Coming May 2015: SkinMatters.com.ph website for all your skin concerns

This is a heads-up for those who love to google all things about skincare.

Starting May 1, 2015, a brand new local website totally dedicated to everything you'd want to know about skin will launch and it will have not only solutions for skin concerns but lots of how-tos and product recommendations. This is SkinMatters.com.ph.

Created in collaboration with Unilever, the Philippine Dermatological Society and an editorial team of skin care experts and writers headed by Editor-in-Chief Nicole Romero, SkinMatters.com.ph is a site for men and women. Why was it even created? Apparently, according to Google Trends, a significant number of online searches have to do with skin. Mian Datu-David, Unilever Philippines' Marketing Director for Skin told us at the event "…we saw a need for knowledge and expertise on skin care that is readily available online…We wanted to give our consumers a comprehensive site where they could find the solutions to their skin concerns."

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the content of SkinMatters.com.ph.

This is the home page.

Kleenex redefines softness with cucumber

There are brands that are passed on from generation to generation. In my family, Kleenex is one of them.

My family is a long-time user of Kleenex of most of its variants. Yes, we are now 3 generations of Kleenex users -- from the time of my Mom who always had a Kleenex pack in her bag, to me growing up, and now to my kids who always have a travel pack in their bags. Since some of my kids (and I) have always had allergic rhinitis, tissue was a necessity. Even our cars have a box each too.

But here's one confession I'll make.

At some point in my married life, being a homemaker watching the family budget, I tried to switch to other brands that were cheaper. In my mind, tissue was tissue. Brand would not matter. So wrong! During my allergic rhinitis episodes, other brands that were apparently coarser, would create blisters right outside my nostrils so much faster. It really hurt!

So it was back to Kleenex and there we stayed.

When I got an invitation to the Kleenex event, I was really curious because the invitation looked like a cucumber.

True enough, cucumber extract is the main innovative ingredient that has been infused into the threads of all Kleenex products, making it so much softer. I can already attest to the softness because I took a sheet out of an opened Kleenex box with the infused cucumber extract. Then I took out a Kleenex sheet from the travel pack in my bag. Believe me, the new Kleenex is much softer and silkier to the touch. I had other bloggers feel the difference and they too attested to the great improvement.

Moms, think #WeAreBeautiful so your daughters will think so too

Moms, your influence on your daughters is greater than you think.

We've heard it said that more important than what we say to our kids is what we do because even as small kids they watch and imitate us. We may not know it but as mothers, we also communicate fears and impressions of ourselves onto our daughters. If we are not careful, they will grow up mirroring our thoughts and actions.

How many times have we said aloud "I don't like my (fill in the body part)"? This self-deprecation rubs off on our daughters who grow up being self-critical or lose their sense of self-acceptance or self worth.

Dove, in its previous #IAmBeautiful campaign, found out that only 7% of Filipina women saw themselves as beautiful. That is a staggering 93% who don't think they are. In another locally-commissioned study by Dove, the results showed that 2 out of 3 girls feel pressured to look beautiful and this external pressure comes from peers and friends. The redeeming factor? 81% of them still consider their mom as their role model, much higher than the global average of 55%.

An empowering moment -- being free in one's skin -- with Physiogel

I was luckier than most growing up. I had oily skin. But at my age now, reality is setting in. I'm losing my oily skin and finding that many parts of my body are more dry. Once, I went to church without putting lotion on my upper arms and to my horror, I found my skin was dry in some places. Ewwww!

The first thing that people notice when they meet you is usually your eyes and your skin. The skin is an organ and... the largest one in our body!!! Your state of health and well-being is shown not only in your eyes but also in the skin. Smooth and supple skin is a sign of health and youth.

Teens can now face up to acne better with Safeguard's Derma Sense

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

Three Extraordinary Women, One Extraordinary Moisturizer - Physiogel

One of the side effects of having cancer is the drying up of skin. I was told this during the time hubby was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo oral chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Radiation, in particular, was what tended to have an immediate drying effect on his skin. Our doctors told us that this would happen specifically in some areas of the body like the extremities and in the area that is irradiated.

But Physiogel, a leading dermatologist-prescribed moisturizer from GlaxoSmithKline, is what three extraordinary women turned to when they were going through their cancer journey. One of these beautiful survivors is a SoMoms friend of mine, Patty B. Balquiedra, 44 years of age, a mommy blogger, online entrepreneur and a loving mom of 2 beautiful girls. Two other cancer survivors also used Physiogel. One is Alya B. Honasan, a veteran editor and writer for newspapers, magazines and books, a certified Iyengar yoga teacher, avid scuba diver, occasional theater actress and doting mom to her dog Kikay. The other is Michee Cadhit, head of customer service and international relations department of The Medical City, a mother of three.

