You may not have to get up for work today, but you do have to get up and do your skincare. Don’t let social distancing get in the way for caring for your skin!
If there’s one beauty trend that’s destined to be big in 2021 and beyond, it’s Skinimalism. That’s because it’s mind-blowingly simple, easy to achieve, and shows you how to get the naturally glowing skin of your dreams.
Look lit-from-within with these glowing skin tricks
The only thing better than glowing skin from your highlighter palette? Glowing skin that’s 100% natural and lit-from-within. “Skinimalism” is one of the best ways to upgrade your skincare routine in 2021, going back to basics and using only 2, 1, or even 0 beauty products to light up your look.
Soothe and condition with these calming face masks
Aloe Vera is a name you’ve likely heard throughout your entire life. As a child, you put it on your sunburned skin to soothe after a long day at the beach (casual reminder: wear your SPF), and these same calming and moisturizing properties work in your adult skincare routine.
There are certain skincare ingredients that you shouldn’t give the time of day, and we mean that literally. It’s a major bummer to discover that the moisturizer you’ve been using in the morning and night isn’t as effective in the AM as you think, but we’re here to help you find the perfect morning cream. And serum. And cleanser.
idk who needs to hear this, but your acne is beautiful, and not a thing you should be ashamed or embarassed about
doesn’t matter where it is, how bad it is, or how long you’ve had it for. life is too short to be worrying about if your appearance is offending anyone. on the back? flaunt it. on the cheeks? showcase it. acne is a normal part of us.
embrace it
who ever says otherwise? fuck them, their tiny brain cannot comprehend the infinite spectrum that is beauty
I feel as though my old routine just doesnt work anymore. Its been 2 weeks of acne hell so i thought id change things up a bit.
I bought a few new things to help with my acne, dark spots, and uneven texture. Also my skin barrier is terrible . My skin peels off so easily when I GENTLY pop a zit . So I’m trying to get that fixed. I’m also tryin to lessen my cigarette intake. I went from 10 cigs a day to 5 and hopefully I’ll quit all together when my life gets more stable. Also if anyone wants to recommend products to super strengthen my skin barrier that’d be great!
• Fights acne, aids skin in retaining water, softens, heals, lightens, and protects skin from pollutants.
• Gentle enough to use daily. For normal to oily skin.
- Pixi Rose Oil Blend Nourishing Face Oil
• Improves skins elasticity and glow, leaving skin nourished and soft to the touch.
• Contains geranium oil. One of the top most beneficial oils out there. Strongest oil to protect from pollutants. It also balances sebum production, heals scars, evens skin tone, tightens skin, and kills bacteria that lead to acne and eczema.
- Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream
• Deeply penetrates skin to regenerate surface skin cells, hydrate, and diminish wrinkles and fine lines.
• I think it also exfoliates or something’s because it has a light burning sensation that resembles the feeling of an AHA and BHA exfoliant.
- Olay Wrinkle Correction Serum B3 + Peptides
• Fights wrinkles, protects from pollutants, smooths and lightens skin, and renews skin cells.
- TonyMoly Moisture Boost Gel To Water Morning Cleanser
• Sooths, protects, and strengthens skin.
• Fights wrinkles and fine lines. Made for even the most sensitive of skin.
- Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream For Very Dry Sensitive Skin
• Protects from pollutants, as well as, Softens and hydrates skin.
• Is non-comedogenic (doesn’t cause acne), nourishes skin, and helps skin retain moisture.
- DIY Tea Tree Oil Spray
• Fights acne, calms redness, reduces swelling and inflammation.
- DIY Lavender And Tea Tree Oil Lotion
• Includes: Hyaluronic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, Water, Squalane Oil, Ceramides, Apple Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, and much more.
• Works to hydrate, protect from pollutants, soften skin, fight acne, diminish wrinkles, restore damaged skin, and repair the skin barrier.
If there’s one beauty trend that’s destined to be big in 2021 and beyond, it’s Skinimalism. That’s because it’s mind-blowingly simple, easy to achieve, and shows you how to get the naturally glowing skin of your dreams.
Soothe and condition with these calming face masks
Aloe Vera is a name you’ve likely heard throughout your entire life. As a child, you put it on your sunburned skin to soothe after a long day at the beach (casual reminder: wear your SPF), and these same calming and moisturizing properties work in your adult skincare routine.
Look lit-from-within with these glowing skin tricks
The only thing better than glowing skin from your highlighter palette? Glowing skin that’s 100% natural and lit-from-within. “Skinimalism” is one of the best ways to upgrade your skincare routine in 2021, going back to basics and using only 2, 1, or even 0 beauty products to light up your look.
There are certain skincare ingredients that you shouldn’t give the time of day, and we mean that literally. It’s a major bummer to discover that the moisturizer you’ve been using in the morning and night isn’t as effective in the AM as you think, but we’re here to help you find the perfect morning cream. And serum. And cleanser.
Everyone is uniquely beautiful. It’s in the shape of your eyes, the nose you inherited from your mom, the smile you and your dad share. But wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly how your unique features come together to make you beautiful?
Anatomy Beauty offers affordable, customized, researched-backed beauty advice based on an analysis of your face. Anatomy Beauty will provide you with a Face Report so you’ll know what makes you, you. Their customized makeup and hair advice is perfect for beginners and anyone looking to change up their look. I post a lot of beauty advice on this blog but ultimately Anatomy Beauty provides in-depth personal advice that is impossible for me to provide.
If you’re interested in their service use my code torontoe for 20% off! Their website is linked in this post or you can search Anatomy Beauty on Google.
Philosophy Nature In A Jar Skin Reset Serum Review
Hi guys,
Ici Paris XL kindly sent me a vial of Philosophy Nature In A Jar Skin Reset Serum to try and review as part of their Beauty & You Community.
This serum consists of 95.9% natural ingredients, is clean, vegan and contains Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to Retinol.
As we all know, Retinol is an antioxidant & a form of vitamin A that aids in cell and skin renewal. I’ve done some research on the difference between Bakuchiol and Retinol as Bakuchiol is said to be a natural alternative to Retinol but I honestly don’t see much of a difference as Retinol can be found in certain kinds of vegetables. However, for some people, Retinol is just too harsh For people with sensitive skin or known allergic reactions to Retinol, Bakuchiol is indeed a better alternative.
Anyway, back to the Nature In A Jar Serum!
After using this serum for a while now, my skin feels soft, smooth and firm. Fine lines and wrinkles are less visible and so is the redness on my face.
It’s a lightweight serum which is easy to apply. The application itself is a bit more difficult, since the pipette in the cap is not a pipette but a glass rod, making it quite difficult to get enough product out of the bottle. It also feels a bit greasy, which I personally don’t like. The serum has a very light and neutral scent. In fact, it hardly has any scent. I personally think that’s an advantage, because I don’t really like heavily scented skincare products.
The bottle itself has a young & fresh look, thanks to the bright blue colour.
For now I give this serum 4 stars, because of the greasy feeling and the pipette which actually isn’t a pipette at all. If this changes, this serum is definitely worth 5 stars!
I am so excited to partner with Laniege- just kidding. If a brand ever sponsors me, or indeed thinks tumblr is an “influencer” platform, I would be shocked. I’d be happy to do it for free if Laniege sent me their products.
Kind of went overboard at the counter but you know, it’s a once-a-year slurge on makeup (this year it came with some skincare products for an extra amount) and getting some samples.
I have heard that Laniege isn’t very good for your skin as it contains a lot of fragrance and only provides basic hydration, but I would respectfully disagree. I haven’t seen any problems with my sensitive-ish skin so far. If you have oily skin in summer and dry skin in winter, you need extra moisture!
