Meme quizzes, Uncategorized MY SKINCARE REGIME 16 December 2009

OK.. so since people were interested, here’s the skincare post πŸ™‚

To start off, my skin right now is… Normal. It’s clear most of the time, with no breakouts. Sometimes my nose gets a bit oily so I’ll use an oil blotter, but maybe once every few days (usually when the weather is humid/warm). Other than that I don’t have any skin issues, concerns or drama.

It didn’t always use to be like this.

I’d like to say that I’m one of those girls that was born with naturally nice skin, but sadly, quite the opposite. For a long time, I struggled with breakouts, really oily skin (needed 2 sheets of blotters every single day) and it basically drove me crazy. It also didn’t help I was obsessed with trying out skincare – if you thought I tried out a lot of makeup (maybe 1,000+ products), I was WAY WAY WAY worse with skincare! I basically tried everything I got my hands on, and trying out multiple new products at the same time – so I never could figure out what was good and what was bad πŸ˜›

So I started teaching myself as much as I could about Dermatology. I learned about the anatomy of skin, the different chemicals and what they do and what vitamins work etc. To the point where I actually wanted to study and practice Dermatology as a career. Through that, I learned what my skin needed and started to be a lot smarter in what I slapped on.

Then, I stumbled on a brand called Rationale Skincare – an Australian company that is stocked with dermatologists and cosmo physicians. I was impressed with the quality ingredients and the no-frills packaging. They look like little medicine bottles πŸ˜› There’s no fancy marketing (in fact, none at all), no fancy packaging, and no fancy words and proclaimations. Just “this is what it is”-type wording on their bottles.

And it’s worked WONDERS. It’s the single, most effective skincare I’ve ever used, after having tested a few thousand skincare products. I’ve used it for a few years now and have no desire to ever change my skincare routine again. Sometimes, I’ll add/alternate in other skincare, but the staples are always my Rationale serums. They’ve also opened my eyes up to the ridiculous claims MANY big companies out there do a song and dance about.. and fall short when you analyse their ingredients list.

Then, the single, most effective facial I’ve ever done is…….. Microdermabrasion. I do this once a month at a facial place, and it’s made HUGE improvements in my skin. It’s made my pores visibly smaller, my skin way less oilier (to the point where I rarely use blotters now), and my skin tone a lot more even and glowy.

So that’s my secret.

The skincare (see below) + monthly microdermabrasions.

Now you know πŸ™‚

Soooooo…. let’s start off with removing makeup. I alternate because I like 2: Helena Rubinstein Prodigy make up remover which is an emollient cream that you smooth over your face and remove with a cotton pad. It’s mild on the skin and does its job well. The other I use when I have a full face of makeup on, Softymo speedy cleansing oil. This is similar to Fancl’s cleansing oil (which is more easily available worldwide, I believe). I massage the oil into my skin for 1 min, then rub a bit of water in. The oil immediately turns into a milky cream and then I just splash it off. It leaves NO oily residue and just soft, very clean skin. Holy grail!


Makeup removers

Now, in the morning, I skip the above makeup-removal step (obviously). In the morning, I just use Rationale preparatory cleanser, which is a soft cream cleanser. It’s fantastic in the morning because I have no make up anyway, so I want something mild. This is by far better than other cream cleansers because it’s not oily, doesn’t leave a residue, but just nice soft skin. And it has no lathering agents (which aren’t good for the skin and can block pores).

In the evening, I use something a bit more to ensure I’ve got every last bit of makeup off. And so Softymo airy whip works for me. It’s a physical-foaming cleanser – which means it doesn’t have the self-foaming properties and lathering agents (remember, these are not good for your skin). But it totally strips my face clean yet doesn’t make my skin feel dry.


Morning and Evening face cleansers

In the morning, after cleansing, I use the Rationale niacinamide serum. What’s niacinamide? Read about it here or better yet, do a Google search. This one has 10% concentration. I don’t think my skin can survive without this serum – it has really balanced my skin


Morning serum

In the evening, after cleansing, I’ll use 1 of the 3 serums below (in rotation). Rationale retinaldehyde serum has smoothed my complexion and this has a 0.1% concentration. This is Vitamin A, and you can read about it here.

The other serum is Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate – the concentrate, not the regular version, which does nothing for me. This one feels wonderful on the skin and I love using it especially after microdermbrasion treatments.

Finally is Rationale skin refining serum. This is like a fast track to nice skin, with 18% of AHA and BHAs. Read about it here. My skin ‘zings’ after using it whilst the AHAs work their magic. Never fails to make my skin smoother and brighter the next morning.


Evening serums

After applying 1 of those 3 serums, it’s time to moisturize. I only do this at night before bed. I prefer moisturizing oils – they penetrate faster and I think they’re more effective. HABA squalane oil is amazing. Normal skin contains squalane already, but the % of it decreases as you age, and so this replaces it. I just put a few drops on my hands and pat over my face. It absorbs within minutes, and leaves no oily residue. You can read about HABA squalane oil here and here.

On alternate nights, I’ll swap it with Kosmea 100% organic rose hip oil. If you haven’t heard of rose hip oil or use it on a regular basis, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! Info about this little gem here. I pat a few drops on my damp face before bed and it works wonders.

If you have oily/combination skin and are worried about putting oil on your face, fear not. These are oils that hydrate without making your skin go super oily (but to be safe I use them at night), and really plumps up the skin. I used to be so scared at the thought of putting oil on my face, but now I realise when you put good oils on your skin, it can work wonders.


Evening oils (moisturizers)


Let’s Chat!




Let's Chat!

Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

=,( Oh Beverly, 1st of all, stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and am enjoying all your entries! Will make the rest of my intro later but before anything else..after reading your skincare regime entry and linking to your “Info about this little gem”, i ordered the rose hip oil from there out of excitement without actually realizing that your rosehip oil is from Kosmea!! The one I ordered is from Biocutis based in the US. I just hope it works ok..and whats worst is that I am actually a Skin Therapy graduate!! AHHH!! *slaps own self*

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

First of all glad you decided to get some rosehip! The one I’m using is 100% certified organic rose hip oil… so if yours is the same/similiar, it will be just fine πŸ™‚

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

hey Bev, it’s me who got the wrong brand of rosehip oil =) i’m calm now, found out that the one i got is as good as the rest, only it’s not organic.

anyway, just signed up for a livejournal account and added you. i usually blog @ http://www.sugarsnspices.blogspot.com

such a pleasure reading yours =)

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

If it’s 100%, at least it’s the same πŸ™‚ I reckon better if it’s organic but don’t thnk it makes THAT much of a diff!

Your blog’s freakin awesome! What a cute design, hehe. I added ya back too

Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

=,( Oh Beverly, 1st of all, stumbled upon your blog a few days ago and am enjoying all your entries! Will make the rest of my intro later but before anything else..after reading your skincare regime entry and linking to your “Info about this little gem”, i ordered the rose hip oil from there out of excitement without actually realizing that your rosehip oil is from Kosmea!! The one I ordered is from Biocutis based in the US. I just hope it works ok..and whats worst is that I am actually a Skin Therapy graduate!! AHHH!! *slaps own self*

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

First of all glad you decided to get some rosehip! The one I’m using is 100% certified organic rose hip oil… so if yours is the same/similiar, it will be just fine πŸ™‚

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

hey Bev, it’s me who got the wrong brand of rosehip oil =) i’m calm now, found out that the one i got is as good as the rest, only it’s not organic.

anyway, just signed up for a livejournal account and added you. i usually blog @ http://www.sugarsnspices.blogspot.com

such a pleasure reading yours =)

Re: Wrong brand of rosehip oil!

If it’s 100%, at least it’s the same πŸ™‚ I reckon better if it’s organic but don’t thnk it makes THAT much of a diff!

Your blog’s freakin awesome! What a cute design, hehe. I added ya back too

hi, i just want to ask.. do you ever get breakouts or rashes after microdermabrasion? i had my first one on monday, and on wednesday, i started getting eczema-like rashes on the sides of my face. i don’t know whether it’s a normal reaction.

Not at all.. it’s a little bit flushed but goes down in 2 hrs and by the next day it’s all back to normal. Did yours hurt? if it did you can ask them to turn it lower. regardless let em know you got rashes!

hi, i just want to ask.. do you ever get breakouts or rashes after microdermabrasion? i had my first one on monday, and on wednesday, i started getting eczema-like rashes on the sides of my face. i don’t know whether it’s a normal reaction.

Not at all.. it’s a little bit flushed but goes down in 2 hrs and by the next day it’s all back to normal. Did yours hurt? if it did you can ask them to turn it lower. regardless let em know you got rashes!

Hi Beverly,

Thank you for your great post! I was wondering where in Sydney did you get your monthly microdermbrasion treatments done? I never know where to go to get facials and things like that done in Sydney…

Thank you πŸ™‚

Hi Beverly,

Thank you for your great post! I was wondering where in Sydney did you get your monthly microdermbrasion treatments done? I never know where to go to get facials and things like that done in Sydney…

Thank you πŸ™‚

You are the 5th person in 2 weeks who tells me to try rose hip oil to get rid of post acne scars. Is it possible to find it in Shanghai. Also curious to try niacinamid serum. I was researching influence of B group vitamins on skin and it’s indeed a “must have”skin supplement. BTW what do you think about Aesop?

Yes it’s sooo good for scarring. I had a lot of angry red marks all over my face and they’re so reduced now. Perhaps health food shops might have it here? Otherwise best to order it from online. The Niacinamide would be excellent on you, and so soothing too so it’s good for sensitive skin.

I think Aesop is so-so. It’s more of a cosmetics skincare brand and not a dermatologist one, so it’s in a different league. I didn’t find their cleansers worked well though and the skincare was only average for me (eg. no real difference). they smell nice though πŸ™‚

i’ll be going to australia in january…do you know if these products are sold in stores, or do i have to buy online? thanks for sharing, i’m in need of a good skincare regime. πŸ™‚

also, have you tried the Philosophy brand? it’s a bestseller in the US. if you have, how does it compare with Rationale? what are some other products you’ve used and liked, even if they weren’t better than Rationale? thankss

Check out the website link I posted above for the info on stockists etc

I find Philosophy so-so but they’re in a totally different league. It’s more on the retail side whereas Rationale is for dermatologists and cosmo physicians. I would consider Rationale 9/10 and Philosophy around 5/10 for quality and effectiveness. I like their body washes and cutesy stuff though, those are great, but I don’t trust them as a legitimate, quality skincare brand… πŸ™‚

Rationale sounds really good but expensive! what are the prices for these? know any places that stock it?
thanks for the info on your skincare regime!

You are the 5th person in 2 weeks who tells me to try rose hip oil to get rid of post acne scars. Is it possible to find it in Shanghai. Also curious to try niacinamid serum. I was researching influence of B group vitamins on skin and it’s indeed a “must have”skin supplement. BTW what do you think about Aesop?

Yes it’s sooo good for scarring. I had a lot of angry red marks all over my face and they’re so reduced now. Perhaps health food shops might have it here? Otherwise best to order it from online. The Niacinamide would be excellent on you, and so soothing too so it’s good for sensitive skin.

I think Aesop is so-so. It’s more of a cosmetics skincare brand and not a dermatologist one, so it’s in a different league. I didn’t find their cleansers worked well though and the skincare was only average for me (eg. no real difference). they smell nice though πŸ™‚

i’ll be going to australia in january…do you know if these products are sold in stores, or do i have to buy online? thanks for sharing, i’m in need of a good skincare regime. πŸ™‚

also, have you tried the Philosophy brand? it’s a bestseller in the US. if you have, how does it compare with Rationale? what are some other products you’ve used and liked, even if they weren’t better than Rationale? thankss

Check out the website link I posted above for the info on stockists etc

I find Philosophy so-so but they’re in a totally different league. It’s more on the retail side whereas Rationale is for dermatologists and cosmo physicians. I would consider Rationale 9/10 and Philosophy around 5/10 for quality and effectiveness. I like their body washes and cutesy stuff though, those are great, but I don’t trust them as a legitimate, quality skincare brand… πŸ™‚

Rationale sounds really good but expensive! what are the prices for these? know any places that stock it?
thanks for the info on your skincare regime!

oh my gosh! When I was reading this post, I was thinking ‘I hope Bev likes Kosmea rosehip oil!’ and you do! It was the same with your cosmetics post, because lucas papaw ointment is my HG lip balm too πŸ™‚

Great post! Too bad I have extra dry skin, so probably not suited to your products. But thanks to your cosmetics post, I have ordered some fibrewig mascara to try πŸ™‚

Yayyy you have good taste – hee!

I think the Rationale cleanser would be fab on you, as well as the 2 makeup removers πŸ™‚

Oohhh this post makes me want to try Rationale products! (might as well since I’m in Sydney now). Do you happen to know if they’re available at some stockists or if we can only order them by phone?

I swear by Kosmea’s rose hip oil too. I love it and use it on alternate night as well. Makes my skin so supple. Plus it’s not too pricey and a bottle lasts me quite some time. I might want to try the Rationale serum after your good reviews.

Agree! It’s so reasonably priced considering how it’s great. I use it on the ends of my hair too, to make it smooth and sleek

Skin care

Hi Beverley

I stumbled across your post and have been blown away by your suggestions. I have been going for monthly facials and the technician has suggested I use an exfoliant. Are there any that you would suggest?

Re: Skin care

I hope they’re of use to you! πŸ™‚

For an exfoliant, I think nothing beats Microdermabrasion that a good dermatologist can do. Otherwise, I’m just about to make a post on a Kieh’s microdermabrasion scrub that I bought… so check back in a day πŸ™‚

oh my gosh! When I was reading this post, I was thinking ‘I hope Bev likes Kosmea rosehip oil!’ and you do! It was the same with your cosmetics post, because lucas papaw ointment is my HG lip balm too πŸ™‚

Great post! Too bad I have extra dry skin, so probably not suited to your products. But thanks to your cosmetics post, I have ordered some fibrewig mascara to try πŸ™‚

Yayyy you have good taste – hee!

I think the Rationale cleanser would be fab on you, as well as the 2 makeup removers πŸ™‚

Oohhh this post makes me want to try Rationale products! (might as well since I’m in Sydney now). Do you happen to know if they’re available at some stockists or if we can only order them by phone?

I swear by Kosmea’s rose hip oil too. I love it and use it on alternate night as well. Makes my skin so supple. Plus it’s not too pricey and a bottle lasts me quite some time. I might want to try the Rationale serum after your good reviews.

Agree! It’s so reasonably priced considering how it’s great. I use it on the ends of my hair too, to make it smooth and sleek

Skin care

Hi Beverley

I stumbled across your post and have been blown away by your suggestions. I have been going for monthly facials and the technician has suggested I use an exfoliant. Are there any that you would suggest?

Re: Skin care

I hope they’re of use to you! πŸ™‚

For an exfoliant, I think nothing beats Microdermabrasion that a good dermatologist can do. Otherwise, I’m just about to make a post on a Kieh’s microdermabrasion scrub that I bought… so check back in a day πŸ™‚