Everything is affected by this lockdown – including your skin. Your new stay-at-home lifestyle will have an impact on your skin’s appearance – albeit more air con, more junk food, more alcohol, less attention to your daily routine (routines have gone right out the window!) or more sweat now that you have this extra spare time to workout. Or perhaps your healthy hue has disappeared with the lack of poolside vitamin D. Whatever the case, your skin probably needs some additional TLC.
For inspiration on how to take your dull, lackluster complexion and transform it into that natural, fresh (and spot free!) glow we all crave, here are my recommendations on products needed to revive your skin and take your new lockdown skincare routine up a level or two.
Let Me Skin – Ultra H20 Gold Brightening Mask
I love this face mask! I’m a sucker for Korean skincare products. I’m also a sucker for packaging and enjoy the unique pill-style box, which comes in a variety of colours too, representing different targeted skin needs. My skin’s current condition is clogged pores (ffs), dull, quite dry and creeping wrinkles. So I opted for the 24k pure gold modelling mask to help me combat these issues. You get a complete kit inside the giant pill shaped box, where you mix Solution 1 and Solution 2 (both labelled for ease) together for roughly 30 seconds, before applying to the face with the spatula provided. Leave on for 30-minutes until dry, then peel off. Voila! Each box comes with two separate mask applications, so great value for money.
Made with ingredients such as pearl extract and Niacinamide, this modelling mask will help care for and nourish damaged skin while instantly improving the appearance of your skin – these masks are also suitable for all skin types.
$25, purchase here via Asian Beauty X.
The Pure Lotus – Lotus Leaf Aloe Calming Serum
I use a serum every day – both morning and night, and have found it really helps combat dry flaky areas and a ‘meh’ looking complexion. Before I moved to Singapore I didn’t use or ever own a single serum (shock, I know) but since moving here and upping my skincare game, I now cannot get enough of a decent serum. I’m also a big fan of natural products, which is why I like The Pure Lotus skincare brand – who only venture down botanical extracts, keeping nature’s plants at the heart of all their products.
Their Lotus Leaf & Aloe Calming Serum helps calm and soothe skin, while brightening your complexion (naturally!). It is infused with Lotus Leaf Extract – a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralise free radicals that can cause signs of premature aging, as well as Aloe Vera which we all know does wonders for the skin. If you sunbathe like moi or get exposed to the sun’s rays during the day, this serum is especially great and calming any irritation and heat.
Beautifully boxed in a package designed by artist Kang Myung Soon, this lovely light scented and soothing serum is a top pick for all skin types especially sensitive skin types.
$49.00, purchase here via Asian Beauty X.
TWO L(I)PS – ICE
You know….skincare routine isn’t all about the face. We have to care for our body’s skin too – all over. This includes our lady garden – our sensitive skin that surrounds our vulva and pubic area. Considering the salons are still closed, how many of us have taken to shaving or plucking in order to keep our V in check? I am praying for the day beauty salons re-open…PLEASE! My poor shaved inflamed skin needs my wax therapist, pronto.
Luckily, there are home remedies now to help keep your skin down below in great condition – such as TWO L(I)PS brand. A firm favourite of mine for a while now, I have almost every product of theirs in my bathroom cabinet. I love the fact their products can be used on both your FACE and body, meaning you can double up and save bathroom shelf space if you so desire.
Their latest product? ICE. A calming rescue cream that has been designed purposefully to relieve angry skin. When we say angry we mean inflamed, sensitive, itchy, dry and perhaps even ingrown hairs. There are many common triggers for angry skin. This ranges from improper care after frequent shaving to sun-exposure, minor burns and cuts, insect bites and even tight-fitting clothes or undergarments. ICE has been formulated to help soothe, offer anti-inflammatory properties and calm the skin, made with sea algae, menthol and liquorice root extract.
For best results, apply a small amount to the desired area until fully absorbed. Use as often as needed – I use once a day before I go to bed.
$80, purchase here via TWO L(I)PS.
Caudalie VineActiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream
We should always remember our eyes during our skincare routine. The skin around our eyes is extra sensitive and extra thin – needing TLC every day as much as the rest of your face. The eye area also needs a different kind of product too – one designed specifically for that delicate skin membrane. My go-to to Caudalie’s eye cream – it is packed with lifting peptides, de-puffing fern extracts, licorice extract, and horse chestnut, this gentle, quick-absorbing cream energises the sensitive eye and lip area, improving the look of dark circles and puffiness. I have the unlucky daily dark-circle battle and fine wrinkles, so hunting for an eye cream that actually made a difference was a long slog for me. This one, in my opinion, definitely works and delivers fresh and bright eyes.
$49, purchase here via Sephora SG.
The Pure Lotus – Essence Lotion & Essence Duo Set
I couldn’t do this round up without throwing in another The Pure Lotus product (I love it so) but also, a bundle set that offers us all value for money. After all, we do so love spending less but getting more. This duo offers a unique combination – Essence and Essence Lotion, leaving your skin looking brighter, more balanced and well hydrated. They also help to combat pesky fine wrinkles — which I soooooo need given I am 33 years old (tsh!) and a bit of a sun worshiper.
Like the rest of the range, they have the Lotus Leaf Extract as the hero ingredient. A natural antibiotic, Lotus Leaf Extract is rich in Flavonoids that help nourish and promote healing and regeneration of skin cells. Also a powerful antioxidant, Flavonoids help combat the effects of environmental free radicals that may cause signs of premature ageing. These two items help to balance your skin’s natural pH level, calm stressed skin, reduce skin irritation and offer younger, healthier looking skin.
$129.60 for both, purchase here via Asian Beauty X.
