Tag: skincarereview

REVIEW: LINDSAY MODELING MASK CUP PACK COOL TEA TREE

I know lots of people love sheet mask, but personally I’m not sure if I like any mask. But, I’m curious about this so-called best selling Modeling Mask, so I decided to give it a go.

Modeling Mask (or Rubber Mask to some) is one of the peel-off mask type that we need to mix ourselves. Sort of like a DIY mask, start out in powder form, mixed with water and the texture is thicker and more gooey like rubber.  Usually it was done professionally at beauty clinics, but with this brand, LINDSAY from South Korea, now we can do this conveniently and safely at home. They have many varieties for different skin types, but this time I chose the COOL ones, which is recommended for oily skin type. And yes, this is safe for Fungal Acne.

Why use Modeling Mask? Well, it supposedly help our skin to absorb other products better without stripping them from our own natural moisture. Yes, this type of mask will create a tight layer on our skin and allow deeper penetration of active ingredients (that’s why it’s recommended to use after serum). 

PRICE: IDR 15K (I bought it on 50% off!)

WHERE TO BUY: I purchased it online from one of the market place. 

PACKAGING: It reminds me of ice cream cup, honestly. It was filled halfway and came with a petite spatula to mix and apply. One cup is more than enough for one usage, so don’t be stingy with yourself. 

WHAT’S IN IT: Tea Tree Leaf to hydrate and nourish skin while providing protection and prevention from roughness & dryness. It contains real leaves, so you might find shreds of leaves inside. 

INGREDIENTS LIST: Diatomaceous Earth, Glucose, Algin, Calcium Sulfate, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Magnesium Carbonate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Powder(1,500ppm), Allantoin, Potassium Alginate, Adenosine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ultramarines, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil

CLAIM: Restores softness & elasticity while cooling & hydrating to relieve stress and maintain healthy & refreshed skin. 

HOW DOES IT FIT INTO ONE’S SKINCARE ROUTINE: 
Double Cleanse (Oil Cleanse & Foam Cleanse)
Toner (Exfoliating with cotton pad)
Serum
Hydrating Toner (pat/spray)
MODELING MASK
Hydrating Toner
Moisturizer

MY THOUGHTS:
– I guess I failed on mixing the right amount of water, so it was kind of liquidy rather than rubbery
– Waiting time to dry is 20 minutes more, and I’m not the type to sit and wait for mask to dry, so this is not for me
– Seriously, just leave it for the professional to apply this type of mask
– On me, it was dripping heavily and the peeling part was not a walk in the park
– Don’t get it near hairline, or else it’s going to get messier and hard to clean

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

LOVE AT FIRST USE

If you love to try bunch of skincare products, there’d be times when you fell in love with it from the first use.

Here are (some of) mine:

VANICREAM GENTLE FACIAL CLEANSER
So far, it’s my go-to cleanser, especially on those days when maskne attack and you just need a gentle cleanser to cleanse. Fragrance-free, easily rinse and didn’t leave any after-feel, it’s easy to fall in love with this cleanser. 

KRAVE BEAUTY OAT SO SIMPLE WATER CREAM
Minimal ingredients always get me and having oatmeal extract as the main ones is awesome. Natural oatmeal always safe my skin whenever they’re angry or over exfoliated. And finding a light and simple moisturiser for fungal-acne prone skin like mine is no joke, people!

FOREO LUNA 3 FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
I guess it’s my best skinvestment so far. I use this every morning for deeper yet gentler cleanse after all the retinol that I applied on my skin at night. 

SULWHASOO GENTLE CLEANSING OIL
It had me at the first whiff. It smells so good for a cleansing oil, which is kind of rare. It glides so luxuriously on skin, emulsified perfectly and it didn’t leave any weird after-feel. Yes, it is expensive but worth every pump. 

KANEBO SUISAI BEAUTY CLEAR POWDER WASH
Similar result of physical exfoliation without the harshness. If you have everlasting clogged pores like mine, you’d want to try this. It has no fragrance and it’ll foam up to cleanse perfectly. 

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

FIRST SKINCARE HAUL IN 2021

Not feeling like trying lots of new products this year (but that might change). I just want to stick to what worked for me in 2020, but some stuffs looked too interesting to pass. 

But I do have my own personal rule for this year: I will not purchase anything over IDR600K. Why, if you might ask. Well, nowadays as a freelancer, I wouldn’t risk my life over skincare. I hope that answered your question, LOL. 

