BEST OF 2022: FUNGAL-ACNE FRIENDLY SKINCARE

December 26, 2022December 26, 2022

It’s that time of the year again. I’ve been sharing this annual list for a couple of years now, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been free from Fungal Acne ever since I incorporated most of FA safe and friendly skincare products.

So what made the list this year? For sure I only listed down those which I’ve tried and tested personally. Their prices range from IDR 60K drugstore’s sunscreen up to IDR 1,9mio high-end moisturizer.

CLEANSER: L’OREAL PARIS REVITALIFT CRYSTAL DEEP PURIFYING CLEANSING GEL

**This is my new-found favorite this year: effective and affordable active face wash from drugstore**

The other FA-friendly cleansers are:
-KIEHL’S CALENDULA DEEP CLEANSING FOAMING FACE WASH
-KEANA BAKING SODA SCRUB WASH
-PEACH SLICES ACNE CLARIFYING CLEANSER
-SAFI HYDRATING WATER CLEANSER

TONER: LA ROCHE-POSAY SEROZINC

**I love it because it’s practical as a toner mist, and super effective for irritated skin**

The other FA-friendly toners are:
-MUJI LIGHT TONING WATER-HIGH MOISTURE
-HATOMUGI SKIN CONDITIONER
-ERHA TRUWHITE TXA & ZINC GLUCONATE BRIGHTENING PORE TONER

SERUM: KIEHL’S CLEARLY CORRECTIVE DARK SPOT SOLUTION

**Live up to its’ claim, great for correcting dark spots**

The other FA-friendly serums are:
-LA ROCHE-POSAY CICAPLAST B5 ULTRA REPAIR SERUM
-COS DE BAHA ARBUTIN NIACINAMIDE SERUM

MOISTURIZER: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM

**Ceramide is key to protect our skin barrier, this is one of my HG moisturizer this year**

The other FA-friendly moisturizers are:
-KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL OIL-FREE GEL CREAM
-CHANEL LA SOLUTION 10

SUNSCREEN: AZARINE HYDRASOOTHE SUNSCREEN GEL SPF45+++

**I’m also surprised when I found this local brand at the drugstore. It’s super affordable with a nice gel texture.**

The other FA-friendly sunscreens are:
– L’Oreal Paris Miracle Blur SPF 30
– EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
– Supergoop CC Cream Daily Correct Broad Spectrum SPF 35

ETC: L’ORÉAL PARIS INFALLIBLE 24H FRESH WEAR FOUNDATION IN A POWDER & YSL TOUCHE ECLAT

**My simple base makeup routine these days**

Which one is your favorite out of my Fungal-Acne Safe/Friendly list this year?

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

ELECTROCAUTERY 2.0: Wounds & Post Treatment

December 17, 2022

As you probably know already, milia and syringoma are genetic. Both are harmless, yet aesthetically disturbing. Before 2022 ends, I did another ElectroCautery procedure (or shorten as Cauter) to get rid of them.

Did my first ElectroCautery back in 2018, you can check the post here.

Don’t panic if you google Syringoma and turns out they are actually tumors. They are mild and non-cancer ones. Similar to milia bumps, but they are not formed by oil glands. Instead, Syringoma are the result of over-productive sweat glands. Unfortunately, both can only be removed by professional procedures, and I choose ElectroCautery aka Cauter because I’ve done it before.

**BEFORE CAUTER**: Milia and Syringoma usually appeared around the eyes area

Since both are genetic, they might reappear after a few years, and in my case, they did after four years. I did my treatment at Beauty By Appointment again with the same steps applied. Clean the face, numb cream for 30 minutes and on with the Cauter. It wasn’t painful during the procedure, but after, your skin might felt sore (depending on your pain endurance level).

Do’s and Dont’s:

Do not wash your face 6 hours after the treatment.
Apply antibiotic cream on the wounds, twice a day on clean and dry skin. Do this consecutively for 5 days.
Alternatively, you might compressed your skin before applying the antibiotic cream, with NaCl solution (great for treating burnt wounds).
Use gentle facial cleanser with no active ingredients
Do not apply any actives while your skin is healing, wait until the wounds are completely and naturally flaking off.
Avoid any type of base makeup when the wounds are still wet.

How long did it take to heal? It might vary, depending on your skin ability. It took my skin 30 days to heal back in 2018 after the first procedure, see the photos here.

**6 DAYS AFTER CAUTER**: around the lids were healed more quickly

**6 DAYS AFTER CAUTER**: no scabs, just the red marks all around

Unlike most people that did Cauter, who had black scabs that peeled off naturally when they dried, my wounds didn’t. Instead they turns red like acne marks without no scabs. No worries, I will do my skin update when my skin heals completely, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, here are the products that I used during skin healing after Cauter.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
0.9% Sodium Chloride as my CSM to compress
Bioplacenton Gel

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

WHAT’S INSIDE YSL BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR 2022?

December 4, 2022

If you are a collector, go get it while it’s still hot, you guys!

First thing first, the box is sturdy, made of hard carton. I saw other brand’s advent calendar and when one vlogger unbox it, it was easily torn. But this YSL, even when you pull out the individual ‘drawer’, it slides in and out easily without any struggle. It does scream festive with shimmering golden stars. Gorgeously designed, I must say.

As any advent calendar out there, there are 24 items, all of the best-selling mostly makeup products, a bit of mini-size skincare, fragrances and a pocket mirror.

Minis? No worries, there are four full-size lipsticks inside. Most of the lipsticks are in the red shade family, so if you are a fan of red lips, enjoy!

