I was in Miami Beach at Kiehl’s store to check out night cream. I tested Criste Marine Firming Cream today. I like the soothing aroma and light texture. It would be perfect as night cream for combination skin type people, but might be a little bit oily for using as day cream during the hot summer.
I’ve tried many sunscreens. I often pick them because of the price because none of them really make me happy. Even the lightest ones still feel thick and greasy. And I don’t like the smell of any of the sunscreens.
After reading reviews, I decided to try La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Sunscreen Fluid. I applied before riding bicycles and going to walk on the beach during my vacation in Sanibel Island.
It’s perfect for my combination-oily skin type as the advertised. I don’t see any shininess on my face at all. It was absorbed right away. It works very well and I like it a lot.
Only one thing – it’s a little pricey for the small bottle, but it’s worth it. The quantity might be insufficient if you often do outdoor sports or frequently enjoying outdoor activities.
Lemongrass (Takrai) also has been used for its therapeutic properties in various medical treatments. The stem part and the leaves of lemongrass contain oil essences and have properties that make it suitable for both internal and external uses. Some examples of these properties:It also has been used for its therapeutic properties in various medical treatments. The stem part and the leaves of lemongrass contain oil essences and have properties that make it suitable for both internal and external uses. Some examples of these properties:
- anti-fungal, antibactiral properties
- relieves flatulence, constipation, stomache, indigestion
- antipyretic, analgesic
- diuretic and carminative
- relieve menstrual problem
- good for gallstones, help get rid of kidney stones
- treat ringworm, lice, athletes foot, arthritis and scabies.
- mild insect properllant
Beauty Tips with Lemongrass:
1. Solving dandruff problems and split ends with lemongrass shampoo.
- Cut 3-4 stalks of lemongrass into small pieces and smash.
- Squeeze and use the juice as your hair conditioner.
- After rinsing shampoo, apply it on your hair and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse it out. Do this every time you wash your hair, it will help solve these hair problems.
2. Solving trouble sleeping.
Ingredients : 5 each of lemongrass stalks, galangal, ginger
- Wash all fresh lemongrass, galangal, ginger. Then cut into small pieces.
- Put them boiled water for 15 minutes.
- Drink 1 glass, 3 times a day daily.
This will make you sleep well.
3. Diuretic
- Choose the mature lemongrass stalks. Slice and boil them in water.
- Drink 3 times daily before meals
Hope this is helpful
This time I want about lemongrass, one the most versatile herbs used in Thai and other south east asian cuisines. Next post, we’ll explore the use of lemongrass in beauty and wellness.
Lemongrass (ตะไคร้ (takrai in Thai) is a tropical herb, actually 55 species of grasses. It’s commonly found and widely grown in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Burma, India and in the southern part of Africa. There are many species of lemongrass, commonly referred to as “lemon grass”, “lemongrass”, “barbed wire grass”, “silky heads”, “citronella grass”, “fever grass” or “Hierba Luisa”.
Lemongrass is actually a genus of grass. It’s easy to grow, and the long tall stalks can grow to 1 meter tall with a width of 4-7 cm. The leafstalk is composed of many layers, like the skin of an onion. Lemongrass leaf has plenty of essential oils and is widely grown pretty much everywhere.
Lemongrass can be consumed and applied externally. It has a terrific lemony fragrance and hot and bitter flavors when used as a spice, which is why it’s widely used in the culinary world. Lemongrass is an integral ingredient in curries such as Thai red curry paste, green curry paste, kang som (sour curry), nam ya (fish curry paste), Kao Yam Pak Tai, Nam Prik Ong (Northern Style Chicken Chillie Paste), Kang Tai Pla (fish liver flavored curry), and southern rice salad. It’s so affordable.
Next week I’ll talk about using lemongrass in medicine and cosmetics.
You might be surprised how this Thai herb Turmeric has been used in various forms of skincare, cuisine and as a medical ingredient in Thailand since ancient times.
Turmeric is commonly found in tropical countries of Southeast Asia. It’s in the same family of plants as ginger, and much like ginger and galangal it has very bright yellow color. All parts of turmeric can be used. Usually it is boiled and dried out, then ground into powder. It’s then commonly used as a spice ingredient in curries. It has also been used for a long time as a medicine as antibacterial agent, a powerful anti-inflammatory for skin diseases, and possibly has benefits for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, liver disorders and arthritis.
For cosmetics and skincare, turmeric has been a secret ingredient for asians, especially Thai women’s beautiful skin for many generations. It’s affordable and can be found everywhere. As I grew up I saw my grandmother and mother use turmeric powder as a skin scrub. This facial scrub is used to brighten skin and make the face younger looking.
