Results ^-^

Products always have ingredient names like “salicylic acid” or “glycolic acid”. Seriously, what do they mean? What am I supposed to buy? Will they have any side effects on my skin? In this article, I will talk about which ingredients are recommended for different skin types. Dry and Sensitive Skin Flakiness on the skin is troubling, especially during the winter times. Most of the time, exfoliating routinely can help remove dead skin and make the skin smooth. However, having sensitive skin simultaneously can be difficult as sensitive skin reacts easily to exfoliators. Chamomile, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides are the most suitable ingredients for dry and sensitive skin. Please note that peptides are recommended for mostly adults above their twenties. The ingredients listed above are hydrating and soothing, which is great for dry and sensitive skin. I recommend incorporating a mist, toner, emulsion, or essence into your skincare routine aside from just cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF for the extra layer of moisturization. Aside from those ingredients, I recommend sealing all the products with petroleum jelly such as Vaseline to bring back moisture to the skin. 2. Aging Skin (Wrinkles or Fine Lines) Aging is a natural process, so there is no need to worry about fine lines. However, if you are hoping to embrace the youthful look again, then vitamin C, retinol, collagen, peptides, and SPF are recommended. SPF not only protects the skin from skin cancer, but it also maintains youthful skin for the long term if worn and used properly daily. I recommend using an SPF 50 for the best results. Aside from SPF, I recommend wearing a vitamin C serum or cream or using a vitamin C sheet mask before applying SPF to maximize the bright, radiant, and youthful results. The acids in vitamin C oxidize the skin, which soothes fine lines. Vitamin C can be used in the morning or at night, but I recommend wearing vitamin C in the morning as it protects your skin from environmental pollution. Retinol is the most recommended ingredient for wrinkles or aging skin, as it boosts collagen production which helps maintain the skin’s youthfulness and elasticity from the moisture. I recommend using a retinol serum or cream at night, as applying it during the daytime can cause access sun damage. Collagen production produces hydration which boosts the skin’s elasticity, maintaining the smooth skin. Collagen can be used as a product, but many have reported that taking collagen supplements helped them maintain the liveliness of their skin. Please reach out to your health consultant before taking collagen supplements, as supplements are not suitable for everyone and can cause side effects for those with medical conditions. Peptides are amazing at moisturizing the skin, which prevents too many wrinkles from forming. Peptide mists, serums, and creams make your skin as soft and smooth as freshly baked buns from the bakery. Please keep in mind that the ingredients can only yield anti-aging effects if used correctly and consistently every day. Oily and Sensitive Skin Green tea, niacinamide, and watery moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid are the key to oily and sensitive skin. Green tea reduces the excess amount of shine on the skin while hydrating. Niacinamide has always been amazing at balancing the amount of sebum my skin produces. Both of these ingredients are sensitive-skin-friendly. Acne-prone skin Due to hormonal changes, stress, pollution, or diet, acne may occur. I understand how frustrating it can be to break out with pimples on a day with an exciting event. My top recommendations for acne-prone skin are salicylic acid, niacinamide, benzol peroxide, azelaic acid, and aloe vera. Please note that niacinamide is suitable for oily acne-prone skin, but not so helpful for dry skin. Benzol peroxide produces fast short-term results, but it dries up the sebum in the skin quickly, so I recommend using a hydrating toner or essence before application and a moisturizing cream after. Salicylic acid is exfoliating which can help with acne caused by clogged pores. So far, a salicylic acid serum is my top recommendation. Azelaic acid is an underrated skincare ingredient for acne. Acne from clogged pores mostly occurs when the pore closes with the pollution inside. Likewise, azelaic acid helps keep the pores open so it does not close with the bacteria and pollution, which helps minimize acne. Although aloe vera is not usually clinically prescribed, it is great for soothing the skin from irritation. If your acne often burns or causes inflammation, then applying an aloe vera gel or spraying an aloe vera mist is your top pick. Acne-scars Having marks that just won’t disappear from popper pimples is severely frustrating. Vitamin C, glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, and AHAs are beneficial at fading the post-acne marks away. However, I recommend only using one of those ingredients at a time to prevent excessive exfoliation which can damage the skin barrier leading to irritation and flakeness. The ingredients listed are exfoliating and brightening, which is how they brighten up the scars. Balanced Skin Congratulations! Your skin is healthy and in good condition. The only ingredients I recommend are SPF to protect and maintain, glycerin in gentle skin cleansers, and ceramides or hyaluronic acid for further hydration. Please note that I am not a dermatologist. This article was written based on my personal experience and experiments with skincare ingredients and hearing feedback from my peers. Therefore, if your skin condition is crucial, then I suggest you talk to your doctor or clinician for a prescribed treatment. I hope this article helped you choose the right ingredient for you! Sincerely, Grace <3

