Review: The Face Shop Sake Nourishing Body Lotion

For body lotions, I usually prefer brands which are on the mid-range price: St. Ives brand comes into mind. Failing to monitor the amount of lotion I have left and running out of supplies, I decided to try one of The Face Shop's many body lotions. This product has been on the brand's line for years, so I thought it might be a good product to make it onto the shelves for that long. Nope, you're right, it's another unplanned, expensive buy.

On to the review of yet another shopping whim, The Face Shop's Sake Nourishing Body Lotion.

Safety Advisory: FDA (Philippines) warns against mercury-laden whitening products

Nov 20, 2013 - FDA (Philippines) issued a notice listing several whitening products which were found to contain mercury levels beyond regulations values. FDA found 11 mercury-tainted products from a set of products which were found to have no Certificate of Notification from the said agency. Products without FDA notification may not be sold, nor offered for sale to or use by consumers.

The following products were found to exceed the 1 ppm mercury content limit set by the FDA:

1. Sanli Eliminating Freckle Cream Plus Complex Vitamin C & E
2. Erna Whitening Cream
3. Top Shirley Nourishing Cream
4. Jiao Li Huichunsu Specific Eliminating Freckle Cream
5. Jiao Li Speckle-Dispelling & Whitening Cream
6. LMSER Cream
7. Gemli Beauty Series Freckles Cream Plus Placenta Extract
8. Zhjren 7 Day Beauty Elegant Moisturizing & Whitening Day Cream & Night Cream
9. Zhjren Whitening Ruddy Combination Suit
10. White Magnolia Intensive Repair Essence & Powerful Spot Remover
11. Angela Placenta Whitening Cream (Tender Skin and Whitening)

According to the FDA memo, some manufacturers add mercury salts to skin care products to inhibit melanin formation which will result in lighter skin. However, excessive skin exposure to mercury may lead to skin rashes, discoloration, scarring, and weaker resistance against bacterial and fungal infections, apart from more adverse effects such as kidney failure, anxiety and depression.

Meanwhile, the other product mentioned in the FDA notice for being unauthorized products are the following:

1. Excellent Royalsuffi Fade-Out Cream-Day Cream
2. Yu Yan Excellent Yest Intensive Night-Cream
3. Baschi Day & Night Cream
4. Feique Herbal Extract Whitening Freckle-Removing Series

FDA advised the consumers to buy cosmetic products with FDA market authorization and from legitimate outlets only. An order has been issued to local governments and FDA officers to seize the prohibited cosmetics.

Review: Innisfree Camellia Shine Hair Essence

I intended to use this blog only for reviews of skin care products. However, I've came across this hair care product I liked and I would like to share it with everyone. I used to not care for hair care products, but ever since I damaged my hair so much from using bubble color shampoos and finally getting a perm, I've paid some attention. Take a look at Innisfree's Camellia Shine Hair Essence.

Penguin not included.

Review: MISSHA All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun

Months ago, I purchased three sunscreen types by MISSHA, two of which I have already reviewed, both with above average ratings. I'm going to review the last one, which is a sunscreen reminiscent of flowers, freshness, and fire - MISSHA's All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun.

Random Rave (Anecdote): Salicylic acid x PIH (aka dark spots from acne)

My skin may be long over the "I have zits for a face" phase, but I still do get the occasional, hormone-fueled acne - which is quite painful and for me, takes a while to dry out. Weeks ago, I had one on my right cheek which I would not have cared about, only I am to get married in a month and my super excited mom was worrying about the big zit leaving a mark (yes, she is more excited about the wedding than I am). I reassured her than the mark will fade just in time for the wedding and she can rest her case of bugging me to go back to get a facial (horrible story here).

Little did she know I have a trick up my sleeve which I had been using with great results - Salicylic acid!

Review: Bioré UV Bright Face Milk

For those who have been following the blog, you may already know that I am a regular sunscreen user. Much as I hate their pore strips, I adore Bioré sunscreens. They're cheap, not greasy, and wearable.

To add to my Bioré sunscreen review collection, and also because I am about to run out of this product, I will be reviewing Bioré's UV Bright Face Milk (SPF 50, PA+++). It looks very much like the Perfect Face Milk which I've already reviewed, but will the Bright Face version live up to the performance of its white-bottled cousin?

Why I prefer Korean/Japanese products over drugstore products

No, it's not because I look like an East Asian. Or a prick against local drugstore brands.

I'm nowhere near "classy Korean" (from soompi.com)

Review: Innisfree Eco Safety No Sebum Sun Milk

Along with my return from the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day commemoration, I am back with a sunscreen review. I normally would have access to this product, thanks to my sister, who "gave" this sunscreen to me, we can review it: Innisfree's Eco Safety No Sebum Sun Milk (SPF 50, PA+++).