My mom mixed it with other herbal ingredients and used it in a Thai herbal massage ball to heal herself after my sister’s birth delivery. Evert time she used it, we all also enjoyed the soothing aroma of turmeric is all over my house.
Easy recipe for using turmeric to brighten your skin and give you that baby face we all want:
Ingredients: a tiny bit of fresh turmeric, tamarind juice, honey, milk, a lime
Directions: Mix all ingredients together and massage all over your face avoiding the eye areas. You will notice that dead skin cells and acne will disappeared quickly. If you want to make a big batch to use later I recommend boiling all ingredients so they can keep for long long time.
Enjoy and give me some comments!
I want to talk about my favorite brand, Aveeno. I have been a fan of Aveeno since I came to the US. At first I used regular sunscreen and my skin got irritated and itchy until one time I had to go to Immergency Room. I had to pay $200 to find out that I can’t use any sunscreen with PABA. One of my friends recommended using Aveeno because some of her family members also had the same problem. That’s how Aveeno became part of my life.
I started with Aveeno Daily Body Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Intense Relief Hand Cream, Eye Serum, Facial Cleanser and now I’m using Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF15. I’m using as my daily facial moisturizer only when I’m working in the office. I like it because it’s oil-free, hypoallergenic, which is perfect for my allergy issues. I feel it’s not greasy and is absorbed fast. It made my skin soft and moist all day long. It’s perfect even during summer. I have combination/oily skin so I don’t apply too much on nose area.
What I like the most about Aveeno is that their products are unisex and gentle enough so we can apply even when our skin is sensitive and irritated. Both my husband and I can use together and get a great deal for 2 packs at Costco or nearby drugstores.
During our recent trip to Philadelphia we hung out at Rittenhouse Square and walked along Rittenhouse Row. Of couse there is Kiehl’s store there.
I went inside to buy Tree Tea Oil Toner because it’s almost run out. Bad news – it was discontinued. The staff recommended alternative new alcohol-free herbal extract toners like Rosewater Facial Freshener-, Calendula Herbal Extract but I wasn’t impressed with their smells – maybe they are not my type and a little bit too strong and medicine-like. I like the light, soothing and therapeutic aroma of Tree Tea Oil one that relaxes my facial skin. I have been using this toner for years so I’m hooked on it.
Well, maybe it’s time to change!
The staff is kind enought to gave me a sample to try on. I got a sample of Yerba Maté Tea Toner. I like the look and feel of it. The package said this toner is formulated with vitamin-infused tea extracts for a healthful skin vivacity. I’ll give review later in the next couple of weeks.
I am really a Neutrogena fan. I’ve used their facial cleanser and body wash many times before. I have also been doing my hair coloring at home. It tends to make my hair dried out and frizzy. My hair becomes worse, hard to manage. I have tried all the expensive hair treatments, but none worked effectively for my hair, damaged by hair coloring chemicals. That is, nothing worked like Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask.
Now I love this Neutrogena hair mask. After coloring my hair, I just apply Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask once a week at the same time with the glossy hair treatment that comes with the hair coloring package. It really does the trick, it makes my hair soft, silky smooth and healthy and it looks shiny even after blowing it dry. It even works better if you apply it twice a week.
I bought some to give my sisters to try. They loved it too. I can say that this hair treatment is the best for me, and the price is good. You can get it everywhere.
Sometimes I have problems sleeping at night. Maybe I get too much caffeine at times. Anyway I got this thai spa herbal bath kit when I was in Thailand. I used it every night while we stayed in Bangkok and Chiangmai. After long hours of walking and sightseeing, just soaking in the bath tub, relaxing and enjoying the soothing aroma is a such a big treat. I fell asleep right away. So I bought some to use when I came back to the USA. I like to use it when I have a rough day, and just feel stressed and exhausted.
Just got this Cosmetics.Pro Japanese blotting paper to try out when I bought other products.
First of all, I like the package and both designs. I prefer the tropical flower design for summer and pink/black for other seaso
ns:) No doubt about the high quality of the paper – obviously made in Japan. I just like the natural brown color of paper, it gives me that eco-friendly feeling and it said it’s made from natural paper fiber, fragrance-free.
I have a combination/oily skin. I use to absorb the extra oil especially around lunch time when I want to retouch my makeup. Just 1 piece is plenty. It contains 30 sheets so I can use for a month or so. With free shipping, I think it’s very affordable. I think I’ll order more when it runs out.
Note : just one tip that I learned myself is after using, just insert the top of cover into the bottom flap to close.
