Fancy my (June) Skin Care Haul

"Don't Stop Until You're Proud."

Mag-fi-feeling beauty blogger ako in this post 'cause I really, really want to tell people how much my recent haul have made me and my skin happy.

I have VERY, VERY sensitive skin. I am break out prone, with combination skin [sort of? I'd say more on the oily side]. It is very seldom that I find a product that becomes super friendly with my skin so when I find one, I can't stop talking about it. 

These past few months, the break out has been on it's worse. I do not put make up apart from BB cream, brows and lip tint, which I tried not using for some time to sort out if it is them causing the break out but same thing goes, so I somewhat concluded this might be hormonal. Though I can't tell for sure, so I'm planning to see my OB soon to validate.

I only use two products before - Goat's Milk soap from Skin 101 for cleansing, which I believe helped calm my pimples down a little and a pore tightening toner I bought online that gave me just a so-so effect. My make up addict cousin added me [blame her] on these Facebook groups that sell make up, Korean, and other rare skin care finds and huzzah, I'm thankful that she did. There's just so much good stuff in there.

But just because it is 'good stuff' doesn't mean it's for you. I do not HOARD every single item that promises effects that I'm after. With the kind of skin I have, I can't just buy stuff and trust what it claims. Instead I take my time researching and reading reviews about it first because nga skin so arte, 'kala mo maganda [feeling 'ko talaga hormonal ito] And I hate that I might just waste something I spend money on if that shiz won't work. [Must admit there's been a couple] So yeah, I researched, as in thesis levels of researching, [not being OA here] read reviews and blogs about each. It takes a lot to convince me to buy anything that will cost me so much money so that alone tells you these items I'm going to talk about are something. 

So yeah, let's start -  I will also indicate the details on which time of the day I use them and in what order. [Nuxx, may routine na arte arte] DISCLAIMER: They haven't given me the full blown effect I'm after YET but the progress is above the roof impressive. Again, I have very maarte skin so if there's one or two product that works together for me, I'm telling you, they are BOMB. 

Toner(s) - Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner and FOODAHOLIC Jeju Food Healing Toner Green Tea

When I say I wasted items that didn't get along with my face, I meant toners. I have tried a couple of them, some a little to sticky therefore clogging my pores, some seem too strong it's irritating my skin more. But these two, lawd these two, are heaven sent. If I only knew that mild and almost-organic toners are what I need, I would have bought them a long time ago. 

What makes these special? One, both are VERY mild: Dickinson's sure contain 14% alcohol, but it's NATURAL grain alcohol so they're highly purified,  while FOODAHOLIC is alcohol free. Two, their active ingredients. Dickinson's' primary ingredient is Witch Hazel which most famous benefit is to speed healing and is known as one of the best natural acne treatment. The FOODAHOLIC toner on the other hand, is rich in Green Tea which contains high antioxidants and anti-inflammatory property that helps reduce the redness and inflammation brought about by acne. My face feels totally cleansed and smooth after using them. Plus, they both aren't drying. 

I use them alternately on my morning and night routine [which by the way goes opposite irl since I'm on night shift] right after washing my face. I am still using the goat's milk soap but I am currently looking at using a foam cleanser, though that's another story because same with toners, it's very hard for me to find one that would not trigger the pimps :( [Any suggestions?] I prefer using Dickinson's in the morning as the FOODAHOLIC toner contains Vit C which does not go along with one of the active serum I'm using. 

  

Will I repurchase?  Yes. But I am also planning to try other witch hazel and green tea toners in the future since it's safe to conclude that these products go along with my skin very well. 

[300ml Dickinson's from Healthy Options around 300php while 300ml FOODAHOLIC Green Tea Toner from a direct seller for 190php. Re-sellers price is at 200-300php.]

Ampoule - ELUJAI Propolis Myrrh Ampoule

This shiz is the BOMB. One, it's very cheap. Two, it's not sticky [a need for very clogged pore-prone like me] My skin easily absorbs this product since it's very light weight and has a watery consistency. Three, it's effective. It really is. I use this alone for weeks along with Dickinson's and the result surprised me so much. It made my pores smaller and my skin brighter. 

I know what you're thinking now - what the f*ck is propolis? Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. In the hive, it is used to both seal and protect the bee larva (baby bee) chambers and as well as function as a natural disinfectant against bacteria. Using propolis in skin care products provides a similar defense for our skin. Did I sound smart? No, I got that from Google. Lol. I thought that's the easiest way for you to understand what it is without me having to come up with my own words. *wink*

Ok, so after my face is cleansed and toned, I use this next and NOT actives which is what's usually advised simply because of reason number Two (2) - it dries quickly, like, it only takes a minute max for it to be completely absorbed by my skin. I strongly believe this helped to prevent my break outs from worsening especially when it's the time of the month. This is an observation when I was still using it alone with Dickinson's. I decided to continue using it and in fact, I just bought two more bottles.  

Will I repurchase? After my reserved bottles? Definitely yep, yep.

