Month: December 2018

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS I LOVE IN 2018 (AND WILL REPURCHASE IN 2019)

Next year, which will happen soon, is going to be another exciting year for skincare enthusiast like me. Visited Cosmoprof 2018 in Hong Kong on November this year with my boss and colleague, we saw a lot of new and interesting innovation, coming from lots of skincare brand.

But, being me, a person with sensitive and fungal-acne prone skin type, I’d rather be careful and pick’n choose carefully. That’s why sticking to what I believe worked on my skin, is key. Well, I won’t be a hypocrite, I might try new stuffs, but I’ll make sure it’s safe.

In this post, I will share about skincare products that I love (and some are newly discovered) along this year. And yeah, most probably I will repurchase by next year (if I don’t find something new & safe for my skin).

PURITO DEFENCE BARRIER PH CLEANSER: new discovery this year and I love it. Lightly scented, cleanse perfectly and does not leave that gooey sensation after cleansing.

BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O: been using this since forever, I guess. Cleanse makeup without any stinging sensation.

HADA LABO TAMAGOHADA MILD PEELING LOTION: new discovery this year, and have been in love with this exfoliating toner ever since. Unscented and does not sting.

SKIN AQUA UV MOISTURE MILK SPF50+ PA+++: it’s hard to find sunscreen which is safe for fungal-acne prone skin, so when I found this, it’s a winner. Super affordable, easy to get and does not leave white cast.

KLAIRS SUPPLE PREPARATION UNSCENTED TONER: yes, it might be a bit hard to absorb if apply with patting technique. But I believe this hydrating toner really hydrates, even though I just apply one layer.

DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C FRAMBOOS GLYCOLIC NIGHT SERUM: expensive AF, but that’s why it works like a charm. I apply this as a spot treatment when needed.

GOODAL GREEN TANGERINE VITA C DARK SPOT SERUM: totally a game changer for me this year. After cauterization, I believe this spot serum helped me to diminish the spots quickly.

SKIN1004 MADAGASCAR CENTELLA ASIATICA 100 AMPOULE: super affordable and it lasts like forever (thanks to the big bottle).

IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM: favorite day moisturizer, because it contains silicone which might not be good if apply at night (you don’t need that blurring effect at night right?)

KLAIRS MIDNIGHT BLUE YOUTH ACTIVATING DROP: my after treatment HG serum. After microneedling or after laser therapy, this is my go to serum. Usually I apply this by its’ own at night time.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: SECRET KEY SNOW WHITE

Thanks Sociolla and Secret Key Indonesia for sending me this PR Kit for honest review.

SNOW WHITE MILKY PACK

It supposed to be a wash-off facial mask. The thick texture is so opaquely white, frankly I can’t imagine applying this on my face, but I will use it for darker parts on my body, like knees and stuffs.

So, you are supposed to apply this on clean, dry skin, and leave it on for two to three minutes, then rinse (without soap). When rinsing, it felt like trying to get rid of SPF with only water. So yes, the whitening effect is quite impressive, but honestly this product confused me.

SNOW WHITE CREAM

Contains stearic acid so might not be safe for fungal acne. But this is a very nice moisturizing and brightening face cream to actually brighten up skin tone (also contains niacinamide as one of their ingredients). They claimed that it’s also an ‘all-in-one base cream’ so we can skip BB Cream, makeup base and moisturizer.

Lightly scented, the texture inside the jar packaging looks intimidatingly opaque white. But, when applied, there’s when the magic happens. It immediately melted into clear lotion texture when rubbed, absorb nicely and gave a smooth effect (from the silicone as one of their ingredients).

I’d love this cream if it’s fungal-acne safe.

SNOW WHITE SPOT GEL

Unlike the previous two, this comes in a gel texture. If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll know I have soft spot for gel texture because of my sensitive fungal-acne prone skin. So, no wonder I like this mild and light gel.

However, this is not safe for fungal acne because it contains PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.

As the name stated, it is a spot gel and they recommend to use this on small areas which need brightening, like armpits, elbows, knees and bikini lines.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

SURVIVING FUNGAL ACNE IN 2018: IF I CAN, YOU CAN TOO!

For me, this year it was all about dealing with fungal acne issues and how to avoid them for coming back. Yes, once you have it, you know that beastly yeasts are there waiting to attack you again and again.


My first sign of fungal acne popped out on my temple. Then, when I forgot to take care of my neck, they appeared on the edge between my face and my neck. How irritating.

But, as they said, learning by doing. I got used to the symptoms already, and immediately will take action when needed. Here’s how I deal with mine.

