Product: Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste

We're not organic geeks, but whenever accessible and the budget allows, we prefer to buy natural or organic products because they're just better, more beneficial and less harmful to our bodies.

Case in point, D used to have frequent mouth sores. He consulted with an ENT and got alarmed when the doctor told him chronic mouth sores can be sign of oral cancer. So he researched more about mouth sores and found out that it's often caused by the SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)  in most commercial toothpastes. That's what prompted us to search for non-SLS and organic toothpaste in the market.

We found one in Healthy Options but it costs Php400+ per tube. Quite expensive but we bought it anyway to see if he is indeed allergic to SLS. And sure enough, since he started using that toothpaste, his mouth sores started to disappear one by one.

Having proven that it was SLS that's causing his mouth sores, but because the organic toothpaste was a bit expensive, we wanted to try a cheaper alternative. Then we spotted Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste at Shopwise Supermarket.

 

At first glance, the white and green packaging seems to suggest that it is a natural product. The words Natural and Herbapeutic (herb + therapeutic) are also used to bolster that claim. Furthermore, a small card tied to the tube explains the benefits of this natural and therapeutic toothpaste.

I tried to look for the list of ingredients and found it on the side of the tube. They are mostly herbal extracts and oils.

Lots of herbal extracts, I like!

Being a nighttime toothpaste, it's strongest claim is that it eliminates morning bad breath with the first use. The herbal extracts act as natural anti-septic and anti-bacteria agents that inhibit the growth of bad-breath-causing bacteria while we're sleeping and as a result: no more smelly breath in the morning.

Although it's more expensive than regular toothpaste (costs around Php200+), Dentiste' Plus White toothpaste is a lot cheaper than the organic toothpaste that we previously bought. So we didn't hesitate to buy and was glad that we were able to find a more affordable non-SLS toothpaste at a local grocery.

The toothpaste is colored light green and has a minty flavor that gently explodes in your mouth as you brush your teeth. It leaves a fresh, cooling sensation without the sting that you get from some mentholated toothpastes.

 

It doesn't foam that much, which I like because I noticed that my teeth feel cleaner when I use a less sudsy toothpaste (that's why we switched from Colgate to Sensodyne before we started using non-SLS toothpaste).

 

We really like Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste and D's mouth sores have disappeared completely and have not returned since he started using non-SLS toothpaste. I was happy that we were able to find a good natural product that's not too expensive. It seems life is becoming easier for those who prefer the healthier and natural options.

 

Then one day, as I was brushing my teeth, I noticed there's something written on the toothpaste cap in fine prints. When I looked closer, I was a little surprised to find another list of ingredients. This time, I was not happy with what I read:

 

 

Although the font is small, one of the ingredients clearly reads Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS!)

 

But wait! If Dentiste' toothpaste has SLS all along, why is D not suffering from mouth sores anymore? I'm not sure why. Maybe - and I'm just speculating - it's not the SLS that he's allergic to, but another ingredient/s. Or maybe, because Dentiste doesn't foam as much, it has lesser amount of the foaming agent SLS, and that amount is not enough to cause D's mouth sores. Again, these are just speculations but the fact remains, Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste is not SLS-free and not 100% natural. Knowing that was very disappointing. An affordable, 100% organic product seem too good to be true. And it was the case for Dentiste'.

 

After we finished the tube, we switched back to Sensodyne (Gum protection variant - the one that has no SLS in the ingredients). D's mouth sores have not returned since so I'm not exactly sure which causes it. He still avoids any oral products with SLS and paraben to be safe.

 

And just last week, we bought another tube of Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste. D is aware that it has SLS but he said he'd like to give it a try again. He didn't have mouth sores while using it before anyway.We're using it again now and so far, no mouth sores.

 

Overall, despite the SLS discovery, I can say that it's better than most commercial toothpastes you'll find in the supermarket. If you're looking for a more natural (but not 100% natural) and not particularly sensitive to SLS, you should give Dentiste' Plus White Nighttime Toothpaste a try.



Product: Zenutrients Gugo and Tea Tree Shampoo

In this country, when a local product claims to be all-natural, moreso if they claim to be organic, you have to take it with a grain of salt. I got curious about Zenutrients shampoos as they are one of those who brand themselves as natural and organic. A page on their website reads:

So, being someone who's looking for natural/organic hair products that will finally put an end to my bad hair days, I went to the Zenutrients kiosk in Festival Mall, Alabang to see for myself. The first thing I did was look at the back for ingredients. Immediately, I saw that their shampoos contain SLES.

