{E.V.E.N.T} Galderma Skin Awareness Month

 

What happens when you fill a room with beauty bloggers and skincare experts  ? 

Its a "Skincare" party with the latest skincare wisdom flowing in from all corners ! It was a delight to be part of the Skin awareness month by Galderma India recently which had the city's celebrated dermatologists & influencers on panel to discuss all things skincare. And just so you don't miss out, grab a cup of your favourite beverage and keep reading for all the skincare tips , hacks and general reminders that will be shared throughout this post . (All skincare tips from Dr.Khan & Dr. Suraj Shetty )

Before I begin with the tips, I have to share this exciting news about our favourite skin saviour CETAPHIL . For any one who's ever suffered from Acne, Cetaphil has been the number one cleanser of choice suggested by dermatologists .  In my teenage years, Cetaphil was a constant . My acne was inflammatory and quite painful. With all treatment creams stripping off moisture , this cleanser was the most soothing touch on my face . Growing up in a small town , I was unsure if the best products were available for skincare. But when i used Cetaphil , it gave my teenage self so much hope! When they invited me for the Skin awareness month , it was a sweet moment that brought back all the memories. 

Now, the news? They have taken their already fantastic formulations a notch up by adding gentle ingredients like Glycerine for hydration , Niacinamide for brightening and Panthenol for moisturising . OMG, what !!! 

When the best things get even better, it calls for a happy dance ! I have already got my hands on the newly designed packaging and new formula and no surprise - I am loving it ! There is a product for every skin-type from cleansers , moisturisers to Sunscreens.

If you are already a skincare enthusiast, you know your skin type. But if you're new to the skincare game,  keep reading because the doctors shared a simple test to find out your skin type :

HOW to find your SKIN-TYPE?

Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

Step 2: Observe face after 30 minutes . 

👉If its shiny all over - Oily skin

👉If its stretchy and feels parched - Dry Skin

👉If the nose and forehead is shiny and remaining face feels stretchy - Combination Skin

👉If the face feels hydrated - Normal Skin 

WHY is knowing your SKIN-TYPE important ?

Selecting the right skincare products starts with knowing your skin-type. Not all products are created equal. An oily skin produces too much sebum and hence needs sebum-regulating formulations while a dry skin needs a different approach . Skincare is effective only when we use the appropriate products for our kind of skin. 

Did you know, skin type can change ? Oh yes ! Younger individuals have normal skin type until puberty hits and changes the game. As for me, I noticed my skin was very oily during my teenage acne days . Now into my 30s , I am a combination -skin type ! Phew! This means i have to constantly observe my skin and listen to its needs . 

And now, lets move to the most frequently experienced skincare Woes- BREAKOUTS/ACNE . Some myths that were busted : 

ACNE MYTH - Busters : 

💥 Makeup causes Acne - If a makeup product is dermatologically tested and approved , it will not cause acne . What can cause acne however  , is using unclean brushes , makeup sponge to apply makeup or not taking it off before sleeping !

💥Acne is normal. It can be treated at home - A Big no ! Skin is the biggest organ of our body and just like every other organ , it is susceptible to diseases. Acne is a skin disease and can get worse if not treated . Therefore , always reach out to your dermatologist . As Dr.Khan mentioned during the panel discussion , there's no acne that cannot be treated ! So , don't wait and start your treatment right away. Even though it takes long, never be disheartened . I know I was rewarded with clear skin with all the patience and discipline with treatments and so can you ! Also , clean eating habits and an active lifestyle incorporating regular exercise is the best way to beat Acne along with medication. I have written about this earlier and you can refer to my earlier posts. 

Now, that we have tackled the most common skin disease - acne , lets move on to the next bit which is post-acne care or just ageing signs like HYPERPIGMENTATION, uneven skin tone & dull skin . 

The house of Galderma which makes Cetaphil has a recent entry "BILUMA" that caters to just these skin situations . The name Biluma means Be Luma ( Luma= Light ). Currently available in India , Middle East and South Africa they use gentle formations in their cleansers, moisturisers and lotions for a glowing and youthful skin . Their products work to balance the circadian rhythm of our skin. Sounds alien? Let me explain. 

WHAT IS OUR SKIN's CIRCADIAN RYTHM?

The skin functions differ from daytime to night. During the day, the skin functions to brighten and protect while during the night it rejuvenates and nourishes. 

WHY IS THE SKIN's CIRCADIAN RYTHM important ?

An imbalance in the day and night skin cycle due to internal and external factors leads to early signs of ageing like Hyperpigmentaion , uneven skin tone, wrinkles , laxity & dull dry skin !

This is where the Biluma range comes handy - it balances the skin's rythm and actively promotes a glowing , radiant skin. I will be incorporating their day and night cream into my routine as it claims to lighten dark spots in 3 weeks of usage. Whats the best part - their night cream has my favourite ingredient Kakadu plum ( A source of vitamin C ) & hyaluronic acid that have given me great results recently. 

