Friday 8 October 2021

Paula's Choice

If you've been reading my past posts, you might know by now that I have oily/combination skin that's also sensitive with enlarged pores. It's been a difficult journey trying to find products that can clean my skin well without being so harsh that it makes it flare up.

Someone recommended that I try Paula's Choice. It's relatively affordable and so far I've been very pleased with the results. I have almost no breakouts and my pores look smaller as a result of being able to get rid of the gunk in there. 

I got a whole range of products to try as they promise to minimize the appearance of large pores and so far, I think it's working. The combination of stuff that I'm using or have tried from Paula's Choice has made my pores appear smaller and my skin fresher and cleaner.

Step 1: Skin Balancing: Oil-Reducing Cleanser

The first step to any skin care regime is to cleanse. I decided on the Oil-Reducing Cleanser. It's for Oily/Combination skin, a cream to foam cleanser that reduces excess oil to balance skin, as well as remove makeup and impurities. We all know that enlarged pores look... well enlarged... because they are filled with impurities. What we commonly know as blackheads. I was cautious as I thought this cleanser might be too harsh. But I jumped on board anyway.


I'm happy to report that I'm on my 2nd bottle now as it has been effective yet gentle enough for my skin. I must admit that I don't use it to clean makeup. I always use micellar water to remove makeup before washing my face with this.

Step 2: Resist: Daily Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid)

After my skin is clean, I go straight to the exfoliant. This is a daily leave-on liquid exfoliant. It contains salicylic acid - meant to gently and naturally exfoliate skin, reduce visible signs of sun damage, reduce pore size, and melt away those impurities clogging pores. 


Step 3: Resist: Advanced Pore-Refining Treatment 4% BHA

I only use this once a day, at night time. Because it's 4% BHA, I didn't want to be too hardcore about it. Although I think out of all my steps, this item is the most effective. I feel a slight tingle feeling after applying this but not burning. I use this for the same reasons, for my enlarged pores.



Step 4: Resist: Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

I use this twice a day, to provide weightless hydration and an exclusive mix of antioxidants and grape-derived resveratrol. Together with skin-restoring and nourishing ingredients - hyaluronic acid and pore-improving niacinamide. Hyaluronic Acid (aka hyaluronan) is naturally produced by our bodies and its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist - i.e. to fight wrinkles. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3, helps the skin retain moisture, minimise pore appearance and regulates oil. 


Step 5: Resist: Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

So with all the BHA products, you MUST use sunscreen when you go out. I use this under my foundation and powder. Not only is it sunscreen, but I find it works very well as a primer for my makeup. There's a slight tacky feel after applying so it's perfect for makeup. Sometimes I use this and face powder and it gives a good barely there makeup look.


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I do use other sunscreens and moisturisers not from Paula's Choice but that doesn't belong here. 




Thursday 20 August 2020

Micellar Water - Miracle Water or Troubled Waters?

 What is Micellar Water?

Micellar water is made up is Micelles suspended in soft water. Micelles are tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules that attract and draw out oil, dirt, and impurities without drying out the skin. Micellar water is also a no-rinse cleanser and does not leave an oily residue, which can save some time from your beauty regime.

Micellar water can be used as facial cleanser, makeup remover and moisturiser. Although for waterproof eyeliner/ mascara, or very thick and heavy foundation, it would still be good to use a separate makeup remover to ensure that your skin is fresh and free of makeup residue. 

This lightweight cleanser is ideal for dry and sensitive skin types as it is alcohol free. So you can just use this as facial cleanser. 1 step, easy! However for oilier skin types, you might want to double-cleanse. Meaning you wash your face before using the Micellar water.

 

What went down with my face:

After hearing about my friends rave about this, and reading up heaps of good reviews about Micellar Water and how it can help with clog pores, I just had to try it. So I decided to buy a bottle from Sephora, at a very reasonable price of S$26 for a 400ml bottle. (Also this is not a paid/ sponsored article, I just want to share what I've discovered. Good things must share right?!)

I'm quite wary when it comes to new face products because I have really problematic skin. Sensitive and oily, and is prone to breakouts. So the first time i used it, I washed my face first, then applied the Micellar Water. The after touch felt a bit sticky, only because I'm used to having my face stripped BARE! (Lazy to use toner, moisturiser, etc. etc.) In the following days, I continued to use the micellar water first to get rid of the oil, then I would wash my face. 

But in the weeks that followed, I've begun switching to washing first, then micellar water after for the moisturising properties. If I have makeup to remove, then I use it twice. First to remove the makeup (for my makeup, this works well with removing foundation, waterproof eyeliner and mascara by holding the cotton pad on my eye for a while before wiping), then I wash my face, then I use micellar water again. The reason I use it again after as the last step of my cleansing regime is because I want to make sure that I don't have any residue left to clog my pores. Skin feels clean and fresh after. When I'm feeling a bit less lazy, I follow this with toner, and moisturiser for day or serum and night cream for bedtime.

Now with pores that are clean and not filled with dirt and oil, what do we get? 

SMALLER PORES! 

Yes this is actually possible. It's not really possible to make pores smaller unless you go for laser resurfacing or some other dramatic cosmetic work. But if your pores are clear of gunk, they actually can appear smaller.

So all in, I would rate this product a full 10 out of 10 and would recommend it to everyone! 

Verdict: Miracle Water!