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Skin Care

Skincare for the Trail: What to Bring Camping or Backpacking

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


When you’re headed into the wild, skincare probably isn’t the first thing you pack—but it shouldn’t be the last. Whether you’re backpacking deep into the backcountry or setting up camp for a weekend escape, your skin still needs care to keep it clean, protected, and break-out free. Here’s what to bring camping or backpacking this summer as skincare for the trail.

Keep It Clean (and Simple)

Dirt, sweat, SPF, and bug spray all build up on your skin while you’re out exploring. But that doesn’t mean you need to pack a bulky bag of products.

Enter: our Clean & Simple Soap and Charcoal Soap—two multi-purpose bars that gently cleanse skin without stripping it dry. They’re biodegradable, travel-friendly, and safe for sensitive skin. The charcoal bar offers an extra detox boost (great for oily skin or after a hot, sweaty hike).

Pro tip: Cut your bar in half  + use an aluminum soap tin or mesh bag to keep it dry and reduce weight in your pack! (linked are some amazon examples, but be sure to check your local shops too)

Moisture Matters (Even in the Wild)

Often long hikes don’t just mean sweaty and dirty skin… they also mean sun-exposed skin and is in need of repair. Ditch the lime green aloe from your drug store and include a better option for your skin AND your environment.

Did you know we now offer a 1oz glass mini version of our “Beet the Heat” moisturizer? Made with soothing aloe vera, this hydrating daily moisturizer is a trail-ready hero—lightweight, cooling, and nourishing after a day in the sun, wind, or bug bites + it won’t weigh you down (your skin or your pack!)

🦟 Nature-Approved Bug Defense

You don’t have to choose between itchy welts and chemical clouds that leave you smelling of chemical bug repellents.  Choose sprays, serums, or creams that contain neem or lavender oils to keep the bugs at bay and your skin feeling soft and supple rather than sticky and gross!

*I also really love this brand for products that calm itch and bug bites with natural ingredients.

🌍 Remember To Always Wash With Care & Leave No Trace!

Here’s the big one: even eco-friendly products need to be used responsibly outdoors.

  • Never wash directly in lakes, rivers, or streams. Even biodegradable products take time to break down, and aquatic ecosystems are sensitive.

  • Use a container to carry water 200 feet away from natural sources before washing yourself or your gear.

  • Opt for a quick rinse and soap only where needed—a “pits and bits” approach goes a long way on the trail.

Minimalist Packing, Maximum Impact On the Trails

Skincare for the trail doesn’t need to be hard! (Glampers, no…you don’t need to pack your whole vanity!) Focus on smart, multifunctional staples that are kind to your skin and the planet. When we treat wild spaces with the respect they deserve, we get to keep enjoying them for generations to come. 🙂




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Indonesian Beauty

7 Produk Skincare yang Harus Dibawa Saat Traveling

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



Liburan atau perjalanan jauh memang menyenangkan, tapi kondisi cuaca yang berbeda, perubahan rutinitas, dan paparan sinar matahari yang lebih intens bisa berdampak buruk pada kulit.
Agar kulit tetap sehat dan terawat, ada beberapa produk skincare untuk kamu bawa saat traveling. Berikut ini adalah rekomendasi 7 produk skincare yang harus ada di dalam tasmu!


1. Pembersih Wajah (Facial Cleanser)
Setiap perjalanan pasti membawa kita ke banyak tempat dengan udara yang berbeda, dan kotoran serta polusi yang lebih banyak. Oleh karena itu, pembersih wajah menjadi produk skincare yang sangat penting untuk dibawa. Pilihlah facial cleanser yang lembut dan dapat membersihkan dengan sempurna tanpa mengeringkan kulit.


Rekomendasi Produk:

  • Cleansing Gel Emina Bright Stuff – Pembersih wajah yang lembut, cocok untuk semua jenis kulit, dan bisa membersihkan kotoran serta sisa makeup dengan baik.
  • Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser – Ideal untuk kulit sensitif, mengandung formula ringan yang tidak akan mengiritasi kulit.


2. Toner untuk Menyegarkan Kulit

Setelah membersihkan wajah, toner bisa membantu menyeimbangkan pH kulit dan memberikan kelembapan ekstra. Apalagi jika kamu sering berada di tempat yang panas atau berdebu, toner akan sangat membantu menyegarkan kulit. Pilih toner dengan kandungan yang menenangkan dan melembabkan.


Rekomendasi Produk:

  • Thayers Witch Hazel Toner – Toner alami yang mengandung witch hazel dan aloe vera, membantu menenangkan kulit dan menjaga kelembapan.
  • Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Lotion – Dengan kandungan hyaluronic acid, toner ini memberikan kelembapan yang mendalam, sangat cocok untuk kulit yang dehidrasi.

3. Sunscreen (Tabir Surya)

Sunscreen adalah produk skincare yang paling utama dibawa saat traveling. Paparan sinar matahari yang berlebihan bisa menyebabkan penuaan dini dan kerusakan kulit. Pastikan kamu memilih sunscreen dengan SPF yang tinggi, minimal SPF 30, dan sesuai dengan jenis kulitmu.


Rekomendasi Produk:

  • Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+ – Sunscreen dengan formula ringan yang cepat menyerap dan memberikan perlindungan tinggi terhadap sinar UVA dan UVB.
  • Wardah UV Shield Aqua Fresh Sunscreen SPF 50 – Sunscreen lokal yang ringan dan cocok untuk kulit berminyak, memberikan perlindungan maksimal tanpa membuat kulit terasa berat.

4. Moisturizer (Pelembap)

Perjalanan panjang bisa membuat kulitmu dehidrasi, terutama jika kamu sering berada di ruang ber-AC. Oleh karena itu, moisturizer atau pelembap sangat penting untuk menjaga kulit tetap lembut dan kenyal. Pilih pelembap dengan formula ringan namun tetap efektif menjaga kelembaban kulit.

Rekomendasi Produk:

  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Pelembap berbahan dasar gel yang cepat meresap ke dalam kulit, cocok untuk kulit yang cenderung berminyak atau kombinasi.
  • Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream – Pelembap yang kaya akan kandungan emolien, ideal untuk kulit kering dan sensitif.


5. Serum dengan Kandungan Vitamin C

Jika kamu ingin kulit terlihat cerah dan sehat meskipun sedang traveling, serum dengan kandungan vitamin C bisa jadi pilihan yang tepat. Vitamin C membantu mengatasi masalah kulit kusam dan menjaga kulit tetap bersinar meskipun terpapar sinar matahari.

Rekomendasi Produk:

  • The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% – Serum vitamin C yang efektif mencerahkan kulit dan mengurangi tanda-tanda penuaan.
  • Somethinc Niacinamide + Marine Algae Serum – Serum lokal dengan kombinasi niacinamide dan vitamin C untuk mencerahkan dan meratakan warna kulit.


6. Masker Wajah untuk Penyegaran

Sesekali, kamu butuh produk yang bisa memberi “treatment” ekstra pada kulit, apalagi setelah beraktivitas seharian saat traveling. Masker wajah dapat memberikan kelembapan dan menyegarkan kulit. Kamu bisa memilih masker berbahan dasar sheet mask yang praktis dibawa bepergian.

Rekomendasi Produk:

  • The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Sheet – Masker wajah yang terbuat dari bahan alami dan memiliki berbagai varian sesuai kebutuhan kulit.
  • Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask – Masker dengan ekstrak alami, cocok untuk berbagai jenis kulit, dan mudah dibawa ke mana-mana.


7. Lip Balm untuk Menghindari Bibir Kering

Bibir sering kali menjadi area yang terlupakan saat traveling. Perubahan cuaca, udara kering, atau paparan sinar matahari bisa menyebabkan bibir pecah-pecah. Oleh karena itu, lip balm adalah produk skincare yang tak boleh ketinggalan di tasmu.



Rekomendasi Produk:

  • Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm – Lip balm dengan bahan alami, memberikan kelembapan maksimal dan perlindungan dari keringnya udara.
  • Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – Produk lip mask yang bisa digunakan semalaman untuk melembapkan bibir secara intensif.

(Dokumentasi pribadi saat di Soeta, pas sekali ada info BRI)

Nah, pastikan kamu memilih produk yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan kulitmu dan mudah dibawa bepergian, ya. Selain itu, cek juga kebutuhan traveling di aplikasi BRI untuk memudahkan selama traveling karena

 #BRImoMudahSerbaBisa 🙂

Dengan BRImo, melakukan perjalanan ke berbagai tempat menjadi semakin mudah nih.

Kamu bisa langsung login ke akun BRImo, kemudian klik Lifestyle, lalu klik fitur Travel. 

