Month: October 2022

REVIEW: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM

If I could simplify this review: this is a simple and basic moisturizer with all the ingredients that your skin need to restore natural barrier, lock in moisture and protect. 

If you do have oily skin like me though, don’t freak out because it comes in a cream texture. It doesn’t feel heavy at all, comfortable on skin and (unlike some reviews out there) I didn’t feel any burning sensation. Remember, skincare products is totally personal. So what worked for me, might not so for you and vice versa.

However, if you are still hesitant to wear cream in the morning, try to apply it only at your night time routine like me. Personally, I use lighter moisturizer at morning time routine. And this is Fungal Acne safe! Check out all the ingredients from incidecoder and the original packagings below.

It does contain dimethicone, but no worries folks, it didn’t clogged my pores. I believe it is used to give the soft texture to the cream, which I do enjoy. For those of you who use retinol, this will be a great companion to protect your skin from dryness and irritation. 

Initially, I bought the small size first, then I decided to purchase the jar with pump version. I love it and my son also believe that this moisturizer didn’t cause him breakouts. Unfortunately, the brand is not officially available yet in Indonesia, so I purchased this online at market place. Hopefully they will be available soon in our local drugstores. 

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY UVIDEA ANTHELIOS BB CREAM

If you are looking for a skincare makeup or famously known as Hybrid Makeup, which combines the benefits and texture of skincare in your makeup, then this will be the right product to start.

Obviously BB Cream is not something new, but let me tell you why I found this different. While slightly covers imperfections, it also prevents hyperpigmentation with its’ light texture. Dermatology tested on Asian sensitive skin, it’s also non-comedogenic and fragrance free. Even though it does contain some ingredients that are stated as not safe for Fungal Acne, but it didn’t trigger mine. It didn’t cause my skin to break out and act weird, too.

TBH, it does feel more like a tinted sunscreen, not a heavy duty BB Cream with full coverage. So don’t expect this to act as concealer or foundation, it won’t. It won’t cover your pores too, but at least it won’t clog them. You’d totally love this if you love dewy base look. I use this on the weekends, when I want my skin to breathe and free from foundation. I enjoy its’ finish without adding setting powder, my skin look more unified and glowing. 

Applying tips: 

  • a little goes along the way and use cushion puff. Trust me, I tried using beauty blender (wet and dry), and also my fingers, but cushion puff made the application easier and more even. 
  • Remember to tap on the whole face, do not slide. 
  • If you are still using mask during pandemic as I am, use setting spray afterwards, as this might easily transfer. 
  • Unlike most base out there, I do not recommend to layer more than one. It’s not a buildable base to achieve the coverage that you expect. Apply concealer on top instead if you want more coverage. 

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

MY SKIN CYCLING ROUTINE

We exfoliate, we use retinoid, we take care of our skin barrier, but still no progress?

Well, thanks to dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, now there’s SKIN CYCLING. Looking at these two days actives and two days resting kind of thing, then I realize my skincare routine sin. I use gentle peel toner every morning, and that is not right! Yes, even it is a gentle one like PHA. No wonder I felt my skin was not at its’ best condition, foundation won’t stick and my pores look bigger than ever with occasional acne on my forehead (which never happened before). 

So I started my Skin Cycling Routine, and these are all the products that I’m currently using for that four nights cycle. Yes, this method is for night time only. 

Night 1: Exfoliant

After I double cleanse, because I use makeup almost every day now, I pat dry my skin and go straight to chemical exfoliant. From my own experience, BHA works better on my skin, so I’m using the 2% one. But if your skin can tolerate other actives like AHA, you can continue using that. Top that off with (heavier) moisturizer, just to make sure our skin is protected. 

Revox B77 Just Salicylic Acid 2% & Cerave Moisturizing Cream (all safe for Fungal Acne)

Night 2: Retinoid

If you already using prescription strength Retinoid, you might want to continue using it. But if not, use a gentle one, an OTC kind. Same rule applies: double cleanse, pat dry (real dry!), apply retinoid then moisturizer. 

Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum & Cerave Moisturizing Cream

Night 3: Recover

This is the step that we all have to be careful and read the ingredients on our skincare products. Make sure all of them are not containing any active ingredients. Double cleanse, use gentle cleanser, apply hydrating serum while skin still damp and moisturizer. 

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 Ultra Repair Serum & La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide (all safe for Fungal Acne)

Night 4: Recover (again)

Same rule applies: double cleanse, gentle cleanser, hydrating serum and moisturizer. 

Vichy Mineral 89 & La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

How about morning routine when doing this skin cycling?

Pretty simple, I must say. Cleanse with gentle cleanser, anti-oxidant serum (my skin can only tolerate THD ascorbate at this point), light moisturizer (because we are still using mask due to pandemic here in Indonesia) and SPF. 

Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide & Lancôme UV Expert Youth Shield Aqua Gel SPF50 PA++++

Like most skincare routine, do not expect miracles happened on the fourth nights. Look at it to accomplished long-term skin goals, not a quick fix. Good luck!

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA