(Skincare) My Very Basic Routine

After trying several products which didn't really work for my combination sensitive skin, I finally found a routine which doesn't cause acne, irritation and closed comedones. It was not an easy journey, finding products that would suit me, but I discovered some things that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't tried every thing.

The following are what I discovered about my combination sensitive skin:

• Creams are a no-no. My skin gets easily clogged by all kinds of cream. Even cleansing balms, it may seem, are causing me minor clogged pores. Cleansing creams, moisturizers and sunscreens in cream format are also too rich for my skin and I should avoid them as much as possible.
• I can only handle very gentle exfoliation and I should do it once every week only. This is a discovery that had negative financial repercussions as chemical exfoliants are quite pricey. I tried Klairs Vitamin C, Cosrx BHA and Naruko 5% Mandelic Acid, all of which claimed to be gentle on the skin. However, all these gave me minor irritation, redness with some small red bumps on the cheeks. Now, I stopped using any form of chemical exfoliants, but I might go back to using them when my skin is more resilient.
• Less is more. For two weeks last month, I decided to stop my skincare routine for personal reasons. During those two weeks, I did not get new pimples (surprise, surprise!). I had less redness and less clogged pores. But my skin did become dull so there's that. It was then I realized that my skin doesn't need everything so I pared down my routine to the basics. No more cleansing toners, hydrating toners, serums and essences for me. For now. 
• Alcohol is my fiend. It was through Biore UV Watery Essence sunscreen that I discovered this fact. I observed that upon applying this alcohol-laced sunscreen, my skin would get red but if I skip this during my morning routine, no redness! Thus, I avoid this ingredient in all of my skincare products.
• Oil cleansing is my jam. I have large pores due mainly to genetics and they used to be my biggest skin issue during my teenage years. I'd get sebaceous filaments deep in my pores and it was sort of a therapy for me when I removed them via pore strips, tweezers (so fulfilling when I removed a centimeter long filament), etc. When I started oil cleansing, I got less and less sebum on my pores which in turn made my pores seem smaller. I realized it was true, that oil fights oil.

Keeping in mind all of these, I ended up with this basic routine which works very well for me. 

Super basic and mostly green routine. :-)

• Oil Cleanser - Banila Co. Clean It Zero (original variant) 
• Cleanser - Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Cleanser
• Moisturizer - Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
• Sunscreen - Yadah Oh My Sun Slush 
• Mud Pack - Nature Republic Bamboo Charcoal Mud Pack
• Sheet Mask - Different variants from The Face Shop and Etude House

I will post Part 2 of this topic to talk about my impressions and reviews of my current products so please stay tuned for that! See you soon!

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(Skincare) My Sunscreen Duds and Hit

Finding a sunscreen didn't use to be such a big deal before. One would usually just go to the supermarket and grab a tube of Neutrogena, Beach Hut or Banana Boat sunscreen, pay at the counter then go home and slap on that thick, oily cream and be done with it. But with the entry of Asian sunscreens with different textures, finishes, scents, and ingredients, things are now more complicated and sophisticated. Add to that the weather here in the Philippines which changes from wet and humid during the rainy season to dry and very humid in the summer, it would seem that choosing sunscreens is no longer a walk in the park.

Yadah Sun Slush, VMV Armada Face Cover 30, Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

The first sunscreen I used ever is the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence, a very popular Japanese sunscreen due to its finish and texture. It has a lightweight, gel-cream texture which is very different from the heavy and thick American sunscreens we're used to. It also dries down to a dewy finish preferred by some people. Unfortunately, for someone who has combination and sensitive skin like me, this sunscreen makes my face oily instead of dewy. Also, the alcohol in this sunscreen irritates my skin and turns my face red upon application. After a couple of months of using Biore Watery Essence, I had to admit that it was not doing my skin any good and I had to remove it from my daily routine.

