How To Take Better Care of Your Skin
It’s only natural that we prioritize taking care of our face more than our body because our face is constantly seen in the mirror. This enables us to spot any dullness, sagginess, discoloration, or a freshly grown pimple, which are all things that we want to get rid of ASAP. Admittedly, I am also guilty … Read more
Witch hazel is a botanical ingredient used in holistic medicine to help treat acne, oily skin, inflammation, open wounds, puffy eyes, sunburn, insect bites, and even varicose veins and hemorrhoids, too. In this article, I will explain a few things you need to know about witch hazel and why this ingredient is bad for the … Read more
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from your face and body and the key to smooth, glowy, and healthy-looking skin. In this article, I will give you a few easy tips on how to exfoliate your legs as well as share my favorite body exfoliating products. Physical/Manual Exfoliation Physical exfoliation involves buffing … Read more
Your skin can become dry even though you moisturize regularly for a number of reasons including dry and cold climate, using the wrong skincare products for your skin’s needs, not moisturizing adequately, relying on a low-nutritious diet, hormonal changes, certain medication, etc. So, why is this an issue? Dry skin can become a problem because … Read more
I admit I haven’t always been diligent with my sunscreen application, however, during my short time of practice and learning how to recognize and deal with sun damage; I’ve discovered the importance of this step. But finding a good sunscreen for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin is a mission impossible, so I am not at … Read more
Unlike other products by The Ordinary, their Argireline 10% Solution isn’t one that’s discussed all too often. Compared to how popular their hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serum are, the Argireline solution is a product I’ve never heard about before until few months ago. Apparently they’ve been selling it for years but I’ve been completely oblivious … Read more
It’s been a while since I’ve compared Paula’s Choice to a more budget-friendly option that does the same thing. Now, we all know that Paula is the queen of going the extra mile and adding more than one beneficial ingredient in her products, which is why her products are leaning on the pricier side. But we … Read more
Working from home has its own perks, but unfortunately, it comes with a few minor side effects. The increased use of digital devices and screen time for work and recreation has also lead to an increase in eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and even mood swings. I often catch myself straining to read something and letters … Read more
Direct high frequency is a facial treatment that’s available at any esthetician’s office and is considered a timeless rejuvenating treatment for the skin. A high-frequency machine can be used daily as it is a very safe and non-invasive procedure with no side effects if responsible precautions are being exercised. It is a beneficial treatment that … Read more
Preventing instead of treating is a rule estheticians are well familiar with. It is very easy to prevent any skin disorder than letting it advance to the point where it needs to be treated. This is because your skin is a very resilient organ that takes time (sometimes years) to show any real damage from … Read more
Strapping a piece of cloth to our faces isn’t exactly ideal for our skin and the problem is only made worse by scorching summer heat and excessive sweating. It’s so bad, in fact, it lead to a whole new issue many of us were unfamiliar with before – maskne. Yes, face masks cause acne, but … Read more
The lack of hydration is one of the main reasons your skin gets sallow, saggy, and dull-looking as you age. But how do you rehydrate aging skin once it starts to sag and look dull? Drinking a good amount of water (although beneficial) isn’t the only answer and it is unlikely that it will make … Read more
Tretinoin is one of the most researched anti-aging and anti-acne treatments available in today’s market. It’s incredibly effective, however, its known side-effect is irritation which can leave you with red, sensitive, inflamed, and peeling skin. Given that tretinoin is a powerful ingredient on its own, you need to make sure you are not adding fuel … Read more
Every reputable esthetician would never recommend their clients to attempt extractions at home. I mean, sure, if you want to royally mess up your face knock yourself out, but as an esthetician, I strongly advise against that. A few things that are very likely to go wrong if you attempt extractions at home can be … Read more
After my horrible experience with the Lala Retro Whipped Cream that left me broken out with painful cystic acne, I had to resort to using a potent combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide treatment. This is an excellent combo to effectively tackle acne but it has a downside of leaving the skin dry and … Read more
Cleansing your skin is the first and most important step in your routine as this helps you remove bacteria, pollution, dust, makeup, and grime, instead of leaving them on your face. However, as we age, we should be aware that tweaking our skincare routines according to our skin’s needs is also a very important thing … Read more