(L-R) Patty Balquiedra, Michee Cadhit, Alya Honasan

Each one had her own extraordinary story.

Skin Care Talk with Celeteque Dermoscience's Brand Ambassador, Dr. Eric Schweiger

Celeteque is a household name in my home. I use it. My girls use it. I've been with the brand since they were first introduced in the market years ago. Back then, I attended a blogger event for this still unknown brand that was supposed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I tried the product sample and since then was hooked.

Recently, I was invited to meet Celeteque's brand ambassador. The surprise we all got was finding out that their brand ambassador was not a local showbiz celebrity at all. In fact, the ambassador was not a she but a HE! And a US-based dermatologist at that!

Meet Dr. Eric Schweiger, a Certified Board Dermatologist and owner of Schweiger Dermatology NYC (as in New York City)! Dr. Eric has a private practice in Manhattan and take note, he has celebrity clients (which he could not name, of course). Dr. Eric said that he was very careful about product endorsements and has actually turned away many offers. According to him, there are things he looks for in a product. The ingredients should be dermo-grade (medically active derma ingredients) and the label should specifically say that the product was tested and proven through a clinical study because for him, it is the gold standard.

When Celeteque contacted him, he had them send over to him the entire product line to test. It took a while for him to try the products but in the end, he was satisfied with the dermoscience claims of the product and agreed to be its brand ambassador. That says a lot about Celeteque and actually makes the product lines very credible because it's a real-life dermatologist talking, not just some pretty face.

Dr. Eric differentiated cosmetic skincare products from Dermo-Cosmetics, which started as a specialized skin care category in Europe. Dermo-Cosmetic products combine the efficacy of derma-grade ingredients with dermatologists' expertise in skin care. Many cosmetic products simply conceal cosmetically while products incorporating dermoscience actually work on rejuvenating, repairing and restoring skin.

Celeteque had set up an area where skin analysis could be done. Bloggers could peer into a device with very bright lights so that the skin and pores were magnified and could be properly analyzed by skin consultants. I did not bother to have my skin analyzed as I knew already that I badly needed restorative and anti-aging treatment so instead, I decided to take a look-see where the product lines were all displayed.Wow, I did not know that Celeteque already had 6 different product lines: Hydration, Sun Care, Acne Solutions, Brightening, Advanced Anti-aging and Restorative. 

A nice take-off from Dr. Eric's interview with Angel Jacob was a demonstration of how dermoscience instantly works on skin. The skin consultants came over to our tables and asked volunteers for a before-and-after skin analysis.

I volunteered to have my skin analyzed. They had this device which they pressed on my skin to determine its moisture level.

Here's my hand being analyzed by the device

My face was tested too!

Before applying Celeteque moisturizer, my moisture level was 43.7

After applying Celeteque moisturizer, it read 57.2

Human Nature's Berry Bliss Lotion

I use lotion a lot. At this age, I have to make sure that my skin is always hydrated and protected from drying and shriveling up in this heat. My lotion was down to just a few more applications when I received a sample of Human Nature's Berry Bliss lotion to try. Speaking of good timing!

This newly launched lotion variant has a strong but pleasant berry scent the moment you pop open the lid, which I immediately did. I guess that made a first good impression because I really love berry scent anyway.

As with all other Human Nature products, this Berry Bliss lotion is what they call healthy lotion. Why? Because it is made without all the chemicals that go into other commercially made lotions. It's free of parabens that could bring on all kinds of health disorders including cancer.

Reading the ingredients on the label, I noticed also that they had infused the lotion with their sunflower seed oil. I have the sunflower oil of Human Nature as well and it is very popular because it helps to moisturize hair, give shine under the eyes, and moisturize skin but I noticed that when used solely, it tended to be thick and gooey -- and oily. Surprisingly, as I poured out the Berry Bliss lotion and rubbed it into my skin, there was no physical trace of the oily sunflower oil. Looks like Human Nature put in just enough of it to work without getting too oily. I could feel my skin feeling all smooth and moisturized and smelling berry, berry nice.

I'm going for the Berry Bliss next time I need to buy lotion. Just one thing, I hope their improved version of this down the road comes with some sunscreen protection.

Berry Bliss lotion comes in two sizes: the 50ml bottle costs PhP 65.75 while the 200ml bottle goes for PhP 199.75.

Human Nature now has a flagship store!

