Dove Original Nourished & Smooth Deodorant Review
WHAT: Dove Original Nourished & Smooth Deodorant, 40 ml
PRICE: 98php for 40ml
Hello lovelies! Try and Review sent me this product for review and I've been using it the last couple of weeks. Read more to read what I think!





ABOUT THE PRODUCT

Description: "Dove Original Nourished & Smooth Roll-on gives you 48h protection and contains our unique ¼ moisturizing cream that helps reduce irritation to underarm skin and helps skin recover after shaving. For nourished, smooth and dry underarms."

Ingredients: Water, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus [Sunflower] Seed Oil, Steareth-2, Perfume, Steareth-20,  Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra [Licorice] Root Extract

Directions: Apply 4-6 swipes per underarm everyday. Do not apply to irritated or damaged skin. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. keep out of reach of children.

Dove claims that this is their most skin-caring formula ever, with ¼ moisturizing cream to help reduce underarm irritation. It claims to provide up to 48 hours of sweat and odor protection to help you feel fresh and clean. Aside from that, this contains 0% alcohol!

IMPRESSIONS

the roll-on is compact and fits nicely in my hand
The product comes in a typical roll-on bottle which glides smoothly and dispenses product evenly. I think the deo smells nice and clean without being too strong. It smells very feminine.

I usually sweat buckets because of my country's hot and humid weather. After using the deodorant, my pits have been significantly drier. After 24 hours, there's no unpleasant smell, only the lingering scent left by the deo. I decided to push it further and after 48 hours, glad to report that this product works. My pits were a little bit moist but there's no hint of body odor at all! Talk about effective!

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: DRYING TIME

a few swipes of Dove at the back of my hand
This deodorant is creamy and not too wet compared to most roll-ons. However, it still dried longer than I expected. After 5 minutes, the back of my hand was still damp. After 10 minutes, it was almost dry but it still felt tacky. After 20 minutes, it finally dried completely with no stickiness.

I regularly use powder deodorants and I admit I'm spoiled because it has no drying time. You just apply it and you are good to go! I wish the manufacturers can find a way to cut down the waiting time to 1-2 minutes. I hope that's possible?



VERDICT

If you're looking for a mild yet effective deodorant, I think you should give this a try. It contains no alcohol, it smells good but not overpowering, it's not pricey and it's effective in keeping you from smelling funky up to 48-hours!

What are your best underarm secrets?







Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.


Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit Review
WHAT: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit
Hello, friends! Here's a quick review for the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit. I got this as a freebie with my purchase on Althea Korea. If you want to try this, I saw this trial set retailing for about 130-250 Php on Shopee.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit Review
the back of the packaging

WHAT'S INSIDE

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit Review
Product empties. Sorry I don't have pics of the cotton pads!
The Pore Care Kit consists of:
  • 1 Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam 13ml
  • 1 Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner 10ml
  • 7 pcs Innisfree Eco Beauty Tool Cotton pads



Let's start with the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit Review
pH test = around 7.5
Product Description: " Jeju Island's volcano clay is very fine and contains few impurities, and attaches well to sebum to clean it out effectively. Also, it is low alkaline which is similar to human body."

This cleanser is effective in making my face feel really clean. If you have oily skin, I think you will appreciate this because all oiliness is stripped away. The description "low alkaline" checks out because the pH is around 7.6. However, I prefer gentle cleansers with lower pH so I will probably not buy the full size.

The 150ml full-sized bottle retails 350 Php at Althea.



Now, about the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner...
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Care Kit Review
pH test = around 6.4
Product Description: "The toner’s mineral powder contains volcanic ash and scoria, a porous substance formed from solidified lava. The natural volcanic scoria contains pure, rare, and earthy ingredients that clear out sebum from your face and minimize pores. Use this alcohol-free toner to remove sebum and other skin wastes. It will clear and tighten your pores, leaving your face with a soft and smooth glow."

This toner is thin and watery and has a cloudy look because of the volcanic ash and scoria in it. It is mildly scented and smells like fresh flowers. I liked using this because it made my skin look less oily but after a few days, my skin got bumpier. I suspect my skin did not agree with the volcanic ash or one of the ingredients. Anyway, according to my pH test, the toner has an approximate pH of 6.4. It won't be low enough to use with actives like AHA/BHA.

The 250ml full-sized toner is 800 Php at Althea.

Last but not the least, the Pore Care Kit contained 7 pcs of Innisfree Eco Beauty Tool Cotton pads. It is made of 100% pure cotton and therefore, very absorbent. It would sop up lots of toner so be careful when dispensing! The pads are pressed on both sides but they were not stitched. After vigorous use, the pads kinda unraveled. Haha. I'm still thankful it was included in the kit. Everything is just enough for one week of use!



VERDICT

I enjoyed using the kit. I was able to try out products that I am curious about without committing to the full-sized items. I think the kit will also be perfect for traveling because of its tiny size. 

What are your must-try mini kits? Let me know!






Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner Review
WHAT: The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner, 130ml
PRICE: 300 Php at Althea Korea (currently sold out)
Hello, friends! I got this toner last year as a part of Althea's Mystery box promo. I have recently emptied it and I think it's time to share my experience.


ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner Review

Product Description:
"Whether you're going through puberty or find yourself the victim of an acne bout, keep The Face Shop's Clean Face Mild Toner handy to wipe them away! Made with tea tree extracts, this toner removes impurities from the skin while ensuring that your spots stay clean and free from bacteria. This'll help them heal quicker and with less scarring for a clear complexion. It also keeps excess sebum under control, making it especially great for our oilier skinned friends."

Ingredients: 
Water, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Parfum/fragrance



The key ingredient of this toner is Tea Trea Leaf Extract which has antibacterial and astringent properties to repair the skin. Because of this, the toner is recommended for people with oily skin and for those with acne.

The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner Review
The screw cap. Expiry date at the bottom.
Regarding the packaging, the product is housed in a thick beige bottle with minimal design. It feels heavy and coupled with the minimal look, it seems more expensive than it actually is. I like it. Anyway, it has a screw cap with a standard hole on top. The toner did not come in a box but it was wrapped in thin plastic.

MY EXPERIENCE

The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner Review
The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner
pH Test results - around 5.5pH
The toner is thin and watery with a mild tea tree scent. It can pick up dirt and residue but doesn't leave my face feeling tight and dry. According to my test, its pH is around 5.5 - definitely mild enough for sensitive skin! (Sidenote: always patch test and don't use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.)

I consider my skin as normal/combi and I only have the occasional zits. As such, I can't really comment on its healing properties. However, I did notice softer skin and less oily T-zone during the time of use.

FINAL VERDICT

The Face Shop Clean Face Mild Toner performed like how I think a toner should perform. It effectively removed dirt left during washing your face while still being mild and not stripping. I can't vouch for it's acne-healing claims but I think you can use this as a basic low-pH toner. 

Tried this? I would love to hear about your experience with it!








Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
WHAT: Purederm Spot Reducer Gel Patches
PRICE & WHERE: 129 Php at Watson's
I'm in my late twenties now and while I'm way past puberty, I still do get occasional zit breakouts. I have already found my best friend in CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (they're so gooood at absorbing gunk) but one day, I ran out. Watson's was also out of stock so I'm forced to find an alternative.

Cue: Purederm Spot Reducer Gel Patches!!! Haven't tried this before so read on to find out what I think about the product!



PRODUCT DETAILS

what's inside
Description: "Specially formulated hydrogel treatment for reducing the appearance of pimples on your face without irritation by penetrating a proven acne-fighting ingredient where where you need it most. Special skin soothers are delivered throughout the night to help prevent irritation and over-drying."

Directions: "Cleanse the skin thoroughly before applying patch. Peel off the patch and apply directly on each pimple being treated making sure all edges stick completely. Wear overnight and remove in the morning. Repeat nightly until pimple is gone. If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs reduce application to every other day. For best results wash face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Before applying a patch allow face to completely dry for at least 5 minutes."

