Review on Watsons UV Aqua Sun Protection Gel SPF50 PA++++

Watsons UV Aqua Sun Protection Gel SPF 50 PA++++ 50ml

UV filters used: Uvinul A Plus (absorbs UVA) and Uvinul T 150 (absorbs UVB). Both filters are highly photostable and Uvinul T 150 is known to be the most photostable UVB filter out there. 

Star ingredients🌟:

-Glycerin 

-Niacinamide 

-Adenosine

-Hyaluronic acid 

-Tocopherol 

✔️No whitecast 

✔️Fine absorption 

✔️Light gel-cream texture

✔️No noticeable scent

✔️Free from fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohol 

Real story: I was panicking when I almost ran out of my sunscreen; totally finished Yadah sunscreen and reluctant to finish the Keep Cool sunscreen just yet. My sister brought me to Watsons to get a new sunscreen, which I didn't know what to get for myself. I just skimmed through the shelves and the back of every sunscreen packaging for ingredients checking and this one really catched my attention. And I was more excited got to influence my sister to get herself a good sunscreen too! (finally!)

When we came back home, I studied the ingredients each and the more I searched for the ingredients used, the more I surprised. It feels so good when I applied on the back of my hand. Super moisturising and it feels rather gentle on my skin! The texture reminds me a lot of Keep Cool sunscreen, it feels so similar! 

On the next day, I used this sunscreen to confirm if I could call this Keep Cool sunscreen dupe. Everything is almost the same but the finishing couldn't beat Keep Cool even though it feels similar at the beginning of the application. But still it's not that bad tho. The time it touches your face, it feels like light gel cream which later turns watery. It finished a bit greasy for 2 and half fingers rule but when I top it with Innisfree No Sebum compact powder, the result is boom! I loveeee! Still, I'm gonna call this Keep Cool dupe. It feels soothing, hydrating and very moisturising!

One thing I noticed about this sunscreen, it softens my skin, even after I wash it off. It makes me want to touch my face even more. I believe this is because of ethylhexyl olivate; a skin conditioning fatty acid that derived from olive oil which it helps to keep important hydrating substances escaping from our skin.

This sunscreen used 3 olive oil based; ethylhexyl olivate, cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate, which we know how nourishing it is for people with dry skin. People with dry to super dry skin should check this out! 

🌟:3/5

I bought this at Watsons for RM28.80 during sales. You can get this either Watsons online or walk-in stores. Retail price is at RM33.

Garnier Ultra Light Sensitive Advanced UV Face Fluid SPF50 Broad Spectrum 40ml

UV Filters used: Ethylhexyl Salicylate (UVB filter), Ethylhexyl Triazone (UVB filter), Tinosorb S (broad spectrum filter), Avobenzone (UVA filter), Mexoryl XL (broad spectrum filter).

Key ingrdients: Glycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment.

Full ingredients: Aqua / Water Alcohol Denat. Diisopropyl Sebacate Silica Isopropyl Myristate Ethylhexyl Salicylate Ethylhexyl Triazone Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane Glycerin C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer Propanediol Drometrizole Trisiloxane Perlite Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Tocopherol Hydroxyacetophenone Hydroxyethylcellulose Sodium Hyaluronate Thermus Thermophillus Ferment Phenoxyethanol Triethanolamine Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Caprylyl Glycol Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Potassium Sorbate

-Free from any essential oils and fragrance but alcohol denat. Is second on the ingredients list

-Super fast absorption (should I say faster than Keep Cool sunscreen absorption?)

-Leaves no white cast at all

-Doesn’t feel heavy upon reapplication

-Doesn’t feel greasy at all even after 2 hours of application

-Has almost a matte finish with a nice velvety feels on skin

The texture is runny liquid and highly fast absorbing!

Thoughts: I like the fact that it is free from any essential oils and fragrance but mind you, this sunscreen contains high level of denatured alcohol, second on the list, thus contributing to the highly chemical smell. I experience no irritation for the first few times of usage and this sunscreen doesn’t sting my eyes or makes my eyes watery, which is great. But overtime, I could feel my skin feels burdened with the fact, this sunscreen is high in denatured alcohol. My skin felt less burdened compared to when I was using the Garnier Super UV Spot-Proof sunscreen (but still could feel it is burdened). Post-application, it doesn’t feel drying but the drying effect could be felt and seen overtime. It sucks up my skin moisture, making my skin feels so dry. I knew since day one that my skin couldn’t handle well with products that are high with drying alcohol but few weeks ago, my skin felt fine, back to its combination state and I thought maybe I should give it a try.

