Hello everyone!
Here is part two of my previous post – if you missed it, catch up here! I tell you all about my product recommendations for acne skin. Keep reading to find out more and if you have any questions, just let me know!
Cleanser:
This is a popular Korean cleanser because it’s really gentle and affordable. I used it in the morning (you can use it at night too, so many people think they can’t haha). Love the packaging because I can cut it open and see how much I have left when I get towards the end. It doesn’t dry out your skin and it’s suitable for all skin types. You can check out my review here.
Another affordable cleanser. It’s a very basic cleanser that I also used in the morning. Benton is known for a natural approach to skincare. This is very gentle and suitable for all skin types and it also comes in a tube. Very similar to the Cosrx one, only difference is the Cosrx is specifically low pH and it’s a gel, whereas this one is a cleansing foam.
I got this in a mini skincare set by Laneige. I really like how it’s very gentle, moisturising and it foams up quite well. It’s suitable for normal to dry skin according to the packaging. Also in a tube – talk about convenience! It’s a bit pricier than the ones above, but you get 30ml more.
Toner:
I’ve used a few different ones and I liked them all. The formula is so simple and doesn’t irritate my skin. They’re all alcohol free as well. They make so many different ones – lavender, rose, cucumber etc. It’s good packaging as well, you can easily pour the toner out. It’s quite a large size at 355ml.
This is a very gentle and basic toner. I use it with a cotton pad and it’s really affordable. I tried out the mini size but will definitely purchase the larger one in the future. It’s also in a bottle where you can easily pour it out.
An actual miracle worker! This lasted about 2-3 months and I used every last drop. It has AHA/BHA/PHA in it which helps with scarring by gentling exfoliating the skin, leaving you with a brighter complexion. If you have sensitive skin, then I recommend using this 3-5 times a week, rather than everyday. It’s amazing though, highly recommend!
This is the kind of toner I’d just apply with my hands. I see it as a hydrating toner, rather than one that helps to clean any excess dirt off your face. Super gentle and I like to layer it when I feel like my skin needs more hydration. It comes from a pretty popular brand and my makeup applies so much better the following day. You can read more about it here.
Eye cream:
Don’t have any favourites, all the ones I’ve tried were gifted by PR, friends or as a free gift. Haven’t noticed any dramatic difference in using them, I just use it to finish it and hydrate my under eye area. If you know any good eye creams please let me know!
Serum/essence/ampule:
I initially got this from Mecca but they don’t stock the brand anymore. I love this because it’s very hydrating and super affordable. It has niacinamide in it as well and has a bit of a citrus smell to it. You can read more about it here.
This did amazing things for my acne! I had some troublesome acne on my neck for a few weeks and after using this consistently, it faded away AND it didn’t leave any scarring behind. I was so shocked because I didn’t think this was even possible. I was so impressed with it. It’s a natural skincare product and has so many amazing ingredients in it. You can read more about it here.
I used this with the toner in the range and had amazing results! There is a bit of trouble with the packaging because it didn’t reach the very last bits of product left in the bottle. However, it did amazing things for my skin. It works similarly with the toner, except this has added Centella, and the toner has the added niacinamide.
I received this courtesy of Style Korean and it was a great introduction to the brand. This is a pressed serum and applied like a cream, it had a lovely smell to it and I was pretty surprised by how much I liked it because I haven’t tried anything like it before. I used this as the second last step (before moisturiser), but I also found it moisturising enough that I didn’t even need moisturiser. My skin soaked this up and I was left with hydrated and smooth skin. You can read more about it here.
I won this in a giveaway and I had heard of this brand prior on IG. This was very nice, super hydrating and calming. It was in a vacuum pump which meant you can see the product getting closer and closer to finishing. I used about 3 pumps on my face and neck. It is 30ml and I was sad to see that I had gone through it so quickly. It has rice extract, propolis, caviar extract and more.
Amazing. I went through two bottles of this stuff and honestly it worked wonders for my skin as well. Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B (B3) that helps with scarring by reducing the appearance of blemishes and congestion! It also has Zinc in it which is another great ingredient. It’s an anti-inflammatory and works wonders for the skin when applied topically or ingested (vitamins/pills etc). Really good for helping to reduce scarring (TO’s Alpha Arbutin is another great recommendation for scarring from an IG friend, however I’m yet to try it because you can’t get it in Australia easily). I saw a massive difference in my overall complexion from this. You apply it before moisturiser and honestly such a staple if you suffer from scarring!
Moisturiser:
Loved this moisturiser, I would say it is a bit of a splurge given the price and size. Loved the texture as it’s a gel cream. Moisturising and great packaging, but sad to say it didn’t last very long. I wouldn’t use this as an everyday moisturiser because it is quite expensive IMO and I only got about less than 3 months use, I think just about 2 months or so use. When I first bought it, it was $46 and now it’s $49 
To read more about it, click here.
You all know I love Cosrx by now and this my favourite moisturiser from them so far. It’s very hydrating, smells fantastic and it just does a great job! Only fault is the packaging, though convenient, it struggles at dispensing the product as you finish the product. Quite affordable and good size. To read more about it, click here.
I got this off iHerb after searching for a new moisturiser. I wasn’t disappointed, I’ll tell you that. It’s quite light for a cream and really moisturising. They have a few different ones in the range depending on your skin type – prior to purchasing this I didn’t know so I got the one for combination skin whoops haha. But this still worked a treat on my skin. It is a bit smaller than expected – 80ml, but really good.
Honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of Neutrogena but I was pretty surprised by this one. Probably one of my favourite drugstore moisturisers. It comes in a handy sized flat tube and it’s oil free. It’s a cream and absorbs into the skin nicely and doesn’t leave the skin feeling oily or anything. Not too bad for the price and size either.
Bit more on the pricier side but I use a small size of this when I went overseas earlier this year and it was amazing. Has a nice scent to it and was really hydrating. Loved the texture of it, quite lightweight and it claims to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
SPF:
- Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA+++
I bought this from a Japanese store, similar to Amazon and the like. It was pretty affordable, but the shipping was expensive. I’ve seen it in the CBD and online, but it’s so overpriced. I know I said I didn’t have any favourite SPF’s but these two are probably the best I’ve used so far. I used this consistently for a month when I was overseas a few years ago and it’s amazing. Very lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast, nor does it leave your skin feeling oily/greasy. Great coverage and has a nice smell to it. Only down side with this is that some people claim that there’s a lot of alcohol in it which is why they steer clear of this one – with any product, use at your discretion.
After hearing so many reviews on this I had to try it. Cosrx is an amazing brand for troublesome skin and I’ve loved almost all their products that I’ve used. This is pretty good, high SPF, smells nice, has aloe and doesn’t leave any white cast or greasiness. It’s a cream as you can tell from the name and a little goes a long way. If you want to read more about this, click here.
Makeup remover:
I first bought this to try when it was on clearance at Coles. I had never tried a drugstore cleansing oil prior and I wasn’t too disappointed. It’s quite affordable and a good size as well. Removes makeup easily and my only concern is that I hated using this to remove my lip makeup because it felt so gross tasting – so I recommend using another makeup remover for lip makeup. Besides that it removed face makeup brilliantly.
I’ve tried the light version (linked) and I have bought the rich one as well that I’m yet to try out. This does cost a bit more than the Simple one, but a really nice cleansing oil as well. Great packaging – pump, and it has a lock as well to prevent it from spilling out accidentally (loved this function for when I took it travelling). Removes makeup well and didn’t mind it on my lips haha. I didn’t notice much brightening to be honest, but I probably didn’t use it enough (few times a week vs. daily) to see the brightening effects.
- 16 Brand Peach Soda Cleansing Balm
I got this from Mecca a while back, I think Yes Style stocks it now but I’m not too sure. Great introduction to cleansing balms and this one smelt amazing. It was around $22 I think and a good size. It comes with a mini spatula and a little goes a long way. Make sure you add some water when cleansing so it can emulsify and you get the full effects of it.
Sleeping mask:
I’ve tried a few sleeping masks but I think this one is the best. It’s a lightweight cream (a bit heavier than a gel) and absorbs into the skin nicely. It comes in a tub and smells nice as well. I liked using this a few times a week, especially when my skin felt like it needed more hydration. Fantastic product for winter and the tub is quite huge. I recommend using a little spatula to get the product out, or have very clean hands to maintain the cleanliness of the product. To read more about it, click here.
Exfoliator:
I love these peeling pads! I was introduced to them when I was at a media event and then later on I was lucky enough to be gifted it from a brand. There’s a lemon and green tea one in the range which targets different skincare concerns. I plan to try the others out in the future, given the success of this one. There’s 30 pads inside and this will last you at least 3 months because you only need to use it 2 times a week. How this works is you use the gauze side first which exfoliates the skin, then swap sides and use the soft side to wipe away any dead skin cells and stuff like that. This must be washed off or else you’re just leaving dead skin cells and dirt on your face. You then follow with the rest of your skincare routine. To read more about it, click here.
Acne:
Another great product from Cosrx. I have found these pimple patches (including the ones below) to be the best thing to treat pimples. I’ve tried tea tree oil, spot solutions, Benzac, but these are the most effective thing I’ve tried. Pop them on, go to sleep, peel off in the morning and you’ll see that it’s sucked out all the gunk from the pimple as you slept. These ones are a bit thicker than the two below, but just as effective.
These are amazing, they are sooo flat, it legit just blends into your skin. I wish there was an easier way to get them in Australia, because they are amazing. They have ones for spots (circle shaped) and they’ve got larger patches – which I cut to size. It seems they’ve changed the packaging and introduced newer patches. I much prefer the older packaging but it’s what’s on the inside that counts anyways.