Dari fitur tersebut, kamu bisa membeli tiket pesawat, tiket kereta api, tiket whoosh, dan bus dengan cepat dan mudah. Selain itu, jika kamu melakukan berbagai aktivitas di #BRImo kamu juga berkesempatan untuk mendapatkan hadiah menarik!

Caranya dengan redeem BRIPoin atau program Direct Gift sebagai program loyalti yang diberikan oleh BRI kepada seluruh nasabah Tabungan BRI (BritAma dan Simpedes), dan pengguna e-banking (BRImo, Qlola Internet Banking, dan ATM). Transaksi menggunakan Kartu Debit dan Kartu Kredit #BRImo juga akan mendapatkan reward dalam bentuk BRIPoin.

#BRImoFSTVL dimulai dari 1 Oktober 2024 hingga 31 Maret 2025 dengan hadiah melimpah yang sayang untuk dilewatkan. Ada 100.000 hadiah langsung di BRImo FSTVL yang bisa diraih serta jangan sampai melewatkan hadiah undian BMW 520i M Sport, Hyundai Creta Alpha, dan kendaraan bermotor Vespa Primavera. #BerlimpahHadiah banget nih!


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Beauty

Beyond The Skincare Bottle: Non-Surgical Anti-Aging Treatments

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


 

Beyond the Skincare Bottle: Non-Surgical Anti-Aging Treatments

What’s the best way to get real anti-aging results without surgery?


Non-surgical treatments, such as microneedling, chemical peels, LED red light therapy, and radiofrequency, can significantly boost collagen, reduce signs of aging, and improve skin texture, going beyond what skincare products alone can do to prevent signs of aging.

Skincare does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to  keeping your skin healthy and youthful, especially those containing glycolic or lactic acid. But if you’re looking for real change, the kind that smooths lines, evens texture, and firms up skin, you might need more than what’s in a skincare bottle. 

That’s where the 80 percent rule comes in. Eighty percent of your glow comes from daily skincare and good habits, but that last 20 percent? That’s where treatments can make a powerful difference.
 

Ready to go beyond the skincare bottle? These proven, non-invasive treatments deliver visible results without the need for surgery.

How does microneedling reduce signs of aging?

Microneedling sounds a little scary with the idea of tiny needles puncturing your face, but it’s actually a minimally invasive treatment with powerful results. The premise here is simple. Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin, yeah I know tht sounds scary, but it’s good it actually triggers your body’s natural wound-healing response. This response then stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, two key proteins that help keep your skin firm, smooth, and youthful.

You won’t see results overnight, but improvements build gradually. Most people notice a difference in fine lines, skin texture, and acne scars after a series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart. Since microneedling works with your skin’s natural renewal process, it’s a great middle-ground option for anyone not quite ready for injectables or more aggressive procedures.

If you have a darker skin tone, make sure to visit a provider experienced in microneedling for black skin as it can be more prone to things like hyperpigmentation if it’s done incorrectly

What do chemical peels do for aging skin?

For those of us over 50, we all remember that unforgettable Sex and the City episode where Samantha shows up to an event post-peel looking like a red, raw tomato. But fret no more, that’s not the case today. You will not end up looking like Samantha.

Chemical peels are a trusted way to refresh your complexion by removing dead skin cells and encouraging new, healthy skin to surface.  There are many types of chemical peels, and they’re customized to your skin’s needs. For example, lighter peels made with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) gently exfoliate to brighten dull skin, soften fine lines, and smooth rough texture.


If you’re dealing with more advanced concerns like sun damage or pigmentation, stronger peels can reach deeper layers of skin. These require more downtime but offer more dramatic improvements. Whether you choose a light or medium-depth option, chemical peels can give your skin a noticeable reset.

Can LED light therapy help with anti-aging?

Red LED light therapy has been shown to stimulate collagen production and calm inflammation, both of which are key for slowing the signs of aging. Over time, regular use can reduce redness, smooth out skin tone, and give your skin a plumper, more refreshed appearance.

It’s not a one-time treatment. LED therapy works best when used consistently, whether added to a facial in a spa setting or with an at-home LED mask. It’s a gentle way to support your skin’s health without irritation or recovery time.

How does radiofrequency tighten the skin without surgery?

Radiofrequency treatments use heat to stimulate collagen deep within the skin. This warmth encourages the tissue to contract and rebuild over time, resulting in firmer, tighter skin in areas that may be starting to sag, such as the cheeks, neck, or jawline.

The treatment is completely non-invasive and can be done in under an hour with no downtime. It works by gently heating the deeper layers of your skin which encourages collagen production, and over time, that can lead to slightly firmer, tighter skin.

It’s a great choice for those who are not yet ready for surgical lifting but are looking for a noticeable, natural-looking improvement.

Final Thoughts
Aging is a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean you need to look like you have. While skincare is essential, it’s on part of the bigger picture. If you’re ready to take your results to the next level, thesse non-surgical treatments can make a noticeable difference without the need for drastic measures.

These options work with your skin to restore firmness, smoothness, and radiance. Because looking your best isn’t about chasing youth; it’s about aging on your own terms and feeling confident every step of the way.

And if you’re over 40 or just starting to explore professional treatments, check out these helpful articles to guide you through the process with confidence:


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Indonesian Beauty

Review ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk untuk Kulit Berminyak

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Banyak yang bilang kalau wajib cobain ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen setidaknya sekali seumur hidup biar nggak penasaran. Apalagi ANESSA punya gelar sebagai sunscreen nomor 1 se-Asia dan di Jepang selama 22 tahun berturut-turut lho. Seperti apa sih performa sunscreen ini di kulit berminyak? Is it worth the hype and the money? Biar nggak penasaran, langsung aja baca review ANESSA Perfect Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

ANESSA, sunscreen terbaik untuk perlindungan maksimal dari sinar matahari

ANESSA adalah brand sunscreen yang berada di bawah Shiseido Group, salah satu nama besar di dunia kecantikan. Anyway, nama ANESSA diambil dari bahasa Jepang “NESSA” yang berarti “pasir panas” atau “hot sand.” 

ANESSA sunscreen nomor satu di Asia dan Jepang

Sejak pertama kali diluncurkan pada tahun 1992, ANESSA hadir dengan visi mulia: mendukung penggunanya untuk tetap bebas beraktivitas di bawah sinar matahari tanpa khawatir, sekaligus menjaga kesehatan kulit untuk saat ini dan masa depan.

Dengan berbagai inovasi terdepan seperti Auto Veil Technology, Auto Booster Technology dan Beauty Sun Essence, ANESSA dinobatkan sebagai sunscreen nomor 1 di Asia dan Jepang selama 22 tahun berturut-turut. What an achievement! 

ANNESA memiliki beberapa seri produk seperti Gold Series, Brightening Series, Mild Series, Serum Sunscreen Series, dan Night Suncare Serum. 

ANESSA: Sunscreen Nomor Satu dengan Berbagai Kelebihan

Apa yang membuat sunscreen ANESSA layak disebut sebagai produk sunscreen nomor satu? Jawabannya ada pada inovasi dan teknologi canggih yang terus dikembangkan untuk memberikan perlindungan terbaik bagi kulit.

Beauty Sun Essence

Sunscreen rasa skincare? Bisa dong karena ANESSA memiliki formula Beauty Sun Essence dengan 50% skincare ingredients. Jadi sunscreen ini tidak hanya sekadar melindungi kulit dari sinar matahari, tetapi juga bisa merawat kulit dari dalam dan menjaga kelembapannya. 

Dengan 50% skincare ingredients, sunscreen ini dapat merawat kulit.
Dengan 50% skincare ingredients, sunscreen ini dapat merawat kulit.

Kandungan Beauty Sun Essence menggunakan ekstrak tumbuhan dan buah pilihan yang kaya akan manfaat, yaitu: 

  • Ekstrak kulit Unshiu Citrus, sebagai antioksidan dan antiinflamasi melawan radikal bebas, meredakan peradangan, serta melembapkan dan mencerahkan kulit.
  • Ekstrak Purple Tea dan Green Tea, dengan antioksidan tinggi untuk melindungi kulit dari radikal bebas dan polusi.
  • Ekstrak akar Potentilla Erecta, sebagai anti-photoaging atau mencegah penuaan dini. Kandungan ini juga dapat menenangkan kulit yang meradang, mengurangi kemerahan, serta membantu mengatasi berbagai masalah kulit seperti jerawat dan iritasi. 

Sunscreen ini juga memiliki formula tambahan seperti seperti collagen dan hyaluronic acid yang dapat menjaga kelembapan kulit dan cocok untuk semua jenis kulit. 

