Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil (100% Pure) Review

Anyeong yeorobun~

Trying to catch up to review all the used products and today I am writing a review for Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil. Bought this pure tea tree oil for treating acne since I’ve empty the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. I am trying out Thursday Plantation Tea Tree which is 100% pure tea tree oil, thinking it should be effective and safer than formulated tea tree oil and it’s also multipurpose, can be used on minor wounds and the price also affordable. Well here’s what I think after trying this product out for a few weeks. 

In a sturdy bottle

Similar to the body shop packing

Product profile:

Product Name: Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil 100%

Origin: Australia

Content: 10ml

Price: RM38.20

Available: Guardian

Function: Treating acne / minor wounds

Product claims: 

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil has proven antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This powerful natural solution prevents infection, relieves inflammation and aids the natural healing process for minor wounds, minor skin irritations, pimples, cuts, scratches and insect bites/stings.

Ingredients:

Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Limonene.

My thoughts:

The scent of this product is as expected tea tree oil scent but very mild compared to that of the Body Shop. I like the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil scent better, it’s stronger (herbal) scent which is calming and soothing. Surprisingly this tea tree oil is not as effective in treating pimpled compared to the Body Shop one. The results is not as quickly visible as the Body Shop in reducing the swelling/inflammation of pimples/acne. This is probably due to the Body Shop tea Tree oil is formulated for treating acne/pimples while the Thursday Plantation one is more of a multipurpose pure tea tree oil. This will not be a re-purchase product for treating acne purpose, I’m going back to the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. However Thursday Plantation Tea Tree is a good product for treating minor wounds and skin irritation, since it is 100% tea tree oil. Surprise d that the ingredients contained limonene which is a solvent/fragrant might not be suitable for sensitive skin.

Pros:

-Good for treating minor wounds and skin irritation

-Multipurpose

-Affordable

Cons: 

-Not as effective compared to the Body Shop Tea Tree Oil for treating acne

Naruko Collagen Booster Firming Mask Review

Anyeong~

Today review is for Naruko Collagen Booster Firming Sheet Mask. Bought this from Naruko for one box 10 sheets mask inside for RM59. 

Product profile:
Product Name: Naruko Collagen Booster Firming Mask
Origin: Taiwan
Content: 25ml per sheet mask
Price: RM59 per box of 10
Available: Naruko
Function: Sheet Mask

Fancy and girly packing

 

Description behind the packing

Product description from Naruko Website:

Ingredients listed on the packing

Ingredients:
Purified water, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Erythritol, Saccharide, Isomerate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, D-Panthenol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OIl,Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Arginine, Fragrance, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Crithmum Extract, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Tripleurospermum Maritimum Extract, Homarine HCL, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate

According to Cosdna analysis, only few items flagged yellow. 

My thoughts:

The sheet mask is thin and soft, lightly scented. The essence of the mask is not sticky, it's easily absorb by skin and very hydrating. After using the mask, my face was brightens and hydrated. Overall a good mask. I hate mask with sticky essence. Despite no firming effect, I still rate this mask excellent, since I don't really have much expectation on the firming claims. Have you tried this mask? 

Pros
-Essence not sticky
-Sheet is soft and thin
-Affordable, look out for promotion price
-Reputable brand 
-Nature based ingredients

Cons
-No firming effect

Skinfood Black Pomegranate Voluming Serum Review

Anyeong yeorobun~

Blessed New Year! Time flies and here we are celebrating with thanks welcoming this new beginning of the season again. Time to forget the past and welcome the new blessings! 

Here is a review for Skinfood Black Pomegranate Voluming Serum. I grab this product from Skinfood, this is anti-aging product claims to hydrate, illuminate, and plump up your skin (anti wrinkle effect).

In a elegant bottle packaging

The box of the serum

Product profile:

Product Name: Skinfood Black Pomegranate Voluming Serum

Origin: S. Korea

Content: 50ml

Price: Around USD19

Available: Skinfood Outlet

Function: Serum for Anti-Aging

This is a very unique serum because it has a separate powder pack which you need to mix into the serum before start using. I believe Skinfood pack the powder ingredients separately to ensure the best and fresh quality delivered to the user. I think this is very thoughtful of Skinfood.

Inside the box is the serum and powder cap which need to be mix together

Unboxing

The picture shows how to mix the powder

Instruction from Skinfod Website

1) Remove the cap from the enclosed pouch. Replace the bottle pump with the cap.

2) Press the cap firmly downward to release the powder into the ampoule.

3) Replace the cap with the bottle pump. Shake the bottle at least 20 times to mix the powder with the ampoule.

4) After toner application, dispense a few pumps into palm. Apply to entire face.

For optimum freshness, use the ampoule within five months of the opening date.