[15ml (got my first piece) for 250php and the next bottles for 150php each. Some even sell this for 135php only. All were purchased from the Facebook group resellers. WHAT A STEAL, RIGHT?]

Actives/Serums - The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%

I fell in love with them the moment they were absorbed by my skin. 

I LOVE THESE, period. Some of you might have already heard about this latest craze in skin care - The Ordinary. A budget-friendly, actives-focused skincare line from Deciem famous with their tagline "The Abnormal Beauty Company." I gave in and decided to research about what The Ordinary product suits my needs and I must say I'm impressed with all the positive reviews I read online. I use two at the moment:

Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% - this is a mild exfoliating serum - but please don't let the 'exfoliating' intimidate you. It also has elements that reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with it. It's the lactic acid that does the exfoliation while Tasmanian pepper berry who does the soothing. There is a stronger formula - Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% which I will purchase next. I opted for the 5% as I wanted to see how my skin would react first. 

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - claims to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion, Niacinamide sounds so technical but it simply is Vitamin B3.

Both live up to what they claim and I believe these two are the culprit as to why no new zit is coming out. [Imagine it along with the propolis! POWER! lmao] I believe I purged a little, as those pimples I have when I started using them stayed and ripened first, but are now healing and drying. I'll prolly write a review as soon as I'm done with the bottles.

Commercial! A quick FYI about PURGING vs. ACTUAL BREAK OUT due to irritation:
Purging mostly happen with actives serums or products with a strong sole active ingredient as your skin is adjusting to it therefore it let out all dirt and impurities. It means it's effective. This usually happens on the same spot where you usually have pimples. It lasts for 2-4 weeks some even say 8. 
Break out due to irritation on the other hand mostly happen with new facial foams, cleansers and other facial products with different ingredients. And unlike purging, they're all over the place. If you think you are breaking out with the new product you're using, ditch it. It will make the matter worse. 

I use Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% at night as this is very sensitive to UV Rays and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%  in the morning everyday, and every other day at PM after. I give it a 15-minute rest in between before applying the other to make sure my skin absorbs each product appropriately. 

Will I repurchase? BIG YASSSS, B. In fact, I already have in mind what other TO products I will get my hands on next. *throws money and die* lol Shout out to Deciem! Please, Deciem Philippines, please please please. 

[Both were purchased online from a reseller: 30ml Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% for 450php and 30ml Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for 540php. Note that it's a little hard to find a regular re-seller of these so if you're interested,hit me up so I could refer mine]

Moisturizer - Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel‎ 

Another one for the skin care craze. Given that I am break out prone, I cannot rely on moisturizing lotions as this will definitely clog my pores [believe me, it does, you'll understand later] so I always go for the gel ones. I've read reviews from people using this with same sensitive skin that I have, even those with dry or normal skin, and everyone seem to be in love.

This dries up and gets absorbed by the skin quickly with no sticky feeling. Anyone would live for such moisturizer which opposed to how they usually are. It has 90% real aloe and is certified organic.

This is the last step to my routine. I use this everyday at AM but only every other day at PM as I want the The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% to continue doing it's thing alone at night. But hey, that's just me. [Hack: I sometimes add a drop of propolis to it before applying to my face because tamad. :p So just kidding, this isn't a hack, this is katamaran.]

Will I repurchase? I will. But that might take a while as this is one helluva tub! :p

[300ml purchased from Nature Republic kiosk Landmark for 224.50php]

What did NOT work :( - Shiseido IBUKI Protective Moisturizer SPF 15

I got this from the recent Luxxe Asia Sale [I wasn't there but I asked a friend to find me a moisturizer she deem suitable for my skin] and this is what the sales lady recommended. I did a quick research and read that IBUKI line is for acne-proned skin so I said yes. Boy, was I wrong. This broke my skin out and cystic acne appeared the following day :( I still use this but just on my neck though. I like that it makes my skin soft but given it's lotion like consistency, it's a big no no for my face. Original price is 2,400+php but we got this for 600php only.




You might have noticed the phrase on top: "Do not stop until you're proud". That is now my mantra when it comes to skin care. Arte aside, in all seriousness, I will devote whatever I could to this. I am not getting any younger and no one could go wrong in investing on something that one will benefit from in the future.

I am very impatient, to those who know me you know that. I want immediate results as much as possible and I don't like waiting. But with this, it's different. I know that results don't happen over night and that we must give our skin time to heal katulad ng puso mong dinurog pero handa na magmahal ulit. Char.

These items cost me quite a fortune, and will cost me more but it's okay. [I already have a couple of pre order items !!!!!] I will invest on skin care the same way I invest on food. Food for my tummy, exceptional skin care routine for my scinn. I hope you do too. :)

And as promised, I will continue to recommend products that I trust my skin with because sharing is caring and love will keep us alive because learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all, char. But please remember, all of these are personal review, and what's good for me might not be good for you as we have different skin types. Feel free to reach out to me though should you have questions. I believe I've done myself well with all the researching I did and I could help you out with the basics. Basics lang ok *irap*

Hope this helps. :)


x M