Sustainable Beauty: Human Nature's Natural Moisturizing Shampoo w/ CREAMFoam

I hate that this shampoo is always OOS.

 This is the first time that I’ve tried this and I think I’ll be hoarding more of it.

I love the mild lemongrass scent and I love the fact that it makes my hair soft.

 Easy on the pocket, doesn’t give me the sniffles and proudly Pinoy made. :) 

All natural ingredients

Sustainable Beauty: By Nature Handmade Soaps’ Baby Salve

My skin’s been acting strange lately and has been in its worst state for the past couple of weeks. It’s severely drying out, and when I say, drying out, it’s almost like I have skin dandruff, especially around the eye, nose and mouth area (good thing I don’t have acne breakout). I’m certain my skin’s breaking out due to stress or whether if I already have a skin disease (e.g. Psoriasis or skin asthma), the latter, I’m not so sure of. But you get the picture, my skin condition is really that bad and it’s not an exaggeration.

I ran out of organic stash and since I’ve been so busy lately, I can’t squeeze in time to buy my supplies online (as you know, most organic products are not readily available at our local stores). I live in the southern part of Metro Manila; we have a physical store at a nearby mall but they don’t carry BNHMS products. I switched to Celeteque moisturizer, thinking my skin built an immunity of some sort to organic cosmetics; hence the “not working anymore” part. But even the gentlest moisturizer has been drying it out. And so it seems that my skin’s reacting to non-organic products and developed some kind of a super sensitivity to chemical-laden cosmetics even if it’s labeled “hypo-allergenic”.

Luckily, my friend Jen brought me to Mercato Centrale in The Fort a week ago and I was almost jumping for joy when I saw a booth selling my HG moisturizer. My head was literally spinning around. I’ve been using this balm for a good three years and here’s what I got to say about why up to now, I’m still in love with BNHMS’s Baby Salve.

It’s 100% organic. It’s chemical-free. And it’s cheap compared to VMV’s Booboo Balm (approximately P200). It’s a multi-purpose salve that can be used for most baby concerns like nappy rash, insect bites, eczema, dry patches and even small cuts and booboos. Plus it’s my HG night cream.

When my skin is drying out real bad, I use this to soften up the rough spots. It’s a staple in my stash and it’s been my night cream for three-years now. It’s sticky considering that most of its ingredients are organic oils, but when applied in front of a fan or in an air-conditioned room, it easily absorbs in the skin (if you have oily skin, you can’t use it as a day moisturizer because it would surely make you look like a sweaty grease ball). It’s a great barrier balm sans the chemicals. It dries up my pimples and gives me that glowing glow upon waking up when used as a night cream. A colleague of mine asked me long before if I’m taking any Glutathione supplements and if I have a regular facial session with a dermatologist. Yep, that good and it’s working for me.

And Why Alcohol Drinking is bad for Your Health

So what are the other culprits; besides stress, laundry detergents and chemical-laden cosmetics? Apparently, my skin has also turned acidic. I didn’t notice not until the night I’ve cried for almost three-hour tops and saw the horror the following morning. The skin under my eyes has been burnt with my tears! It’s the stress and too much alcohol drinking. Listen to your mother. Drink moderately or better yet (if you have extra sensitive skin like me), don’t drink at all. Errrr, I’m back to being annoyingly boring. Damn.

**I’ve noticed that BNHMS’s products tend to spoil easily—their balm, sunscreen, body butter and oil lotion (well, almost all 100% organic products tend to; this is a good thing though if you want the assurance that you’re getting its purest and safest ingredients). I store them up in the fridge in a separate container so it would last a bit longer. **

Etude House Moistfull Collagen BB Balm Compact SPF 42/PA++

What it claims:

Packaging says it has whitening and anti-wrinkle benefits. It’s a BB cream, sunscreen and foundation all in one. It’s a balm so it has a cream to powder consistency.

What I love about it:

It’s Paraben-free.

High SPF-- SPF 42/PA++

It’s cheap (costs around P800++), considering its multi-purpose benefits.

Buildable-- it conceals freckles and dark under eye circles when blended properly.  

Readily available since it can be bought at our local malls.

No white cast when photographed under natural light.

It’s dewy, light and has no cakey feel.

SPF42, baby!

What I don’t:

It’s not organic.

It sets on dry skin.

Like most BB creams/MU with sunscreen,

 you’ll look ghostly when photographed with flash

 (but it can be remedied with a good setting powder).    

