DIY Moisturizing Serum - SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel - Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Aloe Vera and Vitamin B5

Hello Lovelies, 

So this post is about creating a moisturizing serum. I really like the brand SkinCeuticals. They have really good products like Retinol 0.3, Daily Moisture, C E Ferulic and mainly their Hydrating B5 Gel serum <3

Hydrating B5 Gel is one of the best serum I have ever used. Once upon a time, it used to be my favourite serum. Now it is SkinActives Collagen Serum, but it deserves another post <3

Today we are going to DIY the Hydrating B5 Gel serum. 

Let's look at the composition of this serum :

Aqua (water), glycerin, phenoxyethanol, sodium hyaluronate, calcium pantothenate, sodium benzonate, sodium PCA, disodium edta, urea, trehalose, polyquaternium-51

The first ingredient is of course water, then glycerin, conservative and solvent, hyaluronic acid, B5 vitamin, another conservative, an humectant, a chelating, another humectant and other conservatives. 

Ingredients are so simple, right?? but the price !!! Jesus!! It is so costly!! In Europe, it is 56 euros. 

I don't know you, but I cannot afford that mainly when I know that can make this serum by myself. 

If you want the pure version of this serum, here is the recipe for 30 ml serum with 1% B5 and 1% Hyaluronic acid : 

- 28 ml distilled water

- 1 ml glycerin

- 0.30 gr hyaluronic acid powder

- 0.30 gr B5 vitamin powder

- 5 drops of liquid preservative ( I use aromazone cosgard)

Mix the powders with water, then add glycerin and preservative.

If this version is not enough moisturizing then increase the B5 percentage. For 2 % it is 0.6 gr and for 3 % it is 0.9 gr.

Store this serum in the fridge and keep it for one month or maximum two.

Now can I give you my improved version of this serum ?? Please, please, please!??! Yeah?? Ok, then here is the new recipe : 

- 13.5 ml of pure rose water (anti aging)

- 13.5 ml of pure ylang ylang water (revitalizing)

- 1 ml aloe vera gel (nourishing)

- 1 ml glycerin (humectant)

- 0.30 gr hyaluronic acid powder

- 0.30 gr B5 vitamin powder

- 6 drops of liquid collagen (moisturizing, anti aging)

- 5 drops of liquid preservative

Again store this serum in the fridge (conservation max 2 months).

It is very important to add a preservative. Otherwise, you cannot keep longer this serum. Here is a list of preservatives : http://www.gardenofwisdom.com/preservatives.html

Please try this serum and let me know what you think of it. Also, please follow my blog if you want more DIY recipes.

Update

Hello my lovelies,

I am so sorry not to update my blog. First, I had my light eczema allergy and then I was sick... So I wasn't able to upload new posts.
But now I am feeling better and I will post more :)
I am going to upload new pictures, review more products (skin actives, clarins, avène) and also start doing make up looks <3 <3

Bisous

Glycolic Acid Home Peel Experience - Allergy

Hello Lovelies,

Sorry, I didn't upload pictures of my peel because I had an allergy... I developped a kind of eczema. It is very light. This reaction happens when the skin is too irritated. This time, I had a lactic peel. (instead of a glycolic one).. and I am lactose intolerant... so maybe this is the reason of my allergy. Anyway, my doctor prescribed me  an hydrocortisone cream.

Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm - Review

Hello Lovelies, 

Here I am to review another product. It is one of my all time favourite lip balm. I already told you I like Nuxe (even though I was really disappointed by their moisturizing serum). Their lip balm Reve de Miel has won many beauty awards. First, I thought it was just a hype but after trying it I am convinced :)

Source : Glowing Life 777

What they say

For Dry or Chapped Lips

NUXE Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm is a repairing, nourishing lip balm with a rich, delicious texture to restore suppleness and comfort to dry and chapped lips.

A must-have product: one is sold every 28 seconds throughout the world*! *Source: Sell-in, November 2009-October 2010.

Precious benefits for your skin:
With its formula tested in extremely cold conditions in Canada, comfort is restored to chapped lips (96%**). They are nourished (82%**), repaired (96%**) and protected (91%**). **User test carried out under dermatological supervision on 22 volunteers over 28 days in extreme climate conditions in Canada - % of volunteers who agreed with the claim.

Star active ingredients:
NUXE Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm nourishes, repairs, soothes and protects the lips with Honey, Plant Oils, Shea Butter and Grapefruit Essence.

Directions for use: In winter and summer, apply NUXE Reve de Miel Baume Levres Ultra-Nourrissant Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm to your lips and contour as often as required,


What I say

Texture : 
It's a balm then it's thick. It's easy to apply. As you can see, my jar is almost empty :(  But it just proves that I love this product :)

Smell 

It's a lemon/grapefruit smell. It is pleasant, but I prefer the smell of their body cream or their huile prodigieuse. 

Opinion

This lipbalm contains natural ingredients (but it's not an organic product) and this is one of the reason why I purchased this balm. My dry and chapped lips really like it. It nourishes, moisturizes and heals my lips without letting them glossy (which I don't like for a lipbalm).

