Avène: First Time User

Since I am currently having acne breakouts, I decided to drop by the Apotheke (German word for pharmacy) this afternoon to see what skincare products I should take. The lady at the counter asked my skin type and I told her combination skin (oily on the T-zone, dry on the sides) and acne-prone. She then recommended the Avène Cleanance EXPERT line. I've never used Avène before so I thought, well why not give it a try. Here they are!

Avène Cleanace Cleansing Gel for face and body - €13.90
Avène Cleanance EXPERT Soin-Emulsion - €14.90
Avène TriAcnéal EXPERT Soin-Emulsion - €15.90

Basically, the line targets breakouts without irritating the skin. According Avène's website:

• The Avène Cleanace Cleansing Gel for face and body is a soap-free gel cleanser for face and body which harnesses a combination unique ingredients that eliminate impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin.

• The Avène Cleanance EXPERT Soin-Emulsion is an award winning comprehensive treatment that targets the appearance of blemishes at every stage. The moisturizing formula helps regulate oil production, smoothes skin texture and reduces inflammation and the appearance of blemishes.

• The TriAcnéal EXPERT is an evening moisturiser that comprehensively targets blemishes, marks and the first signs of ageing, so that those looking for clearer skin and anti-ageing care no longer have to compromise.

So tonight, I already used the Cleansing Gel and the TriAcnéal Emulsion. The Cleanance Emulsion, on the other hand, will be included in my morning routine.

I don't want to set my expectations high but let's see if these products can tame my raging skin.

Will update after one month (15th of September).

Ciao!

P.S. I also got 2 mini freebies! =)

Skin Care (Updated)

Hi guys! I still have entries from my trip to Korea but let me just put this up first, my updated skin care routine and other products that I'm planning to try out.

When it comes to skin care, I'm definitely one who will embrace it with arms wide open. I have problematic skin since I was in high school. I probably hit the jackpot when it comes to how problematic one's skin is. So, here's why. I have the following skin type:

• Combination (oily) - normal to dry on the cheeks, oily on the T-zone which means having big pores in this area
• Sensitive - easily gets irritated/redenned when exposed to sun and different products
• Acne-prone - breakouts occur during my period, when I'm stressed, when I didn't get enough sleep, or when I try a product that doesn't suit my skin

Right after graduation in 2008, when I got my first job, I started consulting a dermatologist. She gave me some products for the treatment of acne (pictured below) consisting of Acne Facial Wash, Antibac Toner, Antibac Cream, Acne Cream, and Acne Spot Remover Cream. For several years, I've been using those products plus doing some facial and peel. My breakouts were not gone completely but they were controlled. From having several big pimples at a time, it was lessened to one or two (usually happens before or during my period). I used to have an Acne Facial Wash but it was changed to Acne Soap since my dermatologist got a different supplier. Fast forward to 2016 and I'm still using those products. It's not continuous though. In 2011 and 2012, when I was studying in Korea, I stopped using those products in favor of other products found in the world of Korean beauties.

At present, I feel that those products prescribed by my dermatologist are not completely effective on my skin anymore. I was thinking maybe the bacteria causing my acne developed some resistance. So, I decided to try other products. I heard this from a friend, the Maxi-peel exfoliating solution. Whenever I get a pimple, I used the Maxi-peel and apply it directly on the pimple. It helps dry out the pimple. Sometimes, I also apply it on my whole face to exfoliate dead skin cells. A word of caution though, if you have sensitive skin, do a skin test first to see how your skin will react and dab only a little whenever you use it.

For sun protection, I got this product Hamilton Superblock SPF 80 from my dermatologist. I'm not a fan of sun screens because they make my face red and oily due to the chemicals in the ingredients. I also hate the icky feeling during hot and humid days. However, I need to use it to protect my skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Last weekend, I bought Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum (P3,000) and Repairwear Laser Focus Eye Cream (P2,950).  

I've been dying to use the Pore Refining Serum because of my large, visible pores. I used it for quite a number of days but I haven't seen the results yet. Hopefully, I'd get to use it regularly, and after some time, maybe a few months, I'll write a review on that. As of now, it feels more of a primer though. After application, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and prepped for other products.

Clinique's Eye Cream is my favorite among all the Clinique products that I used. I bought one last year and I used it all up already. Thus, I got another one again. Being in my late twenties, now that I look in the mirror, I notice I have a few lines and crow's feet whenever I smile. I can see that it's also in the genes, both my parents have fine lines around their eyes, so as an armor for the aging process, I am using an eye cream now. It feels light whenever I apply it in the morning and at night. I am not seeing some dramatic effects but somehow, I feel that it's working. My crow's feet are not gone but my skin around the eye area looks healthy and no new lines are showing.