Use this twice a day, religiously

The first sign of itchiness, go apply Nizoral on clean dry skin (after cleansing and toning). Use this as the very last step (skip moisturizer) and usually the itchiness will be gone asap. The rashes/textures will disappear within 3 days max.

For natural options, you can apply raw honey (yes, only use raw honey) on clean, dry skin as a facial mask. Leave as long as you can handle the stickiness. Rinse with warm water.

Use these only on good skin days

Skip facial oil and sheet mask. Based on my personal experiences, these two will just make fungal acne worse.

My favorite micellar water ever

Seriously, you don’t need oil to dissolve oil from makeup or SPF. Skip cleansing oil and balm (good luck of finding the fungal-acne safe ones), and opt for micellar water.

Morning Routine

Do skincare diet. Girl, you don’t really need those ten steps, really. Currently I’m doing 6 in the morning (facial wash, exfoliating toner, hydrating toner, serum, moisturizer, SPF) and lesser at night (micellar water, facial wash, exfoliating toner, hydrating toner, spot treatment or serum).

PM Routine

Learn about what ingredients worked best for you. I visit skincarisma.com often to read and learn about which ingredients are safe for fungal-acne.

Last but not least, do not pick at your fungal-acne. Avoid scratching and (worst) using comedo remover to suck them out. Mostly, fungal acne don’t carry pus inside, so there’s no use of trying that will lead you to more problems like scarring.

Here’s to a fungal-acne free skin in 2019!

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

BEST OF 2018 : FUNGAL-ACNE SAFE SKINCARE

I guess this is the most awaited post. Well, I hope this list (checked on skincarisma.com) will help you to find the perfect skincare for your fungal-acne prone skin. Feel free to message me on my instagram if you have any questions. And I’ll be more than happy if you can share your favorite fungal-acne safe products, too (just in case I missed any in this list-I bet I did). Cheers!

FIRST CLEANSER

  • BIORE PERFECT CLEANSING WATER
  • BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O
  • BIFESTA CLEANSING LOTION MOIST

FACIAL WASH

  • PURITO DEFENCE BARRIER PH CLEANSER
  • SIMPLE KIND TO SKIN REFRESHING FACIAL WASH
  • LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR FOAMING PURIFYING GEL
  • SEBAMED CLEAR FACE FOAMING CLEANSER
  • DHC MORNING FACE WASH
  • EUCERIN DERMOPURE CLEANSING GEL
  • DR WU HYDRATING GEL CLEANSER WITH HYALURONIC ACID
  • FARMACY CLEAN BEE ULTRA GENTLE FACIAL CLEANSER
  • NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE ACNE WASH REDNESS SOOTHING FACIAL CLEANSER

TONER

  • SKIN1004 MADAGASCAR CENTELLA ASIATICA TONING TONER
  • KLAIRS SUPPLE PREPARATION UNSCENTED TONER
  • LEEGEEHAAM(LJH) TEA TREE 70 MIST TONER
  • COSRX AHA/BHA CLARIFYING TREATMENT TONER
  • HADA LABO TAMAGOHADA MILD PEELING LOTION
  • COSRX CENTELLA WATER ALCOHOL-FREE TONER
  • ISNTREE GREEN TEA FRESH TONER
  • KIEHL’S CALENDULA HERBAL EXTRACT ALCOHOL FREE TONER

ESSENCE

  • LEEGEEHAAM(LJH) TEA TREE 90 ESSENCE
  • I’M FROM MUGWORT ESSENCE
  • COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSENCE

SERUM

  • PEACH &LILY GLASS SKIN REFINING SERUM
  • GLOSSIER SUPER PURE SERUM
  • THE ORDINARY NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1%
  • PURITO PURE VITAMIN C SERUM
  • GOODAL GREEN TANGERINE VITA C DARK SPOT SERUM
  • DR WU RENEWAL SYSTEM DAILY RENEWAL SERUM WITH MANDELIC ACID 18%

AMPOULE

  • SKIN1004 MADAGASCAR CENTELLA ASIATICA 100 AMPOULE
  • CNP LABORATORY MUGENER AMPULE
  • LEEGEEHAAM VITA PROPOLIS AMPOULE

MOISTURIZER

  • IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM
  • EUCERIN ULTRASENSITIVE SOOTHING CARE NORMAL TO COMBINATION SKIN
  • KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL OIL-FREE GEL CREAM

