Be the Skin booster essence hydration hyperpigmentation Japanese Korean Mizon pores serum Shiseido skincare

As the title suggests, this is Part 2 of my winter skincare routine series. If you haven't seen Part 1 yet, head over HERE. As you may notice, my skincare regimen consists of many steps. But as the cosmetician Helena Rubinstein famously said, "There are no ugly women, only lazy ones." Having an extensive skincare routine may not be for everyone, and I'm sure many people can have good skin with a simple 3-step skincare regimen; unfortunately for me, I have to do a little more than others to maintain my skin's condition, especially in the winter.

Shiseido Ibuki Softening Concentrate [DAY & NIGHT]: This isn't the best toner that I've tried, but I picked this up because it's much more accessible and cheaper than my favorite one (Albion's Essential Skin Conditioner). This makes my skin feel very soft and it does feel like it's preparing my skin for subsequent products. Other than that, I don't see any other benefits, which is why I'll probably switch back to Albion when I finish this bottle. If you are interested in getting your hands on this, you can purchase this at any Shiseido counter, Sephora, and Nordstrom.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate [DAY & NIGHT]: This product is probably my favorite skincare purchase of 2014. I use this as a booster, as it is meant to be applied before essences and serums to facilitate their absorption. One pump is all I need for my entire face and neck and it sinks into my skin immediately with no sticky residue. Since using this twice each day, my face has been looking so much more radiant and feels plumper. I'll be posting a more detailed review of Ultimune in the near future explaining how exactly this works. You can purchase this at any Shiseido counter, Sephora, and Nordstrom.

Mizon Mela Defense White Capsule Essence [NIGHT ONLY]: I've mentioned this in my post about hyperpigmentation. I still use this religiously every single night to prevent dark spots from forming and to lighten existing spots on my face. Though it takes awhile to see results, I have concluded that this gentle essence is effective on my skin. I highly recommend this to anyone with sensitive skin who is looking for ways to brighten and prevent hyperpigmentation. I purchased mine from Peach and Lily's website.

Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100 serum [DAY & NIGHT]: I recently posted a review on this, which you can find here. I always include a hydrating serum in my regimen, and this serum does not disappoint. I think this is great for any skin type (including sensitive skin) and is effective at keeping my skin moist from deep within. I purchased mine from Peach and Lily's website.

Be the Skin Pore Botanical Serum [DAY & NIGHT, when needed]: I always use this right after I exfoliate or use a deep-cleansing mask to help minimize the appearance of my pores. It doesn't make the look of pores disappear completely, but I think it does help a little. I only use this when my pores look larger than usual. I appreciate that this isn't astringent at all and is very gentle on the skin. Unlike other pore serums, this isn't drying, and it is actually quite moisturizing (without clogging pores, of course). I purchased mine from Peach and Lily's website.

Now, on to some tips that I swear by.

Tips that Work for Me:
1. I generally follow this order when applying these products: Cleansing-> toner/softener --> booster --> essence --> serum(s). Then, I follow up with my moisturizer. If you're still not sure of which order to apply your skincare products, always start with the thinnest substance (which is usually more liquidy) and end with the thickest, most viscous product.

2. I avoid using astringent toners; instead, I look for one that is intended to soften the skin. Astringents tend to be way too harsh for my sensitive skin, whereas moisturizing/softening toners are better at preparing the skin for subsequent products.

3.  I tend to invest more money in my essences and serums because they are meant to be the most effective in maintaining your skin's health, compared to cleansers and moisturizers. Thus, I always try to get samples before purchasing serums and essences before forking over the money.

4.  If you are still young and would like to try a serum, I suggest investing in products that hydrate your skin. Keeping your skin hydrated can help to prevent early signs of aging, as having dry, dehydrated skin creates a terrible environment for collagen growth. I look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and argan oil.

So there you have it: Part 2 of my skincare routine. Stay tuned for Part 3, where I will talk about my go-to moisturizer, eye creams, and sun screen for the winter!

So please share: Do you use any toners, essences, or serums? What are some of your favorites?

