On Skincare Regimens

If there’s one thing I learned about skin care regimens, it’s that it can’t be static. 

It should evolve as you age, and more especially when situations change - from local weather fluctuations to moving countries, and hormonal changes like pregnancy and menopause. Although, I can’t personally attest to the latter yet, heehee. 

What I know for a fact is that with my desire to manage and improve my #SkinHealth, my skin care regimen has changed so many times, from when I was in my teens, to now that I am 40. 

In high school, I started with being a soap and water kind of girl to washing with Cetaphil when soap started to feel too harsh for my face. 

I began doing the Cleanse-Tone-Moisturize routine in my early 20s, which I coupled with the Oil Cleansing Method. Then using essences became an extra step and by my early 30s, I switched to a thicker moisturizer because of the harsh sun and winter weather in the city we lived in then. 

When I came across Garance Dore’s No Water cleansing routine. I decided to incorporate that into my daily life and have since included serums, facial oils and face masks in my bid to slow down aging. 

Of course, I still go to my dermatologist for regular cleansing facials, peels, prodding and pricking. 

There have been times when I would also take Biotin, a vitamin that helps thicken hair and is good for the skin and nails. But I don’t take it for prolonged periods. 

It’s practically a career just taking care of my skin, and I super envy girls who have low maintenance skin care regimens. 

So I know for a fact that for those of us who have or have had pimple and other skin issues, finding a skin care routine can be extra challenging. There’s a lot of trial and error involved, and it can be costly trying a product out, finding it doesn’t work and then moving on to the next one. 

The great thing is, there are beauty vitamins now that deal with pimples at the source. I’ve mentioned Lactezin in an earlier post. 

Lactezin has Lactoferrin (antibacterial milk-derived protein), Vitamin E, and Zinc, which combined together, have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. It deals with pimples from within, for clearer, smoother, less oily skin with finer pores. Wish this was around during my time! 

If you still haven’t figured out the best skin care regimen for your skin type, it’s time to start thinking about it. Whether you become one of the lucky soap and water kind of girls or you decide to embark on a Korean pop star-style 16-step routine, the choice is yours. No judgment here! 

As long as you have a fortified regimen built from a solid skin care routine plus beauty vitamins, blemish-free, healthy, glowing skin can be yours. Take it seriously and you'll see.

P.S. Lactezin is available at leading drugstores at Php20/capsule.

#SkinHealth Q&A: Healing Pimples from Within

As a follow-up to my last #SkinHealth post, here’s a skin concern from a reader that I know many of us can relate to. Read on!

Q: Hi Tin! You look like you have such nice skin, I can’t imagine you saying you had acne before. I’ve done a lot of treatments at my derma already, but I have yet to see a major improvement on my skin. Any other options I should consider? Thanks! 

- Sad For My Skin 

Dear Sad For My Skin, 

I was on the same boat as you are now years ago, and if it seems like you are not getting the results you want, just be a little more patient. Results do not happen overnight. 

I think it took me a year approximately before my skin totally cleared up. It took a combination of factors for my skin to heal really. Apart from regular derma visits, I embarked on a total lifestyle change: eating healthy, sleeping early, and if it sounds a little bit kooky, willing my skin to heal itself from within. 

Have you ever heard of Mind-Body Connection? In a nutshell, it pretty much sums up the idea that our thoughts can affect our health directly. Case in point, if we are stressed, we either get sick, have a breakout, get migraines, or get hives. 

Here’s what I suggest: Continue on with your derma treatments. You need those regular facials, cleanings and topical treatments. But also work on your #SkinHealth from within. A healthy lifestyle is a given, so I’m giving you three additional tips that also will do wonders for you. 

1) Don’t think about your zits. Honestly, the more I obsessed about my skin, the more my pimples seemed to multiply. And they just got more stubborn and wouldn’t go away. I’d get a really nasty inflamed zit that needed steroid shots, and my derma would make me take antibiotics na because it was bordering on cystic I swear. Ok, I maybe exaggerating, but you get my drift. It was downright horrible. So I decided to just let it go. Yeah, let it go. Get your mind off it, read a book, don’t look in the mirror (super worked for me), focus your thoughts elsewhere, and just go on with your life pretending you don’t have it. 

2) Prayers and meditation. Part of my daily nighttime ritual would be to pray to God to take away my zits. I would say, “God, I’d rather donate to worthy causes than spend my money on my face.” And really, I would. I’d donate to NGOs and give support to blood drives, clothing drives, visit wounded soldiers in hospitals, any way I can give back. Which links to my first tip. I think focusing less on myself and focusing my energies on worthy endeavors had a healing effect.

