TUESDAY'S TITBITS

It maybe only once a week that I'm able or inclined to post something on the blog but I shall value the allotted time like a baby values a dummy. It will be no surprise to my friends to read that I've missed the regular contact with the blogging world. Anyway, enough of that sentimental stuff, I'll move on.

A few weeks ago I saw a group of ladies performing at a recent Townswomen’s Guild meeting. The group is known as Music in Motion and they promote sign language through participation. They seemed to be singing but in fact they were miming to music and ‘signing’ at the same time. One of the group members was deaf but none of us guessed until the end.

Music in Motion is a Birmingham based group of deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people, who use British Sign Language in a unique way to interpret popular songs by performing lyrics in sign language.  This creates pathways between deaf and hearing communities with music and Sign Language.  Their aim is to promote deaf awareness and to introduce the arts to the deaf community.

Music in Motion has visited a variety of venues throughout the country and is frequently invited to give repeat performances!  All funds raised are donated to projects that support the deaf community.  This is only made possible because of the generosity of the general public.

I feel very frustrated right now because for two days I have left comments on a blog and on both occasions it hasn't got through. So if you're looking in, Herman, the comments were for you.

On the subject of blogging, does anyone know how to remove an unwanted follower? No, it’s not any of you wonderful people. I checked out the latest blogger to join the list but was warned off. According to the listed blogs they’re erotic and one is listed as a sex shop. Each to their own but not for me, thank you very much. I’ve checked out the Blogger settings and cannot find out how to remove the name. The old style blogs catered for it but blowed if I can find it on the new one.

SKIN CARE

At last, an explanation.

Remember me writing about the problem I had using certain skincare products? Well, I have at last discovered what caused the redness, itching, and red weals on my face and neck. Actually, I already knew from years ago that Clarins products didn’t suit me, plus at that time there was a news article about someone suing the company for the same reason. My doctor described my problem as contact dermatitis but what caused it was a mystery!

Years later I was persuaded by the Clarins assistant to try again. She insisted that their products were pure and couldn’t affect anyone’s skin. I fell for it ... and wasted my money since the products were chucked in the bin when my face swelled and more weals appeared.

It was revealed on television just the other night that a certain skin protecting sun cream contained the same ingredient, something known as MI (methylisothiazolinone), which is added to stop the cream going mouldy. It is also used in paint strippers! It was stated that it was an ingredient in Clarins skincare products.  

I do know that one of the other leading skincare companies produced a toner that also upset my skin. I can't recall the name now but I can recall when I last used it. After using it I noticed some hardened spots of hair lacquer on the mirror. Without thinking I rubbed the spots with the already impregnated cotton wool pad. Would you believe it cleared the lacquer completely? I kept that product solely for cleaning the mirror, duly marked so that it couldn't accidentally be used for anything else!

Here’s an extract from The Telegraph 

‘The preservative – known as MI – is used in a wide range of shampoos, moisturisers and shower gels as well as make-up and baby wipes.

But dermatologists warn people are being exposed to much higher doses than before, leading to a steep rise in allergies known as contact dermatitis where the skin becomes red and itchy and can sting and blister.

Experts say the chemical is second only to nickel in causing contact allergies. One in 12 adults and one in five children in the UK now have eczema, of which contact dermatitis is one of the most common types.

MI, which is short for methylisothiazolinone, is a preservative which is also found in paint. It is added to products to prevent unwanted growth of bacteria and yeasts.

Well-known products that contain MI found on sale in shops included Nivea body lotion, Wet Ones and Boots men's face wash.’

I have to say that since using Nivea Soft (thank you, Ron) my skin is now silky soft and feels (and looks!) luxurious.

Ever had an erupting face?

Once upon a time I had problems with Clinique merchandise. It was okay for a couple of years but then suddenly the moisturiser didn’t suit and the exfoliant was too harsh. It didn’t surprise me to read an article in the newspaper about a woman taking Clinique to court for the same symptoms I had. Both of us had been using the products for a while before we became ‘allergic’ to them. I can’t remember if she won the case but the information gleaned from reading about it made me feel better. Naturally, I stopped using Clinique products altogether.

I moved on, trying all the well known and respected skincare specialists, Elizabeth Arden being the last one. I got on well with their creams but steadfastly refused exfoliants and toners. When they introduced Prevage I was talked into trying it.

Okay, it was my own fault, I should have listened to my inner self instead of the ‘reassuring’ voice of the EA specialist. Basically I took them after describing my skin condition to Diane, the EA girl, that of my skins sudden inability to absorb the cream, to which she replied that Elizabeth Arden knew all about it and that’s why they introduced the new Prevage. Like I say, I should have listened!

If you don’t get on with them, bring them back and I’ll refund the money. Well, with a safeguard like that who would imagine things going wrong?

One application of Prevage was enough. It lay heavily on the skin like a sticky mass ... all day.

I returned to the store with both jars and my story at the ready, only to find that it was Diane’s day off. I explained the situation to an assistant I hadn’t seen before, explaining why I was returning them.

Oh no, we can’t accept goods that have been opened.

Well, yes, I can understand that. It would be awful if I’d mixed some poisonous substance in the cream and they used it on unsuspecting customers. This girl was uncooperative with a capital U and all I could do was to ask her to record on my information card that I was THOROUGHLY DISSATISFIED.

For a while my skin had to go naked, i.e. without moisturiser, until I discovered Nivea Soft. That kept me going for a while but eventually I became concerned about some rough areas on my cheeks.

I went back to town to consult. This time approaching Clarins for advice since it’s a well known fact that they don’t use chemicals or harsh ingredients in their products. I already used their cleansers (skin, not drains) so I knew the girls there. Naturally, the one I talked to was VERY helpful. She suggested I try an exfoliant. My hands went up in horror. Oh no, NOT an exfoliant.

She talked me through the procedure like I didn’t know it, but I bore with it. When she referred again to the exfoliant I told her about my past experience. You won’t have any trouble with ours, she went, ours is mild and wouldn’t harm a baby’s skin.

I’m a sucker. I fell for it. I bought exfoliant plus two new skin creams, plus an anti-ageing serum. And guess what. First and only use of the exfoliator resulted in my skin flaring up like a burning bun. I promise you I only skimmed the skin with the cotton wool pad, there was no pressure and certainly not an excess of liquid. Why? Because I'd been there before and knew the dangers. Duh!

I couldn’t bear to put my head on the pillow that night. The burning and itching drove me mad. Fortunately I still had some of the doctor-issued hydrocortisone left from last time but it took two days for the redness and tiny eruptions to lessen. Not disappear, just diminish slightly. I’m working on that, but one thing I have discovered is that those dry patches have disappeared. If they ever come again they’ll just have to stay put. Like the Clarins girl said: You have problem skin. Another problem I have is dealing with the knowledge that I spent loads on these products and can see nothing for it, except maybe the day and night moisturisers which might suit.

I still have to tell the Clarins girl what I think of her!