Skin Amour By Sumaya

😉 😉 😉

Product Name - Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

Ingredient - Vitamin C is the star attraction of this product. The type used here is THD ( tetrahexyldexyl ascorbate)

My experience using this product

If anyone ever challenges me to use only one active for the rest of my life it would have to be Vitamin C; no questions asked. My skincare journey started with Vitamin C and it is a love affair that will go on for years to come InshaAllah.

As I mentioned the star ingredient of this product is THD. It is the third ingredient in the inci list. Now, THD is oil soluble which means it can pe*****te deeper into the dermis and help our skin from within.

This serum contains the THD in a concentrated form which makes it more potent. At first glance, this serum looks quite heavy and dense. When applied it almost feels oily, but when you try to smooth it over it has the most glorious texture I have ever felt. It glides on like silk and leaves no tacky or sticky finish. I would say this texture is way up there for me along with the Tatcha Water Cream.

Although this serum says to be used by normal to dry skin, this serum can be used by people with oily and combination skin as this is lightweight and will not leave a heavy finish.

I’ve been using this product on alternate nights consistently for almost two months. I wash my face and use this serum followed by my moisturizer. This serum has brightened my skin and improved my skin texture. It has made my skin more luminous and it gives a glow from within. It has overall improved my hyperpigmentation and has given my skin a lit from within look.

I always say when one starts to think about including actives in their skincare they should start with low strength and slowly build up the percentage so that they are able to give their skin and themselves the opportunity to really understand and observe the product.

This active for me ticks all the boxes. It is the one I will be purchasing again. So, there you have it ladies and gentleman my two cents on this wonderful product.

Happy skin days to you all!
❤️

Winter Skincare 101

Our skin is ever changing, ever evolving. The skin on our face especially sometimes needs different care due to environmental stress, aging and of course to the change in weather. With winter just around the corner I thought I would tell you about what are the changes I make to my skincare during winter.

The air in winter becomes dry and can cause our skin to become dehydrated. For that reason, it needs more attention and care to keep it healthy.

My cleanser remains the same through out the winter. I exfoliate once a week during winter with my PC BHA. Yes, exfoliation is required during winter. As the skin becomes dry and dull exfoliating the skin ca take that extra layer of dead skin off and help our actives pe*****te better. However, in winter, we need to be more careful with exfoliation, because if frequently done it can damage the skin barrier causing flaking and dryness.

During the day time I stick to my Ordinary Niacinamide followed by the PC antioxidant serum. If I am going to go out, I choose my CeraVe mineral sunscreen.

At night, I use my PC Retinol+Bakuchiol every other night. I top this off with the CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion. In winter, I prefer a thicker mosituriser unlike the gel based formula which I always go for during summer. This moisturizer has no fragrant and is thick enough to provide a protective layer without clogging my pores.
Keeping it minimal is always what I like to do and what works best for me. Other than switching out the moisturizer the other staples of Niacinamide, Vitamin C and Retinol remain the only actives which are always on my routine.

Like I always say consistency is key when it comes to skincare. So, let us enjoy this beautiful season and make wise choices when it comes to our skin. Wishing you all glowing skin days!!!!

Vitamin C

Today I bring for you all possibly my most favourite active ingredient of all: Vitamin C. When I first started researching about active ingredients what caught my eye of course was Vitamin C. Now being a self-proclaimed citrus anything fan – be it a lemon printed t-shirt, sock, citrus smelling perfume, body wash, any drink which is citrus flavored give it to me and I will happily wear it, apply it or drink it.

So, when my eyes caught the word Vitamin C of course I had to dive it head first. And thus, began my love for this active ingredient.
Let’s talk Vitamin C
Vitamin C has the most the research pertaining to its benefits to skin. It is the most potent antioxidant and shows the best results on our skin when applied topically. It is a powerful antioxidant ( means it helps to prevent oxidative stress), boosts collagen production and evens out pigmentation. A win win if you ask me.
Now, vitamin C can be in two forms: its active form and inactive form.

