BEST MOISTURIZERS WITHOUT HYALURONIC ACID

January 8, 2023

Every one of us is different, so does our skin. Some might love Hyaluronic Acid as their trustable and effective hydrating ingredient on their skincare, but some might not.

No worries, there are more than one hydrating ingredients on the market, if your skin can’t tolerate Hyaluronic Acid (HA). Currently most popular in Indonesia is Ceramides. Everything with ceramides on it will sell like hotcakes. There are also other hydrating ingredients such as Beta Glucan, Squalane, and Glycerin.

Thankfully, I am not allergic to HA, and I also live in a country with high humidity in the air (making skin unvulnerable). But vice versa, if you are allergic to HA and live (or traveling) in a colder climate with low humidity, let’s find other options available on the market. Please note that they’re also free from ingredients which might trigger Fungal-Acne (based on incidecoder), since my skin is prone to FA.

Great texture for oily skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
You are definitely missing out if you haven’t tried this. It looks like a gel in the jar, but it gives a satin feel on skin when applied. Glycerin is number two on the ingredient list, making it an awesome hydrator.

Not available yet in Indonesia: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
Great for sensitive skin (so safe, even babies can use this!), as it only contains 10 ingredients, with Glycerin as the hero. I can’t wait until this will be widely available on Indonesia’s market.

Most expensive: Chanel La Solution 10
It has two hydrating ingredients on their top five ingredients, Squalane and Glycerin. Thus the name, it only contains 10 ingredients, making it good for sensitive skin. If you have the budget to splurge, this moisturizer is worth every pump.

Online favorite: Krave Oat So Simple Water Cream
Also not available in Indonesia, but easily purchased on market place. Less than 10 ingredients, this moisturizer have Squalane as hydrator. This moisturizer melt like water when applied, perfect to use in hot and humid weather. Pictured here is the old packaging that I’ve purchased and emptied already, I believe they renew the label last year.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA & SCREEN SHOTS FROM INCIDECODER.COM

REVIEW: KIEHL’S CLEARLY CORRECTIVE DARK SPOT SOLUTION

January 2, 2023

FYI, I had this on and off relationship with vitamin C serum. It’s not easy to find one that won’t cause breakouts, especially if it contains Ascorbic Acid. But, this comes in the right timing, when I was dealing with Cauter wounds (please scroll down for before-after pics). And I believe the older I get, the harder and slower it is for my skin to heal from any wounds.

For those who avoid Ascorbic Acid, I do recommend you to try this as dark spots treatment. But if your skin can tolerate Ascorbic Acid, go ahead and use this as an anti-oxidant serum for morning routine. However, one very important thing that you have to remember when you use this serum, make sure you are using gentle facial cleanser and toner with no actives (read the ingredients carefully). It does contain vitamin C and Salicylic Acid already, so it’s best to keep your skin well hydrated pre-this serum. And if your skin can tolerate vitamin C, you can layer this with Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Texture-wise: it is clear, watery with a subtle fresh scent (I believe it comes from White Birch & Peony extracts and Lavender oil from the ingredients’ list, so the scent is definitely not a synthetic fragrance). No worries, it won’t linger around, the scent only last while you’re applying. It glides evenly, it doesn’t clump under makeup and (seriously) works well with other Kiehl’s product: Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream (try them both and you can thank me later).

Unlike most vitamin C that will oxidize over time, this serum has a highly stable formula, even though the bottle is clear and exposed to light easily. It didn’t sting or give any warm sensation when applied, and it’s lightweight. This is the type of serum that won’t disappear on skin, you’ll feel it’s there, but it’s not oily nor heavily sticky. If you see my bottle is a limited edition this year, from “Made By Radio”. The only con is it doesn’t have stopper, so use it carefully. I believe because as a brand, Kiehl’s does have a mission to minimize plastic waste.

Please note that you won’t see immediate results, you have to be patient when using it, especially if the dark spots were there for the longest time already, or if you have mature skin. Give it time, using it twice a day as recommended, pair it with hydrating products, and you’ll see the difference.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

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

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

[UPDATED] MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE (BEHIND THE MASK AND STAY AT HOME VERSION)

February 15, 2022

I have different routine for the mornings. One, if I go out and have to wear mask, and if I just stay at home all day.

BEHIND THE MASK

Cleanse: with antibacterial face cleanser, to zap out bacterias on face before covering them with mask and create more problems.

Serum: use vitamin C serum, because skin also need anti-oxidant and we still want to glow behind the mask, yes?

Sunscreen: opt for a gel texture, to avoid any melting behind the mask.

STAY AT HOME

Cleanse: using gentle face cleanser, to avoid any dryness especially in this uncertain weather.

CSM on cheeks area for 10 minutes, which is great for redness and irritated skin.

Serum: using HA serum first, then layer with Niacinamide serum (5% or below to avoid irritation)

Moisturizer: using soothing gel, because it feels lighter on skin.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

[UPDATED] NIGHT TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE (NO TRETINOIN – FUNGAL ACNE SAFE)

February 8, 2022

First skin update of the year. Here’s my skin condition these days.

After I did Face Toning & Growth Factor treatment at Jakarta Aesthetic Clinic (consecutively on December 21 and January 22), I haven’t been using Tretinoin for awhile now. You see, after both treatments, we’re not allowed to do any exfoliation for two weeks. But after two weeks had passed, I can see and feel that my skin became less oily and no hormonal acnes shown up. So, I skipped Tretinoin for almost two months already. I guess my age also catching up with me, so I can feel my skin is getting more dry (hello mature skin), and I’m super prone to redness on my cheeks.

