ATM: 5 Months After Laser

Hello! I thought I give a conclusion to my laser experience because the story didn't end with me having baby-smooth skin forever. Ah, fairytales.

I went to Korea a month after my laser and when I got back, my face turned into a wreck. ಥ_ಥ My cheeks, where I did the laser, were crazy dry to the point that they were painful. And the dryness spread to my lips and even to my eyelids. I looked like I was sunburnt and no matter how many creams and moisturizers I layered on, nothing worked. In fact, my skin started getting clogged. So, I had painful, flaky skin that was breaking out. What a lovely combination (I was really quite upset btw. Just in case you can't tell. )': ).

The doctors told me I had Xerotic Eczema, which is caused by dry weather. I took oral steroids and applied a steroid cream on my cheeks, something which I really didn't want to but desperation won. And of course, steroids immediately calmed everything down. But each time I stopped the steroid cream, my cheeks would break out into red bumps after a few days. I decided to stop all steroids, go to my Chinese Sinseh and that finally ended my skin woes. (▰˘◡˘▰)

According to my Chinese Sinseh, I was actually very 'cold' but because I hadn't been sleeping well, my body would give out 'heat' when I woke up. So basically I had 'false heat' which decided to manifest itself on the most sensitive part of my body, which was my recently laser-ed cheeks. I know many people don't really believe in TCM and all its ying and yang stuff, but I really do. Like when I eat too much chips, I can feel the 'heat' emitting from my body? Haha. Of course, I don't rely on Chinese medicine entirely. There are many illnesses which you have to go to the Western doctors but stuff like skin problems, I really do think TCM is the way to go.

I was doing a lot of googling then and realised that many people's skin actually get wrecked by dry weather. This is probably the only instance when I'm glad for Singapore's humidity. Haha. Anyway, after trying a gazillion products, I thought I share with you the products that worked and are still working for me. Just in case you need them. ◡̈

• Avène Thermal Spring Water
  I love facial mists that contain thermal spring water for a quick boost of hydration during the day. For me, there isn't any visible difference across the different brands that are available in Singapore but I read that Avène ones are great for reducing redness so I have been using this.
• Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy Dermo-Cleanser
  Cetaphil was my favourite for ages but then, I came across a few articles saying that it's evil so I decided to get this. This is actually very much like Cetaphil, in terms of texture. Haha. I actually don't really know if this is better, ingredients-wise. But it doesn't irritate my eczema-ridden skin and I'm not sure if it's because I'm washing my face less, but my skin feels a lot more comfortable after each wash (Whether it's with this cleanser or without.).
• Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream
  THIS has been my holy grail. I got back from Bangkok last week and my cheeks started getting red and irritated. Just one night of this and I could see how much calmer my skin was. I have been using this everyday since and my skin has calmed down so much that I'm brave enough to introduce serums and oils to my skincare routine again. Really love this! *blows kisses*
• Cosrx Centella Blemish Cream
  As mentioned earlier, my skin was actually getting really clogged from all the layering I was doing. I had a lot of blackheads which I tried to extract on my own, unsuccessfully. They developed into pimples, which I then bury with this cream and poof! They don't disappear immediately, but they are definitely less angry and less red the next day. This is gentle, doesn't irritate my eczema either and I just placed an order for the toner and ampoule this morning. Yay, Cosrx!

REVIEW: Essano's Rosehip BlackBox Set

Essano is a New Zealand brand that takes pride in providing natural and effective haircare and skincare at affordable price points. Certified organic by Ecocert, this brand made its way to our island recently and has teamed up with BlackBox to come up with an exclusive kit. This kit contains

• Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water 100ml for $8.95
  This Micellar Water is infused with soothing Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil to clean skin effectively and gently. It works by having tiny, diligent molecules, known as Micelles, attract makeup, oil and dirt. They lift them off our skin and dissolve them as we swipe cotton pads, soaked in this magic water, across our face.
• Rosehip Mist Toner 120ml for $22.95
  This toner contains the goodness of Kakadu Plum, which is a fruit that's chock-full of Vitamin C. It also contains Aloe Vera, Green Tea and Witch Hazel to balance our skin's pH level naturally and fight against wrinkles.
• Rosehip Oil 20ml for $29.95
  Rosehip Oil contains vitamins and fatty acids and has been clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars, fine lines, stretch marks and sun damage. This oil, in particular, is enriched with Acai Berry Oil for further prevention against ageing.

Ever since I got back from Korea, my skin has become even more sensitive than it usually is. As a result, I have become quite wary of the things I apply on my face. I want things simple and if possible, natural, so this kit is a real godsend. I have been using the products for close to a week and here are my thoughts thus far. ◡̈

The Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water is probably my favourite product of the lot. It feels so light and removes my sunscreen, powder foundation and eyeliner easily, without making my skin feel tight or dry. For mascara, it takes a little while longer but I don't need to rub my lashes aggressively or anything like that. After cleansing, I follow it up with the Rosehip Mist Toner, but really, I spray this on whenever my skin feels thirsty or needs an extra boost. Heh. The mist that comes out is really fine so it doesn't disturb my makeup. I let it sink into my skin for a minute or two and then, gently pat dry.

At night, I mix a couple of drops of the Rosehip Oil with my moisturiser and apply it all over my face and neck. It doesn't irritate my sensitive skin and I wake up to adequately moisturised skin. This oil also works great on random dry body patches that recent late nights have given me.

BlackBox's Essano Rosehip Set is priced at $39.90 for 20 sets. Thereafter, it will be $55.90. Key in the code BBXCHARLENELEE10 to get 10% off any box that's above $17. ◡̈

REVIEW: Caring for Your Skin the Balinese Way with Bali Mama x BlackBox

Bali Mama is a natural skincare brand that was founded by 2 families, with 5 kids between them. The brand aims to make available affordable Balinese-inspired skin and body care to everyone. Their natural products are designed in Singapore and homemade in Bali, Indonesia. BlackBox brings you a Bali Mama exclusive box that contains the following products:

• Bali Mama Body Wash (Ginger & Lemongrass) 250ml for $29
  This body wash contains anti-bacterial ginger and invigorating lemongrass to gently cleanse and refresh skin.
  

• Bali Mama Body Polish (Lulur herbs & Frangipani) 200g for $27
  This creamy body scrub is enriched with clarifying Lulur herbs for gentle exfoliation. It gets rid of dead skin and leaves skin feeling silky soft and smooth.
  

• Bali Mama Shea Body Butter (Frangipani) 100ml for $32
  This 'skin superfood' its formulated with Vitamin E and moisturising agents to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. It helps even tone and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and eczema, keeping skin youthful and soft.

I'm currently trying to prep for JLPT N4 but inertia has been very real. Heh. So I'm actually kind of getting edgy from my lack of motivation. Lol. But anyway, Bali Mama has been taking some of the edge off with its beautifully-scented products. Every shower is filled with the scents of ginger and lemongrass from the Bali Mama Body Wash. It relaxes and reinvigorates my skin, leaving it nicely hydrated. The Bali Mama Body Polish is a treat I give my body once a week. It sloughs away dead skin while providing an extra boost of moisture. On nights when my skin feels a little thirstier than usual, I apply some Bali Mama Shea Body Butter. The body butter comes in a solid paste but melts easily when warmed between my fingers. A pinch of it hydrates my skin nicely and smells incredibly good.

This Christmas, BlackBox's Bali Mama Exclusive Box is available at $49.90 for the first 30 sets (U.P. $65.90). Key in the code BBXCHARLENELEE10 for an additional 10% off. ◡̈