What is SLES? Let Wikipedia define it:

Sodium laureth sulfate , or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), is an anionic detergent and surfactant found in many personal care products (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste etc.). SLES is an inexpensive and very effective foaming agent.^[1] SLES, SLS, ALS and sodium pareth sulfate are surfactants that are used in many cosmetic products for their cleansing and emulsifying properties. They behave similarly to soap.

Is it bad? Yes, according to this article, it is very bad and no natural or organic product should list SLS or SLES as one of its ingredients. Because of this, I hesitated at first to buy Zenutrients shampoo. But I know that back at home, I have nothing but commercial shampoo that most likely has SLS, too along with a bunch hard-to-pronounce ingredients that are just as harmful.

I argued that Zenutrients, although it has SLS, has no more 10 other ingredients, so it is essentially a lesser evil. In other words, I convinced myself to buy. D bough one for himself as well. I got the Gugo Strengthening variant while he got the Tea Tree Scalp Care. Each 250 ml bottle costs Php250.00.

 

Gugo is good for strengthening the hair and promoting new growths which is what I need.
But I also need something that can moisturize sana.

It has real gugo tree bark

 

Tea Tree is good for the scalp and for treating dandruff

These lists of ingredients would've been perfect if SLES was not included.

 

 

 

The Verdict

 

We used the Zenutrients shampoo for almost a month. They have natural scents and just a slightly thick consistency in clear liquid form. The first few days that I started using it, I noticed that I was developing some bumps on my scalp. The bumps are similar to white heads, and I also had a few pimples growing on my head. But I ignored them and kept using Zenutrients.

 

A few more days and my scalp started to itch, and the bumps and pimples persisted. I wasn't using anything else - no conditioner, nothing - so I was sure that it's because of the shampoo. I tried switching to D's Tea Tree shampoo but had the same reaction. I continued using Zenutrients anyway. I was just too lazy to find something else, but I already told myself that I won't be purchasing this shampoo again.

 

As for its effect on hair, there's nothing significant to rave about. I noticed that I have almost no visible hairfall while using Zenutrients Gugo shampoo, but my hair became static and dry. I did say that I wasn't using any conditioner so that could be the cause. But still, I don't find Zenutrients shampoo to be suitable for my hair type. Also, D's dandruff persisted with the Zenutrients Tea Tree variant so I can't say that it's effective. Some say that it's the Moringga variant that's best for treating dandruff. But we won't probably be purchasing any of Zenutrients hair care products anytime soon, or not ever. I just find them too expensive for something that is not a true organic product and something that doesn't work very well.

Product: Giga Shampoo Bar

I used Giga Shampoo Bar for only a few days, when I would normally use a product for at least two weeks before I give my review of it, so expect that this is going to be short.

I was (and still am) on a hunt for harmless - and by harmless I mean non-paraben, non-SLS/SLES, non-phthalate and non-toxic, or best, if organic -  hair care products that will tame my dry and frizzy hair, when I saw a Giga booth selling natural health and beauty wares.

This Shampoo Bar caught my fancy. The ingredients seemed harmless enough, so I bought one bar to try. It costs less than Php100 (forgot the exact amount).

The first time I used it, I noticed instantly that it has a drying effect on my hair. And my hair is already dry to begin with so something that makes it drier and frizzier is definitely a big no-no. I gave it another try and thought that maybe my hair needed to adjust to the new product. I had hoped that the different oils it contain will somehow do wonders but after a few days of using it with still the same effect, I decided to stop.

My husband used it as a bath soap instead and liked it. He said that ironically, it didn't dry his skin. But we didn't purchase another after he finished that one bar. I guess he didn't like it that much to remember to buy again.

NOTE: Apparently, TEDTA and BHT are questionable and potentially harmful chemicals.

Food: Places to Eat in Cebu City

Here's one of my overdue posts: a review of the foods we had and the places we dined in while we were in Cebu City.

To be honest, I wasn't all that excited to stay in Cebu City, having learned that it looks just like Manila. Citylife is what we're escaping from, so I think it beats the purpose of having a vacation if we'll stay in the same environment. But staying in Cebu City can't be helped so I shifted my attention to the food that we'll eat, rather than places that we'll go to.

Here are the places that I put in my list of Cebu-City-must-eats.

1. Zubuchon or CnT Lechon or both
2. Mooon Café
3. Casa Verde
4. Larsian
5. Feria Restaurant (Radisson Blu)

But as fate would have it, things didn't go as planned: we weren't able to stay in the first hotel that I planned to stay in, and we were only able to eat at Larsian, Mooon Café and CnT Lechon.


Larsian

Pork Barbeque, Pork Liver, Chicken Isaw, Grilled White Marlin

A glorified barbeque-han, Larsian is a cluster of carinderias serving mostly barbequed meats. When we entered the compound, we were overhelmed by the number of barbeque stalls to choose from and the peddlers who were trying to sway us in their directions. I wasn't able to research which stall serves the best barbeque. It was still early and most stalls were empty, so we ended up choosing the one that already has diners.