For skin enthusiasts, this is your chance to try their mini size before you commit to the full size.

And their fragrance miniatures are to drool for!

So, this Christmas, treat yourself or that extra someone with this luxe gift (priced at 6.3mio rupiah).

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: CERAVE MOISTURIZING CREAM

October 22, 2022

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

October 5, 2022

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

October 1, 2022

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

LOOKING FOR NON-COMEDOGENIC CLEANSING OIL?

July 10, 2022

If you have sensitive skin, comedo-prones and an avid makeup user, but you want to cleanse without stripping or damaging your skin barrier, read on.

In this post, I’m going to review three kinds of cleansing oils from Shu Uemura: Anti/Oxi+, Ultime8 and Botanic Oil. All of them are non-comedogenic, for sure!

So far, after many years of trying this and that, I believe that Japanese made the best cleansing oil in the world. Personally, I do love cleansing oil for two reasons. One: obviously to remove makeup (base and sunscreen), and lately I’ve been doing oil cleansing.

WTH is oil cleansing? More like a gentle peel, using cleansing oil for about five minutes max to loosen up trapped sebum inside our skin. This method is perfect to clear your skin from oil plugs. It works like a charm if you do it well. I recommend to use it on dry skin without makeup on, massage like you mean it for merely 5 minutes. You’d instantly feel those oil plugs plugged out from your pores like magic. Make sure you emulsify afterwards, and double cleanse using face wash to finish off.

What are the differences between these three?
Ultime8: using 8 precious oils with a cashmere-like texture, for softer, smoother and moisturized skin.

Botanic Oil: infused with iconic Japanese Yuzu extract, a gentle vitamin C infused cleansing oil with a soothing sensation.

Anti/Oxi+: contains green tea extract, moringa extract and papaya extract for more powerful removability. (FYI, I used this one for Oil Cleansing purpose)

Once you’ve tried these oils, you’d know why they cost more and why you need to splurge for that luxurious yet relaxing cleansing rituals. And I’ve read that some even use this cleansing oil on their body, too (not me, though).

And yes, folks, I know it’s hard to find cleansing oil that are notably safe for fungal acne. But, these oils didn’t trigger mine, because I totally washed them off and double cleanse afterwards. Another trick if you want to make sure they are perfectly rinsed off, use micellar water with cotton pads to wipe and use face wash for the final steps.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: MAYBELLINE NEW YORK LASH SENSATIONAL SKY HIGH WATERPROOF MASCARA

June 27, 2022

Now that I am back to full-time work, I am back as mascara’s user as well.

I bought this when it wasn’t available locally here in Indonesia. But no worries, now this mascara is officially available (you can buy it online or offline at local drugstores here in Jakarta, Indonesia)

I guess when it comes to mascara, I really do trust Maybelline New York. I remember my first mascara is Great Lash, the one with the green cap (they don’t sell it here, but I guess they still have it in the US?). For drugstore mascaras, I believe this brand never failed on me and my typical Asian lashes, straight, short and droopy. Having sensitive eyes, I really don’t want to risk my eyes getting more watery by using any type of mascara. So you know, this mascara is allergy tested, ophthalmologist tested, even suitable for contact lens wearer. If you have sensitive eyes like me, go get this, you won’t regret it.

Super in love with the flex tower brush, somehow it just gripes to each lash, no clump for sure. It lengthen without that fake eyelashes look, because it does contain bamboo extract and fibers to extend every lash with authentic impact. For me, one layer is enough for day look, but if you want to add one more layer, it still look pretty natural.

Result while using it: it didn’t move until you take it off with eyes makeup remover. And yes, you can easily remove this by using waterproof eye makeup remover or cleansing oil.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

SKIN UPDATE: MASKNE & STUFFS

June 1, 2022

Long time no skin update, so here we go.

I sleep like this, yes like a grease-ball. Hydrate and moisturize are super important steps at night. Now that most of us are still half masked almost every day, taking extra care of our skin is a must.

Thanks to my carefully self-curated fungal acne safe products, I haven’t been dealing with fungal acne ever again (and God forbids). But, new problems arrived: blackheads on nose, maskne and big pores.

Instead of attacking them with more active ingredients, I decided to keep it simple. Cleanse, tone and moisturize, plus sunscreen in the morning. I’m just going to let my skin heal by itself, because I know they can (you just have to trust the power of nature, really!)

If you’ve been following me, I used to apply retinol on the whole face every night. But these days, I only used it on my chin and below the nose where maskne usually appears.

Here are my currently used products, the simpler the better.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: MAYBELLINE NEW YORK INSTANT AGE REWIND ERASER

May 5, 2022

Hi Folks! Sorry for such a long hiatus. I’m back as full-time worker, so I have limited time to blog. One of the positive side of going back to work is applying makeup. And here’s one of my current favorite concealer, because it’s also proven to be safe for fungal acne.

Mine is shade 120 Light, and actually I’ve used this before. This concealer is unique, it comes with the cushion applicator. If you’ve been following me, you’d know that I don’t use foundation as a base, instead I use concealer on just some part of my face. But in this specific post, I’d show you the concealer effect on under eyes.

If you noticed, I only applied this on inner and outer corners of my eyes. Why? This is a trick that I’ve learned watching Wayne Goss’ YT, to avoid creasing under eyes, especially for aging skin. And talking about aging, this concealer is not just a coverage concealer per se, it is infused with goji berry Haloxyl. It is an anti-aging concealer, and because it does have a light texture, it doesn’t sit on lines and crease-resistant. Try using setting mist before applying concealer to set, instead of using setting powder that will increase the chance of getting creased under eyes.