Auto Veil Technology

Tahu nggak kalau ekspresi wajah seperti tersenyum, berkedip, tertawa, atau cemberut dapat membuat otot wajah meregang? Gerakan ini ternyata bisa mengurangi perlindungan sunscreen yang sudah diaplikasikan lho.

Anessa punya Auto Veil Technolofy untuk meratakan gorean dan lecet yang terbentuk pada lapisan sunscreen
Auto Veil Technology mampu memperbaiki dan meratakan lapisan sunscreen.

Pada Maret 2024, ANESSA menghadirkan inovasi terbaru mereka: Auto Veil Technology atau dikenal juga sebagai Auto Repair. Teknologi canggih ini memungkinkan sunscreen ANESSA untuk memperbaiki dan meratakan kembali lapisan perlindungan sunscreen yang terganggu oleh pergerakan otot wajah hanya dalam waktu 5 menit.

Auto Repair Technology memungkinan sunscreen untuk memperbaiki lapisan yang rusak atau hilang akibat gesekan, air, atau keringat
Hasil riset Auto Repair Technology yang dilakukan oleh RND Anessa

Dengan teknologi ini, kulit akan tetap terlindungi secara optimal dan kita bisa bebas berekspresi.

Auto Booster Technology

Auto Booster Technology dari ANESSA adalah inovasi pertama di dunia yang dirancang untuk memberikan perlindungan kuat bahkan saat kulit terpapar panas, kelembapan, air, atau keringat. Teknologi ini menggabungkan empat formula canggih: Humidity Protection, Thermo Booster Technology, Aqua EX Booster Technology, dan Super Waterproof.

auto booster technology dan auto repair technology memberikan perlindungan maksimal dari sinar UV
  • Humidity Protection: Memperkuat dan meratakan lapisan pelindung UV saat kulit terpapar kelembapan.
  • Thermo Booster Technology: Menjaga perlindungan UV tetap optimal meskipun kulit terkena panas.
  • Aqua EX Booster Technology: Memastikan lapisan pelindung UV tetap merata meski terpapar air atau keringat.
  • Super Waterproof: Formula tahan air dan keringat yang telah terbukti melalui water bath test selama 80 menit.

Dengan teknologi ini, sunscreen ANESSA adalah sunscreen waterproof yang bagus untuk wajah dan badan yang membuat kulitmu tetap terlindungi sempurna di segala kondisi, bahkan saat aktivitas outdoor paling intens sekalipun. 

Review ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++

ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++
Nama produk ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++
Berat 60 ml
Nomor BPOM NA22231700025
Harga retail IDR400.000 (60ml) *harga dapat berbeda

Desain dan kemasan

ANESSA Perfect UV Skincare Milk dikemas dalam botol emas dengan ukuran 60 ml. Sunscreen ini juga tersedia dalam ukuran 20 ml. Surprisingly, botol ukuran 60ml ini tetap compact meskipun ukurannya cukup besar untuk standar ukuran sunscreen. Jadi praktis kalau dibawa ke mana saja. Tutupnya juga rapat dengan model ulir, menghindari risiko tumpah atau bocor. 

Desain dan kemasan ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk
Desain dan kemasan ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk

Sunscreen ini datang dalam kemasan dus berwarna biru dengan keterangan produk yang ditulis dalam bahasa Jepang. Tapi jangan kuatir, ada keterangan produk dalam bahasa Indonesia juga kok. 

Baik dalam kemasan dus maupun botol, aku tidak bisa menemukan informasi kedaluwarsa (expiry date). Jangan panik dulu karena ini adalah hal yang biasa untuk produk asal Jepang karena memang badan POM di sana tuh nggak mewajibkan perusahaan untuk mencantumkan expiry date. 

Kalian bisa menggunakan informasi masa PAO (Period After Opening) yang tercantum pada kemasan sebagai patokan ya. Sunscreen ANESSA ini punya masa PAO 18M yang artinya sunscreen bisa digunakan selama 1,5 tahun sejak kemasannya dibuka. 

UPDATE:

Ternyata informasi expiry date-nya ada di kemasan ya teman-teman. Bentuknya seperti sticker dan ada QR code-nya juga. Sebelumnya aku nggak ngeh karena aku pikir itu bukan tanggal kedaluwarsanya.

Tekstur, warna, dan wangi

Tekstur sunscreen ini ringan, mudah diratakan dan cepat meresap di kulit tanpa meninggalkan white cast. Warnanya putih pekat, seperti susu. Menurut keterangan di kemasan dus, sunscreen ini tidak mengandung colorant alias tanpa penambahan warna.

Tekstur sunscreen watery mudah dibaurkan dan cepat meresap
Tekstur sunscreen watery, mudah dibaurkan dan cepat meresap

Sunscreen ANESSA juga tidak meninggalkan rasa lengket setelah diaplikasikan di wajah. Terbukti nih ketika aku coba kasih pasir di tangan yang sudah aku aplikasikan sunscreen, pasirnya bisa dibersihkan dengan mudah dan tidak ada yang tertinggal di kulit.

Sunscreen ANESSA terbukti tidak lengket dan memberikan hasil matte
Sunscreen ANESSA terbukti tidak lengket dan memberikan hasil matte

Untuk aromanya, sunscreen ini memiliki wangi khas sunscreen dan sedikit citrusy. Namun wanginya lembut dan tidak menyengat kok, cocok untuk pengguna yang sensitif terhadap parfum.

ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk Ingredients

Berikut ini adalah komposisi dari sunscreen ANESSA: 

Dimethicone, Water (Aqua), Zinc Oxide, Alcohol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Isododecane, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, PEG/PPG-9/2 Dimethyl Ether, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Talc, Silica, Isopropyl Myristate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dextrin Palmitate, Glycerin, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Triazone,Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Disteardimonium Hectorite,  PEG-10 Dimethicone, Isostearic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane,Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Chloride, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, PEG-6, Fragrance, Tocopherol, BHT, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Butyldimethicone Polyglyceryl-3, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potentilla Erecta Root Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Lauryl Betaine, Soluble Collagen, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate.

Dari ingredients-nya, sunscreen ANESSA termasuk kategori hybrid sunscreen karena mengandung kombinasi mineral/physical sunscreen dan chemical sunscreen. 

Biar nggak bingung jenis sunscreen yang kalian pakai, artikel cara membedakan sunscreen physical, chemical, dan hybrid ini bisa membantu.

Cara pakai sunscreen ANESSA

  1. Kocok produk terlebih dahulu sebelum digunakan.
  2. Tuang sunscreen sebanyak 2 jari dan aplikasikan merata ke seluruh wajah dan leher.
  3. Tunggu hingga meresap sebelum menggunakan makeup. 
  4. Aplikasikan sunscreen 15 menit sebelum keluar rumah.
  5. Reapply setiap 2-3 jam untuk perlindungan maksimal, terutama setelah berenang atau berkeringat.

Review jujur pengalaman menggunakan ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk untuk kulit berminyak

Jujur deh, sampai sekarang aku masih suka bingung sama penamaan produk skincare dari Jepang. Awalnya aku sempat panik, kepikiran, “Duh, jangan-jangan aku salah beli produk nih!” Soalnya aku pakai sunscreen ANESSA yang varian Milk. 

Tapi setelah aku cek lagi di website resminya dan baca keterangan produknya dengan teliti, ternyata pilihanku sudah tepat! ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk ini memang diformulasikan khusus untuk kulit berminyak. Eh, ternyata justru yang varian Gel itu formulanya untuk kulit kering. Jadi lega deh. 

Sunscreen ANESSA punya tekstur watery. Dari semua sunscreen yang pernah aku coba, sunscreen ini yang paling gampang di-blend. Bener-bener effortless! Bisa dibilang ini adalah sunscreen terbaik untuk kulit kombinasi dan berminyak karena formulanya non-comedogenic dan water based. Cepat meresap dan nggak lengket sama sekali. Feel-nya juga ringan di kulit, seperti nggak pakai produk apapun.  

Tekstur sunscreen cepat meresap dan tidak lengket di kulit
Tekstur sunscreen cepat meresap, tidak lengket, dan sangat ringan.

Oya, sunscreen ANESSA juga memberikan efek tone up setelah di-blend. Tapi lama kelamaan warnanya akan menyatu dengan kulit dan jadi bagus banget. Bikin kulit wajah terlihat lebih cerah. Finish-nya matte tapi tetap melembapkan kulit.

Hasil pemakaian sunscreen ANESSA pada kulit berminyak membuat glowing
Hasil pemakaian sunscreen ANESSA pada kulit berminyak. Memberikan efek tone up dan glowing.