 Here’s the best thing. This sunscreen sinks in really fast, or maybe I should say faster than Keep Cool Soothe sunscreen? Thanks to the high percentage of denatured alcohol in it. Do you want to know how I apply this? I apply a really good amount of this sunscreen on my face and I DO NOT RUB IT IN, instead, I let it sink naturally while doing other things, like checking my emails or scrolling my instagram or just sitting while lost in deep thoughts. Since it took only few seconds to sink in, so I don't see why I should exert much effort to help it to sink in hahahaha. Then with the residue left, either I used beauty sponge or I used my fingers to even it out.

And mind you, this sunscreen is really, highly water resistant.

It has almost a matte finish but overtime, it turns to powdery matte. It doesn't feel powdery on my face, like how Anessa sunscreen felt like, it feels velvety, if it's the best word to describe the feel.

🌟:3/5

Sadly, I wouldn't repurchase this as it really took a toll on my skin moisture and I would trade my skin moisture with anything, doesn't matter I great it is, and I badly I want to love it.

O Allah, 

Guide me to learn to imitate the habit of twilight, taking time to open the well of colour that fosters the brightness of day.

May every ounce of fatigue felt only be meant to please You, please ease all of my works, grant me barakah and multiple rewards unseen.

Dan Tuhanku, 

Sisipkanlah dalam hatinya ketenangan, walau sepayah mana keadaan, 

Sisipkanlah dalam hatinya ketenangan walau sekeras mana pun ujian dan permudahkanlah jalannya menuntut ilmu demi ummah dan agama. 

Golongkanlah kami antara mereka yang sentiasa merasa rehat dalam solat.

Rahmatilah dia ya Allah. 

Rahmatilah kedua ibu bapa kami ya Allah. 

Maafkan kami atas keculasan tidak meletakkanMu yang pertama dalam banyak hal Ya Allah. Pimpinlah kami ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Rahim.

Amin, amin, amin ya rabbal 'alamin.

Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is one of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family, derived from milk, although most forms used in cosmetics (including skincare) are synthetic, means that, they are mostly formulate in labs. This is because, it is easier to formulate and stabilise.

It is usually in pH 3-4 and in concentrations between 5 and 12%, lactic acid exfoliates on the surface of the skin by breaking down the materials that hold all the dead skin cells together, allowing the dead skin cells to shed away and new skin cells to surface.

And this will help with better products absorption. 

Lactic acid may cause sensitivity in certain cases, even though it is not common. Starts slow! When it comes to actives, especially exfoliating acids, always remember to go slow. Most of the times, we always refuse to listen to our skin (been there, done that), and it’s always easy for us to over exfoliate and overdoing it especially when we started to see the result is quite promising, in the early first to second month of using.

Besides helps to brighten up skin and helps with uneven skin tone, lactic acid also has hydrating properties, just like other AHA family members.

More reasons to love lactic acid are, besides being a gentle exfoliator, which is great for sensitive, dry skin, it inhibits (hinders) tyrosinase, enzymes that break down tyrosine (basically an amino acid) which leads to melanin production. When more melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) produced, the dark spots will become darker. So when tyrosinase being inhibited, over time, you will see improvement on your hyperpigmentation.

I’ve mentioned earlier, lactic acid has hydrating properties, which basically means it is a humectant. This means it helps in retaining the moisture of your skin. So, here’s a tip. After cleanse your face, on a damp face, apply any hydrating toner you have and then, proceed with your leave-on chemical exfoliant. Let it absorbs into your skin for a good few minutes and end your routine with a good moisturiser. If you have serums to incorporate, apply them after applying the chemical exfoliant and end your routine with a good moisturiser.

But personally, I don’t prefer myself going more than 4 steps in my skincare regimen, especially when I use any chemical exfoliants that time.

Some of us might not know this but lactic acid also helps with fine lines by stimulating fibroblasts (cells which produce collagen and other fibres) and it also increases ceramides production in our skin.

Because of the size if bigger compared to the glycolic acid, some dermatologists recommend lactic acid to those with sensitive or dry skin. But surely, among AHA, mandelic acid is the most gentlest because its size is the biggest among other AHA members. It is said the gentlest because when it is biggest in size, it means it’s gonna penetrate less deeper, resulting in slight to no irritation at all.

Here’s the most important part, I believe. According to FDA, based on few studies conducted, it has been confirmed using/applying any AHAs to the skin shows it increased UV sensitivity.

Taken from FDA websites;

“After 4 weeks of AHA application, volunteers’ sensitivity to skin reddening produced by UV increased by 18 percent. However, the studies also indicated that this increase in sensitivity is reversible and does not last long after discontinuing use of AHA cream. One week after the treatments were halted, researchers found no significant differences in UV sensitivity among the various skin sites.”  

So what do we do when we incorporate AHA into our routine?

SUNSCREEN! REAPPLY YOUR SUNSCREEN! It’s frankly not really a big deal if you work your ass out for it to be a habit.

After all, know your limits, know your warrior, wear your sunscreen and listen well to your skin!  

 

Dear Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask 110g

The scrub comes in a white sturdy glass jar.

It could be used as:

– Gentle exfoliator 

(After oil cleansed, take a scoop (or more) of this and gently massage all over your wet face to get a smoother, soft and better complexion).

–Cleansing balm

 (Scoop a good amount of this and mix it with any cleansing oil you have and give your dry face a good gentle massage for a good 1-2 minutes and wash it off).

–Wash off mask

 (Dampen your skin and apply this evenly and rinse it off after a good 10 min).

Star ingredients: Shea Butter(smoothing properties and amazing for people with dry skin), Raspberry Seed Oil(antioxidant), Jojoba Seed Oil (moisturising, soothes skin and amazing for dry skin) and Kaolin(detoxifying).

Thoughts: It smells exactly like a bubblegum! Yummy! It is in soft pink colour which comes from calamine. Frankly speaking, I always love using physical scrubs once a week or once in a fortnight. It feels so relaxing, and I love how soft and smooth my skin would feel afterwards. Things to bear in mind when you're using physical scrub is, you have to be extra gentle with your skin, since I believe nobody wants their face scrub to cause micro-tear to their precious skin. The thing about micro-tear is, over times, it weakens our skin barrier. 

Thank God this scrub only use fine sucrose granules which is not too abrasive for my skin. I just have to keep in mind to always be extra gentle while enjoying it being massaged on my skin. The pH of this gentle exfoliator is 7, neutral. 

This exfoliator doesn't turn my dry skin into super dry, it cleanses my skin well with no tight feelings afterwards. It's good enough. Most of the time, I can't help myself but forfeited to the temptation in using this exfoliator too, on the other parts of my body; my arms, legs especially. Right after shower, done with scrubbing, on half-wet skin, I will apply HA toner all over my body and proceed with moisturiser or body lotion. Love the result! 

Thank you NattaCosme for this opportunity to let me try this glow sugar mask from Klairs. It's such a great experience and yes, this is my very first Klairs product I ever tried.

Cahaya dan Cinta

Mereka menyamakan cinta itu dengan cahaya dan tidak dapat dinafikan itu ada kebenarannya.

Tapi sebentar,

Kita menjadi buta kerana terlalu terangnya cahaya itu atau kita yang memilih untuk lari daripada cahaya sebenar lalu menjadi buta?

Cahaya itu sentiasa ada, cuma kita,

p/s: Tiba-tiba letrik ada balik, terus hilang kata bhahaahha

#ainimentariwrites #jagajaga 

Koleksi Mentari Saya!

Langit Tuhan

Dada terasa sebu semacam lalu kepala diangkat dan didongak perlahan untuk melihat langit senja dengan harapan berjumpa tenang yang mungkin ada pada permukaan lautan luas langit Tuhan.

Air mata jatuh menitik- nitik, laju, entah sebab apa, mungkin campuran pelbagai rasa yang sudah sampai tahapnya. Dibiar, tidak diseka.

Langit Tuhan menjadi saksi akan banyak kejadian dan juga menjadi tadahan mendengar rintihan banyak orang. Bila rintihan yang diterima banyak hingga menjadi lambakan, langit berbisik pada awan; mari kita minta pada Tuhan agar turunkan hujan. Bagi meraikan mereka yang sedang kesedihan juga sebagai tanda mereka sedang dihiburkan dan ditenangkan. 

Kepingan- kepingan awan yang menghiasi langit Tuhan mengajarkan kita satu hal besar; untuk kekal berjalan, bergerak ke hadapan walaupun perlahan. 

Langit Tuhan adalah satu seni dan kurniaan yang tak terkalahkan kerana manusia takkan pernah mampu bosan walaupun dengan hanya memandang.

Langit Tuhan juga boleh menjadi perumpamaan yang baik untuk keampunan Tuhan yang Maha Luas seperti yang disebut dalam ayat 33 surah al- Anfal. 

Pelangi, awan, bulan, hujan dan langit Tuhan itu semua kurniaan yang menenangkan, bukan?

Bila langkah terasa payah, cubalah lihat langit Tuhan dan bertenang. Tarik nafas dan cuba ingat kembali, janji- janji Tuhan yang tak lama lagi akan tertunai. Yakin. 

Semoga kita kekal dalam pelukan rahmat Tuhan. 

Amin.

Yadah Oh My Sunscreen SPF 35 PA++ Review

UV filters used: Octinoxate, Titanium Dioxide, Octocrylene, Avobenzone.

Ingredients;

It contains bergamot oil which is an essential oil (if you have sensitive skin, you might want to skip this) which is why it smells citrusy (and I hate it). Avobenzone, an UV filter used known to bring irritation for some people. Watch out. And this sunscreen is not fungal acne friendly. 

Full ingredients:

Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopenasiloxane, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octocrylene, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Glycol stearate, Triceteareth-4 phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-2 STEARATE, Silica, Acrylates/ C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Glyceryl caprylate, Aminomethyl propanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Opuntia Humifusa Flower/Stem Extract, 1, 2-Hexanediol.

Texture;

White creamy texture that takes forever to set in. Major hate from me. I did apply a little then wait then apply some more then wait but no good result noticed. Had to use beauty blender to kick away the white cast. I hate it. You know it's not my HG sunscreen if beauty sponge is required.

Finishing;

Semi-matte finishing. Great finishing as it doesn't leave my skin looks oily and feel oily. I tried applying it on face arms and hands and it felt super moisturising (1 star for that). 

Availability;

It comes with 50ml and 20ml on Watsons, Guardian and Hermo. I bought this on Hermo, only for RM32.50 (exc postage) using my ePenjana. Okay la, takde la nak mengamuk sangat. It's always on sale on Hermo. The usual price for 50ml is RM65 on Hermo and Watsons. (You don't want to spend your hard-earned money on this kinda sunscreen). 

In my opinion, 3W Clinic sunscreen is better than this. Sorry not sorry. And did I mention the slight prickling on every beginning of the application? Major turn off. 

🌟:1/5

Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++

UV filters used: Uvinul A Plus (covers UVA) and Tinasorb S. (covers UVA & UVB). Both are high standards of UV filters as they are very photostable, hardly deteriorate in the presence of UV rays. 

Star ingredients ✨:

–40% of bamboo water packed with antioxidants and silica which is great to improve skin elasticity. Also known for soothing properties. 

–Niacinamide; for skin barrier, regulates oil production and etc. 

–Centella asiatica extract; skin-soothing, antioxidant and rich with amino acids. 

–Packed with 7 types of HA.

Full ingredients, taken from skinlibrary.co.uk:

Bambusa Vulgaris Water(401,800 ppm), Water, Diglycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Behenyl Alcohol, Lespedeza Capitata Leaf/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyisobutene, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate.

✅Fast absorption (takes only few seconds to skin in)

✅No white cast (fit all skin colours)

✅Very hydrating and moisturising (leaving my face plump)

✅Free from any essential oils or fragrance 

✅Doesn't feel heavy upon few layering

✅Healthy glow finish 

Finally a review on this highly rave sunscreen!

There's nothing much to say about this sunscreen as it ticks off every single thing you want from a sunscreen. When it comes to sunscreen, things that matter the most to me is the absorption rate and white cast. This sunscreen absorbs beautifully like a dream! The texture is a light white cream which later turns watery as you give a gentle rub to smoothen it over. Ahh, that moment, so satisfying for me. I always try hard to strictly use this only when I'm going out and I have to admit it's kinda hard to stop myself (I failed for so many times!) from reaching this sunscreen when I'm just staying at home! You don't wanna use a good, pricey sunscreen only when you're just staying inside! 

