and Php169 for a 50g tube

I don’t know why the Neutrogena Fine Fairness lotion and cream are not doing much for me in the moisturizing department; well it wasn’t advertised for moisturizing in the first place anyway but more as a whitening solution. Those two products are not enough for me when I have my dry skin days. (I don’t know what’s up with my skin but usually when I’m at home it’s oily and when I go out its dry) One day when I’m about to go to class I noticed that my skin is flaking everywhere (like on the cheek area, nose area, mouth area, and heck even on the brow area!) and of course I did not want people to see me in that state so I made a quick stop to 7-11 and went to their mini section for personal care and grabbed one sachet.

The Verdict
I hurriedly applied it on my face, it smelt really nice and clean. But did it work? Oh yes! It did a good job in moisturizing my parched skin. The flakiness was gone after I have applied and massaged the cream on my face. I’m glad it worked otherwise I would not have gone to class on that day. From that day on I made sure to check on my face after leaving the house from time to time to see whether my face would start flaking up.

 I haven’t read what’s written on the packaging prior to applying it on my face and it was after that I applied it on that I’ve read it has vitamin e. I kinda panicked at that time since I had experienced breaking out with vitamin e. I was thinking to myself if I should wash it off immediately or allow it to stay on my face until after I get home. I dreaded waking up the next morning with a zit or worse, zits on my face. Fortunately, it didn’t break me out. I’ve used it a couple of times but not really on a daily basis since I only use this when I have class or when I go out. I use it with Neutrogena since it has SPF. 

I got about 8 applications in that Php20 pesos sachet. It was definitely worth it and inexpensive so I was very happy with that. I couldn’t resist buying the 50g tube after finishing the sachet. However, I cannot comment on the whitening claim though since I do not use this on a daily basis. Maybe I would be using this after I have finished my Neutrogena Fine Fairness cream. I would definitely recommend this for people with dry skin as it really does a good job in bringing moisture to the skin without the hefty price tag. I love that they come in sachets too so that you could try out the product first and see for yourself if you like it or not before buying a tube. I would even love it more if they were to come in a packaging like that of the Ponds no mess sachet so they can be conveniently stored in a purse without the worry that the contents may leak and make a mess inside your bag. 

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Deep Whitening Mask

Price Php990 per box which contains 5 pieces of mask

Size 30g per mask

Price Breakdown Php 198 per mask

The Story

     I have always wanted to try this product because of the many raves of beauty bloggers both here and abroad however I find the price too prohibitive to actually purchase one. There’s always the risk of this product not working on me and that’s a little less than Php1000 down the drain (and that thought makes me cringe). How I just wish that we can purchase it per piece instead of committing to buying a whole box to see whether it works for us or not since Php 198 is less cringe inducing that Php 990 anyway.

     So I went to the mall, went to the Neutrogena counter and picked up a box. The funny thing is that I put the box back to the shelf not once… but twice. I tried to distract myself by checking out the other beauty products but I find myself going back to the Neutrogena counter picking the same box and putting it back on the shelf then doing the same routine again until I finally headed down the cashier. Bottom line, I ended up buying it otherwise this review wouldn’t be made possible.

     I’m pretty happy with my Aztec Secret healing mask which costs less than Php500 a tub and lasts about half a year or more on me. Though I know that Aztec Secret and this Neutrogena mask are different since well the latter is a whitening mask whereas the former is a deep cleansing mask.  I haven’t tried any whitening masks before so curiosity got the best of me.

The Verdict

     15 minutes have passed but I decided to let it stay for one more minute. The mask felt so good on my face that I wanted to sleep with the mask on. After another minute, came the big reveal. I took the mask off and massaged my face. I took a good look at my face on the mirror, there wasn’t any major change in terms of skin tone but my skin felt really hydrated and fresh. I’ve read on other reviews that after the night they’ve put on the mask, their faces would be glowing the next morning. True enough when I woke up the next morning, my face was indeed a little brighter and hydrated however the effect didn’t last for the whole day. I guess this product is good to use when you have a date or an event to go to as after all this mask leaves the face a little brighter (don’t expect the mask to do anything drastic) and well hydrated for the day.

I’ve used up the whole box already. I used it once a week. I definitely liked the product but I don’t think I would shell out that much money for it since adding a little more amount to your Php198 can afford me a basic facial at the salon already. I would happily buy it if it were 50 bucks a piece though. I know I’m such a cheapskate but that’s the most I can shell out for a mask. 