Aku juga coba pakai makeup dan sesuai dengan klaim-nya, sunscreen ANESSA ini bisa jadi makeup primer. Makeup awet dan nempel. Nggak ada drama pilling ketika ditimpa dengan foundation ataupun bedak TWC. 

Karena teksturnya yang cair, aku bisa reapply dengan mudah dengan cara langsung ditimpa di atas makeup. Kalau mau lebih praktis, bisa pakai sunscreen spray dari ANESSA. 

IMPORTANT INFO!!

Ternyata takaran sunscreen yang teksturnya watery seperti ANESSA ini bukan dengan menggunakan 2 jari, melainkan dengan ukuran diameter lingkaran.

Untuk area wajah, tuang sunscreen seukuran 20 mm untuk setiap titik wajah, dahi, hidung, pipi, dan dagu.

Kalau ngomongin soal teknologi, Jepang emang nggak ada lawan sih. No debat. Begitu juga dengan teknologi pada sunscreen ANESSA. Selama menggunakan produk ini, nggak ada drama wajah sumuk atau makeup luntur. Diajak panas-panasan pun nggak bikin kulit gosong. Terbukti memang waterproof dan sweatproof. 

Wear Test sunscreen ANESSA di kulit berminyak
Wear Test sunscreen ANESSA di kulit berminyak

Karena sunscreen ANESSA ini punya Auto Veil Technology dan Auto Booster Technology yang membuat produk ini tahan air dan gesekan, tentu saja produk ini tidak wudhu friendly ya. Jadi untuk teman-teman muslim yang menggunakan sunscreen ini, sebaiknya dihapus dulu menggunakan cleansing oil/balm sebelum beribadah. 

Apakah ini jadi kekurangan dari sunscreen ANESSA? Ini kembali ke sudut pandang masing-masing. Kalau kalian tidak merasa repot harus bolak balik hapus dan reapply sunscreen, menurut aku hal ini tidak bisa dibilang sebagai kekurangan ya. 

Buat aku pribadi, ini bukan masalah besar. Yang penting, proteksi kulit tetap juara. Jadi, kalau harus repot sedikit buat menghapus sunscreen, ya nggak apa-apa. Toh, yang paling penting adalah wajah tetap terlindungi secara maksimal dari efek buruk sinar matahari. Iya, kan? 

Pendapat aku tentang sunscreen ANESSA

So what’s the final verdict? Ini dia pendapat jujur aku setelah menggunakan sunscreen ANESSA

Aku suka sunscreen ini karena: 

  • Teksturnya nyaman banget untuk kulit berminyak
  • Perlindungan maksimal SPF 50+ dan PA++++
  • Bisa dipakai untuk wajah dan badan
  • Ringan dan nggak lengket di kulit
  • Bagus untuk base makeup
  • Tahan air dan keringat
  • Ada efek tone up

Aku kurang suka sunscreen ini karena:

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 

Kesimpulan

Sesuai dengan namanya, ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk memang se-perfect itu! Sunscreen ini nggak cuma memberikan perlindungan maksimal dari sinar UVA dan UVB, tapi juga dilengkapi dengan formula skincare yang menjaga kesehatan kulitmu. Dengan teknologi mutakhir seperti Auto Veil dan Auto Booster, ANESSA benar-benar paham kebutuhan kulit yang sering terpapar sinar matahari, panas, dan keringat.

Sunscreen ANESSA melindungi kulit dari sinar matahari Auto Veil Technology dan Auto Booster Technology
Sunscreen ANESSA melindungi kulit dari sinar matahari Auto Veil Technology dan Auto Booster Technology

Nggak heran kalau sunscreen ini dinobatkan sebagai sunscreen nomor 1 di Asia dan Jepang selama 22 tahun berturut-turut. Prestasi ini jelas bukan tanpa alasan, mengingat kualitas dan inovasi yang selalu mereka bawa di setiap produknya.

Memang sih, harga ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk terbilang premium dibandingkan sunscreen lain. Tapi ingat, dengan harga tersebut, kamu nggak hanya mendapatkan perlindungan dari sinar matahari, melainkan juga manfaat skincare merawat kulit.

Kalau kamu masih bingung memilih sunscreen yang bisa diandalkan untuk semua aktivitas, dari yang santai sampai outdoor, ANESSA adalah jawabannya. Yuk, jangan ragu untuk cobain ANESSA Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk dan buktiin sendiri perlindungannya di kulitmu.


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Skin Care

How to Spot an Aging Skincare Routine in Disguise

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Could your skincare routine be an aging skincare routine in disguise?

Take Sara. She was scrolling through TikTok when she stumbled across her favorite beauty influencer’s “morning skincare routine for glass skin.”

The process looked amazing on camera. It included a vitamin C serum, retinol cream, glycolic acid toner, salicylic acid cleanser, and three different exfoliating scrubs throughout the week.

“This will change your life!” the influencer promised, showing off her flawless complexion.

Sara ordered everything and dove headfirst into the routine. She was shocked when, within two weeks, her face was covered in red, irritated patches. Small bumps appeared around her chin, the bags under her eyes looked worse, and her skin felt tight and sensitive—nothing like the dewy glow she’d been promised.

How disappointing! What Sara didn’t know was that she’d fallen victim to an aging skincare routine in disguise—one that was making her skin older, not younger.

The Hidden Truth About Popular Skincare Routines

Unfortunately, many of the trendy skincare routines you come across on social media or elsewhere can actually accelerate skin aging, potentially doing more harm than good. These routines may promise youthful results, but they can damage your skin’s natural protective barrier, leading to premature aging, sensitivity, and a range of other issues.

Your skin has been protecting itself for your entire life. It has its own renewal system, its own pH balance, and its own way of staying healthy. When we apply too many harsh ingredients to it or follow complicated routines that disrupt its natural processes, the skin often rebels. It may age faster, appear duller, break out more often, or even become overly dependent on products to function normally.

The most frustrating part is that you think you’re doing something “good” for your skin, as that’s what you’ve been told. Companies and influencers market harsh exfoliants as “renewal treatments” and refer to irritating ingredients as “activated complexes.” But what these solutions and ingredients do in the laboratory is often far different from how they act on each individual’s skin.

The good news is that once you learn what to look out for, you can make smarter choices that support your skin rather than stressing it out. Let’s look at five skincare routines that are secretly aging your skin and what you can do instead.

Five Aging Skincare Routines that are Sabotaging Your Skin

1. The Over-Exfoliation Trap

It used to be that we might exfoliate once every two weeks or, at most, once a week. But these days, it seems everywhere we look, we’re hearing about more and more exfoliation. Some beauty influencers recommend doing it every day, and often with physical scrubs that have harsh particles.

A skincare routine that employs frequent exfoliation can quickly backfire. Here’s why: your skin naturally sheds dead cells every 28 days or so. That slows down as you age, which is why exfoliation is often recommended to help speed up the process and keep skin looking younger. When you over-exfoliate, though, you could be removing healthy skin cells that aren’t ready to be sloughed off, leaving your skin raw and vulnerable.

Over-exfoliation can also damage the outer skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, redness, and, ironically, more visible signs of aging, like fine lines and dark spots.

Try this instead: Exfoliate no more than once or twice a week, and avoid scrubs with jagged beads or crystals. Use a gentle enzyme exfoliant or a mild chemical exfoliant that includes gentle acids like salicylic and malic. Watch your skin for signs—it should look happy and healthy. If it’s red and irritated, exfoliate less often. If you find that your skin is irritated, red, flaking, and dry, try CV Skinlabs’ Calming Moisture to help calm irritation and restore your skin’s moisture barrier.

Aging Skincare Routine 2. The “More is Better” Product Overload

If a stranger were to walk into your bathroom and check into your skincare cabinet, what would they find? If your answer is something like, “Fifteen different skincare products lined up and looking impressive!” you may be overdoing it.

Using too many products creates a chemical cocktail on your skin that can lead to irritation, clogged pores, and ingredient interactions that cancel out any benefits. Your skin can only take in so much. When you layer product after product, you’re not giving it enough time to absorb and work with each ingredient properly. Plus, with so many different products involved, it can be difficult to know which ones are helping your skin and which ones are hurting it.

Try this instead: Stick to a simple routine of four to six high-quality products:

  • A gentle cleanser
  • A non-alcoholic pH-balanced moisturizing toner (like CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray)
  • A good moisturizer (like CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture)
  • Sunscreen during the day
  • One AM targeted treatment, one PM targeted treatment

Quality beats quantity every time when it comes to skincare!

