Of milk cleansers and cleansing creams (Sukin, Clarins, REN)

Since my updated skincare routine routine post (HERE) in September, I have made quite a few changes to my products over the past few months.

Some skin updates first! My skin has been doing well since the month of October. I've been fairly clear, only some small breakouts here and there especially during the time of the month but nothing too major. PIHs are fading well too so I'm really happy with the results I got from my laser sessions, coupled with my skincare routine. Mid November, my skin is still happy but my left cheek became irritated! I didn't add any new products either so I was quite puzzled as to why that would happen. Then it struck me - Over-exfoliation. I've been quite of an acid freak! Daily acid toning, both day and night, is a must for me. If I don't, I'd feel that something is missing. Unfortunately, I had to stop all acids for awhile and restore my moisture barrier. Two products that had been my saviours are the Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (Light) and La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5!

Oh look at me, I'm rambling off my main topic for today again. Let's get back on track! I've been looking for a gentle cleanser for the longest time ever. I must say my skin is pretty finicky and even the cleansers touted to be gentle can hurt my skin. Think Physiogel and Cetaphil. Both stung my skin quite badly and I have no idea why. I've used them before and that didn't happen... So I started on this quest to find the best cleanser for my skin.

Following the advice of skincare queen Caroline Hirons, I eliminated foam cleansers off my list. (Although there is one on my to-try list, the Hada Labo Foaming Cleanser in the pump bottle.)

These are 3 that I have tried thus far! I know that cream cleansers and cleansing milks are generally used for the first cleanse but I do use them as a second cleanser or a morning cleanser, and find that they work just as well in keeping my face clean. In case you wanted to know, my first cleanser is always micellar waters! (I was using the Garnier Micellar water which is cheap and good and I really liked it! But currently using the Bioderma because I couldn't get my hands on the Garnier one at the store I went to.)

Clarins Cleansing Milk With Genetian (SGD47/200ML)
This was the first I tried, even though I couldn't seem to find much positive reviews online. Albeit pricey, I took the plunge because I seem to have taken a liking to most Clarins products I've tried so I thought why not?

The first impression of this was reaaaaally bad.

It has a fairly thick consistency for something that is labelled a 'Cleansing Milk'. It's texture is creamy but not emollient. I used the product on dry skin but found that it disappears quite quickly and you'll be left tugging at your own skin. What I found to work is to first use it on dry skin all over your face, then wet your fingers to emulsify the product on your face so that it is easier to work it around before removing with a damp face towel.

My skin actually felt tight after cleansing and it took a few days for my skin to adjust to the cleanser. Thankfully it doesn't feel tight now but I keep this on rotation. I find that if I were to use this a few days in a row, my skin will feel slightly dehydrated.

Another point to note is that this product is fragranced, as with most Clarins products I've tried.It smells powdery. and smells like grannies hahaha wtf. It does actually stay on for a while so I'd sniff the granny smell for a few hours after using it.

Not something that I'd repurchase.

Sukin Cream Cleanser (SGD14.90/125ML)
Bought this on a whim because I saw that it was on offer at Watson's last month. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This was one that I used heavily when my skin was irritated from over-exfoliating.

Texture wise, it's quite thick and creamy. Feels very emollient probably due to the mixture of oils but melts easily into the skin. Although I was initially afraid that it would clog my pores, it surprisingly didn't! Did not cause any breakouts either. Best part, it doesn't leave a film/residue after cleansing. My face just felt clean and refreshed. There is a slight smell to it which I can't quite describe but nothing too overpowering.

I wouldn't recommend this to people with really oily skin though. It's too gentle to remove sebum.

This, I wouldn't mind repurchasing! I think I'm already halfway thorough my bottle and I just got it like what, on 14 November?

REN Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk (SGD50/150ML)
This is my most recent purchase from Luxola and it's been one that I've been eyeing for a long time! Got this at 40% during their recent Black Friday sale, so I haven't tested it long enough to give a full review. I must say that this stuff is pricey!! Hoping not to like it as much so that my wallet doesn't suffer...

Firstly I love the smell of this! It's not a strong scent but just a light herbal scent? Definitely not an artificial scent. Texture-wise, it's of a creamy consistency but not a thick whipped cream like the Clarins Cleansing Milk. There's this cooling feeling when applied on to the skin which I looove. Skin doesn't feel tight after cleansing and it just feels clean and refreshed.

The difference between the Sukin Cleansing Cream and this, is that the Sukin one is much heavier. I do like this as a morning cleanser more and on days when I feel that I don't need too much on my skin.

Still not sure if I'd repurchase because of the price... but if I do really like it, I'd still end up repurchasing it lol.

Till next time,
A

Updated skincare routine!

I've been obsessing over Caroline Hirons recently... Not sure why didn't I start following her blog more religiously earlier, but it's better late than never. Pop over to her blog's side bar for cheat sheets on different skin conditions, and how to build up your routine!

Here's what I've been doing thus far, and my skin seems to be loving it :)
My morning routine is just a simplified version of my night time routine!

A.M.

Cleanse - Physiogel Cleanser, wipe off with clean flannel. Use something preferably non-foaming, a milk/balm/gel is fine. If I find my face a little greasy, I'd switch to my cleansing balm instead.

Exfoliate - Usually an acid toner would be recommended in this step, but I'd skip it in the mornings as my skin is really pretty sensitive. I'd however use a gentle exfoliating treatment like the La Roche Posay Effaclar K [+].

Spray hydrate - La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water

Serums/Oils - 1-2 drops of Clarins Lotus Facial Treatment Oil

Spot treatment - Thursday Plantation 100% Tea Tree Oil on a cotton bud

Moisturiser - Derm's moisturiser

Sunscreens - I'd do up another post on it!


P.M.

First Cleanse - La Roche Posay Micellar Water

Second Cleanse - Banila & Co. Clean It Zero, wipe off with clean flannel (can use the same one from the morning but discard it into the washbag after this use.) This product does contain mineral oil, which C,Hirons would totally frown upon but it works for me! So I'm not changing it as of now. It is not readily available in SG, but you can purchase it at Changi Airport Duty-free when you're flying or Qoo-10!

Acid Tone/Exfoliate - First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are really great! They are gentle and do the job of exfoliating very well. Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner, this I use only 2-3 times a week although it feels really gentle as I find that using it too frequently messes with my skin.

Clay Mask - Innisfree Super volcanic clay mousse pack or Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (w Raw Honey and a few drops of TTO) a few times a week after my second cleanse.

Spray hydrate - Spritz La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water. 2 times a week I'd pat in Hada Labo SHA Lotion (Light) instead or when my skin feels extra dehydrated. (Effaclar K [+] and TTO are from the A.M. routine)

To combat breakouts, I'd alternate between Differin and Epiduo (both prescription only) and apply it topically all over my face. A good alternative for these would be Benzac AC 2.5% Water-based gel which is available at all pharmacies, it is also manufactured by Galderma hehe.

Serums/Oils - Currently testing out Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and loving it so far. It absorbs really quickly and is very light-weight. I'm also looking for a good Vit C serum to add into my routine, so if any of you have any recommendations, do drop me an email!

Moisturiser - Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is my all-time favourite. One that I did not expect to fall in love with, due to all the hype surrounding it but I did. After I'm done with the above, I'd stick some Nexcare Acne Patch on any spots before going to bed.

Lip balm - Not forgetting your lips, here's my favourite Dior Lip Glow because you'll wake up with soft and pink lips hehe.

That's all for my current skincare routine!
Have a great week ahead, thanks for reading!

With love,
A

Skincare Updates, again! (Banila & co, Q-switch Laser, Effaclar K+, My Beauty Diary Sheet Masks)

It has been almost 3 months since I last checked in on my skin condition and I just reorganised my skincare items, so I thought why not take some time to do a post to keep track of my skin's progress.

Somewhere in between late May-June, I actually embarked on my first Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) regime with hemp seed oil, and tried out a minimalistic/natural skincare regime for about a month. OCM was great in the sense that I could actually feel those sebum plugs coming out when I massaged the oil all over my face. However, my face was still quite clogged and spotty. It was also very dry and I couldn't apply my foundation without having it cling on to my dry patches. Not cute, I know.

I stopped the previous regime since it wasn't working for me and got back to using Skinlycious' products again but my skin was still dry, red-looking and spotty. Ughs. It was slightly better for a while and I went off to China for 2 weeks in July. My skin was being pretty obedient for the first 2 days, then it started going wonky again right after that. My skin was drying up, I had new spots everyday that would itch like there's no tomorrow. Came back to SG, looking worse than when I left! (Major sad face)

Anyway I stumbled about the no!no! skin device on SIA's inflight shopping magazine and decided to purchase this tiny (but trust me. It's strong) Light and Heat Energy (LHE) zit zapper on my return flight. It was SGD245 and I was on the verge of giving up on my skin. Just thought hey, it sounds good so why not take the plunge and try it. As all my friends/bf/family already know, I'm a major sucker for anything that would help with my skin. No matter how pricey it would seem, if I am able to afford it, I'd try it.

I also bought Banila & Co.'s Clean It Zero (Pink-Normal) makeup cleansing balm and IT IS SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Only SGD20 at Shilla Duty Free! (Regretting right now that I didn't purchase more...) It's like oil-cleansing, but less messy and as effective. It smells great, removes make up well and sebum plugs would also come out if you massage it into your skin for at least 2 minutes. My skin has been loving it thus far, hasn't reacted negatively towards it so I'm really glad! They do have other versions of the Clean It Zero, but I chose the most basic one, just in case.

I also started Q-switch Laser Sessions at an aesthetics clinic which gave me really good results. Active pimples are healed, clogged pores and old brown marks (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, PIH) are significantly reduced. Of course it's only the first few sessions, so I still have a few brown spots on my left jaw but I can apply just a thin layer of foundation and I'm good to go. Save so much time on concealing! My pain tolerance is really quite up there, so the doctor administered higher powered shots on me. For those who can't tolerate pain very well, the doc will adjust the power level accordingly! My doctor commented that my clogged pores are more or less gone now, except for a few small bumps which is normal to get. Now it's just to focus on removing the PIH! Will update again on my Q-switch results, and I really can't wait for the progress too!

What I found that have helped was a couple of things (besides the laser). First, I'd mist my face with a Thermal Spray (currently using Uriage but have purchased La Roche Posay to try) then drop one drop of tea tree oil (TTO) on my palm and pat it in together with the thermal water. That really helps to calm down ANY irritations (read: itchiness) and it definitely does kill any horrible P.acnes bacteria on my skin. I have also started using sheet masks as the doc has commented that I actually have DRY skin (woah really?). More of like Combi/Oily - Dry on the outside, Oily inside - sort of complicated situation, hence the outbreaks pfft.

I've also made a major skincare routine overhaul after I came back from China. So here goes:

AM
Face wash: Cetaphil/Physiogel Cleanser
(Mist face with Uriage Thermal water, with one drop of TTO)
La Roche Posay Effaclar K+ - this one I'm still testing, so far so good hasn't given me any clogged pores and seem to refine my skin texture
Doctor's moisturiser
Spot treat with Vichy Hyaluspot Treatment

PM
Face wash: Simple Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash - didn't expect to like this but it's doing a good job at keep my oil-water balance so it's a keep for now :)
Alternate between Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask and Aztec Indian Healing Clay
(Mist face with Uriage Thermal Water with one drop of TTO)
MBD Sheet mask (will go into that in a bit)
Effaclar K+
Laneige Sleeping Mask
Topicals: Epiduo/Differin

Of course I'd also zap spots with the no!no! Skin device and it really helps to bring down the infection especially if it's those kinda pesky blind pimples. I might have over applied my epiduo at times, and I'd end up with slightly obvious brown spots on the spots the next day so I'm keeping that in mind. TO APPLY IT SPARINGLY. I'd apply a thin layer on areas where spots are prone to occur, then spot treat those red spots/bumps/PIH. Please do not follow my method, as the web stated to apply just a thin layer. I IZ KIASU.

My Beauty Diary Masks

This is one of the ever popular sheet mask brands out there and I'm only jumping onto the bandwagon now. I DID purchased them a few years back but felt like they didn't really do anything much for me. So far, I've tried the Imperial Bird's Nest, Aloe, Luffa and the Black Pearl Total Effects (mask sheet is black). My favourites are the Imperial Bird's Nest and Luffa!!! I've even bought a spare box of the IBN to keep because I've been masking almost daily for the past 2 weeks! Luffa was a surprise because I bought it before and it didn't seem to do anything to my skin. I was hoping that I'd love the Aloe vera one but unfortunately, it makes my face itchy and some clogged bumps would appear after :(

Yes I tried the Aloe one yesterday and it gave me the same bumps so I'm giving them away for sure. I've actually also purchased the Naruko Snail Repair Mask and they gave me bumps too! No go for these two, if you've clog-prone, acne-prone, sensitive skin like me. Although the aloe vera one had glowing reviews from redditors, it didn't work out well for me. I'm gonna try the apple phenol one next, and either stock up on the IBN or Luffa ones because Watson's and Guardian are having a 2 for SGD27 promo now!

I do need to mention I use clay masks daily too after washing my face at night, then I'd use the sheet masks after. I find that it didn't dry out my skin, but instead purified it of the impurities as I do get quite oily in the evenings. I let the clay masks sit for a shorter time if I find that my face is less oily that day! I know it might seem like a little of an overkill to some but it has worked in keeping my skin relatively clear so far. I'm planning to reduce the masks (clay & sheet) to about once every 2 days once my skin stabilises itself.

That's all I have for this update, till the next one and hopefully with great skin. Hang in there everyone who's facing a similar condition!

