This year is no different – we’re offering free Back Bliss Spa Treats (worth $100) to all teachers who make an appointment for a facial/massage or body treatment. If you’re a teacher who’s also an existing package holder, you’ll get to enjoy this treat when you come for your regular treatment this month! Just call us to make an appointment!

Happy Teachers Day!

The most common types of sunblock are the physical block and the chemical block.

Chemical blocks usually have the words “sun screen”, or “sun filter” in their names, while physical blocks often have the word “sun block” in their name. The key difference between these 2 types of sun protection are the way they work to prevent sun damage.

Chemical blocks work by absorbing UV rays and then changing these rays to thermal energy via chemical conversion. Many of these sunscreens work well against UVB, but are less effective against UVA, especially against longer UVA wavelengths. However, recent innovations like the chemical avobenzone works against all UVA wavelengths, so do look out for that in your sunscreen to ensure maximum protection. The one downside of chemical blocks (especially those with a high SPF rating) is that they might irritate sensitive skin – due to the chemical conversion process.

Physical blocks work by creating a physical barrier on skin to deflect UV rays when they reach the skin. Because the UV rays are scattered when they come into contact with physical block ingredients, they do not damage skin. Physical blocks often contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, good ingredients that provide broad spectrum protection against UVB and all UVA wavelengths. Although poor quality sun blocks can feel thick and blend poorly on skin, new formulations have emerged containing finely blended ingredients that feel light and comfortable when applied, and also look less conspicuous on skin.

Endogenous Sun Essence ($83)

If you are looking for a good sunblock, why not consider Faith Cosmetic’s EndogenouS Sunprotector? This made-in-Japan product (PA+++, SPF 40) is an additive-free physical sunblock that contains both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. With 11 active ingredients like CoEnzyme Q10 (anti-oxidant), Rice Bran (soothing properties for sensitive skin) and Sodium Hyaluronate (moisturising), this product not only works to protect against sun-damage, but is also good for your skin! Best of all is how silky smooth and light it feels on skin – due to the double silicon coating – making it a wonderful make-up base. It’s reflective qualities also ensures that skin looks more flawless and even!

Priced at $83, a small bottle (50ml) can last for a long long time, making it a great investment in  your anti-sun damage toolkit!

That’s right – UVA Ages Skin, UVB Burns skin.

This week, we’re moving on to the types of Sun Protection Standards and what they mean – an important thing to note when we’re choosing our sun protection!

SPF: SPF stands for sun protection factor. This measures the amount of time a product protects your skin from reddening due to exposure to UVB rays. For example, if it takes 20 minutes before your skin starts to redden when exposed to the sun without any protection, an SPF of 15 will prevent your skin from burning for 15 times longer. (20×15=300 mins) This means you can be in the sun for 5 hours with an SPF 15 product, before your skin starts getting damaged.

If you’ve taken note of the above, you’ll realise that contrary to popular belief, a higher SPF doesn’t mean stronger protection, just a longer period of protection. So if you work in an office all day and are only exposed to the sun for only 30 minutes each way when commuting to and fro, you probably won’t need a product with SPF 45. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you use products with at least SPF 15, a minimum that should work for most people, unless you work in a mainly outdoor environment.

Since SPF measures the reddening of skin, this universal standard is mostly useful for gauging the protection against UVB rays (The rays that burn skin! Remember?). Currently there is no worldwide standard for UVA protection, so you’ll need to check the ingredients in your product to ensure that there are also UVA resistant products in there to safeguard your skin against the effects of photo-aging, caused by those UVA rays! (What ingredients? Look out for part III…)

PA: In the meantime, you can look to the PA system for a better gauge on UVA protection. PA is a Japanese sun protection standard based on the PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) reaction readings. PPD measures the damage to our pigment cells after every 2 – 4 hours of sun exposure. This reading helps to determine the PA (Protection level of UVA) of a product.

There are currently 3 levels of PA:

PA+ : Some UVA protection with a PPD of 2-4 (meaning our pigment cells will start getting damaged after 2-4 hours of sun exposure)

PA++: Moderate UVA protection with a PPD of 4-8. (Skin is protected for 4-8 hours)

PA+++: Good UVA protection with a PPD of >8. (More than 8 hours of sun protection)

So again, you can use this standard to match your sun protection product to your needs. Since UVA works on an invisible level compared to UVB, they’re more dangerous, so a higher PA factor might be a safer bet.

Next Week: The difference between sun screen and sun block, and the types of sun protection ingredients to look out for!

But what exactly is suitable sun protection? What do all the terms like SPF, UVA, UVB, PA actually mean? And is exposing our skin to the sun really so bad?

Fret not, read our guide to become an expert in a jiffy!

Why Sun Exposure can harm our skin

Sunlight contains solar rays, which can penetrate skin and damage it. Besides sunburn, these rays are the main cause of wrinkling, weathering (think of how the leathery skin of folks living on highlands and mountains, areas closer to the sun) and most signs of photo-aging. Of course, problems like pigmentation or melanoma that appear as we get older can also be caused by unprotected sun exposure. So the moral of the story? Sun protection! Apply it and start early if you want to stay younger longer!