Oily skin can be a pain to maintain, especially when the oil melts away your makeup. Today, I will share tips from personal experience on how to reduce the amount of oil from your skin daily. 1. Stay Hydrated and Drink Plenty of Water! Photo from The Benefits of Staying Hydrated | Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.kelsey-seybold.com/your-health-resources/blog/the-benefits-of-staying-hydrated Have you ever noticed that your skin produces so much more oil when you have not drunk water in a day? Oily skin may be due to dehydrated skin. Therefore, try to drink a 2L minimum of water daily. 2. Use Skincare Products with Green Tea in the Ingredients Green tea hydrates the skin which helps restrict the amount of oil produced. When going shopping for skincare products next time, try to look for products that contain green tea. I love using a green tea toner, as it provides moisture and soothes my skin, leaving it soft. I observed that after applying a green tea toner, my makeup stayed on and not much oil was produced compared to not applying a green tea toner. 3. Use Skincare Products with Niacinamide in the Ingredients Niacinamide balances the skin which prevents too much extra oil from producing. Apart from controlling sebum production, I noticed that my long-term acne for years has cleared up after continuously using a niacinamide serum. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum cleared up the papules and pustules on my face after three months of usage. Currently, I am using the Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum, which has been maintaining my skin's oil production perfectly. 4. Use a Hydrating Toner You might be wondering why I am encouraging plenty of hydration on top of such oily skin, but using hydrating products replaces the unbalanced amount of sebum produced by your skin. Therefore, if soothing products provided plenty of moisture, the extra sebum would have a lower chance of producing as there are hydrating oils already on your skin. Toners may seem unnecessary, but they provide the hydration that your skin lacks, which replaces the sebum production in an attempt to balance out the skin’s moisture. I recommend the Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner, the CORSX Cantella Water Alchohol-Free Toner, and the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. 5. Use a Lightweight Moisturizer I have often seen people skipping moisturizer and just calling it a day with a toner or serum. However, the truth is if your oily and unbalanced skin lacks more moisture, then skipping a moisturizer can cause the skin to go more dehydrated and unbalanced, causing it to produce more oil in the long term. The trouble is, in my experience, heavy creams made my skin so oily that I looked like a greasy pizza slice. After many trials, I found that lightweight lotions or moisturizers gave the most benefits to my unbalanced skin. They provide just enough moisture to prevent too much extra sebum from producing and leave my skin feeling soft and plump. I recommend the Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer, The INKEY List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer, the Naturie Hatomugi Moisturizing Gel, and the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. 6. Cut Down Fast Food I recommend reducing the amount of unhealthy food intake such as milk chocolate, pizza, burgers, and cupcakes. I am a big fan of pizza, but after a whole box, my skin drips with oil the next morning. Eating too much-processed food may be the cause of why your skin is oily in the morning. Our gut health affects our skin health, therefore, your diet plays a huge role in your skin journey. I understand that it is very difficult to quit processed food as I love cupcakes and crave them a lot, so I recommend only replacing some processed foods with healthy oils and fats such as salmon, bananas, and nuts. For instance, I limit myself to eating processed foods for only three meals a week, while for the rest I try to eat baked salmon, avocado salads, tomato and eggs, multi-grain rice, and chicken noodle soup. Please keep in mind that I am not a professional dermatologist. The information in the article is from my personal experiences. We all have different skins, so some tips may not work for you. I hope that the suggestions in this article have helped your oily skin journey! Sincerely, Grace <3

Hi! Have you been struggling to find toners that do not irritate your skin? I feel you! My skin is sensitive to fragrance and many chemicals. I have done much research online through beauty blogs on finding the correct toner for sensitive skin, but most of them resulted in irritation. After testing and using many products for a long period, I concluded that the five listed toners are the best for my incredibly sensitive skin. Today, I will recommend the top five toners that are great for sensitive skin! Please note that not everyone’s skin is identical, so some of the products listed below may not be your preference. The products included are based on my personal experience with sunburns and a damaged skin barrier. Anua - Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner If you want instant hydration that soothes tired skin, then this toner is for you! The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner made my skin incredibly soft after only three uses. When my skin becomes exhausted and starts breaking out after a long day