La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub Review

I recieved La Roche-Posay's Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub in a swap. Little did I know that the main method of exfoliation was polyethylene (aka plastic) powders. Should have read the ingredients before I swapped.

Minor detour before we begin the review: You'll often find polyethylene listed as an ingredient in exfoliating products these days. They're the little beads/powders that act as scrubbing agents for your skin. In truth, they're just plastic! You're flushing plastic down the drain every time you use one of these products. Not really a positive move you're making for the environment. Suggested alternatives include natural exfoliators like St. Ives Apricot Scrub (although I don't use this product because it's just much too rough for my skin), BHA, AHA, or others. It seems a bit difficult to find physical exfoliation products without polyethylene in them though. I was at Target the other day looking for an exfoliator for my cousin who is just beginning to use skin care products and couldn't find a single exfoliation product (minus St. Ives Apricot Scrub) without polyethylene in it!

On to the review!

La Roche-Posay Physiological Ultra-Fine Scrub Review

Product Information
Smoothes and deeply cleanses skin, while respecting its physiological balance.

Cost: $16.00 for 50ml/1.69oz

Recommended For:
All skin types
sensitive skin
aging skin

Benefits
A jellified texture to reduce friction and irritation from rubbing while facilitating rinse-off. With antioxidant La Roche-Posay thermal spring water to strengthen skin's natural defenses. Physiological pH, Soap-free, Alcohol-free, Paraben-free, Safe for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients
APF [Activating Protease Factor] - chemical exfoliation to boost cell turnover while respecting skin's physiological balance.
Micronized diatomic & polyethylene powders - physical exfoliation with micronized (crushed and smoothed out) powders to avoid irritation.
Poloxamer - a mild cleanser use in contact lens solutions to cleanse even sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay thermal spring water - antioxidant, strengthens skin's natural defenses.

Directions
Apply to wet face morning and/or evening using gentle massaging motion, avoiding eye area.
Rinse thoroughly with water.
For very sensitive skin, only use 2x per week.



Here you can see the little granules:


My thoughts:
+ Smells nice. Kind of floral-y.
+ pH balanced
- The "powders" (more like granules) were too rough for my skin. I wouldn't recommend this to those with sensitive skin because the granules hurt my face when I was scrubbing with them. I'd use it in the shower on my body if it weren't for the polyethylene powders.

Verdict? Polyethylene aside, I'd recommend this to those who don't have sensitive or aging skin because it scrubs fairly well. My skin was smooth after using this product but definitely a bit red since it's sensitive. I wouldn't repurchase because of the plastic "powders" in it and that it's a bit too rough for my skin.

Paula's Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Lotion Review Part 1

A few weeks ago, I had a really good conversation with K about exfoliants where I learned a lot about the differences between topical, chemical, BHA, AHA exfoliants, and a few others. I was well persuaded to try a BHA exfoliant after learning that this was a much deeper way of exfoliating versus my current physical exfoliation method (peeling gels, gentle rice beads, or what used to be St. Ives Apricot Scrub). Read on for my review. :)



Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA): The most common ones are glycolic or lactic acid.
Beta hydroxy acid (BHA): Active ingredient is salicylic acid)

A quick breakdown about the differences between AHA and BHA from Paula Begoun's website, Understanding BHA & AHA Exfoliants (which I would highly recommend reading for more in-depth information):

"The primary difference between AHAs and BHA is that AHAs are water-soluble, while BHA is lipid-(oil) soluble. This unique property of BHA allows it to penetrate the oil in the pores and exfoliate accumulated skin cells inside the oil gland that can clog pores. BHA is best used where blackheads and blemishes are the issue, and AHAs are best for sun-damaged, thickened, dry skin where breakouts are not a problem.

As a rule, AHAs are best for normal to dry, sun-damaged skin because they only exfoliate on the very surface of skin rather than inside the pore... BHA also exfoliates on the surface of skin but has extra properties that make it better for normal to oily or combination skin and especially for blemish-prone skin. Salicylic acid can exfoliate inside the pore and it has anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial benefits as well.

Though BHA can work great for dry skin types as well, it takes experimenting to find out which one works best for you."

I decided to try out Paula Begoun's 1% BHA Lotion which is for normal-dry skin.

