Tough year for all, and lots of us wish for 2020 to end soon. But, does the end of 2020 means the end of the pandemic? Oh well ….
You will see a new list (different from 2018 and 2019 ones). However, there are some categories being left out (like makeup remover, essence, mask and spot treatment), just because I didn’t use them this year to cut cost and skincare steps. I also include some new local favourites, to support local Indonesian brands and economy as well.
Other cool website to check out and analyse your skincare ingredients is cosmily.com. Please note that some of the products below might still have triggers for comedones and not entirely allergen-free. So please check the ingredients that will suit your skin best.
For detailed review of some products mentioned below, please refer to my Instagram @skinetijen.
Let’s start! (Based on Alphabetical Order, * means local product from Indonesia)
FACIAL WASH
BIYU OIL CONTROL CLEANSER *
DERMA365 GENTLE CLEANSER
ERHA2 FACIAL WASH FOR OILY SKIN *
PETER THOMAS ROTH IRISH MOOR MUD PURIFYING CLEANSER
SEBAMED CLEAR FACE ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANSING FOAM
VANICREAM GENTLE FACIAL CLEANSER
TONER
ABILL FIRST STARTING TONER
DEAR KLAIRS DAILY SKIN SOFTENING WATER
HERBIVORE JASMINE WATER BALANCING TONER
MAMONDE CHAMOMILE PURE TONER
TRILOGY HYDRATING MIST TONER
SERUM/AMPOULE
ALPHA-H VITAMIN B WITH COPPER TRIPEPTIDE
COS DE BAHA SALICYLIC ACID 2% LIQUID
DUVADERM CLARIFYING SERUM *
ME+ NIACINAMIDE BOOSTER
PAPA RECIPE EGGPLANT CLEARING AMPOULE
ROVECTIN CLEAN LHA BLEMISH AMPOULE
YVES ROCHER CONCENTRATED LIFT SERUM
MOISTURIZER
JOYLAB SKIN’O’TIC MOISTURE GEL *
KRAVE BEAUTY OAT SO SIMPLE WATER CREAM
SEBAMED CLEAR FACE CARE GEL
TATCHA THE WATER CREAM
SUNSCREEN
ERTO’S SUNSCREEN GEL *
NIVEA SUN PROTECT & WHITE INSTANT AURA SERUM SPF 50+ PA+++
Wow, what a cool word invention during this crazy time. Mask + Acne = Maskne. OK, so what can we do about it?
Fortunately, I don’t have this problem myself. I only went out four times since March 2020, just to have meetings for an hour or so. Other than that, I did all my things online. Shop online, groceries online and food delivery online. And I only spent like an hour wearing a mask, so yeah…I don’t have maskne, but I do have regular acne showing up during this pandemic.
But I can imagine those who have to wear mask all day, especially where I live here in Jakarta, Indonesia. The sun is blasting, it’s super hot and humid out there. Mask is not just suffocating us in terms of breathing, but also our skin. It’s like sweat + oil + bacteria trapped for hours on that mask-covered area.
Though I know we can’t get away with it (until God knows when), here are some skincare tips for maskne:
Change your mask whenever it gets moist. Personally, I prefer disposable mask, because cloth ones need to be laundered using hot water to keep it effective (and I don’t have the luxury of washing machine with hot water, so nevermind). So far, I use this KF94 mask that I bought online (not cheap because it’s imported from Korea), but it’s the most fitted and comfortable for me.
Use gentler skincare options. Use gentler cleanser, hydrating (instead of exfoliating) toner and avoid using harsh exfoliants (avoid scrubs, please).
Choose more soothing/calming ingredients and avoid actives if possible. Hyaluronic Acid is my best bet, but some people might love Aloe. Opt for LHA instead of AHA and BHA, it’s a popular alternative with less risk of skin irritation.
Texture-wise, opt for gel than lotion or cream.
Wait for all of your skincare to absorb first before putting on the mask. Do not rush, make sure they dry completely before you cover your skin with mask.
Let your skin breathe while it can at home. Avoid using sheet mask that might irritate them more.