of wearing heavy makeup, patting in the Anua toner before bed helps with skin recovery. My skin instantly becomes soft and glowing the next morning with the breakouts reduced. I highly recommend this toner to those who have acne-prone sensitive skin. ROUND LAB - 1025 Dokdo Toner Want to exfoliate but not irritate your sensitive skin? The Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is your top pick! This toner was my saviour as someone with skin that burns straightway after using a scrub, exfoliating toner, or polish. I understand how difficult it is to want to remove dead skin without creating a burning sensation on such sensitive skin. The Round Lab toner helps gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while providing moisture. My skin feels soft, hydrated, and refreshed after one use. If you want to use the 1024 Dokdo Toner, then I recommend pouring some on a soft cotton pad and gently wiping it in one direction on the face. This toner is perfect for exfoliation and hydration for sensitive skin. La Roche Posay - Physiological Soothing Toner My favourite drugstore toner! During the summer, my skin often gets red and reacts to any product applied. However, the La Roche Posay Physiological Soothing Toner instantly calms my skin and reduces redness. When my skin reacted to creams, lotions, and cleansers, it did not react to this toner. If you have a damaged skin barrier or sunburn, I encourage you to consider putting the La Roche Posay Physiological Soothing Toner into your shopping cart on your next drugstore trip. Naturie - Hatomugi Skin Conditioner Sick of looking at the high prices of the best toners? Do not worry! The Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner comes with a huge amount at a decent price. Patting this toner into the skin in the morning and at night made my skin as soft as mochi! This toner is the most moisturizing toner I have used and does not irritate or provoke my skin after having a damaged skin barrier. If you are looking for a budget-friendly immediate moisturization after a long day, then the Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner is for you! ETUDE HOUSE - Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner The period of life with a damaged skin barrier is difficult as everything burns! The Etude House Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner is your best friend during this time. This fragrance-free toner helps the process of skin recovery and provides the hydration needed. If your skin is sensitive to a point where it reacts to any cleanser, then I highly recommend the Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner to be by your side during this hard time. Overall, the best toners for sensitive skin are fragrance-free, hydration-restoring, and calming. The products are based on my recommendations and experiences with sunburns, damaged skin barrier from too much exfoliation, and genetic and long-term sensitive skin type. I hope this mini article helped you choose a toner suitable for your sensitive skin! Sincerely, Grace <3

Hi! Spring is here! I love wearing blushes that remind me of flowers and blossoms. Blush is my favourite makeup product as it brings my face to life. Today, I will be recommending my top five favourite blushes for spring! Lilybyred - Luv Beam Cheek Balm The Lilybyred cream blush is easy to apply and blends in naturally. The shades are gorgeous! They match the spring colour palette perfectly. Regardless of its dewy texture, the blush lasts an entire day even after working out! My favourite part of this product is that it is price-friendly. You can buy multiple shades and use them depending on the place or theme. If you are a huge fan of natural makeup looks, then the Lilybyred blush is for you! 2. Rare Beauty - Soft Pinch Liquid Blush This trendy blush blends smoothly and comes in matte or dewy. It is very pigmented so one drop can create a vibrant effect for a themed spring look. The blush also lasts for an entire day. The Bliss, Encourage, and Love shades are my personal favourites to apply on top of my cheekbones. This blush is a must-have for your next date night! 3CE - Mood Recipe Face Blush Very pigmented blushes are useful, but sometimes I want to achieve a natural and light blush that is not too pigmented. Applying the 3CE Mood Recipe Face Blush looks like waking up after a relaxing and refreshing hot bath. I love to apply this blush to my cheekbones while applying the Lilybyred Luv Beam Cheek Balm on my cheeks. This product is my favourite powder blush, especially on rainy or cold days in spring. Flower Knows - Strawberry Rococo Embossed Blush Can we first talk about the design of the product? The illustration printed on the blush is divine, and the packaging reminds me of a castle surrounded by strawberry bushes. Using the blush will make you feel like an ethereal princess living in a castle in an imaginary world! Aside from the beautiful packaging that caught my attention, the product itself is pricey, but it is worth the price. The blush is easy to apply and brings an elegant and matte look. The colours are natural, and perfect for spring. I recommend this blush for your next tea party or brunch. Glossier - Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush If you are looking for a dewy blush for the hydrated spring look, then the Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush is for you! This blush does not dry the skin and brings a natural and radiant look. Blush is an essential part of any spring makeup look, so I hope this short article helped you choose a blush to put in your shopping cart! Sincerely, Grace <3