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Product Recommendation: Paul & Joe Whitening Serum

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Product Recommendation: Paul & Joe Whitening Serum




One of the coolest things about starting this blog is that I get to connect with other people who have the same interests as me, and are on the same journey of skin lightening. So whenever I get messages from other people telling me their success stories with certain products, it really enthralls me and prompts me to research so I can post about it here, helping to give more options to people out there looking for skin lighteners that actually work.

So, I got a message from a wonderful girl who told me that she has found a product that her skin really responds well with. She's been using a product called Paul & Joe's Whitening Serum (formally called Whitening Emulsion, however the Serum version I have read is superior) for a little over a month and has said she is almost at her goal skin tone. Granted, she only wanted to brighten her skin (not lighten up significantly) but mainly just fade the blotchiness and various acne marks/dark spots. She has stated her skin has gotten almost 2 shades lighter, and not in a pasty, unnatural looking way, but a very natural skin lightening process.

Ofcourse I was happy for her, and decided to look more into Paul & Joe's Whitening Serum and found that there are several glowing reviews of this little gem. Everything from people claiming this product lightening their skin 2-4 shades over a span of 5 months, to people planning on using this as a staple in their skin care routine.

Now you must keep in mind, and I have mentioned this so many times but everyone's skin is different. A skin lightener might lighten somebody's skin color but might just brighten or give a glow to yours. Take Makari for example: even though I broke out horribly to the Night Cream and Caviar Cream, I saw some drastic lightening on my skin (and at the time I wasn't even using retinoids). However I know some people who mention that they do not get any lightening or any reaction to Makari. So...really it's a unique process for everybody. However I think this particular product is actually a really good skin lightener.

I stumbled upon another skin care blog, where a woman lightened her skin almost 8 shades with the Paul & Joe Whitening Serum! Holy crap! That is ridiculously insane, lol. Obviously I am sure her case is a rarity, and she got some IPL done to correct the majority of her hyperpigmentation, but you can see in the after picture that her overall skin tone is much lighter. Here is the link with pictures she has taken:
 
http://www.makeupforprofessionalasianwomen.com/2009/03/results-paul-and-joe-whitening-emulsion.html
 
Paul & Joe Whitening Serum seems like a standard skin lightener, but I'm guessing it is the potency of the ingredients, the right formulation (meaning pH, handling of the ingredients) and just combination of all these botanical extracts (that inhibit melanin) and mild antioxidants that have the ability to make such a drastic change.
 
It's main purpose is to banish all forms of irregular pigmentation (hyperpigmentation, overall uneven skin tone, dark spots etc.) Packed with botanical extracts, antioxidants and humectants and natural (fairly skin friendly in comparison to other notoriously pore-clogging oils like soybean oil) citrus oils.
 
The Vitamin C in this product is the stable, synthetic form ascorbyl glucoside which is very effective (and more stable than L-ascorbic acid) but obviously is not as potent. Still, it seems to be breaking down melanin in a lot of people just by reading the reviews and comments. I want to note, this is the same version that is used in Vichy Bi White Double Reveal.
 
Aside from the small amounts of citrus oils (which most of the time aren't a problem unless your skin is very sensitive or very acne prone. Personally I think if you are deligent with your exfoliation (meaning you have some form of daily, non-irritating exfoliation like from an AHA product or BHA product, mask or retinoid) it can prevent any pore issue problems) the product has a light liquidy texture. A lot of people who use this, including the person who told me about this product told me it does not clog their pores. This is obviously something that varies from person to person, but just because something isn't oil-free doesn't mean it necessarily cannot be used.
 
Another feature it has that I know might rub people the wrong way is that it does have fragrance - but not any added fragrance. The scent comes soley from the orange flower extract. Personally, if the fragrance of a product isn't overtly offensive I can tolerate it and my skin never reacts to it.
 
I think what balances out  citrus oils is the alcohol content. Mind you, alcohol isn't bad for the skin. It is a cosmetic form of alcohol and really it's not bad at all -especially for oily, acne prone skin types. Retin-A gel contains alcohol and it's one of the most benefical products out there. I think the silicia and alcohol together help to keep this whitening emulsion light, semi-matte and non-comedogenic for so many people.
 