And now, we've come to these two products, Origani Erda Manuka Honey Peel and Day Cream. I also bought them last week in a weird circumstance. I was in Glorietta mall shopping for some Christmas presents when suddenly, a sales lady started talking to me and tried their product, the Manuka Honey Peel, on my hand. I was reminding myself to say "No." and just go away but I'm a sucker for skin care products. After application, she rubbed it and there were some clumps on my hand. She said that those were dead skin cells. But later, after reading some reviews and applying it to my face, I find that those clumps were just the product itself and not dead skin cells like they were claiming it to be. Oh well, so much for their marketing strategy! Anyway, after removing the product on my hand, they compared my hand with the other hand. It's skin was brighter compared to the hand where the product wasn't applied. Then, she put on some moisturizer to both hands and the hand where the manuka honey peel was applied absorbed the product easily compared to the other one. 

A foreign lady then started talking to me. She said she studied about skin care (I forgot the term, she's not a dermatologist but something like that, more of a skin care guru) and that my face is very sensitive and that I have to use organic products free from chemicals, etc. Ultimately, she convinced me to buy the Manuka Honey Peel, which by the way is very expensive (P6,700). I wouldn't buy it, really, but I don't know. Maybe because of all the talking and the application on my hand and her giving the Day Cream as a free gift (yes, she got me into that) plus a free facial (which I have yet to redeem).

I've read the reviews and all of us have the same experience on how the sales persons do their job into convincing people to buy their product. They are really pushy and really talks you into so much crap. Oh, they also tried on their eye cream on me. They said that it's working on me (but when I looked at it, there's really not much change) and the foreign lady offered me this: if I buy the two creams (worth a freakin' P20,000), she'll give me the Manuka Honey Peel plus Day Cream plus Night Cream plus Mudpack Soap as gifts. It's very overwhelming, all the free items but sorry not sorry, I don't have that big amount of money to spend on skin care products. Even if I said I can't buy that because it's very expensive, she offered me half the price for the two creams but all the free items will not be included. Seriously, it's still big, P10,000 for two creams!!! After saying that I have to go several times because I still have to meet my friend (which by the way is true), only then did I got the chance to get out of their stall. Geez what an experience! Not a good one though.

Okay, so for the products itself. Well, the packaging looks luxurious. The bottles reminded me of Lancome. I tried on the Manuka Honey Peel and after the application, my skin feels smooth. It's to be used once a week only. But I think I used it twice already. Then, I applied the moisturizer. What I like about it is that in the morning, well my T-zone is oily as usual, but looking at my whole face, it looks pretty okay. It's not as oily as compared to when I used Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. I still have to use these products for a longer time and by then, I hope to write a comprehensive review.

By the way, on the first instance of using, I got a pimple the next day. However I'm not sure if it's because of the Origani products or Clinique's Pore Correcting Serum because I used them at the same time. Note to self and to others: Using new products at the same time is not advisable. Think of it as an experiment, you have to use only one variable at a time to see its effects.

Whole gang's out! The Clinique repertoir! Hahaha! I got a gift set of travel packs (P1,200) which I'll be giving to my mom as a gift. By the way, I love the travel-sized chubby stick and the mascara.

Here's a parade of all my skin care plus some make-up products. Also included are Philosophy's Hope In A Jar Oil-free Gel, Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions Foundation, Clinique's Even Better Foundation samplers, Nivea Lip Balm, Maybelline's Baby Skin Pore Minimizer, Missha's Lip Tint, and Sudocrem Moisturizing/Healing Cream.


So after several years, here I am still searching for the elusive holy grail product/s. Hope you continue to join me in my skin care adventures and misadventures. Any tips for my skin type would be greatly appreciated. =)

Saturday Shopping: Perfume, Eye Cream, & Clothes

After such a long time, I was able to go shopping again at Mall of Asia (MOA) yesterday. My plan was to buy only a perfume (because my favorite, Incanto Charms, which I bought last October was already in its last drop) and an eye cream (which I've planning to have for such a long time due to my crow's feet).  Got them both and I even scored a discount on the perfume!

Incanto Charms by Salvatore Ferragamo

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus

But then again, I couldn't help but stroll around clothing stores. A girl's gotta do what she gotta do then. Haha! Went to Forever 21 and got these two, a dress and a blouse in the loveliest shade of red and blue. ♥

Forever 21

I never had a red dress so this is going to be my first official little red dress. Though it's really not that little because it's a bit bigger on me. It's already in the size S and the staff told me they don't have an XS. I thought this dress is perfect for ladies with curves but being the petite and "uncurvy" girl that I am, I realized, Oh, scrap that! I love it and I'm gonna buy it! The bandwagon NO TO STEREOTYPING is on!