My family is slowly but surely moving out of a chemical-filled lifestyle into one that incorporates organic and natural products and this includes the consumer products we use. We're not at 100%, maybe not even at 50%, but my kids and I are becoming more conscious about the choices we make.

One brand that is very much present at home is Human Nature. My daughters and I have been using Human Nature products in place of some of our usual cosmetics. Recently, my daughter and I got the chance to visit the Human Nature Flagship Store - their very first concept store - in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

Anna Meloto-Wilk, President of Human Nature, welcomed us and gave a brief background on how Human Nature came about.

Designed by two young and talented Filipina architects (Mau Adraneda and Joyce Angara), the interiors were made to look like an enchanted forest in the midst of a concrete jungle.

Forest ambience, beautiful layout, warm lights

Products laid out around the trunk of the "tree"

Nice idea! Products arranged in heart shapes!

My new facial love - Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam

A few months back, I won blogger friend Rowena's blog contest and the prize I got was several pieces of Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam. Rowena herself swears by it and she has been telling me that she loves its feel on her face.

(photo courtesy of Pond's Philippines site)

I gave some away to family to try but kept about six for myself. At that time, I still had half of another facial foam cleanser so I did not get a chance to use Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam till last week. Here's what happened...

Two weeks ago, two pimples suddenly appeared on my nose. Now this was very unusual. I have not had pimples in years! But these two were bright red and looked really awful. I applied skin antibiotic ointment and in the next few days, the pimples subsided. But one flared up again and worse, a third pimple on the side of one nostril was beginning. It was like teen-aged nightmare all over again!

I thought I'd stop using my current facial cleanser and look for an alternative. I picked up Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam to see why Rowena was all praises for it. The ingredient "activated carbon" intrigued me. I know activated carbon is used in many ways to adsorb (not absorb) toxic chemicals and poisons. It's found in activated carbon filters of air purifiers, is used to adsorb foul smells (like baking soda), used in water purification and many others. Take a look at this article that talks of the benefits of activated carbon. Here's an excerpt from that article:

Activated charcoal can do these various things because of its ability to attract other substances to its surface and hold them there. This is called “adsorption” (not absorption). Another one of the benefits of activated charcoal is that it can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in harmful substances.

The British medical journal, Lancet, discusses the amazing ability of the human skin to allow transfer of liquids, gases, and even micro-particles through its permeable membrane and pores, by the application of a moist, activated charcoal poultice and compress which actually draw bacteria and poisons through the skin and into the poultice or compress!

I was hoping the activated carbon in Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam would draw out whatever was infecting my pimples.

On my first use, I think I overdid it. I was used to other facial cleansers where I had to put a lot on the palm of my hand. I put as much of Pond's facial foam on my palm and the lather it made was just so thick! So, next time around, I only used a pea size of the foam and it was good enough to work up a very good lather to cover my entire face. Very economical!

This is all you need to lather up your entire face!

True enough, after using it twice a day (morning and night) for several days, all my pimples began subsiding and now, it's almost gone from my face. After every use, my face also feels so extra squeaky clean too. The activated carbon must be drawing out all the toxins and grime from my face!

I'm loving the feel and effectiveness of Pond's Deep Cleansing Facial Foam! For now, this is my skin care partner!

Human Nature's Feminine Wash and Deodorant

I recently went to an intimate dinner with the Human Nature team, including Camille Meloto (daughter of Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto).

Human Nature was a natural discovery by Anna Meloto-Wilk, her husband Dylan Wilk and Camille on a trip to the U.S. where they saw how natural and ethical beauty products were penetrating the market and they wondered how the Philippines' rich, natural resources could produce such beauty products but at a much lower cost.

The story of Human Nature is, in itself, something amazing. The people behind it emphasize that its goal is not simply profit since they are a social enterprise. They live by 3 principles: PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR AND PRO-ENVIRONMENT.

Those 3 principles are strictly observed in the development of new products. All Human Nature products are 100% sourced in the Philippines unless there is no availability of certain required raw materials. Gawad Kalinga residents and communities are the targets of livelihood by Human Nature. Where the raw materials are available, communities are taught how to extract these for production and these are bought at fair prices (sometimes, even above market price) by Human Nature in order to encourage the residents to continue providing their raw materials. And lastly, being aware that they are stewards also of this planet, Human Nature products from the raw materials to the packaging are closely researched and examined to ensure that at every step of production, the materials are naturally derived and do not cause environmental toxins in the different processes. Recyclable bottles are used for packaging.

You probably know already about their very popular and always-out-of-stock Citronella Bug Spray which is DEET-free and very effective as far as keeping those nasty mosquitoes off you. And friends have recommended their Hand Sanitizer to me so much so that on my next shopping day, I bought a couple of bottles to start off.