3. Overusing Potent Actives

Retinoids, vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and other similar ingredients can all benefit the skin when used correctly. Some skincare routines, however, suggest using multiple actives at once or using them too frequently, thinking that will speed up the results.

When you combine too many of these active ingredients, though, you create a perfect storm for irritation. Retinoids and vitamin C together, for instance, can cause sensitivity. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid, when used daily, can strip your skin’s barrier over time, leading to breakouts, increased redness, and more severe reactions. These are just a couple of examples, but in general, piling too many targeted treatment ingredients onto your skin can do more harm than good.

Try this instead: Use only one active ingredient at a time, or use two but use them on alternating days or nights. If you experience irritation, redness, sensitivity, breakouts, or other reactions, scale back. Use our pH-balanced Rescue + Relief Spray after applying any active ingredient, as it can help safeguard the skin barrier and help rebalance skin. It’s especially helpful to calm redness and irritation from over exfoliation.

Aging Skincare Routine 4. The DIY Chemical Peel Obsession

Social media is full of DIY skincare recipes promising professional results at home. These often involve making strong acid peels, mixing incompatible ingredients, or using household items like baking soda or lemon juice on your face.

The problem with these homemade solutions is that there is so much that you can’t control—pH levels, concentrations, and potential interactions between ingredients. In addition, what works for someone else’s skin may not work for yours. Baking soda, for example, has a pH that’s far too high for most facial skin and can disrupt your acid mantle for weeks.

Try this instead: Stick with quality products made by conscientious companies. If you are seeking professional treatments, ask your dermatologist or invest in professionally formulated at-home treatments that have been tested for safety and efficacy. Try Restorative Skin Balm to help heal compromised skin. Dermatologists regularly recommend it for use after any cosmetic treatment to speed healing and restore skin health.

5. The Inconsistent Routine Switcher

You’re using a routine that seems to be working for you, but then you see a video or read something on the internet that makes you think, “Oh, I want to try that!” So you change products based on that information. A few weeks later, you see something else that looks intriguing, and you change again.

Your skin doesn’t like all these changes! When you regularly switch up your routine, the effects can be damaging to your skin:

  • You don’t give your skin a chance to show improvement, so you can’t be sure what’s working and what’s not.
  • You increase the risk of irritation from introducing new ingredients too often.
  • Your skin doesn’t get a chance to recover from any potential irritants before you introduce a new one.
  • You may notice increased irritation, inflammation, redness, barrier damage, puffiness, and other symptoms.

Try this instead: Pay more attention to how your skin looks and feels. If it’s stinging, red, flaky, or bumpy, that’s a sign to pause and reconsider what you’re doing and the products you’re using. Start with minimal ingredients and gradually add new ones one at a time, allowing your skin at least a few weeks to adjust and react to each addition. Once you have a routine that works for your skin and your lifestyle, stick with it for at least a couple of months before making any changes.

Building the Opposite of an Aging Skincare Routine

The best skincare routine is not one recommended by someone else but one that supports your skin’s natural functions rather than fighting against them. Focus on maintaining your skin barrier with gentle, nourishing products.

CV Skinlabs understands how any skincare routine can go wrong. That’s why we create products that calm and protect rather than strip and stress the skin. Our formulations are designed to support skin health, especially for those who have experienced irritation or sensitivity.

If you’re not sure how your skincare routine is treating you, ask yourself this question: Is this supporting my skin’s natural functions, or is it an aging skincare routine in disguise?

How do you manage a sunburn?

Featured image by KATRIN  BOLOVTSOVA via Pexels.




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Skin Care

6 Natural Skincare Recipes to Swap Out Store-Bought Products

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


A new year is here! It’s customary to create resolutions at the start of a New Year to help yourself better your life over the course of the next 12 months. Swapping out conventional beauty products for natural skin care products is an easy way to reduce processed ingredients and chemicals in and on your body. This can also end up saving you money in the long run.

Of course it is fun to have a shopping spree at Sephora, Ulta or other luxury beauty retailers every so often as a treat or for specialty products. However, over the years I’ve saved myself tons of money by switching my every day care products to natural skincare products that I make myself. My skin and hair feel great and I don’t miss conventional products at all. 

To be honest, I am the kind of person that prefers DIYing, cooking and creating things from scratch. But if you are new to DIY natural beauty, you do not by any means have to do all of these at once! I recommend you choose one or a couple recipes to start with that can be a substitute for your usual products. You may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of products you can create right in your kitchen, which can be encouraging for you to continue with your natural cosmetic journey over time.

Benefits of creating your own natural skin care products:

  1. Products homemade with natural ingredients are typically much more concentrated, which means you get many uses out of the product so they last you a longer time. 
  2. Because they are concentrated with the active ingredients that are effective in protecting, moisturizing and improving your skin, you will usually find you get much better results from using them.  
  3. You can customize your product to fit your liking and skin type so it is exactly what you need and want. 
  4. You end up using less packaging so you can minimize waste, for example using glass containers for your finished product which can be reused when you make more or new products.

How to make a natural DIY lip balm

If I could pinpoint one product as my starting point to DIY natural beauty, it would be DIY lip balm. Personally I have never gotten great results from lip balms made from petroleum products or mineral oil, which can also include irritating menthol or phenol ingredients. They do create a barrier on the lips for a little while, but I never felt like they left lasting moisture on my lips the way natural balms can. Conventional balms also have to be reapplied frequently. To me, they just never felt like they made a difference at the end of the day, often seeming to have made lips drier and more irritated.

Using a DIY lip balm has made a huge difference with my painful cracked lips, dry lips, and chronically chapped lips. Plus, the nutrients in natural butters penetrate deeply to moisturize and fortify the deeper layers of skin so they feel and look great. Here’s my personal favorite lip balm recipe:

DIY Lip Balm Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 oz cocoa butter
  • 1 oz shea butter
  • 1 oz almond or jojoba oil
  • 1 oz beeswax
  • Optional: 1-5 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions

  1. Melt the cocoa butter, shea butter, and beeswax over a double boiler system on low heat, stirring to combine. 
  2. Add carrier oil and stir
  3. Decant into your favorite small pot or lip balm container
  4. Let cool in the fridge or freezer for 1 hour
  5. Your DIY lip balm is ready for use.

Easy natural face cleanser

Your skin and scalp are acidic and soaps and detergents can compromise the acid mantle of your skin, which can in turn weaken your skin’s barrier and throw off its pH. Have you ever heard the old advice “never use soap on your face”? After testing this I’ve found it to be true over the years, at least for my particular skin type. 

My preferred substitute is oil cleansing, which is using a carrier oil to break down excess sebum, irritants, pollutants, and other impurities. Here’s a step by step breakdown of my favorite oil cleansing process:

  1. Apply your butter or carrier oil of choice to your face. 
  2. Apply a washcloth soaked in warm water over your face for 5 minutes to allow the oil to warm and soften any impurities and dead skin cells
  3. Gently buff away the oil with the wash cloth, exfoliating your face 
  4. Apply another layer of your preferred cleansing oil to help seal in moisture

To find your favorite oil cleanser, you may choose to follow a guide such as the comedogenicity scale of oils and butters, but I’ve found this is best only as a guide as there can be a great amount of variance due to your personal skin tolerances. 

Here are some suggested products for your oil cleanse: 

  • Jojoba, grapeseed, and shea butter tend to be safe and balancing for oily or acne-prone skin types
  • Almond, rice bran, and mango butter are wonderful for sensitive skin types 
  • Olive, apricot kernel and kokum butter are excellent for mature skin types
  • Wheat germ, cupuacu butter, cocoa butter are deeply moisturizing for very dry skin types

Clean skincare products don’t have to be complicated or expensive – sometimes just one single ingredient can give you the results you’re looking for. 

Natural, Non toxic face moisturizer:

The best part of using natural butters and oils as your face moisturizer is that they aren’t just moisturizers, due to their high level of natural vitamins and minerals, they’re serums too! It’s another frugal way to naturally combine products, save money, and get potent and concentrated nutrients all at the same time.

Moisturizing your face helps keep your skin barrier intact and repairs any damage from pollution and other environmental stressors. When you use unrefined natural butters and oils, the added bonus of plant based vitamins, minerals and antioxidants delivers a boost of nutrition daily and feeds your skin from the inside out like a good quality serum will do. The best organic face moisturizer for you could be the one you make right in your own kitchen – the results speak for themselves. A natural face moisturizer recipe I really like is below.