Till later,

Eva


FTC statement: This is NOT a sponsored post. There are no affiliate links. The reviewed products were purchased by me, with my own money.

cleansing Daiso double-cleansing exfoliators Japanese konjac sponge Korean Mizon Shiseido skincare

My name is Eva and I'm a skincare addict.

Yes, I'm obsessed with skincare, which is why I decided to post my skincare routine in four parts. This is part 1 of my winter skincare routine series. Here, I will discuss what I do to cleanse my skin. I have sensitive, dehydrated skin. I generally have combination skin; in the winter, however, my cheeks tend to get very dry. My skin concerns include large pores, hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and redness.

Now, on to the products:

1. Almay Longwear and Waterproof Gentle Eye Makeup Remover [NIGHT ONLY]: I wear waterproof mascara, so a highly effective eye makeup remover is a must. This is the first step to my skincare routine at night.  I soak up two cotton pads with this product (I use cheap cotton pads from Daiso which work really well), gently place the cotton pads on my closed eyelids for about 1 minute, and wait for this makeup remover to dissolve my eyeshadow, liner, and mascara. You can purchase this from pretty much any drugstore in the U.S., Ulta, and Amazon [affiliate link].

2. Mizon No. 1 King's Berry Cleansing Oil [NIGHT ONLY]: I've written a review of this, which you can find here. This is my favorite cleansing oil at the moment because it is gentle on the skin yet highly effective at removing all my base makeup. This is rich with antioxidants, too! I got my bottle from Peach & Lily.

3. Shiseido Ibuki Gentle Cleanser [NIGHT & DAY]: I use this foam cleanser every morning and night. I only need a pea sized amount to make it foam and it leaves my skin feeling clean yet not stripped of its moisture. I usually purchase mine from local Shiseido counters. You can purchase this from Shiseido's online website and Sephora.

4. Japanese Konjac Sponge in Green Tea [NIGHT ONLY]: Normally, I wouldn't recommend to exfoliate your skin more than once a week; however, because of my keratosis pilaris, I need to use a gentle exfoliator three times a week; otherwise, my rough patches of "chicken skin" get out of control. My Japanese Konjac Sponge does such a great job at keeping my skin condition at bay. This is extremely soft and gentle on the skin. I personally like the Green Tea sponge because it is much softer than the charcoal one, and is more effective than their pink one. I use apply a small amount of my Shiseido cleanser on this sponge, and gentle rub it all over my face in small circles, focusing around the nose area. You can get this from their official website.


Tips that Work for Me:
1. I double-cleanse every single night, even when I don't wear makeup. I don't like relying on only one cleanser to take everything off because I've found such products to be way too harsh for my skin. In addition, using an oil cleanser and a foaming cleanser will help to clean out both the water-and oil-based gunk that accumulate on my face throughout the day. I've been double-cleansing for almost 10 years now, and I've found this cleansing method to be the most gentle and most effective at keeping my acne at bay.

2. I much prefer using a gentle exfoliation tool like my konjac sponge to exfoliate my skin regularly, rather than using a granulated scrubs. Granualated scrubs are way too abrasive for my skin, and I don't think they're very effective at cleaning out my pores. I also don't like chemical exfoliators that contain hydroxy acids; even at the lowest concentration, these tend to irritate my skin and leave my face red.

3. I avoid using cleansing foams with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is a very harsh detergent that is often used in many cleansers. This ingredient can dry and irritate the skin.

4. When I'm using my foaming cleanser by itself, I use the pads of my pinky fingers to gently wash hard-to-reach areas (e.g., around the nose) in circular motions.

5. When rinsing off my cleanser, I splash my face with water and avoid any rubbing. I do this to avoid any redness and irritation.

Want more information about my skincare? Click HERE for Part 2, where I talk about my toner and serums!

Please share! What products do you use to cleanse your skin?

Till later,

Eva

FTC statement: This is not a sponsored post. With the exception of the Amazon link, the links provided above are not affiliate links.  I purchased all the products mentioned above with my own money.

hyaluronic acid hydration keratosis pilaris Korean Mizon review serum skincare

Mizon is one of my favorite skincare brands. I've found that their products are effective yet gentle on my sensitive skin. In addition, Mizon heavily relies on solid research and development to produce high-quality products. Their Hyaluronic Acid 100 serum is no exception. I decided to pick this baby up because of its high concentration of hyaluronic acid, which one of the best ingredients for hydrating the skin.