I was expecting hydrogel patches like the Cosrx ones but this is different. Inside the box packaging, there are 3 silver sachets containing 10 brown gel patches of the same size. The patches are medicated and contains 0.5% Salicylic Acid as its active ingredient.
the patches are super thin with medicated gel on the other side
Take note - unlike hydrogel patches, these are supposed to be put on closed and unpopped pimples. It is meant to reduce redness and swelling until the pimple is gone.



EXPERIENCE

After washing and drying my face, I immediately peeled off a patch and applied it on a pimple. You need to make sure that your skin is completely dry and clean. However, even with a properly cleansed face, I found that they tend to come off during the night. I just reapply as needed.
redness gone!
The patch managed to reduce the redness and swelling overnight. I continued using it for the next 4 nights but there was no further progress. My pimple did not shrink anymore and the skin under the patch kinda dried out so I stopped using it.

VERDICT

This product is useful for taming pimples but it's not as helpful when it comes to healing them. I still prefer my hydrogel pimple patches so I probably will not buy this again when I ran out.

What are your favorite pimple busters? Let me know and I'll check them out!





Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
SHOPEE: Use my code TEPTR222 to get Php 100 off your first order!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
Maldita Premium Bleach Review

Hello, everyone! After I reviewed Navarro's Bleach last year, some of you recommended a few other brands to try. Maldita Bleach was one of the most requested so here we go!

About the Product

Maldita Premium Bleach Review
What: Maldita Premium Bleach
Price & Where: 150-300 Php at Shopee
Maldita Bleach, to put it plainly, is a skin whitening product. According to the product description, it is good for stretch marks, acne marks, uneven skin tone, dark underarm, groin, tan lines, scars, melasma, insect bites, and bikini lines. They claim you can see results in just seven days!

They have two variants: the "regular" ready-to-apply cream and the "premium" product which has stronger ingredients but you need to mix by yourself. Here are the differences between the two:
Maldita Premium Bleach Review
Note: This is the old packaging but you can still see this on some stores like Shopee.
The new Maldita Bleach now have pink/blue labels depending on the variant.
I have what they call a farmer's tan and I've been trying to get rid of it for a while now. Based on the above comparison, the Premium version is more attractive to me. I don't have kids, I am not preggy and as far as I know, I don't have sensitive skin. The 15 minutes soaking time is also a plus because honestly, I don't have the patience to wait for 1 hour. 😆 Choose whatever is more suitable for you!

The packaging does not have an ingredients list but according to them, the bleach does not contain hydroquinone, ammonia or parabens.
Maldita Premium Bleach Review
The powder container has a paper sticker as a safety seal while the bottle is wrapped in plastic.
Important Reminders:
- Avoid eye contact and open wounds
- Keep out of reach of children
- Perform a skin test on a small part of your skin. If irritation develops, discontinue.

Usage:
1. Wash skin to remove dirt.
2. Apply an ample amount of Maldita Bleach cream on desired body area.
3. Leave it on your face for 5 minutes and 15-30 minutes for your body.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Use body scrub, loofah or a washcloth to remove excess cream.
5. Nourish your skin with moisturizing cream/totion.

How to mix MB Premium?
👉 For convenience, you can mix the solution and the powder together. You must use it within two weeks.
👉 If you only need to use it for a small area, mix powder and solution in a 1:1 ratio or until you form a melted ice cream consistency.

My Experience

Maldita Premium Bleach Review
creamy texture
I just followed the 1:1 ratio until I got the melted ice cream texture. The mixture smells like Perla soap for me.

I tried using this on my face first. The bleach gives off irritating fumes and my eyes got red after a few minutes. I also experienced tingling which escalated to a mild burning sensation as time went. It was still tolerable for me so I pushed through the 5-minute waiting time. The product will become powdery and will tighten as it dries. I recommend using a thin layer so that it will dry faster.
When a product gives you tears, time to emote and pretend you are an actress! LOL
After one use, did I see results? Nope! I actually can't tell the difference to be honest. However, do keep in mind that bleaching products usually show results after more than a week of usage. With my initial experience, I don't want to use this on my face again.