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

Price less than Php500 (I can’t recall the exact price since the last time I purchased this was last February)

Size 1lb

     I found out about this product through a random video I have watched on YouTube. I got curious about it thereafter and started to search reviews for it on the internet. All reviews I’ve read seem to be raving about this product so I immediately wanted to try it out for myself.  To my surprise it is even available in our country! So I went in to the nearest healthy options store to purchase one. (This review is long overdue as I am on my second tub already!  And btw a tub lasts for more than 6 months on me. This is such a good deal.)

The Verdict

     I have been religiously using this for more than a year and I think it really does a good job at deep cleaning the face. I love how the mask feels on my face especially when the mask starts to harden (that’s the time when you really feel like your face is pulsating). I use the mask twice a week and leave it on until it’s completely dry. I really don’t know how long I leave it on since I watch TV or tinker with my computer while I’m on it.

     According to the directions written at the back of the tub, use a non-metal bowl and utensil. I use a plastic spoon to scoop product out on the tub and put it on a plastic bowl to mix it with water to form the mixture that I put on my face. Usually I scoop out a tablespoonful of clay and mix it with about 2 tablespoons of water. The consistency should not be too thick or too watered down otherwise it would be difficult to apply.  I use the e.l.f. foundation brush to apply the mask on my face. I apply a thicker amount on my nose and cheeks as I feel that those areas need more deep cleaning than the rest. Washing off the mask can be messy and difficult.  It’s hard to get the whole mask off with just water alone so I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub to scrub off the bits and pieces that’s left on my face and as well as to help remove the blackheads and whiteheads. There might be slight redness after use but it will disappear in no time. The final result: I am left with soft and smooth skin.        

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Cream

Price Php774.75 for 50g (That’s about 15.50 per gram)

I purchased this cream last May since I felt like my face needed a little more moisturization. Like the Neutrogena lotion, it looks sleek and the bottle is quite heavy as well. Both products have the similar smell-light and not overpowering. The cream has a thicker consistency compared with the lotion. 

It comes in a tub packaging so some people would have hygienic issues with this since you have to use your fingers to dip into the product over and over again and bacteria might transfer into the product and contaminate it. This of course can be prevented by making sure your hands are clean when dipping your fingers into the tub. By the way, I use this as my night cream but you can use this during the day if you need heavier moisturization (if you use it during the day, make sure to use sun protection since this one doesn’t have SPF). I suggest going easy on the application and don’t over apply since it can sting especially on the nose area and make skin feel heavy and oily.     

Neutrogena Fine Fairness SPF 30 Lotion

(Picture  was taken from yesstyle.com. My bottle is busted so I didn't bother posting it)

Price Php720 for 40ml (that’s 18 per ml)

Neutrogena Fine Fairness lotion is a daily moisturizing whitening lotion that helps protect skin against the appearance of melanin and uneven pigmentation for a healthy, fair and translucent glow.

I’ve had this product since December and I have been using it daily during the daytime after I’ve cleansed my face. It’s been more than six months and I still have about 30% product left so it is really economical and easy on the pocket. The packaging looks really sleek but a little heavy. I accidentally dropped mine and the hard plastic case got broken and chipped like crazy but good thing the product didn’t spill the over. That would be such a total waste. So I guess the heavy bottle has a good purpose especially for clumsy people like me.

Plus I could pull out the product from the plastic bottle and see how much is left. (You probably couldn't if your bottle isn't broken like mine)

I love that it has SPF 30 so I need not use anymore sun block. It has a faint smell but it is not at all irritating to the nose. I also love how it instantly brightens my face after application. It’s not like WOW but there’s definitely a difference when I use this Neutrogena lotion.Although I don’t know if I became whiter after using this product as I am already on the light side to begin with but it does help on the brightening side. We don’t what to look white and dull, don’t we?  And like other Neutrogena products I’ve used before, this one also didn’t break me out. (Yay! I ♥ Neutrogena! ) But one thing that I didn’t like is that it is not moisturizing enough. Even with that, I’d still repurchase this product as the pros definitely outweigh the cons. But I wouldn't be reaching for a new one soon as I still have some product left that would probably last me for one more month. 【ツ】

Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner

Price Php276.50 for 150ml (that’s about 1.84 per ml)

Prior to using this Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner, I previously used Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Dual Action Toner but I think it was phased out as I don’t see them in the stores anymore. Too bad I loved that toner so when I ran out I just bought the alcohol-free one and I’m going to do a review about it today.

