My encounter with Sky Fruit (向天果)

This was one of the more traditional "supplements" that I was consuming when I had my acne episode earlier this year. At the same time that I started Acne.org, a family friend recommended that I try this "miracle seed" that she had her maid try when the maid had skin problems.

Well, I was skeptical at first. Two seeds per day and my acne will be gone? Tipu (lying) la. Where got so powerful wan? Admittedly around that time I kinda lost heart about all these consumed pills and what-nots already after my previous experience with antibiotics and stuff from my dermatologist in Ipoh (read here).

So my lovely daddy got one coconut-like ball of the "fruit" from the family, processed it for me and put all the seeds into a container specially reserved for me.

Yup, all that for me. And it's not the only container that I got! Daddy was very enthusiastic about these seeds and went to get so much more for me that when I stopped consuming the seeds I had about two huge containers left :/

It was only yesterday that after I went with the sistah and mummy to visit the family friend again and her making such a fuss over my healed and kononnya glowing skin that I went to google the Chinese name, "向天果". It's English name is called Sky Fruit and it has SO MANY medicinal benefits!

Lowers cholesterol, good for glucose levels, anti-carcinogen (cancer), good for sperms, heals asthma, promotes healthy blood circulation, anti-inflammatory, reduces risk of heart disease, and only a minor part about skin problems, and it worked so well for me!

Guess what? I'm back to consuming the seeds already *grin

So here's how you consume the "seeds" or fruit:

Take 2 seeds every morning (some links recommend a couple every morning, noon and night but I only took it once a day) and prepare some water handy. Trust me, you need it handy!

Make a clean break through the middle of the seed and pop out the white seed. 

Now you have 2 seeds in your hands. The shell breaks easily and cleanly. 

Smash it into little pieces, pop them into your mouth, grab water, and swallow!

Try not to drag out the process because it is really really bitter. If you're feeling brave, chew the seeds instead of breaking them beforehand. I DARE YOU.

Cheers!

Showing off my skin <3

PhD in Skin Science

This is a story of my experience with dermatologists. Or more specifically, A dermatologist.

Happened about two years ago. Now don't get me wrong, dermatologists ARE effective, as far as my experience went, but you have to be consistent and cooperative to maintain your complexion.

Alright, my skin doctor was in Ipoh, one of my best friend's brother was seeing him so when I was at her house visiting she and her mum recommended me to see the doctor. I was like, ooo-kay-lah, since I was kind of desperate then already :/ (still don't know whether to laugh at myself cynically or move on already)

The dermatologist I went to, Dr Lim at Ipoh Garden South

The place is quite near to the Jusco at Kinta, where everybody used to hang out every weekend and bump into each other a few times per day because the place was so small. I think the same is still happening right now? Thank God we moved to KL :D :D :D

So the first time I went I was looked keenly over by Dr Lim with a hand tool that looks like a fly trap with the hypnotizing lights, but don't worry you don't have to look into the lights she just uses the tool to inspect your skin in detail ;) After that I was sent out again to wait for her prescription. There are always plenty of patients waiting patiently during the weekends, so after that when I went back to see her it was on weekdays, or else you'd be waiting for at least half an hour up to an hour. Seems like plenty of people were like me!

Her prescription: (prices are vague, I'm spouting from 2-year-memory)

a cleanser (RM100)

benzoyl peroxide 5%, although not in Benzac form, they provide it in
little round medicine containers (RM15-30?)

Acne treatment gel for night use, I still have this brand-new
tube as I didn't finish her course (Rm30+?)

The instructions were: use cleanser + benzoyl peroxide in the daytime and cleanser + acne treatment gel at night. my first thoughts were "what? NO toner??!!" but now I'm pretty used to it and have never turned back to using toners ever since, even after stopping her prescription course.

doxycycline (used to be green)

doxycycline (mine was in green)

 As for the doxy, I had to take it 3 times a day after meals. Doxycycline is considered an antibiotic, so it isn't advisable to take it for more than 6 months. I was on it for 8 months.

Diane 35

Diane35 is a contraceptive and can be used for my skin problem, targeting the hormones to balance it out. I was extremely hesitant to use it, so I decided to buy one box and Google it at home. After a horrifying research of its side effects i decided not to take it (you can always Google it yourself).