From the description:
- Exfoliates and softens your skin with 1% salicylic acid in a matte finish lotion perfect for normal to slightly dry skin
- pH range of 3.2–3.6 guarantees efficacy you'll see daily
- Penetrates the pore lining to dislodge blackheads
- Reduces acne and the frequency of your breakouts
- Helps fade red marks from past blemishes
- Stimulates collagen production for firmer, less wrinkled skin
- Salicylic acid is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent
- Suitable for all skin types but best for combination to dry skin with flaky areas
- 100% fragrance-free and contains no dyes or coloring agents

My skin care routine while testing out Paula's 1% BHA Lotion was kept very simple:

Morning:
Wash with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
Apply CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion.
Apply sunscreen.

Night:
Wash with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
Apply Paula's Choice 1% BHA Lotion.
(Sometimes) Apply CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion.

Onwards to photos...

Day 1: My forehead is where around 99% of my breakouts lie. Luckily, I have my bangs to hide them. None the less, I still have breakouts and would like to get rid of them which is why I decided to try this product.

Day 1: Left Cheek. I don't usually break out on my cheeks so they usually look fairly clear.

Day 1: Right Cheek. Again, I don't tend to break out on my cheeks. My temples, on the other hand, are a different story. I don't know why I've been breaking out on my temples so much lately. I haven't been wearing my glasses often. I don't usually touch my face either.

Day 8: Forehead is looking a little calmer. But this was just the calm before the storm.

Day 14: Two weeks into usage. I really didn't want to upload this picture. That monster pimple is disgusting. :( I suppose I should note that I've been under a lot of stress for the past few weeks so that wasn't helping.

Day 17: Without flash. Forehead is a little calmer now. There is apparent scarring from when I tried to rid of the pimples. Note to self: leave them alone.

Day 17: With Flash.

Day 17 Comparison: With and without flash.

Day 1 compared to Day 17.

I'll keep using this BHA for a while longer. A 2nd review will be done afterward. Hopefully we'll see some positive changes!
*UPDATE* The 2% Liquid is amazing stuff. Read review here!

If you are interested in trying out a BHA exfoliant, Paula Begoun has a few available for different skin types:

1% BHA Lotion (Normal to Dry Skin)
1% BHA Gel (Normal to Oily Skin)

If you want to try something a little stronger:

2% BHA Lotion (Normal to Dry Skin)
2% BHA Gel (Normal to Very Oily Skin)
2% BHA Liquid (Normal to Very Oily Skin)

And if you use the code: TOTALB9610, you can get 15% off and free shipping. I'm not sure when this offer ends.

The Face Shop Peeling Day Water In Pomegranate Review

Thank you to T, who got The Face Shop's Peeling Day Water In Pomegranate for me a while back!! She knows I love trying new skin care products! :)

Description: A gel-type scrub packed with tiny exfoliants gently slough off dead and complexion dulling skin cells to reveal fresh and clear skin. Rich moisture beads burst open when massaged on skin to keep skin hydrated. Pomegranate helps skin stay radiant and dewy. Use once a week to complement your skin care routine. Recommended for dry and sensitive skin types. By The Face Shop.

You really only need so much to cover and exfoliate your entire face. I think this tube is going to last me foreverrrrr.

Sometimes I wonder if all this stuff coming off of my face is really dead skin or just product. 99% of me thinks it's product. Still! The product is a fun one.

My skin feels very normal after using this product. My sensitive skin does not experience any reactions, dryness, or tightness. I like this product because I generally like peeling products but I probably won't be repurchasing since this bottle is going to last me so long and I know that by that time, I'll want to try a new peeling product from another brand. Innisfree's Wine Peeling Softener is still my #1. :)

Skinfood Rice Mask Wash Off Review

Description
From sasa.com:
SKINFOOD Rice Mask Wash Off contains various nutrients, including Vitamins and Minerals, which soothe irritated skin and whiten skin.
Rice extract is a gentle but effective whitening ingredient. It not only vitalizes skin, but also hydrates skin, for bright and whitened skin.

