My Masking Routine

I love to buy masks. Unlike the other skincare products such as toner or moisturiser where you have to stick to one till you finish the bottle, you can try different masks anytime you like! I think masks can be classified into a few groups: Hydrating, Cleansing, Whitening, Anti-ageing. With so many masks, how do I decide when to use which?

Let me share with you my secret! (OK, given that I am not very very fair or have very very beautiful complexion, this is not a skincare secret. It's just THE secret to managing your masks and utilising what you have bought without going nuts over the scheduling :p)

Firstly I have read/heard so many times that the key to good skin is in fact hydration. Without sufficient hydration, the other skincare products will not work well no matter how good they are. What a skincare expert advised was to make sure your skin is well-hydrated after sun exposure, in order to minimize tanning. In addition, as whitening products are usually at least a bit agitating (the level of agitation depends on how 'powerful' its whitening effect is), we should avoid using whitening products too soon after sun exposure. So, since I am so afraid of the sun nowadays, my mask routine is built around this. Being a mother of two young boys, I end up out under the hot sun at least one morning a week, say Monday. Thus:

Sunday - hydrating mask

Monday - hydrating mask

If the sun was very strong &/or I was under the sun for a long time:
Tuesday - hydrating mask

Wednesday - whitening mask 

Thursday -anti-ageing mask

Friday - take a break!

Saturday - might do a clay mask, which is more troublesome cos it's usually a wash-off mask instead of a sheet mask

If the sun wasn't that strong:
Tuesday - whitening mask

Wednesday - anti-ageing mask

Thursday - take a break!

Friday/Saturday - clay mask or do a DIY mask for fun :p

Other than masks, I make sure I don't exfoliate my skin before I go out into the sun, so that I won't be exposing 'tender' skin to the Burner. So if I plan to go for an outdoor activity on Monday, I won't do exfoliation on Saturday & Sunday. The exfoliator I use is supposed to be used in the morning, so I try to do it on days when I won't be going out at all, or maybe only have to walk from home to carpark. And of course, I have some cheaper masks and some expensive masks, so on days of very horrigible exposure, I use the atas one! And on 'mild' days I use the cheaper ones. Given that I use masks so often, I can't afford to use expensive masks all the time! Shall share the masks I have tried in another post soon : )

My Suncare Regime

[Before I start on this topic proper, I just wanna rant about something. Been watching a lot of 女人我最大 on Youtube. They often have artistes who are 40+ years old and sorta compare them to the 20-somethings. Often, when they 'analyse' area by area (e.g. the neck, then the eye area, then the hands.. etc), the 40-somethings come out on top because they really diligently do skincare and maintenance/repair (not necessarily invasive treatments, just that they are very regular in their nightly routines etc). BUT still, when I look at them on the whole, it's still quite obvious who is younger. Thus I have concluded that with even proper skincare, we can only look better than those of the same age group, but not better than those who are really younger. I wonder why. I am guessing it's because of subtle sagging of the skin. By the way, do you know even the facial bones i.e. facial structure sags? SIGH. So if you don't even do proper skincare, it might not be evident now as you might still have youth on your side. (I almost wrote 'we might still have youth' but I think I shall not kid myself.), but it will be very obvious by the time you are in your 40s.]

OK, now on to the sun. ALL skincare experts point to the sun as the number one cause of visible signs of ageing, known as photoageing. And I really do believe this, cos I have never come across a single article/post which claims otherwise. I have always been very disciplined in applying sunblock. I think since my early 20s, there has not been a single day when I fail to apply sunblock after washing my face in the morning. (Then why did I spend all those Sundays at Siloso Beach under the hot scorching sun??? ARGH! Blame it on beach volleyball! But even then, I was reapplying sunblock very often. But I still got very tanned though seldom sunburnt. No regrets la, cos I had a lot of fun then. But I wonder how much effort, money and time I have to spend now to reverse minimize the damage caused during my reckless youth.)

