After one month using The Regimen from Acne.org

I having been using The Regimen Skincare routine for about 1.5 months now. I have to say this product work/ did not work for me. Sounds confusing ay? Let me explain myself.

For me, I realize my breakout continuously came from the left side of my face (near the ear). So I thought maybe it's because I always use the left side to talk on the phone or sleep on dirty bed sheet. But what became weird is that I am getting pimples around my mouth area as well. So I took a guess that hygiene isn't the main cause but actually a symptom of what my body need attention of. For those of you who watches bubzbeauty's video on "What is your acne telling you" ( heres the link to her video: http://youtu.be/ztXsSx0_87I or down below ) would probably have a better understanding of what I am talking about. Like how bubz say, our face is like a blue print that indicates our internal health. But believe me, I didn't bother to do research on what it means to have acne on the chin or cheeks...etc.

Instead I end up going to acupuncture to see what's wrong with this horrible breakout. After going to see the Chinese doctor for weeks, the doc managed to diagnose the cause of the pimples. Its mainly due to what I eat and what time I go to bed (like 1-2am =_=). I am the type of girl that likes to eat and drink things that are cold(ice cream, cold Drinks, fruit salad, sashimi...you name it), especially in the summer. Having to intake cold stuff at a regular base is actually very harmful to your body, especially for women during the time of the month. And its important to be in bed by 11pm (I know it sounds like telling a kid to go to bed) because that is when our body needs rest and regulate itself and trying to get all the toxins out.

Any who back to the Regimen! So when I said the Regimen didn't work on me its because it does not help me PREVENT the pimples from forming. However, the benzoyl peroxide (bp) did help me shrink/ dry up my acne once it appears on the surface of my skin....(evil!). I would recommend to stop using BP once you are sure that your acne is cure because its too strong for our skin- especially if your skin is thin. One thing that scares me is how BP acts like a 'bleach'. Which makes sense on how it helps clear out blemishes. I wouldn't say my face got whiter, but other than noticing my pimples and blemishes going away a lot quicker, I notice the pillow sheets I had been sleeping on obviously got whiter *shiver*!

In conclusion, the Regimen is worth a try (if you wanna cut to the chase, I say stick to the treatment-BP) but don't necessary put your hopes high that it will 100% cure your acne problem. It might work for me (kinda) but doesn't necessary work on you. After all everyone have different types of skin, right?

As you can see from this picture, I still have some pimples underneath my mouth and cheeks. And thankfully some of the blemishes can still be covered with makeup. But I do hope that with the aid of acupuncture and the regimen, I wouldn't need to apply foundation to cover up my whole face!

Hope this review helps a bit and let me know if you have tried The Regimen from Acne.org !

-Bernice

Topbox December 2012

No doubt this month's Topbox is a big disappointment to many girls since its Christmas and we would wish companies like Topbox to show some generosity! But personally, I didn't expect much from them because the more you expect, the bigger the disappoint is... So here goes for this month's samples:

Left: Chloé Eau de Parfum, 5ml

Right: Goldwell Hot form Spray, 150ml full size

A lot of people have been raving about the Chloé perfume on how good it smells. 

I guess it does smell pretty nice. haha. But what I really like about it is the cute little sample bottle!

As for the Goldwell Hot form Spray, its a heat protected spray. 

But considering its a "full size" its actually a pretty tiny hairspray!

Can't wait to give it a try because the only brand that I've tried is the TRESemmé heat protected spray (which doesn't really "protect" my hair ends)

Ferro Cosmetics Blush X3

I've got to say when I first opened this, I looked at the color of this blush and I thought..."its shimmering brown."... no way it can be a blush for my yellow skin type...I guess I will use it as a eyeshadow.. I wasn't very please with the packaging because when I opened, the powdery dust was everywhere! grrr.

Kellett Skincare Clarifying Acne Treatment, 3ml each

I have been having a lot of acne problems for the past few years and its been getting more severe but thankfully its getting better after I start using The Regimen from Acne.org (I shall do an update later on my skin!). So after reading the ingredient in this sample, it contains 5% of Benzoyl Peroxide. What it is, "is used as an acne treatment, for improving flour, for bleaching hair and teeth, for polymerising polyester and many other uses."- Wikipedia

After putting this on your pimples, it basically whitens your blemishes and dries up your pimples. 

Comparing the Kellet skincare with the Regimen, the Regimen only contains 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide... Personally, after the first week of using the Regimen's BP, it already made my skin super flaky (yes, I might have put too much on my skin to begin with which my skin didnt get used to it) But what I am trying to say is, since the 2.5% BP can already make my skin that flakey... no doubt Kellett's BP could make it worst! Therefore, when using it the first time don't put too much!!

Was this month's Topbox a thumbs up or thumbs down for you?

-Bernice

Skincare Goodies

During my stay in Hong Kong, I brought a lot of skincare stuff. They were mostly things to keep my face hydrated. My skin originally falls within the oily category but after using The Regimen from Acne.org my skin has been dry as the desert. 

