VMV Hypoallergenics ID Monolaurin Gel for acne and skin irritations
When someone asks me about makeup in person, I always tell them: don't get me started, because I'd be hard to stop once I get rolling! I can spend an hour (or more) just talking about cosmetics, and a good fraction of that time may or not be spent giving the other person a mini-make over. Haha. I always jump on the chance to educate and inspire the best I can; it seriously makes me happy!
But makeup is just really the tip of the iceberg. If you don't have good skin to begin with, your makeup won't look flawless no matter how expensive it is. So always prioritize treating your skin first and then maintaining it to the best of your ability. You'd be happier and more confident knowing that makeup is just an option for you and not a requirement.
Anyway, today I want to talk about the VMV Hypoallergenics ID Monolaurin Gel (P710 /120 ml). It's basically a clear face and body gel that can be used to treat pimples and sweat acne, as well as a primer to keep oil at bay. It only has six ingredients, which I will break down for you so you can see how this intriguing gel works.
The main ingredient is alcohol. I know there are a ton of people out there saying that alcohol is bad for your skin, but there is bad and good alcohol! Good alcohol is not a common allergen/irritant or VMV won't put it in their products. If there's one thing you need to know about this brand, they are incredibly anal about ingredients! They base their choices on studies published in peer reviewed journals and even publish research on their own.
So. Alchohol is an ingredient that dries out and sanitizes the surface of the skin at the same time. Some of the causes of acne are bacteria growth and oily skin, which is why alcohol works to strip the skin of those offenders. The Monolaurin ID Gel stings like a motherthumper because of it but it is effective in drying small pimples overnight.
What about cystic pimples? They're an entirely different story! If you have them, no topical treatment can make them go away. They can only lessen the appearance but they will still be there. Cystic pimples are often caused by hormonal imbalance and/or unwise lifestyle and diet choices which is why you need to see a dermatologist who may prescribe medication.
The next main ingredient is water, then glyceryl laurate. Glyceryl laurate or monolaurin is a skin-conditioning agent that has anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. It is considered safe although other people may say otherwise. :) It is effective in also fighting bacteria and fungal growth on skin, especially the ones that cause sweat acne (pityrosporum folliculitis).
Then we have glycerin, which is a humectant that traps moisture in the skin. It is a skin-identical ingredient, which means that it is naturally found in our skin.
Triethanolamine is another common ingredient used in skincare and cosmetics. It's an emulsifier, thus binding the ingredients together. Last but not the least, we have carbomer, which is an ingredient that makes the Monolaurin ID Gel a, well, gel.
Alright, I got a little carried away there! Always always read the ingredients to see exactly what you're putting on your skin, and to find out how a specific product works. Treat it like a cheat sheet! If you're unsure about a product, check the ingredients online then Google them. You'll be surprised what you find. It's also not too difficult to see reliable information.
The VMV Hypoallergenics ID Monolaurin Gel is an effective product in drying (non-cystic) pimples, sweat acne, and other bacterial/fungal irritation on skin. It stings, but it feels cool and soothing after the initial jolt. Really nice product. You get sooo much in a bottle too!
Just remember to use a generous amount on your pimples, but don't go beyond the acne, okay? Just apply directly on the spot. Don't touch the area and wait for the gel to try.
Need to address this: is it effective as a primer? I haven't tried to use it that way, but it could be effective on very oily skin since the alcohol can dry out the surface and keep the oil away for a little longer. If you have dry skin to begin with, I don't recommend this gel to be used as such.
Hope this helps! :)
