I bid so long to my love, the Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub.

I hadn't really scheduled a post this week as I have been very caught up with a project deadline. But last night I was in for a shock and it kinda warrant a post...

I've written before almost 2 years ago (in April too) of how much I was in love with this product. I got it in a small jar out of a starter pack and have since bought at least 2 more large jars - this 50ml size. Why wouldn't I love it... it not only does a great job in scrubbing my face clean, it also leaves skin truly baby smooth. Best of all, it only retails at RM100 in our local Sephora stores and if you've been a frequent customer, a 10% off that frequent customers occasionally get would only mean buying this gem at RM90. For a good 5-6 months, this gem is all you need for your bi-weekly or weekly scrub.

Vichy Normaderm Nuit, MD Formulations Continuous Renewal Serum, Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Gel and Priori Perfection Facial Gel with glycolic / AHA compounds to help problem skin

When it comes to dull, lacklustre skin or skin that is problem-prone (ie. prone to blemishes, blackheads and acne), I've read and learnt that many skin clinics would recommend procedures like microdermabrasion or peeling of the horny layer of the skin. But microdermabrasion can be painful and if not done properly by a certified dermatologist, it could even damage the skin. For me, I believe that procedures like this need follow-up treatments and they're not very cheap. Worst still, if not done properly or your skin condition not properly diagnosed, the damage can scar you for life. To repair a damage would cost you so much more.

To many skincare brands, there might be a safer method, one that brings lesser risks in the form of mild acids formulated in their skincare products. I've tried many of them but these that I'm sharing with you are those that declare an x amount of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which usually comprise of Glycolic acid as an ingredient in their products.

Bear in mind that products that contain these exfoliating acids may not be suitable for all skin types especially those who have sensitive skin that easily reddens, flake or itch. They could however be used as a weekly treatment depending on skin condition.

The Walnut Complexion Scrub by Ole Henriksen is my new love :)

Haha... with all the good products that I have written in this blog and me telling you I have fallen in love with them, you must be wondering how many times I have fallen in love... Still, I must tell you about the Walnut Complexion Scrub by Ole Henriksen. And am not the least bit ashamed to tell you I have found a new love ;)

 

When I got this, it was just a part of a starter pack. I didn't really have any intention to get a face scrub. But its name did quite catch my attention. I mean, apart from apricot and oatmeal, I don't think I've ever tried any scrub that contains walnut.

When I first used it, I felt I kinda regretted the purchase. It felt really grainy and I can't really scrub my face hard the way I always do. The feeling is similar to the apricot scrub from St Ives those days when I was a teen. To me, a face scrub should be more fine and creamy.

Of course, I didn't want to let it waste since I had already applied it on my face and so I thought, I ought to just try to scrub lightly, adding a little bit of water every once in awhile to prevent too much friction. And once my skin got the hang of it, the scrubbing experience seemed to be more delightful. I paid extra attention to my jaw and neck areas where they are more problematic and stopped quickly fearing that I would over-scrub my skin.

Upon rinsing my face, I was stunned... in a mighty good way. My skin was oh so soft and the pores looked thoroughly refined. I felt really excited when I saw it. I mean, I have tried so many scrubs before and except for Dermalogica's Skin Prep Scrub, no other scrubs gave me this kind of result. Immediately, I decided that this would be a scrub for keeps and something that I would repurchase.

I am not sure how much it costs for a full size jar but this one in the starter kit comes in a 28g tub, good enough to last awhile, I think. Since it is quite grainy, just a little is enough to scrub one's face and once you apply the clay mask after scrubbing, you can be sure to wake up with super-soft, super refined skin the next day. That is, if you pamper your skin like this in the evening before your usual night care.

I am truly loving this scrub and have been using it twice a week for the past 3 weeks. I have learnt to not scrub my face too hard and I guess that is the right way to go, anyway. I believe I am seeing positive results with all the proper care. 

How about you? What is your favourite facial scrub?

Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser & Starter Kit for Oily/Blemish Prone Skin to end my nightmare

Recently, when I stopped breastfeeding my little Jebat, my hormones started to play tricks with my body (and skin!) yet again and I believe I have been plagued by the worst case of acne attacks in my entire life. In fact, I took a picture of one side of my face to put on this post but I decided against it, seeing how disgusting it looks.

With the realisation that my skin is getting worse, I started to take action and change some or part of my skincare routine, by including some form of anti-acne product in between my normal skincare regimen. It worked here and there but not to a point where I was totally satisfied with the results. I almost gave up with everything until one day, I got an email from Sephora Malaysia to quickly collect my RM75 voucher which I can use to purchase selected brands from their stores. Seeing those brands listed, I started to do some research of my own and shortlisted a few brands that offer a range of anti-acne care that are supposed to help me with my current problem. All these, based on testimonial of users and the ingredients in their products.

 

After a long deliberation in the Sephora outlet (I think I took a good 45 minutes to make up my mind), I finally decided to get my hands on this Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser by Ole Henriksen. At just RM79 for a 207ml bottle, and Aloe Vera as its main ingredient, I decided that this would be a perfect purchase.

 

A lot of people would probably not like the smell of the cleanser based on their testimonial in some sites - it may smell a little herbal like but I have no qualms on the scent. It still smells much better than other acne cleanser formulation I've smelt and the smell totally disappears after you rinse it off.

 

I like that its main ingredient is the aloe vera content. It totally respects the skin and not use any harsh elements so that skin is calmer after cleansing and somewhat hydrated to prep skin for the next step. I am not sure how well this cleanser works to cleanse skin off makeup because I use a separate milk cleanser first before using the Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser.

And while I was there browsing around Sephora and totally mesmerised by the packaging, content and product availability here in Malaysia, I thought I might as well try the starter pack that contains all 6 of these products - they are all in a nice size and I have been using them for almost a month, with wonderful results! :)

The pack contains - Top L-R: The Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser, Vitamin Plus (day cream), Grease Relief Face Tonic | Bottom L-R: Walnut Complexion Scrub, Invigorating Night Gel & Blemish Attack Mask.

What made me choose this brand was mainly because of the ingredients it has in its products. Ole Henriksen, if you check out its website, started off specialising in acne treatments and chemical peels. Hence, some of its anti-blemish and anti-aging creams contain fruit acids, AHA or glycolic acid, or a combination of them. I have used products with glycolic acid before and my complexion was almost flawless then.

But, with any products that contain peeling agents, they may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may find that the products sting, although I must say that their moisturisers all feel so much milder than those I've used before (ie. MD Formulation with 8% glycolic content or NeoStrata).

The fact that my skin is not getting any younger and cell turnaround time may be a little slower than it should, may be one reason why my skin is getting more acne than before (mind you, all these are self-diagnosed based on my understanding of the way my skin works). Of course, a good friend of mine would easily tell me that I should take the Pill and all these problems would be gone. But I don't know... I have never really thought of going into that direction.

Hence, this time, with acne popping up waaay before that time of the month (at almost every angle of my skin), this starter kit had definitely helped immensely, with the help of other supplements, which I shall write about in a few more posts.

Truly, I feel so blessed to have come across this wonderful brand. I love that apart from the cleanser and toner, they all come in a glass jar and very nicely colour coded. I love products that come in a jar because I can control how much I take from it and I can make sure that I finish up the item clean. The starter kit also comes in such a nice size that is not too small for you to refill but also large enough for a long time use. It totally scores well with me in terms of packaging, size, content and the result it brings.

This is definitely a priceless find, for me.

Have you come across this brand before? Which one is your favourite product to combat acne?