Paul & Joe Whitening Serum comes in a 40 ml pump bottle that keeps the various antioxidants and plant based lighteners stable and fresh. The price varies very drastically across the spectrum depending on where you get. On the official site and many online vendors sell it for $80.00 + which is ridiculous. However if you check out Dermstore, they are selling it for $45.00 and ebay has some really, really good deals
 
This product really does interest me. It's been awhile since I've seen just a regular old skin lightener get such positivity aside from Hypercream or Makari. I'm so glad someone told me about this. You know I think after using the Vichy Bi White Double Reveal (which I love! I updated my review on it just to let everyone know I am still using it and getting solid results. Plus it slightly hydrates my skin under my super matifying Sofina sunscreen) I discovered my skin really likes ascorbyl glucoside. I know L-ascorbic acid is the the pure, most usable form of Vitamin C to the skin, but if I do a comparison I can honestly say that ascorbyl glucoside (though not as powerful in terms of skin lightening) does a pretty decent job for a synthetic form  and causes no irritation (something that sometimes happen when I over do it with L-ascorbic acid products).
 
In a way Vichy Bi White and this are very similar. It seems though with the addition of so many intense botanical extracts and other forms of antioxidants, the Paul & Joe Whitening Serum is ultimatley more powerful in regards to actually making the skin shades lighter.
 
I say go for it, if you are looking for a basic skin lightener and are tired of using the standards (aka Makari and Hypercreme).
 
=D
 
 
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glcyol, Neopentyl Glycol, Dicaprate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, C14-15 Dialkyl Carbonate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Seed Extract, Olea Euopaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Hydrogenated Rapseed Glycerides, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Sodium Phosphate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Xantham Gum, Limonene, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

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32 Comments:

Anonymous bency said...

Hi Mileena,

i have used this serum before may be 2 months ago i saw one the u tubers mentioning it.it really brightened my face but it didnot lighten
my skin. but as u said everybodys skin is different.
it didnot personally work for me but i will tell u i really liked the serum because it brightened my face when my skin was dull and nice citrus fragrance which i really loved. hope it helps.

bency

January 14, 2010 at 6:17 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

That's good that it at least brightened your skin. It's crazy how the results for this particular serum are all across the spectrum.

The girl who messaged me said it lightened her skin, obviously the woman in the link I posted who got shades lighter with this.

Then there are probably who didn't get any results and I hated it due to the alcohol content.

And then there is just the brightening that people see (as in your case).

It's crazy how it works. I think this would work best if you are very close to your goal skin tone OR are doing IPL (laser) or routinely doing peels.

=)

January 14, 2010 at 7:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,

I just wantd to know if you have any idea if some skin types react adversly to the ascorbyl glucoside? Maybe bloctching or infact darkness in the area of application?

January 29, 2010 at 11:24 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

I don't think so, but then again everyone's skin is different. Generally since ascorbyl glucoside is a much more stable, synthetic form of L-ascorbic ACID, it is more gentle since it doesn't have the high acidic/mild exfoliation content of pure Vitamin C.

Personally I find ascorbyl glucoside to be very gentle. I never got any itchiness, or blotchiness from it. Very gentle. I did however get some itchiness and redness when I first started out with L-ascorbic acid. However my skin is now tolerant of both since I've been using them for so long.

On the same turn though I should note that even though L-ascorbic acid is highly unstable and more irritating in comparison to ascorbyl glucoside, it is also the most potent, effective form since it is used instantly in the skin without any conversion process. =)

January 30, 2010 at 9:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have started using it for only a few days and people and my mom have told me i look lighter and 'fresher' lol they say my face is glowing and i look a lot lighter.
We'll see how it goes, i guess i will post more on the bright skin forum later when i see even more result!

February 4, 2010 at 1:01 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Wow!! That's awesome! I can't wait till you update after 6 weeks. A few days and you are already seeing results? I didn't even get that with Makari lol.

<3

February 4, 2010 at 4:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mileena,

I am currently using this serum at night under my Renova. Since this serum contains Vitamin C and you recommend not to mix Vitamin C with Tretinoin, should I stop using Renova while I am on P&J? I really like my Revona though…. Please advise. Thank you much!

February 24, 2010 at 10:11 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Hi!

The form of Vitamin C in the P&J serum is a synthetic form, which is considerably less irritating.