Deep Moisture Face Butter Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Melt the butters and oils in a double boiler on low heat
  2. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours until partially solid
  3. Whip with an electric mixer for a minute
  4. Add in optional essential oil
  5. Continue whipping until it is to the desired consistency
  6. Scoop into your jars or final container

See the full recipe and blog article here. This is a great concentrated shea butter face moisturizer.

yellow face butter

DIY face masks and packs

With reusable silicone face masks, it’s easy to eliminate the use of single-use sheet masks by whipping up gentle and effective treatments at home. Lower quality sheet masks may sometimes not even be effective, or worse, be irritating to your skin, which can cause more inflammation and damage instead of soothing and fortifying skin. 

One of my go to face mask recipes is made with Calendula Flowers, the recipe is below.

Calendula and Aloe Face Mask Recipe

Ingredients: 

Instructions: 

  1. Make tea with Calendula Flowers
  2. Once tea is cool, add in Aloe Vera Juice
  3. You can at this point freeze the mixture in your facial ice stick, or directly apply to your face with a cotton pad or a mask application kit. You can then cover your face with a reusable silicone mask to let it sit protected. 
  4. Leave on for half an hour, rinse, and moisturize as usual. 

For more quick and easy options of homemade face masks see this blog article and recipes here.

Homemade Body Butters

By far, my favorite DIY recipes to make are body butters. They’re a simple way to create concentrated, luxury-quality products at home. They also help boost and repair the skin barrier over time. 

With conventional lotions, you must use a lot to cover your whole body and reapply often, sometimes multiple times a day. They usually do not contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals to help soothe and repair skin, or they contain very little of an active ingredient. 

However, with a homemade natural body butter you have a concentrated moisturizer packed with nutrients that can help protect, moisturize and soothe your skin. My favorite simple whipped body butter recipe is below.

Whipped Shea Butter Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. If shea butter is soft, cut into small pieces and blend on low to mash it up (if shea butter is harder you may need to melt it on low heat and put into the fridge until partially solid.
  2. Pour in your carrier oil a little at a time and continue to whip the butter and oils together
  3. Add in the essential oil or oils of choice
  4. Continue to whip until the body butter reaches your desired consistency.
  5. It is now ready! Scoop into your final containers, cover with a lid and store in a cool dry place.
whipped shea butter

To use, clean the area of the body in need, pat dry and apply body butter. Allow to soak in. Use once a day or more if needed.

With many body butter recipes ranging from a light whipped mousse to a rich and deeply moisturizing cocoa creme to an everyday skin-healing whipped body butter, you can use the these concentrated moisturizers to keep your skin soothed and moisturized and help improve its moisture-retaining properties. All natural lotion is very easy to achieve with just a few natural ingredients.

Would you prefer more of a balm-like product such as Vaseline or Aquaphor? Simply add 1-2 tbsp cosmetic wax at the melting step to your formula and pour the melted product in the final jar instead of doing the whipping step. Stick it in the fridge and it will come out with a nice balm texture.

DIY deodorant and homemade body powder

Yes, you can make a natural deodorant that works! Even the most effective commercial natural deodorants on the market right now are made up of butters, oils, cosmetic powders and waxes.

Sweating is your body’s way of cleansing and releasing toxins, and I prefer to use only the most natural and gentle ingredients in the armpit area around breast tissue. While it may require a bit of an adjustment period when swapping antiperspirants for deodorants, you may find that you will sweat less than anticipated once this process is complete. You will find more information on making this switch and a popular natural deodorant recipe here.

If you’d prefer a more matte formula to help keep areas of your body dry and odor-free, a soft dusting powder for your body is very easy and cheap to make with natural ingredients. Adding your own optional custom blend of essential oils can help it smell great exactly the way you would like.  Here is my preferred recipe:

DIY Deodorant Powder

  • 4 oz arrowroot powder
  • 1 oz zinc oxide powder
  • 30 – 50 drops of essential oil blend of choice
  1. Combine powders in a bowl with a spatula, stirring gently. 
  2. Empty these powders into your container of choice
  3. Add your essential oil blend to the container
  4. Close the lid and shake vigorously for 5 minutes

That’s it! Help keep your skin smooth and dry and feel refreshed any time of the year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog article and have found some ideas to swap into your beauty routine to create DIY natural products. The best organic skincare for you could be one of the recipes in this blog post – no more combing the aisles of the drugstore or spending a fortune on product after product at the luxury beauty store. Start the year off strong by using skin-loving ingredients, saving money, and looking your best!

As always please leave any feedback or comments below.

Author: Natalie, DIY skin care enthusiast


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Asian Beauty

Empies: Sunscreen aka the Super Important Skincare Step!

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Happy 2020 everyone, and hope you are keeping well in this time of pandemic! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, and everything’s fine on my end, other than that I’m doing my best to adhere to the COVID-19 measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public places, observing social distancing, working from home, etc. – we all need to do our part!. Life has just been busy and that’s why I haven’t been posting. I’m still active on Instagram as @musicalhouses however!

Anyway, since the last time I blogged about my empties (in 2018 too, can you believe that!), I’ve been accumulating a fresh new batch of empties, so here’s a rundown of what I’ve been using since then! And as you can tell from the below photo, I’m starting with the sunscreens first, because sunscreen is one of the most important parts of a skincare routine, and everyone should be using a good sunscreen that works for them!


Sunscreen empties – from the past couple of years so they’ve been piling up!

So without further ado, let’s start going through these empties, as well as my thoughts of each individual product! (And yes, I do plan to move on to the other categories of skincare and makeup empties when I do have time, haha!)


Sunscreen empties, all Bioderma: Bioderma Photoderm Spot SPF 50+, Bioderma Photoderm AKN Mat SPF 30, and Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluide SPF 50+

First up, my three Bioderma sunscreens that I’ve recently used up, the Bioderma Photoderm AKN Mat SPF 30, the Bioderma Photoderm Spot SPF 50+, and the Bioderma Photoderm Max Aquafluide SPF 50+. While Bioderma, being an European drugstore brand, doesn’t have all the aesthetics of Asian (particularly Japanese and Korean) brand sunscreens, their sunscreens are still nevertheless pretty good all-arounders for me – while the textures might not be as lightweight or as watery as the Japanese / Korean style of sunscreen, the sunscreens are generally pretty good in terms of actual performance, by which I mean that they last for quite awhile (even when I don’t reapply), they don’t trigger any of my skin sensitivities, and the formulas are usually pretty good as well.

In terms of wear, the textures of all these sunscreens were basically white creams that weren’t overly-heavy on the skin, and they all worked well under makeup for me – they may not dry down as quickly as the Japanese/Korean-style sunscreens do, but they also did not irritate my skina t all (which sometimes the Japanese/Korean-style sunscreens due, which I in turn guess is due to the alcohol content in the sunscreens). As far as I can recall, all 3 of these are alcohol-free, which makes their texture pretty nice for an alcohol-free formula. The Bioderma Photoderm AKN Mat SPF 30, in particular, actually does indeed dry down to a nice matte finish that wears well under makeup and would be good for oily skin. Lasting power was pretty good as well.

Finally, they’re not particularly expensive, so I can slaaaaather my skin in these and not feel guilty that a few dollars is going down the drain each time. (Remember, the recommended amount of sunscreen to apply is 2mg of sunscreen per cm2 of exposed skin area, or, for a more convenient shorthand, a quarter of a teaspoon for your face and neck.) I would definitely consider rebuying these sunscreens.


Sunscreen empties: Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ and La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF50+

Next up, the L’Oreal group brand sunscreens, which in this case are the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ as well as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF50+. I’ve probably mentioned this before on my blog, but L’Oreal group does tend to have pretty nice sunscreens, thanks to the R&D that the group does, so I’m not surprised at how much I liked these two sunscreens. The Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ was a very nice sunscreen – it is a white fluid, with a very thin, spreadable texture, and dries down nicely, and wears well under makeup. The formula is nice, too – I’ve previously done a review on the Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ back in 2015, but my best guess is that the formula has since been updated. I think the only drawback to this is that the product is a bit pricey, as Kiehl’s is a fairly upmarket brand.

For the La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Sunscreen SPF50+, this is pretty much a cult product. It’s one of the more popular products from the brand, and for good reason – for what you can get in a drugstore, this is a pretty nice formula. Like the Kiehl’s sunscreen, the product dispenses as a white cream, with a watery texture, and doesn’t leave a white cast. It does last the whole day and wears well under makeup too. The formula also boasts the L’Oreal group exclusive Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX ingredients, so if you’re into sunscreen innovation this is pretty up there. I would probably rebuy this as well!


Sunscreen empties: A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel, Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++ and Astalift Lunamer UV Protector SPF40 PA++

Next, some Asian brand sunscreens! We have the A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel, the Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++, and the Astalift Lunamer UV Protector SPF40 PA++. As you can imagine, these are pretty different from the Western brand sunscreens.

