We are bombarded with an insane number of beauty products in the market. The number can be quite overwhelming and if you're impatient and impulsive like me, you can become a victim of pretty packaging and nice words and end up buying crap that's not necessarily suited for you.

To guide everyone in their pursuit for perfect (or better) skin, it's imperative that we are all aware of some skin care misconceptions to avoid falling into the consumerism trap.

•  Natural and organic products are always better. Buyer, beware! Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be bioavailable and efficacious. Synthetic compounds can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not lead to an up or down decision about whether a product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good.

• Using larger quantities of a product will yield better results. Less is more. Normally, a pea-sized amount of facial product will do the trick. Excessive amounts can cause skin problems and waste money.

• Packaging is not important. Packaging in skin care is vitally important—not for aesthetic reasons—but to protect the efficacy of the ingredients. Wide-mouth jars, transparent containers and pumps that are not airless all pose problems in keeping ingredients safe and potent.

Just a little round-up of products I use. I recently got interested in makeup, like only until about 2 months ago (LOL), so I only have a few no-nonsense products on my stash. These aren't all of it though since I got lazy taking pictures. Some are out of focus since the f/1.8 lens does crazy bokeh.

Price: Php575 at Healthy Options, Ayala Center Cebu
Details: 30mL of pure tea tree oil, the old bottle design says it’s 100% certified organic but I can’t find it on the new bottle design
Ingredient/s: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil

Jason Tea Tree Oil is a pure, all-natural, organic tea tree oil which you can use for all sorts of things. I mainly use it for cockblocking pimples, dabbing a bit of oil in them before they grow into full-pledged, annoying, lil shits.

One major qualm I have with this oil is its smell. It takes getting used to since it’s quite strong. It’s pure oil (no water added! doh!) so the strong, herbal scent is probably a good sign but I find it really disturbing. My boyfriend likes it though since it smells healthy and very organic, so I guess it all depends on personal preference.

It’s very effective in killing off pimples. I used it on three fully-grown zits on my forehead and on the morning after, one of the pimples was gone while the other two had their redness reduced significantly. After three nights, they were barely noticeable especially under a good foundation.

Tea tree oil is well-known to be a potent antiseptic in Australia and can be used for various antibacterial, antifungal and anti-badstuff purposes. For a detailed list on how you can use this essential oil for beauty, health and household needs, check dis out.

I know the price is quite steep for such a small bottle of oil but the list of its uses is pretty long and it actually really works so all is cool.

Toodles.

So..

Tea Tree Oil Australian Melaleuca Alternifolia
100% Organic
JASON 100% Certified Organic Tea Tree Oil helps improve the appearance of cuts, wounds and abrasions. Known for its medicinal properties, Tea Tree Oil has been used for years as a natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial treatment for skin disorders.

I was eyeing The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil variant for a while now and when I learned that it costs Php499 for a small bottle, I was frakking horrified. I know that taking care of your skin is important but hell no, TBS. You're not having my 500 bucks. Not today.

Funnily enough, I jumped on this one like a mutha. I saw it, asked when it's due to expire (3 years from the manufacturing date) and proceeded to swipe the shit out of my credit card. I easily waver. :( I haven't checked thoroughly but Jason's variety was in a bigger bottle and I hastily concluded that it's cheaper.  Here's to hoping that it is.

Edit/Update: The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil is worth Php499 for a 10mL bottle. This one's Php575 for 30mL. TBS's variant is not pure oil as well. HELLSYEAH.

Second: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
Price: Php329 at Healthy Options, Ayala Center Cebu
Expiration Date: 3 years from MFG Date
Product Details: 226.8g; not tested on animals; no animal stuff added; cruelty-free ♥; eco-friendly



From www.queenhelene.com

Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment to help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your clean face and neck. As it firms and hardens within minutes, it draws out impurities from your pores. After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth. Even for individuals who are fortunate to be free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relax tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck.

I've been wanting to try this mask for the longest time but it's always out of stock in Healthy Options SM City Cebu every time I drop by. I was surprised to find this one in the Ayala branch so I bought it alongside the tea tree oil because, well, my face needs something to "rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores". It also wasn't horrifyingly expensive as the goddamn tea tree oil.

I have three awful-looking zits in my forehead today so I'm going to try these stuff out. Will blog on how it turns out.