Even then, I have further finetuned my battle strategies against the sun recently. Since sunblock is so important and it is a common culprit in causing clogged pores &/or blackheads, it is important to use a trustable brand. I am now using Laneige Oil-Free Sunblock but I will be switching to Kiehls when I finish the current tube. This is because while the Laneige one is SPF 35 and PA++, the Kiehls one is SPF 50 and PA+++. Actually, I think as long as the SPF is above 30 and there is some PA protection, it should be good enough for normal use (i.e. mainly indoors). But since I am already using Kiehls products, I shall just choose the one that has higher 'powers' la :p And it's also oil-free by the way.

As I am usually busy with the boys once I wake up, I used to take my morning shower only around 10am, after I fed them, cleaned up, cleaned the house etc cos I didn't want to perspire again after the shower. But that meant I didn't get to wash my face and apply the all-important sunblock till 10am! The sun's killer rays are very strong in the morning, especially at the balcony area where the boys play with their trains. CANNOT! (no point just washing face first and bathing later cos most of the time in the bathroom is spent on the face anyway) So now I try to take my shower as soon as possible after I wake up (i.e. after they wake me up) - give them their milk then I dash to the bathroom liao. Minimize minimize the time I am 'naked'!! 

Do you get to wake up late? If so, make sure you close your curtains completely! Otherwise the sun will attack you while you are still sleeping 'naked'! I used to sometimes leave a gap, especially since my hubby likes to let the wind in. But now, it's a no-no! 

I also re-apply sunblock diligently when I am outside. If I go to a shopping mall or other indoor places with no direct exposure to the sun and I have bb cream/makeup on, I will pat on powder before exiting (cos even in the car/taxi, there is still sun hor). But this is only SPF 25.. and because it's a powder, I don't really trust its sun-protective abilities.. Because I want my sunblock to be a lot and thick thick.. Thick powder is ugly lah.. might as well don't put makeup if ugly lor.. Laneige has a powder with SPF 50+ and PA+++, but it's still a powder lor.. (and dunno why it's under the Suncare category but not the makeup category on their website..)

So when I really need maximal sun protection, such as when I bring the boys out for outdoor activities, I give up short-term beauty for long-term beauty :p I will not use any bb cream/makeup, so that I can just liberally slather on more sunblock every 1-2 hours. Because otherwise, how to reapply sunblock on top of bb cream/makeup ah? I googled it and the best answer I got was to reapply powder with spf... not good enough for me. 

The amount of sunblock is important too. Too much sunblock MIGHT cause clogged pores etc, but too little sunblock CONFIRMED will cause photoageing! So when you apply sunblock, make sure you squeeze/pour out a lot a lot! Apply generously on your face and neck and décolletage. 

As for the body, I am lazier la. When I am not going out, I don't apply sunblock at all, just a regular whitening moisturiser. When I do go out, I use Nivea moisturiser with SPF 25. But when I will be under the sun for extended periods, I apply Sunplay SkinAqua, SPF 50+ and PA+++. It's suitable for the face as well and it's waterproof, so I also use this when I go swimming. 

Lastly, my Palmers lip balm has SPF 15. I tried to use a hand cream which had SPF, but I couldn't find one which I liked. So now I TRY to apply the waterproof sunblock first, then I use regular hand cream. But I admit I tend to forget. Neither do I apply sunblock on my legs (unless for swimming or very-out-in-the-sun activities). Argh. I know I am being lazy and a few years later I will probaby regret it and then have to spend more effort + time + money to rectify this : /

Oh yes! Physical blockage is in fact the best, i.e. caps/hats/sunglasses/clothes. I have bought a couple of hats and also one sun-protective long-sleeved top. Things to note: the hats should have wide wide brims and cover your neck and ears. If possible, do get special hats which are sun protective (actually quite common and easy to find - I bought one at BHG Bugis Junction for $26). The sunglasses should be big too and cover your eyes well plus a good part of your face. Can't remember the term, but the sunglasses should be of good quality and can block the rays in order to protect your eyeballs too.   

