👀 Disclosure: I have normal to combination type of skin; please duly note that what works for me might not work effectively on you.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Original)
Ingredient Highlights: Acerola Extract, Spring Water
Probably one of the things that I learned about the Korean skincare routine is to double cleanse using an oil-based and water-based cleanser. Since then, I always make sure that even if it has been a tiring day (or even when I'm sick!), I would still try my best to do the double cleansing method. Double cleansing is definitely a game-changer specially if you're using the correct products.
This balm to oil cleanser claims to effectively remove makeup and other oil-based products which include sunscreen. That's why it is still important to use cleansing balm (or any oil-based cleanser) even if you're not wearing any make-up at all. Prior this, I'm using the Heimish All Clean Balm but I switched back to Banila Co. since it is now cheaper and they have reformulated the ingredient list and changed the packaging. Key ingredients include acerola extract which is rich in vitamin C and spring water which contain minerals to soothe and hydrate the skin.
Neogen Real Fresh Foam Cleanser (Green Tea)
Ingredient Highlights: Green Tea Leaf Extract, Morninga Seed Extract,
Papaya Fruit Water, Orange Fruit Extract
I'm a sucker for anything green tea, so I'm always in the lookout for any green tea variant skincare product in the market (so long as the price is justifiable and with good reviews). The Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick make it to my best of 2017 skincare, now it is the foam type from the same line and brand which made it to the cut!
The Real Fresh Foam Cleanser is packed with fermented green tea extracts which help cleanse the pores, making the skin moisturized and smooth. The smell of the foam cleanser is more subtle than Neogen's cleansing stick. After using two foaming cleansers (the first one was Innisfree's Green Barley Bubble Cleanser), I realized how much more convenient they are because I don't need to cut the packaging in half to consume the product and it makes the second step much easier since one pump would already make a rich lather.
Aritaum Ginger Sugar Lip Scrub
Ingredient Highlights: Shea Butter, Ginger Extract, Fine Sugar
Although I have been using my favorite lip balms from Nivea and Carmex everday, lip care has been my least concern. I never purchased any lip sleeping masks or scrubs until the last quarter of 2018. Initially, I was skeptic into buying this because my lips might smell like ginger given that it is the main ingredient. Surprisingly, it does not tastes or smells ginger at all! This lip scrub has a thick consistency and truly exfoliates and removes dead skin cells, leaving the lips plump. It contains shea butter which is in charge of giving nourish and moisture and ginger extract which creates a protective layer on the lips.
Ingredient Highlights: Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP (Ceramide 3)
A brand that's famous for their gauze peeling pads, Neogen Dermalogy released another kind of pad that offers gentler exfoliation and can be used daily. The real cica pads consist of a concentrated formula that is not just effective for sensitive skin, but also for normal or combination skin type like me! It has centella asiatica extract which aims to soothe and hyaluronic acid which retains the moisture of the skin. The pads are also formulated with polyhydroxy acids (PHA) which is considered to be one of the gentlest acids.
In 2017, my favorite exfoliating pads were from Neogen and so when they released this product, I was just very excited because I know that just like their peeling pads, they have formulated this very well... True enough, they did not disappoint. It glides onto the skin very smoothly, every single pad is equally filled with essence and I personally think that this could be a toner and essence at the same time. A single pad might look thin at a first glance, but it never easily tears (I've tried tearing it so many times LOL) and it's just amazing how it can hold a lot of formula and yet the essence does not drip from the pad! These pads saved me from those lazy nights where I almost didn't want to do any skincare (after double cleansing) at all.
V&M Naturals CPC+G Oil
Ingredient Highlights: Calamansi, Papaya, Camellia Japonica, Grapefruit Extract
The only local product which I considered to be my favorite and also a game-changer for 2018 is V&M Naturals' CPC+G Oil. V&M Naturals is a Philippine brand established in 2008 which advocates beauty and wellness through all-natural products and essentials.
I learned this product from a Filipina Youtuber, Raych Ramos, who claimed that this product in particular helped lighten dark spots on her face and suggested that this could be a cheaper alternative of the Klair's vitamin drop. In 2017, I tried Klair's Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop as it has been raved by a lot of my favorite Youtubers. But honestly, after months of using, I noticed little or no significant difference in my skin at all, especially the dark spots on my right cheeks. Now, I'm on my second CPC+C bottle because I love it and I attribute the lightening of my dark spots with this product. Though it is an oil packed with a lot of brightening extracts, it is lightweight in formula and smells way better than that of Klair's.
Nature Republic Real Nature Mask Sheet (Green Tea)
Ingredient Highlights: Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Need not any introduction to this one because if you have been following me on my Instagram account and also happened to read or scan some of my skincare-related blog posts, these masks from Nature Republic has always been my all-time favorite. Out of the variants that I've tried, the green tea one stood out the most because it does not leave a sticky feeling after removing the mask and its natural green tea smell. Not to mention that they've offered the 10+10 promo for a long time that's why I also stocked up a lot of these. Currently, they have a new packaging (which really reminds me like that of Innisfree) and offers only the 10+5 promo with quite a higher price.
I love sheet masking and trying out new types and brands of sheet masks, but I always go back to this because it is such a steal for its quality and price (especially if you hoarded their 10+10 promo years ago! Hahaha).
Innisfree Jeju Orchid Eye Cream
Ingredient Highlights: Orchid Extract, Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract,
Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract
After almost two years, I finally got to purchase this ever-famous eye cream from Innisfree because Althea Korea offers it at a lower price compared to other online sellers and even to Innisfree's physical store here in the country. I'm very happy that they've considered opening a physical branch here because they offer a wider range of products, although it really is much more expensive.
Anyway, upon using this for the first time, I figured out why my favorite Youtuber, Joan Kim, raved this product years ago... It has a thicker consistency but is not heavy around the eyes and makes it look firmer too. The product mainly consists of orchid elixir, which has anti-oxidant benefits and makes the skin healthier by reducing wrinkles and increasing elasticity.
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture
Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
Ingredient Highlight: Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
Just like their sheet masks, this one from Nature Republic has been my holy grail ever since I started my skincare routine. It has a lightweight the formula and is fast-absorbing, plus it also provides a very refreshing feeling to the skin. Although this multi-purpose product contains alcohol, I’m still keeping my loyalty because it never breaks me out and dries my skin and is one of the cheapest moisturizers out in the market... oh aaaand not to mention that they're endorsed by my favorite Kpop band, EXO!
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture
Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel Mist
Ingredient Highlight: Aloe Vera Leaf Extract
Face mists are probably considered to be one of the most underrated products in the world of skincare. I myself only started to appreciate its importance upon the emergence of another hyped product from Nature Republic, their Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist. It has the same formula with that of the gel, but only in the form of mist. Given that it's only 150mL, you can carry it around almost everywhere and spray liberally onto your face to maintain that moisture and feel refreshed throughout the day. Face mists can also set and blend your make-up.
I mainly use face mist more often in the office (as our skin gets drier in a cooler temperature), before and after applying cushion foundation, and even when inside the house so long as I needed to have a spritz of extra moisture.
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
2018 has been filled with a lot of challenges, but nonetheless here I am, still able to share with you my favorites for the year because #skincareisLIFE 😂. But kidding aside, doing skincare routine is part of my self care and whenever I'm doing it, there's just that sense of serene amidst all the stress and worries the day may have brought me... and I know that you're nodding and agreeing with me too. 😉
Cheers to more quality skincare products in 2019! 🙌
Abby 💗
