Propolis For Acne

Hello, my bumblebees! It's been a hectic week because I've been working on my thesis *sigh* But now I'm back to review one of my current skin care routines.

We all know the good things about honey, don't we? Did you know what bees create to build their hives? Yes, propolis! It is material that bee mixes beeswax with various sap from trees and pollen from flowers. Basically, honey protects their live from the invasion of germs from outside by spreading propolis on entrance and inside of comb!

Humans use it as a natural or homeopathic treatment for a variety of medical situations. Test tube studies have found propolis to be active against a variety of micro-organisms, including bacteria and viruses. In a laboratory study published in 2006 in "Anaerobe," a team of Bulgarian researchers found that a propolis extract was active against most strains of anaerobic bacteria, including Propionibacterenum species (also known as P. acnes) the bacteria responsible for acne inflammation.

Mizon Acence Mark-X Blemish After Cream.

Let me talk about this popular skin care product in Korea. I knew this product from Sample Hime who commented on my Acne Fighting Routine post, she kindly suggested me this product after knowing that my main problem is about scarring. I was extremely fascinated with her review and decided to get the product no matter what! LOL!

Hologram original Mizon sticker.

It was really difficult for me to find this Acence Mark-X Blemish After Cream in Indonesia because Mizon is not sold here unless you buy it online! Online shopping is so convenient but also risky, you know fake stuff and so on. Although the sticker is there, we would never know if it's fake or original since a sticker is also easy to be copied. I was honestly afraid that I got the fake product as the packaging is a wee different regarding the promotional photo on their website. If you notice it really carefully, particularly the red seal on the right side is not wearing a red nurse hat. Well well, then I browsed for more and more, I found out there was also someone who complained the same thing. And here I finally have concluded, they probably has changed the packaging as the manufactured date's unlike the "red nurse hat seal", mine is 131113.

The only English description in the packaging.

12 months is the recommended usage after you open the seal of the tube.

What it promises:

1. It is cream for an affected part that resolves complex skin troubles and controls darkish and rosy skin part after squeezing troubles by contained propolis and Centella Asiatica.
2. It helps the skin healthier as it strengthens up the ability to propagate and resolves complex skin problem by contained lots of propolis extract (12.5%).
3. It helps to improve darkish and irregular skin tone as it is certified in whitening function and it creates a clear skin by contained licorice extract that is effective for brightening.
4. It cools down the irritated skin by vegetable ingredients such as Coptis Japonica Root extract, Cordyceps Sinensis extract and protects the skin from formatting blemishes by external stimulus.
5. It completed dermatology test and minimized skin damage by applying skin-friendly system that is the most natural and safest for the skin.
6. It excludes ingredients that cause irritation such as paraben, artificial color, artificial scent, talc, mineral oil.
7. Blemish care solution Acnatural Formula – compotition pantent no. 10-0795513 that contains Rosmarinus acid that makes the skin healthier as it relaxes sensitive skin naturally.

Yellowish cream.

The texture is thick but if you dab it on your skin, it would become transparent when it's fully absorb. I use this technique in my morning skin care routine before applying makeup. Sometimes, I don't really dab it, I'd just pat and leave it that way until I wake up. It would leave a yellow mark when I wake up but hey, who cares? I've been cleansing my face with milk cleanser prior to washing my face lately, FYI.

Now talking about the scent (or smell to be exact) of the product. It doesn't smell like a usual acne ointment that I use. The smell was not pleasant, weird and all, but as I'm getting used to it, I don't even bother with the smell. As long as it gives a nice effect to my skin, I will suffer. HA! One plus thing, it doesn't sting at all.

(UPDATED ON JULY 5TH: It stings when you put this cream on a popped pimple, you know the one with blood. After understanding the real usage of this cream from Sample Hime, I started to try using the cream on the popped pimples. Sometimes, I'd just pop it intentionally when I don't usually do so that I could test this product LOL. But seriously, I don't recommend you to pop pimple, unless you're damn curious like me. It still leaves acne marks no matter what!)

You could tell I had such a high expectation to it. The result is not that visible, it's not that overnight miracle kind of product. I have acne scars that even chemical peeling couldn't make it totally disappear. I think it's still in an early stage to judge, but the result has satisfied me thus far for the red marks and I will continue using this cream on my scars after applying my morning or night cream. Just look forward to the updates, yes?

Caution: People who are allergic to bee products like honey or royal jelly should not use propolis, as this substance might cause an allergic reaction. Reactions have also been reported in people who are allergic to poplar and conifer trees. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also consult a physician before using propolis for acne.

Price: IDR 150k

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TaeYang - Eyes, Nose, Lips.

TaeYang - 1AM.

I mustn't be the only one who's fangirling like cray over these MV, right?! Those abs, eyes, nose, and lips. Not to mention, the bed scene. Just, stahp Dong YoungBae, stahp being so sexay! You're so damn fine I could cry T^T OHMYGAWD!