- The Face Shop Dr Belmeur Clarifying Spot Hydrocolloid Band (from the Clarifying Spot Solution Kit) or Dr. Belmeur Clarifying Spot Plaster Band
I prefer the Hydrocolloid to the Spot Plaster, but you can’t purchase the Hydrocolloid separately from what I’ve seen in stores. They both do a great job though. The Spot Plaster is quite thin, similar to the Avarelle Cosmetics ones. The Spot Plaster is the cheapest of the three options as well, and you get 24.
What I want to share with you:
- Be patient
Everyone’s skincare journey is different, some take years and some take months. Be patient with results, nothing happens overnight.
- Be kind to yourself
We are our harshest critic and we’re used to what we look like everyday so we’re always picking out our own flaws. Be kind to yourself in this process and remember you are so much more than your appearance.
- Join skincare groups on Facebook or read about them on sites such as Reddit
I’m in a few groups on Facebook and they’re really helpful! These people know the go and are quite happy to help you with any problems you may have. It’s also a great place to find reviews, as well as give some of your own for products that people might be curious about. The one’s I’m in are Korean Beauty and Skincare, The Skincare Connection and The Ordinary and Deciem Chat Room. As for Reddit, I’m sure there are a few threads on there to do with skincare. I don’t have an account, nor do I view it a lot, but there are heaps of helpful advice on there from serious skincare junkies. Not sure on any of the thread names, but I’m sure you can easily find some skincare ones!
- Don’t compare yourself
This is soooo important, I know we all get caught up in how ‘beautiful’ someone may be because you perceive their beauty to be higher than yours, but stop comparing yourself to others! We are all on the same journey in life with different paths so don’t compare yourself. Celebrate and appreciate yourself for all that you are!!
- Drink and eat your water!
You’ve probably heard this a thousand times but stay hydrated! If you don’t like drinking water, eat high water content foods such as lettuce, cucumber, kiwi fruit and all that. Not only is water good for pretty much everything, but the foods have essential vitamins and minerals which help with your skin!
- Ask for help
If you’re not sure about something, don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from people online (like Facebook groups) or from your doctor. If you seek professional opinions, always go to a health professional like a doctor. If it’s a fairly general question like ‘what’s a good affordable cleanser for dry skin?’ those Facebook groups, Instagram beauty communities or Reddit skincare threads are great places to go. If you want to know the cause of your acne, please do not post photos and ask people about it, please seek a professional opinion. I’ve seen many posts in Facebook groups with people asking very personal questions when they should be directed to a professional. If you are wondering what the cause of your acne is, there are a number factors that are involved such as diet/allergies, environment, hormonal, etc. the people you ask online will not know your entire health history and cannot give you an educated answer. Doctors will be able to determine these things through blood tests or whatever else they may need to do to understand your situation. Please use your common sense with these kinds of things.
- Wash your hands before touching your face
Think about what your hands go through on a daily basis, all the dirt and bacteria it comes across and for you to be spreading that onto your face. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before washing your face.
- The typical – wash your pillow cases/towels/makeup brushes frequently
- Wash your face for 60 seconds
You get a much deeper and through clean when you do so. Use your knuckles to get into the bits on the side of your nose. If you’re not sure on the time, put a song on and then wash your hands, then wash your face. Before you know it, it’ll be 60 seconds and you’ll be left with a cleaner face.
- Skincare isn’t one size fits all
Find out what works for you and what doesn’t. I’ve tried some ‘holy grails’ before and they didn’t do anything for my skin. Like I said, everyone is different so don’t compare your routine to someone else’s either!
- Be consistent, also wear sunscreen and remove your makeup before sleep everyday
I have so much skincare knowledge that I’d love to leave you all with, but the post would be 10x longer, so I shall leave you with these last pieces of advice. Be consistent with your skin, you will see results if you keep at it. Some products take 12 weeks to work, whereas others take 4 weeks to work. You just have to be consistent with it in order to see the results you desire.
Wearing sunscreen when you go out is so essential. I wear sunscreen even though I’m in the sun for 2 minutes, prior to starting my 9 hour shift indoors. Sunscreen can also help with scarring, and of course it protects you from the suns rays. Don’t neglect this! I guarantee you’ll see results from using sunscreen consistently.
Lastly, remove your makeup (or your sunscreen) every time you wear it. A makeup wipe is not enough. You need to use a cleansing oil/balm/water/whatever that will really remove your makeup for good! The secret to great makeup is having a great skincare routine.
And that’s the end of this weeks post, thank you again if you’ve read this far and an even bigger thank you if you’ve read both posts. Sharing my experience is quite vulnerable but I hope it helps out anyone who may be dealing with the same issues. Acne will come and go, it’s temporary so be kind to yourself always.
A new post will be up next week!
With love,
*Products noted with an asterisk were gifted. I am not being paid to mention them in this blog post. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.
VQP. usu BEAUTY