Don't worry about looking strange wearing a big hat and big sunglasses... I will be wearing them too! And the more of us start to wear them, the less strange we will be! (think Japan)   
 

Blackheads vs Photoageing - OCM

Sometimes I feel quite paiseh to blog about skincare stuff, cos I am no expert and I thought, who would want to read?? But recently, I have heard a few friends telling me they have been 'inspired' to work harder at their skincare..! And that is inspiring to me to write more! : ) Urmm, but of course, often I am lazy to blog :p

Very often I hear friends expressing concern about their pores &/or blackheads. It was my main concern from my teens to a couple of years ago. Not that I no longer have this problem, just that I decided that after more than ten years of trying all sorts of methods (cheap products, expensive products, weekly facials, etc), I felt that it was time to accept there was nothing I could do about it except maybe more invasive treatments. In addition to the cost, I don't really like invasive treatments cos will become dependent on them.. there's no going back. Anyway, I no longer believe in anything that claims to be pore minimizing.

But since I am so into skincare nowadays, I googled the topic again. Read that blackheads are caused by oxidized oil, and the triggers are usually too much or wrong skincare products (especially sunblock as it is a thicker texture) &/or makeup. I don't use makeup very often, and I already had blackheads waaaaay before I even started using makeup at all. As for skincare, while I can't say the same for my earlier skincare regimes, now I am confident that I am using good products (mainly Laneige & Kiehls) and using them as recommended. So my conclusion is the only possible cause left is too much sunblock (I am obssessed with sunblock. Shall do a separate post on suncare soon.), since even good-quality sunblock is still thicker than most other skincare products.

But then, sunblock is to minimize photoageing. So, between blackheads which will likely go away by themselves in another ten years' time (as I get older and skin becomes less oily) and photoageing (read: wrinkles, age spots, sagging, etc), I choose blackheads!! Bring on the sunblock, more please!

[On the other hand, it's quite likely that the effectiveness of the anti-blackheads products I used was limited by my lifestyle, namely late nights. Perhaps if I try them again now with my new sleeping habits (in bed by 11pm on most nights), I might find they work better. But then, how many people can really sleep so early ah? No doubt that if I further improve my daily habits, such as eating more vegetables and less junk food and cut out soft drinks etc, I will find that my skin will improve accordingly and skincare products will all start to work miraculously. But that's not going to happen anytime soon.... Being a sahm with two young kids is too stressful.. and boring.. and... so I need happy food to keep me going.. I remember when I was pregnant with my first child and I was still working, my happy food were things like Din Tai Fung lunch. Now my happy food can only be tidbits lor... Sigh, perhaps one day when the kids are older I can make myself be disciplined again. (There was a time when I cut out all carbonated drinks cos I didn't want to affect my stamina as a runner, and a time when I cut out all sugared drinks for general health purposes. Oh well.)

Anyway, so whatever skincare products I use have to be effective based on my current lifestyle, and not on some unrealistic far-fetched healthy lifestyle :P]

Then what can we do about blackheads? At my facial a few days ago, my beautician commented (as usual) that I had many blackheads. I asked her what I could do about them, and she replied that I should keep the area (i.e. my nose) hydrated. Same as what I have read thus far, she said that the skin produces more oil to compensate when it feels dehydrated.

That seems to be accurate for me in terms of my general skin condition. Since I started focusing more on hydration (by switching to Laneige which is a very hydration-focused brand), my t-zone has become less oily. (But then, ageing also means less oily. So I don't know whether the reduced oiliness is a good sign or a bad sign!) While in the past I wouldn't hesitate to say my skin is combination of very oily t-zone and normal/dry cheeks, nowadays I usually say combination of dry cheeks and t-zone is a little oily. In fact I have started using the same moisture cream on my cheeks and forehead, to prevent wrinkles on the forehead, while using a lighter moisturiser for my nose and chin.

