Last year, I purchased this new fade gel for skin discolorations hoping to find a decent over-the-counter (OTC). Much to my surprise, within two weeks after the initial application I noticed several of my darker scars had begun to fade away! I had only previously seen this kind of result from prescription creams so of course I went back to Ulta to get more—but they were out! When I went back a couple weeks later, it had been discontinued.
Of course I was HOT. I had found something that was bulk-buying worthy, but just that quickly it was gone. So I looked to the Internet, not really seeing anything that had the same packaging. I thought that was strange, but also not finding any recall information I just kept looking. It resurfaced a few weeks later online, but—you know, the shipping—ARRGH! I ended up getting it for a decent price; however, I was still curious as to why it disappeared for that stretch of time.
What It Is, and Why This Gel Was Pseudo-detective Worthy
The product is from NeoStrata’s Neoceuticals line, and it’s called the HQ Skin Lightening Gel. I believe what is different about it is the combination of the hydroquinone with kojic acid, another skin-brightening agent. This particular formula is 3% kojic acid with 2% hydroquinone, and not a laundry list of other products that would make you want to scream. It got the job done quickly.
The Disappearing Act (Perhaps?)
Hydroquinone has always been the one of the key ingredients in fade creams or hyperpigmentation treatments, and is usually maxed at 2% without a prescription (with a prescription you can get a higher concentration). It seems some other countries had banned it after finding that some populations experienced extreme side effects post product usage. While the U.S. (FDA) was considering a ban as well, I believe the conclusion was that the OTC recipes just needed to be reformulated to ensure safety and that the benefits outweighed the risks, yada, yada. Without going into detail, my science background is forcing me to include the clinical information; but be warned, this is NOT bedtime reading:
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/98fr/e6-14263.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/hydroquinone_with_sunscreens-topical/article.htm
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/hydroquinone-topical.html
Disclaimer: Basically, use at your own risk, and make sure you use a sunscreen with this product. I am not qualified to give medical advice, so check with a Doc if you need to!
Mystery Solved
I’ve seen other variations of this product, but the only place I found it for a reasonable price was Skin-Etc. Here I paid about $34 for each 1 oz. tube and I got two, both to have a stash and to get the “free shipping for orders of more than $50.” I believe when I purchased it in-store I paid about $38. I know the price is hefty, so decide for yourself if it’s worth it. For me, the case is closed.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The Miracle Cure?
Adult Acne: it’s (I have a really bad pun I could use here) but let’s just say it’s bad--nothing good to say about it. So, fellow sufferers, you’ve probably also tried everything (my everything is six or more products). Now I know some bodily issues require serious treatment, but I’m just not satisfied with the fact that I need to develop some sort of master regimen that requires me to break Olympic records or pay thousands of dollars to get the same result that some woman with the same kind of skin as mine across the world (no spa facials, Neutrogena products, etc.) gets just from washing her face! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hatin’, but y’all know I love simplicity--simple solutions for everyday things. I knew something was out there, but had almost given up; that is until I heard about black soap.
I was getting my hair done, and as stylist-client conversation goes we somehow ended up on the topic of skin care. I explained the mammoth experimentation (differin, cleocin, retin-A, Proactiv, homemade concoctions, etc.) and my current desire for a skin care staple. So, she says, “You need to get some black soap.” I was surprised I’d never heard of it before—then she asked her other client, “Have you heard of black soap?” This woman revealed that her mother swears by it. Desperate to purge my bathroom cabinet for something that really works, I headed strait downtown to an obscure importer shop for what could be the miracle acne cure—out I came with my clump of what looked like newly-made soap wrapped in paper, and my little container of pure shea butter (cause’ you gotta’ grab that up when you can), and I was—hopeful.
Later that evening, I washed my face with a small chunk of the soap, and was surprised at the stinging, yes STINGING sensation! But, even though I kind of freaked out it wasn’t the tingling that most products do to make it seem like they’re working. It didn’t go away after I washed, however, my skin was not irritated—hmmm, weird. I was thinking that my poor little combo skin yet again had fallen victim to the treatments of oily-skinned folks and what have I done! My poor, skin, (sniff). So I put some shea butter on my face and went to bed, hoping that my face wouldn’t be irritated the next day.
I woke up with the cleanest, softest skin I’d had in a long time! Not only that, but the fine bumps on my chin and nose that have never gone away (no matter what), were disappearing and the skin was tight. Actually I take that back, those tiny bumps were cleared after a facial I had once. Needless to say, this is not a superficial, clog-your-pores-even-more cleanser; black soap multi-tasks with the best.
It has been 48 hours since I’ve used black soap for the first time, and I can honestly say that my skin has noticeably changed. It actually seems like the same result I remember from the torture of my 1989 retin-A or recent at-home chemical peel treatments, sans the peeling or redness.
