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Care for Combination Skin

Caring for combination skin type is quite difficult as the balance between the two skin types has to be maintained. There are several ways to combat this problem and bring a balance between the two.

1) Always make use of milder cleanser such as deep pore cleanser on the whole face and neck. This helps in keeping the oily T-zone clean and clear. Follow with this twice a day to come up with better results.

2) The dry areas need a good moisturizer, as these are known to stimulate the water penetration into the skin or it also works to decrease the rate at which the water evaporates from the surface of the skin. If the hydration is not enough, choose those lotions having silicone oils in them. This would help you moisturize your face without any feeling of extra oiliness and it is also light to use.


3) A toner which is free of alcohol should be used on the oily areas to prevent the shining of the central panel of the face. But make sure that you do not use it in the dry areas.

4) Exfoliate the skin so as to get a new and fresher look. While performing it check out the oilier areas more such as the nose, chin and even the forehead. The recommended mask for a combination skin is a gel mask. Otherwise you can prefer a clay mask for the oily areas such as forehead, chin and nose and a cream mask for dry areas which includes cheeks.

5) On oily areas always prefer oil-absorbing make up as this would surely control the shine.

6) Depend on a sunscreen whenever you step out and use those having
a minimum of 15 SPF.

Blemish Balm Cream

26/06/2009, Friday
Wow wow... Today I learnt about Blemish Balm Cream, a.k.a BB Cream. Got the below information from
http://blogshopr.com/20090131/blemish-balm-cream/. I've pasted the information here just in case it gets lost one day.

After reading the below, BB cream is just like a god send. Act like a make up while providing nutirents to the skin? Sounds good? I think so. Now I'm thinking of getting BB Cream for light make up. Haha. But still deciding which brand to get... Skinfood? Hanskin? or Dr Jart? Ermmm... think I shall get Skinfood Mushroom BB Cream.

The BB Cream, aka Blemish Balm, is *the* hottest beauty product in Asia right now. The product was originated in Germany and used by dermatologists to help patients who have gone through laser skin surgery soothe and regenerate the skin.
Soon after, Korean celebs started using the cream and a craze was born. Big companies then took the idea and turned it into a product widely available to the public. The new product is suitable for all skin types, especially those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. It has the advantages of both a makeup and skincare product. It can even out skintone, camouflage undereye circles, acne scars and add radiance to the skin without the heavy mask-like effects of a foundation. Prolonged used of the product will also help improve the overall texture of the skin and fade acne scars.


What is BB cream for?
BB cream acts as:
1. A liquid foundation/primer/concealer that not only conceals blemish, scars, uneven skin tone, age spots, sun spots, dark circles
2. Also heals , moisturize, treat, controls oil, tighten pores, hydrates skin over prolong use
3. Has Sunblock UVA & UVB, wrinkle free, whitening abilities
4. Doesn’t clog pores
5. Made of natural ingredients.

Who should be using BB cream?
BB cream is a skincare product and also a cosmetic product. BB cream is unisex product as it comes with only 1 shade which is natural color. BB cream gives a nude makeup as it blends into your skin tone giving you a natural healthy look. Therefore its hard for people to notice that you are wearing makeup. Troubled skin user apply BB cream to calm and cover their blemish/acne yet treat the problems at the same time. Usually skin texture is improved and blemish are healed over 1-3 months.

How do I apply BB cream?
BB cream is a foundation, therefore it should be applied in this basic routine [ Cleanse -> Tone -> Moisturise -> BB Cream
1. Squeeze a drop about 1 cm wide on palm/back of hand
2. Dip a small amount from your palm and target on all T-zone the forehead, nose, two side of cheeks and chin
3. Spread out the 5 points to your whole face by soft pushing, padding

Which BB cream Brand is the best for me?
There are probably 100 different BB cream out there. Just the same as asking which cleanser is the best for you. You probably have tried 10 over different cleansers and the next cleanser you have bought probably is going to be left aside half bottled and replaced with another new one.
Choosing the right BB cream has to be own preference and goals. There are different shades of natural color, more yellow or more pink, there are different texture from sheer to thick, different spf, some shiny, more coverage.. etc.
Reading reviews on internet and using samples may be the best guide to choose the right BB cream for yourself. On top of that you have to know which skin type are you. Oily, dry or combination skin.


Which BB cream is for Men?
Most of the BB cream are unisex but of cause you do not want to look too fair/pale and glossy. There are BB cream cater for Men only due to popular demand in Korea. They are slightly darker shade, without whitening, waterproof, with SPF, varies. They are sometime brand as color lotion, BB UV, Sunblock, BB fluid but all of them are BB cream. None of them uses the word ‘Blemish’ on their brand as one of the company has registered ‘Blemish’ as their patent resulting in other company to stop using ‘Blemish’ Balm on the product.

Where can I buy BB cream?
In Singapore, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Watson and Guardian. SaSa carries BB cream. The Face shop has their own brand of green tea and color lotion, Skin Food has Aloe and Ginger BB cream, Watson has Rojukiss and BRTC and Guardian has BRTC series, SaSa has missha .. etc. They priced from $30 - $60 in average.
Another way is to buy from sprees or online blogshop where they have more brands that retailers are not selling locally. They priced from $20+ - $60 in average.