BB Cushion Whitening in No. 21 Beige (the OG) and the Neo Cushion Glow 21N
A bunch of samples, including makeup remover, foam cleansers (two types!), products from their hydrobank collection
7-step trial kit
Youth Collagen Drink (pack of 24)
More samples!! Special Care Water Sleeping Mask,Clear C Peeling Serum, and Cica Sleeping Mask. (The thing I love about going to physical stores is how many samples people give you, especially if you’re shopping a lot)
A common thing I hear about Laniege is that their prices are not on the high end of the market, but not exactly affordable. I did finish a jar of the sleeping mask and the lip mask before and could say they work well if your skin is super dry. Honestly I get most of my Laniege skincare from samples. It’s the cushions that are really worth the money.
Once you use these cushions, I don’t think you’ll want to go back. They’re medium coverage and smell great. They stay on for around half a day before you need to reapply. I’m always conflicted when it comes to buying products like foundation and concealer because it feels so weird to want to make your face “flawless” before going out in public. I often say that what you look like with natural skin doesn’t matter but turn around and use a cushion to cover up my acne scars. Does anyone else feel like this?
(And then you have to buy make up remover, like the Fresh Brightening Cleansing Oil. That product does the job by the way. I have no complaints about that, just this whole capitalistic cycle of forcing women to pay to “look presentable”.)
A seven-step Water Bank trial kit from Laneige! This came with my makeup purchase. Can’t wait to test it out. The bag is really pretty. Might make a review for this.
I bought the Youth Collagen Drink on a whim. The collagen helps with fading acne scars. I’m not in their targeted demographic, but it never hurts to start reversing the aging process at a before your late twenties. (Once again, more conflicted emotions about what it means to be “beautiful”. Like how being beautiful means looking young, if that makes sense.) The taste of this drink is berry-like and has a semi-thick consistency. You drink it after your evening skincare. I’m not sure when you see results, if ever, and I don’t think I would buy it again. Edit: I checked and apparently there’s improvement in the bounciness of your skin after 8 weeks.
Finally, get samples! Samples let you try products before you buy them. It’s not awkward to ask something like “I want to try these products for a bit, is it alright if I get samples for it?” when you’re shopping. The salespeople are willing to help. Be nice to retail workers!
Pictured: Actually this gif has nothing to do with this topic, it’s just what I wish my nights were like.
Hello! I’m back! Somehow studying has made my life so hectic and messed up my sleep schedule that I’m breaking out again. Just when I thought I had suppressed my hormones and solved my acne problem, my skin rebels against me.
So how do you get rid of pimples quickly? Acne patches. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for them. I prefer to use acne patches over other skincare products (like the pink liquid from some products that you apply on a spot) because they are more effective with absorbing the fluid inside your pimple and easier to remove. You won’t aggravate the skin by picking at the pimples and now you won’t be worried about your pimples being irritated by your face mark. Did you know they were invented by Koreans? They have contributed so much to the beauty world.
Brands that make acne patches (in packs that contain a fair amount of them) ⭐️
Nexcare: These are the ones I use. They are super easy to find, very affordable, and come in two sizes. They also come with a thin acne dressing (for mornings) and the normal one (I leave them on overnight). My mom always bought this for me in my teenage years when my face was covered with acne.
CosRX: I actually bought a pack before and I would say they aren’t as sticky as the other acne patches I’ve tried (at least for my oily skin). These are very cheap and is one of the best K-beauty exports. There’s also a Clear Fit option to wear in the morning.
Dr Jart Focuspot Blemish MicroTip Patch: a more expensive brand for pimple patches.
I have also seen some brands make pimple patches look more like stickers. I’m not sure if those work and would rather stick to the originals but if you don’t have terribly sensitive skin, feel free to give them a try.
How to make acne patches work more effectively
Tip from my mom: don’t apply on a pimple that is filled with pus, place the acne patch on a place where you think you may break out (pimple that have yet to come to a head). However, I have heard that it is alright to use them on whiteheads.
Apply the patch with clean hands onto dry skin.
Leave it on for six hours or more for best results. I leave them on until I shower at the end of the day.
One thing to note is that acne patches work for mild acne. So don’t use them for cystic acne or “under the skin” lesions. They are also unable to prevent acne, and can only help give a temporary fix to the issue. But for now, acne patches help speed up healing time and get rid of pimples if you’re in a rush!
Shrink Your Pores and Remove Your Scars: Introducing the Vitamin C Serum!
I’m here to recommend one very specific type of serum- Vitamin C serum. Vitamin C has three main benefits:
It brightens your skin and fades hyperpigmentation
It can help create a more even complexion
It’s anti-ageing
A side note: this type of serum is NOT SUITABLE FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE. It is an acid and may cause irritation.
Currently, I use the Dermacept Vitamin C10 Serum, after my disastrous brush with the Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop. I threw my bottle away when it turned brown (sun exposure causes Vitamin C serum to brown- one of the downsides of having the serum in a clear bottle), but long story short, my skin reacted very badly to that particular formula.
Pictured:The Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop from Dear Klairs. After using it with no visible results, I would not recommend it to anyone.
I have written positively about products from Dear Klairs in the past with their mostly non-irritant toners and creams. However, I just don’t think it was the right match for my weird sensitive and oily skin type.
That put me off Vitamin C serums for a while, until a month ago when I stopped by my local pharmacy to get a mask (not sheet masks) and the lady working there suggested that I try this moderately-priced serum. She said something like, “no offence, but your pores are quite large and your skin is oily.”
It didn’t take much convincing for me to get the product. I was curious about it, and even though I’m always down for some affordable products, I paid the price of US$49 for the C10 Serum by Dr Zein Obagi. That was literally the most I have ever paid for a single skincare product (not counting the time my mom and I splurged on a toner and an essence from Shiseido).
And so far, it’s been worth it!
Pictured:The serum comes in a dark bottle, which is way more useful that the clear Dear Klairs bottle. It is made in Japan and contains 12 mL of product.
This serum comes in four concentration levels- C5, C10, C20, and C25, with C25 being the strongest. The best concentration for Vitamin C serums is 10-20%. 10% concentration is good for sensitive skin.
It also contains Vitamin E, and that mixed with the Vitamin C creates more antioxidants. It smells citrusy and the serum sinks into your skin quickly. Use 3-4 drops of it after toner, and follow it up with a gentle moisturiser twice a day. There might be some tingling when you first use it.
A self-described “high-performance serum” made by a famous dermatologist who has the ambitious goal of “Skin Health Restoration”, it is very potent. After a week, I could see the pores on my cheeks- you know the place around your nose- start to shrink. My face became less oily- and it’s not just a side-effect of a dry winter. I didn’t have a lot of improvement for my acne scars, but it might be because I haven’t used it for the minimum amount of time a product needs to show its effect yet.
My overall ‘first impression’ is that my skin has not even been irritated by this product and has actually been looking more healthy than before. The only issue I have with it is the price to be honest.
Alternatives to the C10 serum
Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum from By Wishtrend
Vitamin C Brightening Serum by Melano CC (remember my sheet mask post? well this is from the same brand that made those really good vitamin c 5-minute sheet mask packs)
Pictured:My three most-used skincare products. Notice how none of them are from Korean brands.
As a beauty blogger- if you could call me that and I prefer ‘skincare enthusiast’- I try my fair share of products. I usually test them for around a month, which is why I don’t post Product Reviews as often as lists of useful products or something like that. While I am trying out a new product, I don’t want to shake up my skincare routine too badly.
I feel like my skin is less irritated by toners, oil cleansers, and sheet masks, so I can switch those out easily to make room for different brands. This is Korean skincare we’re talking about- there are always new things to check out. To reduce the problem of skin overreaction, I stick to the same brands for the following: cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturiser. (This is going to be a long post and I find when I try to use the ‘continue reading’ function it deletes the content so bear with me.)
Pictured:My nearly finished foam cleanser for sensitive skin.
I have tried a lot of cleansers in my day. Japanese ones. Korean ones. The one that I find the best is this one from La Roche-Posay, a French skincare brand. I have a smaller bottle because I haven’t the time to purchase the full version. This is so gentle and effective. It’s for oily or combination skin and doesn’t make my skin react badly.
Pictured:Front and back of the Detclear peeling jelly. I don’t read Japanese but just know that it removes sebum and other gunk.
