Skin Tricks

Just last week, I saw this documentary on Korean women and plastic surgery. (PS. I Witness really makes good documentaries, makes you proud to be a Filipino!)

What the documentary showed, however, was not the drastic-Barbie-doll surgeries that we so typically think when we hear the word "surgery". Rather, they featured this doctor who believed that minor changes on the face is still the way to go, and what he does is just to enhance what you already have.

He would make sure that his clients still look like themselves after the surgery -- only better versions of themselves. Mind you, this doctor also believes in God so it kind of throws the question to the audience -- if plastic surgery is just done to improve what you already have, would you do it? Do you think that this is the same way as putting on make up which is also done to enhance what you already have?

So I found myself asking how I feel about it and whether I would do it if given a chance. And after thinking about it, I have decided that I still... would not. Hindi sa gandang-ganda ako sa aking sarili haha! But the difference between make up and plastic surgery is that surgery is permanent. So even though, there are days that I hope that my skin wasn't as sensitive or I have a smaller nose, I still wouldn't change it simply because it's the face that God gave me.

Inner beauty and being confident in what you have are still more important (pang-beauty queen ang sagot :P) but it's true!

What I would do though is to be a good steward of what God has given me and to take care of myself.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4

So after that long mantra, I thought that I'd do a post here on simple skin tricks and skincare habits that may help you take care of your skin without having to consider plastic surgery..
Asian skincare wins
Feeling ko stockholder na ako ng Korean brands haha! But these guys are really experts in the field and their products are suited for the Asian skin which is usually oily and sensitive.

Step 1: Erase it!

Nature Republic, Aloe Vera Soothing Gel (P300)

Say goodbye to dirt and make up! This one is an all-around gel made to soothe and moisturize your skin. I use this to take off my make up for the day before washing my face. I dab the gel around my face and I use a round cotton pad (which you can buy at drugstores) to take off the dirt and impurities on my face.

Step 2: Wash it!

Face Shop, Rice Water Bright Cleaning Foam (P350)

Next step is to wash the face! I just bought this last week and so far I'm loving it. I learned that you should massage your face upwards as you put on your facial foam. So wash, wash, wash! Just don't overdo it though to avoid drying the skin.

Step 3: Dry it!
The one OC thing that I do is to use a separate cloth in drying my face which I change everyday. I think bimpo or a towelette is fine but I feel like the dirt sticks to that more because it's thicker and what happens is that people just let it dry inside the shower so it doesn't really dry completely when you use it the next time? So I feel lik andun parin yung dumi nung umaga. :P Ang arte ko nh. Haha! So I use a handkerchief or a bandanna instead which is really thin so it dries up quickly and after I use it for the day, it goes straight to the laundry (which you need to handwash separately).

Step 4: Peel it!

Nature Republic, Cranberry Peeling Gel (P395)

What's special about this one is that it's not the astringent type of peeling but this is more of a libag-away regimen which you are recommended to do twice a week. So after drying your face, put dabs of this around your face then rub it in circular motion until the gel starts to dry up and you will soon notice that it also comes off with the dead skin cells and etc. The best places to use this on are the sides of the nose and the chin because those are usually prone to blackheads and whiteheads. Do this for around 5 minutes then wash this off with lukewarm water.

Step 5: Moisturize it!

Nature Republic, Aqua Deep Moisture Sleeping Pack

After doing those steps, your face may start to feel tight which means that it's starting to dry so it's real important to moisturize after. I am not super particular when it comes to moisturizer so this works fine for me because it is easily absorbed by my skin and it smells good. Yaaay!

Added step: Exercise!
This one's the cheapest trick to take care of your skin! Do you notice how right after you exercise, your skin glows? It's because toxins are taken out of our bodies when we exercise and the liters of water that we consume immediately hydrates our skin. Wag ka nadin magmake up pag mageexercise, just let your skin breathe and you'll see that your skin is so much smoother after.

Another added step: Put CC or BB cream before you go out for the day

Nature Republic, Tinted CC P (745)

There are so many brands offering this nowadays but just make sure that you get one that has at least SPF 30 and that the color matches your skintone. That, or just buy one that immediately blends on your skin like this one which is my single go-to product everywhere I go. Basta may cc cream, okay na!

 Even though it's raining outside, you still need to lather this on because UV rays are still out there, gasp!

So there you have it! Quick skincare habits which you can do in just 20 minutes every day! :)