Back to my Basic Skin Care

It has been a crazy month of June for me.  My helper went home to the Philippines for her leave, as the same time we were schedule to move house.  Luckily, I was allowed by the office to work from home.  The kids are on school-vacation, as well.  Needless to say, my hands were full.

With all the packing and unpacking that needs to be done, all the outdoor activities of the kids, and the cleaning of the old house and the new flat, I had a terrible case of pimple break-outs.  It's horrible. I never had it since I was in high school.  I had tiny red pimples on my forehead, my cheeks and chin.  And worse, they're itchy!  So itchy that when I wash my face, I'm tempted to scrub them till  the get more reddish hue.

It's gotten so  bad, my kids were wondering, "Mom, what happened to your face?!"  For someone who's adept at skin care and gives friends advice on skin issues, this is downright alarming.  I knew I had to do something before it gets worse.

So here's what are my drastic measures:

1.)  Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!  I literally measured my water intake using a 1-liter Coke container.  I made sure to finish it within the day.

2.)   Catch up on my Zzzzss.   There were so many things that I needed to do in the new flat.  If I don't control myself, I continue working until late at night.  Most of the times, I also go beyond my waking hours reading books. I recently discovered an android app where I can download free ebooks.  As a result, my sleep patter had gone haywire.  I had to literally, set the alarm at 10am, to remind myself that I needed to sleep!!

3.)  Changed my Skin Regimen to a lighter version - my regimen used to be 5-step AgeLOC Transformation Package.  It's one great anti-aging product, but I figured with my current break-outs I have to relax it a bit.  So, I change to the most basic skin care, which was Nu Skin Nutricentials line.

The package contains the following:
 
Pure Cleansing Gel
Deep cleanses and clarifies pores. Made from papaya enzyme. Pure Cleansing Ge's soap-free, foaming formula balances oil without overdrying, leaving skin fresh, clean, and energized.

pH Balance Mattefying Toner
A toner with oil-absorbing mineral powder to give an instant matte finish and control shine.  Made from Strawberry extract, calms the skin and tightens pores, as well.

Celltrex Ultra Recovery Fluid
Made from Olive Oil.  I used it as light moisturizer.  Good alternative if all those anti-aging serums have been clogging your pores.

Moisture Restore Day Protective Mattefying Lotion SPF 15 
My sunblock whenever I had to go out during the day to take the kids to tuition classes.  I alternate this with Tinted Moisturizer, if I needed to put on make-up.

Night Supply Nourishing Cream
My night moisturizer.  Very light.  Not sticky at all.


I have combination to oily skin.  That's why I'm prone to pimples.  However for one or two huge break-outs, I always keep a tube of Clear Action Night Cream.   It's actually part of the Clear Action System.  I apply the cream directly to the pimple.  After 2 -3 days, the pimples dries up and I maintain the cream for a week to completely heal and prevent scarring.

 4.)  Change my diet -  Cooking for my family of 5,  the easiest is fried foods.  Fried chicken, friend beef tapa, fried fish became staple in the household when I took over the kitchen.  It's fast, easy and kids love them.  However, it wrecked havoc on my skin.  I tried going easy on the frying but have more soup-based dishes.   Less frying. More steaming and boiling.

5.)  Hair off the Face - Dirty hair poking into the skin pores is actually one of the cases of pimple break-outs.  So, I try to keep a clean un-obstructive hairstyle by using clamps, hair bands, hair climps.

6.)  Quit touching my face and being anxious about my pimples - hands are dirty and constantly touching the face exacerbates the break-out. Anxiety over what I look like also stresses me out. Stress is a major cause of break-outs!

So far, my face is now slowly returning back to normal.   It helps that my helper has arrived, and the kids are now back to school.  Hopefully, it a few weeks I can return back to my anti-aging regimen!  At my age, my skin calls for more than Basic Skin Care.  However, once in a while, it is good to give our skin a breather.

If  you're interested with the Nutricentials product line, you call drop by Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines with offices at 15th Floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines or call 689-NUSKIN.

xoxo,
Ripemango

Wedding Glow -- not for Brides only!

Wedding month of June again!  Even if you are not a blushing bride this season, chances are, you will get invited to one of these lavish weddings of your friends and/or relatives.  Weddings nowadays are such huge events.  Couples take many years, planning, organizing and "staging" their weddings.  It's not just an exchange of vows, or a get-together of families and friends.  It's a project presentation in itself!