Plus, this is going to sound really weird but it worked for me, so I am putting this out there. Hear this, I would meditate and imagine a silver light cleansing my face and zapping all the zits with healing energy. I swear, our mind can do wonders in healing ourself. 

3) Consider taking medication like Lactezin. Ok, fresh new discovery! Lactezin is a naturally-derived over-the-counter drug, so you’re ensured it’s safe, effective and still clinically tested. It has a breakthrough combination of three active ingredients – Lactoferrin (antibacterial milk-derived protein), Vitamin E, and Zinc, which combined together, have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties.

Lactezin starts curing acne from within, providing the body with defenses against acne and skin remedies for beautiful skin. The result is clearer, smoother, less oily skin with finer pores.

This wasn’t around during my time, but now that there’s something like this in the market now, I wish this had come sooner! Would have freed me from all the anxiety caused by bad skin.

Best of all, it deals with pimples the natural way, and not through hormones as it was during my time, where girls had to resort to taking birth control pills just to have clear skin.

Of course, keep your mind open to different treatments, but also remember that when it comes to medications, do your research and only take FDA-approved medication from a a reputable source or manufacturer.

Thoughts on Health and Aging

I’m turning 40 this year. Four-freakin-ty. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not freaked out about my age. It’s more like, how did time fly by so fast? 

Too fast, yes, but I am also grateful for turning forty. There’s plenty to celebrate and thank God for.

Life has been good to me. I have a wonderful husband and smart, funny and charming kids. 

Photo taken by Lianne Bacorro

My entire family, also my parents, siblings and in laws enjoy good health. I do work that I am good at, which I am fortunate to also enjoy and love. We have the time and resources to create fun memories, and hey, I still have pretty good skin considering my age. In fact, I can even say I am happier with myself now than I was when I was in my 20s. 

I guess you can say I’ve literally settled into my skin. Nothing about me changed drastically, it’s more like an acceptance of flaws coupled with lifestyle changes and the help of beauty treatments by my derma, Dr. Yanee Vasquez, heehee. 

While not necessarily true for all (haha) I believe that with age comes wisdom. I can say I know now what is important in life.

Health before vanity. Experiences before possessions. And maybe somehow, the secret to a youthful look. Well, in my case at least. 

I’m sharing you some of my #SkinHealth tips, which in a way has become an obsession and a personal advocacy. I hope that you pick up a thing or two from my mistakes, good habits and realizations. 

Besides, I know most of us women really do care about these things. These are valid and not at all shallow pursuits. Seeking, acknowledging and accepting our unique beauty does wonders for our entire well-being, trust me! 

1. Beauty starts with good, healthy skin.

Because my perception of beauty is natural beauty, and after years spent agonizing over zits and bumps on my face, I’ve realized that all a girl really needs is good skin. Let’s not talk about weight or age. Because if you have nice skin whatever your weight, or your age, consider yourself lucky. So skin lang, period. 

During a particularly emotional time for me in my 20s, as I was looking at my face in the mirror and staring at my bumpy, awful skin, I told myself, “When these zits and bumps all over my face disappear, I know enough that my skin, even with a pimple or two is enough”. You can say I’ve learned never to obsess over a single zit because I’ve had worse. 

Scientifically speaking too, the skin is the largest indicator of our health and when we are healthy, it shows in our skin. There is nothing like bare skin we can step out in. Saves us time from applying concealers and full-on makeup too. If you’ve got good skin, you’ve got it going, so you better take care of your skin in the best way possible. You don’t need much else. 

2. Hence, take a look at your skin, be honest about it. 

Have you figured out your skin type? Are you doing all you can to keep it well-moisturized? Do you have blemishes? Are your pores fine and even? Does your skin look glowing? 

If your answer is no, it’s best to sit down, look in the mirror (even if you don’t want to) and give yourself an honest assessment of the state of your skin. Literally face yourself, just like what I did in the mirror, almost two decades ago.

I was so sad for my skin, but I also wanted to do something about it. 

3. Do something about skin issues, seek a professional’s help if necessary. 

This skin breakdown happened while I was about to graduate from college. I was tired of just avoiding going out, staying away from mirrors, and not having photos of myself taken. 

I remember telling my Mom I wanted to see a dermatologist. She told me it was a waste of money and that I should just change my diet and drink lots of water. Well, after taking her advice for a couple of months and with nothing happening, I just went with my gut. 

Thankfully, I started work soon enough and I spent a chunk of my first job paychecks for my own derma treatment. That was money well-spent. In no time, I had seen the difference in how my skin improved and I was soon on my way back to blemish free skin. 

Seeing a dermatologist and using derma-recommended products turned out to be the only solution to my skin issues. Don’t ever hesitate. 

