Firsts Tag
/
Friday, May 31, 2013 /
Posted in
Tag
first tweet? I believe it was about a giveaway?
First Facebook profile pic? Picture of a bouquet of flowers.
Do you still talk to your FIRST love? Hmm... perhaps? ;)
What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? Well, if you count the days when I would take a chopstick and dip it into my dad's drink, then a beer.
What was your FIRST job? A research lab assistant.
What was your FIRST car? Honda CR-V
Who was the FIRST person to text you today? My best friend
Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Probably one of my school friends
Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Miss O'Connor!
Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? USA
Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Dannie, a girl in my neighborhood. I haven't heard from her in years.
Where was your FIRST sleep over? At one of my friend's houses in the 5th grade.
What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Turn off the alarm.
What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Classical concert - 4th grade, Mozart's Greatest Pieces.
FIRST broken bone? None
FIRST piercing? Both earlobes
FIRST foreign country you've gone to? Does the US count? or rather, perhaps China, if I'm speaking as a US citizen.
FIRST movie you remember seeing? Titanic. Oh so beautiful.
When was your FIRST detention? Never gotten a detention.
Who was your FIRST roommate? My freshman roommate in college. Or we could count my brother (when he was much younger)
If you had one wish, what would it be? To not just survive med school but also thrive
What was the first sport you were involved in? Swimming
What is the first thing you do when you get home? Check the mail
When was your first kiss? Ooh, that's a touchy question. I actually didn't get my first kiss till college. (I wasn't allowed to date in HS).
Review: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
 |
| Photo Source FTC: I received a sample of this product. I am not paid for this review. |
I decided, why not? Let's give it a go!
Ingredients (from Drugstore.com):
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Sodium Sulfate
The first thing that I noticed when I squeezed out this product was its super clear, gel-like consistency. Instantly, I thought, whoa, petroleum jelly all over again. Personally, while I think petroleum jelly is an excellent emollient substance, it feels too sticky for daytime use. However, I decided to try it anyway as I trusted my attending physician.
The ingredients list shows several parabens for preservation purposes. Some people may be freaked out by that but for me it's actually kind of relieving. I'd rather have a product that has preservatives but doesn't spoil than a product that spoils really quickly. The natural movement is in hype right now, but when one thinks about it, the thing is that ingredients are there for a purpose. After all, why would the pharmaceutical companies put in additional ingredients, that cost more money, when they can use less ingredients, less distilling and purification steps, and make more money from this?
Anyway, that's my soapbox for the day.
Point being, the water, glycerin, and cetearyl alcohol are all fatty, emollient substances used for humectant purposes. I'm really glad there was no petrolatum - the key ingredient in petroleum jelly that gives the sticky feeling.
Pros:
- Very emollient
- Only made my hands feel sticky for about 10 sec after application
- Made my skin super smooth
- Did not feel sticky afterward
- Price ($4.49 for 2 oz)
Cons:
- None
- (Perhaps no anti-aging ingredients?)
Bottom line, I agree with my attending on this product and its abilities. I would definitely consider purchasing a full-sized version of it. It is a rather simple product with few ingredients but it definitely gets the job done!
Review: Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel
 |
| Photo source FTC: I am not compensated for this review. I received a sample of it from Sephora during an order. |
I got a very nice, hefty sample of this quite interesting product recently during a Sephora order. A very interesting product, I must say, a chemical peel. Now, while most people would think extreme from the words chemical peel, I don't know so much.
A chemical peel is used to desquamate (note: layman term = exfoliate) the skin - literally peel back the layers - in order to reveal newer, smoother skin underneath. It is used by people to soften the skin and give a younger apperance, in essence, an anti-aging agent. This is often done using alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Similarly, citric acid (think lemon juice mask) can be used in a similar method.
The caveat about chemical peels is that AHAs and BHAs make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Thus, one must wear sunscreen during the day for at least 1 week after application.
In the past, I haven't had much luck with chemical peels (e.g. the Kate Somerville peel really hurt my skin) so I've been pretty apprehensive about using these products. However, recently I had a weird bout of acne around the time of my alma mater's graduation ceremony, so I decided to go for this.