I only purchased two things on the first month of January 2021, what an achievement for me personally!

ABSOLUTE NIACINAMIDE 
If you’ve been following me, you’d know that I love Glossier Super Pure Serum. But it is super expensive, considering that I repeatedly purchase from online sis on market place. So I’ve been looking for Niacinamide serum with similar ingredients. And I found this serum made in Malaysia. I looked it up on incidecoder.com and both have 5 of the same ingredients! With the same amount (30ml) this costs IDR159K while Glossier costs IDR475K. 

LA ROCHE POSAY TOLERIANE PURIFYING FOAMING CLEANSER
Learnings from last year, even though I stayed at home most of the days, but I still wash my face twice a day (don’t be lazy to clean your face guys, really). So, yes I ran out of face cleanser as quick as pre-pandemic. This costs a lot more here in Indonesia (priced at IDR525K for 400ml), because we don’t have this brand in local drugstores. It does remind me of Vanicream Gentle Cleanser, for its’ texture and after-feel, but with added Niacinamide in it. It’s also safe for Fungal Acne, but still contains PEG.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: YVES ROCHER SENSITIVE CAMOMILLE

If you’re familiar with their previous Chamomile line, Pure Calmille, this is the new version. A range of skincare for sensitive skin, with wild chamomile cultivated in their own La Gacilly organic fields. Even though it’s dedicated for sensitive skin, actually all skin types can use this range, especially when our skin reacted to certain stuffs. 

You see, our skin condition might change due to climate, pollution, harsh products and hormonal. These things might also affect the skin’s barrier, thus make our skin reactive. Some might experienced itchiness, redness or tightness, basically all the feeling of discomfort. It’s great to know that this range will not only soothe skin when shitty things happened, but they will also strengthen our skin. 

Being Yves Rocher, the packaging in this range is 100% recyclable plastic, and there are no artificial scent and colouring used. Yes, the cardboard is also recyclable. They didn’t waste anything from the chamomile, the flowers, leaves and stems are used to create these products. They use 98% natural ingredients, with 0% mineral oil, silicone, alcohol and fragrance. 

OK, let’s start with the review!

THE CLEANSING OIL

Y’all know how I love to double cleanse, even though I’m not using makeup on daily basis, but I’m still using sunscreen. Somehow, I just feel cleaner when I use cleansing oil before moving on to second cleanser. The first ingredient on the list is Sunflower Seed Oil, a non-comedogenic carrier oil and known to be less irritating. There’s a hint of relaxing Chamomile scent, it glides easily and emulsified like most cleansing oils that I’ve tried. No slippery after-feel which I like, and it rinses easily.

THE MICELLAR WATER

Usually I use Micellar Water in the morning to wipe off all the night time skincare products on my face. However this is my personal preference. For fungal acne warrior, you’d be glad to know that based on the ingredients list on the packaging, it’s safe for fungal acne. 

THE CLEANSING CREAM

Now, this is interesting. It’s not a foamy cleanser, mind you. But I believe this is great for dry cleansing technique. Apply on dry skin (I prefer to use this in the morning after Micellar Water), and massage for one minute, then rinse off with warm water. I always recommend to rinse cleanser with warm water to minimise the slippery after-feel.

THE SOOTHING LIGHT CREAM 

It’s a moisturizer in a light texture with a hint of natural chamomile flowers’ fragrance. I thought it’s going to be more like a light lotion, but once I spread it, it’s more like a water-cream (disappear without a trace). Great for normal to oily skin due to its’ texture and absorb power. However, it’s not giving you that dead matte finish (if you’re expecting one). 

THE NOURISHING COMFORT BALM

If you have normal to dry skin, you’ll love this moisturizer. They named this as a balm, but I did find the texture more like a thicker lotion. And I’m surprised how easy it absorbed on dry skin. It feels comfortable on dry skin and also gives a dewy effect. 

THE CORRECTIVE GREEN CREAM

Another interesting product from this range. It is green in color, but they don’t use artificial color. Instead they used chlorophyll from Chamomile’s stems. This cream is like a tone-up cream, but instead of brightening the whole face, this will reduce and correct redness. I apply this on red spots only (usually around my nose and chin) in the morning on top of moisturizer and before sunscreen. I believe from all the products in this range, this one is more scented than the others. 

You can buy the whole range here.

PHOTOS: PINKY MIRROR & SHINTA ROSVITA

FINALLY GETTING RID OF MY OIL BUMPS

Yeay, it has been 12 weeks since my Adapalene journey. And I guess pictures will speak a thousand words, so here’s my before-after pics.

BYE BYE OIL BUMPS


Please note that I do use Retinoic Acid on top of Adapalene for 12 weeks.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT THESE

I just want to say that I’m glad that these prescription strength creams really worked on my hormonal acnes and closed comedones. Yes, the first 5 weeks was a nightmare and I almost gave up. But this pandemic really helped me, because all of the bad purging were hidden underneath mask. And FYI, based on everything that I read or watch in YT, Adapalene needs max 12 weeks to show its’ result.
Mine already got better on week 8, fortunately. No more bumps and no more big zits. Big improvement shows on the chin area, while these creams won’t work on milia and sebaceous filaments that I have on my left cheek (might need another Cauter session after the pandemic is over-God knows when). 

DESPERATELY NEED CAUTER


Am I still going to use both creams? Yes, to maintain my skin condition, but I’ll make sure I minimized their doses or use both every other day. 
Should you try it? Please check to your dermatologist first, because both are prescription-strength products and not everybody will have the same reactions and results. GOOD LUCK!

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

Thought I’d be sharing you guys my current PM routine during these never ending #stayathome nights. 


Disclaimer: this isn’t a one-size-fits-all routine. Remember, you know your own skin best! 

First Cleanser: SULWHASOO GENTLE CLEANSING OIL
Even though I didn’t wear makeup anymore since the pandemic began, but I still apply sunscreen in the morning. And I do feel it’s necessary to clean sunscreen with cleansing oil, even though I haven’t found cleansing oil or balm that are safe for fungal acne. But the trick is to rinse the first cleanser well with warm water then quickly continue to the next cleanser. 

Second Cleanser: VANICREAM GENTLE FACIAL CLEANSER
My new HG cleanser, for sure. I prefer gentle cleanser with the main and basic purpose, to cleanse. Yes, leave the actives on other products such as serum or ampoule. Gentle cleanser won’t strip our natural oil and disrupt skin’s microbiome that can cause irritation. Just use gentle cleanser like this if you are active with actives (you know what I meant right?). 

Toner: ABILL FIRST STARTING TONER
Again, a simple toner with very minimal ingredients list. I use the exfoliating toner for morning skincare routine, but never on nighttime. Because I will use prescription strength treatment, I try to keep the basic steps basic. I use cotton pad and never leave it dry until next step.

Moisturizers: VICHY MINERAL 89 SKIN FORTIFYING DAILY BOOSTER & KRAVE BEAUTY OAT SO SIMPLE WATER CREAM
With skin half damp because of the toner, I apply Vichy first then Krave. Great layers of hydration and emollient to make my skin ready for the next powerful stuffs. 

Treatment: EVALEN KRIM ADAPALENE 0,1% &VITACID 0,05% RETINOIC ACID CREAM 
I can imagine if I don’t layer my moisturizers, I will end up ruining my skin since I use these two prescription strength treatment. Both are local brands, and it worked like a charm if you know how. I’m glad I took these while staying at home most of the time during the pandemic. And I guess seeing the result on my skin (bye clogged pores), I’ll use these continuously just to maintain.

PHOTO: SHINTA ROSVITA

VITAMIN C: LOVE OR LOATHE?

If you’ve been reading my blog posts and follow me on IG, you’ll notice one thing missing from my skincare regime. It’s Vitamin C.

First, I don’t enjoy Vitamin C serums turn brown due to oxidation. To think about my hard-earned money, and it turned bad easily, I don’t think so. And that oxidation process is obviously a destructive process, so if you put that on your skin, it will cause further skin damage. Ouch!

Second, Vitamin C is a great anti-oxidant, but it’s possible to become a pro-oxidant when in contact with metal/iron. Unfortunately nowadays, iron is a significant pollutant in the air and water (according to the FDA), and that means our skin comes in contact with iron every day. So, if we apply Vitamin C and our skin comes in contact with the air, it was like inviting problems to occur.

Last but not least, Vitamin C is one tough cookie to be mixed with others in the skincare ingredients list. It should never mix with AHA, BHA, Retinol, and Benzoyl Peroxide. If you’re a fan of layering skincare like me, better watch out and read ingredients list very carefully.

Moral of this post, my skin can’t take a topical Vitamin C, especially in concentrated serum format. It broke me out, caused redness and it tingled badly. So I did some research online, and I did find some interesting facts. Apparently, antioxidants in skincare are BAD when they are in concentrated form and disrupt the body’s natural ability to fight off bacteria.