SPF

  • SKIN AQUA UV MOISTURE MILK SPF50+ PA+++
  • SKIN AQUA UV MILD GEL SPF30 PA+++
  • SKIN AQUA UV SUPER MOISTURE GEL SPF50+ PA++++
  • BIORE UV PERFECT MILK SPF50+ PA++++
  • HADA LABO PERFECT UV GEL SPF50+ PA++++

FOUNDATION

  • BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX SERUM GEL FOUNDATION
  • L’OREAL PARIS INFALLIBLE PRO MATTE FOUNDATION

WASH-OFF MASK

  • NATURE REPUBLIC BAMBOO CHARCOAL MUD PACK
  • LEEGEEHAAM GROW MATCHA CLAY MASK
  • LA ROCHE POSAY EFFACLAR SEBO-CONTROLLING MASK
  • FREEMAN DEEP CLEARING MANUKA HONEY + TEA TREE OIL CLAY MASK + CLEANSER

FACIAL OIL

  • DRUNK ELEPHANT VIRGIN MARULA LUXURY OIL
  • BIOSSANCE SQUALANE + VITAMIN C ROSE OIL
  • TRILOGY CERTIFIED ORGANIC ROSEHIP OIL
  • THE ORDINARY 100% PLANT-DERIVED SQUALANE

[UPDATE] For Best of 2019, you can check the products here.

[UPDATE] For Best of 2020, you can check the products here.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA 

2019 SKIN RESOLUTIONS

Yes folks, it’s almost 2019. Thought I’ll share my skin resolutions, after going through the ups and downs of my skin condition.

If you’ve been reading my blog or following my IG, you’ll know that I went through fungal acne. Fortunately, I survived. Since then, I was a bit paranoid about skincare.Through some own research, I found cosdna and skincarisma which helped me a lot to find skincare products which suited my sensitive fungal-acne prone skin. And also through that time, I learned about a few ingredients to avoid for fungal acne sufferer.

Without further adieu, here are my 2019 skin resolutions:

ALWAYS READ THE INGREDIENTS LIST BEFORE PURCHASING

If I shop online, I’d be fine because I did lots of research first before clicking that BUY button. But, if I shop offline, there’s going to be some problems. I got attracted to nice packaging and promotions (LOL), so most of the time I forgot to read the ingredients and went straight to cashier. Yes, this impulsive habit needs to stop.

NOT TO BE BORED WITH THE SAME PRODUCT

This is hard, when this world seems to bombard us with new products on daily basis. Of course, I got tempted to try new stuffs, which might not work on my sensitive, fungal acne prone skin. But in the end, even though I’m bored, I will always go back purchasing things that worked. 

REMIND MYSELF THAT ALL IS DIFFERENT

I tend to believe, if one product did good on my skin, then I will trust that brand and keep buying the other products from that one brand. Meanwhile, as we knew it, it’s a rare thing. One product might work, while the others not so much.

WILL TRY MORE LOCAL SKINCARE BRANDS (IF ANY)

It’s already hard to find Korean, Japan, US or French skincare products that are safe for fungal acne. And it’s harder to find local ones. So, I wish there are more local brands that will create skincare products which are safe for fungal acne sufferer. 

MORE MERCY ON NECK

Yes, my poor neglected neck. Too much concentration on fixing the face, but forgetting the neck. I’ll try my best to do more moisturizing and anti-aging skincare routine for my neck.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW & SWATCHES: L’OREAL LES INFALLIBLES PRO MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK

It has been awhile since I review and do swatches for lipsticks. So before the year ends, let’s do this.

Thanks to Sociolla and L’Oreal Indonesia that sent me these 16 lipsticks to try. Yes, 16 pieces that will last me throughout next year, I guess.

There are 8 of INFALLIBLE PRO MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK and 8 INFALLIBLE PRO MATTES LIQUID LIPSTICK LES CHOCOLATS.

As you can see, they already different by the caps. Les Chocolates has nude shade caps and Les Chocolates label on it.

They both have the same pro-sculpt applicator, that makes them easy to sweep on lips.

How about scents? Of course, Les Chocolats smells literally like chocolate. While the black cap ones smells like fruits.

LES CHOCOLATS (swatches on natural light)
LES CHOCOLATS (swatches on natural light)

Shades? Brown toned shades (from light to dark) for Les Chocolats

INFALLIBLE PRO MATTE (swatches on natural light)
INFALLIBLE PRO MATTE (swatches on natural light)

And variable shades (mostly dark to nude) for the Infallible Pro Matte.