I hate the container. It is not hygienic and not practicle. I mean, it's hard to use it during the day because you have to use your fingers... and it is not always possible to wash your hands. This is the reason why I apply this balm heavily on my lips only before going to bed. And the next morning my lips are so plumpy and soft. 

Price 

12 euros. Ok it's pricey for a lipbalm but seriously it lasts many months!! I used it almost one year. 

Would I buy it again

Oh yes!!

Glycolic Acid Home Peel Experience - Update and Pictures

Hello Lovelies, 

Tomorrow I am having my second peel. I just wanna show you my recent picture after one week. 

Picture 1 : 2 or 3 days after the peel

Source : Glowing Life 777

Picture 2 : 7-8 days after the peel 

Source : Glowing Life 777

As you can see, the pimples are killed but the scars are still here. I hope my second peel will help to diminish these scars. Please guys if you know a good cream or home remedies to fade scars let me know...

Anyway, I will update my glycolic acid peel journey soon.

SkinActives Bright I Cream - Review

Hello Lovelies,

So it's been a few weeks that I am using Skin Actives' eye cream : Bright I Cream. I must say that even if it's been only 3 weeks that I am using it, I am very satisfied by this cream. Honestly, it's one of the best eye cream that I have used so far. I had wonderful results so I am very excited to talk about this eye cream.

So without waiting, let's start the review !!

Source : Glowing Life 777

What they say : 

Let’s have a look at the actives in our Bright-I cream. Some of the actives are present in other Skin Actives products, promoting skin nutrition, (sea kelp bioferment, hyaluronic acid, natural active peptides), and synthesis and protection of protein (palmitoyl tetrapeptide) and structural polysaccharides, and cell replication (like epidermal growth factor, retinyl acetate). The delicate skin in the eye area is already thinner than in the rest of the face, and it gets thinner with age, so all of these actives will prevent further losses. Thinner skin is also why capillaries are more visible, contributing to the appearance of dark under-eye circles. Others actives have general antioxidant properties but also display specific properties that makes them especially useful for the delicate eye area.

Sea Kelp Bioferment, caffeine, retinyl acetate, hesperidin methyl chalcone, natural active peptides, Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins, Sodium Hyaluronate, chrysin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), antioxidant booster, liquid crystal, glutathione, Pal-GQPR (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide),

Retinyl acetate, a retinoid and a form of Vitamin A, will accelerate skin renewal, preventing the formation of milia and “erasing” wrinkles

Caffeine is a great active: it promotes efflux of sodium, promotes fat mobilization, has analgesic properties, antioxidant activity and more. One of my favorite aspects of caffeine is that it promotes post-replication repair of DNA, one reason why caffeine helps prevent cancer.

Chrysin activates the enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) that leads to the degradation of bilirubin, a product of breakdown of blood hemoglobin that may have been released by broken capillaries. It also suppresses histamine release, and “puffy” eyes are a very common complaint.

Lecithin is in this formulation to provide lipids your skin needs. Lecithin taken orally seems to help decrease serum cholesterol, but it does not work when injected into lipomas (a benign tumor made of adipose tissue), and it will not make your fatty thighs go thin. However, some Skin Actives clients say it works well on fat deposits under the eyes. Remember that topical application of caffeine can decrease the thickness of subcutaneous fat, so even if lecithin does not work for you, our Bright-I cream may. If you are desperate (it is always a bad idea to feel desperate when making any decision, even buying skin care), try our cellulite control cream

Hesperidin methyl chalcone is an effective antioxidant that decreases capillary fragility and permeability. This does not mean that you should feel free to rub your eyes when you are sleepy, rubbing eyes is a “no-no”.

Glutathione, a great natural antioxidant that fulfills crucial roles in our body, is always helpful, especially in polluted environments like a big city or the highway.

If you have dark under-eye circles caused by broken capillaries, it will improve them or clear them completely (the same properties will help erase bruising caused by any cause, because the actives will help clear the tell-tales signs of blood leaks).

If your dark circles are hereditary and caused by melanin pigmentation, our Bright-I cream will not help you much, but you could try our skin brightening cream. 

Usage : Use Bright I Cream once or twice daily on clean, dry skin around around the eyes and on the eye lids. 


What I say :

Texture
It is a nice creamy texture. It is light, then very easy to apply. Also, it is quickly absorbed by the skin. It can be used as a day eye cream because it doesn't make the skin greasy. But it is not enough rich for a night eye cream (this is the only minus of the cream).

Source : Glowing Life 777

Source : Glowing Life 777

Smell
Hum... it's a chemical smell, not really pleasant.