Product Details
This serum promises to deliver hydration to the skin, as it has a 50% concentration of hyaluronic acid. The serum itself is a clear substance with a runny texture. It is packaged in a cute, sky-blue 30 mL bottle with a dropper. I purchased this serum for $42.

Ingredients
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-octanediol, Ethylhexyl-glycerin, Tropolone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carppyl/capric Triglyceride,Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, C12-c20alkyl Glucoside, C13-22 Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate, Cholesterol, Ceramid 3, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Betula Platpyhlla Japonica Juice, Portaluca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Amica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Rasberry) Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA

How I Use It
I take one and a half drops of this and pat it gently onto my cheeks and neck/décolletage after my cleanser, toner, booster, and essence. I follow it up with my moisturizer. I apply this both during the day and night.

Results
1. I love how my skin absorbs it immediately after applying. This makes it so much easier to apply subsequent products. Moreover, it does not leave any greasy residue at all.

2. This does an incredible job keeping my face hydrated. My skin tends to get dehydrated in the summer (due to excessive air conditioning) and winter (due to the harsh winds and indoor heaters). I rarely get flakey skin and my skin looks so much more vibrant and much less tired.

3. As I mentioned in my post about my skin condition, I believe that this product has been the most effective in minimizing my keratosis pilaris.  The texture of my skin is so much smoother now!

4. While I can't say this serum caused my skin to appear firmer, I believe that its hydrating effects contributed to the elasticity and firmness of my skin. I'm still relatively young (26 years old), but I find that products that help with firming minimize the appearance of my acne scars and pores. Because of this serum, my skin feels plump, my scars are much less noticeable, and my skin's surface appears to be more even.

5. As with other Mizon products I've tried, this is incredibly gentle on the skin. I had no adverse reactions to this serum.

Verdict: 5 out of 5
After using up two bottles of this, I can confidently say that I love this serum and I will always have this in my skincare stash. If you're interested in trying a serum with hydrating properties, I can't recommend this Mizon's Hyaluronic Acid 100 serum enough. It's suitable for any age and any skin type.

You can purchase this serum from Peach and Lily for $42 (which is where I bought mine) and from some Korean beauty stores. I saw that Amazon sold this for a much lower price, but I am hesitant to recommend it because some reviews indicated that the seller sells fakes. (If you have any thoughts about this, please comment below.)

So please share: What are your favorite serums? And have you used products with hyaluronic acid?

Till later,

Eva

FTC statement: This is NOT a sponsored post. There are no affiliate links. The reviewed product was purchased by me.

essence health hyperpigmentation Kiehl's Mizon serum Shiseido skin skincare sunscreen

Due to my Asian heritage, I am highly prone to getting hyperpigmentation, which occurs when my skin overproduces melanin. When I used to get lots of blemishes, they would always leave really ugly dark spots on my skin that took ages to disappear. Nowadays, I worry about getting hyperpigmentation from photosensitivity.

For me, the best way to avoid dark spots is prevention. Here are some of the ways I prevent hyperpigmentation from forming.

1. I protect my skin from sun exposure.  Based on my observations on my own skin, sun exposure elicits sun spots to form and darken my acne scars. Thus, I always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVB and UVA rays, rain or shine. It is important to apply it even when it is cloudy because clouds do not protect you from UV rays.  Some of my favorite sunscreens include Shiseido's Urban Environment UV Protection Cream, and Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense 50+ . Regardless of what sunscreen you use, make sure to reapply it throughout the day, especially if you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Unfortunately, using sunscreen does prevent you from getting Vitamin D; however, I get my daily dosage of vitamin D from my diet (specifically from salmon, fortified cereal, and eggs) and supplemental pills.

