My Skincare Routine
Your skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is the first line of defence against all external factors like blaring UV rays, polluted dust particles, hot summers and freezing winters. It can be severely damaged and may heal by forming scar tissue that can cause discolouration and depigmentation. The thickness of your skin can also vary from location to location, for example, the skin located under the eyes and around the eyelids is the thinnest skin in the body at approximately 0.5mm thick, making it the first area to show signs of aging (think wrinkles and crows feet). The skin on your palms and the soles of your feet are the thickest, approximately 4mm thick and 14mm thick.
With all that said, it only makes sense to take are of it just like you take care of your body by excercising and eating healthy. I don't have perfect skin, but one thing I've learned is that taking care of your skin carefully every morning and night can help reduce chances of aging, scarring and blemishes tomorrow.
So here's my latest skincare regimen for the Fall season:
Skin Type: Combination Skin Issues: sensitive, acne-prone, hyperpigmentation (acne scars)
Overview
NORMAL DAYS -
Face Wash: Shu UemuraAnti/Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil - Infused w/ moringa extract which has anti-pollution properties as well as anti-oxidative green tea extract which captures and clears pollutants that accelerate aging stress. Also, reduces dullness and enhances smoothness. When I moved from Waterloo to Toronto, I immediately noticed the difference in my skin becasue of the pollution. It became more sensitive, I had a lot more pimples and it got a lot more oily. I got this cleansing oil and noticed a difference in my skin right away. My skin is very clean, smooth and healthy looking after I use it. It came highly recommended by my friends who also live in a very polluted city (Hong Kong).
Essence: Skinfood Royal Honey Hydro Cream - A hydrating treatment cream with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that replenishes moisture and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion.[Royal Black Honey]Royal Black Honey is natural raw black honey from South Asian forests, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Royal Black Honey enriches with a myriad of nutrients that are amazingly good for the skin. * To UseAfter essence or emulsion application, dispense a few pumps and smooth over the entire face.
Moisturizer: Skinfood - Royal Honey Nutrition Cream (Anti-wrinkle Effect) - A nutritive treatment cream with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that nourishes and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion. [Royal Black Honey]Royal Black Honey is natural raw black honey from South Asian forests, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Royal Black Honey enriches with a myriad of nutrients that are amazingly good for the skin. * To Use After essence or emulsion application, dispense a few pumps and smooth over the entire face.
BAD ACNE/OILY DAYS - Days when less is more
Face Wash: Oedpus Rx Soap by Sudsatorium - a soothing calamine soap w/ healing tea tree & cooling rose water (Made from: Calamine, Tea Tree, Chamomile, Rose, Lavender, Chinawhite, Clay, Flower Infusion, Rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, SLS Free, Paraben Free)
Toner: OLOS Bi-Phase Sebo Balancing Facial Toner - Fights impurities by rebalancing PH levels. (Made from: Fresh Pumpkin Cells, Cucumber Extract, NMF, Sebo Balancing Complex, Hamamelis and Lime Distilled Waters)
Acne Spot Treatment: Mario Badescu Drying Solution - literally works wonders! I put a dab of this on after I extract the pimple/black head. But be warned.. you may look like you have chicken pox, so I usually do this at night before I go to sleep. Feel sorry for the Bear, who has to see me like this at night, probably gives him nightmares :P
Moisturizer: OLOS Perfect Matt Moisturizing Face Cream - A soft and light cream that I apply all over my face while avoiding areas where I applied the acne spot treatment. It matifies the “T” zone and moisturizes dry skin areas. (Made from: Fresh Pumpkin Cells, Cucumber Extract, NMF, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Bearberry Extract, Imperata Cilindrica Extract, Vitamin A, Vitamin E.) Only downside, it's pretty pricey ~ $85 for 50g.
** I also drink a mug of hot chamomile tea for instant results :) Works like a charm!
ONCE A WEEK, EXFOLIATION DAY -
Exfoliation: Laneige Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel - << discontinued. New gel: Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel. I'm still working on my bottle of the strawberry yogurt peeling gel and its been about a year now. I only use it once a week and you only need a dab about the size of your pinky finger. This is a hypo-allergenic peeling gel that you gently massage around your face until it creates pink eraser like shavings. This process takes away dead skin cells without damaging your skin (unlike what some of the microbeads in exfoliating scrubs do).
Essence: Skinfood Royal Honey Hydro Cream
Moisturizer: Skinfood - Royal Honey Nutrition Cream (Anti-wrinkle Effect)
Let me know in the comments below what your skincare routine is :)