 Description on the box

Ingredients listed on the box

Product claims:

A skin-plumping serum that comes in a Black Pomegranate Voluming Effector™ ampoule with separate powder, so you can mix them just before you use and enjoy the serum in a potent form. The hydrating and wrinkle-smoothing formula is gently absorbed, promoting soft, supple skin.

Ingredients:

Serum: WATER, PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT EXTRACT, PROPANEDIOL, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, TREHALOSE, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, BETA-GLUCAN, C14-22 ALCOHOLS, SQUALANE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIGLYCERIN, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, TRIBEHENIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ALCOHOL, SODIUM ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, POLYSORBATE 80, ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL EXTRACT, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ISOHEXADECANE, C12-20 ALKYL GLUCOSIDE, PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CARBOMER, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN/PVP CROSSPOLYMER, POLYSILICONE-11, PARFUM, SODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CHOLESTEROL, ARGININE, ADENOSINE, STEARIC ACID, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, CERAMIDE 3, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-38, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, DISODIUM EDTA, PALMITOYL OLIGOPEPTIDE,

Powder: MALTODEXTRIN, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, GLYCERIN, CYCLOMETHICONE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, BETA-SITOSTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CHOLESTEROL, SILICA, CHOLETH-24, CETETH-24, WATER, PANTHENOL, CETYL PHOSPHATE, PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT EXTRACT, GLYCERYL LINOLEATE, GLYCERYL LINOLENATE, BIOTIN, ASCORBYL TETRAISOPALMITATE, UBIQUINONE, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCERYL ARACHIDONATE

Ingredients analysis emulsion here & powder here at Cosdna (the emulsion and powder separately). Skinfood generally uses gentle ingredients in all their products. From the analysis you can see the ingredients are overall rated safe and gentle for skincare use.

How to use?

Skinfood recommended to use the serum right after toner.

My thoughts:

The consistency of this serum is lightweight and lotion like. Absorb easily on skin; not greasy or tacky. Very comfortable on skin and fast absorb, no waiting time needed which is good. Skin feels soft, hydrated and supple after used. This serum is lightly scented, fruity scent and not too overwhelming. After using this products for about 4 months, (yeah this serum last me about 4 months) I found this serum did hydrate my skin, as for the illuminate, plump up and anti-wrinkle effect claim; I don’t find this serum illuminate my skin or helps erasing fine lines or blur out wrinkle. However it does hydrate skin and skin appear supple right after used but the hydrating effect doesn’t last long. As whether this serum will prevent wrinkle from forming will depend on long term usage I guess. If you looking for lightweight serum that hydrate your skin with hope to prevent wrinkle, this could be a good option. If you expect more than that maybe you can look for other better product that produce visible result. 

Pros:

-Easily absorb by skin, lightweight serum

-Not greasy or tacky, comfortable on skin

-Hydrate, supple skin

-Convenient pump

-Fresh ingredients with separate powder ampoule to be mixed upon first use

Cons:

-No visible effect on illuminate, plump up

-Anti-wrinkle needs long term usage to find out effectiveness

How to inspect the ingredients in skincare or cosmetics?

Hello pretty~

I came to a point where I no longer just buying what really works for me but also inspect the ingredients in skincare for health and safety purpose. I found a few interesting articles that guide consumer how to read skincare ingredients and I sum them up in a few summary points below which are really helpful for me in choosing the best skincare for my skin.

• The list of ingredients on skincare products must conform to International standard (INCI). This requirements is from FPLA and FDA which mandates that skincare/cosmetic provide list of ingredients in a particular format.
• Ingredients listed in the order of highest to lowest concentration. Active ingredients may be listed separately on the label as INCI requirements, but does not mean they are in highest concentration.
• Based on common ingredients as markers to estimate the amounts of the other ingredients:
• If water is the first ingredients on the label, it is likely that 75-95% of the product is comprised of water.
• Fragrance is usually anywhere between 0.50 and 3% of the product, any ingredients listed after fragrance is present in a concentration typically less than 3%.
• Vitamin C, unless listed on the label is typically less than 1% of the product. Vitamin C tend to oxidize when exposed to light, heat or air. Unless otherwise listed, most products will contain 0.025% or less retinol.
• Buffers such as EDTA are usually present in less than 1% of the product.
• Usually water is the first ingredients on the label and after that the next 4 or 5 ingredients are usually the ones responsible for the primary functional properties of the product. After the first five ingredients, everything else probably below the 1% line.
• Any ingredient that is 1% or less of the product can be listed in any order after all the other ingredients present at or above 1%. There is no guideline to disclose where the 1% cut off exists on the label, the best idea is to search for marker ingredients like vitamin C or EDTA in order to ascertain where the 1% grouping generally occurs.
• Knowing the ingredients can come in multiple forms and a higher concentration of a weaker form does not mean greater result. For example vitamin C also known as L-ascorbic acid is strongest but unstable and only available up to 15% over counter and forms like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate are weaker but more stable and only available up to 2% over the counter.
• Sometimes you are unable to estimate the concentrations because patented formula do not have to show makeup of active ingredients, instead they are required to submit an FDA application that lists the alias they use on the label in the place of naming the exact ingredients.