This mask was one of the items B cp’ed for me during our trade. Honestly, she’s one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met (Thanks B!!!). The consistency of the rice mask is creamy white with many bits of grinded rice. The mask isn’t really a mask in my opinion. I’ve thought similar of other Skinfood “masks.” After you’ve spread the mask on your face, it doesn’t dry off so I mainly use it for exfoliation instead. The fragrance took me by surprise when I first opened the package because it doesn’t smell anything like rice! It’s super floral but I know some friends who really like it.



Packaging
I thought that pot had somewhat of a silly look to it. The top is overly large compared to the container itself so at first glance, you think it’s a nice big tub but it’s not really that big. The only way to get the rice mask out is to use your fingers or something sanitary like a spoon/spatula.

Cost
100g
$12.30 on sasa.com



Usage
From sasa.com:
After cleansing, apply the mask to lightly wet face (avoid eye and lip area). Gently press and massage (for sensitive skin, massage is not advisable). Leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse well with water.

Once in a while, I use it to gently exfoliate after cleansing my face with my normal CeraVe hydrating cleanser. The rice mask is very, very gentle since the rice grains are so tiny. Sometimes if I want to try it as a mask, I leave it on for about 5 minutes and then wash off but I don’t feel much of a difference afterwards.

My Thoughts
I like that the scrub is so gentle because it makes me feel like I could use it everyday if I wanted to. The only thing is that my skin doesn’t feel any different after having used the rice mask so I probably won’t be purchasing this again. It was fun to try. I do like Skinfood’s nice range of masks though so I’ll probably keep trying them out.

Innisfree Wine Peeling Softener Review

Innisfree Wine Peeling Softener Review



I la-la-loveee this stuff! Ever since I finished the samples J sent me a while back, I’ve been trying to find a bottle online. For a while, I couldn’t find a single place that sold the Korean brand Innisfree (even eBay!) but it has been gaining more popularity lately and I was able to purchase my bottle from sasa.com (prices on sasa are much closer to Korea retail prices than eBay prices are).



Description
From Sasa.com: “Innisfree extracts botanical nutrients and essence from organic plants to correct various problematic skin types. By pure, natural, professional and effective therapy, Innisfree creates healthy and energetic skin and pleasant mood. All products are dermatologically tested. Innisfree Wine Peeling Softener can immediately remove the dead cells on your skin and brighten your complexion.”



Innisfree Wine Peeling Softener comes in 140 mL glass bottle. The softener smells absolutely divine! Just like real wine. I love it! I could probably just sit around with that bottle to my nose and never get enough of it but that’s another story. The consistency is deep, dark reddish-purple liquid with just a bit of graininess.



Cost
$10.30 on sasa.com
http://web1.sasa.com/SasaWeb/eng/product/viewProductDetail.jspa?itemno=103685008001
$14.96 on eBay (031tansango, allatkorea01)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Innisfree-Wine-Peeling-Softener-140ml_W0QQitemZ220422848134QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSkin_Care_test?hash=item335239be86&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/Innisfree-Wine-Peeling-Softener-140ml_W0QQitemZ110400442700QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSkin_Care_test?hash=item19b461114c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14



Usage
How To Use It (According to sasa.com):
Gently apply on the cleansed face with a cotton pad. (Avoid eye and mouth contour)
2. Rinse off with water
3. Apply lotion to moisturize the skin.
Note: The white particle on the cotton pad is the peeling of your skin.

I really like that it’s so gentle that I can use it everyday. I usually pour the softener into my hand instead of using a cotton pad but perhaps I should try a cotton pad to see if it makes any difference.



My Thoughts
After I wash my face off, my skin is always so super smooth! It’s great! Although I have a hard time believing that all the white stuff coming off is my dead skin (because when I wash the same patch of skin again, “dead skin cells” still come off), I still really love this product. The wine smell itself is already a big purchase incentive to me. They should make this scent into an air freshener or something. Man, would that smell good or what.

Since I just recently purchased this bottle, it seems like it’s going to take me quite a while before I have to purchase another. Even when J gave me two small sample bottles, they lasted me quite a while. All in all, this product definitely stands up to its claim of removing my dead skin cells and bringing me a brighter complexion. My skin is always super smooth afterwards and looks so radiant! Definitely a product worth purchasing again and again.

I can’t wait to try the Wine Sleeping Pack! Has anyone tried this? Comments about it or how to use it?