Pond's Pure White's deep dark beauty secret

Dear Rissa,

I’m really curious about the new Pond’s facial wash in the black packaging. How does it work? It says it contains activated carbon — is that safe for the skin? I’m also prone to breakouts — will this facial wash help give me clearer skin?

Gayle S.

The product you’re referring to is Pond’s Pure White Deep Cleansing Facial Foam. The first time I saw a tube of Pond’s Pure White was at the Pond’s Institute in Shanghai, China last year. With its interesting black packaging, it stood out against the other Pond’s products and it got me really curious. When it finally hit the Philippine market several weeks ago, I was thrilled with excitement!

This newest facial foam from Pond’s contains activated carbon — an ingredient so powerful, it’s proven to easily absorb impurities. Activated carbon works with a “black attracts black” philosophy where it can lift away “black” dirt and the most stubborn impurities from the skin’s surface. This is because activated carbon contains huge amounts of pores/holes that increase its surface area to absorb impurities. Worry not because the special ingredient activated carbon comes from charcoal — a pure and organic substance that is obtained from heating natural and organic plant parts such as nut shells, wood, and charcoal from bamboo. Hence Pond’s explains it is mild, safe yet effective on skin.

In the July 2010 issue of Marie Claire, charcoal was listed as one of the latest beauty detox ingredients. “For centuries, the Japanese have used white charcoal to soak up substances, from poison to bad breath; its pores absorb a range of gases and toxins,” Marie Claire explains. In fact, in Korea and Japan, activated carbon from charcoal is a key ingredient of many favored exfoliating soaps and facial masks.

In a recent global newsletter update, Pond’s global PR manager Apples Aberin reports on the top beauty trends that have changed the face care landscape since she began her career as a teen model. “I can see women are becoming smarter and more knowledgeable about their beauty routines. Women are eager to know what is in their beauty products and how their beauty products work. We experienced this first hand when we launched a new facial cleanser in China last year,” Aberin shares. “Pond’s Pure White’s unique ingredient and new skin cleansing philosophy generated so much consumer excitement it sold out within days of landing shelves and sparked a whole new trend on the market.”

The report also says that Pond’s Pure White with Activated Carbon (known as activated charcoal in China) remains a number one best-seller in China.

When Pond’s Pure White landed on the beauty shelves of Manila, I immediately bought one. Truth is, I was just so curious about it already and couldn’t wait for the sample they’d give us at the Pond’s press launch. I had just shot a two-day TVC then and because of layers of makeup sitting on my skin for a total of 18 hours, my cheeks had started to develop whiteheads all over. This was the perfect chance to test the powers of the Pond’s Pure White facial wash. I didn’t really expect much — I really thought this would just be another facial wash. Much to my surprise, it did not only give my skin a deep clean, it wiped out my whiteheads in two days! My cheeks were unbelievably smooth and blemish-free! Apart from my whiteheads, it also smoothened out the small stubborn bumps on my chin, which I’ve been trying to get rid of for the longest time. Even as I write this, I swear I still feel so amazed thinking about it.

During the press launch several days after, Pond’s senior brand manager Jacqe Yuengtian declared she personally thinks that Pond’s Pure White is Pond’s best facial wash ever, deep cleaning your skin without giving you that dry and tight feeling. I couldn’t help but agree.

For women like you prone to breakouts, make space for Pond’s Pure White Deep Cleansing Facial Foam on your bathroom shelf. Pond’s Pure White promises to cleanse away dirt, oil, and makeup that accumulate deep within the skin’s pores, lift dead skin cells, and help reduce blemishes to reveal natural, pure, white skin. I also tried using it to wash out my makeup and it effectively did without leaving a trace! Keeping your face clean and washing away oil, perspiration, and environmental pollution is the first step to a successful skin regimen and blemish-free skin. Fact is, when you mix oil and bacteria in a clogged pore, you have the recipe for acne and breakouts. Cleansing is so important if you want to enjoy a clearer complexion.

With Pond’s legendary expertise in skin care, Pond’s Pure White will be your little black beauty secret!

Rissa

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Rx: Beauty Products That Really Work

Dear Lucy,

Can you share with me beauty products that really work? I am overwhelmed by all the new brands sprouting up like mushrooms, all of which promise to be excellent. What are the iconic ones that are staples in the arsenal of glamorous, beautiful women the world over?

Lizbeth

How about Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream? This cult favorite has been around since 1930 and not just a few of Hollywood’s most beautiful swear by it. Catherine Zeta Jones, Cate Blanchett, and Victoria Beckham can’t live without it. Red lipstick is also a classic — look for a blue red so that it brightens your face. For my wedding I remember very clearly how Mila Garces, who did my makeup, applied MAC lipstick in Russian Red. Ruby Woo, also by MAC, is also a nice shade. Guerlain Meteorites is not only adorable with its bubblegum colors, it is also an instant complexion enhancer. It will correct your skin and make it radiate! Mario Badescu Acne Drying Lotion heals breakouts overnight and a good eye cream that works for you is a must. Choose a brand you like although I am partial to Chanel’s Sublimage. By the way, Chanel and Dior are forever reliable and Shu Uemura still is the top choice in so far as eyelash curlers go. Maybelline’s Great Lash is inexpensive and magnificent! Hoard it because it always, always works. L’Oreal Elnett still is the nicest-smelling hairspray. Keep your lips luscious with Keihl’s lip balm and Smith’s Rosebud Salve. 

Lucy

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What To Look For In Cosmetics

Dear Ms. Tingting, 

What should you look for when buying cosmetics?

Cynthia 

For sensitive skin, less ingredients are better. The best mineral-based products have talc-free formulas and include natural ingredients. Consider these:

• Mica blurs the appearance of fine lines.

• Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are natural pigments that act as sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Iron oxides are natural, non-irritating, hypoallergenic colorants.

• Bismuth oxychloride is a translucent pigment that provides a soft-focus effect.

• Silica absorbs oil from the surface of the skin, providing a smooth, matte appearance.

And for skin care: Look for extracts of rhodochrosite, malachite, and smithsonite, which help protect skin against daily environmental stresses.

Tingting

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.