Of course, despite the reduced oiliness, I STILL have many blackheads on my nose. So.... I really don't know what to think la! I guess it's a deep rooted problem (of more than 15 years!!) and not something which simple hydration can solve. Never mind, since I am resigned to it anyway.

But but but! I have come across something which I will be trying very soon. It's called the Oil Cleansing Method and it is NOT as simple as using cleansing oil as facial cleanser (I have been using and loving cleansing oil for many many years.) The secret to this OCM is apparently castor oil. But because castor oil is very drying for the skin, I have to mix it with another oil. Will update again after I try!

[Warning/Disclaimer: If you are intrigued and would like to try this yourself, please read up read up read up first! Don't try just based on this little bit of info here hor! While I came across many reviews which said OCM was very effective, there were also numerous reviews which said OCM caused bad reactions. Personally I am going to start with a lower concentration of castor oil then gradually go up. Furthermore my skin is very elephant and not the sensitive type at all - I don't get pimples or acne or redness or whatever. That's why I can garung garung try! Please be careful!]

New Self-care Habits

Ever since my skincare reawakening, I have managed to cultivate a few good habits!

For going out:
Spf lip balm. And I do remember to reapply! : )
Sunblock on hands.
[I tried a hand cream with spf, but there were limited choices. I bought one from Etude House in the end, but the fragrance was too overwhelming. Don't like. Clarins also has a hand cream which comes with spf, but it's freakingly expensive ($40!!) and somehow I just don't like Clarins packaging.]

Before bed:
Lip balm (no spf). I apply a liberal amount for overnight moisturisation.

Cuticle cream/oil on fingernails & toenails.
Hand moisturiser followed by gloves.
Foot moisturiser followed by socks.
Body moisturiser.

Body whitening serum after bath at night.

Spf body moisturiser after bath in the morning.

Skincare
I have always applied quite a few products after washing my face in the morning and at night, so it was easy to just continue this routine. (cleanser, toner, moisturiser, sunscreen in the morning - been doing this without fail everyday for at least 12 years). But now I put more thought into which products to use - e.g. I try to keep to just one or two brands/ranges instead of mix & match, and have added a few more treatment products.

[Personally I believe this will provide better 'coverage' cos the brand would have tried to 'cover' every 'need' within the range. But Brand A might have included more 'clarifying' in its toner, while Brand B might have done so for its cleanser. Something like that la. So by keeping to 1-2 ranges, there would be less repetition or 'loopholes'. I have also read that as different brands use different chemicals &/or preservatives, you will expose your skin to more types of chemicals &/or preservatives the more you mix & match.

Another reason why I limit the number of brands I buy from - it's easier to collect points! Then I get to redeem freebies! From my experience at Laneige counter, I realise it's also good to be on familiar and friendly terms with the counter girl.. even more freebies! Oh ya, it also reduces my tendency to anyhow buy.. For instance when I read magazines, I sorta skip over the recommended products from other brands. Right now I am using mainly Laneige and Kiehls - Laneige for the basic skincare because they are reasonably priced for a beauty counter brand, and Kiehls because of positive feedback from friends & online reviews and because Laneige doesn't have 'high tech' treatment stuff.]

Anywayz. It might look like I am applying a lot of things at bedtime. But it's actually not difficult once I got into the habit. And it takes no more than 10 minutes. And I am feeling happier because of the love & care I am showing myself! : )

My Cheapo Mask!

I bought this from Watsons as I was attracted by the price. Usually I would buy established skincare brands like Neutrogena or L'oreal if I wanted to save money, and at the original price of $15 for six pieces of Watsons brand masks, I wouldn't think it was worthwhile. But at $5 per box, it seemed a steal!