 That's why as guests -- we are also "pressured" to look right, dress right for our part.  You wouldn't wanna be caught like the hidden-relatives-from-closets and look like a fish out of the water in your cousin's or friends' wedding, right?  You wanna fit in, and look glamorous like the wedding entourage!

A great dress and carefully applied make-up will work but the best foundation for that Wedding Glow comes from an advance skin care preparation.  By "advance" I mean both Innovative and Early!  A regimen that's sophisticated and must do it before the wedding day itself, to get the maximum effect on that special day!

So, here's my run-down for the best pre-wedding facial preparation-  both for men and women!
 
For Deep Cleansing - (two days before)

Glacial Marine Mud

This unique mud pack draws out impurities, remove dead skin cells, and nurture skin.  It has more than 50 skin beneficial minerals, including zinc and sea botanicals. Legend has it that indigenous peoples may have tried to use this special mud to make pottery. They were unsuccessful because of its fine particle size, but noticed their hands were softer and smoother.   Now, we can have the same indigenous materials in our regimen! You can use both for face and body!

For Gentle Exfoliation - (a day before)

NU SKIN EXFOLIANT SCRUB EXTRA GENTLE

Exfoliant Scrub gently smooths skin's surface by releasing dead cell buildup and pore-blocking impurities. Use twice a week after cleansing for a luminous glow.  Smooth, even skin reflects light more perfectly, to make your glow in-front of video and still cameras!  This is made from natural marine diatoms (fossilized algae), that are also gentle on the skin and not rough, like most scrubs!

For Glow and more Alive Looking Aura (the day itself)


GALVANIC HOME SPA

The secret weapon to have for a quick glow your big day! Small, smart, and powerful, the ageLOC Galvanic Spa features patented self-adjusting currents and interchangeable conductors for the face, scalp, and body. Together with Nu Skin’s specially formulated treatment products, this home-spa gives you an instant lift and brighter aura.  So easy at home.  No need for expense spa treatments.

There you go!  My Top 3 Must-Have for a glowing Bride or Guest on this Wedding month of June!

If you are interested to get these amazing products, you call drop by Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines with offices at 15th Floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines or call 689-NUSKIN.

xoxo,
ripemango

Whiten or Brighten? There's a difference!

Philippines recently elected 12 new senators, and one of the interesting new senators is the infamous Nancy Binay.  She's the current daughter of the Vice-President Jejomar Binay.  So much has been said regarding her not so sterling qualification.  Being a former Chief of Staff of her Dad, she has no other qualification, aside from her father's surname.

But I think the worst label that has been thrown on her is regarding the nature of her skin.  Filipinos always have this mentality of looking up at fair-skinned as beautiful.  This despite that we have beauty queens who are on the "dark side" like Venus Raj.  Common Pinoy still think that White means beautiful. Afterall, why do Whitening, Lightening creams sell so much?!

So, even if I did not vote for Nancy Binay.  I feel for her.   It is extremely hurtful to be judged of one's skin color.  But that's Philippine politics for you!  No holds barred. They will throw-in everything to taint the opponents and beat them whether in the publicity and polls.

Speaking of Filipinos and our desire for a whiter and fairer complexion.  I don't think it's a sin to prefer a clearer skin, as long as we don't judge others for being otherwise!  

I was just in the Philippines two weeks ago and I was amazed at the numerous new products on whitening!  Before it was just Likas Papaya, and Block and White that were dominating the shelves and airwaves.  Now, there's Silka, (even an orange and green papaya!), Kojie, even Belo joined in with their mass-appeal Belo Essentials Whitening Line! All of them comes in soaps and lotions!

Going to my neighborhood dermatologist clinic, I saw they also offer Gluthathione injections!  Wow. More intensive! I wonder if those direct infusions to the veins, with the goal of suppressing melanine production would eventually give you a different "race" altogether :)  Let's face it,  our skin color comes with our race!  

But then again,  skin lightening need that be that extreme.  A lot of women I know, even men, use these lightening creams, soaps just to get a more even skin tone.  Regular sun exposure due to our weather, has given their skin dull, and lifeless appearance.  They just wanted to even it out.  They don't aspire a Kabuki, Chinese or even a Caucasian.  They know they are Morena, but they want a more bright, alive and glowing skin.