2. I use a brightening essence or serum. Every night, I use a brightening essence religiously. I'm currently using Mizon's Mela Defense White Capsule Essence (pictured above), which has worked so well for me. This product is the reason why I rarely get any sunspots and my blemishes don't leave nasty marks anymore. I didn't see any lightening effects until 4 weeks of using this product, but I definitely think this is much better as a preventative measure, rather than as something you use when you have a severely dark spot. I also think this is perfect for my sensitive skin because it relies on gentle ingredients like cherry blossom extract to brighten dark spots.I have not gotten any adverse reactions from this. In addition to the brightening benefits, this makes my skin glow and feel soft to the touch. One note I must add is that when selecting brightening treatments, avoid harsh chemicals like hydroquinone and other bleaching agents; though they do work to lighten dark spots, I personally would stay away from these because they are extremely harsh on skin, particularly on sensitive skin.

3. I eat fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C.  I've been eating food rich in vitamin C such as tangerines, kiwis, bell peppers, and spinach. Intaking vitamin C is great for preventing hyperpigmentation because it inhibits your skin from producing too much melanin. Also, Vitamin C in general is just good to have for your overall health (duh!), regardless of whether or not you are prone to getting dark spots.


So tell me: Is hyperpigmentation something that you worry about like I do? Do share!

Till later,

Eva


FTC statement: This is not a sponsored post. Links provided above are not affiliate links.  Item pictured above was purchased by me.

beauty cleanser double-cleansing Korean Mizon skincare

Double-cleansing is one of those habits that I've been doing for about 7 years. It's a step in my skincare regimen that I cannot skip, especially when I wear makeup and sunscreen. I can confidently say that it has been one of the factors that has greatly reduced my acne and the appearance of my pores.

When I double-cleanse every night, I always use an oil cleanser as my first step, like Mizon's No. 1 King's Berry Cleansing Oil.  Prior to purchasing this product, I've been using DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil religiously. Though it has worked for me in the past when my skin used to be oily, I found that DHC's cleanser stripped too much of my moisture during recent uses. I knew I couldn't use this now, especially because I live in such harsh and dry winter climate. So I decided to turn to No. 1 King's Berry Cleansing Oil.

So, how did Mizon's No. 1 King's Berry Cleansing Oil perform on my skin?

Pricing and Size
Right off the bat, one advantage of this over DHC's is that you get more bang for your buck. Though $38 sounds like a lot, this bottle is HUGE  (about 410 mL) and will surely last me a long time. I paid $28 for DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil, but that was only 198 mL.

Texture and Moisture
Compared to heavier cleansing oils (like DHC's and Kose's Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil), the texture is slightly more lightweight; however, I found this to be much more moisturizing. It did not strip away too much of my natural oils, so my skin didn't feel taught after using it. As always, I follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser, so I don't really worry about this being too oily.

Scent and Reactions
Though not fragranced, it does have a slight berry scent that I'm not entirely fond of; however, I am happy to say that my skin did not react negatively to it.

Performance
So, was it good at taking off my makeup and sunscreen? YES. Definitely.  I was already happy with how DHC was able to clean my skin, and I can say that this product performed just as well with respect to taking off all the makeup. I take 1-2 pumps of this, spread it on my face, and gently massage my skin to take everything off. When I do this, the oil emulsifies into a milky texture and I can easily feel all the disgusting gunk in my pores (especially around my nose) start to loosen up and come off.

Ingredients
This product contains the following ingredients:

Black chokeberry, bamboo leaf, papaya fruit, gypsophila paniculata root, portaluca, lavender oil, Japanese plum, lemon, orange, sunflower seed, sugar cane, A. saccharum, olive oil, shiitake mushroom, jojoba seed, natural vegetable oil (Sunflower seed, meadow foam seed, jojoba seed, camellia, lavender, lavender, olive, evening primrose)

As you can see, the first ingredients listed are from fruit. I appreciate that Mizon did not include artificial colors, alcohol, added fragrances, or parabens and decided to use high-quality ingredients instead.

Verdict: 5 out of 5
Without a doubt, I will repurchase this. I am very happy with how well it took off my makeup and waterproof sunscreen without drying out my skin. In fact, my skin feels so soft and supple after using this. If you're a cleansing oil fanatic, I recommend you to try this out. 

Mizon No. 1 King's Berry Cleansing Oil retails for $38.00 (on Peach and Lily) for 410 mL.

Share your thoughts! Have you tried this product or any other cleansing oils?

