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| My everyday skincare routine |
My skincare routine
My mom never had a solid beauty routine when she had kids. We didn't really have any extra money to splurge on cleansers and cream and she was always too tired from work to even try to keep up with a routine. That said, she still looks way younger than her actual age (according to everyone who meets her, my friends included). My mom's only beauty secret is cleansing. Every morning and every time she comes home, she makes sure she washes her face even if it's just water and a face cloth.
I never really took her advice in the beginning. I have always thought, that face cloths were way too abrasive. I recently realised that cleansing is one of the most important steps in skincare and, yes, my mother may know better.
As with anybody else, my skin care routine starts with a cleanse. On super rare days when I wear makeup, I remove it with Bioderma Micellar Water. I don't wear makeup regularly so I have only ever tried this and Sephora's. I like Bioderma because it's gentle on my very sensitive skin and it removes my makeup. It doesn't do well on super waterproof stuff, but that's okay because I make sure to give my face a good wash. I like massaging Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm on my face. The balm is like a vat of hardened oil that melts on your face like butter. It is so creamy and gentle on your skin. I wash it off, three to four times, with a face towel that's wrung in hot water.
I am not sure how I feel about toners but I use one anyway. Right now, I'm trying out First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads. So far so good, it's a gentle exfoliating toner that hasn't broken me out. I also like using the Witch Hazel and Rose Water toner I get from Watsons or Guardian. It's very soothing.
After toning, I use SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. I feel like this essence helps prep my skin and helps absorb my serum and moisturiser so much better. It could very well be a placebo effect but I use it anyway. I then apply Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. I've tried a lot of oils and serums but I always end up going back to this one. I really see the difference when I wake up in the morning.
I am an insomniac and I am looking for the perfect eye cream that will help brighten my under eye as well as prevent wrinkles. Right now, I'm using SK-II Stempower Eye Cream. As with any eye cream, I try to use only a tiny bit because I end up getting milia if I put too much.
Sometimes, when I remember, I will use Retinol Reface around my eyes and on my spots. This is the first retinol product I have ever used and so far, it seems to be a very gentle, non-irritating form of retinol.
The very first skincare product I have ever used and is still using is Creme de La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream. It is my holy grail. I discovered this because it's the cream my former boss used and she's literally like an Asian version of Samantha Jones. It has received a lot of flack for being an overpriced cream but it truly is a jar of magic. I know this for a fact because during my first Laneway, I got super sunburnt. I tried slathering myself with aloe vera every 30 minutes and that didn't do anything. When I finally used La Mer, I saw my neck heal the next day. I always love trying out new and cheaper alternative moisturisers but I always end up going back to this one because it really is effective. I always wake up with a nice glow on my face the next day.
Extra bits
Occasionally, I like to put on some face mask. I alternate those Korean face masks and Aesop Parsley Seed.
I still carry with my Duac cream that was recommended to me by my dermatologist in Manila. I don't use it as much as I used to anymore but if I have a spot in the middle of the day and I remember I have this with me, then I try to apply it. I've gone through so many tubes of this that I feel like my skin has become so used to this.
I don't use sunscreen often, the reason being I breakout on most of them and they make me feel very uncomfortable. I have yet to discover the perfect sunscreen which won't break me out.
Another product I swear by is Dr. Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. If my skin is feeling troubled, I use it as a toner instead of my witch hazel and rosewater toner. But most of all, I drink it. I try to drink it with warm water everyday mainly to control my acid reflux but I also noticed the effect it has on my skin.
I know that half of the products I mentioned are ridiculously expensive. As you know, I'm not loaded, I don't have a trust fund and I survive on a teacher's salary. All the products I have mentioned were purchased with my hard earned money. Prior to turning 25, I didn't care about my skin. I never stuck to a routine and was always too lazy to take care of myself. I figured the only way to force myself to stick to it was if it cost me what I earned. That said, I wouldn't buy a $280 moisturiser just because it's a cult favourite. I actually use these products and swear by them. And as with all products, a little goes a long way and it can last me a few months.
Disclaimer: Every skin is different. A product may work for me and not for you, please consult a dermatologist or do more research on the products mentioned. All products mentioned here were purchased for personal use. This is not a sponsored post. Check out my skin type here.