L-Ascorbic Acid – The active form of vitamin C is also known as L-ascorbic acid. It is the most tried and true vitamin C which shows the best results. However, it is not the most stable form of it. It needs to be at a percentage of 8%-20% to work it magic but due to its high ph can cause havoc in our skin and cause irritation. Due to its high ph it can also oxidize and become useless. It is also not the best choice for oily and acne prone skin. If, however, you are determined to use this the 10% is a better one to include in your routine.

Inactive Vitamin C – The inactive Vitamin C are in ester forms. They are more stable and gets activated when you apply it on the skin. They tend to pe*****te skin better and rarely cause irritation.
Some of the best inactive Vitamin C are:

•Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate – It gives the same results as L-Ascorbic acid and it is also good for acne prone skin.

•Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate – It is the most stable ester of Vitamin C. It is poorly absorbed into the skin which make it the best choice for sensitive skin.

•Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate – It is oil soluble which is makes it the best candidate to give you great results as it pe*****tes better and works from within.

•Ascorbyl glucoside – It is a water soluble Vitamin C which is mixed with a sugar, glucose. Once applied on the skin it breaks down into L-Ascorbic which is helping you get the results of its active form minus the irritation.

•Ascorbyl Phosphate – Another water-soluble form of Vitamin C which works wonders on brightening the skin and evening out the dullness.

As a Vitamin C for the last 3+ years I cannot speak enough of this delicious active. This really shows visible results if you know how to combine it in your routine. Most people recommend using Vitamin C in the morning routine paired with you SPF because it gives the maximum protection and works even better. However, as we have brown skin and prone to pigmentation, it is better to use it at night time skin care routine. Combined with Niacinamide it packs quite the punch. Like two best friend they bring the best in each other. Personally, that’s how I’ve been using it and thus far it has shown great results.

A word of caution if you do decide to get on the Vitamin C band wagon. Start slow with ester and a lower percentage. Give your skin the time to adjust to this and slowly go higher. As I always say with skincare, “Consistency is key” and as my most favourite dermatologist Dr. Sam says, “ It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

So, with this where I leave you. Happy skin journey ladies!!

Product Name - CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Ingredient - Titanium dioxide 5.5%, Zinc oxide 10%
Titanium dioxide provides protection from UVB
Zinc oxide provides protection from UVA

My experience using this product

I’ll keep this short and sweet. Because this products deserves all the praise without it being an essay.

I’ve been trying to find a mineral sunscreen which is light weight, not heavy on the skin and also doesn’t have a white cast.

Two weeks ago I got the perfect opportunity to use this product as I was going to be out in the sun the whole day.

To give the sunscreen a fair shot, I applied it after washing and moisturizing my face. It applied beautifully and easily. As it contains a tint there was no white cast. It did however, feel a bit dewy which was handled by applying some powder.

The sunscreen was not heavy at all. Usually mineral sunscreens can feel heavy on the skin but this was so light weight and easy to blend.

Mineral sunscreens are best for sensitive skin and rosacea because they do not cause any irritation, redness or itchiness. And added to that it also provides more protection.So I strongly suggest those who suffer with rosacea or have sensitive skin give this one a shot. As it is tinted it will not leave a white cast on most skin types.

So there you go ladies. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that won’t break the bank and will not make you look cakey or congested, this one is the way to go.

Remember rain, shine or cold,
Sunscreen is the way to go! ☀️ ☂

Product Name – Clinique Moisture Surge

Let’s talk about the MOST popular moisturizer there ever was. The moisturizer that has stood the test of time and perhaps has been used by everyone at one time or another.

Ingredients –
The ingredient list of this product is simple and straight forward. Nothing too complicated, but well-chosen ingredients which helps to soothe and hydrate the skin.

The key ingredients or the ones that stand out for me are aloe vera and hyaluronic acid. Aloe vera as we know are known for its soothing and anti-microbial properties. As for hyaluronic acid, it is known for its ability to provide hydration to the skin.

My experience in using this product

I love this product. This is literally my go to whenever I am not trying out something new. This product does what it says; that is provide hydration.

It has a gel like consistency which glides onto the skin without leaving any tacky feeling. It does not feel heavy at all and sinks onto the skin seamlessly.