Ingredients (From Sephora):
-10% Alguronic Acid and Glycolic Acid: Dissolve the smaller skin-dulling cells and regenerate smoother, more even skin underneath.
-10% Pumpkin and Pomegranate Fruit Enzymes: Support enzymatic epidermal dissolution.
-Micro-Crystals: Lift off larger skin-dulling cells and buff rough skin to reveal a new, radiant skin surface.
-Botanical Anti-Inflammatories: Minimize redness and irritation.
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Algae Exopolysaccharides, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Algae Extract, Glucosamine HCL, Galactoarabinan, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Urea, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Oxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
I've had pretty good results with Algenist's sunscreen in SPF 50. I've also liked their alguronic acid formula, along with the fruit enzymes, which are used to desquamate the skin. The micro-crystals (aka beads) in the formula mechanically desquamate the skin and the anti-inflammatories are nice. The glycerin, jojoba oil, etc all help out with hydrating the skin without drying it out. The fragrance didn't seem too overpowering.
Pros:
-10% Alguronic Acid and Glycolic Acid: Dissolve the smaller skin-dulling cells and regenerate smoother, more even skin underneath.
-10% Pumpkin and Pomegranate Fruit Enzymes: Support enzymatic epidermal dissolution.
-Micro-Crystals: Lift off larger skin-dulling cells and buff rough skin to reveal a new, radiant skin surface.
-Botanical Anti-Inflammatories: Minimize redness and irritation.
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Algae Exopolysaccharides, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Algae Extract, Glucosamine HCL, Galactoarabinan, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Urea, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Magnesium Oxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Phenoxyethanol
I've had pretty good results with Algenist's sunscreen in SPF 50. I've also liked their alguronic acid formula, along with the fruit enzymes, which are used to desquamate the skin. The micro-crystals (aka beads) in the formula mechanically desquamate the skin and the anti-inflammatories are nice. The glycerin, jojoba oil, etc all help out with hydrating the skin without drying it out. The fragrance didn't seem too overpowering.
Pros:
- Did not make my skin hurt
- Great desquamation power
- Made my skin feel super smooth afterward
- Lightened my skin after 1 week of use
- Did help clear up some acne
- Scent not overpowering
Cons:
- Price! $75 for 2 oz. That is absolutely ridiculous. Even my 0.1 fl oz sample goes for $3.75 by itself. And that's just a week's worth of use. Ridiculous.
Overall, I think this product is quite excellent for those who can afford it. I think it is a great product that can be used for acne, anti-aging purposes, and all-around skincare for the long-run. However, for those who are on a budget, I believe that I've achieved similar results with simple lemon juice-cucumber juice face masks. Thus, there are much cheaper alternatives.
Contact Dermatitis Decontamination Advice!
Yesterday the plumber came to unclog a couple of my drains. Since my condo is pretty old (think ~40 years old), there are definitely parts that need maintenance.
Yes - the plumber did a great job. All the drains were unclogged and great. However, the adverse effect was not good. To my skin.
Look at this:
These pictures were actually taken after my skin got a lot better - when the rashes had subsided about 60%. At the height of them, they were angry red pustules that were super itchy and painful.
What are these?
These are the product of contact dermatitis - which is what happens when the skin contacts irritants such as drain cleaners and other solvents. It sucks. Yeah.
What have I been doing to help out my skin?
Yes - the plumber did a great job. All the drains were unclogged and great. However, the adverse effect was not good. To my skin.
Look at this:
What are these?
These are the product of contact dermatitis - which is what happens when the skin contacts irritants such as drain cleaners and other solvents. It sucks. Yeah.
What have I been doing to help out my skin?
- Body wash (not in picture): Changed to papaya + oatmeal. Buy a giant papaya at the store for $3 and take out the fruit. Blend it till it becomes a puree and then store it in sections in the fridge (separated into individual baggies). Then, when you need it, just take out 1+ baggies as needed and heat up the puree as needed in the microwave. Mix some oatmeal in with it. The thing is that papaya and oatmeal are soothing ingredients that are very good to the skin. They are, after all, two very simple ingredients - just papaya + oatmeal!
