The Sunscreen Project, Part 21

My next sunscreen in line to be reviewed is Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 Age-Defense Moisturizer with White Tea (1.7oz).

Source: I received two bottles of this at Sephora and Origins (separate shop) on Earth Day last year. There was a special promotion where you could recycle a bottle of one of your used-up beauty products (including shampoo, haircare, etc) and receive a 1.7 oz of either this or another moisturizer. I decided to go for two products with spf due to my concerns about Texas sun.

Ingredients (taken from NIH's DailyMed site):


Active ingredients Purpose
avobenzone 3.00% Sunscreen
octisalate 5.00% Sunscreen
octocrylene 2.70% Sunscreen

Inactive ingredients: 

water; citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) flower water, anthemis nobilis (chamomile) flower water ∙ butyloctyl salicylate ∙ ethyl macadamiate ∙ methyl trimethicone jojoba esters ∙ butylene glycol ∙ lauryl peg-9 polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone ∙ peg-100 stearate ∙ glyceryl stearate ∙ citrus aurantium bergamia (bergamot) fruit oil1, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil1, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) oil1, cinnamomum camphora (camphor) bark oil1, mentha viridis (spearmint) leaf oil1, magnolia acuminata flower extract, iris pallida (orris) root extract, rosa damascena (rose) extract, citral, linalool, limonene ∙ camellia sinensis (white tea) leaf extract ∙ pinus pinaster bark/bud extract ∙ arabidopsis thaliana extract ∙ ascorbyl tocopheryl maleate ∙ oryzanol ∙ ergothioneine ∙ triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract ∙ hordeum vulgare (barley) extract ∙ cholesterol ∙ caffeine ∙ mangifera indica (mango) seed butter ∙ butyrospermum parkii (shea butter) ∙ potassium cetyl phosphate ∙ cetyl alcohol ∙ ethylhexylglycerin ∙ linoleic acid ∙ squalane ∙ sodium hyaluronate ∙ caprylyl glycol ∙ dehydroxanthan gum ∙ silica ∙ ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer ∙ citric acid ∙ sodium stearate ∙ sodium dehydroacetate ∙ phenoxyethanol ∙ mica <iln36381>



Seeing that Origins is a company that prides itself on using "natural" ingredients, the schlew of oils and other extracts is not surprising.

Once again, here are the qualifications I look for in a sunscreen:

• Preferably inorganic (derived from zinc oxide or titanium oxide)
• At least SPF30 coverage (following US FDA recommendations)
• Doesn't break me out or give me a rash
• Preferably does not give me a white cast
• Does not contain oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate (future article coming out soon)
• Is affordable

Now, let's see how this sunscreen did.

Pros:

• No white cast
• No oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate
• Provides both UVA and UVB ray coverage (active ingredients include avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene)
• Provides the highest level of avobenzone possible, as allowed by US FDA guidelines (3%)

Neutrals:

• Uses organic sunscreen ingredients (listed active ingredients)

Cons:

• "Comedogenic-ness": When I first tried out this sunscreen, I applied it directly to my face. Not surprisingly, with all of the essential oils and extracts, I broke out. However, afterward, I decided to apply it just to my neck, and it was fine - no more breakouts.
• Price: This product sells for $39.50 (1.7 oz) on Sephora.com. Definitely very very pricey.
• Lower SPF coverage (SPF 25)

Overall, while I am definitely very thankful for my two tubes of product, I do not think I will purchase the product. It is definitely very pricey and there definitely seem to be cons that in some ways outweigh the pros.

An additional shout-out: To my best friend (who also got the sunscreen from the same promotion): What is your opinion of it? Lemme know via the comments, Skype, in person, or something!

Source: 1

Review: Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream (Normal-Combo skin)

This. is. da. bomb.

I have been searching for a good, non-comedogenic, light, hydrating nighttime moisturizer for my face. As you all may know, I have combination-oily, acne-prone skin. What does this mean? It means that I have normal skin around my cheek area but around my t-zone (forehead, nose, down to my chin) I am prone to getting breakouts. I definitely do have acne, depending on my levels of cortisol (a hormone that correlates with the amount of stress I'm under). And of course, around the hormonal changes that surround most women, etc.

I got a sample of this product originally in the mail. Oh my goodness. So light, yet refreshing. It is literally the first dupe I've found of Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief.

Ingredients (Garnier product):


Water , Glycerin , Alcohol Denatured , Dimethicone , Isononyl Isononanoate , Carbomer , Dimethiconol , Chlorphenesin , Caprylyl Glycol , Sodium Hydroxide , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Extract , Xanthan Gum , Tetrasodium EDTA , Tocopherol Acetate , Ascorbyl Glucoside , Methoxypropanediol , Magnesium Gluconate , Sodium Citrate , Benzyl Salicylate , Linalool , Calcium Gluconate , Biosaccharide Gum 1 , Hydroxyisohexyl 3 Cyclohexene Carboxalde , Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Yellow 5 , Blue 1 , Fragrance , Phenoxyethanol


As you can see, the second ingredient, glycerin, is a humectant - water-retaining product. That is nice. Dimethicone is a skin protectant, which is also a nice addition

Pros:

• Really light-feeling
• Only slightly sticky (less sticky than the Clinique product)
• Really moisture-retaining
• Doesn't make me break out (non-comedogenic)
• Price ($7 for 1.7 oz at HEB/Target/Walmart/wherever, vs. Clinique, which is $37 for the same size at Sephora)

Cons:

• Really big, heavy scent (characteristic of most Garnier products, in fact)
• Jar packaging - susceptible to bacteria

Overall, I definitely liked this product. The pros definitely outweigh the cons. Personally, in some aspects, I like this better than Clinique's because it feels less sticky, and of course because of the price. I could buy 5 Garnier's for just one Clinique! Seriously!

