REVIEW: Bepanthen Ointment

I spend half my life searching for steriod-free eczema remedies because my skin always acts up when I'm stressed. And I'm really stressed now. ಥ_ಥ I seriously cannot wait for the June holidays to roll in but anyways...

Last month, my inner cheeks got really irritated. They were red and flaky, and my usual arsenal of creams just wasn't working. So I turned to my favourite-st people on Earth for help, i.e. Redditors (I love you.) and found Bepanthen Oinment. This is actually a cream meant for nappy rash but it healed some Redditors' eczema so I thought I give it a shot. I mean, if it's gentle enough for a baby's butt, then it prolly can't wreck that much damage to my already damaged skin right? If it doesn't work. Lol, such negativity! #fromapersonwhohasnthadgoodskininthelongesttime

Made in Germany, this off-white cream has quite a clinical smell but it isn't strong. It looks milky soft in the photo but it's actually quick thick and sticky. After putting on my moisturiser, I put two little dots of this cream on my inner cheeks and tap it in. It leaves behind a slightly sticky balm-like texture which doesn't go away, so if the fan were to blow your hair into your face.. Hmm, it's like wearing sticky lip gloss. Haha. It can get pretty annoying. Heh. So I usually do this right before bed and dab just a little in the morning.

The morning after I first used it, I noticed a visible difference. My inner cheeks were a lot less red and looked a whole lot happier. And it just got better and better. Of course, this is no miracle product. My redness remains (Lack of sleep. ಠ_ಠ) but it's a lot less and my skin doesn't itch and flake anymore, which is really rare for me. So yay, big hearts to Bepanthen and of course, Redditors. ♥

Bepanthen Ointment is priced at SGD8.90 at Guardian.

REVIEW: Cosrx's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Cosrx is a brand that I have been deeply acquainted with for the past few months. It started out with the really innocuous-looking Centella Blemish Cream (Will be blogging about this the next time!) and now, I have half a drawer full of backups and a couple of new products which I want to try. Heh.

For those who are unfamiliar with the brand, Cosrx comes from Korea and it prides itself in using only the necessary ingredients to get maximum effects. Most of their products have ingredient lists that are really, really short, especially when compared with the other Korean skincare brands. It is super huge on Reddit's Asian Beauty because of its efficacy, in particular their AHA and BHA products and of course, the above Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.

The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains 96% Snail Secretion Filtrate to help hydrate and repair damage skin and improve skin elasticity. I use a dollop of this right after cleansing. The essence is really gooey and can take quite a while to sink into the skin completely, so I will do it in layers and tap it in gently. If you use too much, then there's a tacky after-feeling but otherwise, it's okay, even for the day. I usually follow up with my usual amount of moisturizer at night but I'll use a little less during the day or skip it completely.

I didn't notice any immediate magic effect but rather, a gradual change. My leftover marks from a recent breakout went away quicker than usual, my skin feels plumper and healthier and the bumpy area on my inner cheeks has become smoother. I like applying a little of this on fresh zits too because it calms them down and makes them less angry. Recently, I started applying this on the top of my back where eczema was starting to reappear. I don't exactly think that this is a remedy for eczema but it really makes mine a lot less itchy. I also got my brother started on this and his old scars are clearing up quite a bit. :D

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is priced at USD15.20 on Wishtrend or SGD23.20 on Qoo10 (Wishtrend).

REVIEW: La Roche-Posay's UVIDEA XL Aqua Fresh Gel SPF50 PA++++

La Roche-Posay's UVIDEA XL Aqua Fresh Gel SPF50 PA++++ was mentioned before in my Post-Laser Skincare Routine, but I thought I give a more detailed review now that I have completely finished it. It's actually the first sunscreen that I finished in a very long time. :D

The UVIDEA XL Aqua Fresh Gel contains Mexoryl® XL which is a highly effective chemical sun filter. But unlike the more commonly used ones like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, Mexoryl® XL doesn't penetrate the skin easily and so, chances of it disrupting hormones or causing skin allergies are pretty low. You can read more about it here. The sunscreen also contains Detoxyl and of course, the brand's signature thermal spring water which calms the skin helps keep signs of ageing at bay. This is free from fragrances and parabens, and is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

Made in France, the gel-like cream sunscreen comes housed in a 30ml pump bottle. I apply this after moisturiser and I find that this gel-like cream sinks into my skin really quickly. It gives a very satiny-smooth finish which makes a great makeup base. I pat on my powder foundation without any caking. It's not very calming but it doesn't irritate my ultra-sensitive skin. As the day progresses, I don't experience any excessive greasiness despite our insane weather. My pores feel like they are breathing just fine and it is really comfortable. You don't feel it on your skin at all. As for its effectiveness in sun protection, it's rather difficult to gauge but I haven't noticed any new freckles and current ones aren't darkening.

People with sensitive skin and who don't like the thickness and whiteness of physical sunscreens will really appreciate this. I already have got a backup just in case my other sunscreens decide to wreck havoc. Heh. It is a little pricey at SGD38.90 for a such a small bottle but Watsons and Guardian are always having sales, so it's pretty okay. :DDD