Pork barbeque comes in cheap at P5.00 per stick, but once you see how small and thin the meat slices are, you'll realize that the price isn't really that much different from that of your neighborhood barbeque vendors. Other meat skewers range from P10.00-P50.00. Some also offer fish slices which are more expensive.

Eating is kamayan-style (you eat with your hands), and our server gave us plastic gloves to keep our hands clean while eating (but mine was punctured by the stick, so goodbye clean hands) . Taste is generally good.


Mooon Café

It's a Mexican-inspired restaurant, with colorful rustic interiors that play well to the Mexican theme. Think color-blocking: Orange, blue, yellow, green  I love the vintage-looking fountain inside the restaurant! The branch where we ate is at the Ayala Terraces. Service was fast and friendly. Food was very good and prices were reasonable.

Since it was our first time to eat here, we went safe and ordered the bestsellers. Although I'm not sure how authentically Mexican the food is (it doesn't claim to be a true-blue Mexican restaurant anyway), I love the combination of flavors and spices that are prominent in many Mexican-inspired dishes.

 

Fish Mozzarella Melt: Love the cheese!



Spaghetti Ala Gamba: This is my favorite. A nice combo of garlicky, salty (Parmesan cheese), and buttery flavors.

 

Jalapeno Diablo: Waiter said it's just mildy spicy, but it packed a punch.
For non-chili lovers: You'll survive if you skip the slices of Jalapeno peppers.

Mango Juice with Mint leaves

CnT Lechon

Cebu is famous for their lechons (roasted pig), and among the popular Lechon Cebu purveyors is CnT Lechon. Since I haven't had any other Cebu lechon, I can only compare it to Manila-stye lechons. And I can definitely say that it is much, much better.

Cnt Lechon, or what's left of it. We were so hungry I forget to take a picture before we eat.

From SM City Cebu main entrance, we crossed to the opposite of the road to the yellow building with a sign that reads Cnt Lechon. But we're not sure where to enter, the place looked like a parking space. A kid told us that there's a stair leading to the second floor. Ayun naman pala.

What greeted us upstairs was a canteen-style restaurant with a small mob of people who looked like they were calling out their bets (1 kilo! 2 kilos! 3 kilos!). The counter is divided into two, a dine-in order area and a take-out counter but we couldn't figure out where the take-out line ends and where dine-in line begins. So I just asked D to fall in line and bahala na, while I took a table and waited.

The wait was long because there were so many people and I couldn't see the line moving at all. And when he finally arrived with our lunch - a half-kilo lechon and pieces of puso rice - we were both famished so we wasted no time in devouring the famous lechon.

My first impression was it's saltier than what I'm used to. Well, that's what the vinegar dip is for. In Manila, we are used to having lechon with a pork liver gravy sauce (sarsa ng lechon) because the meat is bland. But in Cnt Lechon Cebu, the meat is salty so you have to counter it with vinegar.

Actually, I wasn't impressed with my first authentic lechon Cebu and couldn't see what people are raving about. But when I had another lechon in Manila a few weeks after we came from Cebu, that's when I began to appreciate Cebu lechon. The salty meat is really not just salty, but it also had absorbed the essence of the stuffing used during roasting, so there other flavors, albeit faint. It tasted fresh, and you can eat it on its own without the sawa factor.

As for the lechon that we bought in Manila, we weren't able to finish it. It's not good at all. The reason why D bought it was he was subconsciously hankering for Cebu lechon, and thought that any lechon can satisfy the craving. But he's wrong and we know now why the authentic Cebu lechon is superior than most lechons in Manila.

Service: Lynderm Facial Center and Day Spa

I've been wanting to write a review on Lynderm Facial Center and Day Spa, but I never seem to find the time. Until today. This is where we frequently go for spa services because we find their rates sulit and it's located inside SM Hypermart in Muntilupa, which is the mall closest to us.

I know that for some people, pampering oneself is a necessity and something that they are willing to spend money on. It's not exactly the case for us, but D and I agree that a massage every once in a while won't hurt especially if it will relieve us of muscle aches and make us feel better. But we're still a bit reluctant to spend so much on massages. I think it was last year when we saw that Lynderm Facial Center and Day Spa offers 1-hour full body massages with either sauna or ventosa for only Php500. We knew right away that it's a good deal.

So we had our massage. And since then, we've been returning whenever our neck and back muscles start to ache and sitting in front of the computer, which is something we do for many hours each day, is no longer bearable.