I have just repurchased this.

Source: 1 / 2

Hair issues

Unedited fob pose. Look at the crazy light hair color!

Confession: I think the quality of my hair has gotten worse.

When I was younger, I used to have dark, smooth, silky, strong East Asian hair. Later on in life, southern Gulf Coast USA weather sunbleached it to a dark brown.

My hair has been getting lighter in color since.

I have gone to the same cosmetologist for the past 6-7 years. She is very detailed and knows how to do perfect East Asian female cuts. And she charges for $15 a cut + tip. (what a great deal!) Anyway the point is that she's stated that the quality of my hair has been getting worse throughout the years. It's still shiny; it's still silky, straight, etc. But these characteristics are now not because of a result of my natural/inherent body, but because of products as well.

• I now have to put in hair serum in order to make my hair feel smooth and silky
• I do co-washes every other day to prevent shampoo from damaging it
• Split ends come in a lot.

What is going on?

Well, for starters, around the time my hair first started changing quality, I had:

• Changed my diet - a lot less cheese, milk, red meat, etc
• Been under a lot of high school stress - college apps, scholarship apps, etc
• Been deprived of sleep
• Involved in a lot of competitions

Perhaps the chronically high levels of cortisol were diverting resources away from hair quality and more toward surviving?

• During my junior year of college, I started growing it out a lot. I was still shampooing it 1x/day, every day, and I guess the sulfates really got to my hair. Lots of split ends. I had never, ever, ever gotten split ends before. Etc.
• Based on recommendations, I actually have to eat protein and stuff now. So red meat, milk, Greek yogurt, etc - have to be in the equation.
• Now, going into anatomy lab = formaldehyde/formalin exposure (which I have been going to for the past 7 months)
• The condo that I live in is quite old (perhaps around 30-40 years old) so perhaps something with the walls/ventilation system/air created as a result?

What do I do now to prevent this (or at least as much as I can)?

• Use a hair serum every night - rub into hair's roots and ends
• Cut off ends of hair every 2 months
• Do a co-wash every other day
• Use a sulfate-free shampoo

So far it seems like it's worked but I've still got to work on it. I hope it'll get better!

NOTD... from Christmas Break

 



Yes, I know, it is late. I just wanted to post this beforehand.

Like I stated in a few posts before, I did not want to paint my nails until Gross Anatomy was done. Yes, I know.

But it was Christmas, and one of my friends and I went to the mall. Why not try it out?

Base: Sephora by OPI
Middle: Massai Red by Dior
Top: Sephora by OPI

I took this coat off about a week later. I'm not going to put on nail polish again till Gross is done!

Review: Weleda Body Lotions

  

Weleda is a high-end, natural, organics-based company that specializes in skincare, oral care, hair care, and other products. I was fortunate enough to receive some samples of body lotion from this company from a store. I have used the two scents of lotions I received, Sea Buckthorn and Pomegranate Regenerating, for a few days, and decided to do a review on it.

According to the official website, here are the ingredients for the two products:

Sea Buckthorn Lotion:

Ingredients (INCI)
Water (Aqua), Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tapioca Starch, Cetearyl Alcohol, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Farnesol*.
* from natural essential oils

Pomegranate Regenerating Lotion:

Ingredients (INCI)
Water (Aqua), Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Limonene*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Coumarin*, Farnesol*.
* from natural essential oils



So, here you go!

Sea buckthorn body lotion:
Pros:
-Easy to apply
-Easily blends into skin and absorbs into skin
-Smells really nice, kind of a sweet yet "sea-like" smell
-Has lots of organic material (is 97% organic, according to the website)

Cons:
-Really drying for the skin; it somehow dried out my skin rather than hydrated it
-Cost: Is $16.50 for 6.8 fl oz

Pomegranate regenerating body lotion:
Pros:
-Has lots of organic material (83% organic)

Cons:
-Leaves a white cast
-Is really hard to blend in
-Feels tacky - e.g. doesn't sink into skin
-Doesn't hydrate the skin; is drying
-Has a plastic-like smell
-Cost: is $16.50 for 6.8 fl oz


I've got to say overall they really resemble, in terms of the intensity of scent, dryness, and overall feeling, these lotions really resemble the one by GUD brand (for my review on it, click here). If one really wanted a lotion with this kind of feeling, I would recommend the GUD lotion over this one because of the price factor (GUD is $7 for 8 fl oz, whereas Weleda is $16.50 for 6.8 fl oz). Overall, I definitely liked the Sea Buckthorn lotion a lot more than the Pomegranate Regenerating lotion. I think the sea buckthorn lotion would be good for someone who was looking for an organic product and had more oily skin. However, as of now, I don't think I would recommend the pomegranate regenerating lotion for someone with my skin type (face = combination, body = normal-dry).

So there ya go! Another skincare lotion review.

Sources: 1 / 2