10/1/11 - 11/1/11 - Shen's Addiction

For the past few months, I've been having pimples around the mouth area and it's been making me crazy ever since. It's been a problem for me since Day 1 and I can't help but feel vulnerable against the acne attack.

I went to my dermatologist at Skinnovation for KI shots (steroid shots for acne to reduce swelling and speed up healing), she told me that I might be dealing with Peri-oral Contact Dermatitis (Acne and rashes around mouth and chin area). She recommended that I use a gentler toothpaste for the meantime. To check if my current fave toothpaste might be the reason for the breakouts.

I didn't tell her I smoke which I think is one of the major reason for the acne invasion (although I think it's quite obvious that I should stop that either.).

When I asked her what toothpaste I should purchase, she told me about VMV's Simple-Gentle Skin Saving Toothpaste. So off I went and bought myself one at VMV Hypoallergenics boutique at Bonifacio High Street.

The Simple-Gentle Skin Saving Toothpaste is not your regular toothpaste. It has no minty flavor at all. To be honest, it sort of taste like Nestle Cream! It has a cream texture. At first I had trouble with the "no minty feel" because it makes me think I didn't brush my teeth at all. But I had to come to terms with it if only to ease my Peri-oral Contact Dermatitis.

I didn't really think it was possible but with the first few days I was using this, my acne has sufficiently lessened! And currently, I only have a bump or two around the chin area!

The concern I have was if I was really getting my teeth cleaned. So what I do about brushing my teeth? I touch my teeth and feel if it's quite squeaky and smooth. Good thing it is. But it definitely took a while before I got used to the taste of this toothpaste.

I love that this toothpaste only have a few ingredients. It really assures me that it is safe for the skin.

I didn't realize until I got acquainted with this brand that Halogens, Fluorides or Dyes can cause acne and can really cause damage to the skin. Sigh... Unfortunately, many girls like me suffer from this. It's a good thing that there's VMV to help me out with this problem.

Pam of VMV showed me that they have another variant of VMV Simple Gentle Skin-Saving toothpaste for those who want the minty aftertaste, the Skin-Sensitive Fine Fresh Toothpaste with natural peppermint. I've been using this every morning to rid of my AM breathe and to have that fresh feel in my mouth.

The minty feel is very subtle and it lathers really well. It also cleans my teeth same as their other variant. If I'm in the mood for that familiar taste of a regular toothpaste, this one does the job. It's not too strong nor too much.

Although this can never replace the overall feel of regular toothpaste, I'm glad there is a option for us who are constantly hounded by Peri-oral Contact Dermatitis.

If your skin is a lot more prone to Peri-Oral Contact Dermatitis, choose the Simple-Gentle Skin Saving Toothpaste. But if you just want to maintain your skin free from pimples, then the Skin Sensitive Fine Fresh Toothpaste with Natural Peppermint is a nice choice.

To be honest, I still use my regular toothpaste but not as often as I use to. I pretty much still love how it freshens my breathe but since my skin is too sensitive, I'm glad I have VMV to thank for creating toothpaste that heals and targets my acne problems.

So if you're like me, suffering from acne around the chin and mouth area, consider getting a gentler toothpaste. It might be the cause. Better yet, visit your dermatologist so she can help you with your acne problem.

Other things to consider if you have acne around chin and mouth area:

1. Eating too much spicy foods.
2. Cuddling with your pets.
3. Bacteria's from your cellphone (especially if your pimples are on the sides of your face)
4. Change your bedding and change your detergent to a milder one.
5. Wash your face with gentler facial soap or cleanser.
6. After brushing your teeth, wash your mouth area (where toothpaste foam have come in contact with) with facial cleanser to wash off toothpaste residue.
7. Limit your regimen to a simplier one and avoid using serums for the meantime.
8. Avoid unnecessary touching your face or resting your hands on your chin (your unsanitized hands might be causing the breakout.
9. Ask the BF to shave his beard or use a gentler facial soap.
10. Avoid making "beso" for the meantime until you've tamed down your acne.

Right now, I'm pretty pleased that I have won the battle with my Peri-oral Contact Dermatitis. But living a life free from acne is too far-fetched for me. I know that it's a permanent deal that I will have acne for the rest of my life. I'm quite lucky though, that I have many products, treatments and procedures to help me out with this battle.

Hope this post helped you out! If you have any questions, just feel free to ask me through the comment box below! :)

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When I attended the Read The Label event by the Pinoy brand, Human Nature, I was so excited. I've heard really good things from the brand and some of the products I've tried have impressed me. But what I was really curious of was their New Mineral Makeup Line. Human Nature prides themselves by using ingredients that are safe for the skin and for the environment.

Like most people, I find myself wondering if I could really convert to "good" makeup. I am not a tree-hugger, I love city lifestyle and all its conveniences. Like I said many times over, I appreciate the wonders of chemistry. But if there is a way I can enjoy a makeup sans the bad ingredients, then who am I to say no, right?

Human Nature Mineral Makeup line enticed me because their makeup comes in traditional forms. I made a review of their latest eyeshadow palette and I shared there how pleased I am that they provide a pressed palette. Mineral makeup have become a fad but what we didn't know is that some mineral makeup company do not test all their ingredients. I've recently found out the mineral oil, given that it is mineral (so it's natural) was never actually tested by any cosmetic company nor the regulations board of any country. I'm not sure exactly why. But apparently, mineral oil can cause bad skin reactions.

Human Nature made sure that every ingredient in their product are safe. To a point that it can even touch a baby's skin.

As you can see, the description says that this mineral blush is 100% No Harmful Chemicals. No chemical preservatives, parabens, mineral oil, articifial dyes or other toxic substance. Human Nature makes one think how serious we really are with what we use on our face. Do we really want the best for it or we want to just enjoy the immediate perks of cosmetics?

Right off the bat, I wasn't all too happy with the pigmentation when I swatched it. The texture is a little bit chalky. But do I hate it? No, I don't. With a nice synthetic brush, I use my Henri Calayag face brush, the color immediately transfer on to the cheeks. And contrary to the swatching, it is pigmented enough.

I've used this on several occasions and it gives a really nice flush. Very au naturelle. With my fair to medium skintone, it appears as if I do have as the name suggests, Rosy Cheeks. With the brush, the powder isn't chalky at all. It even have a nice clean scent to it.

By and by, I am okay with the Human Nature Mineral Blush in Rosy Cheeks. It's probably one of the safest makeup out there in the market and quality wasn't too compromised. Yes, I am pretty shocked to find this out myself. You know me as the girl who tried different types of makeup and I am used to products that are really pigmented and easy to work with. I'm glad that this mineral blush doesn't disappoint.

Many women like me (who are addicted to makeup), wants a product that delivers more than it's packaging or the price. Happy to say that Human Nature Mineral Blush is a good alternative.

What I love about Human Nature Mineral Blush:

It's Mineral Makeup!
It's pressed means no mess!
Provides a really natural looking flushed cheeks
Affordable at Php225
100% No harmful ingredients!
Safe for the most sensitive skin
Lightweight feel
Comes in 4 shades that really compliments Filipina/Asian skintone (3 mattes and 1 with shimmer)
Proudly made in the Philippines!!
Product will last awhile
There is stamp at the back of the blush palette that shows the expiry date.

What I don't:

Pigmentation is sheer (you need to apply more product if you want your cheeks to pop)
This is really just for achieving a natural makeup look.
Staying power is about 2 to 3 hours (with how oily my skin is. But I'm sure those with dry to normal skin would enjoy more hours.)

How to get the most out of your Human Nature Mineral Blush:

Use a synthetic brush as it grabs more color and transfer them all to your cheeks so you don't need to work too much on building the color.

I love the Rosy Cheeks shade since it similar to how I naturally blush. It's also matte so it doesn't enhance my skin's oiliness.

Human Nature Mineral Blush in Rosy Cheeks

Overall, I like this blush but I don't think I'd be a convert just yet. I still love my traditional cosmetics and would continue using it. Maybe when epiphany or motherhood hits me, I'd be more conscious with using safer cosmetics. Until then, I'm glad this one is in my stash. This would have a place in my makeup kit since the packaging makes it travel-friendly.

They also launched their Read The Label app on Iphone, which is dictionary of ingredients that tells you whethere an ingredient is safe or not. Check the labels before you purchase makeup to ensure that whatever touches your skin is indeed safe. Download app here or just type Read The Label on the Search tab of your Apple App Store.

How about you? Are you thinking of switching to safer makeup? Are you conscious with what's in your cosmetics?

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Got questions? Contact me here.

You can purchase Human Nature Mineral Blush at their website, click here.

To know more about the brand, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/humanheartnature.

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