Two new products were introduced to us: Human Nature Feminine Wash and Human Nature Deodorant.

Human Nature Feminine Wash

I am very particular about what feminine wash I use and get for my girls. And why not? it cleanses a very private part of yourself. I want to be sure that I am not introducing toxins into my body when using this. This is why I was happy to find out that Human Nature had come up with their own feminine wash product.

Beach Hut's SPF covers you 100% this summer!

School's out and summer is in!!!

If you're hitting the beaches, better be ready for all that sun exposure with a bottle or two of sunblock in your bag.

Me? I'm 100% ready for all that sun because this box brought me all the sun protection that my kids and I will need this summer. And it's good from face to toe...

I was excited just seeing the Beach Hut box because I knew it would contain sunblock. But what kind of sunblock did they have this time?

Just as a background, I use sunblock every day on top of my facial moisturizer. I am more conscious of applying this because with age, skin gets easily damaged by the sun's rays and the damage is oftentimes irreversible. When I am indoors, I can go as low as SPF 15 but if I know I will be stepping out of the house, I use my SPF45 sunblock. In fact, I've got an unopened sunblock with SPF65. And really, summers these past years have been pretty bad!

Opening the Beach Hut box, I got the biggest surprise because this was what was inside:

Yes, my kids are the ones who will go wild using the frisbee and the waterproof camera. Me? I'm more excited to use the two sunblocks that came with the box. 

Beach Hut Max 100

The highest SPF I have ever seen is SPF 75, which Beach Hut also has. Now, they're the first to be brave enough to announce an SPF 100! Wow.

This is what Beach Hut's website says about their SPF 100 product:

It’s here! Experience extreme high spf protection without the messy and oily feel like other lotion sunblock. Beach Hut Max SPF 100++ w/ micronized zinc oxide is uber light on skin, quick drying, and gives you that non messy, non sticky sheer feeling while offering up to 99% maximum protection from UVA/UVB rays that causes sunburn, skin cancer and skin darkening. This summer, don’t settle for anything less than 100, get the new Beach hut Max 100 unbelievably light lotion sunblock.

Sunsilk's Co-Creations Shampoo Line

Have you gone to the supermarket lately and checked out the shampoo aisle? You probably will notice a whole new line of Sunsilk shampoo products. This is their Co-Creations line.

Why "Co-Creations"? Well, Sunsilk has partnered with some of the best international hair experts to come up with a range of shampoo products that address just about every type of hair concern consumers have. These experts have done the tresses of top models and celebrities in different fields and by partnering with Sunsilk, they bring their expertise and knowledge of hair into each of the products in this Co-Creations line.

Our hair can no longer be handled by just one type of shampoo and conditioner. Situations change. Sometimes, we have hair that is limp and dry due to sun exposure. Other times, we suffer from dandruff. Still other times, hair could become damaged due to color treatments or other hair chemicals applied. In each instance, hair needs a different treatment to squarely address the concern at hand. This is why Sunsilk has this whole range of products, each one with a formulation targeted at a particular need.

Sunsilk sent me their Co-Creations line (plus the complete Creamsilk conditioner line to match as well) to try over the next few months. My kids and I just finished our old bottles of shampoo last night so we are excited to see how this Sunsilk line will work for us.

To help you out with your choice of shampoo next time you're at the supermarket, let me walk you through a short guide. 

Please note that the shampoo descriptions, representations as to what it can do for the hair, as well as contents of its formulation were lifted from Sunsilk's press kit.

Contest: Shen's 2nd Anniversary Giveaway

My friend, Shen, a beauty blogger, celebrates the second anniversary of her blog, Shen's Addiction, with a contest that you all will surely love.

(that's Shen behind the 3 of us)

She is giving away a whole range of beauty products to three (3) winners: 2 in the Philippines, 1 abroad.

Just take a look at some of the prizes she has in store for you:

Prizes:

The Body Shop

Maybelline Products

Ellana Minerals

Sun Life It's Time

Pureglow Minerals

Beauty and Minerals

Dollface Cosmetics

Pureology

L'oreal Proffesionel

The Spa Gift Certificate

Ipanema GB collection Certificate

L'oreal Men Expert

Hurry and join! Her contest runs till April 30, 2010. For the mechanics of the contest, click HERE

Avon's Anew Rejuvenate Line

It seems like almost every cosmetic line has jumped on the anti-aging bandwagon.Wherever I turn now at the cosmetic counters, the anti-aging line is being touted and it confuses us consumers all the more because which now, of all these brands, is truly effective in terms of preventing the ravaging effects of the sun and wind on one's skin as one ages.