I hate how the packaging is so bulky and orangey.

It’s limited to two shades.

I’m a bit wary on buying cosmetics because I have sensitive skin. Unless the product is organic or has to be Paraben-free and is not tested on animals, I’m not buying. Amplifying your sunscreen when the summer heat is scorching hot is the best thing you could do for your skin. And this is the primary reason why I bought this compact—because of its high SPF/PA++. Who wouldn’t want a BB cream, foundation and sunscreen all in one application? It’s money and time-wise; I’m sold.

I immediately bought it when I was completely sure that I’ve scrutinized its list of ingredients. It’s not organic but it’s Paraben-free and Etude House doesn't test on animals. I’m a bit guilty here, but I just need it for a limited time only—just this summer. I’ve been using this for almost two weeks now, so far, I haven’t been experiencing any breakouts. I have dry skin so I have to moisturize prior to applying it. I’m not used to applying non-organic cosmetics anymore, so I don’t know if this is just psychosomatic, but it stings a bit when applied on my skin, especially on the driest parts of my face (around the eye/nose/mouth and forehead), so I always make sure to apply the Baby Salve first as some sort of a barrier protection and it’s pretty much working. I top the BB balm off with a setting powder and it’s good to last for a good 6-hr with no touch-ups (this depends on what itineraries you’ve planned for a day, so let’s say you’re planning to have a midday stroll under this summer heat, don’t expect it to last long).         

The balm was applied just on the right side of my face for comparison.

Here’s what it looks like when applied and blended:

  I’ve used BNHMS’s Baby Salve to moisturize

 my face prior to applying the BB balm.   

Here’s what it looks like

 when topped off with a setting powder:

See how it concealed my under-eye circles?

 It also did a great job in covering

 up my freckles. Yey!     

I can’t be sure on the whitening and anti-ageing part because I’m not using this every day and I don’t intend to use it for a long time. When summer’s over, I’m back to using MMU again, so I guess I’ll just skip the part where I have to give an advice whether it makes the skin lighter or smoother in any way, because personally, I think sunscreen and avoiding the sun is all you’ll ever need to protect your skin from ageing which is close to impossible in our country. But then again, Oh well, the things you would do for vanity.

Sustainable Beauty: BN Herbal Wonder Cream

I’ve been using this since December and I think it’s just in time for a review.

I bought this together with the Bare Naturals BB Cream. Both products claim to reduce age spots, acne scars and effectively lighten the skin. According to its manufacturer, the Bare Naturals Herbal Wonder Cream is highly recommended for the face, and other dark areas such as armpit, elbows, bikini line. I need this for my freckles! :D  

Bare Naturals Herbal Wonder Cream’s 18 effective skin lightening herbal ingredients:

aloe vera, emu oil, aragan oil, alpha arbutin, gigawhite [Glycerine, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow Extract), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis LE, Achillea Milefolium Extract]melawhite, melfade and papaya extract

SLS and Paraben-free! Hooray!

What I love about it:

It’s creamy but not too heavy

 Moisturizing enough but if you’re suffering from dry skin,

 you still need to apply a moisturizer after applying it.  

Easily absorbed by the skin

Has a light and subtle scent

No stingy feel considering it has skin lightening ingredients

 (and I have sensitive skin as well!)

No unsightly peeling

light-medium consistency 

What I don’t:

I prefer pump bottles for hygienic purposes

 This comes in a tub container and since it claims to be herbal and all,

 it’s more prone to spoilage so make sure to avoid double dipping.

 Use a spatula to scoop out the cream to prevent contamination.

Price is steep for a 15g pack (costs P398)

 Plus, tub’s not completely full; it’s almost half a tub! (or maybe I just got a bad stock)

It has no plastic seal or cover (like almost all organic/herbal/natural products sold locally)
Not readily available as you need to purchase the products online
(But I think they already have a physical store in Tunasan, Muntinlupa)

at least it has an inner seal

The Verdict:

It did lighten my freckles! The brightening effect worked.

 My skintone has become much more even
 (although I have fairly white skin to begin with).

 And no breakouts from these two products! Yey!

pardon the sheets, I just woke up :P

see?? :)

To maximize its benefits, use the Herbal Wonder Cream twice a day. Best when used with Bare Naturals BB cream. Use a gentle facial scrub at least once a week to ensure you’re sloughing off unnecessary dead skin cells. Avoid spending time in direct sunlight. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher. Use an alcohol free cleanser and toner to avoid skin irritation. And like any other skin lightening product, avoid prolonged use.  

