MANILA, Philippines?To the brand managers who have been sending me get-well products at home, thank you. Being sick and constantly relapsing should have taken a toll on my face and skin. But thanks to my new road-test buddies, I have found a way to look radiant while recovering. People have commented how the bed rest has done wonders for my face.
Here are common skin woes and how one can combat them gracefully.

1. For dull skin caused by staying indoors and lack of physical activity. Initially I was skeptical about Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Wrinkle Corrector (P1,200/30g and P650/15g). I doubted whether it was suitable for oily skin as anti-wrinkle products usually are too emollient and induce breakouts.

Avon?s comes in a cool gel form that contains retinol, which causes a mild tingly feeling, and glycolic acid. It is meant to be applied evenings only. Drier skin will need a moisturizer to seal in this treatment while very oily skin can use this last.

But walking by a mirror the following afternoon after using it, I did a double-take as I noticed my skin was plump at the right places, dewy, even toned and glowing.

After three days I noticed certain brown marks from acne and warts cautery turning red. In a week, they had faded to pink and eventually disappeared.

Note: Marks were under six months old. Do not apply on eye area as it tends to puff it up.

Also try: Pond?s Age Miracle day cream with SPF 15.

2. Belo Essentials has come out with toners and face cream to complete its very affordable and effective facial whitening line.

As usual the toners are color-coded. Blue is the moisture-rich whitening (P44.75/60 ml, P68.75/100 ml) for normal to dry skin, and Pink is the pore-refining formula (P46.75/60 ml and P70.75/100 ml) for oily and acne-prone skin. Aside from whitening, the formulae maintain the ph balance of the skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. They target the 15-25 age range, but I find the pore-refining variant helpful at controlling shine and pore size appearance on my oily skin. The toners also boost face whitening.

The Belo Essentials face cream line is color-coded. Blue is the night cream (P199.75), which infuses skin with antioxidants to strengthen and brighten skin. It has anti-inflammatory and moisture-retaining properties. Pink is the day cream with SPF 15 (P219.75). It inhibits melanin production by turning dark pigments light.

I wish the day cream could have had a higher SPF, but whitening creams work best if you limit sun exposure so they work faster and more effectively. SPF 15 is perfect for those who stay indoors in the office most of the time and occasionally cross the parking lot or the street to the mall or office and travel by tinted car.

Apply higher SPF when on the beach or under prolonged outdoor exposure during the day. What I like about these creams is their non-greasy but hydrating feel, plus how they make your face fair when you wake up in the morning.

3. The Body Shop has launched a new Wellbeing range divided into four groups: Deep Sleep, Total Energy, Divine Calm and Gently Purify.

Made to choose three products from a total of 19 items was a struggle but I narrowed them down to:

A. Deep Sleep?s Pillow and Body Mist (P850), which has chamomile to calm the nerves and jujube to promote sleep. This helps me get a good night?s sleep for a well-deserved rest.

B. Total Energy Pulse Point Balm (P550), which has guarana and ginger, nature?s favorite stimulants, and Happy Belle, a patented extract known to increase endorphins. It keeps the mind and body awake so one can function even if just to answer important e-mail and meet some deadlines.

C. Gently Purify Refreshing Body Gel (P1,295), which contains wasabi that boosts circulation and acts as powerful antioxidant. It has extracts of rosemary, lemon, pine, eucalyptus and orange, which detoxify the body and tackle cellulite and swelling due to water retention.

New glossy

Hinge Inquirer?s new glossy magazine LOOK has just released its first issue and I am in it. Check out other beauty experts? favorite personal products ranging from makeup to skin- and body-care products. Only P120 at leading bookstores. I got mine at Fully Booked-Bonifacio High Street.