[TIPS] 5 Basic Skin Care Routine

Hi guys! It's been so long since I've updated my blog. I've been busy travelling to China and Malaysia. Hopefully it's not too late, Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year as well! Hopefully, 2015 will be a very memorable year for us and hope that miracles do come true. :)

My deep condolences to the families and friends of passengers and crew in flight QZ8501. Rest in Peace in Heaven and rest well. Hopefully, the families and friends will recover soon and more bodies will be found very soon. :( PrayForQZ8501

Today, I'll be teaching you guys the 5 Basic Skin Care Routine. I was taught by Mia from Asian Beauty Secrets on YouTube, so I decided to share these tips with you. :)

1. Cleanse

Cleansing your face at least twice a day is very important, because everyday, dust, dirt and bacteria touches the surface of your face and that is why, we grow acne (pimples, blackheads, white heads, redheads, etc.). Washing it twice a day will not only remove the dirt from your face but you'll feel very clean and fresh every time you wash it properly.

For people with:

OILY SKIN: Use Foam Cleanser
DRY SKIN: Use Milk or Oil Cleanser

How to properly cleanse your face:

• By using a sponge or a cleansing puff like this: Rinse the sponge or cleansing puff with water and squeeze the water out a little bit. Apply a generous amount of facial cleanser onto the the sponge or cleansing puff and gently massage it. You'll see that bubbles or foam starts to form. 

• After that, gently massage or scrub your face with the sponge/cleansing puff. Massage your forehead in circles at least 12 times, the sides 12 times, your eye area (including your eyes and eyebrows) 12 times, around your nose (make sure to scrub between your nose and your cheeks and eyes) 12 times, 2 sides of your cheeks 12 times each, your cupid's bow (below your nose) 12 times and your chin area 12 times. It's okay to massage up to your hair line because sometimes, pimple grows around your hair line as well. Scrub your neck with the sponge/cleansing foam as well.

• After scrubbing your face, gently wash your face with water minimum 20 times. Don't go less than that because you have to make sure all the soap is washed off properly.

• Gently pad your face with your face towel.

2. Exfoliate

What does 'exfoliate' means?

Answer: The removal of old/dead skin cells and rejuvenate new skin cells/maintaining healthy skin.

Exfoliating makes a HUGE difference in your skin care routine because your face is made up with a lot of skin cells. It basically takes 28 days for new skin cells in your face to rejuvenate, leaving your old and dead skin cells still lingering around the surface of your face. 

There are different types of exfoliator. There are clay masks, mud mask, cream, liquid and so much more. You can even make your own exfoliator.

How to DIY exfoliator:

• Using Egg White: Grab an egg. Crack the egg and separate the egg yolk and egg white into two bowls. Using a make-up brush, gently dip your brush into the bowl that contains egg white and apply it gently onto your face (forehead, cheeks, nose, cupid's bow, chin, neck). Wait for 10-15 minutes then rinse your face with water gently for 20 times. Do not laugh, move your face, talk or yawn, it will hurt your face even more.
• Using Tea Bags: After drinking your tea (usually tea bags), cut open the tea bag and pour it into a small bowl. Take a few tablespoons of sugar and honey and mix those with the tea bag with a spoon. You can use your hands to apply the mask or a brush (whichever you prefer).

Very simple and easy.

If you have bad skin (like mine: hundreds of pimples, blackheads, etc.), investing in a very good exfoliator helps your skin a lot. Don't hesitate on buying them. Clay or mud mask will really do the trick.

How long or how to apply really depends on the instructions written at the back of the product, but it usually takes 10-15 mins to 30 mins and then rinse it off with water.

Remember this: Usually, you only need to exfoliate 3 times a week, minimum is once a week.

3. Tone

How does toner do to help your face improve?

Answer: Toner generally helps to refresh, rejuvenate, moisturise, shrink pores, cleanse skin cells and balancing skin pH.

Balance skin pH?

Yes, toner helps to balance skin pH because it is neutral (usually pH 5-6 or even pH 7). Your face cannot be too acidic or alkaline, so balancing pH helps your skin to feel better and improve a lot. 

How to apply toner:

Nothing too complicated. Just put a dime size amount in each area (forehead, left cheek, right cheek, chin, nose, cupid's bow) onto a cotton pad.

You can always buy toner from a inexpensive drugstore or buy a really good one from Laneige or Kiehl's. 

WHAT TO AVOID:

When purchasing a toner, you HAVE to make sure the toner does NOT contain: ALCOHOL.

It has to be ALCOHOL-FREE because alcohol dries up your face and tightens your skin.

4. Moisturise

Moisturiser helps improve your face by softening your face and finishing it with a youthful and better look. On a hot day, moisturiser helps to maintain the freshness and moisture around your face and won't easily dry up (hydrates the skin).

Types of Moisturisers:

• Gel
• Hydrating Serum
• Cream
• Ointment
• Lotion

Which ever suits your face or your preference the best, it's all up to you (unless you have no choice but to go with it because your beauty-consultant says so).

Try not to use moisturiser that helps to moisturise your BODY. Purchase a FACE moisturiser because I personally think both of them have their differences even if they work the same.

5. Protect

Protection is the most important tip out of all tips in this list (what?). Protecting your skin even when you're young or old, even if you're a guy or a girl, protecting is super essential for your skin.

How to protect:

• Applying a good sunblock or sunscreen helps to protect your skin from the sun rays. 

Purchasing a very good sunblock or sunscreen makes a difference because now there's global warming on Earth happening right now. The UV rays can effect your body and skin, and also, the sun is getting EVEN hotter every single day (sometimes). Purchase a sunscreen that has at least SPF 50 Pa+++ and has UV Protection helps your skin even better than an average and inexpensive SPF 25 Pa+ and no UV Protection.

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Summary:

Remember these 5 important skin care routine:

1. Cleanse

2. Exfoliate

3. Tone

4. Moisturise

5. Protect

In case it's too difficult for you to remember, note it down or remember this: 'CETMP'.

Do not jumble up those letters because this skin care routine is already in order from no.1-no.5.

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Skin Care Products I Use:

1. Cleanser

LA'DERM Enlighten Me Facial Foam Cleanser from Germany = $65 BND

2. Exfoliator

Beauty DIY from Taiwan = $20 BND

3. Toner

Isofurabon Toner from Japan = $8 BND

4. Moisturiser

LA'DERM Enlighten Me Aqua Serum from Germany = $76 BND

5. Protector

A'Pieu Natural Sun Cream Daily SPF 45 Pa +++ from South Korea = $21 BND

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and again, Happy New Year to all of you and bless you! :D