UVA

UVA stands for Ultra Violet-A, these are long wave solar waves that are less likely to cause skin darkening, but which are more dangerous as they are the main cause of photo-aging symptoms like wrinkling and leathering. And because they work so silently, and penetrate so deeply, they’re even more dangerous than the pigmentation causing UVB. At least UVB gives us a hint when it’s harming us! Studies also show that UVA not only increases UVB’s cancer-causing effects, but may even directly cause some skin cancers.

UVB

UVB stands for Ultra Violet-B. These short wave solar rays are the main cause of sunburn, skin cancer and pigmentation. So if you’re looking to keep your clear, even complexion – remember to keep those UVB rays at bay!

And here’s the Chez Moi formula to differentiate between UVA and UVB:

UVA – Ages skin, UVB - Burns skin. Easy enough?

Look out for our second instalment of this primer to learn about all those confusing sun-protection standards. SPF, PA, what? You’ll find out soon enough!

From NDP 2010 Show Rehearsals on Flickr

It’s going to be August again, a month we always look forward to because of the festivities leading up to National Day. Yes, Singapore turns 45 this year, and we’re looking forward to the pomp and glamour leading up the the big day this year – with the tanks rolling in the military parade, and the fireworks at the Padang! Anything that involves fireworks is a winner in our opinion!

Here at Chez Moi, we’ve decided to welcome this fiery August (fiery also because of Hungry Ghost Festival and incense involved anyone?) with a dousing of body pampering treats.

So you’ll find lots of great promotions on our BIOTONE Spa product range, as well as a delish back-treatment package to keep your back view as gorgeous as your front!

Click over to our promotions page for details!

Get fairer skin for July with our great whitening deal!
Any purchase of regularly priced products from our Whitening and Vitamin C range will get a 20% discount!

Products include: Phyris Vitamin C Complex, Refining Serum, Refining Cream, SkinScience Silky C, Silky C Plus, Vecteana Lotion W, Essence W, White Powder and Pack W.

Valid in July 2010 only. Whilst Stocks Last

6 Skin Science Facials at $780 only (was $900)
plus get 25% off your first set of Skin Science Products

Refine your pores and balance your skin with our Skin Science care ritual, tailored for uneven, coarse, oily  or blemished skin types. This treatment corrects skin from inside out to reveal glowing, smooth skin. Best paired with a Skin Science home care regime for even more significant results.

Terms and Conditions:
Valid till 25 July 2010.
Limited to 1 treatment per customer only for all promotions.
Proof of tourist status and accommodation venue needed for tourist promotions.
All treatments by appointment only. Please call 67386108 for bookings.

• Plus get a Magic Caps Skin Restoration Mini Kit (worth $32) when you sign up!

We prep your skin with a round of micro-dermabrasion, then infuse it with pure oxygen! This is followed up with an application of Phyris Magic Cap intensive repair serum, to lock in the goodness and keep skin soft , fair and silky smooth.

Luxesse Multi-Eye Lift

Lower and Upper Eye areas have different demands, the lower eye area is more prone to puffiness, dark eye circles, and eyebags, while the upper eye area is in need of lifting (saggy eyelids) and reduction from fine lines and wrinkles. With Luxesse Multi-Eye Lift, it’s now possible to treat these areas individually for most effective results!

Phyris Cosmetics’ newest addition to it’s luxury Luxesse Range includes 3 eye products:

1.) LUXESSE VISION EYE LIFT
The especially soft texture of this luxurious 2in1 eye cream is pampering the sensitive skin around the eyes with precious lipids to make it smooth and soft.
Lines, wrinkles and signs of stress are reduced immediately. In addition it reduces puffiness, provides relaxation and pleasant refreshment. The skin’s own self-defence as well as the cell structure will be improved with a lasting effect and therefore be prevented from premature skin aging. If  applied in more covering layer also to be used as an anti-aging eye masks.

Precious treasures kept in luxurious miniature bottles are the Essentials. Those high effective concentrates can be dosed exactly drop by drop with the integrated pipette.

2. ) LUXESSE ESSENTIAL EYE LIFT I
- revitalising the under eye area -
This golden shimmering, revitalising and smoothening Anti-Age Concentrate nurishes the area under the eyes, reduces wrinkles as well as fine lines and moisturizes with a depot effect. The skin is protected from cell damages and intensively tightened.
Puffiness as well as signs of tiredness and stress are reduced significantly and the eye area gets a fresh and glowing appearance.

3.) LUXESSE ESSENTIAL EYE LIFT II
- regenerating the upper eye area -
The silver sparkling, regenerating Anti-Aging Concentrate is especially developed to care for the upper area of the eyes. It increases the microcirculation,  tightens the skin with essential proteins and moisturizes with depot effect. Harmonizing and strengthening care for the upper eye area, reducing redness, irritations, puffiness and signs of stress.

Now Available in a limited edition Set with all 3 products. Perfect as a Mother’s Day Gift!