TIPS & TRICKS:

  • Use Vitamin C in other format than serum for lighter percentage. Personally I use GOOD MOLECULES NIACINAMIDE BRIGHTENING TONER. It contains 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (number 6 on the ingredients’ list), a quite stable form of Vitamin C
  • Try the serum as a dark spot treatment only. Resist the temptation to apply it all over the face. I had great success with GOODAL GREEN TANGERINE VITA C DARK SPOT SERUM, that helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

MY ADAPALENE JOURNEY (WEEK 1 OUT OF 12)

Since July 29 2020, I’ve introduced Adapalene into my routine.

After a lot of careful thoughts and hundreds of YT reviews that I’ve watched while #stayathome, I finally decided to just go for it. Should’ve started earlier since the beginning of this pandemic though, so it might resolve my skin problems earlier. But, better late than never, right?

If you’ve been following me on my IG and reading my blog, you’ll know my never ending fight with acne, from fungal acne back in 2018 until adult and hormonal acne (especially on chin area) in 2020. I think I have tried mostly everything, AHA, BHA, LHA, PHA … you name it! I’ve used Retinol (Drunk Elephant) and of course they are all different in what they do. Over The Counter Retinol might has fewer side effects, but it takes several months to a year for visible results. Meanwhile, Adapalene, which is a Retinoid, is way stronger, making it an ideal treatment for acne.

I’ve had the urge to try Adapalene before, but never had the courage. The risk of purging heavily for 12 weeks, really put me off by that time (that was before this pandemic #stayathome situation).

But now, who knows when this pandemic is going to end? While staying at home all the time, I guess this is the right time for me to start Adapalene, with all its’ risks. If I have to go out, I’d wear mask anyway and cover the bad purging situation.

Since I’m on a saving mode, I decided to use a local Adapalene instead of imported ones. I’m using EVALEN KRIM ADAPALENE 0,1%, it’s very affordable (IDR52K for 10gr tube). They also have this in gel format, but after I saw some reviews, I decided to use the cream version. I believe cream forms are gentler with lesser side effects.

Now, I’m going to share with you guys my skin progress on week one (I will update again on month one, so stay tune).

MY START FACE: OIL PLUGS ON LEFT CHEEK & CHIN
DAY 1

DAY 1: Was the hardest, seriously. I was paranoid all night that I’d wake up with angry zits all over my face. But, turned out, NOT! Only two zits felt really itchy, red, swollen and ready to be pop. So I use acne patches on those two.

DAY 2

DAY 2: Apparently but those two zits with puss just didn’t budge with acne patch, so (don’t follow me) I decided to pop them. Of course, I left myself with two huge PIE aka red acne marks on my chin.

DAY 7

DAY 7: I decided to show my weekly (not daily) progress on my IG stories highlight. BTW, on day 5 I decided to apply Evalen every night for more speedy progress, since (thank God) I didn’t experience any bad irritation. Turned out, those oil plugs on my chin will either became blackheads or pustules. Which I think was great, because blackheads and pustules are easier to pop (either intentionally or unintentionally).

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS:

  • Start with every other night application for two weeks, than use it every night after that.
  • Don’t do it on daylight. Always apply at night time before bedtime only.
  • Better to apply and sleep with it in an Air-Con room.  
  • I strongly suggest to do 3 step moisture method beforehand. Read here on how to do it.
  • Mix Adapalene with your moisturizer with 1:2. So one drop of Adapalene mix with two drop of moisturizer. This is a way to buffer Adapalene in order to lessen the effects of irritation and such.
  • Wait for your other skincare to dry before applying.
  • Avoid areas such as eyes, around the nose and lips.
  • Make sure you generously moisturize and apply sunscreen the morning after.
  • Stay away from physical or chemical exfoliants which can lead to over-exfoliation.
  • Be patient, just like pandemic, everything takes time to heal.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

(UPDATE) Next Progress, here and how to survive the retinol uglies, here

REVIEW: KRAVE BEAUTY OAT SO SIMPLE WATER CREAM

This is going to be a simple review, just because this moisturizer is that simple.

Simple ingredients’ list, simple packaging, and simple intended customers. Basically, those who want to simply moisturize without worrying that it’ll break you out or irritate you further. And the best part, it is safe for Fungal Acne! (Finally, a Krave Beauty product that’s safe for FA).