 They also have a very unique cream meant for treating pigmentation in underarms, neck and inner thighs which i am keen to try . Stay tuned on my instagram as I update you about the usage . Its interesting to see pharma brands including naturally derived ingredients in skincare and this brought in another round of myth busters . Read on ...

MORE SKINCARE MYTHS:

💥NATURAL INGREDIENTS CAN BE DIRECTLY APPLIED ON FACE. We don't need a skincare product containing same natural ingredients for that . 

No. Using natural ingredients on face directly can lead to more adverse reactions than benefits Also, the molecular size of natural chemicals present in the fruit/spice is generally not ideal for the skin barrier . For example , turmeric. The molecular size of curcumin thats the main chemical in turmeric is very large and cannot be absorbed by our skin for its ideal benefits. Hence a laboratory derived extract will be more effective . 

There is so much more that we can talk about skincare, so lets keep the discussion rolling in the comments and on my instagram post. But , if we have to sum it up :

6 RULES TO A HEALTHY SKIN : 

1. Always remove makeup , before sleep

2. Use a gentle cleanser for your skin type that feels hydrating 

3. Always wear sunscreen - indoors or outdoors

4. Use a gentle day cream for your skin-type. Yes, oily skin needs hydration too. 

5. If you notice any skin irritation , always stop skin care actives and visit your doctor . 

6. Don't forget to drink 3-4 Litres of water, exercise and eat well . 

Till , next time, CIAO!

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{ SECRETS } How I said goodbye to Acne & Blemishes

Before I begin. this is not a sponsored post and the brands mentioned here have nothing to do with my post. This is my personal experience. 

A decade and a half of living with Acne and trying all means to combat the same, I had come to a point of acceptance. This acceptance was like defeat. I have been to the best dermacosmetologists, spent money on the best peeling treatments. I even had the best skin ever phase but the moment I stopped those peels, the whole acne thing came rushing back. Thankfully not as severe as it started when I was in 9th grade but this time in a muted way. On an average 5-6  acne on my face at any given time . Add to that all the spots that are memories of battles lost . 

From the last 2 years, I have been relying majorly on BB-CC creams to help the blemish story- my favourite being the Bourjois CC cream . I have also come across some very effective skincare products like the Herbalife Skin about which I blogged, though its a very expensive deal to be regular with . If you want to know about it read here- . 

It was in Sep 2016 that I was back to Mumbai from a trip to Croatia. I met this old man at a vegetable market in Dubrovnik who was passionately selling some balm called Immortelle to get rid of blemishes made by his daughter- All natural. I spent 700 on it , I don't know why I felt I should trust that man. 

Then later back home, I met my blogger friend Shayoni from Sweet and bitter who is diligent with her skincare regime . I have had the skincare over makeup ideology but when numerous attempts fail and acne comes back, its disheartening. I suddenly felt a strong skincare calling- this time with another set of products. In the meanwhile, the Croatia product amazed me. It turned out to be more effective than I had imagined. It helped to lighten blemishes and made the skin tone even and I was afraid I wouldn't get it anymore. I had to explore alternates .Thanks to my school best friend who is an Ayurvedic doctor , I took recommendations on what will suit my skin in terms of skincare products and medicines . My plan was ready . I just wanted to use organic and natural products, not chemical. 

In 2 weeks after I decided, I fell sick with dengue and was crossing my fingers that I escape live from the dreadful sickness and yes , I write to claim my existence. It brought a shift in my eating patterns drastically. If it wasn't for my mom, I wouldn't have had the luxury of a fruit plate for breakfast every morning with a glass of sweet lime juice. So here goes my regime. 

—-EAT—- 

1. Start with a bowl of fruits every morning + A glass of fresh SWEET LIME JUICE/ORANGE JUICE

Skincare isn't just about what products you use on your skin but about what you eat. This breakfast has definitely helped my skin. No cooked food to start the day but a bowl of watermelon/ 1 banana/ an apple and a glass of sweet lime or orange juice. Its a lot of fruit on the table but helps you kick start the day with fresh energy. 

—On my Face—

And now here comes the topical skincare part.

Morning: 

Products:

1. Kama Mridul cleanser (mixed with water) to wash the face first thing in the morning
2. Kama Eladi face cream ,first thing after my bath. 

The cleanser has worked wonders as its a natural mix of several herbs. Don't expect lather as it has no chemicals. Once you've had your bath, hydrate your face in the next 5 minutes or it dries the skin. I got introduced to Eladi face cream through a sample I got at Kama store . It has become my go-to since then. Also I showed contents to my Ayurveda doctor friend and she approved. Its been since October that I am using it daily and it has finally reached the bottom of the bottle. The cream is non-oily and so hydrating- it instantly makes my face bright. You wont believe but I have stopped using CC cream on top of face cream. I have been only wearing this face cream even to parties since then. 

