Let Your Skin Drink Good Stuff!

Serums and gels are better vehicles in transporting the good stuff in facial moisturisers through your skin layers. Well, they are certainly also more efficient in transporting bad stuff too! So, it is important to select serums/gels and moisturisers that are both effective and safe. There are a few brands which I personally love to use. They are Miessence, Jurlique and Optimal. I don't use every product in their range but I select which I feel is good and effective. Here are the ingredients of Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Gel : WATER, HERBAL EXTRACT MIXTURE FROM (ROSE, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS, LICORICE, BLACK ELDER, DAISY, VIOLA ODORATA, MARSHMALLOW, SPILANTHES ACMELLA, ECHINACEA PURPUREA, GREEN TEA, GRAPE SEED, TUMERIC), GLYCERIN, ALCOHOL, EVENING PRIMROSE OIL, XANTHAN GUM, ROSE HIP FRUIT OIL, JOJOBA SEED OIL, GLYCERYL COCOATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAD EXTRACT, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), HYDROXYMETHYGLYCINATE, LACTIC ACID, GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), ROSE FLOWER OIL, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER OIL, LINALOOL, GERANIOL, CITRONELLOL.

This Herbal Recovery Gel like its name suggest comes in a pale gel form. It is light and non-greasy and smells naturally awesome. It gives a wonderful cooling sensation to the skin. This product uses organic ingredients and you can trust that it is leagues above other departmental store brands. Here are the ingredients of Optimal's Skin Serum : Water, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrosylate, Xanthan Gum, Trehalose,Yeast B-1,2-1,6 Glucan, Hyaluronic Acid, Aminoethanesulfinic Acid, Yeast Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Artemia Seed Extract, Enteromorpha Compressa Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pimpinella Anisum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Polysorbate-20, Retinyl Palmitate, Cranberry Oil, Arabinogalactan, NDGA, Farnesol, Calendula Extract, Caprylyl Glycine, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tromethamine.

This skin serum is not an organic product. It is an American product made in Japan. It does not have any preservative as water is it! Not any ordinary water but 'fire-washed' water similar to that found in Pakistan's Hunza Valley. Haru Naito, world-renowned expert on water's properties, replicated the amazing geological filtration process of Hunza Valley to produce enhanced, exceptionally pure water. This water is free of bacteria, toxins and other potentially skin-damaging substances. With its natural preserving qualities, it serves as the basis for seven luxurious products available in Optimal Skin Care System. I especially love the Skin Serum and the Cleansing Cream. Those who are interested in obtaining Optimal Skin Care System Travel Pack (shown in photo) for a trial, please email me. You may visit http://www.mannapages.com/singapore for more information.

One last but amazing product is Miessence's Balancing Moisturiser, my favourite for a few reasons. It is a creamy moisturiser with significant and lasting effects on skin hydration and smoothness. Formulated with plant phospholipids, organic seed butters and oils, organic herbs and flowers, it truly maintains healthy skin. This moisturisers creates a protective barrier against free radicals and moisture loss (one of the main causes of wrinkles). This product is certified organic by ACO (Australia Certified Organic). Look at the wonderful and natural ingredients :

Organic aloe vera leaf juice, purified water, organic rosehip seed oil, sunflower oil, organic shea fruit butter, organic sugar cane ethanol, non-GMO Lecithin, proprietry blend of essential oils, D-panthenol (pro-vitamin nB5, organic lavender essential oil, organic olive juice extract,natural gum, organic calendula extract, organic chamomile extract, organic marshmallow extract, organic St John's wort extract.

Why do I love this moisturiser?

• It is certified organic.
• It contains completely natural ingredients and zero synthetic ingredients.
• If you do notice, many products are water-based. This moisturiser is aloe vera-based.

This balancing moisturiser is meant for normal/combination skin. For dry/mature skin, you can use the rejuvenating moisturiser. For sensitive skin, you can use the soothing moisturiser. For oily skin, you can try the purifying moisturiser.

Safer Baby Washes

AROMABABY specializes in organic baby skin care products. It is made in Australia and uses up to 99% certified organic ingredients. Its ingredients are certified by two of the most reputable authorities in Australia - Australia Certified Organic (ACO) and The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd (NAASA).

Created to be a world-first, AROMABABY® offers only the gentlest of baby skincare including aroma-free products. All AROMABABY® baby care products DO not contain:

• petro-chemicals
• added colourings
• artificial fragrance
• animal-derived ingredients
• parabens
• alcohols
• talc
• octyl methoxycinnamate (found in many baby suncare products)
• herbal extracts obtained via toxic solvent extraction
• synthetic Vitamin E
• Silicone (dimethicone...)
• mineral oil
• vegetable oils via toxic solvent extraction

For toddlers and young children, you may like to try the Baby Bath Gel. This pure and gentle gel is sulphate-free (which means free from SLS or SLES). SLS and SLES strip the natural layer of moisture from your babies' skin. This gel contains certified organic pure essential oils of French lavender and German chamomile which help relax baby and soothe the delicate skin of your baby. It also contains certified GMO-free natural vitamin E which provides effective moisturising while you bathe your little one. It also doubles as an ideal bath or shower-gel and even hand wash for the entire family.

Ingredients :

Distilled Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Polysorbate (dispersant) Xanthan Gum (vegetable gum) Citric Acid, Lavender French Essential Oil,* German Chamomile Essential oil*, Hydroxymethylglycinate (protein derived preservative) * means certified organic.

