I woke up today with a not-so-good mood. I feel like a lot in the universe is just not going right today it sucks. I felt I want to be fierce, let nobody get in my way today, or else I'll eat it. I was looking for something to perk me up in the bath, then I thought of having a Moroccan argan oil skin treat: TBS' (The Body Shop) Spa Wisdom Morocco Black Olive & Argan Oil Scrub.

At first, I remember how bad or maybe, strong it smells, really. But then again, I told myself, why not? This is what I actually needed now. I took the tub and scrubbed away my bad mood. Affterwards, I felt fearless.



This body scrub is not your typical sweet-smelling scrub. If it's the first time you're going to smell it, you'll feel like you're going to have a headache, really. Imagine, I went to work with it's smell still lingering on my skin, I can still sniff it in two hours, haha! For some reason this is just one of those days I appreciate strong scents like this that reminds me that I am a strong woman, and that I can handle and overcome just about anything, even if the world is turning upside-down.

A Backgrounder On The Moroccan Argan Oil

It's just today that I have learned the reason why it smells that bad is because of the argan oil, an exotic oil produced from the argan tree fruit (nut) in Morocco. It is its natural smell. Back in the old days, or until now actually, goats there eat the fruit of the argan tree, it's their favorite. Remember the old Filipino saying, amoy kambing (smells like a goat)? I don't know if there's any significance. But I really think that is the reason why this argan oil has this rancid smell.

The Berber people (indigenous tribe in Morocco) use the Moroccan argan oil for food and cosmetics, since it is long been known and proven to have natural anti-aging properties. Ooh-la-la! Now that's the good part. It's all in the name of beauty. Calling out on all adventurous kikays out there!

This facial mask sits in my toiletries basket for a while now, but it's only recently when I truly have discovered its magic. I had a couple freaking ugly pimples two weeks ago all over my face, sort of like on the forehead, in front of my right cheek just under the eyes, and then a large one on the right part of the chin. Disgusting, really, and to make things worse, I did something really, really wrong. Himalaya mud mask was the only one that saved my face.

Here's what happened. One awful day,  I noticed that my current Neutrogena facial wash is out already, I resorted to use my travel pack korean-branded (Etude House) peeling wash. Peeling!  And the fact that I just put some acne gel on it like a couple of times! The last thing I want to do is make the skin more sensitive when I have pimples, especially when it's under acne treatment (using my acne gel) but maybe I just wasn't myself that very moment.

You can imagine, my face swollen, literally swollen on the parts where I've got pimples. And I go to work, looking like  a monster, thinking when will this suffering end. Bad, so bad. I realized I dont need to put anything on my face until it heals, but the pimple areas been peeled pretty badly.

Good thing I tried using this mud pack. I was thinking, I wasn't going to wash my face anytime soon, meaning using any kind of facial wash, because I was sort of in a kind of trauma, but let me just try this mask. And I was surprised, because it's so gentle, I didn't wait 10-15 minutes as it instructed me to do, but just after 5-or-so minutes, I washed it and it gave me a clean feeling.  It is so mild you feel it, especially after using it, you'll definitely look prettier, ehem. After several uses for one week now, I felt good and I realized I would use this as my facial wash everyday. Now my face is back.

I didn't believe in it when I first bought it, having used it like once every two weeks only, I didn't see its power. Maybe because it is very cheap, about php 200 or so for I think 150 ml. But now I do definitely! And I must rejoice that it's so cheap. And it's organic, made from natural mud, so it's naturally safe, and chemical-free. Ayurvedic herbals rock!

To see more info about the Himalaya Herbals, go here: http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/. It is available through all Watsons in SM departments stores. They also distribute their products in all over Asia and worldwide.

We want to be beautiful and we want to make sure we are safe from harmful chemicals that are present in almost all of the beauty products that are out there in the market everywhere. Now how safe is your beauty product?

In my recent addiction for organic beauty products, I learned that not all organic products are safe as they claim to be, and that we should be wise in buying. Some will put special oils, saying product is made of organic ingredients, but still has large amounts of harmful chemicals on it. See the list below I gathered from my research to check which products to avoid purchasing, or to use minimally. I have the complete list now, I hope, whereas before, I just remember paraben, and when there is paraben, I'll be reluctant to purchase a product.

The List

1. Parabens - tagged as the bad-ass of all harmful chemicals found on cosmetics/beauty products. This is an ingredient used as preservatives for moisturizers and lotions. Shampoos also contain parabens.

2. Petrochemicals - Suspected carcinogens are in food colors FD&C pigments which are pretty common I noticed, said to be made from coal tar.

3.  Phthalates - has Dibutylphthalate and diethylphthalate (DBP, DEP, also butyl ester) helps lotion absorbed into the skin faster.

4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) - found in shampoos. This is a known carcinogen and causes allergic reactions and contact dermatitis, headaches, etc.

5. Glycols - There types of glycols that are not proven harmful. The only types we need to avoid are: ethylene glycol, carbitol, and diethylene glycol --  these are used as moisturizers.

6. Formaldehyde - Formaline, we know this isn't good. See also Diazolidinyl Urea or Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, which is a  formaldehyde releaser. We don't want to be fooled so be familiar with these as well: diazolidinyl urea (or 3-diol diazolidinyl urea) 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1 (or bronopol) DMDM hydantoin. These can either be found in nail polishes, shampoos, including baby shampoos, or liquid body soaps.

7. Oxybenzone - photo carcinogen. It comes from benzophenone, known to attack DNA when illuminated. Usually found in sunscreens. It can penetrate and photosensitize the skin. (What?)

8. Cosmetic Fragrances and synthetic fragrances used in perfumes.

Yes, we can control the amount of chemicals we consume, and yes, we can find real organic stuff  to be our new bestfriends, just be aware of the above, some contain very little amounts.

Well, there you go. I've yet to check my beauty kit at home whether they contain these. For one, I know my TBS (The Body Shop) body butter has paraben, oops! I know!



But I will not throw this away, no. Will just use it once in a while. It's a spa body butter, so whenever I do deep scrubbing, that's the only time I would need some deep moisturizing. Also, I know that a couple of my korean-branded beauty stuff contains a couple of hazards, too, that I need to save for future posts when I do their reviews.

Anyway, my O.N.E. Naturales buys are said to have controlled amount of SLS, and other harmful chemicals, so that's a good ONE! See http://www.watsonsbeautyfinds.com.ph/one_naturales_solid_shampoo.aspx

http://www.healthy-communications.com/8coschemicals.htm
http://www.madefromearth.com/content/harmful-ingredients-skincare-products
http://lotionsecrets.com/glossaryharmful.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraben

Yeah, I know I  saw this already many times at Watsons area in SM department store. But this is the only time I get to know O.N.E. Naturales. O.N.E. stands for Organic, Natural and Eco-friendly. Just because I'm so kikay and thrifty at the same time, but don't get me wrong, this brand is a luxury line of beauty and bath products, just so happen I caught them on sale! Everything for only 199php! Now how's that? If you love natural products etc, or simply kikay, you better check these products now!

These are the items I purchased yesterday at Megamall:

Use this solid bar after  shower.  It is advisable that you dry yourself first before applying. A solid bar that actually replaces that bottled body oil of yours! I smell lavender in this, so it's really good before sleeping as it calms your senses into a good night sleep. It is not at all sticky or "malagkit" as it dries up in about less than an hour, very quickly absorbed by the body, which is good, actually. And I feel a little menthol too which cools the body, and makes this bar best after exposing your skin to the sun.