Having never heard of this product before, I obviously had my doubts. I looked it up and here’s what they said on the website.

A shielding lotion is far more effective as a dry skin care treatment than mere moist­urizing lotions or protective creams.

If you suffer from dry skin, you know that just using a moisturizing lotion does not solve the problem.

This is an entirely new con­cept in skin care requiring a new classifi­cation: “Shielding Lotion”. Skin MD Natural keeps moisture-robbing irri­tants away while proprietary “super” humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day.

Skin MD Natural is promptly absorbed without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.

The Skin MD Shielding Lotion is recommended for dry skin and also said to be good for problem skin, eczema sufferers and people with latex allergies. Although I didn’t have any of these problems, I still decided to try it out since it’s paraben free and contains natural extracts. Really no harm in trying it because it’s over 90% natural – free of harmful fragrances and colorants. It’s also non-comedogenic which means it will not clog pores. Hooray! Maybe transforming the outer layer of my skin would prevent further loss of moisture and help improve my skin condition.

The first time I tried the Shielding Lotion, I really liked how it glided onto my skin and quickly dried up afterwards. I couldn’t believe how fast it took to dry compared to conventional moisturisers. It probably took a total of 2 seconds for the lotion to disappear. When it did, my skin didn’t feel tight and there was no sticky residue. WOW. The effect is instantaneous. You see your face looking visibly smoother and if you look carefully, it’s as though there is an invisible barrier on the outer layer.

The effect, however, doesn’t last the whole day. Depending on your skin condition you have to apply the lotion initially every 2 – 8 hours until moisture level improves, then just once every 12 – 24 hours.

As much as I loved how the Shielding Lotion made my skin look, I felt it worked better on my hands, heels and legs. Possibly because my skin’s primarily dehydrated and not completely dry. One application and my hands and heels were softer and smoother. I particularly love how the Shielding Lotion dries non-greasy, because I was able to get back to whatever I was doing in a jiffy without having to worry about all that stickiness. I could never stand just sitting around doing absolutely nothing waiting for stuff to dry.

Although the product wasn’t what I was looking for, it might work for someone with a different skin type. If you have dry skin and are looking for something to keep improve the moisture level in your skin, the Skin MD Shielding Lotion might just be the thing for you. A single bottle retails for SGD29.90 while a Twin Pack costs SGD51.90 at the DRM Concept shop.

First, I will tell you what this product is supposed to do. It is an epidermal re-texturising micro-dermabrasion and is thus supposed to re-texturise your epidermis via micro-dermabrasion. Haha. Okay, in short, it’s kinda like a scrub. It smoothens your skin surface via tiny particles in the product. I’ve written about how useful a scrub is for keeping skin baby smooth and soft and the same goes for your face.

Now, I will tell you what’s inside this product that helps you do just that.

There are three main components as listed in the Kiehl’s website.

Micronized Shells (Diatomatious Earth)
dia-to-may-shus
A naturally occurring crystalline silica derived from diatoms, unicellular microscopic algae. This fine silica powder is a natural exfoliant to eliminate dead cells located in the epidermis or surface layer of the skin.

Shea Butter
SHAY BUH-t’r
Shea Butter is the natural fat obtained from the fruit of the African Karate tree and is widely used in lotions and cleansing products for its hydrating properties. Protects skin from dehydration, restores skin’s suppleness and improves the appearance of dry skin.

Willow Herb (Epilobium Angustifolium)
will-oh errb
Derived from a plant commonly known as fireweed or willow herb. This plant is known to have anti-microbial and soothing properties for skin.

Unrefined skin texture with visible appearance of pores? Well, this Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion (trying say it really really fast) gets rid of them.

After one use, my skin was instantly more radiant, pores were visibly smaller and skin surface was smoother. I’ve always fretted about the appearance of my pores, but one use and my pores were instantly reduced. Oh yes! It was also hard to tear my fingers away from my new velvety skin. My new skin surface was so smooth it looked as though water would slide off it like water off a duck’s back.

The product is gentle on the skin and non-fragranced. Although the price is a little steep (SGD$92 at any Kiehl’s outlet), it’s not just ANY scrub. It’s the Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion and will probably last you an entire year giving you smooth and radiant skin the entire time you use it.

I haven’t used any other DIY micro-dermabrasion products (nor have I actually heard of any. have you?) but in my books, this is a keeper and I promise to use it 2 times a week along side my regular hydration routine. I adore seeing my skin after a good scrub and this product delivers results. Good skin care is sooooo important, wouldn’t you agree?

The Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion is available at any Kiehl’s outlet or good departmental stores.

Most scrubs have fine or rough particles in them that work to exfoliate the dead skin on the surface. A lot of them are also beautifully fragranced. Some come with moisturing properties. So other than removing the unwanted dead skin cells from your body, the scrubs help moisturise and keep new skin underneath soft and supple.

To keep your skin looking beautiful and smooth to the touch, scrub no more than twice week from neck to toe. You don’t want to overscrub and bruise tender skin. While you’re scrubbing, dont be shy to give yourself a massage. Remember to scrub those often neglected areas like your elbows, knees and heels! You’d be amazed what a scrub once a week can do for your overall skin condition and your mood.

Some recommended products:
Body Shop – Olive or Papaya Body Scrub
Origins – Incredible Spreadable Scrub

What body scrub do you use? I never used to like the Olive Scrub from Body Shop, but now it’s one of my favourites. I find it so rejuvenating. If you don’t use a body scrub, you totally should start today!

But what she really meant was for us to eat our fruits.

The humble little tomato (yes, it is a fruit!) is actually a powerful skin booster.

The skin, our largest organ of our 5 senses, might probably be one of the hardest things to maintain. The constant exposure to various physical elements including the sun can leave the skin looking dull over time.

But because tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and the antioxidant Lycopene, they help to fight off free-radicals which damage skin cells and leave your skin looking aged.

Eating one tomato a day can help to keep the doctor away, and can help your skin look more radiant.

Here are some easy ways you can incorporate tomato in your daily routine:
- Juice 2 large tomatoes in the morning and drink up with your favourite toast.
- For breakfast, make yourself a cheese and tomato sandwich.
- Pack one large tomato in your lunch box.
- Cherry tomatoes are a great alternative to regular tomatoes. They are small and easy to eat. Pop them a handful of them in your mouth in the morning before heading out to work or school!

If you have a little more time on your hands, the best way to eat your tomatoes is to cook them lightly in oil. You can cook them with pasta or as part of a colourful salad. The cooking fully releases the Lycopene in cell walls giving you the full benefits of tomatoes.

Looks like tomato juice is on the menu for breakfast tomorrow!

Has anyone of you tried this recipe previously? Did it work for you?