Skincare and SOS Tactics for Sensitive Skin

It’s a difficult time for sensitive skin in seasonal changing periods.

I have been allergic to changed skincare and new face masks a few times a year. When skin gets reddish, itchy and even peeling, do we need to stop ALL skincare routine? What kind of skincare is ideal for sensitive skin?

Time to brief on the skincare notes and emergency tactics for sensitive skin.

Is it fine to apply toner on sensitive skin?

Crucial: No alcohol or fragrance.

Someone online asked whether toner is necessary for sensitive skin. Of coz! Yet, you need a gentle toner that is alcohol and fragrance-free. I myself can’t stand those strongly fragrant toners. They make me itchy. Even if it is a well-known branded toner, I have to give it up.

If you are desperate for a floral toner but your skin is too sensitive, consider those with natural rose or chamomile water. Put the toner in the fridge, dab some after cleansing. This lowers the skin temperature and soothes your sensitive delicate skin.

Besides fragrance and alcohol, what else is to be avoided?

Crucial: Test before you use.

Common allergens can be food, metal, cosmetics ingredients, etc. About skincare, avoid ingredients like pollen, aloe, citrus and algae. Hair dying, nail polishes and colorants can be allergens as well.

Note: natural ingredients are not 100% safe. I did get allergic to lotions of a 100% natural brand. Even if the texture and touch was wonderful. My skin still got itchy and reddish 30 mins after application.

Allergens differ individually. So if you have sensitive skin, you’ve gotta be patient trying testing new buys. Test before use. And update your routine gradually.

Allergy Test How-to:
Dab a small amount of the new buy behind the ears or on the wrist (after cleansing). Wash away after 20-30 mins. If no allergy symptoms develop within 24 hours, the new product is probably safe for you.

SOS Tactics: Stop all skincare?

When allergy symptoms develop, it’s advised to stop applying makeup.
Simplify your skincare routine. You may just use your usual gentle cleansing milk and lotion.
Avoid all irritating skincare, like exfoliants and massage gels. Wash with lukewarm water. Stay away from spicy foods, seafood and coffee.
Let the troubled skin recovers. :>

Hydrating Lip Gloss: With Sun Protection

Visited Japan last week~ Despite the rising exchange rate of YEN, it is a relaxing trip.

About what skincare I brought there, I didn’t pack much in my luggage. Just two sheets of hydrating mask and lotion would do. I even got the cleansing milk there.

What concerned me was the drying air inside the cabin. Luckily I’ve got an amazing lip treatment! This time I went to the northern part of Japan, where it was even cooler than Hokkaido. Every day I wore a knit cap and this lip treatment.

IsQueen
Hydra-Shining Lip Treatment SPF10

Gimmicks
-moisturizs and protects against UV rays with SPF 10
There are few lip care buys with SPF on the market. This function is pleasing as it minimizes the risk of melanin accumulation and refines your lip color.

-hygienic tube design




[ Lips look naturally moisturized. ]


Immediate results
-colorless, transparent, natural

-with bee wax to moisturize but not oily. Smells light honey.

-shimmering particle-free. Makes no plump lips, idea for those with naturally thick lips.



[ the texture ]


Continuous results
-Really hydrating! Just a coat can last for 3 or 4 hours. I needed only reapply 2 times for the whole day. You needn’t reapply after meal.

-not oily, easy to absorb
I have tried a lot of and a LOT of lip treatments as I am someone who can’t go out without a lip care. I wear lip balm even in summer. Many of the hydrating lip balms I tried are too oily but not moisturizing. The effects have gone too soon. I gave up many of these difficult lip balms.




[ Not too oily ]



Concluding…
-a GREAT lip treatment for base or natural protection
-Definitely cheap enough to lure me buying again! Sasa.com Price: USD 3.1

Remove cellulite and slim down arms and waist!

Got a sample pack of 2B slimming products. How exciting!



Among many of the slimming buys from 2B Alternative, the formula “Into Arm & Body” intrigues me the most. Coz my arms have always been the fattest compared with other body parts. Worse still , my left arm is a bit fatter than the right one. Probably due to lack of exercise? And cellulite has developed there! :<

How cellulite develops
Even slim girls develop cellulite! It is usually found in areas lacking exercise, like thighs, arms, bottom and belly. Cellulite results from complex physiological changes in the subcutaneous fat layer. It gets serious with aging.

Exercise and massage with creams work well on the remedy. Those massage creams with antioxidants or fat-burning caffeine extract are good to smooth and tone skin! 2B Alternative 2B Into Arm & Body and Skirt Ready are two of the choices.


[Skirt Ready, not tried yet]


Review on 2B Into Arm & Body
Tried this slimming formula for 3 weeks. Let’s have a quick review!



How I use
-After bath and towel-drying, apply from shoulder to wrist. Massage downward.
-To slim waist, spread on your belly and massage in circular clockwise movement.



Instant feeling
-easy-to-spread texture, absorbing quick
-Feels fat burning after a while. The heat is strong but not irritating.
-Massage is really crucial to fat burning. I tried skipping massage one night and felt no heat. Patiently massage and you’ll feel the strong heat!



Result
-Kept using it every night for over 2 weeks. Each arm is slimmed down by 0.8 cm.
-Not a super impressive slimming result. Yet it tones your contours well. My arms do look firmer. BTW, a complete treatment takes around 45 days. The result is not bad for a 3-week treatment.
-Honestly I didn’t use much on my belly due to menstrual period :> Tried once and it did help detoxifying!


[ Usage details inside ]

Compare! Hyluronic Acid Masks from France, Japan, Taiwan

I wrote about Hyluronic Acid in a previous entry.

At that time I was using H.A. essence from a few brands. My conclusion: regardless of brands, the essence will not be disappointing as long as it contains this amazing ingredient as the major contents.

Now it’s autumn. You can probably feel the drying air is near. Time to get hydrating mask! The Hyaluronic Acid ones…sound great, right?

Tried 3 of the widely discussed H.A. masks. Let’s compare!



Objective Comparison:


Personal Feeling:
Lifecella Essence Sheet Mask Hyaluronic Acid



Rating: ****
-Excellent cutting of mask sheet! The mask sheet is big enough for a fat baby face like mine :>
-the JUST-RIGHT amount of essence, enough for wiping a bit on your neck after 15 mins
-The texture is quite rich. I don’t even add lotion after the mask :> (My skin type is combination / oil.)
-GOOD moisturizing effect. My skin tone looked more even and spots less visible.


[ Sheet size big enough to cover detailed area !! ]


Neogence Hydrating Mask


Rating: ***
-the sheet size is a bit small
-very soft cloth texture, taking some time to adjust coverage
-the essence is light and watery, better to add lotion afterwards to lock in moisture
-overall the hydrating effect is fine. Essence easy to absorb. Ideal as regular routine.


[ Just opened: Full of essence! ]


la glace LMW Hyaluronic Acid Treatment Mask





Rating: ****
-Masks from la glace have been praised over discussions. Guess this H.A. mask won’t be disappointing.
-Results of Low Molecular Weight H.A.? It absorbs very fast! Luckily the amount of essence is rich enough for a 20-min mask.
-The calming effect is the most visible among all. Red spots disappeared right after putting off the mask :>
(Ingredient check: Chamomile…that’s why! )