Product: Shulammite Carrot Soap

If you've read my 2 other soap reviews, then you are aware that I am on a mission--a mission to find a soap that can effectively control my long-time and on-going pimple problem, and give me a beautiful, glowing skin. After trying out Cyleina Organic Soaps, I found another one that looks promising, based on other sises' feedback on GirlTalk: Shulammite Carrot Soap.

I was delighted that the soap is available at most Watson's branches and I won't have to find a reseller to purchase the product from. I've nothing against reseller, but because I live outside of Manila, finding a reseller that can arrange a meet-up near my area can be frustrating sometimes.

So on my next trip to SM Muntinlupa (I think there's a Watson's drugstore in every SM malls), I bought 1 bar to try. Shulammite Carrot Soap comes in an orange packaging and costs P94. Some were able to buy this soap at a cheaper price at local Chinese drugstores in Tutuban Mall and Quiapo. I find it nice that it has an expiration date on the box, so you'll know if you're buying a fresh soap or an old stock.

Shulammite Carrot Soap

Manufactured and Expiration Date on the box

At first, I was a bit skeptical because when I opened the box and smelled the soap, the scent was weird. Not unpleasant or irritating, but it just didn't smell fresh or organic to me. But it didn't deter me from trying out the soap.

I took a pairing knife and sliced it thinly, like slicing a block of cheese. I only use one slice a time para matipid (a tip I recommend to those who want their soap bars to last longer). The first time I washed my face with it, I immediately noticed a mattifying effect on my skin. It looked like I put powder on my face. I also didn't experience any sting or harsh reactions despite massaging the soap on my face for almost 1 minute.

After a few more days of using it, I was beginning to see some significant changes on my skin. It looked whiter, less oily and with a more even skintone and a pinkish glow (that's more visible than when I was using Cyleina's Tomato soap). And yes, small pimples are slowly drying up.

I did not experience any micropeeling but I noticed that my pimple marks were fading and dark spots were lightening, two weeks after. What I really love was waking up in the morning, with a fresh-looking and rosy-cheeked face greeting me when I look at myself in the mirror.

Before, there were times my face looked darker than the rest of my body because of it's oily nature (oil attracts more dirt that makes my face appear dark). But after a few weeks of using Shulammite Carrot Soap, my face was noticeably whiter than my neck already. I was using it only on my face because I still have lots of Cyleina soaps to use on my body (I decided to use them up first before switching to Shulammite as my body soap). So I just made sure to use Shulammite on my neck as well to even out the skin color.

I was totally impressed with the results that I was seeing on my face. But I always tell myself that the true test will come when I'm already PMS'ing. My hormones go haywire a week before I get my period and my pimples are usually having the grandest time of their lives during that time. For more than three weeks, Shulammite was effective in keeping my face pimple-free and less oily, and I was hoping for the best when the dreaded period finally herald its arrival.

Like what I feared, the week before my monthly period, pimple started coming out. First, there were a few small ones under my chin and jaw area. As the week progress, two big ones surfaced. Initially, Shulammite was successful in drying them out within two days. But eventually, as my "red day" came nearer, my pimples seemed to be winning the battle. The worst was a huge, red, and inflamed pimple on my upper right cheek that stayed for weeks. It's still there as I write this review. In fact, I still have some small pimples under my jaw, my chin and my forehead weeks after my period. And I think I'll have two new ones coming out, too--one on the lower end of my left eyebrow and one on the upper left cheek, kind of balancing with the one I had on my right.

The Verdict

Half a soap and 1 1/2 months later, my face looks whiter, less oily, skintone is more even and has a rosy glow. But as far as pimple control is concerned, Shulammite failed the ultimate test. I'm still using it despite not being able to effectively fight off my acne problem. I really love the effects it has on my skin and for a relatively short time, it gave me a pinkish white skin that I didn't achieve with the other soaps that I 've tried.

But I admit that not being able to control my pimple was a dealbreaker, so my search is still on. Sometimes, I feel that maybe there's no single soap that can give me a beautiful skin and keep my pimples at bay at the same time. Maybe, I need to use something with my soap, something that's specifically meant to treat acne, like when I used EC27 Guava Soap with RCC Amazing Touch's Antibacterial Lotion. That makes sense--to not totally depend on one soap for all my skin problems.

But for now, like what I said, I'm still using Shulammite Carrot Soap. I will finish the whole bar but will probably try a different soap after.Or maybe continue using it and just try a pimple spot treatment for a change. I'm still not decided.

UPDATE 10/14/2012:

Answering some inquiries on the comment section made me realize that I should update this post. Aside from Shulammite, I also tried Dr. Kaufman's Sulfur Soap, GT Carrot Soap, Dove, Cyleina's Carrot Soap. But none addressed my pimples and none gave me the same rosy glow that Shulammite gives. So I stuck with Shulammite. And I don't know when exactly it happened, but my breakouts stopped. They just did, even when I have my period, even when I would stay up late at night.

I'm on my nth bar now, I've lost count because I am also using it on my body (so mas mabilis maubos, I buy every month ata). The only time I stopped using Shulammite Carrot Soap was when I got pregnant because whitening products are a no-no for pregnant women. But after that, I promptly went back to using it again. Also, the price has increased to P109. a little expensive than regular bath soap but it works for me so I just keep using it.

Shulammite Carrot Soap and natural moisturizers are the only thing I use on my face now.