How to whiten pigmented skin | Ibiza Cream Japan Premium Review

Certain areas of our skin darken easily. Examples include elbows,  knees,  underarms, bra line and bikini lines. This is due to the deposition of excessive melanin in that area.  It makes people feel inferior and try to hide these areas because dark areas look 'dirty'. How to make us feel in our skin again,  literally?

How can we prevent these skin areas from getting darkened? Be gentle to that area by avoiding harsh shaving, tight clothing or lingerie resulting in chafe and repetitive friction. But, what if these skin areas are already pigmented? Besides painful lasers, Ibiza cream offers a painless and effective alternative to whiten the areas mentioned. There are many other ways to lighten skin colour, including skin bleaching, skin lighteners, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. The pros and cons are discussed in this WebMD article.

Ibiza cream is classified as a 'Quasi Drug' by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. It has been proven clinically to be able to reduce skin inflammation. Quasi drugs mean that Ibiza cream contains potent active ingredients that makes it grouped between cosmetics and medications proper. These are tranexamic acid which whitens the skin, as well as glycyrrhizate that soothes and smoothens the irritated skin.

Hailing from Japan, Ibiza cream harness the goodness of phytonutrients as well.

It contains 2 types of nano capsules which melts and penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin to suppress melanin formation.
- Whitening support capsules (hydrolozed Tong Sun, chamomile and alpinia katsumadai seed)
- Anti-glycation capsules (Sakura leaf, plum, soybean)

There are also 8 additional ingredients that make Ibiza cream moisturizing to the skin with deep penetration, namely vitamin E, stearoyl phytospingosine, rose water, sodium lactate, hydrogenated soybean phospholipid, glycerin, pentadiol and butylene glycol.

Ibiza cream is also free of potential irritants and allergens such as artificial fragrance, artificial colorant, mineral oil, parabens and alcohol. Since it's gentle and suitable for use at private delicate skin areas, it can also be used on other parts of the skin which has pigmentation problems.

How to use Ibiza cream?

1. After shower, apply Ibiza cream at the desired areas at least twice a day,
2. Apply at least 1 cm larger than the pigmented area.
3. Gently massage the cream in by drawing a circle 5 times.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

It is great that skin whitening at our delicate areas can be painless by using Ibiza cream. I love how lightweight and non-greasy the product is. Ibiza cream is effective but the effect is gradual after 2 months so one needs to be consistent and patient about it. Since it can be used for the whole body, it is a useful product to have for everyone. The tube size is convenient to carry around even if you travel frequently and each tube can last about a month depending on use.

It is now so much easier to get our hands on great Japanese products like Ibiza cream in Malaysia. This is because Japan Premium offers a comprehensive range of high quality Japanese products from cosmetics, skincare products to food delivered straight to your doorstep at a much lower price tag.

Tips of choosing and applying sunscreen | Japan Premium Nalc Sunscreen Review

Excessive sun exposure can be harmful to the skin.  Not only does it cause premature skin aging called photoaging,  it may also cause skin cancers which can spread such as melanoma. In the short term,  UV exposure can cause sunburn and skin damage.  Later on,  photoaging creates dry skin, lines,  wrinkles, skin pigmentation, freckles and sun spots. This makes sun protection and a good sunscreen in our tropical country extremely important.

The slip,  slop, slap slogan summarises  beautifully what should be done to protect against harmful UV rays. It's a successful health campaign that advises people especially Australians to slip on T shirt,  slop generously on sun screen, slide on sunglasses and slap on a hat between 11am to 3pm when the UV is at its strongest. This managed to reduce the incidence of melanoma.

Nalc sunscreen utilises the latest three phase emulsification technology to make sure that even with moisture, it doesn't reemulsify and get washed off which makes it really water proof. This technology also eliminates the need of using surfactant in the sunscreen,  rendering the UV gel suitable for sensitive skin and children use. However it get removed easily with soap and facial cleanser.

Nalc sunscreen has a SPF (sun protection factor)  of 50+ PA++++. Generally speaking,  a SPF of 30 filters 96.7% of UVB and SPF50 filters 98%. Nalc sunscreen is broad spectrum, which means it also protects against UVA (PA++++). The average-sized adult needs a teaspoon of sunscreen for head and neck, each limb and for the front and the back of the body. Sunscreen needs to be applied 20 minutes before heading outdoors and re-applied every two hours and earlier after water activities or excessive sweating.