Although it is more ideal for people with oily/combination skin, it can be used by people with dry skin because it can provide the moisture that it needs. I usually a need a thicker moisturizer during the winter as my skin seems to get drier, however, I can totally use this during the winter months and my skin feels deeply replenished.
I usually apply this during my nighttime routine and I kid you not when I say I wake up with the softest and glowing skin the next morning.

As it is quite a mild moisturizer, it can be paired with any active which you maybe using. The ingredient list is simple enough not to cancel out any active ingredient or interfere and cause any irritation to the skin. This is another reason why I love this product because of its ability to be used with other active ingredients.

So if you’re on the hunt for a moisturizer for the colder months definitely give this one a go!

Product Name – The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Perhaps the most loved product in The Ordinary arsenal after Niacinamide; the Alpha Arbutin is one power house ingredient to tackle pigmentation.

The great thing about that it is suitable for all skin types and is non irritating.

Let’s talk Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

It is water based; which means it absorbs really fast into the skin and won’t leave a greasy and tacky feeling in the skin. And I know we all love products which have this texture because our weather is so humid, we need products which glides on beautifully.

Alpha arbutin, also called Hydroquinone β-D-glucopyranoside, is a naturally occurring antioxidant and skin brightener that is naturally found in the bearberry plant. It reduces melanin formation, improving the appearance of age spots, freckles, melasma, and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Hydroquinone is seen as the gold standard of skin lightening, but there are concerns surrounding this well-studied tyrosinase inhibitor, such as skin sensitization and rebound pigmentation ( which means once you stop using it the pigmentation comes back) as a result of long-term application. Alpha arbutin is a more tolerable alternative to hydroquinone and is sometimes referred to as “natural hydroquinone.” Alpha arbutin functions similarly to hydroquinone, due to its molecular structure, but with reduced irritation.

Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide together make a team to be reckoned with. Alpha Arbutin calms the melanocytes and Niacinamide brightens the skin and tackles pigmentation. Both of them combined might just be what you need to tackle those pesky and stubborn dark spots.

Review using Niacinamide and Alpha Arbutin

Alpha Arbutin works well for those who are tackling dark circles under their eyes.

I have been using this combination consistently for the almost for the last 6 months for my under eye dark circles and to be honest I have seen lightning of that area.

Let’s be honest dark circles can be genetic so expect no over night miracles. They won’t vanish within a fortnight; however, it will help to reduce the appearance of the existing pigmentation and prevent further pigmentation. If you’re using this combination, it is always best to pace yourself and have realistic expectations.

Product Name – The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide and 1% Zinc

Let’s make for the friend who is an all rounder. She is the one who gets along with everybody, is a team player and makes everyone happy when she leaves. Basically, she is a ray of light ready to lighten up your life; or in this case your skin.

Let’s talk Niancinamide

It has gained quite the popularity in the last few years. Even then I believe it is the ingredient which we still undermine as it is a low key player. Never underestimate the strength of those who sit quietly, sometimes they shine the brightest. Thus is the case for my trusted friend.

Niacinamide goes by the name of B3 or Niacin. It is water soluble and has a ph similar to that of our skin.

It is a wonderful ingredient which hosts a whole range of benefits for our skin. It reduces fine lines, increases elasticity, reduces acne, improves eczema and reduces pigmentation.

It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, ad reduces sebum production. It hydrates the skin and creates a healing environment. It prevents water evaporation from the skin and stimulates collagen.

As it helps with the redness and inflammation of the skin it helps to tackle acne. It also reduces the production of sebum which makes the pores appear smaller.

People who suffer with rosacea can benefit from niacinamide as it is anti-inflammatory. It hydrates the dry skin, reduces the sensitivity of the skin and red bumps on the skin.

For people who suffer with eczema this is the one active which prevents the trans epidermal water loss thus hydrating the skin.
Niacinamide also pairs well with other active ingredients like Vitamin C or Retinol.

Like I said earlier if Niacinamide is a team player and will play well with most skin type and actives. It rarely ever causes irritation of the skin.

So, if you’ve always wanted to start with an active, but have been worried and thinking which Niacinamide is your friend.

My Niacinamide was purchased from Empress_origin

SPF SOS!!