- Benadryl Itch Cooling Gel with 0.45% Camphor: This product smells terrible (due to the camphor) but it creates a cooling gel sensation that takes your mind off of the itch.
- Benadryl Cream - 2% Diphenhydramine hydrochloride + 0.1% Zinc Acetate. This is a skin protectant that helps get rid of some of the itching. I bought the generic version of it because literally (1) it had the same ingredients as the Benadryl cream and (2) it was $3 cheaper. Lolz.
- Mometasone Furoate Cream 0.1% - This was actually a prescription-grade glucocorticosteroid that really helps out the skin. It is stronger than all of the OTC creams I've ever used. My doc basically prescribed it to me last year when I had another crazy rash from a plant. She told me that basically I could use it whenever another such rash popped out. Thank goodness it hasn't expired yet, so I could it use it for this problem!
Anyway, these are things I'm doing to help out my rashes. It's really sad that I have them but at least these help!
~Lucia
Review: Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack Mask
 |
| Photo source FTC: I received samples of this product from a friend. I am not compensated for any reviews. |
Ever since I first heard about the brand Laneige products from Bubzbeauty a couple of years ago, I've always been fascinated by this line. It encompasses a lot of high-end skincare and makeup products.
Thus, when one of my friends gave me a couple of face masks from Laneige, I was super excited.
What is this product? This is a face mask - something that will suck out the impurities in the skin and exfoliate/desquamate the skin at the same time. I thought it was particularly awesome, so I decided to try it out.
I wasn't able to find a complete list of ingredients for this product. However, according to Sasa, the ingredients include:
White clay, Morocco clay (ghassoul)
I thought it was very interesting that there were only two ingredients in this product. Very "natural", per se, to those who prefer that terminology?
According to the instructions on the product, you smooth on a "nickel-sized amount" over your entire face (or spot treat) and wait 3-5 minutes. Then, wash off.
My initial reaction? The 3-5 minutes is a very short amount of time, especially compared to other face masks I've used. Also, the packs I received for individual masks were definitely more than a nickel size for each individual use, so I just decided to pile it all on in layers and layers.
And, incidentally, it just took 3-5 minutes to dry anyway.
Pros:
- Very good at desquamating my skin - felt super smooth afterward
- Quick drying time
- Very nice, clean, nice-smelling - as if I had stepped into a beauty salon.
Cons:
- BURNED my skin - perhaps it's because I just have sensitive skin, it burned by skin and made it feel really painful. Not too fun.
- Red face afterward - after I washed off the product, it felt as if I had boiled my face or run 1 mile or something. Super bright red.
- Update: The second time I tried using the mask, it did not burn my face anymore. Perhaps my skin has gotten used to the ingredients? I don't know.
- Cost - This product costs $21.80 on Sasa. As a high-end product, this is on the order of Clinique and similar brands' costs. For budgeters out there, this may be an issue.
Overall, despite my initial optimism about this product, I sadly have to say not to it. The biggest, buggiest issue for me -> the burning skin.
Lemme know if you've ever tried Laneige products and your opinions of them!
The Sunscreen Project Part 26: Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 (Medium Tan)
 |
| Photo source FTC: I received a sample of this product from Sephora. I am not compensated for this review. |
Just as an aside... why am I doing so many sunscreen reviews recently? Well, the thing is that summer is here (or will be right around the corner for those who live in higher latitudes). I would like everyone to be informed of as many sunscreen options as possible and their ups/downs. Also, I'm trying to find new products that have either just come out or have new reformulations. Thus, here we go!
After having pretty good results with EltaMD's tinted moisturizer in SPF 40, I decided to go to Sephora to find a similar product. A very nice sales lady gave me a sample of this to try after matching my skin color to Medium Tan. (BTW, I am an NC 30).
Thus, I decided to go for it.
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Oxybenzone 2.0%, Zinc Oxide 1.5%. Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Methicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Water/Eau, Dicaprylyl Ether, Boron Nitride, Octyldodecanol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Dimethiconol, Ubiquinone, Tapioca Starch, Mica, Physalis Angulata Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 80, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Sorbate, Hydrated Silica, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Retinyl Palmitate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phytonadione, Cholecalciferol, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.