4. Always check the label.

I’ve tried all pimple cures out there. Some recommended by friends, some whipped up by some dubious lab, a few drugstore brands, and some prescribed by my derma. I’ve learned to really scrutinize bottles and labels because in my quest for the best pimple cure, I’ve unfortunately tried some products that did more harm than good. Aka, I still have pimple scars to prove it. 

Sometimes, when I look in the mirror and look at my 20 year old scars, I still remember that darn unmarked bottle that caused them. Hay. 

Better yet, make sure the product you use is FDA-approved. This ensures that active ingredients and the content level are regulated. We can rest easy knowing that the product has gone through clinical tests, a stringent screening process, and has the approval of skin experts and regulatory professionals before being sold in the market. 

To be extra safe, make sure the products you use come from a reputable source or manufacturer with a history of expertise addressing your skincare concern. Remember, your skin is the only skin you have, don't compromise #SkinHealth by using fake or untested products or brands just because they are trendy or cheaper. 

At the end of the day, go for authentic brands and products that are tried and tested, from sources you trust.

Taking good care of our skin isn’t about vanity. It’s really just making sure that our skin reflects the state of our health, and that when we use products meant for our skin, we are sure they are meant to do more good than harm our skin. 

One post can’t really cover everything I want to say, so expect more #SkinHealth tips and learnings I’ve picked up along the way. 

To have good skin at 40 is a blessing, and I’m sharing this blessing with you. Naks.

The Flawless Pink Revolution

Flawless Face and Body Clinic continues to give Filipinos easier and more affordable access to medically-sound and innovative skin and body solutions with the Flawless Pink Revolution - their 5+5 service packages month long promotion this December!

“We really want to mark this fantastic year and share the success with our clients,” shares Rubby Sy, CEO of Flawless.  

“Several milestones were achieved not just for Flawless but for the entire Philippines. 2014 is the year that we launched the country’s first ever widely-available all-in-one intravenous vitamin mix – called the Beauty Drip - and our All-Natural Ultimate White Facial. This is also the year that we managed to exclusively bring in the world’s first 100 percent natural in origin, 100 percent biodegradable and 100 percent hypoallergenic beauty line, Novexpert.” Sy continues, 

“We also opened two more locations this year, one in Bacolod and another in Eastwood. With plans to begin operations early next year in several move sites – we can’t be more thankful to everyone who continues to support us. And that’s why we instigated the Flawless Pink Revolution.”

Sy shares that under the Flawless Pink Revolution, they are matching 100% of the 5 sessions customers initially purchase to thank and empower their loyal patrons with 5 more FREE sessions of the same services, which they can share with family and friends. 

Their best selling services such as the Cell Booster Infusion Mask, Nano Power Peel, Laser Hair Removal and Shape and Sculpt are included in the package!

UPDATE: Promotion is extended to January 31, 2015. All services purchased in this promotion are redeemable until July 2015. 

To know more about the Flawless Pink Revolution, like Flawless Face and Body on Facebook or follow @myFlawless on Instagram and @myFlawless on Twitter. Or you can visit any of the 38 Flawless clinics nationwide.

Oil Cleansing Method + My Beauty Regimen

I've been asked to expound on the Oil Cleansing Method and to share my beauty regimen, and before I start, I have to clarify, I am in no way a beauty expert. But what I can tell you is that I am obsessed with skin care. I was brought up that way. My mom doesn't wear make-up but she believes in skin care (she uses Olay, my dad, the military man, tells me to use Ponds cold cream at night, so cute!), so it never occurred to me to wear make-up until I started working (and when I mean make-up, I mean "barely there make-up"). Besides, as my mom argues, what is make up for when you have clean, healthy skin to start with?

I am maniacal when it comes to skin care not only because of my mom, but also because for a year, I had super BAD skin. I had spot free skin (save for the occasional solitary teeny tiny pimple) in my teens, but then again, I'm a late bloomer, so when I was about 22-23, my skin got real bad. As in terrible I tell you. I had zits all over my face, and little bumps on my forehead. My mom says it was my unhealthy diet during my college years that did me in (she says it was because of McDonald's and Jollibee, which she abhors hahaha!). It was so bad I stayed away from mirrors and never wanted my picture taken, ever! So yeah, that time in my life - undocumented! I didn't want any proof that I looked like that, hahaha! I know, how vain.

So anyway, one of my best friends, Nina, who was going through the same hormonal thing as I was, discovered our dermatologist, Dr. Selwyn Crisostomo and thanks to her and her potions, we got our skin back, hahaha! After that harrowing experience of going through life with yucky skin, I vowed never to take my skin for granted ever! I guess that puts me in a believable position to dole out skin advice, or at least, I can vouch for the methods I've tried.

