In 2018, I posted my Korean Skin Care Routine (Night) which was during the hype of the 10-step Korean Skin Care era and I was not conscious of the chemicals found in the products I use. Back then my purpose was to have the most coveted perfect Korean skin (glass skin, no pores - HOW?!) but as I explored and discovered more on skin care (at the same time, getting old and having different priorities) I realized I wanted a healthy skin rather than a perfect one. I focused more on having a clean skin care routine with products that don't have harmful ingredients. It took a while before I actually had a "good" routine that fits for my skin. I've tried different brands and products, I had bad breakouts and very oily skin because of it. With skin care, you have to research about it then try a sample size and observe if it fits your skin or with the other products that you are using. Most importantly, you have to know your skin type. It's very crucial because some products can be too drying and some could cause too much oil. Not because it works for your friend, it would work for you too. It's not one size fits all. Again and again, you have to find the product that would suit your skin. This blog is to help you on your research and considerations on what you want to achieve. Now that I'm older, I want to focus on keeping my skin healthy and with youthful glow. These help in preventing dullness, fine lines and dark spots or discoloration that is caused by aging. It might be too much and overwhelming for some people but if I need to choose four - it would just be Cleansing Oil, Timeless Vit C, Versed Retinol and Sunscreen. These are my holy grail and these are for long term use. In few years time, they would still be relevant with me. Biore Cleansing OilSince I started learning how to apply my own make-up two years ago, I've tried oil balms, micellar water and make-up wipes (the wiping repeatedly cause irritation on my skin) but nothing works like this cleansing oil. There's a notion that you only need to use cleansing oil when removing make-up however one of the most important part of a skin care routine is making sure that your face is 100% clean and this does the trick! Your oil cleanser should remove make-up, dirt and excess sebum on your face and neck. Biorè Cleansing Oil has a light formula so it does not feel like you're actually putting oil on your face and it leaves a non-greasy feel after. It has a manageable viscosity that is not too heavy or light when applied. It also does not sting on the eyes since you have to gently rub the eyes when removing water proof eyeliner or mascara. For me, two pumps is already enough for the face and neck. Worth every penny. Senka Perfect WhipI've been using the Collagen one for 3 years already while the other two, I purchased during my Japan trip. These are mild foam wash and are very light. All these are paraben-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free. I use these three depending on the need of my skin. With Collagen (Pink) - this contains 60% collagen that helps in anti-aging and boosting natural hydration. It also has Hyaluronic Acid that reduces visibility of wrinkles and fine lines, as it also increases skin cell production. Acne Care (Green) - I had a really bad breakout and this helped a lot. It has Kyoto chamomile extract which is something that is not usually use for cleansers but it known for antibacterial and antioxidant benefits. This ingredient also helps the skin to heal faster and protects it from further damage. Vibrant White (White) - The main ingredient is Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract which is a main agent in brightening. The Ordinary ProductsBefore 2020, I've never used The Ordinary products but my Mom and Sister have been using it for a couple of years already. When I went home to Pampanga before the lockdown, I did not bring any skin care products with me because I thought I was going back to the condo after the weekend but it turned out to be one of the longest lockdown in the world. I decided to try The Ordinary and it was confusing at first because of the many but very specific products that they have so I just consulted and ask for a anti-aging skin care regime in their website. Buffet - multi-peptide serum with syn-ake, matrixyl synthe-6, matrixyl 3000, argirelox, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and bio-derivatives to target multiple signs of aging. It tightens my skin and helps in reducing the fine lines. Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - A hydrating formula with ultra-pure, vegan hyaluronic acid. It feels sticky and thick at first and it takes time to be absorbed by the skin. Niacinamide - I think this is the most popular ingredient and the claim to fame of The Ordinary. A lot of my friends swear by this and they've been using it for years, way back when Niacinamide was not a popular ingredient. It is super lightweight and absorbs by the skin instantly. It regulates sebum production thus makes the skin less oily. It also reduces redness and brightens the skin. 100% Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil - this formulation uses 100 percent pure rosehip seed oil— rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and pro-vitamin A—that is both cold-pressed and organic. This oil is rich in omega fatty acid that reduces signs of photo-aging and many other skin conditions. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution - The exfoliation I used before was St. Ives (yikes!!) and yes, I already learned. As we grow older, we need chemical exfoliation to restore and renew the skin's surface faster and to easily address the dullness, texture or color concerns. Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol SerumRetinol is the holy grail for anti-aging products and if you want to start on this ingredient, this is the product for you. One of the cleanest and most effective product. It is vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free and dye-free. It has no paraben, silicones, sulfates, PEGs, hydroquinone and triclocarban. Bukuchiol is a natural and botanical retinol that reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation while boosting elasticity and firmness. While Arophira is a retinol-like natural ingredient that reduces sebum and Chlorophyll is a natural ingredient to prevent redness and hyperpigmentation, keep your skin calm and cool Toners - Hada Labo & SANABoth are Japanese products, thus, the toner formula is lotion type consistency. Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Lotion has 3 forms of HAs which work to hydrate skin and lock it in longer. It is good for oily and acne prone skin. It is very light and absorbs quickly. SANA Nameraka Honpo Skin Lotion contains fermented soybean to smoothen the skin. It is also high in antioxidants and protein that hydrates skin for bouncier texture. It feels light on the skin and absorbs quickly too. Timeless 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid + Vit EI have been using Vit C since my mid-20s and it is something that does not change in my routine. For 3 years, I used Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop which I also swear by. It has clean and vegan ingredients. It is very light thus fits all kinds of skin type. When I was using it, it lightened the dark spots and it gave me a natural rosy cheeks. (As in!). It contains 5% ascorbic acid but it oxidizes quickly because of the clear packaging. After Klairs, I tried The Ordinary and it did not work for my skin. It literally did nothing. I did a lot of research and I came across the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum and Timeless Vit C Serum with E and Ferulic Acid. Since Skinceuticals is very expensive, I tried Timeliness which as they say is the dupe. It also contains the holy trinity - L-Ascorbic Acid 20%, Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E. 20% L-Ascorbic Acid reduces the signs of aging, evens skin tone and encourages collagen production. The Ferulic Acid enhances and boosts Vit C's antioxidant power and lastly, Vit E nourished the skin as it adds glow and makes it smooth and healthy. Together, the three complements each other to protect the skin against UV exposure or damage. The three helps in firming the skin and reducing signs of aging. If you're new to Vit C serum, please start with 5% then slowly increase to 10% to 20%. Going from 0 to 20% may cause skin irritation and damage. Cerave Moisturizing CreamThis was 2020's most talked about product because it went viral on Tiktok and was endorsed by Hyram. First, it works for all kinds of skin type. The ingredients are 100% safe even for sensitive skin. Second, its texture feels very rich but it mattifies when applied to skin. Third, it uses Ceramides which helps retain water in our skin. It works to keep the skin hydrated, soft and moisturized. It also protects in blocking environmental pollutants. Purito Centella Green Level Safe SunThis was one of the biggest controversy in the skin care community in 2020. I was greatly disappointed about it too. It was highly praised for its SPF 50++ and clean ingredients but an instagram skin care page @incidecodercom had it tested in two labs and it came out as SPF19 only. Irl, you're not supposed to use SPF that is lower than 20 because it is not enough to shield and protect you from the UV. I won't be talking much about this since it's currently under investigation. Their last post online was last Dec 4 and they have not yet updated on the retesting of this sunscreen. Origins Drink-up Intensive Overnight MaskI alternate between sheet masks and overnight mask. This product was a gift from my cousin, Sha, from the States. This makes my skin feel like a baby's butt in the morning! (Haha) It's feels so smooth and clean. It has Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid and Apricot Kernel Oil that work together to deeply moisturize the skin. Avocado Oil and Mango butter to lock the hydration, and Japanese Seaweed that prevents nature moisture loss. The consistency is thick and gel-like creamy. It melts once applied and it has a fruity smell which I don't like that much. Overall, you really have to research, ask and observe before you can build your own skin care routine. That's the beauty of it, too! You get to explore different products, brands and ingredients. I hope this helps! :) xoxo, M
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She wonders and wandersMonica writes about her life, what she eats, what she reads and where she goes. This space is where her thoughts, experiences, memories and feelings turn into words. She's glad that she can share with you. Archives
August 2021
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