For folks who are after this "brightening" rather than "whitening" effect on their skin, I think, the most interesting product line to try is the  Nu Skin Tri-Phasic White System.  It's clinically-proven to achieve even-toned and glowing skin.  Just one of the many innovative products of Nu Skin Enterprises.

There are 5 steps to this regimen. 

The Tri-phasic White Cleanser -

• Diminishes the appearance of skin discoloration.
• Cleanses and brightens skin for a fresh, radiant appearance.
• Pearlescent, moisturizing cleanser leaves skin silky-soft while improving skin tone and texture.

The Tri-Phasic White Toner -

• Soothes skin to reduce potential discoloration resulting from irritation.
• Visibly reduces discoloration on the surface of the skin by gently exfoliating skin cells to remove the appearance of accumulated dark spots and discoloration.

The Tri-Phasic White Day Milk Lotion-

• Helps promote bright complexion

• UVA and UVB sunscreens (SPF 15) help prevent ultraviolet rays, the most common cause of uneven skin tone.

The Tri-Phasic Night Cream-

• Features diacetyl boldine to calm and soothe skin.

The Tri-Phasic White Essence-

Inhibits the synthesis of discoloration in the following three ways: 

• Contains antioxidants to help calm free radicals.
• Reduces the appearance of discoloration.
• Promotes a brighter, more brilliant complexion.

The best thing about this product line, it doesn't claim to give you a white Caucasian or Oriental skin as most skin whitening systems do.  This is for people who are proud of their skin color but wants a more polished, illuminating and glowing skin!

If I will suggest the best skin care regimen for Nancy Binay,  it will be Nu Skin's Tri-phasic White System.  There's nothing wrong with her skin color, but her complexion could use more life!

If you are interested to get this amazing Tri-Phasic White you call the company directly at  689-NUSKIN or drop by their offices at 15th Floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

A Day to Look and Feel Young

If you don't have anything milestone in your life next Friday 24th of August 2011,  (1-8pm)  there's an exciting feel-good event at the Rockwell Tent in Makati, called Live Young Exposition.   It's organized by Nu Skin Philippines, the company that offers the most advance products in anti-aging and weight management in the country today.

They will be showcasing the latest innovation in staying young inside and out.  The technology is called AgeLOC.   This technology addresses aging at its source, our genes. 

Nu Skin utilizes the AgeLOC  technology in its core products.   My favorite is the comprehensive daily skin care system called Transformation Set (Cleanse/Tone, Radiant Day SPF 22, Tranforming Night cream and the Future Serum).    Drop by the event, and experience these products and really see a quick transformation in just a few seconds of application!

For those who have issues on their skin or their weight, they have nutritionists and skin care specialist on-hand,  to give you thorough advice on the best regimen.

Not everyone knows, that Nu Skin is also promoting a Weight Management line, in their Pharmanex Health Supplement Division, called TRA.  No, they're not selling diet pills.  They're promoting a whole new lifestyle program  which combines supplements, exercise, and balance nutrition.   The best thing,  they have  certified Weight Management Consultants who will guide you every step of the way, until you reach your desired weight or figure.  You are not alone!

 The other interesting and revolutionary activities includes the following:

Body Composition Analysis ~   we all know our age in years, but the real age of our physical body health is different!  You might be 35 now, but at the rate our lifestyles is going, you might have a 50 year old body!  You have to know this!

Biophotonic Scanning ~ they have this extra-ordinary machine from the University of Utah, that can measure anti-oxidants in our body.   It basically tells us whether we are healthy or not!

Galvanic Facial Spa ~ it's a home facial that utilizes soft galvanic current for that youthful appearance in a snap!  it actually costs about 1,500 per session but for this event, they're offering it for only 300 pesos!  A real steal!

It's gonna be a whole lot of fun!  Bring your friends along.  There's street dance, belly dance and zumba  classes for that fun work-out.  They're also bringing a nail art specialist for those girly mani session! :)

Event is  FREE but pre-registration is required.   You can just talk to the person who sent you this link or  contact directly  Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines with offices at 15th floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines, with telephone numbers 632-8-NUSKIN.


Enjoy Looking and Feeling Young!


xoxo,
ripemango