I love beauty columns and blogs. They give me tips and insights on what to buy and what to pass up. My income doesn't allow me to experiment much, especially on high end brands. I can splurge on one big item or maybe two but before doing so, I make sure I do my research. Beauty blogs and product reviews have saved me from a lot of misses and I am forever grateful. This entry is in honor of them.
Let's start with my skin care hits. Over the years, I've found products that deliver. Some of these products worked for me when I was an oil slicked teenager/college student, while some were my bffs when I was a sleep deprived, stressed out law student. Some I use now to manage my dry, ultra sensitive skin. Of course, this doesn't mean that they will work on you as well, but for me, they sure did. Here goes...
HIT LIST
1. Bath Soap
Hype Ardent Gluta C Whitening Soap
I use this not to whiten my skin (coz im naturally fair) but to even my skin tone. Fair skinned girls would agree that the downside of having little melanin is you're prone to dark, uneven spots. And believe me, nothing is uglier than blotchy, uneven skin.
I am always wearing sleeveless tops making my arms constantly exposed to the sun. Gluta C manages the perpetually threatening presence of sun spots on my upper arms. A lot of whitening soaps in the market leave the skin dry - another no-no for me. This one doesn't and it smells divine too.
Dove
Highly moisturizing and softening. Perfect for evening baths before snuggling in bed with my husband. I am even of the opinion that it makes skin look younger. There's nothing like it. I will use it til I'm old and gray.
2. Facial Soap/Scrub
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
Once upon a time when I was a walking oil pan, this was my best friend. I remember I found this too expensive for my meager college baon (allowance) then but I didn't mind "splurging". It controlled my then oily skin and gave me that squeaky clean glow.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Law school came and wreaked havoc to my face. The stress of daily recitations and endless studying made my skin super sensitive and irritable. Cetaphil came to the rescue.
My only problem with it was it was too gentle that I felt like it wasn't cleaning my face enough. Kaya off I went to experiment with other "soaps" which of course failed me big time. When I finally came to my senses and went back to Cetaphil, it wasn't the same anymore. My skin didn't react as well as it did. I guess this makes Cetaphil my "The One Who Got Away".
Loreal White Perfect Facial Foam
Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa cleanser na to (and the entire White Perfect line). Back in law school when my budget was limited, this light on the pocket cleanser made my skin fair and even toned. I was a commuter then so it was kinda difficult to maintain clear skin. Ive since moved on to other cleansers but I highly recommend this to those who have normal skin and who want lighter, more even toned skin.
Oilatum Soap Bar
After years of trial and error, Ive finally learned that less is definitely more.
This was originally prescribed by my baby daughter's pediatrician as her bath soap. I tried it once on my face and i liked it. Its highly emollient, non irritating, very gentle and calms my skin, yet i can feel that it cleans really well. So now, Isabella and I share a soap. Nice. :)
St. Ives Apricot Scrub
Its not a beauty industry staple for nothing. I use this twice a week on my nose to prevent black heads and white heads. I cant use this on my entire face coz the grains will sure irritate my skin. A friend uses this to smoothen rough spots on her body (back and chest) with good results.
3. Body Lotion
Hype Ardent Gluta C Whitening Body Moisturizer
I use this everyday. I love the fact that its whitening so it evens my skin tone, anti aging and has a respectable SPF 25 for daily use. Its non greasy and has a light finish.
4. Day Moisturizer
Loreal White Perfect Day Cream (SPF 17)
I used this in tandem with the cleanser for so many years. It erased my pimple scars and successfully kept freckles at bay. I used this from 2001-2005 when the recommended daily SPF was at least SPF 15, so I was sufficiently covered. If you intend to use this now with the sun getting angrier than ever, I suggest to layer it with a sunscreen with higher coverage.
VMV Creammmy-Rich Intensive Moisture Milk SPF 15 (for Dry Skin)
Unlike other rich moisturizers, this does not sit on top of your skin making you look like a grease pan. It penetrates and dries up quickly to a velvety finish. It also soothes and calms redness, stops flaking and dryness and feels like you've got nothing on.
My dry skin's savior. If VMV discontinues this, I will be in deep trouble.
5. Night Cream
Nivea Night Repair
My original night cream was the now discontinued Nivea Night Repair. Product posted here is their new version of my beloved night cream. I'm not sure though if it works as well as the original formula.
