Theodore's Dust Mite Spray Review

People don't realize how much allergies can ruin a face.

First, allergic shiners. These are commonly called eye bags. People who suffer from allergies have congested sinuses which lead to congestion in the veins under the eyes. This leads to puffiness, dark circles, and irritation of the skin around the eyes.

Second, lymphedema. It's hard to tell which comes first, poor lymph drainage or allergies. It's a chicken and egg scenario. But it's also possible that neither causes the other because something else entirely causes both. Nonetheless, it's common for allergy sufferers to have swollen, puffy faces. 

Third, sneezing wrinkles. Try to recreate a mid-sneeze. See which parts of your face are crumpled? Those parts - the eyes, the nose, the sides of the mouth, the forehead, basically your entire face, keeps a record of those lines which by your 30s or 40s starts to develop into full-fledged wrinkles. 

Fourth, blemishes. There's a correlation between allergies and poor skin. People with allergies often have skin asthma and other skin issues. 

Fifth, and most importantly, mouth breathing which causes the face to lengthen and drag the features down. This deserves an entire blog post on its own, so suffice it to say that when you have a chronically clogged nose, you breathe through your mouth, and when your mouth is chronically open even the slightest bit, the foundations of your face (your bones, your muscles, and then the soft parts like collagen, etc.) lose their tone and you end up with a saggy, downturned, lengthened face. 

Allergies.

In my early 20s, when beauty was the be-all and end-all of my existence, I took anti-histamines daily like they were vitamin supplements. I didn't care if it destroyed my kidneys or liver or whatever, all I cared about was not having to breathe through my mouth, and just being able to not sneeze all day, and not have to wear concealer everyday. 

As I got older, I started to worry about actually dying from kidney and liver issues more than wrinkles and eye bags and sneezing. I didn't want to die a slow, expensive death from internal organ issues. So I started to look for ways to deal with my allergens without taking oral medications. 

It was rather difficult because I was allergic to basically everything. I had a patch test done, and it turned out I was allergic to pollen, to cats and dogs, to grass, to cockroach, and like what I've always known by intuition, to dust. Not dust per se, but the mites that live in dust. Dogs, cats, plants, and pests, I can avoid or move away from, but dust? There is no place on earth that does not have dust. 

Luckily, there are ways to minimize dust. I clean and clean and clean and clean like my life depended on it - because the quality of my life depends on the cleanliness of my environment. But just to be sure, I also spray Theodore's Dust Mite Spray.

I've kept a bottle since 2015. I spray it on the bed, on the couch, on sofas, on car seats, on curtains, on soft surfaces and hard surfaces.

Now I have no microscope to check if dust mites do die upon contact. I just know that after a good, thorough house cleaning, and obsessive spraying of Theodore's I do not sneeze for a few weeks.

What's inside Theodore's Dust Mite Spray?

• distilled water
• sugar cane alcohol
• eucalyptus
• lemon
• lavender
• tea tree
• peppermint essential oils

In theory, this is supposed to smell divine. I do not know why it smells like neem oil. To those who have no idea what neem oil smells like, it smells like tea leaves with a hint of rubber. The label says it's going to make your home smell heavenly. I don't know what heaven's supposed to smell like, but I'm sure it doesn't smell like neem oil. 

The scent though, does not last for very long. Or at least you nose gets used to it that you forget it's there after a few minutes.

What I like about it is that despite the presence of essential oils, it does not make surfaces feel sticky. It somehow evaporates and just leaves surfaces sanitized. 

I can't vouch for this being effective against COVID-19, or any virus for that matter, I still use regular 70% alcohol, but in surfaces that come into contact with my nose that could trigger a nasty bout of sneezing, this is a good enough sanitizer for me. 

Bottomline

This is a product that I can live without, but I choose not to. Not only for its actual value as a sanitizer/deodorizer/dust mite spray, but for the psychological benefits of knowing that tiny dust mites that exist only to ruin my life are dying microscopically horrific deaths.

It's quite expensive at P450 per 500 mL, so I try to use it at a minimum. Recommend? Yeah, maybe. Only to people whose faces I know are ruined by allergies. But then you know, when I try to tell people about how horrible allergies are, they look at me like I'm claiming the earth is flat. So I mostly just let people get ugly from allergies, and keep this wonder product a secret.

Five stars out of five though. 

PS the spray contraption thing could be improved. I've had bottles leak during dust mite massacres.

WHERE TO BUY

As of 2022, the prices have gone up a bit. But you can get a 1 L refill for P650 at this store click here.

Oil Pulling Method for Beauty

 

I've always been weirded out by organic extremism. I proactively choose organic food, purchase simpler products with wholesome ingredients, avoid as much multi-hyphenated artificial-sounding substances to put in my mouth or on my skin, but there's an entirely different level of organic extremism like oil pulling that's just too absurd for me to include in my regular beauty regimen. 

What exactly is oil pulling? 

When I first read about oil pulling, I was like, oil... pulling... how do you pull oil? what? An elderly hippie on one of my social media accounts posted about it and she's always been into ayurvedic, non-traditional, tree-hugging practices, so I was sure oil pulling was just one of those things weird people do to keep their spirits vital or something. 

So I scrolled away and forgot about it.

And then COVID-19 happened and even traditional doctors were singing praises for Virgin Coconut Oil. And every woman, even those in their early 20s, were suddenly into essential oils. And skincare groups were all going crazy about topical oils. Oils were suddenly everywhere and I naturally had to see what the commotion was all about. 

Oil Pulling is basically swishing oil inside your mouth for a few minutes to "pull" bacteria and other pathogens from the nooks and crannies between your teeth, around your tonsils, under your tongue, etc. It's a crazy concept when you think about it. It's kind of like using regular mouthwash except you're gargling this sticky, runny, odd-smelling liquid inside your mouth for up to 30 minutes. You spit it out, and according to Ayurveda, all the dirty, disease-causing stuff in your mouth are expelled with the oil. 

Why you need to gargle it for that long (10 to 30 minutes is a long time for a gargle), and why it has to be oil when we have modern mouthwashes doing exactly the same thing, are just beyond me.

I gave in and tried oil pulling just to see if it's worth all those minutes and jaw exercise. 

There are several types of oil that can be used for oil pulling, but I had VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) and I thought hey the doctors said this kills COVID-19 virus so. Other oils I've tried so far are sesame oil and olive oil - they taste just as horrible.

At any given time, there's at least 350 different types of bacteria in a person's mouth. Some of these are beneficial bacteria, some cause bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay. Anti-bacterial oils such as VCO are effective in killing bad bacteria. This study compares oil pulling with VCO with gargling with mouthwash. It turns out both are effective at getting rid of harmful bacteria in the mouth. 

Aside from anti-bacterial properties, certain types of oils are anti-inflammatory and are effective at helping with existing gum and throat diseases. And though anecdotal, there are claims that oil pulling is also effective at making teeth whiter by removing surface stains. 

How to do oil pulling - steps:

1. Measure 1 tablespoon of edible or food grade oil such as sunflower oil or olive oil.

2. Swish it in your mouth for 5 to 30 minutes. You can work your way up from 5 minutes on the first week, 10 minutes on the second week, etc. 

3. Spit into the trash and be careful not to spit it in the sink or toilet because the oil buildup can cause clogs later on. 

4. Gargle with water. 

5. Do this 3 days a week on the first week, and work your way up to once a day to three times a day. 

As you can tell, this is not for people with busy schedules. I still wonder if this is worth all the hassle. But I mean, I live to multitask and I've worked my way up to oil pulling more than once a day. I can tell that my teeth have brightened and evened out in tone, and my gums are less sensitive. I also noticed that this has helped with my dry lips and scratchy throat.

Beauty claims

Take this list with a grain of salt. The reasoning behind these claims is that oil pulling "pulls" out "toxins" from the body to improve overall health. I have personally experienced some positive dental effects of this method, but the rest on this list are yet to be seen:

• Whiter, brighter teeth
• Healthier gums
• Fresher breath
• Improved jaw pain from TMJ disorder
• Better sleep
• Clearer sinuses
• Prevention of headaches
• Improvement in skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis

I honestly aim to see these results so I'm sticking with oil pulling while my VCO supply lasts. I'm particularly careful with my jaw movements because of my TMJ issues - aggressive gargling can trigger pain points. I'm still not buying the whole pulling out toxins claim, but if I see results, whether by placebo or ayurvedic voodoo, then I ain't complaining. I want blinding white teeth. And maybe perfect skin... from gargling oil... this whole concept is still beyond me. 

Review: L-Lysine Supplement for Beauty

 

I'm still currently obsessed with taking non-beauty supplements for beauty. I recently started taking Mason Natural L-Lysine 500 mg. Initially, I wasn't sure what this was for, but I did a quick Google search and found out that L-Lysine helps the body produce more collagen, so I decided to start taking it for kicks.

I used to take Collagen supplements from Daiso. For some reason, the one in green packaging was okay, but the one in pink packaging caused massive breakouts. Pills from both green and pink packaging made the same claims, and the only difference was one being good for 20 days, and the other for 15 days, I think. I don't know. I mean, collagen is supposed to be good for the skin, I don't know why the one in pink packaging wanted to destroy my face. 

Anyway, so L-Lysine. This is not for beauty enthusiasts. The packaging clearly says *may support* immune function. I'm glad they do not make hasty claims, unlike locally produced and marketed supplements. L-Lysine *may or may not* support immune function and claims nothing else.

At the back of the bottle, it shows that 1 tablet contains 72 mg of Calcium in the form of Dicalcium Phosphate, and 500 mg of L-Lysine in the form of L-Lysine Hydrochloride. I did a bit of research and found that L-Lysine increases the amount of Calcium in the body. What this means to us, beauty enthusiasts, is that this is going to help us maintain good posture, good facial structure, and nicer teeth. In theory.

You're supposed to take 1 tablet 1 to 2 times daily with food. I only take 1 just to be sure this doesn't destroy my face the way pink Collagen from Daiso did. 

I did further research about Lysine and found out that there are studies concerning its promising role in the prevention of inflammatory acne. What is inflammatory acne, you ask? To oversimplify things, it's the kind of acne that isn't caused by dirty hands, unwashed pillow cases, cheap makeup, and under-washed skin. Inflammatory acne is what you get when you've done everything you can to keep everything clean and nice, and yet you still wake up with disgusting spots, generally around the mouth and nose. Inflammatory acne is caused by internal factors such as poor gut bacteria, stress, and irregular sleep.

Here's a bit of science regarding the effects of L-Lysine on collagen production. What it basically says, is that Lysine helps build collagen. Collagen helps the skin stay firm and elastic, therefore preventing wrinkles, sagging, and premature aging.

Lysine isn't naturally produced by the body, so it has to be taken from external sources such as meat, dairy, fish, and avocados. It's beneficial to take supplements just to be sure there's a steady amount of Lysine in the diet.

As a bonus, Lysine happens to help ease anxiety - this link show some interesting information: Lysine helps reduce both chronic and stress-induced anxiety. Ha. Makes you pretty and unfidgety.

It's too early to tell whether Lysine is effective in making my skin look young, or me feel less anxious. The only thing that matters to me at this moment is that Lysine has not broken out my skin so far. It's only been days, I know, but Daiso Collagen in pink packaging traumatized me so much that anything collagen has to prove itself worthy before I put it in my mouth. Mason Natural has not done anything ridiculous so far, so I'm giving it 3 months of fair trial.

Updating this in 3 months. 

Turmeric Supplements for Beauty Review

My first brush with turmeric was when I had my wisdom teeth taken out. I was told that applying turmeric powder on the wounds would help heal them. Turmeric is also a natural anti-septic so it can be used as a powerful natural mouthwash. 

I was skeptical using ground turmeric powder as mouthwash, as it's a bright shade of yellow. And I don't want it staining my teeth. So after my stitches were taken out, I moved on from turmeric. 

I recently discovered Turmeric supplements. I bought a bottle for P280/100 capsules. Fairly cheap for a supplement that promises some amazing health and beauty benefits. 

1. Anti-inflammatory

Curcumin, a component of Turmeric, is proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory. This helps fight skin problems from eczema to psoriasis to acne to dermatitis to rosacea. 

2. Prevents heart disease and cancer

Curcumin helps protect from further inflammation that causes heart disease and cancer. It also helps slow down the spread of cancer. 