Now, onto the first subject of this post, the Oil Cleansing Method. My SIL Lorr, is always on the lookout for the latest skin craze, and it was through her that I discovered the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) some years back. I guarantee that this is a safe and natural way to cleanse skin, and this coming from me - I have super sensitive, combination skin, and unlike some girls who can get away with cleansing their face with regular soap and water, I have to be careful with the products I put on my face. So if there's no adverse reaction on me, I think it will be safe to say, it is safe for most skin types.

Let me tell you, OCM super works! Like a charm! When Lorr first told me about it at the time, I was incredulous because who in her right mind would slather her face with equal parts castor oil (and what the heck is castor oil?) and olive oil (this was before Shu cleansing oils came about) right? But it pays to experiment because honestly, if only this wasn't so much work, I would pick this over Shu cleansing oils hands down. Thing is, this method, is a bit time consuming and you'll see why as I go through the steps with you:

NOTE: OCM is typically done in the evening, before going to bed. There is no need to clean or wash face prior to doing OCM, as it is actually a great way to remove make-up. OCM is meant to deep clean skin, while balancing oil production, so you don't need to do OCM the following morning.

What You'll Need:
- a soft washcloth
- a blend of castor oil and olive oil
- hot water

The Method:
1. Pour the oil into your palm. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth it over your face.
2. Massage the oil into your face. Massage the oil deeply into your pores in a circular motion. Work it into your pores so that blackheads and all that gunk can be dissolved and steamed away. (I love it when I feel little beady, pore-clogging stuff coming out of my pores as I massage the oil, delightfully gross haha!)
3. Once you feel your pores are clean enough, pick up your washcloth and soak it in hot water. The water must be warm enough to open pores and remove the oil.
4. Cover your face with the warm washcloth, and let it stay until it cools.
5. Wipe the oil away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Repeat steps 4 & 5 for at least 2 more times.

You'll notice that after you cleanse the oil off, your skin will feel a bit tight, as if you've used toner! It's amazing! If you find the "tightness" uncomfortable, rub a drop of the oil blend between your damp palms and pat it onto your skin and massage.

For more information about the Oil Cleansing Method, read here and here!

Now, about my beauty regimen. Basically, I drink a lot of water, which I did not do a lot of until I asked a guy classmate of mine from grad school how he got his super smooth skin (As in he had poreless skin, and his nose didn't have a speck of blackhead, at all) and what his beauty secret was. He told me with no qualms, "My beauty secret? I drink 2 liters of water a day, at least!". Ok, that was enough to get me convinced!

Apart from drinking lots of water, I cleanse with Cetaphil...


...tone with La Mer The Tonic...


...and moisturize with Creme de la Mer twice a day - once in the morning and again at bed time.


An extra step in the AM is slathering on La Mer SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid whether or not I step out of the house, because since we moved here, the brown specks on my face just started multiplying so I had to start wearing sunblock religiously. I used to use Shiseido SPF 55 for my face, and while I love the non-greasy feel, La Mer's sunblock feels lighter on the skin, as it is has a more liquid-y consistency.



I only started using La Mer when I got pregnant with Berry because my skin got really dry and flakey during pregnancy. For the longest time, I used SK-II Skin Treatment Clear Lotion and the Facial Treatment Essence and while I love SK-II (it worked wonders on my skin too), it just didn't do when my skin got really dry. I had to make a switch to a more moisturizing product.

Btw, I still use SK-II Signs Eye Cream, but I haven't really been sleeping well the last couple of months - heartburn during pregnancy and well, taking care of Berry pretty much guarantees eyebags, so I can't say if the eye cream does its job, haha!


So yeah, that's it! The OCM + my beauty regimen, I hope this helps somehow!

PS
Back in Manila, I did facials with my derma at least once a month. For a time, I also did diamond peels. The effect on my skin was amazing! Barely there pores! But that could be psychological because since the move here, I haven't had a facial or a peel, but with La Mer, my skin looks just as good!

PPS
Oh oh, and if there was one thing I wish I did earlier, I really should have started using sunblock and eye cream in my teens. If I did, then I probably would have better skin! Oh wells! =)

PPPS
Oh oh oh, and here's Clarisonic, a professional grade skin care brush I have yet to try! As is the usual case, this was discovered by my SIL Lorr, heehee:



Supposedly, with regular daily use, "Clarisonic reduces dry skin patches, oily areas and blemishes leaving skin feeling and looking smoother". It also comes highly recommended by dermatologists, but at $195 for a brush, I might just stick to OCM to deep clean my skin!

But, well you know me, I have my weak moments so in the event that I feel generous and decide to spring for a Clarisonic brush, I'll let you in on how it works!