My Skin Care Routine

I never really paid any attention to my skincare when I was young not knowing that it will be of a big issue for me as I get older.When I was in high school, I just use any kind of soap. I grew up with Safeguard as the all around soap. lol :)  Then in college, I noticed that my skin is so dry and flaky (well I have realized too that my  soap was very childlike). So I decided to switch my soap to a facial wash. And that is the only thing I used on my face.   

I am a late bloomer, yah know! :). I have just started using different skincare products 4 years ago. I am 25 y.o. right now. I know, I should've done it a long time ago but I have learned my lesson. I never thought it would be so hard to assemble your own skincare routine since we all have different skin types and problem areas. Another aggravating factor is that there are tons of products out there claiming the same thing, over and over, blah, blah and blah...geesh!

In those years, I have tested so many products to see which fits my skin best. So I started with Ponds but after a while of using it, I noticed dry, patchy areas on my cheeks. So I searched the web hoping to find a solution. I was surprised! Honestly speaking, it was very astonishing to find out that there are many steps in  taking good care of your skin. Way back, I was only using one product and now it's like there are 4-5 products in my regimen.

Let me remind you guys that how you care for your skin is utterly dependent on the type of skin you have: oily, normal/combination, dry, sensitive or sun- damaged. 

Here's my basic skin care regimen:

1. Cleansing - After a day of makeup, sweat and pollution, your skin deserves to be cleansed from all of it that has accumulated on your face. Avoid bar soaps because they tend to dry our skin. 

Currently using : L'Oreal Paris White Perfect Re-Lighting Whitening Facial Foam.

2.Exfoliate - It helps get rid of dead skin cells that causes you to look dull. According to Allure, the best time to exfoliate is in the morning because the skin repairs itself at night. Exfoliate with a scrub once or twice a week.  

Currently using :  St Ives Apricot Scrub  (Some says their beads are too harsh for your skin that's why I'm still looking for another scrub that is milder but as good as St Ives. Do you have any suggestions?)

3. Use toner - Other people say that toner is not necessary in a daily skin care routine. While some says otherwise. For me, my skin has gotten better when I started using a toner. It removes cleanser and makeup residue as well as return skin to the natural pH level. After using it, my skin feels invigorated and hydrated.

Currently using :  L'Oreal Paris White Perfect Toner 

4. Moisturize - It prevents and treat dry skin, but that's not all they do. Moisturizers can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture. 

Currently using : L'Oreal  Paris White Perfect Moisturizing Day Cream SPF 17/PA++

5. Apply Sunscreen - This should be the most important part of your skincare regimen. The number-1 cause of wrinkles is sun damage, so it's important to use sunscreen from your early years.

Currently using : Derm Option Cream for combination type of skin

Skin care is a personal thing. What works for one person's skin can wreak havoc on another. Following a regular skin routine is valuable for anyone.

Take care! Ciao! :0

Hello 2012! :)

December 31, 2011- the day people reflect on how they’ve been the whole year, whether good or bad. As for me, this marks the end of my miseries, frustrations and disappointments and the beginning of a new me.  Probably, I’ll be using positive words with the superlative forms for the year 2012. I want to surround myself with positive energies and happy thoughts. I owe it to myself big time after all these months of sulking from unfulfilled wishes and not taking control of how my life would be. This time I want it to be different since I’m not getting any younger. I want to take things the “mature” way. 

As they say, this is also the time of the year to come up with another New Year’s “meant to be broken” resolutions for 2012. That’s why I don’t believe in it anymore. I’ve had the same experience with broken resolutions.  I realized that if you want to start anew, now is the time to make it happen. 

But why do we still have to think so hard when we know that we’re not going to fulfill it?  Hmmm….probably it’s our way of giving endless chance to ourselves to change for the better. Out with the old and in with the new. If you have a lot of excess baggage this year, it’s time to let it go and only bring with you the goodness of beautiful memories. 

Anyways, New Year’s Eve is just few hours away.  I’ve made my New Year’s resolution for 2012 for the sake of enjoyment. Since it only happens once a year, I might as well give it a try AGAIN. 

I have come up with ideas for us to make it attainable:

1.    Make it simple. The simpler the better. You don’t need to look so far to find a way for you to       finally do it.

2.  It should be time bounded. Have a plan that is feasible within a time frame.  It motivates you to focus and allows you to move forward with your other resolutions.

3. Make few resolutions. As in FEW! Please don’t make a long list. It will only frustrate you even more for not accomplishing everything you’ve written on it.

4. Be specific. Generalizing every resolution would make it vague and even harder to start.

5.Prioritize. Good organization of thoughts is one of the key factors on a feasible plan.

Well, I hope that helps!

Before the countdown begins, here are my New Year’s Resolution for the year 2012:

1.                   Save money. Don’t be an impulsive buyer. Classify my wants from my needs.

2.                   Lose weight. As usual! Lol

3.                   Fix broken relationships esp. within family. 

4.                   Focus on my career.

5.                   Pray often.

What is your New Year’s resolution? Feel free to share it with me….

Enjoy and have fun! 

Goodbye 2011….

Hello 2012!!!!!! Start your year with a bang!  ciao!