Bioderma

Micelle Solution- Combination or Oily Skin

I originally use the pink bottle cap one (for sensitive skin). I was thinking of switching to this green bottle cap one after my skin is all heal up from using the regimen. Its such a good deal to buy this makeup remover in Hong Kong, only cost $148hkd (~$20cnd) @ Sasa. Where as in Canada, cost around $30!

The Saem

Left: Mini Doll Honey Lip Balm SPF 10

Right: Honey Aloe Essence

The Saem is a Korean brand that started out in 2010. Came across this brand when I was at Hysan Place. 

The honey aloe essence is kinda of like facial mask that hydrates your lips with collagen in it (according to what the sales told me) and after, use the mini doll honey lip balm to help lock down the water component. 

I just tried on as we speak, I can smell a strong sense of  honey in The Honey Aloe Essence. Overall, it feels like I just put a blob of honey onto my lips..

Etude House Wonder Pore Modeling Clear                       Correct me if I am wrong, Etude House is a Korean brand that have launched in Hong Kong recently. Their over all packaging is very cute, which attracts a lot of young teenagers/women to fall in love with it. With the wonder pore modeling clear, it states to:  deep cleanse pores, balance your skin's ideal pH level, minimize appearance of pores, refine the skin tones, control a large amount if the sebum, keep the elasticity of pores, and moisturize inside and outside of skin. Will definitely do a review on this later!

Left: I need you, Aloe! Mask Sheet

Right: BlackHead Remover Dual Sheet                    I also got some aloe masks and blackhead  remover dual sheet at Etude House.I really liked the their aloe masks. When I first removed the mask out of the packaging it feels very moist and hydrated. On the packing, it says the each mask contains 1000mg of aloe and serum which helps keep your skin hydrated, smooth and prevents acne.
 As for the blackhead one, its basically a black head remover sheet and a gel sheet that helps tighten your pores after removing your blackheads.

Left: Sasa Aqua Boost Moisturizing Eye         This came in a box with 20 little zip lock bags, and each zip lock contains 3 pairs of eye masks. So in total you get 60 pairs of eye mask for the total of $89HKD.                                                         

Middle: Nature Republic Snail Therapy 10,000 Hydrogel Eye Patch ($35hkd)                             I haven't tried this yet, but the sales sells this eye mask as tho it was magic. It contains snail skin that has the capacity of restoring tissue- eliminating wrinkles, scars and help fight cellulite and acne.                                                        

Right: DHC Eye mask ($60hkd 6pairs)

I brought this again because I liked how you can just stick on without having any gel-ly residual on your hands. Very convenient and clean!

-Bernice

The Regimen- Acne.org (first 5 days)

I've started using The Regimen 5 days ago. Before making this purchase I've read tons of reviews on this skin care routine and how ugly it would make your skin for the first few weeks to a month. For those of you that wants to know how these products work, do go to www.acne.org and it will explain on how everything works. 

The first day using the regimen I was quiet confuse because I didn't have a clue what was considered to be the "right amount" for myself. And I didn't get how you can really cleanse your face in just 10 seconds! But anywho, this regimen is pretty flexible because you can adjust it to the way you want, you do not necessary have to follow their routine daily. For instance, if you feel that the treatment is too much for you (making your face super duper dry)two times daily, switch it to once daily. If the moisturizer is not hydrated enough, add/ use your own set of moisturizer that you prefer.

2nd day: it's amazing how after using The Regimen on the second day, my 2 huge pimples is already dying.

4th-5th day: heck, my skin is crazily dry, wrinkles appearing on my forehead and no longer have a smooth surface on my skin...So for the past 3 days I've gone crazy packing hydrated facial masks onto my face. I had to repurchase my facial moisturizer and eye cream because the one I used to have JUST WASN'T HYDRATED ENOUGH. I find it funny that I have to buy a complete different set of moisturizer from before (From combination to dry). Feels as though I was purchasing it for someone else *laughs*.

I've also notice is that my face was a little bit swollen and red on the 4-5th day. It might because I put too much of the treatment? So I decided to cut down my treatment to just once a day rather than two and continue putting on masks.
*Sorry if I did scared anyone with my dry and wrinkly face. haha. Just want to let you guys see how I look after using the regimen!*

Oh yeah, as for the facial moisturizer, I switched to using Exten-10 from GoodSkin Labs (Image on the left). This can be found in Sasa cosmetic store which cost $400hkd. I really do not believe this moisturizer will make me look 10.4 years younger after 4 weeks... but what caught my attention was how its contains SPF 15 and works on combination/ dry skin! With the SPF 15, my skin can be protected from the sun.. especially after after putting benzoyl peroxide on my skin. First time putting it, I didn't enjoy the feeling of it... it feels very greasy in a way... but its probably because I have always used creams that are more watery type?

As for the eye cream, the sales lady suggested Nircanesque Contour des Yeux from Nuxe Paris-$300hkd (Image on the right). What it does is to make your eye area smooth (ex. less wrinkles fine lines..) and anti-dark circles (which I totally need!). I don't expect much from this eye cream but to make my eye area less dry.. since I've never tired an eye cream that can erase my dark dark dark circles. In general this eye cream is doing its job by keeping my eye area hydrated but definitely not curing my dark circles.