A Tale of Two Tretinoins: Dermcare 0.025% Gel and Vitacid 0.05% Cream

 Once upon a time, there was a girl on a 0.05 Tretinoin Cream named Retin-A. But Retin-A was so expensive, so she decided to try out Dermcare's 0.025% Gel version. At first, she found that a mixed regimen of Retin-A and Dermcare would work, and for a while, they did work together. But then the girl grew up and, in line with a new sensitivity to topical essential oils, she became unable to tolerate Dermcare's 0.025% Gel on her face, so they had to part ways.

Not only that, but since the girl grew up, Retin-A decided to part ways with her and went to a faraway land. Left with no choice, the girl searched and searched, and one day she met Vitacid 0.05%. They stayed together for a while, but had to part, as Vitacid could not help once tragedy struck....

The Face Shop Energy Seed Advanced Antioxidant Hydro Serum

Something I bought last year, and currently at 2/3 the way through: The Face Shop's Energy Seed Advanced Antioxidant Hydro Serum.

 

Okay, posting about this now because it's on sale. And I'm super salty that I bought it at full price. But is it worth the money?

HARNN Hand Cream in Jasmine & Pomegranate

 If you saw some of my previous AHC post, you'd know that I have some seriously old things lying around. I'm currently trying to finish up my 2019-2020 items and one of the things I got just before the pandemic started were a few things from HARNN, including the Jasmine & Pomegranate Hand Cream.

My parents took a trip to Thailand and I explicitly asked for any product from the HARNN line because I was curious. One of the things I got was the hand cream. Thank you mom and dad!

The Supplements that Saved Me

 I was on youtube a day ago and a local influencer recently made a video with a dermatologist regarding oral supplements. It got me thinking about the supplements I do take since I do take some of the supplements mentioned. The video looked at skin effects, and while studies don't really back them,  it's no biggie for me. Granted, I don't use them for my skin, nor do I take them daily. But I have found some of them do have an effect and slowly, they have become part of my life.

So here is the short list, why I take them, why I don't take them daily, and if they do have a skin effect.

PSA: Coke Formula Change

It is with great sadness that I have found that the Coke formula has changed in the Philippines. While it is better for the body, I have found that I dislike the taste of the new version which contains sugar compared to the hugh fructose corn syrup (edit, I think? It is significantly different) of the previous versions, even though it does contain less calories.

I'm not a huge fan of its closest replacement, Coke Zero. 

So I guess no more sodas for me. :(

The Commercial Patches I Buy: Acropass Trouble Cure

 If you've been following, you may know that I recommend using these instead of buying expensive pimple patches since they do the job of sucking out that gunk at a fraction of the price. However, I've long been interested in microneedle patches, but the high price tag really dissuaded me.

Finally, this 2021, I bit the bullet and purchased Acropass Trouble Cure since they were the cheapest of the lot available to me. And I'm already on my second box! But, you have to use it properly....

Review: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry

 I really have to hand it in to Laneige. They believe in their product so much, they readily give out deluxe samples of their star products (which is generally a legit purchase in my country since small sizes are the norm, instead of a GWP, but what can you do). Luckily, I got this for free as a GWP!

The only picture, because it ended up being super ugly after X months of use.

3g sample size and still going strong. I am very impressed. Why?

Leaders Insolution Basic Masks

 I've tried the Leaders Insolution Primer Masks and they were pretty good. Which is why I was so surpised at how bad their basic masks are.

These are their basic masks and while they are slightly better than the freebie chinese masks you get, they are definitely not worth the Php 60 ($1.2 ish) price tag these were going for. Glad I bought them on sale. Their online store has them sold out presently, but I suggest NOT buying these if ever they come back and buying their higher priced offerings instead.

Review: In Her Element Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser

 Trying out some photo-editing, so things might be a bit wonky for a while. But I'm actually about to finish In Her Element's Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser.

How does it look like? How was it?

Old School Eye Make-up Tutorial for Small, Deep-set and Close-set Eyes

 Today we're going to be doing something very different: an actual eye-make up tutorial. Unfortunately, it's mostly theoretical since my camera really won't capture my eyes properly. Still, I hope this will be helpful to someone, though it's a very specific subset of people who will benefit.

Now, this tutorial is only for someone with small, deep-set and close-set eyes (my own, eye shape). I've been trying out a lot of different styles but I've found that my eye shape requires a fusion of east and west to look most-flattering. This is how you do it, and why:

Review: In Her Element Petal Skin Rose Clay Mask

 FYI, this isn't technically mine, but I've half stolen this as I've grown to like it.

When I first tried it, I didn't quite like it, but my opinion's changed. And that took a bit of time.

MegRhythm Steam Eye Masks

Quick post as I realize 6.6 is coming soon. I think a good buy right now are these Lavender Steam Eye Masks from MegRhythm.

I realize that these are usually winter items, but I tend to use air conditioning in hot summer nights only since there's no winter here. And being winter items, this might be the cheapest time to stock up and store or use when the air conditioning is on.

These steam eye masks are single-use self heating eyemasks that work as both heat and aromatherapy. Just open a pack, tear to release the loops and enjoy.

I really like how easy and safe this is compared to using other eye masks (less risk of burning your skin off), though test it before you put it on.

While these lavenders are the only ones I've tried, there are an assortment of scents to choose from and they're worth it on extra special self-care days since they are very spendy.

These masks cost around Php 50-80 usually but are at around Php 35 on BOGO.

AHC Hyaluronic Toner and Emulsion

 Okay.

This product is super old and doesn't exist out of ebay. But I used it years ago and rediscovered it hiding in my room somewhere and now I'm using it way past when I ought to because:

1. It doesn't look, smell or feel funky on my face.

2. I have no adverse reactions to it.

3. It's still worth using.

Thank heavens for airless pumps.

Anyway, while the toner is a bougie basic, it's not worth splurging on without the emulsion. Which is why it's a good thing it came in a set because. OMG. The texture of the emulsion. Its soft but cream-gel like and smoothens the skin like wow.

In all honesty, you can get the same effect with different products but the experience of hydrating with this is 🙌

I think previous me was savoring this for special times but got lost in the void that is my room.

Still, no wonder AHC's eye cream is the national standard if this emulsion is already so wow for a basic hydrator.