Opinion
So the composition of this cream is absolutely fantastic. It contains so many good ingredients like : hyaluronic acid (for hydratation), collagen (for hydratation and prevent wrinkles), natural active peptides (promote the production of collagen and lessen eye's expressions so prevent the formation of wrinkles), sea kelp bioferment (nourish the skin), caffeine (antioxydant and makes the skin firm), retinyl acetate (which is a retinoid then the best and proven anti wrinkle ingredient), glutathione (the best antioxydant and a skin whitenner), avocado oil (nourish the skin and is one of the best anti aging oil) and many more... I cannot count the number of ingredients and all of them are super good ingredients !!
I was looking for an effective eye cream  but at a reasonable price. A friend of mine recommended me Skin Actives' Skin Brightenning face cream. After reading some reviews and their website, I decided to pick up some of their products. This eye cream was one of these products. I purchased this cream with no expectation.
I have dark circles and wrinkles. I have these deep dark circles from my puberty and I know that the only thing that can work on me is hyaluronic acid injections... And my wrinkles... hum... I have wrinkles since ever. I mean when I was 15 I've already had wrinkles. And the strangest part is that now I have less wrinkles.. Yes truly, at 27, I have less wrinkles than at 15. But this is not (only) because of this cream, no. I am just describing my eye area.
So let me sum up, my eye contour area is dry, with dark circles and wrinkles.
It's been 3 weeks that I am using this eye cream. My eyes are more hydrated, bright, luminous and I have less wrinkles :) :) I am not telling you that all my wrinkles have disappeared. No! I have less wrinkles. My skin is more firm. My dark circles have diminished (they are not gone, this is impossible is my case). But let's say that even if I have a bad night, my eyes are bright and I look less tired. My eyelashes are thicker and longer. So overall, I have good results with this cream.
My mom also tried it. She has heavy dark circles and wrinkles. I can assure you that now she has less dark circles. She still cannot see any difference on her wrinkles, but the eye contour is more hydrated and firm.
I have taken some photos of my eye contour. In 2 months time, I think I will re review this eye cream and I can upload the photos before and after to see if  there are any differences.


Price
17.50 for 0.5 ounce. Let me tell you that this is very cheap for the quality of this cream. Just look at the ingredients !!


Would I buy it again
Yes, yes and yes. Next I will also purchase the Bright I serum for night use.

Glycolic Acid Home Peel - Precautions, Skin Care Before And After The Peel

Hi Lovelies,

Glycolic, lactic, mandelic, salicylic or even TCA are powerful acids. They exfoliate, sometimes burn, the first layer of your skin in order to stimulate skin renew. These ingredients can irritate and make your skin sensitive. So there are many precautions to take to avoid side effects and complications in peeling. 

What are the risks of a chemical peel ?

- Skin infections (if you have a peel on an irritated skin)
- Hyperpigmentation (for dark skinned people)

Never have a peel if :

- you have lymphatic system disorders

- you take oral medication againts acne (like retinoids)

- you have skin allergies 

- you are pregnant 

- you have an irritated skin (eczema, psoriasis, herpes,...)

What are the side effects ?

- Tingling

- Itching 

- Burning

- Mild pain

- Tightness

- Scaling

- Crusting

- Can worsen acne

 

Skin Care 

One week or 4 days* before the peel : 

- stop using products that contain irritating ingredients like retinoic, glycolic, lactic, kojic acids... 

- stop waxing because it makes your skin more sensitive

- do an allergy test : just apply a very timy amount of the peel on your neck, wait 2 minutes and rinse off.  Examine your skin's reaction the following days. If you notice something abnormal, then don't have a chemical peel.

* 1 week is for peels above 30 % (which I don't recommend at home) and 4 days is for peels below 30 %  

After the peel

- Moisturize your skin with an organic oil (argan, jojoba, olive,...) or a neutral cream (so it must not contain retinoic, glycolic, lactic, salicylic or even kojic acids). Dermatologists say you have to moisturize your skin up to 20 times the day after the peel... the following days, it may be 10 to 20 times a day depending on your skin's needs

- Use an antibiotic ointments like Bactroban or Polysporin. If you cannot find them, honey (especially manuka honey) is a natural antibiotic. You can have pure honey mask or you can mix a little bit of your honey to your face cream (but a little bit, otherwise your face will be sticky)

- Use a soapless cleanser

- Use a collagen or hyaluronic acid serum. It would help you skin to heal.

- Use a sunscreen everyday (at the very least spf 30 please)

- Do not pick or rub your skin !!! 

- No sauna and no jacuzzi !!!

These recommendations should be respected during 5 days after the peel (this is for peels equal or lower than 30%, for peels with higher level of % ask your dermatologist). 

Again, I am telling you having a peel at home can be risky especially if you use an inappropriate percentage of acid. Please, as I told you, make an allergy test and always start with a lower percentage of acid (15 %). If you never used glycolic acid, please start with an aha cream (8%). Let your skin get used to aha and then have a peel (but again start with a lower percentage).

But when you decice to have a peel, you do it at your own risk. I am just giving you advice and useful information.  If something went wrong I am not responsible of it.

Also make lots of researches on the internet. Please read the following links :

Source : 

http://sante-medecine.commentcamarche.net/contents/534-peeling-chez-un-dermatologue 

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/peels/chemical-peel

http://gkayskincare.com/gkay/chemical_care.html

http://www.deborahwinter.com/procedures_aftercare/superficial_peels/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3047741/