My first bill came up to RM300, including a first-time consultant fee. I would say that it is relatively reasonable? Consequent visits were always around RM80 as the cleanser can be used for a long, long time.

So what happened? My skin peeled, got so fragile that walking against the wind was extremely harsh and sensitive to the face, and it magically cleared up within a couple of months. The cleanser is extremely drying on the skin, so, BE WARNED.

It was Chinese New Year. My store of products was drying up (at that time I was unaware that doxy is sold at pharmacies, and that the benzoyl peroxide IS Benzac) but the Chinese New Year holidays meant that the skin clinic was closed. What happened was devastating, the acne came back with a force and after the week I hurried back to Ipoh to buy my Doxy and Benzoyl peroxide but it was too late already.

I was put back on the prescription but somehow my skin never cleared up and remained the same, so after another half a year, I stopped the Doxy and went back to my desperate quest of having clear skin, which only worked when I started acne.org, which was a year later :/ (read up here to find out how)

SO right now I'm happily enjoying my clear skin, I hope to update you guys about trying new products (I'm currently using a facial brush similar to Clarisonic's Mia and Hada Labo).

Cheers!

At an openrice event the other day :)

Review of Skincerity

Alright I'll just tell you up front. Skincerity is under Nucerity, what I and alot of people call a "MLM" (multi-level marketing) company.

I'm NOT a member of Nucerity though, so I will be blogging this review unbiased and with no motive.

I got this product through my uncle, who is also NOT a member but he was asking around for products that could help my skin as he knew that I was having problems. (What a sweet uncle T.T I'm so blessed)

So he got this product from a friend who was a member and claimed that this helped his bad skin turn about from worse than mine to quite alright now. When he FB messaged me to tell me about Skincerity I think he didn't know the product well enough also, he said that it was "some magic thing lah" lol.

So anyways I got this product from him on the 19th of April when I did my Senior Project presentation and took some pictures of my skin on the 19th of May, a bit more than a week ago.

before, with makeup but absolutely no foundation

Before (19th April 2013)

After one month, with absolutely no makeup x.x

After, close-up (19th May 2013)

I guess the acne-scars ARE lightened somewhat? Loverboy mentioned that my skin became smoother already, and it couldn't be because of Acne.org (read about it here) because Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5 doesn't smoothen the skin. Hey, the magic worked then! Please work faster >.<

How does it work then? Well, as the box said it was a "nightly breathable masque", so you just roll it all over your face before you sleep. The product comes in a deodorant shaped glass bottle, just use it like a deodorant! Except that you don't use it on your armpits okay lol. It rolls on transparent colored like a peeling mask, and you either wipe it off with the special cloth given with the box, or wash it away with your cleanser. I prefer to attack wipe at it with the cloth first and then cleanse my face with the normal routine (which is kinda ironic because The Regimen under Acne.org doesn't recommend touching your skin too much due to irritation)

Oh but remember not to breathe when you apply because it freaking stinks. I still cough and gasp and run around sucking fresh air every night I apply it ahaha!

Ingredients

As you can see there's Acetone in it as the main ingredient which is also what we use to rub off nail polish. However, people who are "for" this product claims that it is a different Acetone which is not harsh on skin and only used to make the mask dry speedily. Sure enough, that's what I smell every night when I apply. I don't like the fact that they use fragrance in this product though, because it's supposingly bad.

Instructions

Another pros of this product is that you can use it over any product and any regimen that you're currently using, as it is a breathable mask, meaning that it'll make your products more effective while at the same time improving your skin. Good anot?

Pros:
-Works!
-lightens scars
-smoothens skin
-partners with any other product/regimen that you use
-can use for quite some time (already 5 weeks, I think it can last up to 2 months)

Cons:
-stinks
-expensive (around RM300 I think, not sure about that)
-hard to get (comment or FB message me if you want it, I'll ask my uncle)
-little pieces stick to your hair after you wash it off (just me being petty)
-Uses fragrance

SO? Do you think that it's good? I think for a lot of us, price is a big deal and this product IS a little of the expensive side. However, don't just listen to me; go and research about it and then only decide whether you need this product.

My concern is only with acne scars though, I have read some reviews claiming that it works on wrinkles as well, so it's anti-aging apparently too.

That's it, folks!
Cheers :)

Skin Estheticians

This is NOT an advertorial:

Before blogging about this I googled "skin dermatologists" and "beauticians" and "facials". Can't help it. Comes with the package of being a student--used to doing research hehe.

So what I found was that the term "dermatologist" was referring to a person whose specialty is in skin health and disease, BUT with "medical" and "surgical" aspects.

the one who does your botox is
a dermatologist

Those who we meet at beauty parlors are actually "estheticians", or "beauticians", who do facials, hair and nails and everything on the surface.

the one who does facials are estheticians,
coincidentally mine looks a little like her

Well, I've met both. However, I'll be talking about the estheticians here.

When my skin was acting up a couple of years ago, I went to a facial parlor, Serene Aesthetics for facials. The first time I went there I was duped la of course, not used to the estheticians there who will basically bully those with no willpower (me) and too young to know better (me).

I bought a package costing me RM800 -.-
which included:
-cleansing products (cleaner, toner, moisturizer; they use Soskin products)

Ahem this is not mine la. I used up mine long time ago, It was also under the soothing range with cucumber
extract, and it was transparent bottles, but they smelt seriously good.

Used this cleanser

and this toner

-6 facials (3 each for two different kinds of facials)
-6 eye treatments
-6 neck massages
-and a lucky draw thrown in free

All in all it was worth it, another esthetician who was looking through my details when I went back a year later for the third facial opened her eyes slightly bigger and told me a little begrudgingly that I got quite a good deal.

You know, with the tone that your boss gives when she/he underestimated you but you give her/him, a great pitch and she/he goes, "Not bad, huh."

I hate facials.
My pain tolerance level is like 36.75% so everytime the exfoliation moment comes I cringe and sweat and tear a little until it's over. sigh.

BUT it is good. It clears out your skin so you won't have any dirty residue left over.
However, I have to emphasize over here that the good old facials did NOT clear out my skin.

theyr originally don't allow for pictures but I curi-curi take this one
when the esthetician was out! ahaha

 The first couple of times I went did not help my skin even though I switched to their products and was doing everything they told me to. The last time in 2012 that I went back, the esthetician "persuaded" me to buy a facial costing RM238 (I had a RM100 discount for my birthday) and the aftermaths was the worst ever that I encountered. My skin was super splotchy and a little bit swollen and it looked like it had internal bleeding so I didn't go back until this year when my skin cleared. Currently, I'm finishing the last of my facial package.

The one thing that I dislike about facials is the fact that they bully you into buying their packages.

E: "Buy our package it has A, B, C, D, and E worth RM 1200 but we're giving you a discount you pay us RM750 only."

 Me: "....Can I go home and think about it?"

E: "It's only available today, decide now la"

Me: "...I'm not so sure about it..."

E: "That's fine, you can just deposit some money and we'll keep the package for you!"

Me: "(more firmly) I don't think I will buy the package"

E: "then how about this product? I think it's very suitable for your skin"

You see what I'm getting on about? At the end I switched the topic to talk about when's my next appointment and shot off like a terrified rabbit, thinking about the fact that I shouldn't be feeling this way as I'm paying them money. sigh.

"I will tell them firmly next time that I do not want to buy anything"

And the next time I go it ends up the same. Don't bully people who don't want to buy your things la people!
Cheers,

Acne.org

THIS BLOG POST IS NOT AN ADVERTORIAL

This is one of the products/ways I've used that worked on my skin.

I was introduced to Acne.org products by my boyfriend's mother, who saw that i was having trouble with my skin (understatement of the century), so when she went to Singapore to visit a relative, she saw that her niece was using it as well and promptly bought a set from her. So that's how i got a set (includes a cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer).

The Cleanser, Treatment and Moisturizer all comes in
this huge size (472ml)

 As a get-to-know-it-better, Acne.org is sort of a website frequented by a community of people who experienced skin problems (acne, duhh) and solved it using products recommended by the guy who introduced it, Dan (still not sure whether it's his real name or pseudonym).

In it, you can find information like "what is acne", "how to treat acne", what kinds of products are safe to use for acne skin, as well as true-life testimonies by people who have cleared up their skin following the advice from this website.

Now, people-one of the most important feature (this is what I think lah) of this website is THE REGIMEN (pause for applause and fanfare). What does it teach? Well, basic information like how to cleanse your face properly using the proper methods (nope, doesn't waste a dime of your money), how long should you wash your face for (the answer: TEN seconds) and the fact that you should barely touch your face (yep, even when washing it).

This is an example of their video showing The Regimen:

Please refer to my previous post, "How I killed my Acne", for the before and after photos (you have been warned). In my opinion, I really think that the Acne.org products majorly helped my skin. 

Pros:
-it WORKS!
-3 simple steps (no need for serum, pre-this and post-that extra products)
-huge size

Cons:
-costly and hard to get in Malaysia
 (Amazon.com is selling it for $38.44, but I have heard that they don't ship it to Malaysia)
-dries out the skin (so make sure you PILE on the moisturizer)

You have to be patient when going through the skin peeling period, and just trust that it IS going to work!

Now, in the event that you can't get the products, there is a list on the website for products that have also helped the community on the webpage to clear their skin.

Mainly look for products with BENZOYL PEROXIDE 2.5 (not 5, not 10, TWO POINT FIVE) as it is not too irritating for the skin. For me I got the Benzac 2.5 from Caring pharmacy (try looking for it at Guardian, Watsons, and Alpha), the places usually have limited stock. It retails for RM 29.90 (60g). Anyone having difficulties, do let me know. I still have one brand new tube :)

look for this!

Next post will be on the topic of skin dermatologists in Malaysia.
Cheers!

UPDATE (10th January, 2017): Orders for acne.org are still going strong :) Two pre-order deadlines each month, with plans to increase if there are further orders. Do email me at ww.missailing@gmail.com or wechat at evelynngui91. Cheers!

How I killed my Acne

Hello, hello!

First of all, gommenasai and jwei sung ham ni da!
Haven't been blogging much these few months, but I DO have a valid reason! Just finished my final semester in University, and with that i mean my Senior Project (or FYP as most of you know it)-it was a hassle trying to finish the report, survey, and presentation all on time, THANK GOD it's finally over now, so I can relax like a boss. What's left now is just an internship in August! *dancing around in joy

Oh well, I digress. So well about what I'm going to blog about today: my skin problems that i have been having for a couple of years, namely my ACNE (uuurgh don't you just hate those four letters). I will be posting a series of blog posts about what WORKS for my skin and what DOESN'T WORK.

What makes me qualified? Well as I deprived myself of so much money and time and I SURVIVED, I guess I am qualified, so just TRUST me laaaa.

Here are a series of photos from December last year until right now in April 2013:
Note that in all my pictures I didn't use any foundation as I was afraid of aggravating my skin.
(prepare to be disgusted, you have been warned)

Last December (2012) at a friend's birthday-notice my skin,
this wasn't considered REALLY BAD then

In December as well later on

Beginning of the year in January! Attended a Nuffnang event,
(i know i can't believe I left the house looking like this too,
I guess I'm just brave lol) look at the condition of my skin!!

Feb 2013: Don't know how i can smile so bright -.-
It got worse around this period, just IMAGINE going through
Chinese New Year with this skin

Feb 2013 as well, right smack during Chinese New Year,
a depressing and devastating period, i think i will blog about it too XD

After switching to American product Acne.org, skin peeling period,
this was taken end of March

The beginning of April! You can see here (if you can, the picture is a bit dark)
that my skin was smooth already, what was left was red marks only

Last Friday! 19th of April, skin improving at leaps and bounds,
Happy sial

SO? What do you think?
Can i just say that I'm so happy right now, hehehe, you don't know how good skin gives you confidence until you actually experience really bad skin. And those who tell me that "Happy skin reflects a Happy you" or whatever like that sort, I can just tell you that's it's a load of BS and insulting for us who had bad skin: are you telling me that I was unhappy all the time so I got bad skin?

OKOK, i knowwww, time to let go and all that. However I have a lot to say about issues like that, so I'll leave it for future posts! hahaha.

CHEERS!

Oh and i did teeth scaling too, can you see a difference?