Formula? Being the same Infallible Pro Matte, they do have the same creamy texture. They are light weight when set to matte finish and the pigment are incredible. I only use one swipe on this pic and it already covered so well. I believe these lipsticks will be good for those who originally have darker shade of lips.

They last longer than any liquid matte lipsticks that I’ve tried and didn’t create that white flaky lines between upper and lower lips.

Tips: because they are basically matte lipsticks, and (as you might already know) they have tendencies to exaggerate natural lip lines, I recommend to apply lip balm beforehand.

#372 (PETAL POTION)

My favorite shades: 372 (seen on my lips), 842 & 848.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: DRUNK ELEPHANT THE LITTLES

I received this as a gift from a dear friend (I am not made of $$, so I’m thankful to receive this). I have to admit as a skincare enthusiast, I was quite late to jump to this whole Drunk Elephant wagon. But as they said, better late than never.

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This is a super smart move from the company, as some people would love to try first before committing to buy the full size. Rather than buying ‘share in jar’ (I never did this because of hygienic reason), I’d rather buy sample size or travel size.

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There are 8 (literally) The Littles inside this neon pink jelly pouch. And they gave a clear instruction on (another) little pink book on how to use them. I’ll break down to you one by one, to see which are my favorites and why.

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BESTE NO 9 JELLY CLEANSER (30ML-the biggest of them all)
According to skincarisma.com, this is not Fungal Acne Safe. At least it is Sulfate-Free, fragrance free and essential oils free. As the name stated, it is a cleanser in jelly format. Looked closely at their ingredients, there are similar products out there if you’re looking for more affordable version.

C-FIRMA DAY SERUM (8ML)
It contains Glycerin, so (unfortunately) it’s not safe for fungal acne. Too bad, because I actually kind of like this vitamin C serum. It’s packed with L-ascorbic which is vitamin C in purest form and ferulic acids which will help to enhance the power of Vitamin C. So yes, this is one potent serum. Fortunately, there are some Vitamin C serum out there (mostly from Korean’s brand) that are safe for fungal acne.

B-HYDRA INTENSIVE HYDRATION SERUM (8ML)
Again, this contains Glycerin that some said might trigger fungal acne. They suggest to mix this with C-Firma Day Serum, because it contains vitamin B which is well-known to complement vitamin C. If you’re looking for more affordable hydration serum out there, fret not…there are plenty.

UMBRA SHEER PHYSICAL DAILY DEFENSE SPF 30 BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN (15ML)
Hence the long name, it is a simple sunscreen, pronto. Also not safe for fungal acne, because of Glycerin’s content (seriously, it’s so hard to find one without Glycerin nowadays). Good thing, it didn’t leave a white cast. But I’d rather buy sunscreen which are safe for my fungal acne and definitely more affordable ones.

T.L.C FRAMBOOS GLYCOLIC NIGHT SERUM (8ML)
I used to apply this allover my face as a night serum, but ended up getting irritation. But, I found this very useful as spot treatment. So whenever, a red spot (which will become acne) appeared, this will help! I love this, I already purchased the real size which cost me a fortune (LOL).

VIRGIN MARULA LUXURY FACIAL OIL (8ML)
Finally, something safe for fungal acne! Known as carrier oil, they recommend this to be mix with any D.E products to enhance penetration and results. Personally, I love to mix this with T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. Mine is running out, so I guess I’ll purchase the real size soon (bye bye wallet).

LALA RETRO WHIPPED CREAM (15ML)
This is the only product from the collection that I didn’t enjoy using. The texture is too thick for my liking, and it contains not only Glycerin, but Isopropyl Isostearate and Stearic Acid which are totally not safe for fungal acne. I guess I’m just not into creamy stuff, I’d stick to my gel moisturizer.

SHABA COMPLEX EYE SERUM (5ML) – the smallest of them all
I read one review that said it won’t caused under-eyes milia. Which is true. But it’s not a magical eye cream which will erase wrinkles and dark-circles. It’s a good hydrating eye-serum, but not good by its’ own, so better add another layer of good eye-cream. I guess eye serum is a nice-to-have product, but I’d rather have one potent eye cream that won’t break the bank.

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FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t get the prices of the products (Packaging? Ingredients? Marketing campaign?). Even some online shops here in Indonesia where I live, they sold The Littles’ products separately, and they’re still expensive. But luckily, from this collection, only two products that won my heart, which is T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil. I believe the serum is the most expensive skincare product I ever owned.
I mean, it’s great that they didn’t have essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes and SLS in their products, but I wish they’ll come up with some Glycerin-free products for us fungal acne warriors.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA