REVIEW: ORBIS' Oil Cut Care-na Hot Cool Gel

The nightmare with our pores begins the moment we hit puberty and then, carries on to plague us for the rest of our lives in various ways. They are annoying, we hate them and we want them gone.

Unfortunately for us, just like bad memories, pores are here to stay. There is really no magic which we can use to annihilate them, but we can try and keep them clean as much as possible, so that the nightmare they bring comes in bite-sized proportions.

Here are some of the pore troubles we may encounter as we age:

Age	Pore Concerns	Characteristics
20s	Sebum Pores	Active sebum secretion. When in excess, sebum may clog pores and result in the formation of pimples and dry skin.
30s	Mixed Pores	Active sebum secretion and pores begin to sag.
40s	Sagging Pores	Skin's foundation weakens and women see a change in firmness and elasticity of skin. Coupled with gravity's downward pulling force, round pores form a teardrop shape over time.

ORBIS' Oil Cut Care-Na Hot Cool Gel is one product that can help keep our pores clean. This gel contains charcoal powder and 'plays with temperature' for some serious deep cleansing in just 4 steps:

1. Warming up of skin to soften it.
   Upon application of the gel, you skin gradually warms up. The effect is very much like placing a warm towel across your face. Your skin softens and the optimum environment for deep pore cleansing is created.
2. Deep pore cleansing with Scrub x Charcoal.
   The fine beads act like a scrub, cleansing clogged pores and removing dead skin cells. The Charcoal powder, which is sebum-adhesive, absorbs excess sebum and minuscule-sized grime.
3. Cooling astringents tighten pores.
   After a while, the skin starts to cool down and this is when the gel is in its final stage. Witch Hazel contains astringent properties which refresh and tighten pores, minimizing their appearance.
4. Absorbent x Permeating moisturizing ingredients keep skin hydrated and smooth.
   After cleansing, the skin becomes very permeable. Permeative Collagen pushes and plumps skin from within and prevents pores from sagging. Absorbent Hyaluronic Acid moisturizes and rests on the skin's surface to create a rich and full texture.

The gel is free from oils, fragrances and artificial colours, and is formulated to minimize the risk of allergies.

I have been using this gel twice a week, for the past month. After cleansing, I gently massage a pearl-sized amount of the gel on my T-zone area in circular motions, for 10 to 15 seconds. When the gel is first squeezed out from the tube, the fine beads seem a tad too rough. But as I massage the gel into my skin and it warms up, the beads kind of melt away. The warming-up effect really feels like you are steaming your face, though it isn't as 'intensive'. It goes away gradually, and when I wash it off, the cooling effect is so refreshing! It's a perfect way to end the day and a perfect way to start a new one. So yes, I alternate between day and night usage. (:

After washing it off, my skin feels soft and smooth and looks clear and radiant. I don't experience any tightness. There are some days when I'm lazy and skip the moisturizer, but my cheeks don't get dry like they usually do. My blackheads are still very much present though (There is neither an increment nor a reduction.), so I think I need to give this a little more time and probably, sleep a little bit more. Heh.

ORBIS' Oil Cut Care-Na Hot Cool Gel is available at all ORBIS counters and stores, at $21.50 for 60g.