The other active ingredients /phytonutrients in Nalc sunscreen are as follows:

-hyaluronic acid prevents skin dehydration after sun exposure

-Glycyrrhizinate dampens skin inflammation after sun exposure.

- Clara extract keeps tyrosinase activities in check to avoid skin pigmentation, wrinkles and saggy skin formation.

Not only that Nalc sunscreen is also free of harmful additives such as parabens, alcohol,  mineral oil,  artificial colorants and surfactant.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

Nalc sunscreen is a great sunscreen because it provides broad spectrum UV protection. It's light and easy to bring during traveling.  I only have to bring one for my family of 4 with 2 young children.  It's not sticky,  spreads well. There's no white residues left after application. I also love to use it before I apply foundation on my face as a base.

Can't find this product from Malaysian supermarket shelves?  Don't worry. Nalc sunscreen can be purchased online from Japan Premium now.

Acne Buster | Japan Premium Null Face Wash Review

We can't help but notice that Japanese generally have tiptop skin condition,  even for those who are aging. Most of them look so refined and elegant. So the secret must lie in the skincare products they use. That's why I love 100% authentic imported Japanese products from Japan Premium.

Null Face Wash is a must have for both men and women who are troubled by acne. Acne vulgaris can affect adolescents as well as adults.  Acne is formed due to excessive keratin production in the follicles, as well as  too much sebum clogging the pores, resulting in bacteria proliferation and inflammation. Male hormones can further aggravate breakouts.

There are many active ingredients aka phytonutrients used in Null Face Wash

Glycyrrhizate- anti-inflammatory, soothes the irritated skin and prevent acne from forming

Hamamelis, Gingko biloba & Chamomile- powerful phytonutrient which softens the skin and reduce appearance of acne scars

Artichoke,  soybean and Scutellaria Baicalensis- form the basis of the bubble foam that cleanse in depth and exfoliate gently to achieve a radiant glow.

Aloe Vera and collagen- great moisturiser and contains hyaluronic acid which maintains skin elasticity.

Lime essential oil- this gives the facial wash a refreshing smell and rejuvenates the skin

Null Face Wash is also free of paraben,mineral oil, alcohol,  artificial coloring, artificial  fragrance  and petroleum surfactant agents.  These are potential allergens or irritants to skin. 

How to use?

1. Apply 2-3cm onto a wet face washing net.
2. To create foam,  rub the net between the hands.
3. Apply the foam lightly onto the face with minimal contact to the skin.
4. Rinse off with water and avoid rubbing the skin.

What does Dr Yingzangel think?

I love plant based products because they are natural yet effective.  Null Face Wash is a great product that has multiple functions by cleansing,  exfoliating and moisturising,  as well as reducing inflammation and preventing acne formation. This simplifies our daily skincare regime.

Null Face Wash makes a perfect acne buster and birthday gift for your boyfriend/spouse.  Purchase it from Japan Premium now.

DIY cookies | Weekend parent with toddler activity idea

Bing Boy's assessment week at his school was coming up the next Monday. We did not want to put too much stress to ask him to revise. After all, he is only 3 years plus and we would like him to explore and develop an interest in reading, writing, reasoning and counting at his own pace. There has been studies stating that children nowadays are forced into formal education too early. The expectations from schools and parents can be unrealistic for young children which may have adverse effects on their emotional, physical and social development. The full study can be accessed here.

Bing Boy happily munching away and reciting the alphabet and number cookies. 

Since Bing was not happy to write A-J, 1-7 which were his assessment scope, we decided to make it fun to revise. There came our weekend alphabets and number cookie making.

We got this Dr. Oetker chocolate cookies premix from Giant Superstore. So we did not have too much mixing to do because young children get bored if there are too many steps involved.

Fairly simple instructions: Bing boy fetched an egg for me. Mixed that with 125g of butter and the premix then we were all good to go!

After mixing the dough thoroughly, we had a nonsticky and fun playdough!