Care to give it a try? You may go to: Bare Naturals Site to order one. :)

**This is not a paid review. The views expressed here are solely those of the author. What works for me, might not work for you. So keep an open mind and use at your own risk.**

Sustainable Beauty: Superdrug Tea Tree Moisturiser

Don’t you just love it when there’s a new beauty product that’s:

 cheap, readily available, Paraben-free, suitable for vegans and vegetarians and not tested on animals? We do! Well, my friend and I do (and hubby too)! :)  

I am suffering from a mild windburn since our Tagaytay trip last weekend, 

a go signal that I need to get a heavy moisturizer to treat it. I was with a friend yesterday and we’re supposed to buy an anti-ageing cream but saw this instead:

Tea Tree Moisturizer with Natural Tea Tree

 and Peppermint oils and Aloe Vera extract 

Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent known for its antiseptic

 healing properties. Tea tree oil can change the chemical compositions

 in our skin making it more resistant to infections.

click to see list of ingredients

This light non-greasy moisturizer is enriched with Pro-vitamin B5

 and soothing Aloe Vera. Easily absorbed into the skin, this refreshing

 formula is ideal for use on oily or spot prone skin. 

lightweight consistency: CHECK! :)

when blended:
has a cooling effect and minty scent

But we don’t have oily or spot prone skin.

 Then we saw the magic words: PARABEN FREE. 

What the heck, we still bought it anyway. Hahahaha! 

Another sustainable beauty find!

Available at all Watsons store for only Php139! :) 

bestfriend bonding: our matching Watsons haul
w/ my good friend, Paula :)

Read more about Tea Tree benefits at:

becomegorgeous.com  

Sustainable Beauty: Human ♥Nature Recent Haul

I would be raving about my organic hauls. Don’t worry; this is not your usual beauty blog as I won’t be blabbering about beauty loots, okay, you get the picture. :P My advocacy has always been skin care and locally organic/natural products. We have lots of world class quality organic produce, all you have to do is research; it’s how I stumbled upon my HG skin care products. I’ve been an organic convert since I became pregnant with my second child. I’ve been using Human Nature products for quite some time now. And I would like to share to you guys, my favorite Human nature products.

Let me brief you first about the Human Nature advocacy.

Gandang Kalikasan, Inc., the company that brings you the Human Nature range of natural beauty products is founded on three core principles of being

 PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR, & PRO-ENVIRONMENT. 

Seeing these three advocacies, made me support the brand more. It’s what I always used to say, it’s beautifying with a cause. You’re hitting two birds with one stone, but in this particular case; it’s more likely hitting three birds.  

Human Nature products use raw materials that can be found locally. They have a natural seal like those products sold in Healthy Options store, that way, you are guaranteed that you’re getting genuinely organic/natural goods that are best for you and the environment.  

My All Time Favorites:

Pearl Powder & Aloe Vera Strengthening Shampoo & Body Wash in Rosemary Scent

I’m not particularly keen on hair products as I’ve always paid no attention to my hair. Since I usually kept my hair in a bun or a ponytail, I am not that OC when it comes to shampoo and conditioner. My first Human nature shampoo that I bought is the Pearl Powder & Aloe Vera Strengthening Shampoo & Body Wash (Yes, you read that right, a body wash!). Now, I don’t particularly like this variant in Cucumber, it makes my hair really frizzy but when the Rosemary variant came out, I fell in love with it! Again, organic shampoos are not that good when it comes to making your hair soft and shiny, but it is good enough for making your hair squeaky clean. You just have to follow with a good hair conditioner. I like using this shampoo as a body wash whenever I ran out of soap or after a long rendezvous on the beach as it really soothes the skin. It makes a nice lather and I love the earthy herb smell. My hubby and eldest is a fan of this shampoo. True to its word, it does minimize hair loss as it strengthens the hair strands.

*Natural and biodegradable*

my HG body wash

Sunflower Beauty Oil

I’m a big fan of their multi-purpose Sunflower beauty oil! I use it as face moisturizer, make- up remover, body moisturizer and sometimes as massage oil for Cezanne whenever I ran out of BNHMS's BabyOil lotion. Talk about versatility, eh? Makes the skin soft and minimizes fine lines if used religiously. Cheap and oh so good!