Forever 21

I also got a long sleeve top from Mango. You know how I was craving to have a dress from Mango (from my previous post)? Well, I think this airy top would do for the moment. The blue and yellow stripes remind me of summer.

Mango

I also got a pair of sunglasses from the Department Store and a laced brassiere for the deep neckline of the red dress. Now, the usual thing I ask to myself, "Where do I wear the dress?" Geez, the first thing that really comes to mind is "On the first date". But when will that happen? Haha! Oh well, hopefully, soon. Or probably on a wedding or on a conference... Whatever! =)

Beauty and Skin Care Journey

Admit or not, every girl has something to say about how she looks. Every girl has an opinion on what beauty means and all other things that are associated with it. Every girl has her own journey when it comes to beauty and skin care.

Well, here's my journey.

Going back in time
When I was in high school, acne started to invade my face. That's the time I started using skin care products. I used Pond's, Eskinol, Clean and Clear, and many other products which I saw in TV that promises to clear your skin of pimples. But unfortunately, nothing worked for me. So, I just went back to my regular soap, Safeguard. When I entered the university, unlike other female students, I was never the type who would buy lots and lots of beauty products and make-up simply because I know that they just don't work for me. And due to my hectic schedule, I just didn't have time to prettify myself so I just went to my classes with a face powder and a lip balm on. Those were the only products that I used after washing my face with a cleanser. For my cleanser, I tried Cetaphil, Olay, St. Ives, and other random cleansers that you find in the grocery store or drugstore. For the face powder, I specifically used Johnson's Baby Powder. That's the only product I stick on for a long time because if it's good for baby's skin (meaning it's gentle), I know it's definitely good for my skin too. By the way, my skin type is combination (oily T-zone and dry cheeks), acne-prone, and sensitive. For my lips, it easily gets chapped, especially on the colder months, so my lip balm from Nivea always comes to the rescue.

                           




However, after graduating and finally getting a job, I started to allot some time in improving and taking care of my physical well-being. Since I was having acne troubles (well I still do until now), I decided to go to a dermatologist. So  I started to get facials and other treatments, such as Light Peel, and used the skin care products from my derma. So yeah, I was indeed alloting time for my derma appointments, alloting time for applying the skin care products every morning and night...and alloting money also. Part of my salary was devoted in maintaining my skin care but no regrets, everything paid off. Little by little, my acne started to lessen. You might wonder, why do I still have acne until now? Well, blame the hormones and stress and the genes. But during that time, my derma and her products were doing wonders for my skin. I was still not into make-up though because my skin was so sensitive and if you put a product on, it'll easily result to acne. But if there's a special event, I did wear a little make-up (Revlon foundation, Maybelline blush & lipstick).

Fast forward
Almost two years ago, I arrived in Korea. Oh boy, I was just overwhelmed with all the beauty products. They're literally everywhere! From the low-end/"for high schoolers" - The Face Shop, Nature Republic, Inisfree, Skin Food, Etude House, Holika Holika, Mischa, etc. (You may ask, why for high schoolers? These brands, although they have different product lines, most of the customers that you see when you walk in their shops are usually high school students.)

warning: don't be deceived by the claim in the above picture

to the middle/somewhat high-end brands - Laneige, Mamonde, etc. Actually, there's a blurry line between some of the "middle" brands and high-end ones when it comes to pricing. One word, expensive.

The high-end brands - Amore Pacific, Iope, (both are owned by Amore Pacific Co.), etc.

Gosh, looking at the pictures above, with the brand models and their perfect looking skin, makes me want to have a skin as beautiful as theirs. And the shops? They're on every corner in the city! So ever wonder why Koreans have that beautiful, healthy, glowing, smooth skin? Now you know the answer. And I should add, it's also in the genes.

At present
So yeah, since I am just in awe, I couldn't help but try the Korean products. Up until now, I am still looking for that perfect product for my skin type. And for my future posts, I'll be sharing some of the Korean products that I bought and tested and my experience/review about them.


More to come!



Image sources: Johnson's Baby Powder, Nivea Lip Balm, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Etude House, Laneige, Mamonde, Isa Knox, Amore Pacific, Iope

For more information about Korean high-end products, read here.

Acne...It's more than that

These past few months, I've been having acne breakouts again. And it's just frustrating. I'm already in my mid-twenties but I feel like I'm still stuck in the adolescence stage - hormones are at rage and pimples are popping here and there! Whenever my period is near, I get acne breakouts and when the next period comes again, I breakout again. Even though the acne from the first period hasn't healed yet, I have to face a new set of pimples again.