This is a basic guidelines to estimate the level of ingredients in skincare/cosmetics. However there are many exceptions to this guidelines. Anyhow, this general guidelines provide some measure of assessing knowledge which could be helpful to a certain extend.

Reference link here and here. 

Wishtrend Sales!

Hello pretty~

Exciting news to share! Wishtrend is having sales and make sure to check it out before it ends! They are also launching limited holiday package special.

You can get this gorgeous, limited edition sequin pouch with some of Klairs' and ByWishtrend's best products at a huge discounted price - up to 46% off! It's the perfect gift for this holiday season. Don't miss this out! Click here to visit their site.

This is a Centella asiatica extract cream that is perfect as a spot treatment. Especially for acne and post acne mark. It prevent scarring and promotes faster healing! Click here to check it out. 

Happy Shopping!

Guest Post: Why vitamin E?

Why vitamin E?

A lot of people know that vitamin E is great for the skin but not everyone knows why. They simply believe what ads say and what skincare products claim.

Now, is that a bad thing?

Well, not really since vitamin E is indeed great for the skin. However, knowing what an ingredient or a product can do for your skin is essential if you want to make the most out of it.

It’s also something you have to do if you have really sensitive skin.

Let’s get back to vitamin E.

This vitamin makes a really great moisturizer since it’s able to prevent water loss. And by increasing the natural moisture of the skin, it can also decrease the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.

Vitamin E can protect your skin from free radical damage. It can make your skin cells prone not just to premature skin aging but skin cancer, too.

And you know what else?

Vitamin E also has the ability to reduce the negative effects of UV rays. When applied topically, it can reduce redness and skin damage caused by UV-B rays.

This, however, doesn’t mean that this vitamin can work as a substitute for your sunscreen.

To know more about vitamin E and its benefits to your skin, here’s an infographic you can check out.

Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to providing honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Click here to check out her latest article about best soap for dry skin. You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream by Wishtrend Review

Sponsored post

Hello pretty~

It's a few more weeks to Christmas and then new year, times flies. I cannot believe the year is over already. Been so busy and finally found a bit of time to write review again. This review is for Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream by Wishtrend. Let's see the product profile:

Product profile:
Product Name: Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream by Wishtrend
Origin: S. Korea
Content: 50ml
Price: USD14
Available: http://www.wishtrend.com
Function: Vitamin cream / moisturizer

Description from wishtrend website

Containing 75% Vitamin tree (Sea Buckthorn) water Instead of just basic water, the Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream is made with 75% vitamin tree (Sea Buckthorn) water for an increased absorption to hydrate the skin. Meet the gentle vitamin cream that hydrates on a whole new level for that healthy glow. 

The Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream is full of natural Vitamin E with it's earth-friendly ingredients such as sunflower seed, macadamia, and palm tree oil. Vitamin E is excellent for rejuvenation of the skin and helps to prevent the appearance of aging and loss of elasticity. For faster, definite results, we recommend using with the By Wishtrend's Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum. 

The Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream is free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, artificial scents, and artificial colors for a safe-to-use, healthy vitamin cream for everyone

How to use?

Use the cream every morning and evening at the last step of your skincare by applying it to the center of the face, and gently spread it to the outermost parts of the face in light tapping motions for better absorption.

Packing in plastic container

 Ingredients

Description on the box

 Came with a cap inside for freshness

White color cream 

Swatch 

My thoughts:

I have been using the cream since October this year and almost finishing it, one of this can last me about two months plus. Been using this cream daily morning and evening at the last step of my skin care. The texture of this cream is almost gel like, but a bit denser than cream, not oily or greasy. The cream is lightly scented and smell a bit like lemon / citrus scent, I personally like the scent because it's smell refreshing. After using this cream for almost two months, I found this cream to be moisturizing on my skin, light and refreshing, gentle and not irritating to skin. This cream as mentioned is best to use with By Wishtrend's Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum, I however didn't use with this serum and still found it good as moisturizer. Overall a good product. This is great for those who would like a non-irritating moisturizer / those with sensitive skin, and would like non-greasy/sticky moisturizer. The pros and cons of this products are:

Pros:
- Moisturizing and hydrating on skin
- Non greasy, non sticky, non oily
- Gentle and non irritating, suitable for sensitive skin
- Free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, artificial scents, and artificial colors 

Cons:
- Not widely available on local store, need to purchase online

If you are interested to purchase this product, you may find the link here, which directly land on wishtrend website.