Wednesday, June 16, 2010

My Daily Skincare Regimen

Since I just updated the blog design, I figure I'd blog about something different this time and talk about my daily skincare routine.  I'm so not a morning person, so I keep things to a bare minimum so I can catch some extra zzzz's.  That's actually one of the reasons why I haven't really ventured much into make-up!

Like a lot of people out there, I had issues with acne when I was a teenager, but luckily I grew out of it and aside from an occasional break-out here and there, it's no longer a significant issue.  I still have super oily skin though, and I'm also getting to the age where fine lines and age spots are becoming concerns as well.

My go-to cleanser is the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash ($18):


I've been using this for years, and one tube literally lasts me for over a year, so it's pretty economical.  You only need to use a teeny amount and it lathers up really nicely.  I really like that it rinses fast and clean and my skin feels super comfortable afterwards.  The smell may be surprising if you're new to Origins, but not unpleasant and I've gotten so used to it that it kind of wakes me up in the morning.

I used to follow up with the Origins United State Balancing Tonic ($19), but have been skipping it for the last 6 months and I haven't really noticed a difference, so it's one less step I have to do in the morning!

I also used to use moisturizer as well, but also have been skipping it for the last couple of years.  Instead, I go straight for the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 ($35):


I've become such a nut for sun protection over the years.  It's really the single best thing you can do to prevent wrinkles, especially when you're younger, to save yourself hundreds of dollars on anti-wrinkle creams that don't even work later on in life.  I particularly like this one because it's a higher SPF but is lightweight and non-greasy and doesn't smell like sunscreen.  It also actually evens out my skin tone and has a mattifying effect that keeps me shine-free for a whole work-day!  I also used to get a lot of sunspots and ever since I started using this, I've only gotten one or two in the past few years.  I can't say enough good things about this and it's one of the few products that I keep re-buying.

I've been using the Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32 ($32) as well:


It's just a more gentle version for the delicate eye area, and it seems to work okay, and one tube has lasted me for almost 2 years!  But I wonder if I should be using a stronger eye cream to combat my dark circles and fine lines.  I'm not sure what to try yet though, and any suggestions would be welcome!

After sunscreen, I usually fill out my brows a little, throw on some lip balm and I'm ready for work!  I have a lot of issues with chapped and peeling lips, so I've tried every lip balm under the sun.  My current favorite is the Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil ($3).  It goes on smoothly, isn't too waxy, smells good, and gives my lips a hint of color.


I also sometimes use the Laura Geller Matte Maker ($22) for some extra shine control if I'm on call and working overnight.  It works okay but honestly, since I started using the Shiseido SPF 55 cream, a lot of my shine issues are controlled as well as they could be, and I use blotting sheets as needed.

When I get home from work, I use the Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil ($24) in the shower to remove the very water-resistant sunscreen:


And that's it!  No additional cleansing or moisturizing at night.  I know the usual advice is that even oily skin needs moisturizer too, and I used to follow that advice.  But my current regimen seems to be working for me and it's convenient so I haven't really tried to change it.

As for make-up, I like reading beauty blogs, but it's just not feasible for me.  However, I am looking into trying BareMinerals or the like, or adding eyeliner and mascara to my daily routine to look more polished.  Being Asian and petite, I already look young for my age.  I skipped a year in school and went straight through into medicine, so I actually am younger than most of my colleagues.  As I get farther into my training, it's probably to my benefit to look more professional and put-together, even though it seems a little counter-intuitive to try to look older!

18 comments:

  1. Oooh love the blog design- very sparkly!!

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  2. Very nice layout! I have to try some of the products you use. Hope they'll work for me cuz my skin is very picky

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  3. great new blogger layout :) i've never tried shiseido before but i'm tempted! i use the burt's bees chapstick too but it doesn't help my super dry lips :( i like the tint though too

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  4. Glad you're liking the new layout! I wanted to see what everyone thinks but Blogger polls aren't working right now for some reason.

    Angie - I haven't found my HG lip balm yet (god knows I've tried!) but for now the Burt's Bees goes on smoothly enough. I'm also a chronic lip-peeler despite how hard I try to break the habit, and the tint helps to even out my lips.

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  5. Love the new design. :)

    The best "lip balm" I have found isn't actually a lip balm at all. Instead, I use a vitamin E stick. My favorite kind is found at Walmart. It's called Perfectly Pure Vitamin E Stick. It sells for $0.97 I believe! It comes in a white tube with gold lettering. You should give it a try. It really keeps my lips nice and soft and moist.

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  6. You can apparently find it on Amazon too, but it's cheaper at Walmart:
    http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Pure-Vitamin-Moisturizing-Stick/dp/B0030W25B2

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  7. Jenn - That reminds me, I got the Vitamin E Lip Care Stick from The Body Shop a while ago but haven't tried it yet. Wonder if it'll work as well as pure vitamin E. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll definitely look for it the next time I go to Walmart.

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  8. thx for sharing ur skin regimen w/us! i've always wanted to try the shiseido skin products. good to know that they work well!:) i love burt's bees, too! it's among the best!

    TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

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  9. Thank you for the review! I have oily skin myself. I will need to check out the Origin wash. I have been using Shiseido's Pureness wash during the mornings for 3 years now, and I really like it. The cost is about the same as Origin's wash. At night I use Olay's Regenerating cleanser. I also use Shiseido's sun cream. I love the matte feel on my face as well! I use the same cream for my eyes, and I don't like it. The cream somehow manages to stink my eyes by the end of the day.

    Can you say more about the Cleansing Oil? I"m very interested.

    Your routine of not using a moisturizer is new to me. I have read that even oily skin needs moisturizers.

    As for lips, the aquaphor ointment really works for me as I have very chappy lips myself (except during the summer season).

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  10. Ooh I've heard good things about Shiseido cleansing products! Can't wait to finish my current and try one :) I used Checks & Balances years ago b/c my sister gave it to me, and I liked it as well! I've been buying drugstore cleansers, but I probably should invest in better stuff.

    I'd say a bit of eyeliner and blush is all that's necessary! Mascara is so not evident on (most) Asians unless someone stands 2 inches from you.. LOL. I think b/c we stare so closely at our own reflection we think it's obvious.. but it's really not. But yea, I'd say you can use the eyeliner and forego the other products for a quick (30 seconds) addition to morning routine, but adds a BIG difference to overall look :) Once you get the hang of it, it'll take less time than moisturizing your face haha.

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  11. PetiteGorgeous - I wear contacts and oddly nothing ever stings my eyes (not even cutting onions!). I agree that the Shiseido eye cream isn't anything special though, I probably won't re-buy it when I run out and invest in another eye cream instead.

    The cleansing oil seems to work well for me. You apply it on your dry face, and when you rinse you can see a white film coming off so it makes me feel like I'm really taking the sunscreen off. I think some people recommend using your regular cleanser afterwards, but I did that for a while and it was a little too drying on my skin. Now I just use the oil cleanser only and it's been fine, no clogged pores or breakouts or anything.

    I have aquaphor as well and use it occasionally. It works fine when it's on but afterwards it kinda makes my lips want to peel.

    sophia - Thanks for the advice! I suppose that's true about mascara... plus I hate rubbing my eyes to remove eye make-up and mascara is one of the stubborn offenders. As for blush, I'm such a blush virgin I'd have no idea what shade to get or where to put it on my cheeks lol. But I am super pale for an Asian so it might not be a bad idea to add some life to the face.

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  12. Hi! I am new to the petite blogging sites! I really enjoy yours! :)

    Have you ever been to skinstore.com? Great site to research and purchase skin care products. I signed up for their emails, and receive 20% off coupons at least once a month (be careful, some higher end brands do not count). Shipping is free with a minimum purchase of $49, and I receive my package usually at the three day mark...with a few samples...yay! No Origins or Shiseido sold at the site, though. :(

    As for eyeliner...Chanel has a great one in the crayon-type formula. Very hassle-free, and I never have to do touch-ups during the work day.

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  13. Michelle - Welcome and thanks for reading! My mother-in-law gave me a gift certificate to skinstore.com but they didn't carry the brands I usually use so I ended up getting some Tweezermans. I usually wait for Friends & Family sale at Sephora and get an extra 10% cash back through Bing or my Discover card. And I didn't even know Chanel makes eyeliner! Shopping for beauty products can be so overwhelming sometimes!

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  14. I have extremely chappy lips as well - peeling is soo unattractive! Unfortunately I am in the same boat as you and am just waiting to find my holy grail of lip care. I've tried aquaphor, all kinds of balms, and they just don't work perfectly.

    Good tip about the sunscreen cream. You're absoulutely right in that it's better to prevent than spend hundreds to treat wrinkles. I finally came to my senses and stopped going tanning!

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  15. I am also lowkey on the makeup spectrum, but about to start work full time, so I headed to Sephora to get an update on some makeup per my mother's request (she helpfully pointed out that college was over).

    I love Bo-ing by Benefit for under-eye concealer; it covers without looking cakey and stays on all day. Like you, I have minimal skin issues, but wanted a polished look, so I've been using Pur Minerals and really like it. With the concealer underneath, it goes on smooth and doesn't look fake or overdone.

    (http://jetsetmeg.blogspot.com/2010/05/facepaint.html)

    Apparently the biggest issue, as I also look way younger than I am, is eye makeup. I settled on some warm browns to create a sort of everyday smokey eye that is not overdone and takes about three minutes to apply. With a bit of mascara and gloss to top it off, my whole face routine takes about 10 minutes, a do able amount of time in my opinion.

    Keep up the sunscreen use and best of luck!!

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  16. Great post! I've never heard of the Shiseido brand, but I'll look into it. I have oily skin with very large pores. I'm in the middle of a regimen change myself right now. I'll give it another month or so to see how things turn out, and if my skin improves I'll blog about mine too!

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  17. Megan - I've been looking for a good under-eye concealer, I think I might give Bo-ing a try. I haven't heard much about Pur Minerals, but I'm glad it's working out for you! And that's so funny that your Mom is telling you to wear make-up... my Mom is forever warning me away from it because she thinks it's bad for the skin.

    Ms.Shopportunity - Can't wait for your post, I'm always interested in how other people deal with oily skin!

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  18. I really love the way your page is layout. I have to try some of the products you use. This site is cool. i visit here everyday.

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