Bid adieu to your favorite foundation. Why bother adding another layer that will suffocate your skin further? Opt for concealer to cover any spots, or use tinted moisturizer instead.
Disclaimer: this is not a comparison review, but both are Vegan.
I agree when someone said “Serum is like the Couture of skincare”. And just in case you are still wondering, serum and ampoule are basically the same. Both belong to the same step, after essence and before emulsion/moisturizer. But I believe, ampoules are slightly thicker than serums, so in accordance with the thinnest to thickest rule, always apply serum before ampoule. And according to Director Pi, if you already use Essence in your skincare routine, you can skip the Ampoule.
ALPHA-H VITAMIN B WITH COPPER TRIPEPTIDE SERUM You know how I love their Liquid Gold, so when Sephora Indonesia had a (rare) sale, I know I have to purchase this too. This vitamin serum contains powerful natural antioxidant Chia to assist in plumping and hydrating, plus Ferulic Acid (extracted from Rice Bran Oil) to help diminish the appearance of uneven skin tone. And of course, it has Niacinamide (you know it’s my favorite too) and Copper Tripeptide (Copper with Amino Acids) to prevent premature ageing and promote elasticity.
They recommend to apply twice daily, but considering the hefty price tag, I’m using this at my PM routine. I can say this is the ‘do it all’ serum for me, for its’ ability to prevent moisture loss, regulates excess oil, boost skin immunity and reduce hyper-pigmentation.
Price IDR787K for 25ml
Full Ingredients List: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Niacinamide, Methyl Gluceth-20, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ferulic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Wheat Amino Acids, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydroxyproline, CI 42090 (Blue 1)
ROVECTIN LHA BLEMISH AMPOULE I guess this launch earlier this year, but stay under the radar. But I believe this deserve some attention, people!
It doesn’t use purified water as their main ingredient, but they use 85% of Neroli Flower Water Extract, known to help soothe and calm skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
As the name stated, it contains LHA, excellent yet gentle exfoliant (with pH 5.5) to combat clogged pores. So gentle, it can be use day and night everyday.
Texture is thick like a light gel, that’s why it’s easy to use as a spot treatment. But, I dislike the droplet as it’s slightly hard to pick up, and the size (it’s only 15ml). Other than that, I love everything about this ampoule. It instantly calms down the redness of a huge pimple within hours. Might be a bit sticky at the first application but after it absorb, it feels like nothing on my skin. Will definitely repurchase this, and using it only as a spot treatment.
Some of you
might asked, “Do I need 10 steps?” Girl, it’s so 2017!
Please do
not be intimidated by contents out there with so many layering steps, if you do
not have the time nor the budget to do so. Knowing your skin is the first best
thing, then you can accommodate based on that.
My routine
might not be the same as others and I don’t expect it to be. And I totally not
recommend anyone to follow mine exactly. Frankly speaking, there are no such
things as ideal steps. Remember, you know you best.
So, these are my steps of skincare routine:
ONE: CLEANSE
First, wipe
off with Micellar Water for base makeup. Then Lip & Eye Make Up Remover.
Wait till dry then move on to Cleansing Balm. Quickly emulsified the balm,
rinse and wash it all away with Face Soap. At the end of the day, I felt extra
clean after all of these.
TWO: HYDRATE
Never
thought that I’d even consider this as the most important step in my routine.
But it is, now. Hydrating Toner and Essence are my skin’s BFF.
THREE: TREAT
My skin is
far from perfect, therefore exfoliating toner, serum and ampoule are still
needed in my repertoire.
FOUR: MOISTURIZE
Never
underestimate the power of moisturizing to seal the previous steps in. I try to
stay away from cream and lotion for moisturizer, instead I opt for gel ones.
FIVE: PROTECT
Living in a
city when the sun is blasting all year round, it’s impossible and sort of
forbidden to skip this step in the morning.
For sure, morning and night time routine are different. Morning routine is simpler because all the cleansing hard stuffs will be happening at night to remove makeup. And night routine might require more steps, just because there’s more time to do so.
shintarosvita 
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