As most spa inside a shopping mall, the reception area is small and cramped. I don't think it could sit more than 5 guests. But the staff are very friendly and accommodating.

To get to the massage room, you'll pass by other customers getting different treatments. I find it a bit uncomfortable especially if I will be getting an underarm treatment, but it's understandable considering the relatively small space that they have.

Inside the massage room, the lack of space is still evident. They only have enough for the therapist to move around the bed. But they have overhead cabinets where you can store your bag and other stuff in and it has a lock and key so you'll feel a bit more secure to leave your things (when you're in the sauna or shower).

They will give you a hanger to hang your clothes on or you can place them inside the cabinet. Your shoes will go under the bed.

 

 

 

They provide boxer shorts for the men (but I suppose females can ask too) and bathrobe and towels for all. A pair of rubber slippers can be found under the bed.

 

Like what I mentioned earlier, on top of the 1-hour full body massage and shower, you can choose to have a 15-minute sauna or ventosa.

 

The sauna booth can fit two people inside and uses rocks (and that heating-whatever-you-call-it-machine) to generate heat and create humidity. If you want it hotter, just pour water onto the rocks. They usually bring you a glass of cold water or iced tea so you can hydrate yourself. Or you can ask for it before you enter the booth so they won't forget. Standard sauna time is 15 minutes, but there are some occasions when I've stayed longer than that (either they forgot how much time has passed or I ask if I can extend).

 

After your time in the sauna booth, you can rinse yourself in the shower room. The shower has a heater and they also provide soap, shampoo and conditioner (although I don't always use these because I usually just rinse myself of sweat as I take a bath at home before having a massage.)

 

 

The Massage

 

The massage is a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu. I believe that in most cases, a good massage will depend on the skill of the therapist and not so much on the technique used. So the massage I get is not consistent because I don't always get the same therapist. It's kind of hit and miss. If my therapist is good, I go home satisfied and free of aches. Otherwise, I go home still feeling a bit sore.

 

Also, I noticed that the time I went in affects the quality of the massage. If I went in early (as in I'm the first customer to have a massage), the therapist has more energy to expend and not as hurried as if I get my massage late in the afternoon or close to evening, when the therapist seemed tired already.

 

 

Other Services

Aside from the massage, I also tried one of their facial services: warts removal. They use regular electrocautery for zapping out warts and they charge Php500 for every 25 pieces. I was in luck that day because they were offering 50% off for warts removal (only Php250/25 pcs). Sweet!

My only gripe was they charged me Php750 for that one session, which means I have somewhere between 50 to 75 warts on my face, and I didn't believe I do. I remember hearing the therapist counting but her voice faded when she reached 30 or so. Did she stop counting? Did she just jack up the number so they can charge more? Good thing the service was discounted, I wasn't so upset about paying more than what I should.

After the warts removal session, they told me that I need to buy an antibacterial cream and a purifying soap from their product line to help my wounds heal faster and avoid infection. I thought it was part of the Php750 quotation but no, I had to buy them separately.

 

 

The products were good, though and I especially like the antibacterial cream. I still have some left and use it every now and then on rogue pimples that decide to plant themselves on my face. It's effective in drying up and flattening these pimples. The purifying soap was okay, but had no significant effect on my face for me to trade my trusted Shulammite Carrot soap.

 

The SM Dasmarinas Branch

We are regulars at the SM Muntinlupa branch but we had the chance to try having a massage at the SM Dasmarinas branch when we visited D's family last week. Although, my massage was definitely better than what I get from the SM Muntinlupa branch (because my therapist was very good), I feel that overall, this branch was inferior of the two.

They have smaller sauna booth and shower room. The shower room doesn't have hooks to hang the towels and robes on, so we just stuffed them on the door knob and were careful not to get them wet while we take a shower. They also don't have enough bathrobes - I had to use the sarong/blanket for sauna because they don't have bathrobes anymore - and their towels don't smell fresh either.

They don't have a face/neck pillow - you know that hollow pillow where you can comfortably rest your face while you lay on your stomach. I thought I strained my neck because my face was turn to one side during the duration of the back massage, and the pillow I was using was a little high and smelled of rancid oil. And they don't have cabinets or shelves inside the massage room so there's no place to put my bag on except the floor.

So as much as I like my therapist, I'd still prefer to have my massage on the SM Muntinlupa branch.

 

 

The Verdict

 

The services and facilities offered by Lynderm Facial Center and Day Spa are not top-notch but very affordable. Having a free sauna/ventosa with the standard massage service is really a big plus. This is the reason why we kept coming back and why we're less guilty about having regular massages (minsan kuripot lang talaga kami). But if we find another day spa providing the same services but better massage for the same price, we might switch over.