The only reason why I usually advise against combining the two is since pure L-ascorbic acid (pure Vitamin C) is irritating on it's own, and retinoids can be potentially irritating as well.

But for this one, it's perfectly fine. You can use the Paul & Joe underneath your Renova and shouldn't get any problems with that. ;)

February 24, 2010 at 10:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mileena,

Thank you so much. You're wonderful!!!!

February 24, 2010 at 10:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mileena,

Have you ever got a chance to review HABA White Lady or HABA Fair Lady (US version). A friend of mine swears by it and I've read some good reviews on the web. I would love to hear your opinions on this.

Thank you!

February 24, 2010 at 11:11 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

No problem ;)

February 24, 2010 at 1:29 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Hi! I've never heard of the HABA White Lady or HABA Fair Lady. I'll check them out and their ingredients and see if they are good enough for a recommendation.

=D

February 24, 2010 at 6:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi i read ur blog regularly and really like a lot. I have used nevia mens whitining and its result is same like p&j serem. It did't clog pores cheap and great finish. All my friend men or women are completely satisfied with it. This product also have spf15.
Past one and half months i am using p&j serem only in night and saw a greatest result ever i had

May 1, 2010 at 4:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi i read ur blog regularly and really like a lot. I have used nevia mens whitining and its result is same like p&j serem. It did't clog pores cheap and great finish. All my friend men or women are completely satisfied with it. This product also have spf15.
Past one and half months i am using p&j serem only in night and saw a greatest result ever i had

May 1, 2010 at 4:53 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

That's awesome Nitesh! Have you seen the link where the woman lightened several shades with this serum? It's amazing. I would definitley use this product if I needed to lighten more drastically but i am pretty much at my goal skin tone right now. =) So yeah.

May 1, 2010 at 7:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello!
i'm interested in purchasing this product (my first skin whitener) and would like to ask some question regarding it:
1.Does it matter if i'm 15?(relatives are warning me that it could do damage it young skin)

2. Can it be applied to other parts of your body (such as arms)

3. can i apply this serum then walk out of the house in broad daylight? (or should i only apply at night time?)
thankyou
xXx

May 8, 2010 at 1:27 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Hi Sakura!

1) No. The ingredients in Paul & Joe Whitening Serum are botanical based, no hydroquinone or bleaching agents so it's great and safe for young skin. It should actually preserve your youthful skin since it has a host of nourishing ingredients.

2) It can definitley be applied to other areas of the body - the only problem with that is that it can become non-economical since the product isn't very big. You can end up using a lot of it since the surface area of arms and other areas are so large. I usually recommend a seperate skin lightener for the body - like Makari body beautifying milk or some alpha hydroxy acid-based (glycolic acid, lactic acid for exfoliationg) body lotion.

3) You can wear this serum either day or night, but if you do wear it during the day you will have to layer sunscreen on top. Without sunscreen, the product will become futile since your skin will become sun damaged (darkened). Even on cloudy days, UVA/UVB rays penetrate through the clouds. I wear sunscreen everyday on top of my skin lightener (Vichy Bi White) and it has worked wonders.

If you don't like the idea of layering a product on top of another, you can wear a product with SPF in the day and the Paul & Joe Whitening Serum at night. It's up to you. It's quite gentle so it can be used up to twice a day.

Good luck
<333

May 8, 2010 at 1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thankyou so much! \(^U^)/
xXx

May 9, 2010 at 3:06 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

No problem ;)

May 9, 2010 at 11:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I dont see any "lightening" agents in this product's ingredient list. e.g arbutin, uva ursa etc

am i missing somthing?

July 2, 2010 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Aside from Ascorbyl Glucoside, there are a host of plant extracts/botanical derivatives in there (i.e. Leontopodium Alpinum Extract etc.) which lighten through antioxidant and anti inflammatory effect.

July 2, 2010 at 2:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi,

is this the go - lightener for people who are starting to lighten their skin. I have read all your posts and there are just so many lighteners you recommended. I am just confused as to which one to use. I am just a beginner. I have been scammed by the marketing companies and hopefully this one really does lighten my face.

August 6, 2010 at 11:21 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Hi,

I recommend many differnet skin lighteners and skin brighteners because certain ingredients work better for some people than others. There are a lot of skin lightening ingredients out there, and I try to recommend products that have great ingredient lists and can be used for different people/different skin types.

