Spotlight | Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream + Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

I have a love-hate relationship with summer, particularly this kind of summer that we're experiencing right now in the Philippines. I love that my kid is on a school break which gives us a chance to travel; I hate how the hot and humid weather takes a toll on my body, particularly on my lungs (asthma) and on my skin (allergies, red and blotchy skin).

These are the reasons why I am only too happy with the newest additions to Althea's very own skincare line. They came in the mail a few days ago, and they couldn't have come at a better time. My skin needs all the help it can get to keep it hydrated and moisturized in this sweltering heat, and to prevent those red, blotchy spots from appearing on my face.

The latest from Althea - the Skin Relief Calming Cream and the Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

Like a gift from the gods, the Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream is a lush facial cream that hydrates, soothes, and repairs skin from damage caused by irritants and harmful external pollutants.

Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream, Php 560.

It's formulated with panthenol, a substance derived from vitamin B that soothes the skin and helps strengthen its protective barrier. It's also infused with seawater and chamomile water which help the skin retain its moisture, plus a mix of shea butter and hydrogenated lecithin that nourishes the skin and protects it against harmful external factors such as dust, smoke, and pollution. Another note-worthy ingredient is the Centella asiatica extract which 'calms' the skin and repairs it from damage.

It comes in an 80 mL squeeze tube.

This product has a light, watery consistency despite the initial creamy appearance, and has a soft, citrus-y scent which reminds me of tangerines. It's non-sticky, non-greasy, and is easily absorbed by the skin.

Lush, creamy appearance.

I love how my skin feels soft and refreshed after every application, but what I love more about this product was how it got rid of the red, blotchy patches on my face overnight. I literally woke up to soft, clear skin with the Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream, and to say that I was impressed with this product would be a complete understatement.

Light, watery texture when applied.

Now if it's extra boost of hydration that you want, look no further as the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads got you covered. 

Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads, Php 700.

These woven, gauze-like pads are infused with Bambusa vulgaris (bamboo) extract that's rich in minerals and amino acids. This product also contains extracts from Salix nigra (willow), known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and Centella asiatica, which soothes, treats, and repairs damaged skin.

Comes with a small plastic tweezer. Each tub contains 80 pads.

You can use these moisture pads two ways - as a toner or as a sheet mask. When used as a toner, you simply wipe the pad all over your face. These pads are pretty soaked, so you'll only need one for toning.

Soft, woven-like texture.

Used as a sheet mask, the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads provide a more concentrated dose of hydration. Simply put the pads onto targeted areas of the skin and allow them to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. I prefer using them this way, and I love how my skin feels softer, smoother, and firmer afterwards.

Pampering at home with the Althea Waterful Green Bamboo Pads.

The Althea Skin Relief Calming Cream and the Althea Waterful Green Bambood Pads are both available at the Althea website. Shipping fee is waived for orders worth more than Php 1000, cash-on-delivery option is also available for orders worth more than Php 2000.

New to the Althea community? Get a 20% discount on your first order using my referral code.