Time to shape the dough into alphabets, numbers and shapes. I did most of the shaping but Bing Boy had his share of fun mixing and handing me the dough. Of course we revised the strokes for writing and taught him to recognise them. We did not use any mould but in retrospect that would be a lot easier and faster.

After 15mins of bakingn at 180 degrees, tadaa! We were quite proud that the cookies did not break. They turned out crunchy, buttery, yet not too sweet. 

Dr. Oetker has many other premix for cakes, cookies and Malaysian dessert. It makes baking so much easier and less hassle. Their website also has many other simple recipes. Involve the children and they will appreciate the result so much better than you baking or cooking it alone.

Cosy staycation | Hatten Place Malacca Review

From my recent posts about Encore Malacca and Who's Tea Malacca, you guys could have probably guessed that we have recently visited Malacca! So where did we stay? Of course at the newest hotel in town-- Hatten Place. Follow me to find out what Hatten Place Malacca is like.

Hatten Place Malacca
Address: Hatten Place Melaka, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, Hatten City, 75000 Melaka
Phone: 06-222 9696
Official website

Hatten Place Malacca is a 4star hotel located above Elements Mall Malacca. The lobby is at level 12. Look at how stately the check in lobby is.

My boys, as usual, quickly made themselves comfortable after we checked in to the Superior Room. It is 20.5 sq meters  and equipped with a King sized bed, 40' LED TV, bar fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities and a rain shower. Fairly cosy but just a tad small for a family of 4 with 2 young children.

The bathroom is clean and there is a blind, when lifted, with direct view of the bed.

The view from 21st floor. We could see part of the Straits of Malacca and the cargo ships which my eldest was excited about.

One can also order for different pillow options, which unfortunately we conveniently forgot because we were too tired and hit the sack straight at night.

We had some problems with the safe but the staff responded and replaced the broken safe within a few hours.

But don't worry, there is plenty of space around the gym and swimming pool area for the children to spend some energy. There is an infinity pool with a spectacular bird's eye view of Malacca and a children pool which is under the shade so water can be a bit chilly at times.

The buffet breakfast at the Thyme is quite standard for a hotel of such establishment. There is a section for hot food such as local breakfast (nasi lemak, fried noodles, chicken rendang) and western options (hashbrown, baked beans, omelette, hard and half boiled eggs, sausages). The salad bar is great as well. I love the cherry tomatoes and caesar salad dressing. Besides that, the bread and pastry corner is definitely up to par with my favorite sour dough, multigrain bread, danishes and croissants.

Since Mr husband was busy at the conference during the day, we decided to explore the Elements Mall our own. It's definitely not easy to bring 2 young children, one in stroller and the other free on the go. I was quite glad that there wasn't much of a crowd. The mall is still very new and there is very limited shopping and dining options. But enough for us to spend the afternoon.

There are plenty of children rides in the mall.

The lifts in the mall can be confusing because at one wing, it could directly lead to the hotel lobby and only certain levels in the mall. The other lift could only access the other levels such as Jumpers Land on level 3.

Jumpers Land is a really big indoor playground. As it is new and the management do serious sanitisation 4 times a day, we have no worries letting our children play there. The size of the slides, mega bocks, maze, trampoline and children toy rides can easily entertain children from toddler to primary school age for the whole day.

And they check the children's temperature because those with fever will be denied entrance. Both children and accompanying adults have to wear socks in the playground. And we were allowed multiple entries during the day for toilet breaks and lunch elsewhere in the mall. There is a western food corner meant for family just next door with children friendly options like burgers and carbonara.

Overall, we find Hatten Place Malacca a pleasant stay and welcome the serenity of the place.

Children trusted skincare range | JOHNSON’S® CottonTouch™ Review

I grew up with Johnson's product and I am still using it. Husband and I are loyal fans of the pH 5.5 body wash. So it's not surprising that baby Bing and Yi also use Johnson's products. Johnson's has been around for so long and is widely available on supermarket shelves. But this does not mean that they have stopped progressing. In fact, we have just recently tried Johnson’S® CottonTouch™ Top-to-Toe™ Bath and Face & Body Lotion. 