Since posting this particular article on Paul & Joe Whitening Serum, I did get a lot of readers who purchased it and gave me their feedback. It seems to be something people who are novices like yourself like a lot. The ingredient are mild, but very effective. It lightens through antioxidants/botanicals.

Personally, I would much rather recommend something like Skinceuticals Phyto + or a great vitamin c serum like Skinceuticals AOX 20. I haven't used P&J Whitening Serum personally so I can't say for sure, but potency wise, the Phyto + (botanical lightener) and the AOX 20 (vitamin c serum) can probably give you better results.

;)

August 6, 2010 at 11:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hay is this product available anywhere in toronto?:)

August 29, 2010 at 8:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hey which vitamin c serum would you reccomend :)?

August 30, 2010 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

It's most likely going to be in an Asian beauty supply store or where they sell products like Paul & Joe, Kose etc. Chinatown probably has some stores with it.

Your best bet is online. Bobodave is my favorite site to get lightening products from the Asian market since it's reliable and fast shipping. ;)

August 30, 2010 at 11:15 AM  
Blogger Mileena said...

I wrote an article awhile ago about my fav. vitamin c serums for each specific skin type. Take a look:

http://allaboutskinlightening.blogspot.com/2009/11/picking-right-vitamin-c-serum.html

=)

August 30, 2010 at 11:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ive always liked Paul & Joe they just seem "fresh" and clean all the time. This formula is similar to Dior Snow White reveal. The Active ingredients are: Ascorbyl Glucoside, Mallow (whihc is an ingredient in gigawhite), and Edelweiss which is a plant from switzerland that acts as a strong natural sunscreen.

October 29, 2010 at 3:37 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Didn't know about Edelweiss - thanks for letting me know.

The Paul & Joe gets a lot of raves from my people I know and my readers. I still haven't tried it, I'm perfectly fine with my current routine but later on if I want to just experiment, this is my go-to product.

October 29, 2010 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger Thu said...

I wonder why I haven't stumbled onto your blog sooner! I've been looking into skin lighteners for three years now, ever since my sister randomly picked out the Porcelana cream for me (the one with the small percentage of hydroquinone), and I've been hooked to find something that worked as well but doesn't contain hydroquinone. That was pretty much the only product that not only lightened my scars and skin tone, but made it actually translucent. Never thought it possible before, lol.

I was wondering, do you have anything to recommend that possibly would yield similar results: skin translucency? I definitely want to lighten my skin, but I'm afraid maybe it's as light as it gets now. Also since I've consistently used skin lighteners (though a different brand each time when finished with one bottle), I have a hard time noticing any difference, maybe freckles slightly lighter. Nothing that promotes translucency. Could you help me out? Thanks!

December 15, 2010 at 11:05 PM  
Blogger Mileena said...

Vitamin C is the best in giving my skin a translucent look. It must be the anti oxidation activity ;)

DHC Acerola 100 I find does a marvelous job at fading freckles and brightening up my skin.

The Paul & Joe Whitening Serum (antioxidant) probably can promote translucency in your skin.

Also I would highly recommend a peel. You'd be surprised (even with consistent exfoliation) how radiant, glowy and even your skin can look after a great AHA-based peel (<3 Olay Regenerists' as well as the MUAC lactic acid + licorice extract peel). :)

December 16, 2010 at 5:45 PM  
Blogger Thu said...

Thanks for the recommendations, Mileena!:) Yeah, I'm just finishing up a bottle of the Paul & Joe whitening serum, so I was pondering whether to try something new or just stick with that one. I love it because it's moisturizing and absorbs nicely, but I'm probably one of the people who it made a slight to no difference on.:) If it made any difference, i cannot tell since I didn't keep track of my progress from start to finish.

Yeah, I've tried various products with Vitamin C, including facial masks; some work, some don't. And I do exfoliate daily, though I read somewhere that that's just scrubbing off dead skin cells, and not really contribute to true long term skin translucency? I don't know, it's been so long ago I read that, I'm not sure I remember. I've tried Laneige's strawberry peel (and liked it) and a few others, but couldn't tell if they made any difference. But I'll definitely look into the DHC treatment. Thanks!:)

December 20, 2010 at 12:31 PM  

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