With love,
A

UPDATE: Skinlycious, Aztec Indian Healing Clay, Kinohimitsu BB Drink

Hi guys,

I'm glad to check back and say that I am really satisfied with Skinlycious' products, they have helped me tremendously. I've even repurchased the Anti-Acne bundle for the second time. The products last me about a month plus to 2 months! It may last longer for some of you, but I'm quite kiasu so the first month I didn't know how to control my usage. Lol. Anyway, my skin is less oily now, and I haven't even used up the 7-in-1 Pore Refining Serum.

Current skincare routine

AM:
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Wash
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Solution (Dab on spots and hyperpigmentation)
Hiruscar Post-Acne Gel (On hyperpigmentation as well)
Skinlycious 7-in-1 Pore Refining Serum (if I'm heading out) or Skinlycious Hydrator Serum (if my skin is feeling slightly drier) or The Skin Pharmacy's Oil-free moisturiser (if I'm staying at home because this moisturise doesn't mix well with my make up! It makes my foundation roll up into tiny balls)
Atomy Sunscreen
Urban Decay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation (2 small drops are enough)
Maybelline Mineral Concealer (I'm gonna purchase the Laura Mercier SC Concealer soon, will review soon!)

If I worked out in the afternoon, I'll wash my face with The Skin Pharmacy's Deep Cleansing Amino Powder and repeat the steps above without the foundation.

PM:
Atomy Evening Deep Cleanser on dry skin to remove my makeup
Atomy Evening Care Foam Cleanser on days I wear heavier makeup or Skinlycious Anti-Acne Wash
Skinlycious Anti-Acne Solution (Dab on spots and hyperpigmentation)
Hiruscar Post-Acne Gel (On hyperpigmentation as well)
Skinlycious Hydrator Serum or The Skin Pharmacy's Hydrating Overnight Mask (which is essentially a thicker gel-like moisturiser)

Extra care:
PMD weekly
Clariancy Calla Cleanse, every night
Aztec Healing Clay Mask, depending on how my skin is feeling or Homemade Honey Mask

ALSO, I need to say this. The Aztec Indian Healing Clay Mask is amazing. I used to purchase the Anti-Acne Clay Mask from The Skin Pharmacy but stopped after I got myself a big tub of Aztec mask, which is basically 100% Calcium Bentonite. It is cheap and effective. I try to do it 3-4 times a week as I find that doing it frequently actually helps to keep my skin under control. I tried to do it less frequently but I broke out (say 1 or 2 spots, especially when the time of the month is near) more. It really does help to shrink your pores, and dry out existing acne. I had this large lump on my jaw and after dabbing the clay mask overnight for 3 days straight, it flattened itself out totally. Of course, the surrounding area will be slightly dry and also a little 'scabby' but it's definitely not an issue as it the 'scab' will fall off when your pimple recovers and it falls off when you're washing your face, so you wouldn't even notice it. It also doesn't leave any dark pigmentation!

So recently, I picked at a spot (AGAIN, bad habit I know) and ended up with a bit of a sore area which was weeping a little. I placed the clay on the area, and placed a wet gauze over it, changing it every few hours or so. The wound stopped weeping and a thin scab formed nicely over the wound. I continued for the next day and some of the scab actually fell off, leaving no harsh pigmentation.

They suggest mixing the clay with Apple Cider Vinegar, but I like that it gives room for creative recipes so you can whip up something according to your skin condition of the day. What I like to do is to substitute ACV for a bit of lemon juice (something which is acidic actually gives the clay a smoother texture and it become less chunky, thus easier to apply), add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil, 1 drop of lavender oil if I want to relax, then fill up the remaining water content with brewed green tea. If my skin is feeling extra tight that day, I'd add a dollop of honey and I'm all set.

On days when my skin feels more 'thirsty', I'll take a teaspoon for Manuka Honey, add a few drops of lemon juice (for hyperpigmentation), 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil, mix it up to a smooth consistency and apply it all over my face. It gets pretty messy so I like to wrap a small piece of gauze at my jaw area to prevent the honey from dripping down! I leave it on for as long as I am able to, usually 40mins-1 hour. It leaves my skin feeling nourished, and lighten any redness and pigmentation.

I'm also currently drink the Kinohimitsu BB drink! For the last month, I was drinking the J'Pan Collagen drink but switched to the BB drink as I've read that it was more suitable for oily, acne-prone skin. I find that my acne heals faster, although it won't completely prevent you from having acne. My hyperpigmentation lightens faster and my pores feel tighter. My overall skin tone looks brighter as well!

Anyway, after typing this post, I realised the woes of being a woman. I spend a fortune to make myself look better UGHS.

x
A