Friday, March 18, 2011

How I Treat Skin Rash

I do get skin rashes from time to time. Most of the time, as a result of using skincare products I’m not supposed to be using. Yes, I’m kind of stubborn sometimes and even if I know I’m going to develop some skin irritation by using cosmetic products that are not suitable for my skin type, I still use them.

Thankfully, my skin hasn’t developed something more serious than rashes yet and because I don’t want to wait for that to happen, I gave up using products that are not meant for my skin type altogether.

Anyway, that was a long time ago when I was still young and innocent LOL! And I don’t acquire skin rashes anymore if you’re wondering. I just want to share with you guys some of the things I’ve tried in the past that were supposed to eliminate skin rash. Some of them worked, while others, well…So, let’s start.

Aloe Vera Gel – We have an aloe vera plant at home so I simply break a stalk off from it and use the gel to treat my rash. If you don’t have a live plant, you can run to the nearest pharmacy and buy one that’s contained in a bottle instead. I’ll rate this 9 /10 because it actually worked for me.

Oatmeal – Some people suggest to use oatmeal for skin rash so I tried it once. I wasn’t sure whether it was effective because I didn’t continue using it. It’s pretty expensive and I don’t like the idea of bathing in a breakfast cereal. Rating: 4/10.

Baking Soda – If you’re looking for something natural and cheap, try baking soda. I tried it several times before for skin rash and acne but I eventually stopped because it didn’t really help prevent acne. It also made my skin go red and itchy. Rating: 6/10

Toothpaste – I’ve tried this a hundred time and not just for skin rash but also for pimples. The mint content provided some cooling effect, which relieved me of the itchiness. This one is kind of messy for me though, but overall, it’s quite effective. I’ll give this one a rating of 7/10.

If you don’t agree with me, or if you have your own experience with skin rash home remedy, feel free to drop in some comments.



Thursday, March 17, 2011

A Personal Review On Kojic Acid For Acne and Acne Scars

One of the soap I use for my face contains Kojic acid, and since there’s this debate going on about the effectiveness of Kojic acid against acne and acne scars, I might as well give my personal opinion on the subject.

Kojic acid was first discovered in Japan and is used for many different purposes, but mainly as a cosmetic ingredient. It is extracted from fungal cultures like mushrooms and come in the form of creams, gels, and soap. In the United States, Kojic acid is used mainly for skin whitening purposes and seldom for the treatment of acne and acne scars.

I did some research about what other people say about Kojic acid and I got a lot of interesting answers. It’s just funny because I’m supposed to find out the truth behind Kojic acid and what I get instead are answers that contradict one another.

One girl would say she used Kojic acid soap and it caused some irritation on her skin that resulted to a breakout of acne, while another would say it worked perfectly for her and now she’s free from skin blemishes.

In my case, I would really say it would help to research more about Kojic acid before trying it on your skin. However, since there are many people who have tried it and have seen great results (including yours truly), I would say it’s a good product after all.

In fact, I would say that it’s one of the best anti acne ingredient you can find today. I’ve been using a facial soap that contained it for almost a decade now and I haven’t got any problems with it until today. It didn’t just help get rid of my acne problem but also made my skin whiter.

A word of advice though, don’t take my word for it because my skin type is different from yours and so is everyone’s. If you’re in doubt about using it to treat your acne, perhaps you should consult your dermatologist first. 

iWhite Blackheads Remover : Another Great Drugstore Find!

I don’t know why pore strips are so expensive and they’re not even that effective in removing blackheads and whiteheads on my nose. In my search to find something that really works (aside from a monthly visit to my facialist), I raided Watson’s Drugstore.

So, here’s what I found…

Tada!


Top Two Beauty Products I Would Recommend

Although I was born with oily, acne prone skin, I didn’t just give in and allow it to control my life. Just like any other girl who would love to have flawless skin, I tried many different brands of anti-acne creams and cleansers. Some of them worked, but most left my skin with no improvement.

Today, I’m going to share to you two of the best skincare products that helped clear my acne in a very significant way. If you are going to compare my pictures back then to how I look today, you’ll be amazed at the big difference.