Okay let's talk on pilling. From my experience, I found out this sunscreen pills under my mask over time. I reapplied for the second time and later found out after my sister told me as she noticed. But it doesn't happen all the time, I was in Genting when I experienced that. Maybe because it's damp down there. And I was moving around a lot that day? Did anyone experience the same? No? 

Oh, I haven't mentioned that this sunscreen has cooling effect right? The coolling effect makes my breath feels hot, like I'm breathing under fire, I mean, in a funny way. It makes me wanting to breathe more rapidly and imagine I was a dragon. The cooling effect only stays for a good few minutes and it feels a lot more obvious and soothing (that makes me smile to myself) when you reapply in air-conditioned car. 

Overall, it is an amazing sunscreen, worth every penny you spent as the performance is on par with the price. It is deeply moisturising and soothing your skin. 

This will suit well with every skin type but people with dry skin, definitely need to check this out! 

It's available at:

Althea for RM76 

Shopee shop yoonybeauty.my for RM59.30 (during sale)

🌟:4.5/5

#ainimentarireview #ainimentarisunscreen #sunscreen #keepcoolmalaysia #keepcoolglobal #skincaremalaysia #protectyourskin

Garnier Super UV Spot Proof Sunscreen

UV filters used: Octinoxate, Tinosorb S, Univul A Plus, Mexoryl XL.

Star ingredients🌟: 

-Niacinamide, adenosine, tocopherol, ascorbyl glucoside, capryloyl salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid.

Thoughts: Let me be frank here. I kept seeing @biexbeautytrait posts on Garnier products on my timeline and it made me feel nostalgic in a way that I thought maybe I should give this brand another try. I used to love their toner when I was 15 and I did use some of their cleansers back in my teenage years. 

The moment it touched my skin, there's a cooling effect, but only for a few seconds, didn't linger like Keep Cool sunscreen. The cooling effect turned into an uncomfortable feelings that it hurts my face. It irritates my skin. I'm not sure why but maybe there's any ingredients in this sunscreen that my skin felt like it was too much for it to bear. But the feelings disappeared after few minutes of application.

I was fine with it as I bought this sunscreen just merely because I wanna try it out. I didn't take a glimpse at the ingredients before I purchased. In my experience, within 5 days of using it, I had come to a conclusion that it's a tone up sunscreen as over time, it toned up my skin, em, pretty obvious (in a way that it was way too much for me). The tone up effect didn't suit my medium tan skin tone. It always made me feel awkward to see myself in the mirror while having it on. 

It claimed that this sunscreen is not oily, not greasy and not sticky. It's greasy (not 2 fingers rule friendly tho), makes my face a bit oilier over time yet not sticky. I didn't bother to top it with any no-sebum pact powder or any loose powder as I used it only when I was at home. You can try it or just take any beauty blender to dab dab dab to kick away the extra dewiness that you don't need. This sunscreen contains denatured alcohol which could be drying for some people, especially when it is in the first six in the ingredients list. And the fragrance is pretty strong and it smells like the normal Garnier Light Complete range. I always find it is unnecessary to have fragrance in my skincare products, I prefer them to smell like chemical or having no scent at all. 

I would not recommend this for people with oily and sensitive skin. I purchased this on Shopee, Garnier official store for RM23 during sale. Normal price would cost you RM29.90. I haven't seen it in any drugstores yet, it's a new one from Garnier, but maybe by this time, it's already available nationwide. 

🌟:1.5/5

Perihal Lelaki

Kata dia, hati perempuan itu seperti meranti,

Semakin lama bersama, semakin mudah difahami,

Tapi lelaki hatinya ibarat cengal, 

Harus mengenal cara baru sebati, 

Jika tidak, payah ditembusi.

Lelaki sebati dengan watak tidak menangis,

Gagah dan kuat menolak tangis.

Tapi siapa tahu, 

Kesedihan mereka malah mungkin lebih dalam daripada kita perempuan.

Menilai dari fisik saja tidak mampu dalam meleraikan soal hati.

Cuma beza secara lahiriahnya, 

Kita perempuan juara dalam merasa,

dan

Mereka lelaki kelihatannya mengambil mudah dalam banyak hal, 

Termasuk soal hati.

Kita wanita, mereka lelaki,

Tapi kita semua manusia, 

cuma cara berbeza.

Rai, jangan keji. 

#AiniMentariWrites