The Nivea Night Repair I know was God send for night owls like me. Back in law school, my schedule was to study from 11pm until the sun comes up, then I sleep until noon. There were days when I had exams or was due for recitation that I would not sleep at all. Nivea Night Repair helped me fake a good's night sleep for years. No one would believe me then when I tell them that i barely slept. Best part was, it was student budget friendly and readily available everywhere, even in Mercury drugstores. I literally freaked out when they discontinued it.
Neostrata Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream
Bionic Face Cream is especially good in lessening redness and irritation after undergoing peels, facials or other treatments. Price is pretty steep and exclusively sold by select dermas but if you can afford it, go ahead and splurge. Good skin is priceless. :)
6. Eye Cream
Avon Anew Rejuvenate 24 Hour Eye Cream
I started using eye cream only about three years ago. I'm always wearing contact lenses so I saw eye creams then as too much of a hassle and may only irritate my eyes further. Then one day, I saw a faint laugh line and I panicked! A lot of anti aging eye creams i tried stung my eyes. Im not talking about light stinging here but the all-out-crying- i-feel- like-im-going-blind kind.
Then I found Avon Anew....and im hooked. Its actually a 2- in- one product. The white cream is for day and the green gel is for night. I am especially impressed with the night gel. Its very effective in de puffing tired eyes and reducing dark circles. I think i'm on my seventh pot now and im happy to say that though im in my thirties, still no wrinkles baby. So, what are you waiting for? Contact your nearest Avon lady. :)
7. Sunscreen
VMV Armada Face Cover
My staple sunscreen. I guess its pretty clear now that im not a sun lover. My Nanay is of Chinese descent and was very fair skinned. However, she was not a sunscreen girl so she developed melasma in her forties. I know that like her, im predisposed to melasma so im very, very vigilant with sun protection.
Though i dont understand the figures and words describing its sunscreen capabilities (PFA, PFV, PFI...Ano daw?!! ), i have no doubt that this is very effective in keeping my skin safe from the sun's damaging rays. Tried and tested from years of driving to and from court hearings/client meetings at high noon while the sun was at its hottest. Best part is, it gives my skin a matte, even finish, making me skip face powder on regular days.
It comes in SPF 30, 45 and 60. I started with SPF 30 but it gives a slight, shiny sheen and i felt like it did not provide enough sun protection. SPF 60 naman is soo thick, as in you'll feel like you're wearing make up (which i absolutely hate). So, its SPF 45 for me. :)
L 'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Shield SPF 40
I tried several thinner consistency sunscreens but all were either passable (which was not good enough for me after experiencing Armada) and outright rejects (I'll write about these on my Skin Care Misses List). Then I stumbled upon L 'Occitane....and I think I found my HG (Holy Grail) sunscreen!
First, it has a very nice, "clean" smell. I know others find the smell annoying but i love it. It comes in this pretty pump bottle which dispenses just the right amount of product. For a high SPF (40), it has a thin consistency, very light on the face and it dries to a semi matte finish. Icing on the cake is its brightening and anti aging properties. Downside is of course, the price. Thank God, Duty Free Philippines is a client and they give me discounts. :)
8. Treatment
Neostrata HQ Skin Lightening Gel
The best in fading sun spots, acne scars and freckles.Last year, I went to Tawi Tawi for almost a week for an election job. I jumped from one island municipality to another on an open speed boat. This was in May people, so you can just imagine the heat! My VMV Armada did a very good job but still, a few sun spots popped out. My derma prescribed this and I didn't even get to finish 1/4 of the tube, suns spots were all gone. I was apprehensive at first coz its hydroquinone and my skin is hyper sensitive. Fortunately, i was wrong and im loving it.
9. Professional Care
No amount of skin product can substitute professional care. That billboard in Pasay says its all: "Your skin looks best when seen by a dermatologist" (or something to that effect). I go to Dr. Leah Martires (Tiendesitas) for my monthly diamond peel and to Dr. Contessa Hamada (Asian Hospital) or other skin issues. I am super grateful to Dr. Martires coz she erased (yes, hot mommas, you read it right, ERASED) my post natal stretch marks. I am likewise indebted to Dr. Hamada for helping me manage my sensitive skin attacks.
There it goes, ladies. My first blog entry which took me months to complete. I hope this would be of help. And I hope it will not take me as long to post my next one. :)