Here are the products that I’ve been using for my night time skincare routine lately (no worries, they are all safe for Fungal Acne):

CLEANSER: I use Micellar Water as first cleanse and face cleanser as second cleanse.

TONER: I don’t use toner with cotton pad at night, but I do 7 skin method. I know how it was so 2017, but so far so good with my dry skin. While skin still damp, apply serum immediately.

SERUM: Some people might have problems with Hyaluronic Acid. Fortunately, my skin drink them up well. Make sure it absorb well first, then spray with Thermal Water to make it slightly damp, before applying moisturizer.

MOISTURIZER: Last year, I was so into gel moisturizer. But in my current skin state, I prefer light cream texture.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

FUNGAL ACNE SAFE ANTI AGING PRODUCTS

January 27, 2022

Even though I do not recommend using any actives while suffering from Fungal Acne, but I know that our biological clock is still ticking and aging is unstoppable. So if you still want to use anti aging skincare products while you’re still dealing with fungal acne, here’s some of my recommendation (tried and tested by yours truly).

ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR SYNCHRONIZED MULTI-RECOVERY COMPLEX

Yes, they renew their formulas last year, so this is a newer version of one of the most loved serums in the world. And I’m not surprised why. Bifida Ferment Lysate is number two on the ingredients list, which is one form of probiotics, known to help prevent skin damage. It also contains Tripeptide-32, which might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin elasticity and firmness, by supporting our skin’s collagen production.

Personally I love the texture (you’d know the product is worth the price when it glides luxuriously on skin-you can’t cheat this). It has a slightly orange color, with a slight yeast scent (but disappear within seconds). As it is an anti-aging and hydrating serum, it gives that healthy looking skin once applied. You can see it’s there, you can feel it’s there, but it’s not sticky or uncomfortable.
Sometimes, if I feel too lazy to layer on additional moisturizer on top, I just apply two layers of this serum at night time. I can see and feel the result in the morning if I layer them on top of each other. Actually, even though the name said Night, this serum can be used in the morning as well.
Yes, it is pricey, but trust me, pricey stuffs come for many reasons. It costs IDR 1.750K for 50ml.

S.NATURE AQUA SQUALANE MOISTURIZING CREAM

I guess this is a new K-beauty brand, not very commercial, but Director PI recommended it in one of her YT videos. It’s a very simple packaging, too simple in my opinion, they should’ve given us the flip-top cap instead the classic cap. Ingredients wise, full of goodies: 15% Squalane (which is an emollient) is number two on the list, followed by Glycerin which is a humectant. So yes, if you’ve been following my blog, you’d probably know that I have to layer humectant and emollient for a moisturizer, to make sure that my skin is moisturized and hydrated enough.

Check out this list from incidecoder.com and you’ll see all the goodies inside.

Texture-wise, it is a light cream/thick lotion. Unlike moisturizer in a gel form that ‘disappear’ when we apply it, this cream glides like satin on skin and gives that healthy glow look without the sticky feel. You can feel and see it’s there, but in a comfortable sense. And I prefer a thick lotion for my current skin condition (dry and sensitive), IMHO it sits better under makeup instead of gel or water cream moisturizer.
Unfortunately, this brand is not officially available in Indonesia, but I bought it online from my regular trusted seller. It’s not cheap for a 80ml tube, it costs IDR350K.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA & SCREENSHOTS FROM INCIDECODER.COM

BEST OF 2021: FUNGAL-ACNE SAFE SKINCARE

December 31, 2021

Still in pandemic period, lots of stay at home, but grateful to make it safe and sound till the end of the year 2021. Yeay, we survived 2021, guys! Be grateful.

This will be a very short list, as I didn’t explore much this year, as my skin became more sensitive lately.

If you want to know what ingredients to avoid if you think you have Fungal Acne, and which products are safe to use, you can check this website.

Without further adieu, let’s see who made it to my short(er) list this year.

FIRST CLEANSE

FACE WASH

SERUM

MOISTURIZER

SPF

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

DECEMBER 2021 HAUL

December 23, 2021

Closing another pandemic year with these hauls.

PYUNKANG YUL MIST TONER

This is not my first purchase, I repurchase because it’s a very simple toner with super minimal ingredients. It’s not viscous, doesn’t have fragrance in it and I use this for CSM. Though it’ll be great if they change the sprayer, because it doesn’t spray evenly.
Price IDR 156K for 200ml

COSRX HYDRIUM WATERY TONER & COSRX TRIPLE HYALURONIC MOISTURE AMPOULE

Some people can’t tolerate Hyaluronic Acid, maybe because I believe it works better on hot and humid climate. Fortunately, HA is safe on my oily and fungal-acne prone skin. I wish that I found these two sooner, as both works well together for optimal skin hydration.
Price IDR 282K for 40ml (ampoule) IDR 225K for 150ml (toner)

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

FUNGAL ACNE SAFE PRODUCTS UNDER IDR100K

December 3, 2021

Compiling for the basic skincare routine, easy to find online or offline here in Jakarta, Indonesia. Prices are correct by the time I post this.

FIRST CLEANSER

**GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER (IDR 29K for 125ml)**

EMINA MICELLAR WATER DROP CLEANSER (IDR 37K for 100ml)
AZARINE CLEANSING MOIST MICELLAR WATER (IDR 39K for 100ml)
JOYLAB CLEANSING WATER (IDR 80K for 100ml)

SECOND CLEANSER