Let’s talk SPF. It is a topic which we all know to be important, however we do forget its importance. It the number one thing which will determine if what we are putting on our face to take care of it is working on it. While we are always ready to try and use newest products which guarantee anti-ageing properties, we are not ready to put on SPF. I am one of these who are guilty of that sin. It can be a bit of a turn off to put on something that heavy on our face because our weather is very humid, but it is the one thing which I accepted and started to love as a part of my skincare routine.

Now what does SPF mean? It stand for Sun Protection Factor. It is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. When choosing a sunscreen, it is important to check if its Broad Spectrum which means it will provide UVA and UVB protection. UVA refers to the factor which protects against aging and UVB refers to the burn factor. As UVB rays pe*****tes deeper into our skin always look for sunscreen which offers protection for both. As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.

Sunscreen can be both chemical or physical. The chemical sunscreen are more cosmetically elegant and does not leave a white cast unlike physical sunscreen which has a white cast. When choosing a sunscreen, it is important to check if its Broad Spectrum which means it will provide UVA and UVB protection.

Why do we need sunscreen?

We need it because although the sun provides us with light and let’s face it when sunlight hits anything it just makes it look magical. However, when it comes to our skin, it is not our friend. Sun damage can cause pigmentation, sun spots, cancer and cause our skin to age prematurely. Any dermatologist will always recommend sunblock because it THE KEY to protect our skin. You may say that it is all the serums, treatments and moisturizers you’re using. But I’ll tell you this: all the hard-earned money and the time we spend finding just the right product our face it will not be worth it unless you are protecting your face from sun damage. If you want your money’s worth then make sunscreen your friend. Make it as important as your serums, exfoliants and moisturizer. Ponder this: if you are exfoliant your skin; it means you have taken the top layer off. Do you really then want it to be exposed without any protection? No, so, go get that sunscreen and your skin will love you for it.

How to pick a sunscreen?

Usually, we go for sunscreen with higher SPF thinking the higher the number it is the better and more protection. However, that is a myth. A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays. So, there you go SPF will be your best bet.

Not all sunscreen are made equal so usually you have to test out a few to see which one you like wearing. If you find that then it becomes easier to wear it every day.

I have listed down some sunscreens below which I love. I prefer a mineral based sunscreen as they offer the most protection.

Product Name – Tatcha The Water Cream

Winter months are full of hot chocolates and coffee. Of times spent under the sunlight with a shawl wrapped around oneself. It is the time when things are done at a more leisurely pace and fast paced life takes a more back seat to give way to cosy evenings and picnics.

Winter also brings with itself dry skin. It is the time when skin looks dull and feels tight. This is when skin the most care and love. Gel creams give away to thick, decadent moisturisers and this is a time when we can truly give our skin the rich moisture it deserves.
During the winter I find my summer oily skin become more on the dry side. This is the time when I can truly use something more luxurious for my skin.

Last year I was on a quest to find a new moisturizer for myself. As my skin in usual drier during winter I was eager and excited to try some of the more thick moistrurisers which at any other time I wouldn’t be able to try out.

The Tatcha Water Cream was on top of my list to try out. Having used their Vitamin C, I was very excited for this. The packaging is beautiful and elegant and would grace and vanity and make you want to look at it forever.

Ingredients –

As we know Japanese skin care is possibly one of the most innovative industry there is. They believe in using a lot of natural ingredients which are plant derived. They believe in using a school of ingredients which has stood the test of time.

The ingredients in this product are decadent to say the least. The key ingredients are –

Japanese Wild Rose which is said to bring the body back to balance.

Japanese Leopard Lily is another prized ingredient which is used to control oil production and promote turn over of skin.

Hadasei 3 Complex is rich in antioxidants one of which being Green Tea which we know prevents premature aging.

The standout ingredient for me is the Houttuynia Cordata. It is a very up and coming ingredient which is found in many Korean and Japanese skin care. Research has shown that is it a great humectant along with being anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

This water cream is also oil free and non – comedogenic which makes it perfect for us oily skin gals.

My experience in using this product

This is perhaps one of THE BEST mositurisers I have ever used. As soon as it applies to the skin it pops and makes the skin glisten without looking greasy. It gives this beautiful shine to the skin and instantly give a glow. It leaves the skin soft to touch and leaves a beautiful and smooth finish.