Another AROMABABY product is its Pure Baby Wash (on the right). It is a superb top-to-toe wash for newborns and premature babies, also formulated without any drying sulphates. This extra-gentle cleanser is also aroma-free and formulated with pure rosehip oil to help combat dryness and protect the skin from head to toe. Research in UK has found water or aroma-free products may be best for newborns in the first few weeks of infants' life. Imagine all the 'wonderful-smelling' baby baths we have used on our little new bundle of joy! They all contain artificial fragrances! Imagine how they actually stripped the moisture off those delicate new skin! Only use natural emollients that are safe! Ingredients :

Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Xanthan Gum (Vegetable Gum), d-Alpha-Tocopherol (GMO-free Natural Vitamin E), Rosehip Oil*, Hydroxymethylglycinate (Protein Derived Preservative). * means certified organic.

Treating Nappy Rash... ...

I have tried Drapolene...that pink tube...but I would say it is good as a nappy-preventive cream. There were times when my little one got diarrhoea and Drapolene did not work. I also tried Desitin Creamy. It worked wonders in healing the rash. But now, I prefer not use any of these. I prefer to use one that is made of certified organic ingredients and no synthetic chemicals . You never know how much chemicals the skin can absorb and their effect on our precious ones.

Desitin creamy has the following ingredients : ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE 10% (SKIN PROTECTANT) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ALOE BARADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CYCLOMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, FRAGRANCE, METHYLPARABEN, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, MINERAL OIL, PROPYLPARABEN, PURIFIED WATER, SODIUM BORATE, SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE, VITAMIN E, WHITE PETROLATUM, WHITE WAX

Without any doubt, it brings healing to nappy rash very well but I am concerned with several ingredients. Mineral Oil is a very cheap raw ingredient. What is the chances of it being contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)s? There is no guarantee. PAHs are possibly linked to cancer and is found in tar,which is certainly cancer-causing. So, please dont use mothballs! They have PAHs. Some anti-danduff shampoos containing coal tar also have them. Low-temperature burning cigarettes produce PAHs too. Remember, some wise people will advise us not to take too much charcoal-grilled (BBQ) foods especially BBQ meats.

I don't promote having fragrance which is synthetic. I don't promote the use of synthetic preservatives such as methylparaben and propylparaben. The only natural ingredient I see is Aloe Barabensis leaf juice and perhaps Vitamin E. Here's the profile of another prominent brand of nappy cream : ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE 10% INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, MINERAL OIL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIETHYLHEXANOATE, METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, PEG-45/DODECYL GLYCOL COPOLYMER, GLYCERIN, CERESIN, ETHYL LINOLEATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER) FRUIT, PEG-8, PANTHENOL, POTASSIUM SORBATE, PARFUM(FRAGRANCE), MAGNESIUM SULFATE, METHYLPARABEN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PROPYLPARABEN, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE.

There are of course healthier and more wholesome barrier or nappy rash creams out there. They are effective and safe. Well, they are not as cheap as a tube of Drapolene. We pay a price for quality, don't we? But it is worth it.

One brand is Aromababy's Barrier Balm. These are the ingredients : COLD PRESSED PURE SWEET ALMOND OIL, BEESWAX, CETOSTERYL ALCOHOL, EVENING PRIMOSE OIL, CALENDULA OIL, CARROT OIL, D-ALPHA TOCOPHEROL (GMO FREE NATURAL VITAMIN E), ROSE ESSENTIAL OIL, NEROLI ESSENTIAL OIL, GERMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL, ROMAN CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OIL. Healing properties from natural ingredients which are certified organic by Australia Certified Organic (ACO). And the wonderful fragrance is so awesome! I even use it on my chapped hands

This barrier balm is listed with Australia's TGA as a therapeutic product. This rich balm aids in the healing of minor skin complaints. A base of pure cold pressed sweet almond oil and natural beeswax provides a light barrier to guard against further irritation. It may also be used on sunburn, windburn, chafing and cradle cap.

Email me savvy_choice@hotmail.com for further questions on the product or its availability.

Shower Wash For All

For one and half years, I have been using three of the most popular baby body & hair wash in Singapore for my first child. I have not really delved deeper into the ingredients that these products use. I have selected these based on the fact that they are the most popular. However, it does pay off to study the ingredients used on all your children's products, even yours! Now that I am more educated about the world of consumer products and the many potentially-toxic ingredients that are used in them now, I am more cautious with what I buy for my whole family. We are surrounded by potentially carcinogenic chemicals daily in our shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes, nappy creams, cosmetics, powders, serums, moisturisers, cleansers, toners, masks, dish washing liquids, bathroom cleaners...

Recently, I stumbled upon an Australian company which sells organic products. They are the first in the world to have their cosmetics and body products certified organic. The company is called ONE group and the name of their range is Miessence. I have ordered some to try. My boy is using their Sunflower Body Wash. These are the ingredients : Organic aloe vera leaf juice, Coco polyglucose, Sunflower oil, Propriety blend of essential oils, Non-GMO xanthum gum, Organic sweet orange essential oil, organic lemon essential oil, organic lime essential oil, citric acid. That's all it has got! Nothing funny! No synthetic emollients! No synthetic preservatives! No synthetic fragrance!

Let's compare these ingredients with any supermarket brand of shower foam. Or raise the standard. Compare these against reputable brands of body wash for children. Just to name one from a worldwide famous popular brand : Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-150 Distearate, TetrasodiumEDTA, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance, Quaternium-15, Citric Acid. You can see the difference. The lathering agent for the Sunflower Body Wash is coco polyglucose, which is one of the safest in this world. The smell of this body wash is heavenly and refreshing. Email me to find out more.