Tip: Two pumps from the bottle, mix it with two caplets of vitamin E, dab to slightly damp skin.
 It made my stretch marks less visible and really does tighten my post pregnancy tummy skin. It is a great moisturizer for expectant moms out there! :)

*100% natural and biodegradable* 

my all purpose moisturizing oil

Hydrating face Toner: Moringa and Aloe Vera

I love the Moringa toner, but when I got to try this, I can say that it is way better than the original formulation. I can skip the early morning moisturizer as it doesn’t dry up my skin. It makes my skin dewy and well, moisturized. I think it’s the added aloe vera that makes it more hydrating. Contains no alcohol so it doesn’t sting.

Tip: You may skip the AM moisturizer if you have oily to combination skin.
Just make sure to apply sunscreen.

*100% natural and biodegradable*

All Natural Spray Sanitizer in Citrus Burst

I am so loving this! It has a refreshing scent. Reminiscent of dalandan (a local name for tangerine orange) and lemon combined into one. I use this as a room deodorizer, hand sanitizer and a disinfectant for Cezanne’s toys.

*100% natural and biodegradable*    

Balancing facial wash: Orange and Elemi with Bamboo Scrubs

I remember buying a milder facial scrub as I’ve read that even the mildest granulated facial wash can still worsen skin conditions. I already finished a tube of Celeteque Gentle Exfoliating facial wash and I loved it! But as you can see, although Celeteque is paraben and fragrance- free, it’s not organic/natural, so imagine my delight when I found out that Human Nature have this version of the facial wash I’ve been raving for since last month. It has the same consistency as the Celeteque Gentle Exfoliating facial wash, but has denser granules and mild peppermint scent and feel as it leaves your skin with a mild tingly feel.

Tip: Use only once to twice a week if you have sensitive skin.

 Follow with toner and moisturizer immediately if you have dry skin.

*99.85% natural and biodegradable*

There you have it! Human Nature offers a wide range of affordable and quality products. I’ve witnessed their growth as they venture into more product options. They now have a deodorant and feminine wash, even mineral MU too! I also noticed that they had already printed the expiry date on their products, unlike before. It’s very helpful as organic products expire faster than your commercial household products as it contains little or no preservative at all. You can contact your Human Nature dealer or go directly to their website to purchase. Let’s support our locally organic products!

see? :)

*If you have allergies to natural products like bee pollen or nuts, better to have the products tested first as it may result to a nasty rash or adverse skin reaction. And always store your organic loots below room temperature and away from direct sunlight.*

Sustainable Beauty: Bare Naturals BB Cream

More than a make-up junkie, I believe I'm more of a skin care junkie. I love hoarding make-up loots, will probably use it for a week, then I'm back to using baby powder again. I'm kind of lazy when it comes to applying make-up. I'm usually okay with an eyeliner, sometimes a gloss and I'm all set. But now, I can't. I need to conceal whatever needs to be concealed. 

Time consuming, I know, but I can't stop my freckles from peeking!

I'm an avid user of organic skin care products and I'm a bit paranoid over drugstore MU because I have very sensitive skin. One reason why I love to blog-hop every once in a while so I could check out what's the latest on skin care, plus, I get to see locally produced organic goodies! I stumbled upon the Bare Naturals Site, and my heart was jumping for joy when I saw that they have a BB cream- it's natural, paraben-free and has SPF30. Plus, it's reasonably priced for PHP398 (30ml). How good is that? :)

BB cream or more commonly known as the "blemish balm" cream is said to be used by patients who have undergone laser skin surgery for its soothing and skin-regenerating properties. It is widely used by Korean celebrities and make-up gurus. 

So I bought and I was able to "road test" yesterday

 and boy, was I impressed by it! :)

Barenaturals HERBAL WONDER SPF 30 21-in-1 BLEMISH BALM CREAM's

6 Functions

1. Makeup base

2. Skin moisturizer

3. Sun protection

4. Skin Lightener

5. Anti-wrinkle

6. Over-all skin brightening

5 healthy minerals

 Titanium dioxide

 Magnesium Stearate

 3 iron oxides

Ingredients:

Water, Glycol Stearate, Polydecene, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Emilsifying Wax NF, Steareth-21, Gigawhite [Glycerine, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow Extract), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Melissa Officinalis LE, Achillea Milefolium Extract], Imazolidinyl Urea, Cyclomethicone (and camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum CassiaAsteraceae, Alpha Arbutin, Butylatedhydroxytoluene

It has no sting, no oil. It's creamy but light and enough to conceal my freckles. Nice, eh?? I've been out the whole day running errands but I still looked fresh after Polie's check-up, groceries and a late lunch out without any touch-ups.

before

after blending. voila! freckles be gone! :)

I've used this product only once so the skin lightener, anti-wrinkle and over-all skin brightening effects would have to take a backseat for the meantime as it would take several usage to see if it really "does" wonder for my skin. But we'll see. :)

Care to give it a try? You may go to: Bare Naturals Site to order one.

