Essence/Serum

I have always thought these 'essence/serum' products are gimmicks to lure women to buy more stuff.

I know better now after speaking to a professional esthetician. They are basically water based liquid to replenish our skin with H2O as well as other nourishment. In this modern times, we are so busy with our lives, be it career or family, that we just don't drink enough water. Soda and coffee don't count. As we all know, dehydration is never good.

So instead of trying to drink 8 glasses of water a day, which can be quite challenging when you are stressed out from work and the last thing on your mind is drinking water, you can use these essence/serum to help rehydrate your skin. They are usually very light and watery and it is absorbed quickly into your skin (from what I have tried).

I have started using these products and my skin has improved tremendously. However, it doesn't mean that I don't get pimples. My face can be smooth as a baby's bottom and I will have a big pimple sitting on my cheek. So what I am trying to say is that, based on my experience, rehydrating your skin with essence/serum will make your skin supple and radiant but it doesn't do anything to pimples.

I have tried a few already, mostly samples and I'll review them soon.

Origins

Before I knew of Sephora, which is like a candy store to me, I only use Origins because they claim to be all natural and I didn't trust drugstore brand. Honestly, I just didn't know much of other brands and I was afraid of trying new brands lest it will cause massive breakouts on my face. So I stucked to what I knew.

I have tried many of the Origins products and most of them are just okay. They didn't cause me to breakout but they didn't give me a miracle either. I guess I am asking too much. So here are a list of the products I have used. I'm just gonna do a quick yay or nay.

Have a nice day



It is very gentle and moisturizing without being too greasy.

Youthtopia



It is too rich for me as a day cream. I gave it to my mother and she loved it.

A perfect world



Again, it is very gentle and it has a very pleasant smell to it too. It is moisturizing without being too greasy but it doesn't have SPF.

High Potency Night-a-Min



This is my favorite product from Origins. It has a wonderful citrus smell, which I love. It is rich and nourishes your skin while you sleep, leaving your skin so soft and supple when you wake up the next morning. It's a must try.

Eye doctor



While I have used many jars of this, I didn't see much difference. It moisturizes without being too greasy but it didn't reduce any of my undereye dark circle. I don't have crow's feet so I can't say if it works or not.

A perfect world for eyes



Like most eye creams I have used, they claim to do a lot of stuff but all they really do is just moisturize. This one is not greasy though.

No puffery



I don't know why I bought. I don't really have puffy eyes so I can't say if it really works or not.

A perfect world



Hmm... I don't remember much of this product. I guess that says a lot. It wasn't bad and it wasn't amazing.

Never a dull moment



I like the smell of this scrub. It's very gentle and leaves my skin smooth after use but the smoothness doesn't last long though. I never even finish my first jar.

Modern Friction



This scrub is more heavy duty than the Never a dull moment so it make my skin feel kinda raw when scrubbing but my skin feels very smooth after use.

Clear Improvement



This is one of my favorite products from Origins. It really sucked out all the oil and dirt from my pores. When the mask dries on your skin, it can get a little tight but after you wash it off, your skin will feel like baby's bottom. I have used two tubes and still using. One tube lasts a long time because you don't need much.

Anyways I think this is it. The post is starting to get way too long.

Makeup Remover

I don't wear a lot of makeup but I regularly use eyeliner and mascara. Those are hard to remove if you don't have a good makeup remover. And because it's my eyes, I didn't want to just use any makeup remover so after doing some research, I decided on natural Origins Well Off fast and gentle eye makeup remover.



This product does what it says it will do. It is very gentle to my eyes and effectively removes my eyeliner and mascara. After using two bottles, I decided to find something cheaper and works just as well.

Face Wash

One of the cleansers I have used in the past is the Origins Checks and Balances froth face wash.



I like the face wash because it cleans really well. It removes makeup completely and leaves my skin squeaky clean. However, the cleanser dries out my skin and makes my skin feels uncomfortably tight. I have to race to my toner right after I washed my face to relieve that tightness. After using two tubes, I can't take the tightness anymore so I switched to something less drying.

Acne Treatment

Occasionally, I do get pimples from stress and my once-a-months.

When the time arises, I always go to my trusty MD Skincare All-over Blemish Solution.



It's a little expensive but you really get what you pay for. It really really works. Whenever I feel like one is coming, I just dab some and the next day it is gone. And for the ones that has already surfaced, I can see dramatic reduction in the redness overnight.

I have tried other drugstore brands such as Clean and Clear as well as Neutrogene acne treatment and they never work on my skin. They either do nothing or make it worse.

Suncare

For my convenience, I usually prefer to use moisturizers that has at least SPF15. But sometimes that is not enough, especially when you're in Hawaii for your honeymoon. :D

My face generally don't react very well to sunscreen. I will break out.

So when I discover Lancaster Sun Care SPF30, I was delighted. It was gentle, non-greasy and it doesn't cause my skin to break out. I love it.



On the plus side, I got a wonderful tan from my honeymoon in Hawaii without getting burnt.

Basics

Thanks to my parents, I am very conscious about the food I put in my stomach as well as the stuff I slather on my skin. I always try to use products that are more natural. I tend to lean towards products that are plant/fruit-based.

I wouldn't say I have tried everything under the sun when it comes to the basic skincare products - cleanser, toner and moisturizer, but I think I have tried enough to know what works on my skin.

Currently, I am using the botanically-based, preservative-free Boscia skincare line. This is one of the natural skincare line that is not only gentle, but also works. Here is the list of products that I am using or have used:

Clear Complexion Cleanser with Botanical Blast

I like this cleanser a lot. It has a gel-like texture and it foams up really well, which I like. It leaves my skin really clean without over-drying. I don't usually wear heavy makeup so the cleanser removes makeup very well, for me at least.

Clear Complexion Tonic with Botanical Blast

This toner features a mist spray and I am not a big fan. I feel like I waste a lot of products with my accidental sprays everywhere but my face. Other than that, the product is just okay.

Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15

Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15

Of the two day moisturizers I have tried, I definitely prefer the Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15. I have oily skin so the Rice Bran Oil in the Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15 only makes it worse. The Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15 is not very heavy, which I like, especially for the hot days during summer.

Recharging Night Moisture

I like the night cream very much. It nourishes and leaves me skin really smooth and supple the next morning.

Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment

Even though the eye cream doesn't really do what it claims it will do, I like how it feels on my skin. It's not too greasy and it has a really smooth gel-like texture. I have to say it moisturizes well but other than that, I don't see my dark circles getting better.

Clear Complexion Treatment with Botanical Blast

This so-called treatment doesn't do anything for me at all. I still get pimples. Maybe you'll have better luck with it than me.

Anyways that's all for now.