At first, I tried out the travel size and having finished it fairly quickly I got the usual size. Truth be told, I loved the product so much that it lasted me only two months. I usually love doing my night time routine, but this product made me almost made me feel as excited as reading my favourite book. I looked forward to this every night.

The morning after using the product makes my skin glow and soft to touch. It bring beautiful and fresh skin to the surface.

This cream would make me smile whenever I passed by it. If that doesn’t say I love you then I don’t know what does. All I have to say that if you’ve ever wondered about Tatcha’s products and wondered which to buy; well look no further then Tatcha Water Cream.

Moisturizing 101
An effective skin care routine must have something which restores moisture back into the skin after cleansing and exfoliation.

Ceramides play a big role in helping to build our skin barrier. Ceramides are a class of fatty acids called lipids. They’re naturally found in skin cells and make up about 50 percent of the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Ceramides are made up of long-chain fatty acids that link with other important molecules to promote cellular function.

Ceramides help create a barrier to prevent permeability. This locks moisture into your skin, which helps prevent dryness and irritation. It may also help protect your epidermis from environmental damage.

These benefits may have anti-aging effects. Fine lines and wrinkles are often more noticeable when skin is dry. Locking in moisture may minimize their appearance. Thus, a moisturizer plays a key role in helping us prevent aging, water loss and protecting our skin.
Even the most minimal skin care routine must have a moisturizer which helps restore the balance and lock in moisture.

Below are some of my favourite moisturizers. My skin is oily/combination and thus according to the season I change them out.
I have also recommended some moisturizers which may suit dry skin.

**Suggestions for buying moisturizer for your skin type**

For oily skin – A gel and light weight moisturizer works the best. As the skin naturally produces sebum and light moisturizer doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin and the skin the protection and hydration it needs without looking too greasy.

For dry skin – A thick moisturizer works better for dry and dehydrated skin. As the skin naturally loses moisturizer; a moisturizer with ingredients such a shea butter works wonderfully to keep the skin hydrated and prevent water loss.

Product Name – Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

The 2% BHA liquid exfoliant is a cult favourite. Known for its anti-oxidants and skin soothing properties it a must have for many. One of their best sellers on the website this exfoliant really does hold up to its name.

The main job of this product is to unclog pores and even out skin tone. It is the perfect accompaniment for those with oily/acne prone skin. BHA is an exfoliant which is oil soluble, which means it goes deeper into the skin and does a great job of extracting the build up of oil in our pores.

Ingredients –
The ingredient list of this product is fairly simple. The key ingredients are:
BHA which is known as Salicylic Acid minimizes and clears the appearance of enlarged pores, helps to shed built-up layers of skin.

Green Tea which is very gentle and it soothes the skin from any irritation and protects against sun damage.

This product is also NAFE safe which means it has no alcohol, no fragrance and no essential oil.

My experience in using this product

Chemical exfoliants has always been something I’ve been quite hesitant to use as I was worried about causing breakout or drying out my skin. However, what intrigued me about this product was that it claimed to help with blackheads. Blackheads form when a hair follicle in the skin becomes clogged or plugged. Dead skin cells and excess oil collect in the follicle's opening, which produces a bump. If the skin over the bump opens, the air exposure causes the plug to oxidize thus a blackhead.

For years I’ve tried to find a solution to this problem and my dedicated quite a large chunk of my time in trying to find a product. All those products which touted to this claim alas didn’t deliver the desired result. As I have used other products from this line, I know that what they claim they do so with conviction. So, I was all to ready to give this a go.

I’ve used this product consistently for the last 4 months. I use this twice weekly at night on my whole face after cleansing. During the weekdays I would apply this just on my nose where I have the blackheads. Not only did it slough off dead skin it didn’t cause and breakout or irritation. And hallelujah! My blackheads has lessened in looks and doesn’t appear as dark as before.

This product is worth every penny it costs. It holds up true to its name and exfoliates the skin beautifully without any additional damage. So, if you have oily acne prone skin or blackheads try this out. It won’t disappoint. Trust me!

This was purched from The Beauty Mall