First, the A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel. A’Pieu is a kbeauty brand, and if you’ve been around the kbeauty space, you’ll know that people like this sunscreen. And on the aesthetics side, it’s a win – it’s clear, very lightweight, basically has the texture of water, absorbs fast, dries matte, all that jazz. But it does have alcohol in the formula, and as the second ingredient, too, right after water and before all the UV filters. I know there’s a trade-off to be made when you’re formulating for a sunscreen to be as light as possible texture-wise, but I tend to not like products with high amounts of alcohol. Other than that, this is perfectly reasonable as a sunscreen. I suppose if you don’t mind alcohol in your skincare, this wouldn’t be a problem for you.

Ahhh, another Asian beauty favourite, the Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++. This has such pretty packaging for a sunscreen (as do Canmake products in general). Like you might expect from a Japanese sunscreen, this is a watery, light, gel that absorbs fast. The only thing is, I also suspect this has alcohol in the formula. But, again, if the alcohol doesn’t bother you, and if you have oily skin / no skin sensitivities that would be aggravated by the alcohol, why not?

Lastly, the Astalift Lunamer UV Protector SPF40 PA++. Honestly I don’t think I used this too much – my fam stole my tube and ended up using most of it – but, I do vaguely recall that this was much less alcohol-laden than the other two products. That could probably be because Astalift is geared towards a slightly older audience, and you might not want products to be too drying if that’s your target audience. It was a good sunscreen otherwise though, based on my memory.


Sunscreen empties: Fancl SunGuard 50+ Protect UV, The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Sunscreens Long-Lasting and Dr Benjamin Yim Sunscreen SPF50

Last few sunscreens – more Asian brand sunscreens! Let’s start with the Fancl SunGuard 50+ Protect UV. This is a little pricey, but it’s pretty good in terms of staying power – the formula really STAYS ON ALLDAY ERRDAY for me, and it starts off as a white cream that dries down kind of matte-ish. It did leave a bit of a white cast upon application, but that didn’t bother me too much (I was layering tinted face powder over it anyways), but I imagine that for those with deeper skintones, it could be an issue. Also, I did like the formula – it’s alcohol free, and generally formulated to be usable by sensitive skins (as is generally the case with Fancl’s skincare products). So despite this being a little pricey, and despite the white cast, I would use this again, if I was feeling spendy.

I have mixed feelings over the The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Sunscreens Long-Lasting, which I reviewed back in 2015 (yes I am a skincare hoarder who hoards skincare products and then has trouble using them up, why do you ask?). I liked the formula (no alcohol, woo!) and the tinted formula was not too bad for me – it didn’t give a match with my skintone, but after applying the rest of my makeup it wasn’t an issue for me (again I imagine this might be an issue for deeper skintones). But, despite the “long lasting” tag, it didn’t quite live up to the name – I did find that this wears off throughout the day, and you do need to reapply. Still, other than that, I liked the product.

Lastly, the Dr Benjamin Yim Sunscreen SPF50. Dr Benjamin Yim is a local aesthetics doctor, and when I visited him a few years back for a retinol prescription as well as a chemical peel (which was also when I got the sunscreen), he was very helpful, and super skilled at applying the chemical peel. I mention this because chemical peels really require a qualified doctor to do it, because that stuff can seriously burn your skin if you’re not careful, and is not something I would ever DIY, so it’s a testament to his skill that it was done well indeed. The sunscreen is one product in his line of products that you can buy from his clinic. The products are a bit pricey, but the sunscreen wasn’t bad – it is a more European-style formulation than a Japanese-style formulation, and I recall it having a slight tint, but not anything that bothered me. I believe his clinic has since merged with IDS (another aesthetics clinic in Singapore), so I’m not sure if this line of products is still available.

So that’s it for the sunscreen empties – whew! I still have a bunch of other categories to go – serums, lotions, moisturizers, etc., and my next posts will be focused on going through each category’s empties!




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Asian Beauty

My Night Time Skincare Routine

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


By: Bhumikacomment

My Night Time Skincare Routine

Hi guys,

I am sharing my current nighttime skincare routine today.

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil: It has Centella asiatica extracts, is super lightweight, non comedogenic, and melts makeup easily. Emulsifies well and leaves the skin soft and clean without any greasiness.

Youth To The People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Cleanser: This anti-oxidant rich cleanser also deep cleanses and removes your makeup, yet being gentle and non stripping. Foams well, vegan, love the pump dispenser, you can dispense the exact amount of product you need.

I do the 2nd cleanse with my Foreo LUNA, I have two and have been using them for over 5 years. Again thoroughly cleanses your pores, one charge of this lasts an entire year so it’s very handy plus it’s waterproof

Dr. Jart Cicapair Serum: Instantly repairs the barrier and soothes and calms the skin

Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum: This works fabulously on post-acne scars or any hyperpigmentation. It has viniferine, a Caudalie patented ingredient that is 62x more powerful than Vitamin C.

Dab to Fab Spark Change Moisturiser: A lightweight, airy Moisturiser that works for all skin types, soothes any kind of irritation or inflammation, and repairs, and strengthens the barrier.

Aminu Eye Serum: Truly one of its kind, I haven’t tried an eye serum/product like this. Enriched with ceramides, peptides, glucosides, caffeine complex, and a number of ingredients that work really well together for all sorts of eye issues from dark circles to puffiness to under-eye bags. Love the thin formulation, it is tested for safety and irritation.

D’You In My Defence Moisturiser: On days when I feel my skin needs a little extra hydration, I add this moisturiser as well. It has 1% pure ceramides that repair and strengthen the skin barrier. Also don’t forget your neck.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm Gummy Bear– Enriched with shea and murumuru butter, it makes the lips pillowy soft, and plump. Plus super yumm🫰

I use a lot of hydrating and barrier-strengthening products in my skincare routine generally, actives I only keep for certain days or when needed.

Have you tried any of these products? These are my absolute favourites! Let me know your thoughts/your favourites.




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Skin Care

Pregnancy Skincare – The Skiny

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


Posted on June 3rd, by The Skiny in Uncategorized. Comments Off on Pregnancy Skincare

Pregnancy Skincare


Your Guide to Skincare for Pregnancy and Postpartum

From Today’s Parent by Vanessa Grant

Legend has it that women glow from within when they’re pregnant, but many of us just sweat a lot, have acne breakouts and get melasma moustaches. And postpartum skin doesn’t often get better. Sleepless nights and hormonal roller coasters can lead to dull, dry skin—and more pimples. We spoke with Dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett of DLK on Avenue, in Toronto about what expecting and new moms need to know to keep their complexions healthy, plus the best ways to get the glow you were promised.

Pregnancy Skin: Not Always Glowing

Don’t expect to glow. Because of hormonal changes, many women experience acne, says Dr. Kellett. Melasma, or “pregnancy mask”, a skin condition that causes blotchy freckle-like patches on the skin—especially when exposed to UV rays—is also common. It shows up most often on the cheeks, forehead, chin and sometimes above the mouth, like a moustache.

To read the entire story please click here.



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Cosmetics

Sagging Skin? Wrinkles? Best Firming Creams & Skincare Products

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


How to treat sagging skin

If you’re past age 30, perhaps firming creams have been on your mind. It’s a fact of life that everything changes with time, including our skin. While most of us got used to a dewy, healthy glow and plump, toned complexion in our teens and 20s, everything changes as we approach our 30s and beyond. 

One of the most challenging aspects of the aging process is when taut skin starts to sag. While there’s no such thing as a miracle product that can reverse the loss of tone, there are skin tightening creams on the market that can help improve skin laxity. 

Not sure what to look for in a firming face cream? No worries. Here at the Derm Review, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare regimen that’s safe and effective. Ahead, 11 of the best skin firming creams and face tightening creams to help you restore a more youthful-looking complexion.

Best Firming Creams for Sagging Skin: The List

BEST OVERALL

BEST TREATMENT: Carrot & Stick Repair Serum, $80

BEST CREAM: Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer, $60

 

FULL LIST

Formulyst Lifting and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream, $80

Chanel Le Lift Cream, $165

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift, $99

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter, $162

La Prairie Anti-Aging Night Cream, $255

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream, $40

Clarins Extra-Firming Wrinkle Control Firming Day Cream SPF 15, $88

Dior Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme, $70-$110

StriVectin -AR Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer, $79

The Science Behind Firming Creams

Firming the skin comes down to stimulating collagen production. Starting around the age of 25, collagen production declines at a rate of approximately 1% each year. Since collagen is the component that gives the skin structure, it progressively becomes less firm and saggier as we get older. 