Rarely do I review exfoliants because it has taken me so long to find one that works for my skin. I’m naturally sensitive to scrubs- something I finally decided to act on when my face flared up for the nth time using a facial scrub.
This is a chemical exfoliant that comes in a jelly form, as well as a powder enzyme wash. I wasn’t sure what the latter was so I bought the one that came in a convenient pump. It smells like artificial fruit, but surprisingly the fragrance doesn’t make my face act up.
It’s very satisfying to see the skin come up as the gel starts to dry on your skin. You have to rub it in and the dead skin cells just slough off in white clumps. In the end, you’re left with brighter skin. This product is gentle and I look forward to exfoliating every week. No wonder it’s a bestseller in Japan.
Pictured:The Physiogel “Miracle Cream”. You know that vine where they’re at the dollar store? Well, this is the good kush.
One day my mother bought me a few samples of a lotion that came with something she bought at the pharmacy. It was like a miracle product for me. I live in a city and in the summer it gets so hot and stuffy that my face just turns an unflattering shade of red. My main issue with city life is with the dust and smoke that enlarges your pores, but that’s a post for another day.
Alright, so back to the miracle product. I have both the lotion and cream from the Daily Moisture Therapy line. These products are fragrance-free and targeted towards normal/ dry sensitive skin. I normally use the cream during the day and night. The lotion is for when things get really bad and I need that cooling sensation. It simply gets rid of the redness within twenty minutes for me. It’s also moisturizing and great for healthy skin in the long run. Doesn’t break me out at all.
Pictured:The emergency lotion.
Out of all the three products here, I’ve used the cream the longest and I highly recommend it if you can find it in the States. One bottle goes a long way.
✨✨Conclusion ✨✨
I’m pretty sure that my skin will be just fine if I only use these three products in my routine. (Less is more, remember?) These are just products that I’ve noticed don’t trigger my skin but it’ll definitely be different for everyone. You can reblog and add your own!
Aaaand we’re back with another Dangerous Beauty post, showing you worldwide examples from yesterday and today. Trust me when I say I have a good-sized list written down with products.
Today it’s all about the complex, the gross and the heart-stopping.
Hey skincare friends! Cold weather season is almost here for me, so that means out with my summer products and in with my autumn/winter ones! In this post I’ll be going over my morning and night routine—all the steps I take and what I’m using. I’ll also include my skin type and such for reference, but generally all the products I use are great for all skin types unless I point out otherwise. Okay, this intro is long enough—let’s get started!
Skin type: Dry, sensitive (irritation/redness prone), with texture & acne issues (aka an endless struggle, lol).
A lil’ context: With the incoming cold weather season and considering I’m using several topical acne treatments, my focus these days have been on calming, moisturizing products with minimal & non-comedogenic (aka non-irritating, non-acne causing) ingredients (but, just FYI, what is irritating or not is also partly relative to the person). Anyhow, just thought I should give you a little background before we get started.
☔ MORNING ⛅
1. Water-only cleanse.
Yep: in the morning, I just cleanse my face with water—not too hot, not too cold. Occasionally, I’ll use a toner on a cotton pad afterward or in place of a water-only cleanse.
My go-to toners: Heritage Store Rosewater, Nakeup Face Stress 0 Toner.
3. Caudalie Grape Water Mist (or another mist I have on hand).
I like to always use a mist sometime in my routine, usually before (but sometimes after) a moisturizer. Mists have basically replaced my essence/serum step these days. I’m digging any sort of product that minimizes my having to touch/rub my face, so mists and any sort of no-touch products are my new favs.
My holy grail mist: Caudalie Grape Water—I 100% recommend this for every skin type and condition out there. If you’re looking for a great, everyday mist, stop looking around and just get this one!
Other mists I’ll sometimes use:
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray.
Missha Time Revolution Artemisia Treatment Essence (probably my most moisturizing mist—it’s literally an essence in a mist bottle).
4. Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream.
This is my everyday moisturizer. It’s good for all skin types, particularly my dry/normal friends. It’s moisturizing without feeling sticky or heavy.
Other creams I sometimes use and/or layer:
Etude House Soon Jung 2X Barrier Intensive Cream (application can be a bit sticky at first, just FYI).
Weleda Skin Food (for days my skin is extremely dry/raw; this one is very thick and moisturizing/nourishing and leaves a glow to the skin. I don’t recommend this for oily skin types as it is a pretty heavy, balmy type cream. And watch out very sensitive, acne-prone skin types—this one has oils and fragrance, but my skin hasn’t reacted badly to this one before. There’s also a lighter version of this that I plan to try soon.
5. Cerave’s Healing Ointment.
This is another must-have product for me in the colder months. I like to put this on my extremely dry and irritated spots and on my lips too. It’s like a more emollient/spreadable version of Vaseline petroleum jelly. My super dry, irritated skin loves this stuff and it’s the only thing that really stops my skin from flaking up, but I can surely see how a lot of people won’t like the feeling of an ointment on their face. Extremely dry, flaky skin types out there: this might be the cure you’ve been looking for. Just be aware, a slightly oily/shiny look is somewhat unavoidable with this one. If you don’t want to wear this in the day but want the deep moisture/healing properties of it, I’d recommend using this as an intense nourishing moisturizer/mask at night. It’s great for the body, too.
6. SPF.
Of course, you know the drill: it’s super beneficial to wear SPF daily, even on those cloudy, winter days.
My favorite SPFs (~certified~ no white cast & comfortable to wear):
Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ (probably doesn’t get better than this for physical, clean sunscreens; this is an SPF I’ll always have on hand)
Skin&Lab Fre C Sun Lotion SPF 50+ PA++++
HYGGEE Relief Sun Moisturizer SPF 50+ PA++++ (this is the texture and feel of a cream moisturizer, with the added benefit of SPF protection; great for dry skin types in particular.)
NIGHT ❄️
1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.
No matter what skin type you have, I recommend using a more gentle, non-stripping cleanser, especially in the colder months (that means gentler cleansers in the texture of creams, oils, balms, and milks). This cleanser by The Ordinary is super gentle and nourishing; it comes out as a cream and once warmed in your hands, turns into a smooth oil texture. It washes off clean and doesn’t make my skin feel tight. I’ve only just started using this one, but I already know I’m never going back to my foam cleanser.
2. Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLit FaceWare Pro LED Mask.
I use my LED mask for the timed 3 minutes every night (unless I’m feeling too lazy, lol). The light is supposed to help kill bacteria, improve skin texture, signs of aging, etc. LED masks are usually pretty pricey, (mine was around $400…yikes). This step, of course, is optional. There are a ton of other amazing treatment devices out there beyond LED masks, so if you’re wanting to add a little spa-level luxury to your routine, do your research and look around to find the tool best fit for you.
3. Tretinoin cream (prescription).
4. Caudalie Grape Water (or another mist I have; just like in my morning routine).
5. Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream.
At night I usually want a more rich, nourishing cream, so I’ll go in after using Klairs with something heavier, like my Cerave Healing Ointment or Weleda’s Skinfood. I’ll probably be buying a few more moisturizers once the cold weather really hits where I’m located.
6. Lip care: oil + ointment.
I usually layer an oil (I made a homemade one made of a mix of grapeseed oil and Tamanu oil) then I add an ointment on top, either Cerave’s Healing Ointment or good ol’ plain Vaseline. I always wake up with plump, moisturized lips when I do good lip care, so it’s worth the extra time!
As a final step, I’ll occasionally spot treat, which, thankfully, I haven’t been needing to do as much. I tend to use drying lotions or pimple patches. I’ve seen good results from both. FYI, though, if I were going to use pimple patches, I’d put those on before applying my moisturizing products—the less product between the skin and the pimple patch, the more effective it’ll be.
Finished!! Whew, is anyone else tired? What’s your skincare routine looking like these days? I hope this is helpful to those looking for routine recommendations and inspo. Let’s chat again soon. Bye for now~