Night: 

Products: 

1. Kama Rose jasmine cleanser after I am back from work and before sleep
2. Kottakal Ayurvedshala KunKumadi Tailam after face wash and just before sleep

The Rose & jasmine cleanser is another mild cleanser that works well on my skin with a little lather . Its best to use after a day’s work to remove makeup and dirt.

I have been reading about the miraculous formulation of Kumkumadi Tail in various beauty blogs and people claiming blemish lightening as well as acne combat. I didn't want to try Kama here as it  is

overly priced and I found genuine reviews  for the Kottakal product which is 1/6th the price. 

Kottakal Ayurvedshala is an organisation making Ayurveda products from a century and again my Ayurveda doctor friend approved of the ingredients , so I had to buy this. Indeed, this tail turned out to be magic. If I have to name one product in my life, that was life-changing - It is this. Since November, I have used it regularly and I just bought my second bottle at 360Rs for 10ml. I use 3-4 drops after my before-sleep face wash .I rub it gently all over my face. On active acne , I apply a little more. The next day, acne seems to mellow down and goes away eventually. No drying. 

This tail has substantially helped lighten the blemishes and reduce the pores. You can use it on your lips if they are pigmented. It works so well. To find Kottakal products, just google in your city. They have tiny shops where they retail only Kottakal products , its a huge network . If you don't find one, Amazon has listings too. 

—Medicine—

My Ayurvedic doc friend prescribed this Kaadha. 2 bottles to be taken in 15 + 15 days as one course. Now, I wouldn't recommend you to take this without an Ayurvedic doctor’s consultation. This Kadha is the worst tasting thing I have had in my entire life. So finishing 1 bottle was my biggest achievement. I’ve finally bought my 2nd bottle. I was unfortunately not regular with this ,but the 15 days that I took the first bottle I was amazed. My skin has definitely benefitted from the miraculous formulation. If your doctor agrees, please have it without a second thought. This again was Kottakal Ayurvedshala formulation. There are other Ayurveda houses that make this too. But trust Kottakal blindly. 

Today, I don't know what I would do without Ayurveda. It has become a way of life. If you have the oily combination skin like mine, you may benefit from then regime above. This is the secret to my current skin and I am really happy with this. Discipline is essential with skincare and health. There is no way one should escape that. All the best girls . I wish you a lovely skin !

Till next time CIAO!

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ZA TRUE WHITE DAY PROTECTOR REVIEW

Product: ZA TRUE WHITE DAY PROTECTOR

  Qty: 35 gm

Usage: Mark tiny dots on your face with the product and pat .

Frequency: After bath in the morning & repeat application in case of sweating after 4-5 hours

My skintype: Oily/Combination/Acne-prone

Target Audience:  Za is the embodiment of the spirit of young metropolitan women, who balance successful careers with fun and dynamic lifestyles Pros:

• Absorbs quickly
•          Skin feels velvet smooth after application
•          Great base for makeup/BB cream
•          Has mild SPF
•           Very mild organic rose fragrance
•           Evens out complexion diminishing Acne marks/spots ( I have been using it for 20+ days now)

Cons: None! However, I would have loved if the product was not marketed as a WHITENING product. Though the brand website says that this range gives you a bright and radiant skin that shines from within and not WHITE skin! We all love our melanin infused skin, don't we?

Summary:

As the name suggests: The Day protector does its job well leaving you sun-safe and moisturized. The fact that it suits my oily acne-prone skin is evidence enough to recommend this day cream to all possible skin types. It leaves a velvet veil on your face and when you touch your face the feeling is awesome! It almost feels like non-greasy butter.(Now!!!What on the earth is that?)  In spite of sweating, it maintains the sanity of your skin by keeping it radiant and non-greasy!

Tips: Use this under your Base Makeup or BB Cream and see the magic!

 

What the product says:

Daytime moisturizer 35g
SPF26 PA++

Provides comfortable, light-weight yet strong protection against UV rays at daily base. Helps diminish spots and acne marks at the same time.
Minimizes the appearance of visible melanin accumulation.
Veils skin with a bright, pearly radiance that enhances skin tone for a healthy look.

How to

Smooth an appropriate amount evenly over face. Apply before foundation, for a more beautiful finish.

5 things you should know about ZA:


1. ZA is pronounced as (Zee-ae) ....za za I know!
2. ZA is from the House of Shiseido, the largest cosmetic firm in JAPAN founded in 1872
3. ZA was launched in 1997 in Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
4. ZA was launched in India on April 2014  via Influential Bloggers posts ( Remember this Instagram post?)
5. I am going to review every ZA product before you use it! Nice, isn't it? :D


Can't get enough? Read more about ZA here.

Also check,


ZA INDIA website

ZA INDIA FACEBOOK page

ZA INDIA Twitter handle

DO YOU CARRY ZA IN YOUR PURSE ALREADY?

*PR sample*

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