When we reach our early 50s, collagen production ceases, and any existing collagen that remains gradually breaks down and becomes weaker, exacerbating skin laxity. There’s also elastin to consider because it gives the skin its elasticity — or bounce. It’s around a thousand times more flexible than collagen. Together, collagen and elastin are the main structural protein components of the skin.

The best firming creams have something in common: ingredients that can help stimulate collagen and elastin production — although some products suitably deliver these compounds into the skin better than others. Even so, don’t expect your skin to go back to what it used to look like in the past.

Best Skin Tightening Cream Ingredients

  • Retinol: When it comes to the best firming face cream over-the-counter, vitamin A (retinol) is the most effective (OTC) ingredient for stimulating collagen production to firm up the skin because it directly stimulates our skin cells. 
  • Peptides: These messengers help keep the firm and smooth by communicating with your skin cells to do a specific job. The first peptide to be developed stimulates collagen, so they are often found in firming creams to improve elasticity and firmness while strengthening the skin. 
  • Antioxidants: Certain antioxidants like B3 (niacinamide), E, and coenzyme Q10 neutralize free radicals (sun exposure, pollution, cigarette smoke) that can lead to the breakdown in collagen, while vitamin C may stimulate it. 
  • Alpha-Hydroxy Acids: AHAs stimulate collagen production and firm the skin, among several other benefits.

What to Expect from a Firming Face Cream

Creating new collagen doesn’t magically happen by applying a topical cream, so don’t expect miracles. Even the best face moisturizer or firming face cream in the world can give you the same results as a cosmetic procedure. However, with consistent, daily use, a face tightening cream can provide a temporary tightening effect to help make sagginess less noticeable.

 

Woman with firm skin smiling

Best Firming Creams for Sagging Skin

Best firming face cream for sagging skin? You may already have a lot of the best skincare products, but we’ve got 11 top picks to address laxity.

BEST OVERALL

Carrot and Stick Repair Serum, $80
Apply this anti-aging serum daily to keep skin hydrated and protected from free radical damage. The Repair Serum by Carrot & Stick helps lift, tighten and firm the look of skin thanks to seven plant-based neuropeptides, while synthesized growth factors help keep skin looking radiant. It’s the best anti-aging serum for 30s — and beyond.

Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer, $60
Say goodbye to lax skin with the plant-powered The Moisturizer. It helps to hydrate, firm, and revitalize the skin. Suitable for all skin types, The Moisturizer from Carrot & Stick is formulated with plant proteins, vitamins, peptides and amino-collagen. A caffeine boost helps perk up lax skin, while five distinct coconut elements help with cell renewal and overall conditioning. We recommend using Carrot & Stick Repair Serum as the first step in your skin tightening routine. Serums penetrate deeper and contain a higher concentration of active ingredients. 

 

FULL LIST

Formulyst Lifting and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream
Wrinkles and sagging skin are no match for Formulyst’s Lifting and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream. The rich cream is formulated with a powerful blend of botanicals and lipids to help keep the signs of aging at bay. Moringa seed oil delivers intense hydration, while evodia ruteacarpa fruit extract brightens and refines the complexion. Rounding out the ingredients list is peony extract which helps leave the skin looking smoother and firmer.

Chanel Le Lift Cream
This key ingredient in this firming face cream is dicaffeoylquinic acid, or 3.5-DA, derived from the Edulis morning glory. Chanel researchers labored for 12 years to isolate this potent extract that promotes collagen synthesis to improve skin elasticity. 

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift
This lightweight anti-aging moisturizer sculpts, contours, plumps, and lifts, thanks to Estee Lauder’s advanced Photo-Activated Lift Complex. Plankton extract and Thermus thermophilus ferment strengthen the skin, provide deep hydration, and protect fibroblasts — the cells that produce collagen — against free radicals. 

SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter
SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter seeks to reduce damage from advanced glycation end products, or AGEs, resulting from excess sugar that negatively impacts collagen and elastin, causing the skin to sag. 

This firming cream helps counteract collagen and elastin loss with potent ingredients like proxylane, blueberry extract, and phytosphingosine. Pro Xylane helps support the skin’s glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis. GAGs like hyaluronic acid keep skin plump, firm, and hydrated. 

La Prairie Anti-Aging Night Cream,
La Prairie is known for its luxurious formulations, and this firming face cream is no exception. The main ingredients that address the loss of tone are peptides. Hexanoyl dipeptide-3 norleucine acetate is a synthetic peptide that helps overall skin renewal, accelerating the speed at which cells renew to reveal a more refined complexion. Palmitoyl tripeptide-8 soothes by reducing inflammation, while acetyl decapeptide-3 stimulates collagen and elastin to firm, tighten, and sculpt the skin. 

StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer, $79
Retinol is one of the best ingredients to help improve elasticity, tone, and texture. However, it can cause the skin to be irritated — especially those who are sensitive. The good news is this firming cream is formulated with StriVectin’s patented NIA-114 technology to help lessen any potential irritation associated with retinol. Thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid, copper tripeptides, and plant lipids, you’ll wake up with a more radiant, supple, and toned complexion.

Best Lifting and Firming Face Cream: The Bottom Line

Use a serum as part of your anti-aging routine. Serums penetrate deeper and contain a higher concentration of active ingredients. We recommend Carrot & Stick Repair Serum. Followed by Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer. We recommend Carrot & Stick’s Lift & Smooth routine as it contains both products.

A caffeine boost, peptides, and amino-collagen help perk up lax skin, while five distinct coconut elements help with cell renewal and overall conditioning.

Firming the skin comes down to stimulating collagen production. Starting around the age of 25, collagen production declines at a rate of approximately 1% each year. Since collagen is the component that gives the skin structure, it progressively becomes less firm and saggier as we get older. 

When we reach our early 50s, collagen production ceases, and any existing collagen that remains gradually breaks down and becomes weaker, exacerbating skin laxity. The best firming creams have something in common: ingredients like retinol, peptides, antioxidants, and alpha-hydroxy acids that can help stimulate collagen and elastin production.

What’s the best firming face cream, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about firming creams.

 

FAQs

While the natural aging process is responsible for collagen loss, the sun is one of the biggest culprits of sagging skin. Over time, prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging rays breaks down the elastin in the skin and weakens it. Think of it as a rubber band that has lost its bounce-back quality and has started to sag and droop.

Also, as we get older, our skin loses its ability to retain moisture, so it becomes drier. Significant weight loss and medications such as steroids can also lead to crepey-looking skin. Environmental and lifestyle factors also wreak havoc on the skin. The degradation of elastin is also accelerated by a poor diet, alcohol consumption, inadequate sleep, and smoking.

As the saying goes, necks don’t lie. Loss of firmness is often seen on the neck and décolletage first, as the skin is thinner.

Gravity doesn’t help either, especially as most of us spend hours hunched over screens, which can also lead to “tech neck.” The neck also contains fewer oil glands than other parts of the body, which means it doesn’t get as much moisture naturally.

The best firming and tightening creams take a multi-prong approach. First and foremost, they are powerful moisturizers because adding a good dollop of moisture to the skin gives the skin a plumper, fuller look. The added hydration makes fine lines and wrinkles less noticeable.
Some firming creams contain caffeine to restrict or tighten the skin, which gives it a temporary “lift.” Other products rely on skin exfoliators to create a smoother-looking surface and minimize the appearance of fine lines.
Some firming creams are packaged in tubes with roller ball massage applicators to help stimulate circulation and boost skin smoothing effects.

Retinol is the gold standard ingredient for tightening the skin from the outside in. It’s the most potent over-the-counter ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, resulting in tighter, smoother skin.

A well-formulated firming cream can make noticeable improvements. However, the reality is, even the best firming face cream or skin tightening cream will not provide the same results that can be achieved from medical procedures such as lasers, chemical peels, IPL (intense light therapy), radiofrequency, or thermal skin tightening.

Laser resurfacing is the most effective procedure for tightening loose skin. However, it requires 5-7 days of downtime, unlike other laser treatments. Laser resurfacing also provides the fastest results.

Some DIY home mask recipes for skin tightening include pure aloe vera gel, egg whites and honey, ground coffee and coconut oil, and rosemary oil mixed with cucumber paste.

Just because you’re using a topical firming face cream doesn’t mean you can’t work on your skin from the inside out. To help tighten loose skin, including vitamin C- and zinc-rich foods, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers, and egg whites.

Sources:
“Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin,” US National Library of Medicine National Center for Biology.
“An anti-aging skincare system containing alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins improves the biomechanical parameters of facial skin,” US National Library of Medicine National Center for Biology.
“Photoaging: What You Need to Know About the Other Kind of Aging,” Skincancer.org.




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