What are the brands that I should be looking for?
The most popular search is Skin79, BRTC, Dr. Jart, Gowoonsesang, Hanskin, Missha, Etude, Coogi.Here we are going to discover new brands or exclusively brands suitable for men. If you found a shade that birghtens your dull face and brings a slight radiant to you and keeps oil in control, you probably got the correct shade. If you look pale, greyish, over pinkish, then that shade doesnt suit your skin tone. Some brands has better healing abilities like tightening pores, lighten acne and scar, regulate oil sebum control. For ultra sensitive skin, use dermalogica BB cream.

Beauty within Food

23/06/2009, Tuesday
As I surf the net today, I found an interesting piece of information pertaining to skin beauty and it's call - Food for Skin: Beauty within Food

For the past 28 years, I've loved fried food & junk food such as chips, cakes, etc etc. And without the knowledge and the thoughts to take care of my skin at all, no wonder my skin never look healthy before..

After reading the below article, my mindset has to change and I have to start eating healthily from now on. Its not difficult, its whether I am determined and discipline enough. I hope I am.... Wish me good luck. Hee...

"We all love to possess a radiant glowing skin, thick lustrous hair, healthy nails & bright sparkling eyes. The food that we eat is of utmost importance to achieve this goal. Less water causes blotchy, dull skin & acne. Consume 7-8 glasses of water daily. Replace refined flour with whole grains as during the refining process, the Vitamin B, proteins and fibres are removed. A balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrate and fats with the required amount of minerals and vitamins is essential for good, healthy skin.

PROTEINS
The proteins are needed for repair of body tissues. The skin and hair need enough protein and the deficiency causes dull and dry skin and scalp. Vegetarians specially need to plan their diets carefully to include protein rich foods such as soya beans, sprouts, cheese, milk, grains, peas & beans. Freshly made cheese from toned milk is an excellent source of protein for the vegetarians. Sprouted beans are enormously rich in nutrition as both the Vitamin B and C content increases as much as 40% during sprouting. If porridge sounds to drab, make it interesting by adding the fruit of your choice to it. Include yogurt in your meals. This dairy product contains bacteria which keeps intestines clean, giving a healthy glow to your skin.


CARBOHYDRATES
Sugar is one of those carbohydrate rich food which has no value. On the contrary, it can cause acne, poor circulation and obesity. So instead of sugar, add brown sugar or honey to your diet. Both help purify blood and cleanse the body of toxins. Other refined carbohydrates like cause the problem are white flour and white bread in which the nutrients such as vitamins and fibre get removed during refining. These thus largely provide empty calories. Excess carbohydrate which is not needed to supply immediate energy demands, is stored as fat. So, avoid white bread etc, instead opt for brown bread and whole wheat flour chapattis. Fat: You need very little fat, but a little is necessary for good circulation and supple & soft skin.

VITAMINS
Adequate supply of vitamins are very helpful in maintaining a healthy and glowing skin; and preventing premature ageing.


FIBRE
Fibre is very important. This indigestible carbohydrate is concentrated in the peels & rinds of fruits and vegetables and in the outer layers of grains and pulses. Fibre rich foods promote radiant flossy skin and clear eyes."

Skin Hydration

Skin hydration is one of our primary goals in a careful skin regimen to guard against premature aging and wrinkles. It is a vital part of a skin care routine if we want to have a healthy glowing skin. Moisture enable skin tissue to self-recover better.
Some of the causes of skin dehydration are:
1) Harsh environmental factors – sun and wind

2) An unbalanced diet lacking in fruits and vegetables
3) Use of harsh cleansers on the skin
Our body loses 2 to 3 liters of water every day just from breathing, sweating and urinating and if we are doing other heavy activities we can lose up to 2 liters in one hour.

3 steps in keeping our skin hydrated:
1) We need to begin with including fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables in our diet. Not only will these hydrate our skin, but will also have the added advantage of keeping it healthy by nourishing it with plenty of vitamins and minerals. The antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables are known to prevent the oxidization that breaks down and ages the skin. In addition, the fluid content in fruits and vegetables is high, so this will provide your body with added moisture. Drinking more water (8 glasses per day) will also help in keeping the skin hydrated. Water helps the kidneys to filter toxins from our body too.

2) Apply a good sunscreen when going outdoors to protect our skin from harmful elements.

3) Use products that have been specifically designed for hydrating the skin. Using a good quality skin moisturizer is a critically important, because we will need to seal the moisture into our skin so it doesn’t just evaporate into the dry air. Some natural ingredients that support skin hydration include avocado oil, macadamia oil, and honey. A good, natural hydrating product can play an important role in keeping our skin in shape. The key is to avoid products containing harsh chemicals like mineral oil or parabens, which only harm the skin in the long run. And finally our very basic daily skin care routine should consist of cleaning, toning and moisturizing.