Now, since, like I said I’ve been experimenting lately, I don’t know if everything up to this point aided in the result, or whether black soap is the lone ranger of the acne-prone, but products I’ve been using for the past three months haven’t produced much change. Since I’m still taking something internally, you may not get the exact same result. But, it just may be the answer to your troubled-skin questions.
I know it’s only been two days, but here are some facts from my brief research of authentic black soap:
• It is not only for black or ethnic skin as the uninformed might tell you, or the name might imply
• It is not literally black; it looks more like a clump of mud, and the color varies depending on which region it originates…
• Region of Africa that is, which might also lead to the first assumption (I believe mine came from Nigeria)
• Bar soap in general consists of lye (yes, sodium hydroxide) and fat—typically lard, or more often now, vegetable oils. Black soap is much more, pure let's say
• If not already doing so, support fair trade! Ensure that those who make products like this get what they deserve
• It’s free of all the perfumes and dyes—not to mention, it’s usually made with shea butter—why would it also need aloe & vitamin E?
• Finally, it’s a cleanser, exfoliant, toner and moisture all in one, without all the nasty
chemicals—can’t beat that.
If you search for it on the web, you’ll find tons of information and marketers—I would stay away from it if it’s truly black in color or smells really pretty—you can get other soaps for that! Get more information here.
So, I will keep you posted on the full results. Please share your stories and comments, and if you knew about black soap before, why didn’t you tell me?
I was getting my hair done, and as stylist-client conversation goes we somehow ended up on the topic of skin care. I explained the mammoth experimentation (differin, cleocin, retin-A, Proactiv, homemade concoctions, etc.) and my current desire for a skin care staple. So, she says, “You need to get some black soap.” I was surprised I’d never heard of it before—then she asked her other client, “Have you heard of black soap?” This woman revealed that her mother swears by it. Desperate to purge my bathroom cabinet for something that really works, I headed strait downtown to an obscure importer shop for what could be the miracle acne cure—out I came with my clump of what looked like newly-made soap wrapped in paper, and my little container of pure shea butter (cause’ you gotta’ grab that up when you can), and I was—hopeful.
Later that evening, I washed my face with a small chunk of the soap, and was surprised at the stinging, yes STINGING sensation! But, even though I kind of freaked out it wasn’t the tingling that most products do to make it seem like they’re working. It didn’t go away after I washed, however, my skin was not irritated—hmmm, weird. I was thinking that my poor little combo skin yet again had fallen victim to the treatments of oily-skinned folks and what have I done! My poor, skin, (sniff). So I put some shea butter on my face and went to bed, hoping that my face wouldn’t be irritated the next day.
I woke up with the cleanest, softest skin I’d had in a long time! Not only that, but the fine bumps on my chin and nose that have never gone away (no matter what), were disappearing and the skin was tight. Actually I take that back, those tiny bumps were cleared after a facial I had once. Needless to say, this is not a superficial, clog-your-pores-even-more cleanser; black soap multi-tasks with the best.
It has been 48 hours since I’ve used black soap for the first time, and I can honestly say that my skin has noticeably changed. It actually seems like the same result I remember from the torture of my 1989 retin-A or recent at-home chemical peel treatments, sans the peeling or redness.
Now, since, like I said I’ve been experimenting lately, I don’t know if everything up to this point aided in the result, or whether black soap is the lone ranger of the acne-prone, but products I’ve been using for the past three months haven’t produced much change. Since I’m still taking something internally, you may not get the exact same result. But, it just may be the answer to your troubled-skin questions.
I know it’s only been two days, but here are some facts from my brief research of authentic black soap:
• It is not only for black or ethnic skin as the uninformed might tell you, or the name might imply
• It is not literally black; it looks more like a clump of mud, and the color varies depending on which region it originates…
• Region of Africa that is, which might also lead to the first assumption (I believe mine came from Nigeria)
• Bar soap in general consists of lye (yes, sodium hydroxide) and fat—typically lard, or more often now, vegetable oils. Black soap is much more, pure let's say
• If not already doing so, support fair trade! Ensure that those who make products like this get what they deserve
• It’s free of all the perfumes and dyes—not to mention, it’s usually made with shea butter—why would it also need aloe & vitamin E?
• Finally, it’s a cleanser, exfoliant, toner and moisture all in one, without all the nasty
chemicals—can’t beat that.
If you search for it on the web, you’ll find tons of information and marketers—I would stay away from it if it’s truly black in color or smells really pretty—you can get other soaps for that! Get more information here.
So, I will keep you posted on the full results. Please share your stories and comments, and if you knew about black soap before, why didn’t you tell me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
