Elemis SOS Emergency Cream

I'm feeling very tired today. Few days ago hubby's 91 year old grandma had a fall, fractured her arm and broke her nose. She had an operation to put pins on her arm. With all this and other things going on in my life, the "Emergency" theme I've had on my blog recently seemed to be very appropriate.

Which brings me to Elemis SOS Emergency Cream. This cream has a smooth texture with lavender-y scent.

The website says: "This ultra-rich moisturising cream is an intense soothing and hydrating boost for parched, weathered or sunburnt skin."

Does it do what it says above? Yup. Sometimes I use it as a super-charged moisturiser for parts of my skin that are drier than usual, or even as cuticle cream when I'm travelling.

Does it work to prevent acne or make the inflammation goes down quicker? Nope. Despite what various sales assistants told me in the past, it doesn't really work wonders applied on blemishes.

What is it best for? Based on my experience, it works wonders when used on mosquito bites: the cream makes the itchiness disappear and helps the redness to go down quicker. I'm the kind of person who always gets bitten by mozzies/no-see-ums/other tiny flying-biting things, so this cream gets a lot of use by me.

Verdict: the best "after mozzie bites" cream I've had, albeit a very expensive one.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethylimidazolidinone Rice Starch, Propylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Allantion, Lavandula Hybrida Flower Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Beark Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Ethoxydiglycol, Carbomer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Taurine, Linalool, Propylparaben, Tocopherol, Coumarin, Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Valine, Limonene.

Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator

I've been using Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator on and off since 2004. It's a product that I always come back to everytime my skin needs gentle exfoliation. It's especially good for those times when my fussy skin turns more sensitive and looks more rubbish than usual.

Let's see, what do I love most about it? The rosy scent, the rounded spheres that exfoliates without scratching my tender skin. I find that it works very well as a morning cleanser, too.

Overall, my experience agree with what Elemis says: "Hydrating Absolute of Moroccan Rose and smooth micro-spherical Jojoba beads very gently exfoliate, leaving skin silky soft to the touch. Gentle enough to be used daily, Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator is a subtly fragranced gel exfoliator, ideal for all complexions, including the most sensitive."

It's always a good thing when a product really does what it says. Needless to say I've re-purchased it numerous times, I can't remember a time living without it. I even took some with me when I lived in New Zealand and Australia (prior to Elemis' launch in OZ). :)

Verdict: my only dependable gentle exfoliator. Another winner from one of my favourite skincare brands.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Jojoba Esters, PEG/PPG-14/4 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Rosa Damascena Flower Absolute, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Carbomer, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Tromethamine, Sodium PCA, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Red 4 (Cl 14700), Methylisothiazolinone.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream

Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream isn't the kind of hand cream that I normally go for. I received two 20ml size as part of the GWPs after an "Elemis spending spree" in Perth (yup, I was too excited because they weren't available there before. The Eye Serum is amongst my favourites).

According to the webpage:

"This anti-ageing hand and nail cream is designed to:
Target age spots and sun damage
Reduce skin crepiness
Strengthen and condition cuticles and nails
Re-establish the skin's moisture barrier
Leave hands beautifully smooth and youthful looking."

I'm finishing up my second tube now and I can honestly say that personally I find the claims to be overrated. It does nothing for my cuticle and nails. My hands feel like they've been coated in thin rubber gloves everytime I used it, for lacking of better terms. It's a strange feeling that I don't like. The scent is also a constant reminder of rubber erasers I had as a child. A little clinical, reminds me of hospitals, if it makes sense...

Now that I'm putting thoughts into words, I noticed that the word "rubber" kept on creeping up here. I think it's the only Elemis product I've tried that doesn't smell good. Quite surprising coming from one of my favourite brands. Sometimes it aggravated the excema spot on my finger, too.

Verdict: an average hand cream that's a bit overpriced. I'm not so keen on the scent either.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Glycerin, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Malachite Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Benzoic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Tromethamine, Sodium PCA, Citronellol, Geraniol, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Linalool, Disodium Rutinyl Disulfate, Citral, Sodium Benzoate.

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

I have to write about Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel as it's one of my favourites products and I've just finished a tube of it, which means I'm one product lesser = I could get a new one soon. (I'm taking up the "finishing up old products before getting a new one" challenge!)