I tried the VMV Armada Face Cover SPF 30 next which proved to be a big no-no for my skin. I was attracted to this local brand because they catered to sensitive like mine. However, I didn't take into account the texture of the product when I bought it. It was a cream and it was too much for my oily-combination skin. One time, I applied it on top of my moisturizer before going to the grocery with my husband. When he took a look at my face while driving, he asked me what I put on my face because it was so shiny and oily. Needless to say, I stopped using it even if there was still half of the tube left.

After the two duds, it took me a long time to find another sunscreen that fits my requirements. First, it should have no alcohol. Second, it should contain little to no chemical sunscreens (specifically oxybenzone and avobenzone) because I am still breastfeeding my daughter. Third, it shouldn't be a cream and lastly, the price should be reasonable. My research brought me towards Yadah Oh My Slush Sunscreen. It doesn't contain alcohol, it was in a gel formula, it had fairly safe chemical sunscreen ingredients and it was affordable. To be honest, this sunscreen is still not perfect mainly because of the finish. It leaves a dewy-almost-oily finish but it isn't something a bit of powder can't solve. It doesn't feel heavy though so it's quite alright.

Yadah, VMV and Biore

Yadah seems to have small capsules that dissolved upon further rubbing. VMV had a bit of a white cast while Biore had a yellow tinge.

After more rubbing, Yadah and Biore are almost fully absorbed while the VMV seems to sit on top of the skin.

15 minutes after, most of the sunscreen are absorbed but left a visible oily film on the skin, particularly with VMV.

I am still on the lookout for that perfect, holy grail sunscreen so if you guys have any recommendations, feel free to share in the comment box. Till next time!

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(Skincare) Mini K-beauty Haul at SM Department Store

I've been interested in skincare products, particularly Asian brands, for a long time now. It started with a local brand, V&M, which specializes in making bar soaps and other skincare products from emu oil and other sustainable materials. Then I branched out to buying Korean and Japanese products when my husband was assigned in Hong Kong and things were more accessible and cheaper at Sasa and Bonjour stores scattered all over the islands.

When I got pregnant, I decided to stop using any product on my face except for Physiogel cleanser. It has almost been three years since then. Then late last year, I started buying sheet masks and nose pads to start taking care of my skin again. My skin has become dull and shiny during my postpartum days and I realized I had to start building a routine again to combat dullness and skin darkening. Until now, I am still fine-tuning my routine but things are slowly getting better although now I also have to treat my chin acne which developed when I re-started my skincare regimen (so weird and so sad).

My small shopping haul

Last weekend, we dropped by SM Department Store at Cubao which carries a few Korean brands, specifically Tony Moly (I was looking for anything with cute packaging), Etude House, Holika Holika, Naruko (a Taiwanese company) and Biore (Japanese manufacturer of well-loved sunscreens). I got the items below which cost around P800, a bit expensive but I was really interested in everything I bought.

Naruko Tea Tree Shine Control and Blemish Clear Mask

I wanted to try Naruko masks for the longest time so I finally bit the bullet and bought this one from their Tea Tree line which claims to fight acne and oiliness. It costs around P80, similarly priced to sheet masks from well-known Korean brands.

Pimple Eraser, spot treatment for acne and blemishes caused by acne

This super handy spot treatment ointment is a repurchase since I found it effective in lightening blemish marks and treating active acne. Ever since I used this, my chin acne flattened more quickly and new ones are suppressed from forming. Acne marks also got lighter more quickly. Overall, a really effective product at a super cheap price, only P50 to be exact!

Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Lip Balm and Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Shade 35

Lastly, the highlight of my mini-haul are these Tony Moly Lip Balm in a banana (a banana?!) packaging and Maybelline concealer in Shade 35. I was looking for a concealer which could cover my blemishes from acne and after looking around for a bit, I saw this one from Maybelline which matched my skin tone really well and covered the dark spots acceptably. I also saw this banana lip balm when I was looking for something cute at Tony Moly. It was a bit expensive though, almost P400, but I felt that it was what my dry lips needed when I tested it at the store.

I plan to share my skincare routine in the future so I hope you keep tuned in for that. How about you, what are the products that you bought lately? Did they perform as you expected?

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