Skincare Routine

As promised, I will be sharing with you my updated skincare routine.

On my recent blog post, I have mentioned that I've been battling mild acne for over a year now. I have tried so many products but nothing really seems to work. I got frustrated I almost gave up.

Surprisingly, out of all the lines I have tried this one worked. I have not popped a single zit on my face except for my hairline once (which is strange, haha). And to mention, I am proud of myself for not shelling out too much moolah on this skincare regimen. I am already out of the mentality that 'the expensive ones prolly work better'. 

Here are the 3 products I swear by...

Flawless Erythromycin 2% Solution

I am guessing this toner is doing the miracle for my blemished skin. The dermatologist insisted that I keep using this Erythromycin Solution to keep my face zit-free. She told me this has antibacterial properties that clears and prevents the skin from breaking out. I use a cotton and gently wipe it on my face. 

Flawless White Plus Cream

Now, who doesn't want a brightened complexion? This aids in lightening your skin tone. With continued use, I noticed it brought back the glow to my face. I am not afraid to use this because the dermatologist told me this is mostly made of plant based extracts.

Has a nice consistency that is easy to apply.

Flawless Retinoic Acid + Hydroquinone

The combination of Retinoic Acid and Hydroquinone makes up a bleaching cream and an exfoliant. It lightens as it exfoliates. And don't get me wrong, the exfoliation part doesn't mean you have to undergo massive skin peeling. As my dermatologist told me, I will have micropeeling which is true. Mind you, this cream is for short-term use only. Just for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. You also have to remember to minimize exposure to sunlight and to use a sunblock.

Has a thick consistency. You have to blend immediately!

For my routine...

MORNING

• Erythromycin 2% Solution
• White Plus Cream
• Any Sunblock

EVENING

• Erythromycin 2% Solution
• White Plus Cream
• Retinoic Acid +Hydroquinone Cream

Just for your reference, I have an oily skin. And I have been using this for almost 2 months now.  Religiously, without hitting the sack with my makeup on! Never have I experienced any skin purging with this line (meaning, no breakouts that subside with continued use). And also, no massive skin peeling.

I don't recommend that you use these without consulting a dermatologist. You have to seek  a professional's help to know what suits your skin best. 

There you have it Lovelies! I hope this post helps. 

LOVE,

Anna

PS

I will have a separate post for my at home face mask I have told you. And an eye cream that works to relieve my puffy eyes. ;)

Update on Healing my Skin

I had no issue with skin breakouts when I was in highschool and college. Just the occasional one bump brought by periods. And whenever I get one, it heals in 3 days (with no scars). So I thought I am lucky to have pass my puberty stage, acne-free. While friends my age dealt with skin problems, I was there enjoying a zit-free skin (not that I am boasting). And I was all too grateful for that. But then something changed when I got out of college. 

It started with a pimple on my left cheek. Then I think the neighboring right cheek got so jealous it had to produce its own pimple. So I had two. I started to freak out because never had I experienced having a pimple on my cheek (I get breakouts on my nose and ear area only in the past), and now I have them on both sides. I scrambled to look for some easy skin fix. Found some special pimple fighting facial wash but I guess my skin didn't like it. It broke out even more. Then I started to use spot treatments, it was of no help! It will heal the pimple but my skin will bear more pimples on other areas leaving nasty scars. I felt hopeless. 

Poured my time, effort and money on the search for a suitable skincare line. I have tried the Clinique 3-Step Line, Proactive and various expensive lines but my skin rebelled even more. I was searching for more than a year and now I think (crossed fingers), I have found my match. I am religiously using the products for almost 2months now and had minimum makeup when I go out. My skin stopped breaking out like crazy. And my scars are slowly fading. THANK YOU LORD! And thank you to my dermatologist. 

I will be writing a separate blog post for my updated skincare routine. And honestly, I didn't shell out that much money on this line from Flawless. I was TOTALLY suprised that the skincare products I needed to heal my skin can be found locally. I am excited to share this with you. And if you are experiencing an acne problem, I hope it'll help you. I have an oily skin just for reference. And I am using 3 products: Erythromycin 2% solution as toner, skin lightening cream and Retinoic Acid+Hydroquinone cream. I know Hydroquinone should only be used for short term treatments and soon I will stop using it as per Doctor's advice.

Let me show you what my bare skin looks like.

BEWARE: I have no makeup here. And yes I have super dark circles and puffy eyes. THESE PHOTOS WERE NOT EDITED! No flash, no lighting adjustments here.

Still with a few zits here and there & scars, but hey way to go.

This side had the worst breakouts and so far so good! :)

 PLUS an at home facial mask I swear by!

I had the worst time coping with acne so I know how it feels to scramble for the right skincare products. I hope I will be of help to you lovely ladies.

Love,

Anna

Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash

I HAVE AN OILY/COMBINATION SKIN. 

Before, I tried using washes that can remove all the oil on my skin. Thought it was the best way to deal with all the oil welling up. But I got the wrong notion! What I did just made it even worse for my skin. Stripping my face of its natural moisture will cause it to produce even more oil. :( 

Now, I have been using this facial wash, day and night for more than a month now. And I have been loving it ever since! I use this to remove everything on my face: makeup, oil & dirt. At nights,  I add a scrub to the routine to help my night cream absorb better to the skin.

Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash, 200php at Beauty Bar

Product Description at the back of the bottle

I love how this product is 98.5% natural. And the 1.5% left are not harmful chemicals. No parabens, phthalates, SLS/SLES, formaldehyde or other toxic substances found in other beauty products that can harm your skin with continued use. How good can this get! 

Closer look at the product

The green particles are scrubs (bamboo and luffa). I don't rub this vigorously on my skin because the scrubs can kind of get too abrasive. I lather gently. haha

Manufacturing and Expiration Date at the side of the bottle

Only downside with this facial wash is that it is biodegradable as most of its ingredients are organic. Not really a problem for me because I can finish a bottle in probably 2 months time. And expiration date is not till a year from the manufacturing date.

You can use this facial wash if you have an oily or combination skin(oily in some areas and dry on other parts). From the Human Nature website, I gathered this information on how to tell if you have an oily or combination skin.

You have OILY or COMBINATION skin when you experience at least three (3) of the signs below:

• You wake up and your skin is shiny and slick around your nose

• Your pores are visible (even on entire face)

• After washing, your face looks shiny

• Your skin is usually has a slippery texture

• You find yourself using blotting papers or re-applying powder more than 2x a day

If you experience the above, you need to balance your skin to keep it clean and healthy!

Here are the significant Ingredients found in the facial wash that'll help combat your oily skin problems...

• Nature’s blend of Manila Elemi, prized ingredient revered by the world’s beauty industry

• Marine extracts for shine-free, glowing skin. 

• Infused with sugar beet and aloe vera to help replenish lost moisture  

• Bamboo scrubs and loofah gently exfoliate clogged dirt and trapped oil.

"Did you know: Top luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs all use Manila Elemi from the sap of the pili tree. This prized ingredient revered by the world’s beauty industry is found only in the Philippines!"

I am never going back to chemical soaps as long as I have this facial wash with me. I hope my skin takes a long time before getting used to it! I just love it and I already purchased a back up bottle. 

Bought my first bottle at Rustan's Supermarket and the second at Beauty Bar. You can also purchase this from the Human Nature Website: http://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/facial-lip-care/balancing-facial-wash.html. I also have to mention that their site is very informative. As consumers, let's do our part by being aware what goes in the products we use.

Lovelies, what's your facial wash?

Love,

Anna