I've had acne since I was thirteen years old. Now, it's already been a decade (plus two years) but I still have it. Acne, some might say, "Oh, it's just a pimple." but it's more than that. It not only makes a person unpretty, it also robs him/her of confidence - confidence in one's self, confidence in dealing with other people, and confidence in facing life.

Acne, if you compare it to some serious diseases out there, it's just nothing but remember that acne has a deep impact on a person's emotional and psychological well-being. Thus, it's important to have some knowledge about it: What are the causes of acne? How can we prevent and treat it?

I decided to start making some series of entries about acne and skin care. I am not an expert but I am one of the millions who have and is still suffering from acne. This is going to be like a documentation of my experiences and struggles with acne and choices I have to make to overcome it.

To start off, I'll be sharing some thoughts and information about acne.

How does an acne develop? 

Growth of bacteria in skin

Based on reading different articles in the net, here's how it happens: Imbalance in the hormone levels (especially during the menstrual period where estrogen level becomes low and androgen level becomes high) leads to the stimulation of sebaceous glands. Oil/Sebum production increases and pores become clogged, which is a good environment for the growth of bacteria (well, more like overgrowth of bacteria). This results to inflammation and irritation and whiteheads and blackheads and pustules (pus-filled lesions).

Acne is a multifactorial 'pheonomenon'. 

Heredity and environmental factors (pollution, stress, diet, cosmetics, etc.) play a major role. So in other words, Your lifestyle greatly affects the occurence of your acne.

My case, I know it's genetics. Both of my parents suffered from acne so my chances of having acne-prone skin is really high. Hormones, ugh, they just can't be tamed. Add to that other factors - stress, not having enough sleep, and an unbalanced diet (or more appriately, unhealthy diet).

Okay, so what should we then? 

Live healthy

Simple, Live a healthy life! But honestly, living a healthy life is easier said than done. Right? I don't want to write every step in living a healthy life because even as a child, we already know what they are. Our parents and our teachers always remind us to: 

• Eat healthy and nutritious foods (Remember Go, Grow, Glow?)
• Drink plenty of water
• Have enough sleep
• Exercise

The problem is, we just find it hard to put them into practice. That's the sad truth but hey, it's not yet too late! We can all start living a healthy life!

Is there a cure for acne?

At this age and technology, there are a lot of ways on how we can treat acne. Topical medicines, antibiotics, pills, peeling, laser, etc. Or we can even go to a dermatologist. But sad to say, there's no perfect medicine which can cure it right away, 100%, and offers a promise that you will never EVER get even a single pimple in your whole life. But then again, we should not be pessimistic about it.

We can still win this battle with acne. We just have to deal with it in a holistic way - a healthy lifestyle combined with a safe acne medication!

Live Beautifully: Skin care

It's past midnight already but I must do this. Haven't blogged for some time now and I really, REALLY miss blogging. So here it goes. By the way, just a little reminder to myself: enough of writing laboratory-related stuff (as much as possible). Laboratory spells Stress so I'll do my best to avoid that here.
A few weeks ago, I decided to focus on a particular goal, which is to LIVE Healthily, Happily, and Beautifully. 
Here's my take on the part of LIVE Beautifully. As a teenager, I experienced what it's like to have those unwanted acne in one's face. Then came college, and guess what? Up until now! Yes, I'm in my mid twenties and my hormones are still raging. Geez! Add to that my stressful days in the lab (oops, err sorry can't help but mention) and my almost sleepless nights. Considering the fact that I'm in the land of acne-free, smooth and fair-skinned Koreans, my confidence level was definitely in its lowest. Something has to be done! ASAP! So I asked a friend, who has a very clear and smooth skin, what's his secret. Turns out he is seeing an esthetician here in Daegu. So armed with the desire to have a beautiful skin, I also went to his esthetician, Ms. Diana, two weeks ago. She advised me to have a micro needle and repair treatment and gave me some home care cosmetics. And OMG, those cosmetics are nothing but expensive! Currently, they are my most expensive buys. I already got a big discount, especially in the treatment, but the prices are still high. But then again, I'm still thankful for the discounts! By the way, here's a glimpse of what they look like.

 my crème de la crème skin care regimen 

So far, so good. I am loving every single thing. I feel like a rich kid whenever I lather them on my face. Haha! And the fragrance is perfectly right! Not too strong, not too dull. I just hope they do their job well.

Note: Products are made in Europe, which explains why they are so expensive (shipping, tax, etc).