TIPS:
1) Limit hot baths and showers, because harsh temperatures are drying to the skin.
2) As soon as we cleanse our skin, apply our skincare products within 10 minutes to asborb all the nutrients from the product and to seal in moisture while our pores are still open.

Sunscreen

Learnt from Nu Ren Wo Zui Mei today that SUNSCREEN is really really important as part of our skincare regimen. Thus, I sourced for more information on sun protection.

Although sunlight is essential for human life, daily exposure to the sun (Sunlight exposes you to two kinds of ultraviolet light, called UVA and UVB) over a lifetime is a major cause of skin damage, including wrinkling and skin cancer. Many of the skin changes attributed to aging are in fact signs of sun-induced skin damage. So What is the best protection against the sun? STAY INDOOR!!! The hours between 10 am and 3 pm are the worst times to be outside.
But again, although you may stay indoor most of the time, UVA and UVB rays still pass through windows. So what's next best? SUNSCREEN!

Although virtually all sunscreens provide some level of protection against UVB rays, no product yet screens out all UVA rays. Our skin will never be fully protected from the sun no matter how high the SPF index. The higher the index, the more your skin will be burdened with extra sun-blocking ingredients that do not really protect your skin. The SPF number only tells us how long your skin will be protected from the sun. A high SPF number (1SPF=10 minutes protection) is unrealistic because sun protection wears out due to perspiration and other reasons. But wearing a sunscreen is much better than nothing at all.

More info on SUNSCREEN that I've searched:-

How much sunscreen should you use?
You will not get the full protection offered by the sunscreen unless you apply the recommended liberal amount on your skin. Unfortunately, many people use much less. If you are at the beach, for example, use about an ounce of sunscreen over your whole body for one application. That means you should plan to buy about one 8-ounce container or more of sunscreen per person for each week you are at the beach.
If you frequently go swimming or perspire, use a waterproof product for the best protection. Make sure to reapply the sunscreen as needed during any outdoor activity; otherwise you are not getting the protection you need from the sun's rays.


When should you use sunscreen?
Skin damage does not occur only on the beach or the ski slopes. Most people who are going to be out in the sun for more than 10 minutes would benefit from daily use of sunscreen on the parts of the body exposed to the sun. Even casual exposure to sunlight - while driving a car, walking to the store, taking an outdoor lunch break - contributes to the cumulative lifetime exposure that may lead to skin damage.
Make sure you apply the sunscreen about one-half hour before going out in the sun to give your skin a chance to fully absorb it.


Are all sunscreens basically the same?
Sunscreens contain a variety of ingredients. Although some sunscreens may provide more moisturizers, for example, those with identical SPF numbers give you equivalent sunburn protection from UVB rays. It’s important to pick sun care products that will protect you from the sun, and the health risks of sunscreen are generally still lower than sitting out and broiling yourself a nice shade of cadmium red. In the United States, the active ingredient in most sunscreens is oxybenzone, a moderately effective sun blocker but one that reacts with sunlight to form possibly allergenic and carcinogenic chemicals. Oxybenzone is a popular ingredient because it rubs in well, but for safety, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are recommend as the active ingredient in sunscreen. Because of the cost of buying sunscreen products year-round, you may also want to shop for competitively-priced brands of sunscreen offering the level of protection you need.


How effective are sunblocks?
Do not be misled by sunscreen products that claim they are sunblocks. Only opaque substances, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, totally block the sunlight. These products are most practical to use on specific areas of the body most exposed to the sun.


Are there special precautions you should take with children?
Parents should see that sunscreens of SPF 15 or greater are applied routinely when children go outdoors. Because sunscreens may irritate baby skin, and babies' developing eyes are particularly vulnerable to sunlight, experts recommend that infants less than six months old should be kept out of the sun altogether.
Experts estimate that about 50 percent of an individual's sun exposure occurs by age 18. Some have suggested that schools, child care centers, and camps rearrange outdoor play times to minimize exposure to the midday sun.

Basic Steps to Healthy Skin

Due to Singapore's humidity weather, we sweat, and the oil and dirt will tend to clog our pores easily, if not taken care of, eventually it becomes blackhead or inflammation (acne). So we have to clean our skin properly every day, excess dirt and sebum will then be remove everyday. In the long run, blackheads will be less pronounced. We just have to keep 4 steps in mind:
- exfoliate at least twice a week;
- clean twice a day thoroughly;
- control sebum production; and
- Hydrate
When we clean your pores well, keep your sebum in check and ensure our skin is hydrated, blackhead and acne problem will be reduced noticeably.

Hence, upon learning this, I diligently exfoliate my skin daily, scrub twice a week, cocao mask twice a week and cotton sheet mask twice a week and now with my newly bought skincare items, I'm adding more nutrients to my skin and keeping it hydrated most of the time, at the same time controlling sebum production. I've never been so conscientious on my skincare regimen before, maybe age is catching up ba. If I don't start now, I may regret later when all those spots start appearing... and by that time, I'm really an auntie liao.