3. Prevents arthritis and diabetes

Turmeric helps the body produce insulin, and therefore helps keep blood sugar (and therefore weight!) down. It also helps prevent age-related stiffness of joints so you can stay physically active and fit.

4. Treats brain degeneration and depression

Studies show that turmeric helps keep nerve cells healthy. Curcumin helps protect these neurons to help fight brain diseases including Alzheimers, depression, and anxiety. 

5. Anti-oxidant

Anti-oxidants help keep the skin and body youthful. Curcumin helps scavenge free radicals to prevent them from damaging healthy cells. 

In summary, Turmeric promises to keep skin pretty, organs functioning properly, weight down, brain happy, and generally make one feel and look young. 

I've been taking a 600 mg capsule once a day for the past week now. So far no breakouts, no allergic reaction whatsoever. I've been eating dairy the past days as well, so I was expecting some mandatory pimples to show up. I don't know if it's turmeric's anti-inflammatory powers, whatever it is that's been protecting me from my sensitive skin & gut's wrath, I am grateful. I hope it doesn't get tired of keeping my insides in order.

Recommend? Absolutely. Rating? 5 stars out of 5.

Usana Visionex Review

 

I recently added a supplement to my current routine. Usana Visionex is not exactly a beauty pill, but I'm reviewing still because surprisingly, this actually can be a beauty pill.

So this can be bought for P2,700 for a small bottle with 56 tablets. I wasn't particularly concerned with my eye issues. I get the usual eye strains from working with computer and gadget screens all day, also from my TMJ issues, but my eyes were never really a priority. They get back to normal after a few hours of rest anyway. The reason I bought is because I saw the ingredients list:

Vitamin C 75 mg - Calcium Ascorbate, Potassium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Zinc Ascorbate

This superstar vitamin has always been popular in the beauty industry, from oral supplements to topical products. I feel like an explanation won't be necessary. But for the heck of it, vitamin C is for wound healing, collagen production, immune support, etc. etc. It affects every cell of the body from the skin to the organs to the bones. Supplementation is needed because the body does not produce vitamin C.

Bilberry Extract 25 mg

Anthocyanosides from the bilberry fruit help maintain healthy eye capillaries. This is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, which means the world to people with acne, eczema, allergies and other skin issues. There's also a study that suggests bilberry helps with blood sugar levels, so people struggling with weight may benefit from this pill. 

Zinc 5 mg

I was advised by my derma to take zinc supplements for my skin issues. This mineral helps fight sun damage, repair scars, and fight inflammation to prevent breakouts. Zinc also deals with wrinkles, keloids, psoriasis, dermatitis, and other beauty problems. Even hair luster can be improved by zinc supplementation. 

Lutein 5 mg & Zeaxanthin 1 mg

These are anti-oxidants that help prevent cellular damage. 

I normally don't take supplements without prior research. I have extremely sensitive gut/skin, and when I take something that my gut doesn't seem to like, I tend to develop rashes and zits around my mouth with 24 hours. I didn't experience that with Usana Visionex. My skin remained clear. I also did not experience bloating and stomachaches I'd usually get from taking Vitamin C pills.

Overall, I'm satisfied with Usana Visionex. I am yet to see any eye benefits which is what this is intended for. But at least I now get my Vitamin C and Zinc needs, along with some anti-oxidants thrown in. 5 stars out of 5.

Dr. Farrah Bunch and Dr. Adam Smith fiasco

So I haven't been posting much lately. I mean, at all for an entire month. And it's mostly because I'm too busy that I couldn't find time for beauty products (yes, I've gotten ugly as a result!) But it's partly because of this very thing that Doctor Adam Smith is experiencing. 

I'm treading a fine, fine line here. I guess I'll just share these videos, which can speak for themselves. 

It's horrible how a real doctor with the best intentions can be bullied into silence. I am horrified by the pettiness. I am at a loss for words.

I have in the past years written with honesty about beauty products. Some of which were too honest that I'd get the nastiest comments from sellers. I do not understand how our society has come to this, with honest, well-meaning people getting bullied into silence just because the ones in the wrong have the money and connections. 

This tiny speck of space I have on the internet is a place where I intended to give beauty enthusiasts access to unbiased reviews and objective opinion. I feel though that at some point, I might have to give up doing what I'm doing just cause money talks and I don't really have bajillions of it.

Anyway, I guess instead of reviewing bad products, I'd instead advocate for good products. I'd pretend bad products don't exist lol. The best we could do though is to strive to be informed consumers and be more proactive - let's demand for products to be manufactured ethically! Let's start supporting brands that spend on research and development, instead of celebrity endorsements. Brands that care for the environment and public health.

I recently received a comment about a product review I posted. It's of an oral supplement with misleading labels. I found out who it was from and was not surprised that it's from an online seller. I removed my review only because I'm waiting for the proper authorities to question its claims. I once posted about a popular skin bleaching product that turned out to have mercury and other harmful ingredients in it. It took some time before the FDA called on its bullshit. I enjoyed reading apologies from online sellers, especially the ones who so bravely claimed their products are safe even for breastfeeding mothers.

There's a special place in the after life for people who put others in harm's way just to make a profit. They might enjoy bajillions of pesos and dollars in this life, but they're getting what they truly deserve sooner or later. 

Usana CellSentials Minerals + Ascorbic Acid Review

Hello, my open-minded friends.

Okay. In case you have not seen my other MLM product review, here you go: USANA POLY C REVIEW. In case you did not click on the link, here's a disclaimer: I AM NO MLM MARKETER. I happen to have gotten bottles for free from my mom and because there's an ongoing health scare I took them. Know that I, too, am as close-minded as you are. 

So, CellSentials. I'd tell you right off the bat: I honestly think that MLM products are ridiculously overpriced. Nonetheless, I feel like out of all MLM health supplements, USANA products are the most decent in terms of effectiveness and safety.

A 28-pill bottle costs P950, making it P33.93 per pill. Most other multivitamin+mineral brands cost about half to a quarter of that price. Revicon, Centrum, and Kirkland are all below P20 a pill. Maybe it's the research and product development, maybe it's the premium quality ingredients, maybe it's MLM - who knows why it's double to quadruple the price of other similar supplements. 