It fits right in to my current 3 Steps Moisture Method craze (thanks to Olena Beley who commented to my IG video earlier this month). Read here if you missed my post about Olena’s tips.

I use this as the final step of my hydrating steps, because it does contain Capric Triglyceride and Squalane, the perfect emollients to seal all in. And being on Adapalene journey, my skin also needs soothing moisturizer, so this just completes me, by having Oatmeal Extract as one of the ingredient. Yes, I also mix this with EVALEN Adapalene Krim 0.1% to reduce the concentration and lessen the risk of Adapalene’s side effects. And this moisturizer helped me a lot during my Adapalene’s nights (so far I’m only at week 1, but I’ll write about the journey soon).

Look at its’ luscious white and milky texture. It has no scent, and it just glides softly when applied. It also mix wonderfully with almost everything that I applied before it (actives, hydrating toner, humectant). It melts right away in contact with the skin, and absorb really well without leaving any film or dewy look.

It’s silicone free, gluten free, fragrance free and essentials oil free. For me personally, there are only two misses for this moisturizer, it still contains Butylene Glycol which has comedogenic rating (luckily it didn’t trigger mine). And the jar packaging. Being a practical girl, I don’t really dig plastic jar. It took a while for me to finally close the lid properly. I wish it comes in pump packaging instead.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

7 DAYS SHEET MASK CHALLENGE FEATURING SNP PREP PEPTARONIC AMPOULE MASK

Nowadays during this pandemic, I have more time to do sheet mask.

VOGUE once said, “7-day sheet mask challenge is the quickest way to jump-start your skin”. And Korean women are known to do it everyday anyway. So I decided to take this challenge using SNP Prep Peptaronic Ampoule Mask. 

Why? First, they claim that this mask is safe to use everyday and 7 days in a row. Plus,  they’re affordable for a K-beauty brand, priced at IDR 16,5K each. And, they’re available in Shopee, Sociolla, Lazada, and Tokopedia. Plus, they’re full of skincare goodies ingredients for moisture seekers. 

Peptaronic comes from PEPtide + hyaluRONIC. Both key ingredients are mild, yet powerful enough to keep our skin well hydrated, protected from irritation and stress. This mask fills in extra moisture and smoothen skin with marine complex ingredients, from seaweed extract, spirulina maxima extract and hizikia fusiforme extract.

Let’s do this one sheet mask per day for 7 days straight and see the result, shall we?

DAY ONE

Even though I stay at home (since March 2020), I can’t say that my skin look less tired. You know what they said, stress mind made stress skin. And having all the time in the world to stare at the mirror, I picked on my pimples. So that pretty much explained my red spots, but after I applied the sheet mask for 10 minutes, I can feel the extra hydration and less redness on my spots. 
I insert this sheet mask step in my morning routine, just because I feel too tired (of doing nothing) at night. And I did put them in the fridge for extra cool effect (it has been a hot summer days here). 

DAY TWO: It lived up to its description and was, indeed deeply moisturized. And have I mentioned there was no dripping involved, even though it fills with lots of sweet smelling ampoules?

DAY THREE: Usually when I woke up in the morning, my skin felt dryer, but not anymore. 

DAY FOUR: I can open and apply the sheet mask below one minute now. Because it’s sturdy and easy to work with. 

DAY FIVE: My skin looks particularly brighter and more even.

DAY SIX: My skin felt soothed and resilient already

DAY SEVEN

After 7 days straight of using the sheet masks as part of my morning daily routine (and some actives at night, of course), I can feel my skin tone brightened to a healthy, dewy pink tone. I believe, its’ smoothing and soothing properties also helped to lessen my PIE (Post Inflammatory Erythema) aka acne marks. 

THOUGHTS: First, the packaging is cute with pastel pink tone and (thankfully) the sheet mask fits perfectly on my face. It is very important to find a sheet mask that fits, so I still can do my morning chores (replying my email and checking my phone). 
It contains lots of essences inside, I gladly apply the excess on my neck and my arms as well, to make it smoother. I found the essence texture a bit thicker than the others, maybe because it is an Ampoule Mask. It’s very hydrating, I can feel instant hydration even though I just put it on for 10 minutes. For dryer skin, you can leave it on for max 20 minutes. 
So after 7 days using SNP Prep Peptaronic Ampoule Mask, I feel my skin are well hydrated, become more plump and felt smooth. I guess it’s the peptide in their ingredient that keep my skin looking healthy and more glowing. I do recommend this for those who want to jump-start your skin quickly.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA