Things that made the most difference to my skin

Hiya Everyone

Today I thought I might share the things in my skincare routine that have made the most difference.

I am in my mid 30's, and have never had ache prone skin (luckily).  I have normal/combo skin (oily t-zone).  I've also got quite sensitive skin, and am prone to eczema.  I've got a little bit of pigmentation, but nothing too bad.  Unfortunately there a few wrinkles too  - mostly expression related.

Glycolic Acid

I have seen a significant improvement in the clarity of my skin since I started using chemical exfoliants including Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) - particularly glycolic acid.  A lot of people freak out at the thought of using a "acids" of their skin - thinking they must be very irritating and synthetic.

Glycolic acid is actually a natural substance which is derived from sugar cane.  The great thing about ingredients such as glycolic acids, is that they unbind the dead skin cells that get stuck on the skin, and allow them to be removed, revealing fresh skin.  It also helps other products (such as serums) get better absorbed into your skin because the product isn't blocked by the dead skin cells.

The only caveat is because fresh skin is being revealed, the chance of sunburn (and therefore skin damage) is increased when using AHA's.  I only use AHAs at night.

My favourite glycolic acid product is Alpha-H Liquid Gold.

Clarisonic Mia

Keeping with the exfoliating theme, next is my favourite manual exfoliant.

Between using glycolic acid's and the Clarisonic, I have pretty much completely gotten rid of all the little bumps I used to have on my forehead - they weren't active red bumps, just bumps under the skin.

I probably use my Clarisonic 3-4 times per week - with the sensitive brush head.  I don't use it more, mainly because I use glycolic's, and I don't want to over stimulate my skin.  

There was recently a sale of Ozsale where I purchased a sensitive, normal, delicate and deep pore brush heads for $35 including postage - that's a bargain considering I recently purchased a new brush head from David Jones for $32!!

Toners

I used to think toning was such a pointless thing to do - little did I know!  

Toners can help to remove any residual cleanser, re-balance the skins PH, and just freshen  up the skin in general.  I love the tingly feeling on my face just after I apply toner.  

There are lots of different types of toners with lots of different functions, but I try to avoid toners that have stripping ingredients, such as alcohol.  Stripped skin is only going to lead to oilier skin.

Since using toners I've noticed my skin is less oily, and makeup adheres better to my skin.

I have been using the Michael Todd Cranberry Anti-oxidant toner - that thing was enormous and took over 12 months to get through!

Hyaluronic Acid

I know, more acid.  Hyaluronic acid is something that naturally occurs in the skin.  It is a humectant, meaning it attracts and stores moisture up to 1000x's its weight - more moisture for the skin!

I can get dry under eyes from time to time, and I have found since using Hyaluronic acids on my entire face (including the under eye area), that the dryness has declined.  I definitely notice a significant difference in my skin if I don't put hyaluronic acid on my face each day.

My favourite hyaluronic acid product is Hydraluron - but I have recently purchased the Mizon hyaluronic acid - keen to see how that goes!

Masking 

I am trying to make an effort to use face masks at least a couple times a week - be they sheet masks, clay masks, or glycolic based masks.  I've never been a fan of peeling masks, so they are probably the only type I stay away from.

Sheet masks are definitely my favourite at the moment.  I think because although I can continue to do things whilst wearing them (read: housework), I am more inclined to just relax while they are on.  I find sheet masks to be particularly hydrating.

I have seen an improvement to the brightness of my skin since using masks a couple of times a week.  I have also noticed an improvement in the general level of moisture in my skin.

Well, that's about it.  I'm on a huge Korean skincare kick at the moment, but I don't see the above changing - the brands might, but the components won't - though they might grow!  From what I have read, the average Korean woman's skincare consists of at least 10 products - I'm not sure I have that much time in the morning! oh well.

Thanks for dropping by

TonyMoly Shiny Foot Peeling Liquid

I live in Australia, and its been well over 30 degrees everyday for the past 6 months (note - its now finally cooled down - yay!!).  As a result of this, my feet have taken an absolute beating!

Feet masks are pretty new to me.  I looked at all sorts of different ones, and decided to purchase a TonyMoly peeling feet mask - as a said my feet have taken a beating and I needed something pretty heavy duty.  