Till later,

Eva ;)


FTC statement: This is not a sponsored post. Links provided above are not affiliate links.  I purchased the reviewed product with my own money.

beauty food keratosis pilaris konjac sponge Mizon Shiseido skin talk skincare

As the title suggests, this post will be about a skin condition called keratosis pilaris (or KP), which is something that I have. According to the Mayo Clinic's official website, KP leads to dry, rough patches on the skin that look like very tiny red or white bumps. Some people compare its appearance to chicken skin. The reason why the bumps form is because too much keratin builds up and blocks the hair follicle openings. No one really knows what exactly causes KP, but some experts hypothesize that it's partially due to genetic factors. KP also tends to be more common during harsh winters, when the air is dry.

KP isn't a serious medical condition. But let's face it: KP ain't pretty. And it could be really annoying. Most people with KP often get these rough patches on the back of their arms, their legs, and bums. Some, including myself, get KP on their face. My bumps tend to appear right around my mouth and lower cheeks, especially when the outside temperature drops below freezing. As a result, my cheeks look dull and feel rough.

Luckily, KP disappears as you age. But being the impatient person I am, I can't wait that long. Thus, I've committed to a few habits that have minimized the appearance and severity of KP. These are the things that helped me:

1. Exfoliating Gently

I use exfoliation as a preventative measure. As I mentioned, KP occurs when there is too much protein build up around the hair follicles; thus, I rely on gentle exfoliation to prevent the keratin from building up excessively. I emphasize the word "gentle" because harsh exfoliators can really aggravate your skin and worsen the appearance of KP. My favorite way to exfoliate is to use a Japanese Konjac Sponge (affiliate link) every other day. This is a really effective yet gentle tool that I can use on my sensitive skin. This has really helped to prevent KP from rearing its ugly head.

2. Using a Gentle Cleanser

I avoid using cleansers with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), because this ingredient unnecessarily strips away moisture, which can really aggravate the dry patches on my skin. I've been using Shiseido's Gentle Cleanser for about a year and a half, and it's been working amazingly well for me. It makes my skin feel clean without feeling taut and dry. Other cleansers that I like are HABA Squa Powder Wash Cleanser with Papaya Enzymes (affiliate link) and cleansing oils like Mizon's No. 1 King;s Berry Cleansing Oil and Kose Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil (affiliate link). Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (affiliate link) is also a great option for no-makeup days.

3. Retaining Moisture in My Skin

I use products with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture in my skin, which is an ingredient we naturally have in our bodies. The reason why I use products with hyaluronic acid is because it is a hydorphylic molecule (i.e., it loves water); in fact, it is known to bind up to 1000 times its weight in water (see Fessler, Liselotte, & Fessler, 1966). My favorite serum is Mizon's Hyaluronic Acid 1000, which contains 50% of this awesome ingredient and is designed to absorb well into the skin and facilitate the absorption of other skincare products.  In addition, I also make sure I use a highly emollient face cream, day and night. My current favorite for the winter is Shiseido's White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream W; not only is this super moisturizing, but it has ingredients that help with skin's cell turnover (i.e., dead skin cells get replaced with new ones).  This seals in all the previous products I apply and makes my skin feel incredibly soft.

4. Using a Humidifier

When winter hits, people love to crank up the heater in my office and apartment buildings. While I do prefer the toasty temperature to the harsh winter cold, heaters actually dry out my skin and make KP much worse. This is why I decided to buy a humidifier, like the EWARE Mini Ultra-sonic Humidifier (affiliate link). I turn this on while I sleep, and the next day, my skin is soft, supple, and full of moisture. This humidifier has been working well for me, and I love how cute and compact it is.

5. Keeping Myself Hydrated

Last, but definitely not least: I drink LOTS of water! I can definitely tell if I'm dehydrated just by looking at my skin; it appears dull, dry, and tired. I am a believer in facilitating beauty from within. So even if you don't have KP, I highly suggest that you keep yourself hydrated.

So there it is folks--my personal favorite things to do to keep KP at bay. If you have KP or any other skin conditions, feel free to share your habits and products below in the comments!

Till later,

Eva

FTC statement: This is NOT a sponsored post, but some of the links are affiliate links (and they are indicated above). You are not obligated to purchase the items through those links, and you may purchase these products on their official websites or other retailers.