When I was younger, I suffered from severe acne problems. But when I started using these two skin products, my life completely changed (sounds like an advertisement LOL). But seriously, I can honestly tell you that my life’s different now, thanks to these two:

Likas Papaya Skin Whitening Herbal Soap – Quite a long name for a soap. Anyway, just like most of the beauty products I use today, I saw this one on TV. It’s a skin whitening soap that contains papaya extract. I’ve heard testimonies of how this soap helped not just in lightening the skin but also in preventing acne so I didn’t think twice and bought one right away. It’s quite expensive for $3.95 but it’s worth it. If you have dry skin or sensitive skin, I don’t suggest this brand to you because it leaves the skin really dry after use. It’s perfect for me though since I have oily skin. I’ve been using this as my facial soap for almost 7 years now and it’s still on top of my list whenever I buy some groceries.

Mena Facial Cream – Unlike the rest of the beauty products I use, I learned about Mena not from an ad but from a friend of mine. She said she uses it’s really effective for acne and acne scars so I bought one to see for myself. My friend was right because after a year, 90% of my acne scars were gone! My skin tone even improved as well. It also helps tighten the pores so I really recommend it to you if you have severe acne problems.

I’ve recommended these two products to most of my friends and it worked for them as it did with me. So if you’re looking for affordable beauty products that actually work, you should consider these two.

My Idea Of A Good Facial Mask

Not all facial masks are created equal just as not all skin types are the same. And as for me, I have my own standard in choosing beauty products, whether they’re commercial or homemade. Take facial masks for example. If you come to think of it, most homemade facial masks contain natural ingredients that are generally good for you skin. However, the question is, will they still be as effective to me now that I’m on my late twenties as they were before when I was younger? And, how often should I use them in order for my skin to get the most out of them?

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Effective Acne Products That My Sister Use


My baby sister Joyce used to have the most beautiful skin in the family. But, as she grew older and went to college, she went through a lot of lifestyle changes that took its toll on her skin. These changes included: staying out late (for hospital duty or night-out), school load stress, smoking, drinking and bad skin habits (like, sleeping without removing her makeup).

Aside from her face that always looked tired, she also had some pretty bad breakouts on her forehead and cheeks. She’s not used to having bad skin so she begged our mom to bring her to the dermatologist.

My Sauna Mask Weekend


I love facial masks! I just discovered this really cool self-heating sauna mask at Watsons Drugstore. Since my sister didn’t want to share the Dead Sea Mask she got from our aunt, I went to the mall to buy my own mask. It’s really important for women to exfoliate their skin once every week to remove dead skin cells. This helps unclog the pores, get rid of dry patches and uneven skin tone.

I chanced upon this intriguing face mask for oily skin from Garnier Pure, which says that it’s a self-heating sauna mask and deeply cleanses pores for up to seven days. It’s also very cheap because it’s like a 2-in-1 pack but for only Php 47.

My Home Remedy For Rough and Dark Knees and Elbows


Have you touched or looked at your elbows and knees lately?

Don’t make the same mistake I did when I neglected these parts of my body. I got so caught up with taking care of my face that I forgot that I have other body parts to maintain – like my knees and elbows.

I visited my mom one day and I was wearing my favorite khaki shorts. She asked where I’ve been kneeling when she noticed how dark my knees were. Before I left, we hugged and my elbows touched her arms. She then noticed how rough they were.

What Happens If I Prick My Pimple?

This was the question my niece asked me one day after she discovered she has a pimple. She’s only thirteen and it’s her first time to ever have a pimple grow on her cheek. At first, I didn’t know how to answer simply because there are a few possibilities that might actually happen if you prick or pop your zits. In my case, I used to prick my pimples when I was younger, and luckily for me, they didn’t develop into deep, ugly scars.

To be sure, I simply told my niece not to touch her pimple and it will just go away if she is religious in cleansing her face. But really, what happens if you prick your pimples? Well, it all depends on several factors. Some people prick their pimples and nothing bad happens (like in my case), while others develop permanent scarring by doing so.

What To Remember When Buying Products For Sensitive Skin

Like any normal girl out there, I love to look my best all the time, that’s why I keep several different types and brands of skincare products. However, I don’t just go out there and buy every single thing that’s advertised on TV. I take my skin very seriously so I spend a great amount of time searching for the best product like someone would search for a pearl of great of price (haha!).

I remember this friend of mine who, out of her eagerness to improve her skin’s complexion, rushed

I Just Want To Say Welcome...

Hi guys, this is Erika Jane. I want to welcome all of you to my blog where I'm going to post some of my personal  skincare experiences. I'm also going to put up some reviews on products that me and my friends use. If you have questions, feel free to drop some comments. Thanks!