I am not really one to splurge on or treat myself to whitening products or treatments as I am quite happy with my natural skin color, but when I was contacted for this review I instantly thought it was timely because summer = swimsuits. I imagine it would be nice to have fairer skin to show off at the beach or the pool and to also lighten my scars on my legs that came from a skin allergy years ago. And so I said yes, and so here we are.
The Belo Intensive Whitening line boasts of the combination of two powerful whitening ingredients: Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid. A quick browse at supermarket aisles will yield several bath and personal care products that have Kojic Acid, but I think this is the first time I encountered Tranexamic Acid. Seeing “acid” on skin care products sounds a little scary to be honest, so I did a quick Google search. Kojic Acid is an organic compound that stops the production of melanin, giving the skin a visibly lighter appearance, while Tranexamic Acid is a peptide that prevents inflammation and melanin formation and works best on stubborn dark spots. Belo is already a household name when it comes to skincare so I guess I don’t have anything to worry about. I didn’t set high expectations though, but if these products could at least lighten my scars, then I would be satisfied.
The Belo Intensive Whitening line boasts of the combination of two powerful whitening ingredients: Kojic Acid and Tranexamic Acid. A quick browse at supermarket aisles will yield several bath and personal care products that have Kojic Acid, but I think this is the first time I encountered Tranexamic Acid. Seeing “acid” on skin care products sounds a little scary to be honest, so I did a quick Google search. Kojic Acid is an organic compound that stops the production of melanin, giving the skin a visibly lighter appearance, while Tranexamic Acid is a peptide that prevents inflammation and melanin formation and works best on stubborn dark spots. Belo is already a household name when it comes to skincare so I guess I don’t have anything to worry about. I didn’t set high expectations though, but if these products could at least lighten my scars, then I would be satisfied.
I was sent three products from the line: the Belo Intensive Whitening Bar (SRP P59.75 for 65g), Belo Intensive Whitening Face and Neck Cream (SRP P249.75 for 50g), and Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream (SRP P199.75 for 150mL). I stopped my usual bath and skincare regimen so I could use these exclusively for two weeks.
The Belo Intensive Whitening Bar suds up easily and cleans my skin well. Unlike some horror stories about Kojic soaps I heard from my friends who’ve tried other brands, this one did not leave a stinging feeling at all. There was a “tight” feeling after but it didn’t feel dry at all. I tried to run my nails over my skin after using it to see if it would leave a chalk-like mark indicating dry skin and I’m happy to report that it did not. I also liked its light citrusy scent.
The Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream is a bit thick but not greasy. As with other lotions and body creams, it is recommended to apply it while the skin is still damp. It is moisturizing, but not enough for my dry skin as I had to re-apply in the afternoon. Note though that I am cooped up in an air-conditioned office the whole day so that could be a factor. SPF is also very important for me so I liked that it has SPF30 already. It is recommended to apply it liberally on the whole body at least twice a day for maximum effect, so I use it in the morning after bathing and at night before I go to sleep in lieu of my usual body butter or body oil.
Aside from whitening the skin on the face and neck, the Belo Intensive Whitening Face and Neck Cream aims to rejuvenate. It also has SPF30, which is a big plus since I didn’t have to use a separate sunscreen. I like that it has a spatula for hygienic purposes. It has a pleasant light floral-citrusy scent that might not sit well for some people who don’t like fragrance on their skincare products, but it was okay with me.
For those of you who are interested to try the Belo Intensive Whitening line, it is important to remember that Kojic Acid is also a peeling agent that assists in removing dead skin cells, so it is also important to exfoliate at least twice a week. Also, as the outermost layer is stripped off, it gives way to new skin which is more sensitive so you should avoid exposure to direct sunlight, pollution, and other harsh products as much as possible. Again, SPF is very important; it’s good that the Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream has it but you might also want to top it off with another product. I use Belo SunExpert Face Cover SPF40 and Belo SunExpert Body Shield SPF60.
The Belo Intensive Whitening Bar suds up easily and cleans my skin well. Unlike some horror stories about Kojic soaps I heard from my friends who’ve tried other brands, this one did not leave a stinging feeling at all. There was a “tight” feeling after but it didn’t feel dry at all. I tried to run my nails over my skin after using it to see if it would leave a chalk-like mark indicating dry skin and I’m happy to report that it did not. I also liked its light citrusy scent.
The Belo Intensive Whitening Body Cream is a bit thick but not greasy. As with other lotions and body creams, it is recommended to apply it while the skin is still damp. It is moisturizing, but not enough for my dry skin as I had to re-apply in the afternoon. Note though that I am cooped up in an air-conditioned office the whole day so that could be a factor. SPF is also very important for me so I liked that it has SPF30 already. It is recommended to apply it liberally on the whole body at least twice a day for maximum effect, so I use it in the morning after bathing and at night before I go to sleep in lieu of my usual body butter or body oil.
Aside from whitening the skin on the face and neck, the Belo Intensive Whitening Face and Neck Cream aims to rejuvenate. It also has SPF30, which is a big plus since I didn’t have to use a separate sunscreen. I like that it has a spatula for hygienic purposes. It has a pleasant light floral-citrusy scent that might not sit well for some people who don’t like fragrance on their skincare products, but it was okay with me.
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| My skin with BB Cream. Photo taken under fluorescent lighting, with no filters used. |
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| Photo taken during the Sample Room BBQ |
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