I've always been a try-first-and-see person as far these claims go. One of the earliest brands to claim to be anti-aging turned out ineffective for me. I did not really feel any difference after consuming about 2 bottles of it.

A blogger friend, Earth, just wrote a review on Avon's Anew Rejuvenate Line. She has actually tried the product line already -- all 6 of them. And she has nothing but great words about its effect on her.

While I have not tried this Avon line, Earth's word is good enough for me to want to. At my age, I really need to take care of my skin since it tends to get dry in many areas already unlike when I was in my teens when oily skin was my problem.The sun also affects older skin than younger ones so I really need to be conscious always of protecting my exposed skin to the sun.

The great news is that Earth is sponsoring a contest that will award this whole Anew Rejuvenate line of Avon to a lucky blog reader of hers. You too can join till January 30, 2010. If you are interested, head on over to
Earth's blog for the mechanics of the contest.

As for me, I definitely want to try this out. After all, if it truly works on someone my age (a mother of 2 teens and 2 adults), that alone is the best testimony to the effectiveness of the anti-aging product, right?

So here goes. I am crossing my fingers that I win this contest.as I am excited to try out something that is highly recommended by Earth. I've seen her lately and yes, her skin looked very good.

Artistry Total Mascara - Your Lashes' Best Friend

If you need to step out of the house in a hurry, there are three facial features you cannot neglect: eyebrows, lashes and lips. Otherwise, you will look like you just got out of bed.

Eyebrows need to be emphasized with a little eyebrow liner or some eyebrow powder so you do not look like you had no eyebrows. For the lips, I run a base for my chapped lips before applying a touch of lipstick. I tend to put only a very light coat of lipstick for daytime wear that matches what I wear and make it more dark and red at night so as not to look pale Lastly, to emphasize my eyes, I brush mascara across my lashes.

Recently, I was introduced to a new line of mascara: the ARTISTRY Total Mascara. Right now, I have different brands of mascara (some more expensive than others). But really, if it does the trick, there is no need to pay an arm and a leg for a high-end mascara, right?

Artistry Total Mascara comes in water resistant and waterproof creamy formulas that resist smudging, flaking (I hate that because it enters my eye), and clumping (lashes sticking together in clumps). It comes in two shades: black and brown. One mascara brush alone will lengthen, define, lift and magnify lashes. Artistry Total Mascara is infused with Vitamins A and E to nourish and condition your lashes while defining your eyes to enhance it.

I have both the black and brown Artistry mascara to test so I am really looking forward to trying it out in forthcoming blogger events.

Artistry is not just mascara. They have other beauty products as well like concealers, eye creams, age-defying skin creams, and lipstick.

Artistry Total Mascara is sold exclusively by Amway Philippines. For more information, please call 814-8181 or visit their website. SRP: PhP 955.

HBC's Tatak Exclusibo Sale (Nov. 30-Dec. 8, 2009)

Last night, bloggers were treated to a preview of HBC's yearender sale from Nov. 30-Dec. 8, 2009 during which time, clients can purchase their products at significant discounts.

My girls have been buying HBC products in the past but frankly, I knew very little about it since I have been sticking to well-known foreign brands for my skin care considering I have sensitive skin and probably also hesitate to try new products.

But since the event was very close to my home, I decided to be adventurous and go to find out more about HBC. My girl C2 was with me and when we got to the HBC shop, we immediately began checking out the goods. I was not disappointed. Based on the short video that was shown to us and from going around the HBC shop for a first-hand look at what they were offering, I was delighted to discover the following:

- they carried hypoallergenic products
- their Allue line was just for tweens and teens, packaged in really cute girly designs (it made me wish my girls were little again)
- their body care line contains local ingredients known to be good for the skin like gugo, calamansi, henna and coconut oil
- their San San line is an anti-aging makeup line which also had SPF protection and vitamins!
- their price was very affordable (in fact, significantly less than the foreign brands I buy)

I still have to try the products I came home with last night but if they work for me, there is no reason I won't continue using these in the future. After all, being expensive does not always make a product that much better. And when we buy HBC, we are actually buying PINOY.

HBC is the leading innovative world-class retailer of health, beauty, personal and home care products and services with the best value. HBC has 200 branches nationwide. Call customer service at Tel. Nos.: 984-5555 loc. 228 or visit the website www.hbc.com.ph for more information

My 6-Week Skin Program with Celeteque Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com

Celeteque Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer Launches

Please click here to read the post on my new domain - philippinebeat.com