Tried it last night, and I like it! It's stated on the packaging that each sheet comes with 30ml of essence, and indeed the mask was very wet. When I saw the mask, I was already quite happy that it came with the part for the eyes as well. It's foldable, so you can choose to fold it down if you prefer to spend the 20 minutes doing something else. I usually do that cos most masks only have holes where the eyes are, but since this was a rare treat for my eyes, I just closed my eyes and rested for 20 minutes : )

When it was time to remove the mask, I was again pleasantly surprised. Unlike other masks which I had tried, this was no longer dripping by the time I removed it. Which means that the essence had been absorbed by my face right? : ) By the way, if you have a habit of leaving sheet masks on your face for longer than the recommended duration, I read that the essence would end up being re-absorbed by the sheet... So do keep to the recommended duration!

I had intended to put the sheet mask on my neck after removing from my face. But it was too dry to stay put by then. So I just poured out the remaining essence from the packaging and massaged onto my face and neck. Don't forget to take good care of your neck too!

[The other new mask which I tried recently was the Laneige Water Bank Double Moisture Mask. It was very wet too, but it was still wet when I removed it. I massaged the liquid into my face but the next morning, my face felt rather 'caked', as if the essence had remained on the surface of my skin.]

I also bought a few other boxes of different masks from Watsons, either $5 per box or even just $2! But I would not review each individually here, unless they are exceptionally good or bad :p 

Skincare Essentials

Is this going to become a beauty blog? Definitely not! I am no expert and have no expertise to share, and my complexion is not so fantastic that people want to know my 'secrets'. But since I am reading more on this topic, I would like to share what I learn with my friends and especially my sister (because sis, skincare is really more important than makeup!). Ultimately I am still just a housewife with limited budget, no sponsored items, no freebies. Can't compare to those bloggers out there who look so pretty and seem to have unlimited finances/sponsorship to be able to review so many items and/or attend so many workshops. And of course, I will still be blogging about my life as a SAHM with two young children (soon-to-be-three) and my complaints about them :P I would be really keen to read other mummies' blogs if you come across any who also talk about skincare. Please let me know!

Let me list the items which I think every woman should own (and use!!):

Facial cleanser (actually, I think need two cleansers for double cleansing purpose)
Facial toner
Facial moisturiser (unless you have very dry skin, you probably need another richer moisturiser for the neck too)
Facial sunscreen
Exfoliator/scrub
Face mask
Eye cream
Eye mask
Sunscreen for eyes if the facial sunscreen is not suitable for use in eye area
Body scrub (I assume everyone has a soap thingy for cleaning purpose la. This list is for the 'extras')
Body moisturiser
Body sunscreen (if your body moisturiser doesn't come with spf. But if it does, then need another one without spf for night use)
Foot scrub (unless your body scrub is strong enough to tackle the thick skin on feet)
Foot moisturiser (same as above)
Hand moisturiser with spf for day use
Hand moisturiser without spf for night use
Lip balm (same, one with spf and one without)

OK, fellow comrades, have I left out anything? (help me educate my sister)

Actually, I have already left out all the things for nail care and hair care. No special reason, only because I am not bothered about them at the moment, and if I start thinking about them, I will go mad.

Other items which I also like very much but did not include in the Essentials:
Lip scrub (but I use my facial scrub on lips if I am doing facial scrub that day)
Oils (I have a face oil and a body oil. And I also use cooking oil for beauty purposes!)
Hand gloves and feet gloves (to be worn after applying moisturiser)
Facial essence (to be used on neck as well)
Foot file/ Pumice

But then, this doesn't cater to every skin type. For example, pimple cream is not an essential for me cos I hardly get any pimples. And some women are probably very concerned about lip care &/or haircare. I just finished reading Big S's beauty book and she is fanatic about whitening lor. To each her own la. But sis, please go and buy all the abovementioned items! Especially the sunscreen! If not, you just have to use whatever I give you ok!