Buuut we're not here to criticize their business ethics, or the morality of MLMs. We're here to see if the product is effective or not. 

Looking at the label, this pill contains the following:

• 56.25 mg of Magnesium - for general health (immune support, blood pressure regulation)
• 56.25 mg of Calcium - for bones and teeth
• 150 mg of Ascorbic acid - for wound healing and collagen production
• 48 mg of N-Acetyl L-Cysteine - for detoxification and production of glutathione
• 750 mcg of Boron - for building bones and muscles
• 5 mg of Zinc - for fighting viruses and bacteria
• 75 mcg of Chromium - for improvement of insulin sensitivity
• 125 mcg of Iodine - for production of thyroid hormones
• 50 mcg of Selenium - for metabolism and thyroid function
• 500 mcg of Manganese - for metabolism of cholesterol and carbohydrates
• 500 mcg of Copper - for formation of red blood cells
• 10 mcg of Vanadium - for regulating blood sugar
• 12.5 mcg of Molybdenum - for breaking down toxins in the body
• 750 mcg of trace minerals - random good stuff

For P33.93 each intake, you are not getting robbed. Maybe you are, but you are getting a good dose of good stuff. I need to remind myself that I got this product for free. Sorry.

So yeah. It's a good product overall. It's not to be taken in an empty stomach because of its Zinc content. Trust me, you'll get headaches. It's also best taken with food and its partner pill. Usana has a separate pill for vitamins, which I will be reviewing next. 

Bottomline: If you have the money to spare, this is possibly the best mineral supplement out there. I mean, they claim to be the most effective, and I feel like taking their word for it. My only issue is that, like USANA POLY C, the CellSentials line have no desiccant, so pills are prone to spoilage especially in hot and humid environments. 

Usana Vitamins Poly C Review

So I'm still on my oral supplements adventure. This is partly triggered by the ongoing pandemic. I'm trying to take as many health supplements as I can heh. I know, I'm aware this can get counterproductive considering how the liver has no pain receptors and therefore has no way to tell me that my beauty pills are wreaking havoc in my system. So now we're here, down this rabbit hole of multilevel marketing supplements. 

I am no fan of multilevel marketing. I mean, if anything, I enjoy MLM hate memes as much as any other MLM victim. I just happen to receive some bottles from my mom. And because of the health scares, I'm like, yes, give me health pills. 

This won't be a hate post. I'll try my hardest not to post MLM hate memes. I'll try to review the product like it does not have a tinge of overpricing and deceptive marketing. I'll try my hardest to make this as wholesome as possible. 

As the name implies, Poly C is a Vitamin C product. We all know what Vitamin C is for, but just in case you live under a rock, Vitamin C does the following:

• Supports immune function
• Supports eye health
• Supports collagen synthesis
• Maintains bones
• Maintains gums
• Maintains teeth
• As an antioxidant, helps fight free radicals that make people old and ugly
• When taken in high levels with Glutathione, bleaches the skin

So Vitamin C supports and maintains all sorts of stuff. What makes Usana different, according to Usana, is that their Vitamin C stays in the blood in higher levels than Vitamin C formulations of other brands. 

Aside from 600 mg of Ascorbic Acid, Poly C also has the following:

• 65 mg Citrus Bioflavonoids - a good mix of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory stuff
• 7 mg Rutin - helps with eyesight problems, weight maintenance, and blood circulation
• 3 mg Quercetin Dihydrate - also an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory

Usana products, for some reason, do not have desiccants (moisture absorbing packs) in their bottles. Considering they package their products in bottles of 56 - 120 pieces, which takes months to finish, it would be wise not to let their pills be exposed to moisture inside the bottles. Unless, of course, they think you'd just buy another bottle in case the pills go bad after a few weeks.

The pills are larger than your regular pills or capsules. So they're tad bit harder to swallow. They do not smell funky. Well, they do after a few weeks inside the bottle. 

Are these effective? I can't tell for sure. I take Poly C along with KB Glutathione for skin bleaching purposes, and I do not really see any effect at week 4. But then maybe it's because I'm often out under the sun. I also do not see any glow I used to see while taking Gluta with Vitamin C pills. But then maybe it's because I've been staying up late recently. 

Poly C does not make my tummy hurt. I get random headaches, but it could be from something else. Sorry, this review is too inconclusive it's pretty useless. Ha. I mean, I don't really have anything extra special to say about Vitamin C. 

The Good: it's free. Ha. It does not make my tummy hurt. Also, I'd like to believe the MLM marketers that this is premium Vitamin C, so it does its job better than other brands. 

The Bad: it's expensive when it's not free. This sells for around PHP1,200 for a bottle of 120 pills Making it PHP10 per pill. Most Vitamin C brands in the market sell for PHP5 to PHP8 a pill. Also, NO DESICCANT!!!

BOTTOMLINE: I'M NOT BUYING, BUT I'D GLADLY TAKE ANOTHER BOTTLE FOR FREE, THANKS.

KB Glutathione Review

3rd on the series of oral glutathione reviews. (Mulan review here. Tathion review here.)

As mentioned previously, I was meaning to purchase Relumins glutathione, my absolute favorite of them all oral gluta brands. However, I keep getting distracted by sales and clever marketing tricks. I'm currently on KB Glutathione, and so I'd probably finish this whole month before actually getting Relumins.

This isn't my first time to take KB. I think for most of 2010/2011/2012 I was on this pill. I was generally satisfied with KB, but back in the day, I was fair. I had even-toned fair and bright skin and KB did its job in making it glow. I've taken KB in recent years for a month a couple of times only to discontinue because of inconvenience.

Quick review: KB lightens skin, but for some reason, it makes my skin look a pale shade of yellow/peach. While it used to be okay because I'd dye my hair blonde, and yellow/peach skin looked amazing with blonde hair, I now would rather go with a more neutral/blue shade of bright white skin to go with my jet black hair. Yellow just looks dull and sallow on older skin and darker hair.

I'm guessing this yellowish tinge isn't exactly from the glutathione, but from the Rosehips. IDK. I'm really just guessing. This yellowing doesn't happen with other brands. I find that with Relumins, my skin is more on the neutral/blue shade. And the only difference with KB is that it comes with 500 mg of Rosehips. I also did an experiment a while back - for an entire month, I only took the Rosehips, and found that my skin did turn yellowish.

I could really go without the Rosehips, but my stingy self wouldn't let me throw it away. Also, Rosehips is a good source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. The yellow tone fades as soon as I stop taking it anyway, so I guess I'll just take it along with the glutathione.

You might be wondering why I keep buying KB in spite of it turning my skin an unwanted shade of yellow. Answer: it often goes on sale. It remains to be the cheapest brand that actually delivers noticeable effects on the skin. Never mind the yellowing, it's still bright and even-toned skin.

Average market price is P1,200 (both online and at Mercury Drugstore) for a 30 day pack. It was selling for P199 for a 10 day pack, so I went and bought a 50 day pack for only P1,000. Now you see why I forgot about Relumins. I will remember Relumins after 50 days when my skin has gone yellow again.

BOTTOMLINE: I recommend KB Glutathione with Rosehips for younger people who can get away with a yellow undertone. It does look amazing for people with mestiza features, as KB brings out the peach tones in the face. Older people or those looking to get a more neutral shade of fair skin should look at other oral glutathione brands.

4 stars out of 5.

Tathione Korea Whitening Capsule Review

My attempt at bleaching my skin via whitening supplements didn't go well weeks ago. Review of Mulan 4in1 Whitening Capsules here (summary: I broke out due to the lactose content!) So I decided I'd try another brand. I then ordered Tathion Korea Whitening in 50 mg Capsules online from my trusted beauty store. 

They go by 50 mg packs, and so they're tiny, tiny capsules that are easy to swallow. Also, because they're 50 mg, you'd need to take a handful to see any effect. 

Other oral glutathione brands go by 500 to 1,000 mg servings per day. To get the same results, you'd need to take at least 10 Tathione capsules per day, or 3 to 4 capsules before meals.

Tathione initially looks like a cheaper alternative, considering it only costs P8 per capsule (I bought mine on sale for P6, if I remember correctly.) Plus you have the option to buy per piece. But because you need to take at least 10 per day, it amounts to P80 per day, or P2,400 per month for a daily dose of only 500 mg. Rather expensive, considering that other brands costs P1,800 for a daily dose of 1,000 mg. 

Why I like it though is that, 1) I didn't break out. 2) While I did not see any noticeable difference in my complexion because I was mostly under the sun while on this pill, my skin felt nice to touch. 3) It's a Korean brand, which to me, is gold standard when it comes to product trustworthiness. 4) It's an established brand - I've been reading reviews and recommendations of Tathion from as far back as the early 2010s. 

I've only been on this pill for exactly a month. And I only have good words for it. Other people swear by the glowy, bright effect they get from this pill. However, due to the price and hassle of having to take 10+ capsules a day, I don't think I'll be ordering a new batch. I'm going to go back to Relumins.

I mean, I was going to go back to Relumins, but for some reason, I ended up ordering KB Glutathione. Read review here. 

Mulan 4 in 1 Whitening X30 Review

I'd like to mention this early on that I think the packaging and overall branding is poorly, poorly, poorly designed.

So it's quite clear that the branding is trying to capture the Oriental pale skinned princess vibe. They seemed to have tried to make it look like Disney Mulan to capture attention, without making it look like Disney Mulan to avoid trademark issues. I think it's... crass. But I bought it anyway, so I guess I'm crass myself.

I was meaning to buy Relumins, the only oral glutathione product that has worked satisfactorily on my skin. But this thing was on sale from the same online store, and someone I sort of know has amazing skin who swears by this so I bought a bottle just to see if it works despite its crappy packaging and unbelievable price (P250 a bottle for a month use!)

This product has got some very clever marketing tricks up its sleeve. Not that these tricks are purely evil, but it's simply not a nice thing to do, you know, when you try to sell something by making it look like something that it isn't.

1) The Mulan brand name and the Mulan cartoon that sorta resembles Disney Mulan. If I were at a physical store and I saw this bottle from a few meters away, I'd think, oh hey look, Disney now sells whitening products. It's an effective way to capture attention, but also an effective way to get people suspicious of your products.

2) The "X30." I mean, if I were a skincare newbie and I saw this on the bottle, I'd think this meant it's 30 times more effective than another product. A closer inspection would show that there really isn't anything about it that justifies an X30 label. (Addendum: Ha. So I guess it's there to mean, there's... dun dun dun dun... 60 capsules inside for a 30 day consumption? Ha.)

3) And then there's this:

4) Front label says it contains Pearl Whitening 6,000 mg. Back label says it contains only 100 mg of Pearl Powder per capsule.

5) Front label says it contains Premium Collagen Peptide 15,000 mg. Back label says it contains only 250 mg per capsule.

6) Front label says it contains L-Glutathione 6,000 mg. Back label says it contains only 100 mg per capsule.

7) Front label says it contains NAC booster 3,000 mg. Back label says it contains only 50 mg per capsule.

So, as you can tell, this product employs weird weird ways of getting people to buy it. I'd say this should be called out. Unfortunately, the Health Supplements Industry allow such practices with no legal consequences. This is exactly why brands can sell milk as a beauty product (for collagen and strong bones), when it's really just the usual powdered milk that kids drink - yes, those have Vitamin E, D and collagen too. Or why networking companies are free to sell coffee as a beauty product (with antioxidants and anti aging components), when it's really just the usual instant coffee mix with a tiny, unverifiable amount of powdered herbs.

Anyway, because there is no actual law against it, we are not complaining. I just wish beauty product manufacturers would get a little honest, you know. Why say it has 6,000 mg of Glutathione when it only has 100 mg per capsule? Are consumers supposed to right away understand that they get 6,000 mg worth of that ingredient after taking 60 capsules? 

So I figured I'd just take 2 capsules a day, and not expect anything amazing. I can't really say it whitened my skin, because I've been out under the sun the entire month I was using this. What bothered me is that I was never without a chin pimple every single day I was on this beauty pill.

BOTTOMLINE

Not recommending this. Sorry. I should've gone by Relumins. If it helps though, the woman who did recommend this have amazing amazing skin for someone in her 40s. Again, I was out the whole time I was on this so I can't say anything positive regarding its whitening effectiveness. I also found out while writing this that Mulan has lactose, which breaks me out.

If you're looking for something to whiten your skin, go by Relumins. If you're broke and looking for something cheap for your oral whitening needs, try Daiso Beauty White. Doesn't whiten as effectively as Relumins, but it does make the skin bright.

1 out of 5 stars.

REDEEMING QUALITIES

*FDA Approved
*Halal Certified
*GMP Certified
*Affordable at P250 per bottle
*might work for those with generally fair skin and have no lactose issues

So I guess I'm saying, I didn't like it at all, but it works for some and you don't really lose much for the price. Still 1 out of 5.

WHERE TO BUY

PREMIUM MULAN Collagen Peptide + Pearl Powder + Glutathione + NAC 60 Capsules 500mg

Click here.

Relumins Advance Nutrition Gluta 1000 - Reduced L-Glutathione Complex - 30 CAPSULES

Click here.

Lazada 

Craftology Oils Review

A couple of months ago, I wrote about Hydroquinone/Tretinoin and how dangerous they can get. Read post here. I was  neck-deep in research, trying to look for safer alternatives. I had plenty of skin issues to deal with: oiliness, occasional acne, acne scars, and early signs of aging. So I can't just laze around and let my skin be what it is for the whole world to judge. I had to find something. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life covering my skin with makeup.

At this point in the history of humanity, we still have not found the magic potion that can make skin regenerate perfectly. We have hydroquinone, which bleaches the skin. We have tretinoin, which increases cellular turnover, in lay speak, it makes new skin cells replace old ones faster than usual. These two are still the best when it comes to getting rid of scars, discoloration, uneven tone and texture, and fine lines. But there's a catch - both have nasty side effects, from skin stains to cancer.


We've found acids and actives that can replicate these effects, but not in the same speed, manner, or efficiency.

• Bleaching alternatives: arbutin, glutathione, vitamin C, niacinamide, and the herbal stuff like papain, licorice extract, kojic acid. 

• Tretinoin alternatives: AHA, BHA. The first one peels the surface layer of the skin. The second one goes much deeper into the pores. 

I was in an existential dilemma. To die beautiful (sooner) or to die ugly (later), that is the question. I definitely did not want to die ugly, but I also didn't want to deal with the nasty side effects of hydroquinone/tretinoin just to be beautiful.

I went to Shopee to check out Korean skincare lines. I was overwhelmed with the options. To cut the long story short, I found myself down a rabbit hole, and ended up in the Craftology Essentials shop, owned by a "theinspiredalchemist."

I'm a big fan of The Ordinary brand, I love that their products are as effective as higher-priced products from other brands. Imagine my surprise when I found out we have a locally available brand that carries similar products with the same business ethic. Jackpot.

They sell acids and pure oils in neatly-designed 100 ml bottles. Price list as of this writing:

• Lactic Acid PHP 90
• Virgin Coconut Oil PHP 115
• Cold-pressed Castor Oil PHP 120
• Sunflower Oil PHP 120
• Sweet Almond Oil PHP 135
• Grapeseed Oil PHP 140
• Avocado Oil PHP 225
• Safflower Oil PHP 240
• Apricot Kernel Oil PHP 255
• Macadamia Oil PHP 285
• Wheat Germ Oil PHP 315
• Golden Jojoba Oil PHP 390
• Kukui Nut Oil PHP 450
• Rosehip Oil PHP 520
• Pure Argan Oil PHP 620

And dozens more. Some of these are also sold in 30 ml dropper bottles, should you wish to hoard one of each kind. They also carry extracts, waxes, essential oils, fragrance oils, even Vitamin E and other skin care ingredients that you may experiment on and add to your favorite lotions and hair serums. 

I felt like a kid in a candy store. I did not know which oils to pick so I trimmed down my long list to two: Rosehip oil and Grapeseed oil. 

CRAFTOLOGY ROSEHIP OIL

Straight off their product label:

"Rose hip oil, due to its high concentration of antioxidants and essential fatty acids, is known to be effective in reducing the appearance of scars and wrinkles. It is an effective emollient and is recommended for use on dry, distressed, and sensitive skin, which it leaves smooth and hydrated. It may also be easily incorporated as an active ingredient or used as an ideal carrier in skin and hair care products. It is recommended for use in anti-wrinkle and sun care cosmetic formulations."

This product had me at "effective in reducing the appearance of scars and wrinkles."

I use this in full concentration at night. I basically just slather it all over my face. It can feel thick so I don't recommend this during the day or if you stay in rooms without air conditioning. It makes the skin feel soft and moisturized. It also makes the skin look plumper so fine lines and pores are less visible. I did not break out nor had eczema or itchy patches while using this. No purging period.

CRAFTOLOGY GRAPESEED OIL

Straight off their product label:

"Grapeseed oil is an effective, non-greasy emollient with good skin absorption. It may be applied directly on the skin and hair and may also be easily incorporated as an active ingredient or an ideal carrier in skin and hair care products. It is widely used in applications for blemished, oily, and impure skin as it leaves the skin soft, smooth, and conditioned."

This product had me at "blemished, oily, and impure skin." Ouch but okay that's my skin alright.

I use this oil as a makeup remover. It's too thick to be left on the face over night or to be used as daytime moisturizer. It's also pretty cheap at PHP 140 for a 100 ml bottle. I've used mine as a makeup remover nightly for over half a year and I still have a bit of it left. I slather it on, rub it in circles to loosen the day's accumulation of sunscreen, BB cream, powder, and face gunk and then wipe it off with a cotton ball. I do that up to 3-4 times until I get a clear cotton ball. It also removes eye makeup well, including waterproof mascara and eyeliner. I then wash it off with a BHA-based facial wash, or soap when I'm being lazy and careless. I used to use Cetaphil to remove my makeup but this is a cheaper, and surprisingly, gentler alternative.

Next Craftology products on my list:

1. Cold-pressed Castor Oil. PHP 85 for 30 ml

I had a bad experience with castor oil back in college. So I was this teenager wanting to have naturally long, thick, shiny lashes and people on the internet were like, "use castor oil!" so I bought a cheap bottle in Mercury Drug (as in like less than PHP 50) and ended up getting my first wrinkles at age 17. I'm sure it was the brand, because to this day, over a decade later, people still swear by castor oil for nice lashes. I'm gonna refuse to learn my lesson and experiment once again with this oil. Craftology seems like an honest brand.

2. Virgin Coconut Oil. PHP 115 for 100 ml

Only because it's coronavirus season and this is causing a stir in local medicine. VCO had been around for over a decade and I still have not tried it. People have recommended it to me for dry skin, dry hair, muscle aches and shiz. The internet has also given me medical advice regarding VCO's ability to fix dental issues ~ it's that magical. So maybe, just maybe, I'll finally give it a chance. 

3. Pure Argan Oil. PHP 620 for 100 ml

I will never forget how this rude saleslady at Landmark told me that the hair serum I was asking for was worth P3k. She looked at me like I wouldn't be able to afford it so why bother asking. Well to be fair, I wasn't looking to get overpriced hair stuff indeed, I don't like spending so much on my hair, mostly because it's not my biggest problem. But see, now, Landmark Lady, I can replicate your overpriced Argan Oil Magic Serum with something I can make from Craftology. I don't know why Argan is overhyped, possibly because it's expensive, but has anyone actually compared it with VCO just to see if it's all that good? Looks to me like good material for a next blog post.

4. Aloe Vera Glycolic Extract. PHP 120 for 30 ml

I think it's strange for someone who's always claimed to be a beauty product expert to not, ever, have tried aloe vera, VCO, and argan oil. So I'm getting this next time just for the heck of it. I remember drinking aloe vera juice as a child, it tasted horrible. I've never tried it on my skin. Heard it's awesome for sunburns and hair thickening. 

5. Titanium Dioxide. PHP 120 for 100 g powder

This can be added to face powder and other make up products to give them sun protection powers. This only blocks UVB, but it's still a win. Makeup products without sunscreen properties should no longer exist in this century.

6. Vitamin E. PHP 280 for 30 ml

I know this does wonders to skin, but when taken orally, Vitamin E wreaks havoc on mine. I've tried a lot of brands, Vitamin E just hates me. So I'm giving it another chance. Topical application might just do the trick. Craftology promises this helps with wound healing and moisturization. 

So I'm stopping at 6 because I'm not filthy rich. I'd probably try all the others when I've got the time and attention span needed to finish products so they don't go to waste. I still have the Grapeseed Oil and Rosehip Oil, both I currently do not use because I don't wear makeup while in quarantine, and I'm still letting my skin rest from all the recent product experiments. 

Oh, in case you'd like to see their products yourself, here's the link to their Shopee store: CRAFTOLOGY ESSENTIALS

Solgar Saw Palmetto Berry Extract Review

The first time I crossed paths with this magic pill was in the early 2010s. I was a lurker at the Female Network GirlTalk Forum. Back in the day, if you're a girl in your teens/20s, and you weren't a member of GirlTalk, you were basically living under a rock. These days, we have Facebook groups and Youtube channels to tell us what beauty and health products to buy. In the 2010s, we read pages of forums for product recommendations.

Members post questions like, "What do you take to look blooming?" And I remember envying girls who'd post dozens of supplements along with links to photos of themselves. I remember promising myself that someday when I get filthy rich, I'll have these things for breakfast:

• Shiseido Pure White
• Meiji Collagen
• Orihiro Placenta Powder
• Ishigaki Amino Premium White
• DHC Collagen
• Hakubi White C
• Fracora Flowage
• Neocell Collagen
• Evening Primrose Oil
• CoQ10
• Grape Seed Extracts
• Youtheory Collagen
• Hair, Skin and Nails
• Fish Oil
• Flaxseed Oil
• Pearl White
• Rosehip extracts
• Everesh White EX

So I got older and made my own money but still didn't get around to having dozens of beauty pills for breakfast. I have in the past ten years, tried probably half of the stuff on the list above, and then some, whichever is making noise in social media. But it is only now that I am able to try SAW PALMETTO.

What is Saw Palmetto? 

It's the stuff old men take for prostate issues. Also, it's the stuff homosexual men take to be less masculine and develop a bit of breast tissue. 

Why do women take it? 

Because apparently, it lowers androgen levels. Androgen is a male hormone, it's crazy high in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It causes acne and oily skin, among its many pesky effects. 

Saw palmetto also contains laurate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate essential oils. These help keep skin nourished and moisturized. 

Also, saw palmetto prevents hair loss and improves hair growth.

Also, saw palmetto contains antioxidants epicatechin and methyl gallate. 

Also, boobs.

Are there side effects? 

Side effects are mostly mild including stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and rhinitis. The scariest are liver problems and reduction in sex drive, the latter being temporary. I've also seen material claiming saw palmetto might interfere with medications, so that's something to consider before trying it. 

Is it effective? 

That's for me to find out. It's Day 1 as of this writing. I'm 2 or 3 days away from my monthly period, so I should be getting a random pimple in a few hours. 

~UPDATING SOON~

So it's Day 3. 

And I still do not have my period. Definitely not pregnant. Definitely not stressed. I did not use any unusual product nor have I taken any supplement in the past three days. So the results on my face are VERY likely to be caused by Solgar Saw Palmetto Berry Extract.

Result. 

Hold on, currently counting.

Pimple inventory:

• 1 cystic acne on my forehead.
• 1 tiny zit on my hairline
• 3 tiny zits on eyebrow area
• 1 tiny whitehead on nose
• 1 tiny papule above the lips
• 1 cystic acne on jawline
• 2 tiny zits on jawline

As you can tell, our little experiment did not give us a favorable result. I am throwing away my bottle or possibly giving it away to some random old person with prostate issues who might want to grow some boobies.

What went wrong, you ask?

I'm not quite sure. But this is similar to how my facial skin reacts to oral Vitamin E. I've tried a couple of brands, and all show the same result. I know Vitamin E simply does not work for people with oily skin because of what it does to sebum - it somehow makes it thicker so pores get clogged = pimples. I'm guessing saw palmetto might be messing with my sebum (the natural oil on the skin) also. 

Oh well. 

Do I recommend it? 

Obvs not to people with oily skin. If you're a guy though and you'd like to grow boobs, then maybe it's worth the risk, idk. I guess there's less risk if your skin fares well with oral Vitamin E. I know people who look ~glowing~ while taking Vitamin E. Unfortunately, those are people with normal skin to begin with. So, if you have normal skin and you're looking for something to make your skin nicer than usual, this might be something that could work for you. If you have skin like mine that's hypersensitive and overdramatic, then, no. 

Quarantine's driving me crazy and now I've 10 pimples to heal. 

Yes.

Hydroquinone and blurry vision

I do not like how this blog has somehow transformed into a collection of bad things that happen to people who only want clear skin. I've written about how amazingly effective products like Goree and Renow-D turned out to be poisons concocted by Satan himself. Read about it here.

Let me present to you another surprise nugget of wisdom I discovered while writing about Fairy Skin Derma Set. Short version: STOP USING IT OR YOU WILL GO BLIND. Char.

Not char.

You probably won't go blind. But your vision will suffer one way or another. So will your skin after years of use. And maybe the insides of your nose. And idk, I'm currently neck deep in research about shit that happens when you decide to save a few bucks and use products with no proper labels.

Now, to be fair and honest, Fairy Skin will 10/10, 100% improve your skin. It did mine. For the entire 5 or 6 weeks that I was using the set, my skin was spotless, and soft, and bright, and fresh. The maintenance kit didn't produce an equally stellar result, but my skin still looked amazing. The difference is that Fairy Skin Derma set has dun dun dun dun HYDROQUINONE, while the Fairy Skin Glow set has none (or less of it, I still am yet to find a study, nonetheless, don't risk it.)

What I didn't know while using Fairy Skin Derma BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE LABEL, is that yes, the stuff has a dangerous albeit familiar ingredient called Hydroquinone. Had I known, well, I still would have used Fairy Skin because I'm that desperate for clear skin. But you know, how hard is it to actually be honest about your products? Users deserve to know what they're actually putting on their skin. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean its buyers deserve to be harmed. Even the poor and the scrooge deserve respect!

Now what is hydroquinone and why am I this angry?

Hydroquinone is the same shiz you'd find in Maxi Peel. The same ingredient that makes Maxi Peel effective in giving "kutis artista" skin through bleaching. Hydroquinone is extremely effective. It works by decreasing the formation of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color. A quick Google search will give you this answer:

Hydroquinone is generally safe. However, there's a reason it's banned in Japan, the European Union and Australia. And why the FDA proposes its ban in the US. Aside from that it's likely to cause cancer, it's proven to cause ochronosis. What is ochronosis?

A quick Google image search will tell you what it is. Ochronosis on the skin causes dark splotches. Imagine using hydroquinone to whiten and bleach your skin, and you, the innocent user, ends up not only with darker skin, but with bluish-black splotches as well. Ha. What it does to skin is scary, but wait til you find out what it does to eyes. Read on.

And no, it doesn't just happen to users who fail to use sunscreen. It happens to both long and short-term users who use UV protection. There had been cases of ochronosis on users who've only been on hydroquinone for a few weeks. Exposure to mercury ~ which is also present in most low priced, low quality beauty products ~ increases risks of developing ochronosis.

I've been using hydroquinone on and off, knowingly and unknowingly, for about a decade now. It started in 2005. I had horrible acne and the girls at school who already had clear skin to begin with, started using Maxi Peel and Mena Pearl Cream. It was all the rage. It was on TV. And people who had skin more horrible than mine showed signs of improvement. After months of observing how their skin fared with those products, I decided to try them myself. I mean, my mom had already spent money on dermatologists with little success, spending less than P100 on products that showed promise seemed sound.

My skin improved. And then I stopped using the products. I do not remember all that clearly but in between using Maxi Peel, I'd use products with Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin C, etc. none of which did better than Hydroquinone. I was on Accutane for a few weeks. I've tried dozens of products, but I'd always go back to Maxi Peel when my skin acted up. In total, I must have used Maxi Peel about once a year or once every 2 years, except during pregnancy and breastfeeding. That would be around 6-8 bottles from 2005 to 2016. I switched to The Ordinary Retinol in 2016 and 2017 because I was slowly realizing that while on Maxi Peel, I'd have dry eyes and blurry vision.

I initially thought it was all from stress, pollution, working at night in front of a computer, and heck, maybe even aging. But it wasn't. Thankfully, I discovered the source of my eye issues before it was too late. It was the vapors from Maxi Peel. The shit was drying my eyes. I also realized it was causing the discoloration of my eyeballs. They were turning dark at the part that was exposed to air and vapors. Like, if I opened my eyes really wide, you'd see a demarcation of the part that's exposed to vapors, and the part that's safely protected by my eyelids. I made a promise to never EVER touch another bottle of Maxi Peel or any toner with alcohol (I thought it was the alcohol content!)

As you know from my previous post, I made the mistake of buying Fairy Skin Derma Set, thinking all it had in it were Retinol, Niacinamide, Arbutin, Kojic, Glycerine, and stuff that are generally safe. After all, that's all the ingredients they say they have on their product labels. But alas, because of their scheming marketing tactics, I was unknowingly using Hydroquinone again. Here's the FDA report again in case you missed it.

I am a little over a week into using the set and I now am extremely paranoid about the damage it has caused on my skin and eyes. I have been avoiding screens and UV and stress and smoke because it's all irritating my already dried out eyes. I'm honestly more freaked out than I can muster to show. I'd be researching for hours if not for the discomfort of screens and dry eyes.

MORAL OF THE STORY ~ NEVER TRUST CHEAP PRODUCTS. Okay, so there may be some exceptions. But as a rule, if something's too good to be true, it probably is. In skin care, and by extension, in all beauty products, you can only have 2 of 3 things: EFFICACY, AFFORDABILITY, AND SAFETY.

If something is effective AND affordable, it's probably not safe.

If something is effective AND safe, it's probably not cheap.

If something is cheap AND safe, it's probably not effective. 

References:

https://www.medicinenet.com/fda_proposes_hydroquinone_ban/views.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31219884

Natural Healing by Dr. Tam Mateo

My husband recently had to resort to alternative medicine for a recurring health issue that would need surgery and I suggested we try Dr. Tam Mateo's naturopathic program. I have attended his seminars several times in the past, and