I did use the rest of the bleach on my arms and darker areas like knees and my feet. I did not experience the stinging like on my face. After one week, here's the result! See for yourself!
Maldita Premium Bleach Review
after one week of use on my arms
I naturally have morena skin but I got tanner when I did a day hike with my friends. Just look at the difference after I took off my watch! After one week of usage, my tan has faded and my skin tone looks more even now. This product works! Just make sure to use a hydrating lotion because it will dry out your skin.



Verdict

This product does work and it helped in fading my tan. If skin lightening is your end game, you probably need to use 3-5+ tubs of this. I emptied mine after my 7th day.

Tried this product? How did it went for you! Let me know!





Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
SHOPEE: Use my code TEPTR222 to get Php 100 off your first order!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.
Yoko Whitening Spa Salt For Armpit & Bikini Area Review

Hello, guys! How are you? I grabbed this Yoko Whitening Spa Salt on a whim when I was out shopping in a supermarket. Salt scrubs are an off/on staple in our bathroom but I haven't tried this brand yet nor have I seen a salt scrub that specifically targets the armpit and bikini area. I'm on a quest to transform my dark pits, so for you girls like me, here's my review!

About the Product

Yoko Whitening Spa Salt For Armpit & Bikini Area Review
WHAT: Yoko Whitening Spa Salt For Armpit & Bikini Area
PRICE: 39 PHP at Unitop
Product Description:
Whitening Spa Salt enriched with Vitamin E and natural herbal extracts. It can remove dirt deposits and dead skin cells from the armpit and bikini area effectively giving you a new radiant skin, feeling clean and soft, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkly skin. Dramatically effective for your Armpit and Bikini area within 7 days.

Directions:
Pour spa salt on your hand, rub gently in circular motion on wet skin, leave it on your skin for 3 minutes and then rinse off with clean water.After use, you can feel your skin's softness and  smoothness.

Ingredients:
Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acanthus Ebracteatus Vahl Powder, Fragrance, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Curcuma Longa Powder, Rhinacanthus Nasutus Powder, Andrograhis Paniculata Powder, Sapindus Mukurossi Powder, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), CI 14720, CI 19140, CI 42090

Salt is, of course, the first in the ingredients list. There's glycerin and olive oil for moisture plus powders from plant extracts. Niacinamide is the whitening ingredient while Vitamin E is there as an antioxidant and skin conditioner.



My Experience

The salt scrub comes in a 220g resealable plastic pouch. The salt inside is yellowish in color - it looks like brown sugar but much finer in texture.

I love the smell of the salt. I can detect something floral and something ginger-ish in it so I looked up the scientific names and learned that the scrub contains jasmine and turmeric. Hmmm, that explains the scent and why the scrub is yellow!

If you're worried about staining, no need to worry because the scrub does not stain my skin (or the bathroom tiles) and can be easily washed away.
Yoko Whitening Spa Salt For Armpit & Bikini Area Review
before and after dissolving it in water
I wash myself first with a shower gel or soap and apply the scrub on damp skin. Make sure your skin is just damp and not sopping wet because the product will melt easily. Also, don't use on open wounds because this will hurt a lot. Remember, the scrub is basically salt. Lol.

The armpits and the bikini area have thinner skin than the rest of our body so I use very gentle circular motions when rubbing the scrub. The salt is fine but it has enough abrasiveness so you don't need to apply force.



Impressions

I use this product every other day and at the time of writing, I am on my second week of use.

It's an effective exfoliant - my skin feel super soft whenever I use this. It's also great in removing deodorant residue since my underarms look a lot clearer than before although I haven't seen significant whitening results yet. So far, I'm happy with the product and will continue using it. Will update this post once I empty the pouch.

Have you tried this product? What are your kili-kili whitening secrets? Let me know!






Love online shopping?
ALTHEA KOREASign up using this link to get 20% off your first purchase!
SHOPEE: Use my code TEPTR222 to get Php 100 off your first order!
MUZMM: Browse high-quality backpacks at MUZMM.com and get 10% discount when you use the code teptns10off!

Follow me and say hi!

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. This review is based on my own experience and opinions. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.