Viva Woman

Even if the claims of antiperspirants and deodorants causing breast cancer maybe over-exaggerated, I have always wanted to use one that does not contain aluminum or parabens.  However, it’s not easy to find one that really works.  While we’ve heard all the good things about organic or botanical skincare products, how well they work to get rid of underarm odour is another question. 

So it is with this level of skepticism that I set out to try Sukin Organics Deodorant Spray. This aluminium and paraben free deodorant is said to eliminate the bacteria that causes odour without using harsh ingredients.  To be honest, I had expected my armpit to smell bad after an hour or so after spraying this on but surprising, this stuff actually works for a good day if I don’t go under the hot sun, provided I spray enough of it.  Under the hot sun, I have to say its performance is slightly above average as my armpits do smell a bit after too much perspiration.

But there’s something I dislike about this deodorant.  The spraying!  I find my armpits dripping wet with this stuff after like 3 to 4 squirts.  It’ll be great if they make this into a cream which I can roll on. 

So while Sukin Organics Deodorant Spray works to a large extent and smells great with its combination of aroma-therapeutic essential oils of tangerine, mandarin, lavender and vanilla extract, it is not convenient to use.  Well, at least for me.  So at the moment, I’m really undecided if I will buy this 125ml formula again at S$12.95 over at selected Watson’s. 

Ingredients: Purified Water, organic blend of aloe vera, nettle, burdock and horsetail. Acohol Denat (vegetable), Zinc Phenosulfonate, Ceteareth-20 (vegetable), tangerie essential oil, mandarin essential oil, lavender essential oil, vanilla extract.

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When I first used Sukin Organic Botanical Body Wash, I wasn’t wowed by it.  While it had a refreshing smell, but I found it less than intoxicating enough for me.  However, this body wash gets better with each bath. 

I actually grew to love the enriched aromatic botanicals aroma, a combination of tangerine, mandarin, lavender and vanilla extract therapeutic oils.  And if we compare the price of this vs other organic or botanical body wash, this is definitely worth the price tag.

I also love how soft my skin feels after each wash, thanks to the skin softening jojoba, avocado and rose hip oils.  And I really appreciate that this body wash uses only 100% natural active ingredients and contains no sodium lauryl sulphate, artificial fragrances, petrochemicals, harsh detergents, animal derivatives, mineral oil and parabens. 

Th 250ml dark brown pump bottle cost S$12.95 and is available at Watson’s (only at Parkway Parade, Ngee Ann City, Centrepoint, Great World City, Anchorpoint and Compass Point).  The only complain I have is that the pump is quite stiff and I need to exert a bit more pressure to press it down.  Otherwise, I’m pretty happy with it and will probably like to purchase a bigger bottle the next time.

Ingredients: Purified Water, organic blend of German chamomile, aloe vera, yucca and lavender. Cocamidopropyl Betaine (vegetable), Decyl Glucoside (vegetable), PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (vegetable), rosehip oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, Glycerin (vegetable), Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (suttocide) vegetable, Citric Acid, grapefruit seed extract, tangerine essential oil, mandarin essential oil, lavender essential oil, vanilla extract.

Sukin Organics line of skincare products is definitely worth a try if you’re looking for affordable organic personal care products.  So far, I’ve been satisfied with the two products I’ve tested and will like to try more under the range.  You can check out my review on Sukin Organic Foaming Facial Cleanser too.

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Shea Radiance Pomegranate Whipped Body Butter with 100% premium Shea Butter is just heavenly.  I’m sure Angelina Jolie who said she loves giving herself a good rub of delicious scented body lotion so that she’ll smell good to her partner will enjoy using this.  The rich, velvety mix of whipped creamy Shea Butter combined with the essence of fresh fruity pomegranate is a sheer delight!

Premium grade of unrefined Shea Butter
This is nothing like your usual cosmetic grade Shea Butter treated with chemicals and preservatives at all.  Rather, Shea Radiance Pomegranate Whipped Body Butter is organic and is made from a premium grade of unrefined Shea Butter using the cold press process without any additives or preservatives, thus containing only natural properties.  In fact, just from the light uniform buttery yellow color, you can tell that the whipped body butter is definitely made from 100% unrefined Shea Butter.

Rich in vitamin E
Just like the benefits of unrefined Shea Butter covered in my earlier entry Shea Butter goodness for your skin, this whipped body butter is rich in vitamin E to promote regeneration of damaged skin cells and is really good for healing problematic skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, very dry skin, chapped lips, stretchmarks, wrinkles plus even scars and burns. 

Natural or essential oils for scenting
In addition, Shea Radiance Pomegranate Whipped Body Butter smells lovely because of the pomegranate essence.  However, despite being sweet smelling, the product is still pure.  According to Shea Radiance, their products are 99% natural with fragrance oils, and 100% natural with essential oils for scenting.

Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft
Application is easy.  I only need to dig a dime size scoop each time to my palm and rub the melting butter into a smooth creamy oil before applying on to my body.  It feels oily on first contact but because this is premium grade Shea Butter, the oil penetrates very quickly leaving my skin feeling smooth, soft and supple.  For someone who is rather lazy when it comes to my body, I’ve been using this rather consistently for a few days and I dare say I’ve noticed an improvement to a scaly patch on my left shoulder.

A little goes a long way
I anticipate my 8oz Shea Radiance Pomegranate Whipped Body Butter is going to last me a long time.  And seriously, I just think that an organic body cream going at a price of just US$18.96 is such a steal.  Definitely makes a wonderful Christmas gift if you ask me, especially the fact that the product comes bundled in an exquisite rustic looking sack.

International shipping is available.

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Since my last mention about the beauty benefits of Vitamin E, I’ve gone to purchase a bottle of JASON Natural Cosmetics Certified Organic Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil 14,000 IU and have been using it to moisturize my neck and parts of my body.  However, I’ve not used it on my face because I find it too rich and sticky.  And even when using on my body, I add a few drops and mix it with my body lotion for application just twice a week or so. 

Vitamin E is said to be a powerful antioxidant and is widely known for its scar and wound healing properties.  The oil is also effective in preventing inflammation, and may help to prevent skin damage and soothe any burns if applied within eight hours after sun exposure.  

JASON Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil is combined with sunflower, safflower and avocado oils to nourish dry and dehydrated skin.  It is said to condition and protect skin to help seal in needed moisture and Vitamin E. 

Night treatment
I agree that this is great for dry skin, although I would state that it should not to be used on a daily basis.   In addition, I find this beauty oil should only be used as a treatment in the night so that it can be better absorbed.  My neck for example, don’t feel so sticky the morning after.

I’ve read reviews on Makeupalley of women who have had good results using this to hydrate and claiming that it helped diminished fine lines around their eyes.  But still, I refuse to use it on mine and rather use my Rose Hip Oil instead, keeping the Vitamin E Oil purely for body treatment only.  I have to concede that when applied sparingly on the body, JASON Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil helps to smoothen the skin texture and keep it feeling soft.  I definitely think the skin on my neck looks smoother than before.

Despite the benefits, there are two things that deter me from buying this product again.  One is the packaging.  JASON Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil comes in a glass pour bottle which means you’re likely to use too much of it at one time.  The other is the smell.  I don’t know why others find the almond bark smell pleasant but it definitely turns me off.

JASON Natural Cosmetics Vitamin E Pure Beauty Oil is certified organic and retails at S$28 before any discounts at Dargon Dors Cosmetics #03-1126, 32 New Market Road (People’s Park Complex).  If you’re buying it online, you can get it for much lesser through shopzilla.com.

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