How about you? Are you a make-up or more of a skin care junkie?

GIGA Seaweed Soap

photo credits: GIGA website

I ran out of soap last month. To avoid the hassle of ordering online and because I badly need it and I can't use commercial soaps due to my allergies, I thought of buying a milder body wash like a baby bath, a temporary replacement for the time being. While doing our groceries last month, to my delight, I stumbled upon GIGA soaps.

I know this product well because I was able to test some of it last year during AAV Cuenca Christmas Bazaar. I was so surprised to find it in a supermarket because I know; we seldom see organic products in a commercial supermarket. But there, they have it in South Supermarket Alabang.

Since, the only two variants are the VCO and the Seaweed Slimming Soap, I chose the latter, not because of its slimming effect- no I don't believe in that shit, but because of the heavenly smell! It's so darn good, it smells like peppermint and the soap is as good as a scrub, plus it's cheaper. A bar only costs 55PHP. But you have to lather on lotion after using it because it tends to dry your skin. After a month of using it, the appearance of my cellulite (on my thighs) improved. It's less visible now, I don't know if it's because of the soap or just because I'm losing weight lately.

I'll definitely purchase some more. Kudos to Pinoy Organic Products! :)

Read more about it at: Giga Website

Sustainable Beauty: By Nature Handmade Soaps

When I got pregnant last year, my allergies worsened. I was really determined to stop taking anti-histamines because I'm already 3weeks pregnant that time. Even though my OB prescribed it and assured me that it's safe, I'm still hesitant.

I've been a fan of natural and organic products since I was in high school, but little did I know the difference between the two. If a product was labeled "natural", it doesn't necessarily mean that all ingredients are plant derived. Manufacturers would use cheap preservatives called "paraben" to prolong the shelf life of the product that they sell. You can find parabens in most shampoos, conditioner, lotions, creams, deodorants and most especially cosmetics or those called drugstore make-ups.

I've found out that paraben has been linked to breast cancer. Although pharmaceutical companies claim that it's safe to use them as preservatives and it's just a myth, the inner earth child in me will always prevail that I still decided to make the big switch. I did some research and learned about By Nature Handmade Soaps on TheGoodEarth site. To my delight, I found out that almost all their products are 100% organic, some are 97% organic. It's just like in Healthy Options wherein they have organic labeling guides but cheaper.

"Because they are ALL-NATURAL, BY NATURE Handmade Soaps contain NO chemical preservatives, hardeners or additives. They are made with food-grade vegetable oils such as coconut oil, palm oil, and olive oil and are lovingly made using the cold-process method. With this soapmaking method, BY NATURE Handmade Soaps are made completely from scratch. No short-cuts or pre-manufactured bases and you get all the goodness of naturally-formed glycerin, too!"    -BNHMS

What's not to love?

I ordered a stash of soaps, Baby Salve, Balm of Butter and Facial Oil. What do you know, it took me 2-3 days of using them and my allergies are gone. Yes, gone, as in no more sneezy and stuffy nose every morning and no more sleepless nights.

I love how the soaps are unlike other organic or handmade soaps in the market. It lathers; they smell so great that taking a bath for me is more delightful. I love how the scent lingers in the air but it's not overpowering. It doesn't melt easily. The bar is big and not that expensive. My favorites are Choco Latte, Cocoa Butter Melt, Citrus White, Milkenhoney and Green Tea Escape. My hubby and my eldest use organic soaps too. Actually, they're quite addicted to it. My online seller, Ms. Tet Reyes is the sweetest! She never hesitated in answering my queries and giving brilliant suggestions. She offers a wide range of products, from household organic products to personal use. I never would have thought that online shopping could be this fun. Go ahead, take a chance and give it a try. More than likely, you'll be happy you did. You'll see the difference.  

Read more about it at:

The Good Earth

ByNatureHandmadeSoaps