Kypris Moonlight Catalyst the Retinol Alternative

Let’s make this review short and concise. I have the urge to review this because alot of people been asking what’s the alternative for Retinol for pregnant women? Or I have few questions regarding whether this is safe for pregnant women or not.

First of all, the two ingredients that people will mostly avoid when they’re pregnant are salicylic acid and retinol. Though, when I was pregnant with my daughter I didn’t really avoid salicylic acid. One I was young and didn’t know better. Two some years after that several dermatologists and scientists assured me that the content of salicylic acid in a toner is not high enough to consider it a threat to the fetus. Alas, for those pregnant ladies out there I really suggest you to read all the information regarding ingredients in skincare and what’s best to avoid and make an informed decision on your own.

Other than that, this is truly a really good alternative for a retinol serum, that doesn’t really contain retinol, or any other ingredient that is dangerous for pregnant women or even worrysome (I hope so) and could be a great pick for those looking for a smoother skin and refined one while they’re pregnant and don’t want to use retinol.

Deep cleansing mask for normal & dry skin from Aesop Parsley Seed

A deep cleansing mask is always a huge part of my skincare arsenal. I used to use Glamglow Supermud and Youthmud, they did the job fine. But as always, I want to try something new. I want to see whether there’s something out there that is better for my skin than those two. Because those two seems to be tad drying on my skin. I like Aesop, it reminds me of Melbourne a lot. There’s not a day goes by without me missing that city. So Aesop feels like a little bit of home. Also, I love their Parsley Seed line. No surprise there that I picked up this Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque.

It’s a great deep cleansing and refreshing mask for every skin type, and as I quote from the website, especially sensitive and dry skin. Most deep cleansing mask seems to cater to oily skin so this is a great news for yours truly who have a really dry skin.

Affordable skin mist: Freshel Skin Freshener

It’s not a secret anymore that Freshel, from Kanebo, is one of skincare brands that I’m deeply in love with. One they have a really effective lineup that works. Two they’re super duper affordable. Unfortunately, they’re not available in Indonesia. No surprise there.

One of the few things that my friend got me when she visited Japan was this Freshel Skin Freshener. Lately, I’ve been hoarding face mist because they’re simple and really refreshing on the skin. But I want something with more weight so that it doesn’t get all soaked up by the skin immediately but able to retain the hydration. I used to have Freshel lotion essence and it works great and even better than the Hada Labo lotion. So I trust that this product will work for my skin.

SK-II R.N.A Essence & the Power of Niacinamide

I was very intrigued by this serum when it first launched in Indonesia. The red bottle surely communicate that this is within the same class of the older version SK-II Stempower. As it turns out, slowly the Stempower will be replaced by the new R.N.A. Power – both the cream and the essence. While Stempower is easily a lovable product both for SK-II lovers and otherwise, but somehow it didn’t hit the right note with me. Perhaps because compared to the other SK-II essences and cream that I’ve been using Stempower doesn’t tick more boxes than it should. If you notice, Stempower is one line that I never really gave a review on, whether on my blog or Female Daily. Because I wasn’t quite sure how to review it.

Now with the renewed version R.N.A. Power that promises better result and better consistency, I surely have high hopes for it. Supposedly this red bottle of miracle helps to target the signs of ageing. It promises firmer skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores and makes your skin softer and brighter.

In one day your pores will appear smaller. Inten  days you will see significant difference in your skin – more hydrated, firmer, softer fine lines, skin feels more supple and radiance. After one bottle you will see the lines and smiling lines will decrease significantly.

What do you think? Too good to be true?

Battle of the Acid Serum: Liquid Gold, Glow Serum, Good Genes and Novexpert

I love to use acid/resurfacing serum – basically a serum containing a higher concentration of AHA/BHA to help the cellular turnover. There’s the daily exfoliation with the acid toner but there’s also a more intensive exfoliation treatment with acid serum.  Usually I incorporate this once or twice weekly or a full week every month. Depending on what my skin need at the time. If I have a really nasty spots I will do the full week treatment. Otherwise I will do the once or twice weekly treatment.

How do I use them? Usually I will do my normal double cleansing, followed by hydrating mask (I have  very dry skin so I really need this to keep my skin hydrated), a mild acid toner followed by the serum. I will use no other product after the acid serum to let the serum really work effectively throughout the night. I know there’s some pros and cons letting the acid works on its own, some people consider it an utter bollocks but some praise how effective it is by leaving it to work alone with nothing else in its way. For me, I leave up to you to try it how often you use it and whether you use is alone or combining it with other products.

In fact, sometimes when I need just an extra oomph the next morning without going the whole nine yards I would use one of these serums below in a serum step, after double toning, followed by treatment serum and moisturiser. Whatever works for you, love.

The four acid serums that I’ve tried and loving it so far are :

1. Alpha-H Liquid Gold, this is new to my Skincare Arsenal so there’s no review yet. But I’ve been experiencing a positive result from the get go so I include it here.
2. Pixi Skintreats Overnight Glow Serum, full review here.
3. Sunday Riley Good Genes, full review here.
4. Novexpert Peeling Night Cream, full review here, and the only one available in Indonesia.

I know some people will ask me about Paula’s Choice exfoliators. FYI, I’m not using any of the Paula’s Choice exfoliators – toner or serum – because when I tried two samples from her products that contain acids, I have a serious negative reaction of redness, major stings and it itch to high heaven. This is not to say that her product is bad but it seems that I don’t bode well with her product.

More about how I use the four of these after the jump!

HG: Current favourite Retinol Serum, PTR Retinol Fusion PM

Let me introduce you to one of my favourite serums, it’s one of those that made it into the HG status. Believe me, when it comes to HG status, I don’t give it away easily. I think in the next coming weeks or so I’ll be writing several review of HG products. When you’ve tried a lot of products like yours truly, it becomes harder and harder to get impressed by something let alone putting ‘HG’ next to it. But when it delivers impressive result and you want to keep on buying it, it’s definitely worth it.

Vitamin A or retinol is something that I want in my routine because it’s really good for the skin. If you’re above 21, you might want to invest early in retinol because it provides such a good result in making your skin texture and smoothness wonderful. It’s also a great ingredient to help with cellular turnover. On top of that, research shown that retinol is one of the ingredients that doesn’t plateau over long period of usage, on the contrary, the benefit increases overtime and your skin condition will look even better. However, some people do get a sensitive reaction from using retinol such as sensitivity, dryness, redness, etc. I myself, follow those that choose to have a break period in between the retinol serum usage because my skin is really dry and at times suffer from redness and I don’t wanna push it too far.

What is it?

This is basically a potent over the counter retinol serum. Though it contains 1.5% it’s not to be mistaken by doctor prescribed Tretinoin. It’s also loaded with vitamin C (Ascorbyl Palmitate) and E (Tocopherol). There’s also Bisabol, Squalene and Alchol present. I’ll discuss more in details.

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum, a milder resurfacing serum alternative

You’ve heard me praising about Sunday Riley Good Genes before, but I have my reservation toward this product. First of all Sunday Riley Good Genes is a 40% unneutralised lactic acid at pH 2.6, which makes it a really powerful resurfacing serum that works effectively with the low pH and it keeps on working all night long as you sleep because it’s unneutralised. Especially when you’re using only Sunday Riley Good Genes. I love this stuff because after using it for a full week my face would look ever so radiant and bright. The texture is super! But I can’t shake the feeling that it’s too much of an exfoliating action for me. Some of you may love it, but I would want a lighter alternative. Secondly, it’s bloody expensive.

Of course, I find a dupe in Novexpert Peeling Night Cream and it’s been a staple in my arsenal for months now. It’s a cocktail of Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid at 10% formulation. On top of that there’s Papaya Enzyme and Vitamin C. A true dream team there. With a third of the price of the Sunday Riley, it offers result that is almost the same. I said, almost.

But of course, I’m always in the search for something new. That’s where this comes in.

HG Cleanser: Merumaya Cleansing Balm

Merumaya cleansing balm goes to the HG status quite easily. It tick all the right boxes of a good cleanser for me.

This melting cleansing balm is packaged in a tub and the texture is more like gel balm instead of buttery balm. This is quite different from the texture of Clinique cleansing balm that I’m so used to for years. But the gel like texture actually gives a really nice slip when you massage it around the face without it melting into a complete oil. There’s still a slip and grip factor there even if you’ve been massaging it for ten minutes, completely unlike the traditional cleansing balm.

A truly exotic scent from Balmology!

I’m a huge fan of face oil. So there’s no surprise here that lately I have been reviewing face oil. My latest acquisition and object of affection is the Balmology Exotic Rose Beauty Oil. I picked up a sample from Naturisimo, which you can purchase with any full size product purchase on their site. The size is quite generous which is 4 ml for the price of £2. A really great way to test whether you’re going to like the product or not. As it happened to be, I don’t just like it but I love it.

Here’s a complete ingredient list:

Argania spinosa kernel (argan) oil, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) oil, Corylus avellana (hazelnut) oil, Rosa canina (rosehip) oil, Persea gratissima (avocado) oil, Tocopherol, Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa), Pelargonium graveolens roseum (geranium bourbon), Boswellia carterii (frankincense), Rosa damascena (rose otto). Naturally occurring in essential oils: citral, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, limonene, linalool.

So why do I love it?

How do you use your SK-II Facial Treatment Essence?

I asked three different ladies how do they use their SK-II Facial Treatment Essence?

Anggun and Sha

The renowned Indonesian singer and songwriter that made it in the International arena, Anggun, uses hers by decanting it to Muji spray bottle and just spritz it away. Now that they have the spray bottle she prefer that one.

Sha, the witty Thai digital influencer and writer, uses hers by pouring the Facial Treatment Essence into her palm and pat it into her skin.

But here’s the most interesting explanation on how to use it. After the jump.