Why do children, especially newborns need special skincare products? This is because their skin is 30% thinner and is much more sensitive. The caveat of less is more holds very true in this case. This means that children products should have as few ingredients, fragrance, additives and if possible no preservatives at all. 

The principle is similar to weaning your baby to solids. When something new is introduced, persist for a week and watch for possible allergic reactions. For skincare products, try it on an inconspicuous spot, on the inner arm, for example, let's say in a 20 cents size and wait for 24 hours. If there's no adverse reaction, then it's most likely safe for use. 

So what's so special about the new Johnson's Cotton Touch products? Compared with previous Johnson's products,  the Cotton Touch range uses 50% less ingredients. It's still tear free, just how we love it because Bing boy won't have it otherwise. Besides that,  it lathers and rinse easily, leaving no residues behind. 

The Johnson's Cotton Touch products are also hypoallergenic, because they don't contain parabens, phthalates, sulfates or dyes.

What about the active ingredients? 

-Cotton is what we called as a slip modifier which makes application of the wash and lotion much smoother. 

-Naturally derived Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate are surfactants used for cleansing 

-Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is a natural chelating agent that helps to maintain product freshness

What does Dr Yingzangel think? 

The Johnson's Cotton Touch body wash and lotion is a very much welcomed innovation for baby skincare. Knowing that it's now much simpler,  I feel much more confident to use it for my children who have eczema just like me. 


Johnson's Official Website

Floral themed cafe in KL | Le Shady Trinity Cafe Review

Walking pass the front of the shop,  one could have easily mistaken the cafe for a florist.  It's such an enchanting and magical existence. It makes one want to stop and spend some time or snap a few photos for memory keepsake. Located in the midst of the most chaotic part of the metropolitan, it's such a stark contrast and welcomed sight.

Le Shady Trinity Cafe

Ground Floor, 177, Jalan Tun H S Lee, Petaling Street, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
03-2022 0882
https://g.co/kgs/4GbFPT
Official website 
Instagram
Facebook

The atmosphere in the cafe is relaxing and comfortable.  It makes a great spot to wind down after a stressful day. The owner has paid so much details into the decoration and it's hard not to love it.

If you like to selfie and post on instagram,  there are also many photo opportunities. I particularly love the wall of roses.  It makes me look and feel so bohemian.

A wonderful dining environment has to go with great food. To start with,  match the floral theme with a great pot of rose tea. The premium rose buds infused the tea with so much fragrance that it really helps one to wind down and become one with the surroundings. The pot is constantly heated to make sure each sip of art the right temperature.

Not such a fan of tea? Try the colorful butterfly pea flower drink that is a magical deep-sea blue which transforms into a lovely shade of purple with a splash of acid. 

The signature dish at Le Shady Trinity Cafe is the giant homemade croissant. It's crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. The croissant is so big that it can fit the whole chicken chop inside .The chicken chop is battered and deep fried to a golden exterior but the meat remains tender and juicy.

Drizzled with their special sweet and spicy sauce,  it's quite a sinful indulgence. If you prefer more sauce like me,  don't hesitate to let the staff know so they can top up.

The black pepper chicken chop is as fiery as it looks. The taste of freshly ground black peppercorn and rosemary marinated chicken is a perfect combination. Generous portion and fairly healthy because the chicken is grilled.

Dessert wise,  the chocolate croissant is a must try for pastry lovers like me.  The chocolate is a good combination, neither too rich nor sweet to overpower the taste and crispiness of the croissants.

One more dessert that's not on the menu-please ask the staff whether it's available on the day or not.  The chocolate lava cake is to die for if you are a fan of chocolate just like Mr husband. Admittedly one of the best I have ever tried. I was lucky to be able to steal a bite before he walloped the whole cake.  Poor Bing boy didn't even get to taste it. The gooey chocolate lava went really well with the rich taste of the cake.  You will sure get a chocolate overload afterwards.

With this type of food and atmosphere,  it's very hard to believe that most of the items on the menu was only less than RM20! Such a bargain. 

Our verdict is therefore 7.5/10! 100% for atmosphere with good comfort food. Even if you are not hungry,  have a cuppa in the afternoon and enjoy the garden cafe in the city.