The idea of these masks are you place your feet in these plastic bootie type socks, and pour in a solution, usually made up of various acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic), and other liquids which are supposed to gently, but effectively cause the feet to peel off the old, rough skin, revealing new soft feet.  The peeling should commence after 4 to 6 days, and should be completed in approximately 2 weeks.

I'm not going to show any actual pictures of my feet because...... well..... nobody needs to see that!

Important Info 

Name:   TonyMoly Shiny Foot Peeling Liquid

Price:    $12.99USD for 2 pairs from beautynetkorea.com

 

What is it?

Description from the BeautyNetKorea website

This special treatment for foot calluses contains plant derived extracts, and will make your feet soft and supple.  it removes rough dead skin cells from your feet, leaving your feet smooth and silk soft

Ingredients List

Packaging

The 2 sets of booties come in a laminated box with a picture of what appears to be a sparkly pair of baby's feet.

The peeling solution comes in a foot shaped foil pouch, which is a pre-measured dose to be poured into each booty (no guessing of how much is half - yippee!!)

Each pair of booties is packaged in clear plastic wrapping with a sticky closure.

The back of the box contains not only instructions written into Korean, but also English - thank goodness because with this type of product I wouldn't really want to guess what I need to do.

First Impressions

As I bought a 2 pack of booties, I gave one to my sister to try out (she's a hairdresser so is on her feet all day).  She tried them first.  It says on the instructions to cut the peeling solution packet across the dotted line - but when she did that the solution spurted all over the floor - I'd recommend just cutting off the big toe (which is what I did when I tried them the next day)

I have size 10 feet (Eu41), and the booties still fit me fine and did up around my ankle without any issues.  There is a paper type of insert inside the plastic bootie that you put your feet into.  Once my feet were snuggly in the boot, I cut off the big toe of the peeling liquid and poured it into each bootie. I liquid was really cold!  I then tied up the booties to make sure none of the liquid escaped.

The instructions say to keep the booties on your feet for an hour to an hour and a half (or until the feet have absorbed all the liquid).  I kept them on for about an hour and three quarters.

A bit of a side note, my sister had a 2 week old gel manicure of her toes which was removed by the peeling liquid!  I had normal nail polish on my toes and it had no effect. 

Another unexpected benefit was after using the booties, my sister noticed a significant improvement in the corn between her little toe and the one next to it - who knew???

Day 1 Results

After I removed the booties and thoroughly rinsed my feet of the solution, I can tell you my feet have never looked so clean!  No change to the feel or texture of my feet on day one.

Day 6 Results

It look about 2 days for my feet to start to peel.  At day it, it kind of looked like I had walked in some baby powder, and it was stuck in the lines of my feet.  Later that night I had a bath, and when I got out of the bath, a significant amount of peeling had started - initially more so on the softer area of my feet (arch, under my toes), but by day 5 the more calloused parts of my feet had started to peel, and I could see a significant difference.

By the end of day 6, there was only minor peeling still occurring.  

After 2 weeks

My feet didn't peel any further from day 7 to day 14.

 

Was it Any Good?

Although my feet aren't completely baby soft, I think the peeling mask did a really good job.  My feet are pretty battered - between the Australian Summer, wearing nose-bleed inducing high heels, and pretty much thongs only now that I'm heavily pregnant -  the singular use of a peeling mask was never going to fix all.  But there is definitely a huge improvement - particularly on my heels.

 

Would I buy it again? I already have, and its only its way to me (yay!).  I don't think I'm able to use it straight away though.  I think I read somewhere to give a 6 week break between treatments - d'oh!

Rating

4.5/5
 

Where Can I Get It?

I purchased mine from beautynetkorea.com as they offer free shipping, and ship to Australia

Sep Face Lifting Mask

Another week, another face mask.  If I had it my way, I'd do at least 2 face masks a week, but between chasing around a toddler, running a household, working full-time, and being 33 weeks pregnant, I find it hard to remember!

I don't know about anyone else, but I find using a sheet face mask really indulgent - am I on my own there?

Important Info: 

Name:   Sep Face Lifting Mask
Size:      30g 
Price:    $14.00USD (per Memebox Lucky Box #1 informational card)

What is it?

As per the informational card: - 
This sheet mask is a 6 in 1 facial hydrogel mask made with a special fabric normally used for body shaping underwear.  It provides intensive nutrition, fights against the appearance of wrinkles, brightens skin tone, firms fine lines, and hydrates the skin.

