Skincare Review Part 2

8) SPOT TREATMENT 

So let's start with Tidact gel first. Tidact's main ingredient is Clindamycin which is an antibiotic. Actually my mom once bought me this when I was in secondary school. I used few times and decided it doesn't work for me and abandoned it lol. I decided to give it a try again now and still reached the same conclusion. As you can see, I almost finished one tube but during the whole period I don't think I get the results I expected. My previous spot treatments -Oxy 5 and tretinoin- worked better imo. If you read the information paper, they mentioned the side effects of Tidact; one of them is oily skin. Guess what? It does make my already oily skin more oily.

Pros : It doesn't leave dark spot after pimple shrunk

Cons : Taking too long to shrink pimples (I'm not sure if there's any difference whether I applied it or not), skin becomes more oily

Repurchase : I don't think so.

   My advice is if you have not-so-serious pimple problem, try other pimple cream first before using antibiotic based product. I would have continue using Oxy 5 if I didn't develop allergy towards them.

As the name suggested, Hiruscar Post Acne is for acne scar. I actually like this product. Honestly, I dislike applying it because it's a pain to wash hands before and after applying it. But as I said, I like this product because even with me not religiously applying it, usually only once a day whenever I'd like to, I can see the obvious dark mark slowly fading. SLOWLY. 

Pros : It works!

Cons : Cannot think of any right now. Some may dislike the smell but I've smell worse.

Repurchase : Probably? I'm thinking of think of trying another dark spot corrector, if I dislike it then I'll come back to Hiruscar 😂😂😂

9) SLEEPING MASK

 

I actually bought this one on impulse. This NuTeen sleeping mask smells heavenly if you're fine with tea tree oil. In my opinion, the texture is light enough and it has fairly quick absorption. Since this is my first sleeping mask, I have nothing to compare it to. I bought this one at Watsons but I think you can get it at cheaper price at other place (Mydin?).

Pros : My face doesn't feel oily when I woke up and it helps shrinking pimples

Cons : It would be good if it comes with spatula. 

Repurchase : Need to consult with my other wish list.

10) MAKE UP REMOVER 

 

I think a lot of people are familiar with this  Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. Comes in pink and blue bottle. Pink for female and blue for male. Okay, not funny. Pink is for sensitive skin and this blue one for oily and acne prone skin. I put this down the list because I actually don't wear any make up. Unless you count a lipbalm as a form of make up. I don't even own a compact powder - this fact make one of my friends shrieked in shock. So why did I buy this? Because I need this for when I'm wearing sunscreen. I have been planning to add a sunscreen (soon, really really soon) so I bought this cleansing water first to test whether it is okay for me or not. Some sunscreen is waterproof and while some experts disagree with this term, I would suggest Muslim girls to use make up remover before performing your prayer (solat). There is no harm in being careful right?

Pros : Not irritating my skin. No comment on make up removing power.

Cons : I dislike the sensation it left after using it. But after rinsing it's okay.

Repurchase : Yes.


Short term wishlist :

• Nano White Fresh Dark Spot Corrector
• Biore UV Perfect Milk
• Yellow Gorgeous Oatmeal Turmeric Scrub

Long term wishlist :- It's endless so I won't bother listing them all

Disclaimer : I'm not an expert. I'm still constructing my own skincare routine. Products may have different reactions on different skin.

Skincare Review Part 1

This is a brief -hopefully- review of products I've been using since I had my worst breakout (I had a lot of breakouts, yes). I had been slowly adding more products my routine in hopes of getting better results.

Skin type  : Oily skin

Skin condition/concerns : Acne prone (clogged pores, cystic, pustules, whitehead), acne scars, large pores

Products I'm using :

• Hada Labo Oil Cleanser
• Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
• Aiken Toner and Moisturizer
• Hada Labo Hydrating Water Gel
• St Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub
• Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay Mask
• Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
• Tidact Gel
• Hiruscar Post Acne
• NuTeen Anti Acne & Pimple Sleeping Mask

 

1) OIL CLEANSER

Some people probably wondering why someone with an oily skin is using an oil based cleanser. Shouldn't you avoid products containing oil? Well the working principle is, oil dissolves oil. Oil cleanser gently removes excessive oil, dirt, even make up on your face so that your regular water based cleanser can work efficiently. Some people mix their own oil cleanser but I'd rather buy one, less hassle. 

Pros : I can feel the dirt coming out and my face definitely felt lighter after washing it off. Not drying, and less clogged pores. Since I'm not using make up, I cannot comment on the subject. I expect this one bottle to last 4-5 months, maybe more.

Cons : I cannot think of any as of this moment. Price, maybe?

Repurchase : Yes, during sales /roll eyes/. The normal price is RM 50+ but I bought this one at RM 49. Watsons' price during sale/discount is around RM 48 and Guardian's price can reach RM 44 only -if you're lucky 😂

2) WATER BASED CLEANSER

This is my current cleanser -for 2/3 weeks- however, previously I was using Cetaphil Gentle for almost 3 months. Cetaphil Gentle is a whitish, creamy, non-foaming cleanser and was claimed to be suitable for all skin types. It's non drying, and while it reduces appearance of large cystic acne, my face keeps on popping tiny little pustules. Not to mention my face appeared so greasy and shiny. So, if you have dry, sensitive skin, which is the opposite of me, you might want to try Cetaphil Gentle. Nonetheless, I finished one bottle before moving on to Cetaphil Oily. Beggars cannot be choosers.

   In contrast to its counterpart, Cetaphil Oily is a clear, runny liquid and lightly foaming cleanser. What probably surprise me the most is the presence of parfum in the ingredients. The smell reminds me of baby shampoo lol.

Pros : Non-drying, less appearance of acne, and less oily. I didn't expect huge difference considering it's only been few weeks.