Here are some comments about the ingredients themselves:
- This is a combo, hybrid organic-inorganic sunscreen with octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone, and zinc oxide.
- Some people may not like oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate due to effects I've discussed previous in this article.
- There are a lot of silicone-based ingredients in this, making for very smooth skin.
And, thus, I put it on.
Here's what I found:
Pros:
- Very silky feeling
- Mixed organic-inorganic sunscreen
- Did not break me out
- Did not dry out my skin
- No white cast
Cons:
- Made my skin have an orange-shade appearance (eww!)
- Has oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate
- Only SPF 20, not 30+ (like US FDA suggestions state)
- Cost ($48 for 1.7 oz)
Final thoughts? I did like the fact that the product made my skin feel super silky and nice. However, I will not be purchasing a full-sized version due to the ingredients cons and especially because of the SPF factor. Price may also be an issue.
Still chugging along for sunscreens! Take care!
OOTD, Date night
Top: St. John's Stretch Jacket in Covert Green, Size S, $50
Tank top: Talbot's Super Soft Cotton Scoop Neck Orange Tank w/ Leaf Details, Size XS (Similar)
Skirt: Wrapper Pencil Skirt w/ Brown Pattern, Size 5/6, Price Unknown
Shoes: White Mountain Brown Flats, $40
Earrings: Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconium Diamond (Similar)
Necklace: Turquoise Statement Layered, Price Unknown
The Sunscreen Project, Part 25: Spearmint Lip Balm, SPF 15
Have you ever gone to a job fair, where there are tons of people promoting their companies, giving you brochures, asking you to apply to jobs, asking for resumes, etc?
Well, at one of the most recent ones I went to before I graduated from college, I got a nifty gift from one of the companies.
I had actually gone to the job fair to scout for potential summer internships. TripAdvisor wasn't looking for summer interns at the time, but the people manning the booth still gave me this.
Spearmint SPF 15 Lip Balm (Net weight: 0.15 oz)
Ingredients (directly from the label):
Active ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (3%)
Other ingredients: Organic palm oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin olive oil, essential oil of spearmint, organic hemp seed oil, rosemary extract, vitamin E
From the initial looks of it, pretty cool to have so many organic ingredients, right?
Well, here's my review.
Pros:
Well, at one of the most recent ones I went to before I graduated from college, I got a nifty gift from one of the companies.
 |
| (sorry for the blurriness; I didn't have my camera on me at the time and thus used the webcam instead!) |
(FTC: I received this product for free at a job fair at my college. I am not paid or sponsored for any anything)
Yes, TripAdvisor. It's a cool company to work for - you travel to so many different places around the world and get to see so many things!
I had actually gone to the job fair to scout for potential summer internships. TripAdvisor wasn't looking for summer interns at the time, but the people manning the booth still gave me this.
Spearmint SPF 15 Lip Balm (Net weight: 0.15 oz)
Ingredients (directly from the label):
Active ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Oxybenzone (3%)
Other ingredients: Organic palm oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin olive oil, essential oil of spearmint, organic hemp seed oil, rosemary extract, vitamin E
From the initial looks of it, pretty cool to have so many organic ingredients, right?
Well, here's my review.
Pros:
- Has SPF 15 - a pretty good SPF for a lip sunscreen
- Has lots of organic ingredients
- Octinoxate is a relatively stable ingredient
- Nice spearmint smell
- No lip acne as a result
- Lasts a long time
- Doesn't feel sticky - just feels very refreshing
- Can be unisex - for use by men and women (I have male friends who have used this product as well)
- Price: Free! Lolz. although on this site (which sells a very similar lip balm to companies) it costs $0.36 for each. Which is still extremely cheap.
Cons:
- Initially, the spearmint essential oil made my lips smart and feel slightly painful (stinging sensation), after I desquamated/(exfoliated, in layman terms) my lips with a scrub, it was a lot better. I think it was because of the dead skin cells on my lips that triggered the reaction - the contact of the actual surface lip skin that wouldn't have been desquamated otherwise was having a similar conflict with the dead skin cells that would've been desquamated. Hmm.