 Basically, I love that it is alcohol-free—it doesn’t sting when applied on the face plus it is not drying. This toner also keeps oils at bay though the oil control lasts just a couple of hours. I still have to blot my face in the middle of the day. It has a mild scent but I don’t think it can be irritating. I have sensitive acne-prone skin and I have not experienced any irritation and break outs with this. I use this toner every time after washing my face to remove extra dirt or oil off my face before I apply my Benzac gel. I use about 3-4 drops of this toner each time and that’s pretty much all you will ever need for the entire face so this bottle lasts a long time. One bottle lasts me about three and a half months. ツ

 

The Face Shop HD-Perfect BB Cream SPF 30/PA++

     

     I’m not so knowledgeable about BB creams. The Face Shop is the only brand I’ve tried so far. I didn’t want to be too bold and try out other brands as I don’t want the risk of breaking out. The same goes for my skincare; if something worked out for me I’d continue using it for as long as it remains effective on me. Although if I get bored with a certain product, I’d experiment using others from the same brand.  I took a chance once on the Pure Berry BB cream and I was glad that I didn’t break out with it so when I finally ran out , it was a no-brainer for me to go to Face Shop to pick up my next BB cream. This time I chose the HD-Perfect BB cream. It came in two sizes: the trial size which contains 20ml (Php 495) and the full sized one (Php 995). I got the trial sized first to see whether I like the product or not. As much as possible though when it comes to BB creams, I don’t like getting the full sized ones because I don’t feel like I’d be able to use it all up before their expiry. My Pure Berry BB cream lasted about 8 months on me. Anyway going back to the product, I feel like it would last for a couple of months too since you only need a little amount per application. You also don’t want to over apply as you might end up looking like a vampire.

     This BB cream claims to meticulously conceal skin flaws and blemishes while covering widened pores and uneven skin surface to provide smooth HD skin appearance. This one has a slightly thick consistency but it's no problem blending it on the face. It definitely feels a little heavy on the skin since it has a better coverage than the Pure Berry one. I’d say it probably has medium coverage but it wouldn’t totally conceal pores and dark circles so I suggest using a concealer for the latter.  I personally don’t use it on a daily basis as I feel like it might clog my pores. I have used this for a couple of special occasions and top it off with the elf HD powder. The combination of the two products look good on photos. I’d like to try the Hydro Splash BB cream next but in the meantime I have to finish this one first. 

Benzac AC Gel 5%

Here's my review of the Benzac AC Gel 5%. 

(I opted not to take a picture of my benzac gel since it looks pretty much in the same condition as my benzac wash haha so I took a pretty picture on the web so you guys can see a clearer picture of the product. photo taken from emedicalstate.com)  

       I use this product together with the facial wash as I think it works great together. I put this every night on my entire face to treat existing pimples and to prevent new ones. Like the Benzac AC Wash, I have gone through countless of tubes of this product. The 15g tube goes a long, long way. It typically lasts me 4 to 5 months. This is definitely an indispensable product on my skin care regimen. I love that it doesn’t burn or sting skin and leave dark marks unlike other similar acne gels and creams that I had tried in the past.

I hope this was a helpful review. Just a disclaimer, although this product works for me it doesn't necessary follow that it may work for you. I  suggest using this product or any other product that I will write about in this blog at your own discretion. 

Let's all stay beautiful :-)  

Benzac AC Gel Wash 5%

(I know the picture is fugly but I had been using this tube for about four months and that's why some of the prints on the tube are gone. I need to buy a new one since I'm running out. )

Ever since high school, I have experienced terrible breakouts. I religiously used Neutrogena Acne-prone soap for my entire high school years and that really helped in clearing my skin but somehow after using it for so many years, it stopped working on me. Thus, I needed to find another product that I could use to keep pimples at bay. I tried a lot of products that worked for a short period of time or that made my acne worse. Until one day on a random trip to Mercury Drug, I found out about Benzac AC Gel. I did a little research on the product first before buying as it is a little bit pricey (for me at least). Benzac AC Gel is basically benzoyl peroxide that comes in 2%, 5%, and 10% concentration. So finally I decided to purchase one. Did I regret buying the product? A big fat NO! I love this product. I have consumed a lot of tubes for the past years and I would definitely be repurchasing for as long as it keeps working on me. It kept my face from breaking out. The gel’s consistency is thick and can be easily spread on the face. It doesn’t dry my skin but I still use a moisturizer though and I recommend everyone to use a moisturizer for their respective skin type. Oh and a moisturizer with SPF is a must.

Anyway going back to the product itself.

Benzac AC Gel is gentle and doesn’t sting when applied on the face. I use this twice on a daily basis as this is my primary face cleanser. However, unlike any other regular facial cleansers, this one doesn’t lather. I would have liked it to lather as it felt weird to me. It’s as if I am only applying cream on my face but I really don’t have any big issue with that since it is effective on me.

What I don’t like about this product is the pricing. Every time I would repurchase, the price keep on increasing so I have to pay more than the cost of the last tube that I finished.  

 It also comes with the Benzac AC Keratolytic Gel which is basically a topical cream applied on the pimples which I will be reviewing in my next post.