Packaging

The mask was enclosed in a large white foil packet with a beautiful silver lace design on it.  The packet had a tearing mark, which made it really easy to open.

All directions on the packaging were in Korean.  The informational card I received advised to apply the mask after cleansing, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then remove.  The excess product left on the face should be allowed to absorb.

First Impressions

Before I get into the product itself, can I first just say this must be the prettiest beauty product I have ever used.  It it were black, the eye part of the mask could be a masquerade mask.  I don't usually get suckered into that kind of stuff but wow!

Okay, back to the important stuff.

The mask comes in two sections.  The eye section covers the forehead, nose and to the bottom of the cheekbones.  The mouth part covers the jaw, upper lip and chin.

Both sections had a solid white plastic backing on one side, and a transparent thinner plastic on the other side.  Each section was folded in half.

I don't know if I was just being a little clumsy handed, but I found the mask quite difficult to remove from the back and front backing.  It may be because of the slipperiness of the product, or the fineness of a lace mask, but it took me a little while to get it off the backing.

I found the mask a little too small for my face.  It didn't reach up to the top of my forehead, or all the way to my ears or completely cover my jaw.  I don't think I have a particularly large head......... (Insert joke here lol)

Was It Any Good?

I enjoyed this face mask, but I didn't love it unfortunately.  

The mask felt cooling on my face which was lovely, but just sitting down watching television, I could feel the mask slipping down my face.  I had to keep re-adjusting the eye holes on the top section.   The mouth section kept heading south too.

When I removed the mask after 10 minutes, the mask was still reasonably damp, but it just didn't have enough product on it to adhere to my face properly.

It left a thin layer of product on my face to soak in, and probably after about 10 minutes or so, it was completely absorbed.

It left my skin feeling hydrated, but I didn't notice any brightening or firming of fine lines.  My sister tried this mask too, and she reported that her skin felt tighter - I didn't notice that - bummer.

Rating

3/5  It was nice, but I want more from a sheet mask as expensive as this.

Review of Flower Men Energy Factor Moist Boosting Sheet Mask - Hyaluronic Acid

Important Info: 

Name:   Flower Men Energy Factor Moist Boosting Sheet Mask - Hyaluronic Acid
Size:      25g 
Price:    $4.00 USD (per Memebox #8 informational card)

What is it?

This is a single use hyaluronic sheet mask applied to the face and left on for 15-20 minutes.

Packaging

The mask was enclosed in a large foil packet with Psy's face printed on it (apparently the packet is the actual size of Psy's head).  If you were really keen, you could delicately cut around the edge of the mask, pop out the perforated eye and ear holes and make yourself a Psy mask to run around the house in.

I hacked into it with scissors though, so there's no Psy mask for my 2 year old to run off with.

All directions on the back of the packet were written in Korean.  The Memebox informational card contained English instructions. However all sheet masks I've used in past are pretty much the same process - take it out of the packet, unfold, whack it on your face, and leave it on for 20 minutes or so.

First Impressions

The face mask was folded up to a quarter of its size (in half, and then in half again).  This is the first sheet mask I've used that didn't come with some sort of backing that needed to be peeled away.  This turned out to be pretty awkward.  The backings give a kind of stability, so when the sheet mask is being opened, it's reasonably resilient.  However without this backing, I had to be really careful when I unfolded it, because the delicate nature of these sorts of masks mean they tear pretty easily.

The mask was very saturated with the jelly-like product; not so much that it was all gloopy and made a mess, but enough that it stayed on the face without any problems.  I walked about the house doing a bit of housework when I first put it on, and it didn't slide at all.  The sheet mask was a good size, and covered my face to my ears, and underneath my chin and jaw.

Was It Any Good?

I've loved all the Korean sheet masks I've tried, and this was no exception.

When first applied, the mask had a lovely cooling effect which remained the entire time it was on my face.

At the 20 minute mark of the mask being on my face, it was starting to dry, but still had plenty of product on it.

When I removed the mask, there was a thin layer of hyaluronic acid on my face which my skin absorbed over the rest of the night.

When I got up this morning, my skin felt lovely, soft and plump and there was absolutely no dryness under my eyes, which I normally have in the mornings.

Rating

4/5