Cons : Definitely the price. This small bottle of 125ml costs Rm 60 -but of course I bought this one with sale price.

Repurchase : Yes, until my skin gets better or until it doesn't work anymore on my skin 😶

3) TONER

If you think cheap products didn't deliver promising effects, Aiken begs to differ. With overly affordable price, they actually work for my skin. Promising tea tree oil goodness, they mainly target oily and acne prone skin, however, you would want to stay away from this product if you're sensitive to tea tree oil. In my personal experience, it would work better with a cleanser that also work to manage oily skin. I stressed on manage, not drying. Previously when I was using Nuteen cleanser, combined with these two, it stung my face whenever I'm applying these because Nuteen over-dried my skin. I'm blaming Nuteen because I didn't experience similar problem with Cetaphil.

Pros : Cheap - it costs only RM 5-6- probably the cheapest toner I ever encounter. Helps reducing acne and oily appearance.

Cons : Ethanol is the second in the ingredients list. Based on my reading and understanding from here, ethanol definitely has some drying effect.

Repurchase : Yes, unless/until I have more money to splurge on other products.

4) MOISTURIZER

Refer above picture. Aiken products again. Definitely one my favourites among my skincare products.

Pros : Affordable price, RM 11-12. Lightweight, water-based, oil free moisturizer. Helps minimizing acne, redness and oily appearance. 

Cons : Not enough to moisturize my face at night. Still have oily skin after waking up.

Repurchase : Definitely, enough said.

Hada Labo Hydrating Water Gel is my attempt of looking for a replacement of Aiken as my night moisturizer. Jeng jeng jeng. It's a failed attempt on my part. As the name suggest, it comes in gel form, which is the most suggested -from my limited reading, no solid prove, maybe wrong- form of moisturizer for oily skin. If you want to try it for the first time, buy this smaller tub of 10g, minimizing the loss in case it's not suitable.

Pros : Non greasy or sticky, quick absorption.

Cons : Not enough hydration in contrast to hydrating in its name. My face is even more oily compared to when I'm using Aiken. And even though it doesn't feel sticky, my face looks sticky and reddish after 20-30 minutes of application. I totally have no idea why. Probably the same way for everyone else but I dislike it.

Repurchase : Nope 🙅

5) SCRUB 

I must admit buying this is a mistake. I bought this when I was a total novice in regards to skincare and desperate to get rid of my blemishes. I only used this for few times before abandoning it and switching to Nuteen Anti Blackhead Gel (blue tube). The only reason I'm using this again is because I lost my Nuteen -no idea how I lost it, betting in possibility of my sister taking it- and buying new exfoliant is not in my current list and budget. The scrub is harsh, irregular, increasing the possibility of nicking your skin leading to acne. The only plus point in my opinion is it contains salicylic acid, which is good for acne. So it's like a double edge sword for me.

Pros : Smells really good, yummy. My skin complexion actually do look better after using it.

Cons : Harsh, harsh beads. I do not see the blemish control effect on my skin.

Repurchase : Never again.

7) MASK

Many claimed clay mask is oily skin best friend. If you're looking for affordable mask, then you would want to try this. Widely available in drugstores. I actually noticed few clogged pores during my early days trying this product. Hence, I stopped for a while (because I'm totally lazy actually) and recently picked it up again in my routine. I tried to apply it thinner, and wash it off earlier before it dries and the results are better. You don't want to wait until it totally dry and turns cakey because it turns it will excessively dry your skin.

Pros : Good for oily control, helps shrinking pimples.

Cons : Sting eyes. I always, always get teary eyes when applying this mask 😭

Repurchase : This tube last for monthsss (I'm using it maximally 2 times per week) hence I actually hope of trying other products after this.

  

Others will be reviewed in second part

Disclaimer : I am not an expert. I can be plenty wrong. Products may have different reactions on different skin.

Sick

Not feeling well since early morning. And finally surrender to Zyrtec. I wish I had Paracetamol too.

Physique

I used not to take them seriously. However, as I grow up -I'm old already- more and more people keep commenting of my body built on daily basis to the point of it becoming one of my complexes. Note the plural; as if I don't have excessive complexes already.

     Yes, I'm one you could called thin to a fault. My height is average in our population but I'm too skinny people would notice it straight away. One of my friends used to have this habit (or actually a thinking pattern) of telling me that I should buy this and that dresses because they would definitely fit me. Even though for me it looks like they wouldn't even fit my youngestr sisters.

     Later, I definitely noticed that I wasn't proud or even like when people complimenting telling me about how skinny I was. One of my friends definitely wanted my body built. Many keep telling to eat more. I can assure I eat more than average people. Diet? My thought definitely never gone into that direction. While many people think it's a blessing that I am able to eat so much without gaining weight me included I definitely wanted to be able to gain some weight to reach ideal BMI. Believe it or not, my BMI has been plateau since high school days (noted above proclaimed old self). 

     Actually, because of my body weight, I've been through few setback(?) in life. 

1) Weak. Probably this is due to my laziness to exercise but I do have problem with lifting heavy objects. And not to mentioned, my current course need me to lift legs (imagine an obese leg, no offense to anyone) and test human power. How many times already I've been teased because of being weaker than tested subjects?

2) Not meeting criteria for blood transfusion. Weird? But I have always wanted to donate my blood. But since forever, I'm disqualified even without testing my hemoglobin level due to my weight. Pathetic.

3) Diseases. People thought only obese people have risks for diseases. Actually, low weight people also do. We're prone for osteoporosis and as currently, I already had frequent back aches thanks to my scoliosis. 

     Complaining is of no use. Would I ever master enough will power to start exercising? Me? Heh. If there's an award for top 10 laziest person in the world, I would have nominate myself.

Ganbatte me!