Just recently, I was given a chance to try the new whitening lotions of Block & White, a brand recently acquired by Unilever. It had a major revamp, and I was just so curious about it as Block & White is actually the pioneer in whitening in the Philippines! Do you think of me as someone into whitening? Well…sometimes, I am, sometimes, I’m not, so I definitely have whitening products on my vanity table depending on my mood! The new naturals line of Block & White are formulated with 3x whitening actives, with sun protection, and the lightest consistency available.
It has three variants, with my notes on them :
New B&W Pearly White UV, for fair skin with a pearly pink glow, made with Chinese Natural Pearl – According to Chinese medicinal literature, pearls are usually ground up into a fine powder and used in skin treatments and cosmetics. Chinese pearl benefits the skin by regenerating and rejuvenating the epidermis. Once a luxury medicine that only royal families could afford, Block & White has made this expensive treasure more available in the beauty market by incorporating natural Chinese pearl into New B&W Pearly White UV whitening lotion.
Sophie’s Note : I really love the scent of the Pearly White UV variant, because it is just so elegant! It is powdery floral, but light. I can definitely apply this on my skin before going on a night out, or a formal event. It somehow reminds me of Marks and Spencer’s Magnolia variant.
New B&W Lasting White UV helps even out skin tone and gives you whiter skin that lasts. It is formulated with papaya and virgin coconut oil, – very well-known whitening ingredients locally. Block & White knows that papaya is a leading ingredient in skin whitening products because of its papain content, a natural enzyme that promotes skin renewal and cell turnover. Papaya is also rich in vitamins A, C and E, together with other anti-oxidants that give skin the moisture and protection it needs.
It also contains virgin coconut oil, another fruit substance known for its wellness benefits. Its richnessin vitamin E makes it an ideal protection against dryness and skin cracking. Block & White combinesthese two natural ingredients to deliver even-toned skin that stays that way, naturally.It also contains virgin coconut oil, another fruit substance known for its wellness benefits. Its richness
in vitamin E makes it an ideal protection against dryness and skin cracking. Block & White combines
these two natural ingredients to deliver even-toned skin that stays that way, naturally.
Sophie’s Note : The Lasting UV variant, on the other hand, is fruity-fresh. I feel really comfortable with this scent for active days, as papaya is such a refreshing fruit scent-wise! I think I would be using this more during the day!
B&W Spotless White UV, with Japanese Rice and Camellia Oil. Block & White takes a note from a common, yet age-old Japanese method of whitening. Japanese rice farmers first recognized certain extraordinary properties in the rice they were harvesting, and the women would bathe themselves in the leftover water used to wash white rice to make their skin more beautiful, supple and smooth.
It is because of the para-aminobenzoic acid in rice, an effective sunscreen aided by ferulic acid, an anti-oxidant, and allantoin, an anti-inflammatory agent, also found in rice. These three substances give rice the efficacy for both photoprotection and skin refining.Block & White aptly combined Japanese rice with Camellia Oil, a substance proven to absorb harmful UV rays. The oleic acid in Camellia Oil matches the skin’s natural sebum, replenishing and repairing when and where the skin needs it most. Another key benefit of Camellia Oil is that it moisturizes and increases cell metabolism, which helps combat uneven skin and dark spots so skin remains clear and youthful. Working hand in hand with Japanese rice, Block & White Spotless White UV is a potent combination to give fair, smooth skin, free from dark marks.
Sophie’s Note : Amongst the three variants, I think the Spotless White has the lightest scent, and when I mean light, I really mean light! I could not almost detect any scent from this, so those who are not into fragrance might like this! I will definitely use this when I am most stressed and I do not want to smell anything. There are those days, believe me!
The new lotions are the most watery that I’ve tried and most absorbent. I feel that this is really, really perfect for the humid Philippine climate that we have, and a plus is this is formulated with sun-shielding ingredients as we are always exposed to the sun. I have mentioned this in my blog that I am a lotion-phobic, and icky-phobic person, so imagine my glee that Block & White is watery in consistency! No icky feeling, indeed!
But wait, before I end this entry, I must just address some “whitening issues” that people are hesitant to try whitening products –
I admit that I am a highly experimental person. I love trying alot of things, and I love looking different each and everytime. When I was in high school, I went for jet black hair for prom to channel Snow White. Now, I’m enjoying my time being an ash blonde. I also had a phase that I loved sporting a beautiful tan, making me want to bask under the Boracay sun every single time I visit there. There are also some moments when I love being fair. I can just say that I want to try everything, and I’m glad that there are products in the market that help me execute my choices.
I believe that whitening is a choice – I’m not a hypocrite and tell you that you must embrace your curves and all, and your own skin color, because I try to lose weight by exercising and undergoing diet programs, and I sometimes use tanning oils, and whitening creams. They’re all about my choices, as I believe that it should be yours. But the choice should be your own, not going for the standard of what is beautiful in society. It must come within you, in what you feel you will be most beautiful in. Whitening lotions won’t give you drastic results anyway! They would give you more even-toned skin, which is the most important thing about skin – it should be radiant, not dull. At most, it will give you one or two tones lighter. I go for whitening lotions to keep my skin looking nourished, and un-dulling my skin. Period.
Block & White’s new lotions don’t intend to change your life by making you 5 shades fairer overnight. It encourages you to have a good habit of moisturizing your skin everyday, while slowly making your skin even in texture, for it to be able to glow, and whiten somehow. The whitening effect will not be drastic – only body peels can achieve that. But I think I am already okay with well-moisturized, and glowing skin! As for me, I love using the Spotless White UV variant immediately after taking a shower, because it doesn’t have that added heaviness on my skin – skin feels just like as it is – fresh from the shower, just moisturized, and ready to face the sun! That is just my point of view.
So, have you tried these babies? I’d love to hear from you!
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I love putting lotion on my skin!
xoxo
MrsMartinez
I haven’t tried these yet but I used to love the Block & White Ultima because it is highly effective in whitening my skin especially after my beach trips. But I think it is now phased out.
Hi Ms. Sophie! I’ve been meaning to try these to get back my fair skin. And thanks for the notes about the scents and the consistency. I love putting on lotion but the lotions that I have now are quite thick kaya I only use them at night before I go to bed.
Achie Michelle : Me, TRYING because my skin is getting dry na sa feet area. haha!
Maria Kristela : I think go for the intensive whitening variant, or get this! it’s worth a try!
Ive heard from Jheng ( Iambrigitte.com ) that Ultima was really good!
Alice : I am phobic about thick lotions wahh! Which scent are you considering?