I've used up and re-purchased numerous tubes of this papaya peel in the past. This gentle peel is perfect for me as my skin doesn't respond well to harsh scrubbing/exfoliating.

I've read in Paula Begoun's book that this product doesn't contain enough papaya to make it works. I'm not an expert, so I can't verify this. Something in this peel must have worked though as this product always makes a noticeable difference on my skin. Especially, I repeat: especially, when it's used consistently over a period of time, I could see the exfoliating benefits on my skin: evening out my skin tone, making it smoother, getting rid of dry flaky bits on my combination skin. So I guess the benefit is more cumulative than instant.

Having said that, this peel also gives an instant result: smoother skin right after application, which to some people the result could be akin to wearing a moisturiser alone = not worth buying. Having experienced the cumulative benefits in the past, personally I think it's money well spent. Why? It gently exfoliated my skin and a tiny bit goes a long way = value for money. It's false economy to spend money on cheaper products that don't work as they could end up costing me more.

What's more, the yummy fruity scent adds to my pampering enjoyment. I can't afford a weekly trip to the spa, but I can afford this twice weekly little indulgence. :)

Verdict: an old favourite that has earned it's place in my skincare bag.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Papain, Xanthan Gum, Milk Protein (Lactic Proteinum), Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Maltodextrin, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopherol, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Yellow 6 (Cl 15985), Cinnamyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol.

Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash

My love affair with Elemis started some years ago when I received a gift pack full of wonderful products.

When we first moved to OZ I had a withdrawal symptom. When the brand finally made it to Perth Myer, I "stalked" the counter to the extent that all the sales assistants knew me quite well by the time I left Perth. Enough said. :)

In the past I've found "resurfacing products" too harsh for my skin. Thus I was quite reluctant to try Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash. When I finally did, I was surprised by how mild it was. The SA said that it won't remove makeup, so I tried using it in the mornings.

This facial wash lathers well, a little bit goes a long way. The skin around my mouth gets irritated whenever I used too much of it. The resurfacing effect is barely noticeable, I like the texture of the cleanser on my skin.

So far I've gone through 2 travel size (50ml). As you know I've just recovered from chicken pox, my skin is still a bit tender. Unfortunately this product is too strong for my skin at the moment. So I'm putting it aside until my skin gets better.

Verdict: a good morning cleanser, to be used sparingly.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Blycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Lactate, Coco-Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Galactoarabinan, Papain, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Protease, Subtilisin, Poria Cocos Root Extract, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Oleate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum), Glyceryl Stearate, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol

Elemis Absolute Eye Serum

The past few days the area where my wisdom tooth used to reside has been hurting. Back in Dec, before the tooth extraction, I had terrible nightmares of my teeth falling out of my gums. Restless nights made my eyes looked dark and puffy.

Fast forward to the moment after the procedure was done. Hubby kindly bought me Elemis Absolute Eye Serum as a "sweetener" to take my mind off the swollen cheek (and as a peace offering to soothe my eyes).

This chic bottle of serum has become my new best friend since. 2 drops is all I need for each application. I've used it for more than 2 months and there's still plenty left in the bottle. I think it would last me another 4-6 months. Perhaps longer, if I hadn't squeezed too much serum out of the dropper whenever I was too sleepy.

This easily absorbed light oil keeps my eye areas hydrated without causing milia. It's moisturising enough on it's own I don't need to use eye cream or eye gel on top of this. The dark circles are visibly minimized though not disappeared altogether - blame it on the sleepless nights caused by the hot summer weather, it made the A/C useless... I should also blame my habit of staying up till 1am when finishing a book. :)

It's the most expensive eye product I own. Though it's not that pricey when I consider the "mileage" I get from this product. Look at it this way: $82 (AUD) divided into about 7 months = $11/month = 39cents/day = 19cents/application. Cheaper than hubby's daily chocolate fix. A fair price to pay for something that works on my 30something year old eye areas. I'll update you with my progress and if (touch wood) it ever loose it's effectiveness.

Verdict: Very Musical (= highly recommended).

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Plantago Ovata Seed Extract, Symphytum Officinale Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse chesnut) Bark Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Aniba Rosaedora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Osmanthus Fragrans Absolute, Glutamine, Leucine, Proline, Serine, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sclerotium Gum, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Methylparaben, Caramel, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylparaben, Linalool.