After seeing my review on the F-Balm by Drunk Elephant, a fellow skincare lover recommended me to try the Lala Retro Whipped cream and give my thoughts on it. As someone with oily/acne-prone skin, I was a little hesitant due to the several problematic ingredients it contains, however, I figured it would be a perfect … Read more
I always like to point out how important sunscreen is for our skin. Besides preventing a whole lot of skin concerns such as pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, red marks, uneven skin patches, and all sorts of discoloration, sunscreen is also what protects your skin from cancer. Therefore, it is important to make it a habit … Read more
Ever heard of polyglutamic acid? Yeah, me neither. But that was only up until The Inkey List (which is becoming one of my routine staples) came up with their serum/treatment and I thought what the heck, let’s try it out. First things first, I have to say that I am not usually as reckless when it … Read more
Closed comedones are those white or skin-colored bumps that don’t have a collection of pus on top and they are seemingly headless and can’t be popped. Getting rid of closed comedones is easy and all you need is to pay extra attention to your skincare routine, especially your exfoliating habits. Therefore, in this article, I … Read more
COSRX is a Korean skincare brand that acquired a cult following from all over the world thanks to YouTubers like James Welsh and Hyram that constantly rave about K-beauty on their channels. I’ve already mentioned COSRX here on my website and it is one brand that I genuinely like and trust because they are famous … Read more
One of the most enjoyable and fulfilling reasons for owning a skincare blog is the fact that I get to help people from all around the world by sharing what I know about skincare and how to take great care of the skin. Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated and the truth is that most … Read more
Drunk Elephant is a brand that has been around the corner for a while, however, truth be told, I’ve never thought of trying their products. Not because there was something I didn’t like about them particularly, but because my face was covered in severe cysts until about two years ago so I was being extra … Read more
Besides the recent public controversies, The Ordinary is a brand you don’t really hear a bad word about, at least when it comes to their products. And it’s really not difficult to see why everyone loves it. The products are ridiculously cheap, they are formulated with simple and clean ingredients, are excellent for all skin … Read more
This is my Inkey List Niacinamide vs The Ordinary Niacinamide review. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide has been a cult favorite and a staple for every person that deals with oily and acne-prone skin ever since it launched nearly four years ago. And it’s really not that difficult to see why. The brand is ridiculously affordable, uses … Read more
Many over-the-counter products nowadays include ingredients that address different skin concerns, including dark spots, dullness, wrinkles, acne, acne scarring, etc. Well, in case you didn’t know, one particular ingredient known as mandelic acid has shown the capability to target all the mentioned skin concerns and then some. But because it’s still a little bit elusive … Read more
Smoking, although a bad habit, is one of the most difficult habits to get out of. Everyone knows how detrimental smoking is for health and, unfortunately, this nasty habit has claimed many lives in the world, with some heavy smokers losing their lives to cancer as young as 20. However, although we know about the … Read more
I’ve said it million times – acids are the best ingredients in skincare for the sole reason that they work great, give instant results, and can have a transformational effect on the skin. However, there seems to be a lot of misconception floating around the internet when it comes to using acids, layering them properly, … Read more
If you are always up for discovering new ways to get your skin looking glowy, smooth, and pretty much flawless, then glycolic acid may very well be the secret ingredient you need in your routine to achieve this. Exfoliating acids sound a little harsh and unforgiving, however, these ingredients are actually very gentle on the … Read more
Catching some sun rays can be a pleasant and therapeutic experience that comes with its own health benefits. The sun is your best source of vitamin D and as we know, vitamin D is a super important nutrient needed for the health of teeth and bones. But besides the health benefits and the feeling of … Read more
How to remove dead skin cells from your face is a question I get asked regularly as an esthetician. And the answer to this is very simple: To remove dead skin cells from your face, you need to exfoliate your face. Now, skincare enthusiasts might say “Wow, what a revelation, we all knew that!”, however, you … Read more
Travel-sized skincare products come with several useful perks and this is why we all love them. Mini versions of our favorite skincare products help us maintain a solid skincare regimen while being away from home and these are super useful for transport because of the carry-on limits we often struggle with during traveling. Additionally, mini … Read more
If you are on the lookout for good skincare products but don’t want to drain your bank, take a look at my list of 10 best skincare products under $50. You see an expensive and boujee product and you want it, right? Well, let me tell you that you’re definitely not the only one. Skincare … Read more
If you are unfamiliar, essences are one of the most popular products in Asian skincare regimens and it comes as a no surprise that they are quickly taking the Western markets by storm. Essences are known for their moisturizing and hydrating powers and their consistency can range anywhere from really watery to thicker jelly, which … Read more
The Inkey List is a buzzy new skincare brand that’s making a name for itself due to their no-bullshit products, high-quality formulations, and ridiculously low price points. All their products are available for under $15 and if we have learned anything from brands such as The Ordinary is that good skincare products really shouldn’t be … Read more
If you are on a quest for younger-looking, smoother, and brighter complexion, you have probably heard of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). However, there are some questions that are still left unclear for many people that are not professionals in the skincare industry such as; What exactly are AHAs and how to use them – and; What … Read more
For many people, the cold days of winter can bring uncomfortable dryness on the face, hands, and feet. For some people, the problem is even worse than just a general tight and dry feeling; they get skin so dry that it results in flaking, cracking, and even inflammations and eczema. If this sounds awfully familiar … Read more
Your cleanser is designed to remove the daily makeup, impurities and keep your face clean. However, many cleansers are often packed with surfactants: soaps that draw dirt, oil, and grime from pores. This can not only strip the moisture from your skin, but it can also lead to dry, uncomfortable patches that can cause premature … Read more
What are the best foundations for dry skin? Let’s talk a little bit more about how to find the right foundation for your dry skin. Dry skin is one of the most common skin types and if your skin tends to be on the drier side, you probably already know that it can very easily … Read more
What’s the best sunscreen for sensitive skin? So let’s talk about sensitive skin and sunscreens. My goal in this article is to teach you: what causes sensitive skin (perhaps your sunscreen isn’t the only problematic product?) how to choose the best sunscreen for sensitive skin? how to recognize what to avoid in a sunscreen? some of my … Read more
Help! I have tried EVERYTHING to get rid of my acne, but nothing ever worked for me! Am I going to stay like this forever? If you have ever had acne in your life, chances are that you’ve considered or at least heard of the infamous Accutane, a drug that seems to have some magical powers … Read more
If you are constantly finding yourself overwhelmed by which cleanser, toner, or moisturizer to use, you are not the only one. Even though everyone may seem like they have their s*it together just because their skin looks better than yours, don’t despair. Regular f*ck ups are one big part of how to do skincare and figuring out … Read more
You have probably heard many people rave about this revolutionary ingredient that is soothing, healing, anti-inflammatory, and goes about every list of the top products you need to have in your skincare regimen. Niacinamide is a standout due to its versatility to help improve any skin type and relieve any skin concern. Even though niacinamide … Read more
Living with eczema has probably made you go back and forth looking for answers on how to control this common condition many times. Searching for relief from dry, red, and itchy skin has probably even made you try a variety of products. Unfortunately, some of these might have left your skin feeling even drier and … Read more
While elaborate and complex skincare routines are currently dominating the market and becoming more and more popular, I believe that we can all agree this can sometimes become overwhelming. It is understandable that there are moments when we all get way too confused while reading about products and that we often become too frustrated to … Read more
Dry skin is one of the most common skin types and if your skin tends to be on the drier side, this is mainly because of the natural oil that is lacking to keep it soft and supple. Having dry skin is a skin type that’s normally present since birth and in most cases; it … Read more
Dry skin is a common skin type characterized by a lack of natural oil in the most superficial layer of the skin, the epidermis. If left untreated, dry skin can become unbearably tight and uncomfortable and if this persists for a long time it can lead to serious epidermal damage like cracking and infections. Keeping … Read more
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and it works to give our skin its structure and shape. Skin with a good amount of collagen looks more plumped, youthful and it’s stronger. Collagen production depends on the speed of which our cells renew. What this means that the speed renewal process is fast when … Read more
The uppermost layer of our epidermis or the stratum corneum consists of several layers of keratinized (hardened) cells tightly packed together. As they contain the protein keratin they are tough and have no nucleus. A cell without a nucleus is a dead cell. Our skin naturally sheds billions of dead skin cells every day. This is … Read more