- Oxybenzone is an ingredient - warning for people who are afraid of its effects on babies.
- Lack of UVA ray protection
Word of advice: if you use lip balms or lip glosses or lipsticks, etc, be sure to get off the excess dead skin cells off of your lips first! Else there will be an uneven application of the product on your lips and your lips will appear flaky (not so good). Also, it's really good to use a lip balm with SPF - your lips need sun protection too! (don't want lip cancer)
Overall, what do I think of it? I think it's a great product that will help me get through the winter. This was the product that I've been using since I used up my Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm in Cherry (SPF15). I have other lip glosses and balms I'm going to try after this one as well. And I'll review them too!
Review: Weleda Iris Hydrating Facial Lotion
 |
| FTC: I received a sample of this product. I am not compensated for any reviews.. |
While going to Whole Foods about half a year ago, I happened to happen by a very nice lady holding out a bunch of skincare products for testing. One of the ones she had was this.
I was quite intrigued by this product because there were few "natural" facial lotions that I had tried previously, perhaps other than the ones from Origins. So I decided to pick it up.
Lo and behold, it actually took me about 1/2 year before I actually got to reviewing it -_-
According to C.O. Bigelow's website, this product is geared toward oily and combination skin types. It is supposed to "maintain your skin's natural moisture balance, leaving you skin feeling smooth." It also is apparently made in Germany. Oohh. Europe.
Here is the ingredients list:
Water (Aqua), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Linoleate, Hydrolyzed Beeswax, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Iris Germanica Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Beeswax, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral*.
* from natural essential oils
Like I do to just about all of the skincare products I test, I incorporated this skincare product into my routine for 1 week while not altering the rest of my routine, for control test purposes. (For all of my fellow stats nerds out there, n=7 and all other variables controlled, I guess? In a way at least, with n = 7 of days?)
Here were the highlights:
- Felt slightly sticky
- The oils, beeswax, and perhaps other essential oil-derived products made me break out in my T-zone
- Felt really greasy
- When tried on as a eye cream, caked up and dried up my eye the next day
Bottom line?
Pros: Good for those who like "natural" lines
Cons: Breaks out skin type it is intended for, super expensive ($20.50 for 1 fl oz)
I personally wouldn't purchase the full-sized version of this product. I'll go for a product that doesn't break me out, thanks.
Photo source: C.O. Bigelow's website
The Sunscreen Project, Part 24: ChapStick LipShield 365 SPF 50+
 |
| FTC: I paid for this product with my own money. I do not receive any compensation for this review. |
Earlier this calendar year (think January-ish) I decided that a good investment for the summer would be a chapstick with SPF. As lips are definitely susceptible to lip cancer and they are very important, I decided to go for a product with a HIGH SPF factor. Thus, when I saw a nice little display at the front of Randalls one auspicious day, I decided to go for it. Dollar bin box!
Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Dimethicone 1.5%, Homosalate 6%, Octinoxate 6.5%, Octisalate 4.5%, Oxybenzone 5%
Inactive Ingredients: Alumina, Butylene Glycol, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera) Wax, Castor Oil Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Collodial Silicon Dioxide, Diethylhexyl 2, 6 Naphthalate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hexylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly (C6 14 Olefin), Isopropyl Myristate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Methylparaben, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Paraffin, Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Sorbeth 2 Hexaoleate, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract, Sucralose, Titanium Dioxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ubiquinone, Vitamin E Acetate, White Wax
Now that I've used this product for about 1 month, I decided it was a good time to review it.
Pros:
- Good protection against UVA and UVB rays
- SPF 50+, so very high protection (98+% of rays covered)
- Coconut smell
- Slightly sweet taste
- Glides on smoothly and clearly
- Moisturizing
- Contains vitamin E, humectant products, flower extracts
Cons:
- Has oxybenzone (for those who are worried about it)
- Has organic sunscreen ingredients (for those who are worried about them)
- Isn't long-lasting: have to keep on re-applying
I personally think a chapstick with spf is a good investment for the summer, in fact, for the entire year. This product definitely is affordable ($1-$2 at most drugstores and supermarkets), gets the job done, and is nice-feeling and smelling at the same time. For those who want a more permanent application without frequent reapplication needed, I would suggest another product.
Photo source
Review: Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum w/ Anogeissus
 |
| Photo source FTC: I received a sample of this product in the mail. I am not compensated for any reviews. |
I received a sample of this product in the mail from Origins quite awhile ago. Didn't get a chance to try and use this product until now!
I've personally always been a bit wary of brands (including Origins) that promote "natural" products with "natural" ingredients. Truthfully, if one thinks about it, "natural" and "chemical" are very iffy-touchy terms because things, ultimately, are all made of chemicals. Just because something is natural doesn't necessarily mean it is good or great. Just because something is "artificial" doesn't mean it has horrible implications. For example, foxglove is a "natural" herb, but it can cause blurred vision, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, or even death. On the other hand, vitamin C pills are often manufactured in factories and laboratories, but it doesn't mean they don't prevent scurvy and have other health benefits.
Anyway, that's my soapbox for the day ;)
Back to the review. According to the Origins website, this product is supposed to help reduce lines and wrinkles. (Aren't wrinkles lines anyway?)
I wasn't able to find an ingredients list anywhere (Sephora, Amazon, anywhere really) but it seems that the key ingredient is anogeissus, which is supposed to penetrate the skin deeply to stop the skin's enzymes from destroying the skin's building blocks which keeps the skin's elasticity.
From what I can remember from my med school classes and research, I believe this means that anogeissus somehow interferes with the breakdown system of collagen and perhaps works something with hyaluronic acid as well. Perhaps it prevents breakdown of scarring from type III to type I collagen overturn. Or something. Perhaps. I don't know.
Things are not very transparent here.
The key thing is, if anogeissus does do the things it is purported to do, the basic molecule must be less than 500 daltons in size (see the 500 Dalton Rule for skin penetration, on FutureDerm and the abstract of the publication that described this).
Anyway, point being, the product, when I tried it:
I've personally always been a bit wary of brands (including Origins) that promote "natural" products with "natural" ingredients. Truthfully, if one thinks about it, "natural" and "chemical" are very iffy-touchy terms because things, ultimately, are all made of chemicals. Just because something is natural doesn't necessarily mean it is good or great. Just because something is "artificial" doesn't mean it has horrible implications. For example, foxglove is a "natural" herb, but it can cause blurred vision, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, or even death. On the other hand, vitamin C pills are often manufactured in factories and laboratories, but it doesn't mean they don't prevent scurvy and have other health benefits.
Anyway, that's my soapbox for the day ;)
Back to the review. According to the Origins website, this product is supposed to help reduce lines and wrinkles. (Aren't wrinkles lines anyway?)
I wasn't able to find an ingredients list anywhere (Sephora, Amazon, anywhere really) but it seems that the key ingredient is anogeissus, which is supposed to penetrate the skin deeply to stop the skin's enzymes from destroying the skin's building blocks which keeps the skin's elasticity.
From what I can remember from my med school classes and research, I believe this means that anogeissus somehow interferes with the breakdown system of collagen and perhaps works something with hyaluronic acid as well. Perhaps it prevents breakdown of scarring from type III to type I collagen overturn. Or something. Perhaps. I don't know.
Things are not very transparent here.
The key thing is, if anogeissus does do the things it is purported to do, the basic molecule must be less than 500 daltons in size (see the 500 Dalton Rule for skin penetration, on FutureDerm and the abstract of the publication that described this).
Anyway, point being, the product, when I tried it:
- Perked up my undereye area
- Worked well under my sunscreen
- Had a citrus smell
- Showed temporary results
Truthfully, this product retails at $75 for 1.7 oz on Sephora. It is extremely expensive. I don't think it's worth it to use this as a protective product. It is probably better to invest in a sunscreen rather than this, unless if someone has any money just to throw away. Also, there are other serums from other brands like FutureDerm and Dr. Hauschka that may work a lot better.
We'll see what happens!
Have a great night everyone!
