It seems like every now and then, there’s an ingredient that pops up claiming to be the best treatment for acne or aging skin. One of these products is retinol, and you’ve probably heard of it. It’s hailed by many dermatologists as a “holy grail” treatment against acne. Retinol is also one of the most effective anti-aging products that is available without a prescription.

If you’ve had bad experiences with acne that just won’t go away, or if you’re looking to suspend or prevent any signs of aging and fine lines, then you’ve come to the right place! Here we’ll be discussing what retinol is, its effectiveness, its side effects, and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine regardless of what your skincare problems are. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

What is Retinol?

So, what exactly is retinol? Retinol is a form of retinoid, which is a derivative of vitamin A. Vitamin A is a naturally occurring compound that helps with cell reproduction. As a skincare ingredient, retinoids encourage faster cell turnover, which is the rate at which skin cells die and slough off in order to make room for newer skin.

This makes sense when you think of retinoids as a powerful anti-aging product and acne treatment. They promote the renewal of the skin at rapid rates, remove skin that has been sun-damaged, and help remove dead skin cells and oil so the pores stay unclogged. When it comes to fine lines and wrinkles, it’s best to use retinol to help improve the elasticity and plumpness of your face.

Retinol is usually sold over the counter and in much lower doses than prescription retinoids. Since retinol isn’t exactly a new product (it gained popularity in the US during the ’60s as an acne treatment), there have been a ton of studies showing its positive effects on the skin. It’s actually one of the most science-backed ingredients for skincare. Many of these studies have proven retinol’s potency in keeping skin young, and have even shown retinol to thicken the skin over time.

“Over-the-counter retinols can give you the same results of a prescription – it will just take longer,” says Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, a Manhattan-based dermatologist in Manhattan and an assistant professor at Cornell New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

If you want to prevent wrinkles or just need a treatment for your acne, a retinol treatment might be worth looking into for your skin care system. However, since retinoids can be extra strong, consulting with a dermatologist before starting a strong treatment and incorporating it into your skincare routine is highly recommended. Many people harm their skin further because they don’t know how to use retinol properly, and we want to make sure you don’t repeat the same mistakes.

What Order Should I Apply My Skincare?

Part of an effective and safe skincare routine is the order in which you apply your products. You could be using all the best products for your skin type, but they won’t work if you aren’t applying them in the right order, even if you are certain they’re effective. Your skin is a sensitive creature, and it deserves only the best products. To make sure they’re not going to waste, follow this simple guide to an effective skincare routine:

• Cleanser – Depending on your skin type. You can wash your face with an oil cleanser (great for removing heavy makeup, oils), a gentle foam cleanser (recommended for those with acne-prone skin!), or a cleansing cream (perfect if your skin’s the sensitive type)
• Treatment – This usually comes after the cleanser so as to give your treatment, whether it’s in the form of a serum or an essence, direct contact with your skin. This is usually where retinol comes in, or other active ingredients like acids.
• Moisturizer – Rejuvenates the skin and keeps it extra hydrated, especially since most treatments can be stripping.
• Sunscreen – Prevents sun damage and signs of aging. An often overlooked but essential product especially if you’re using acids that can photosensitize your skin!

Do You Put Retinol On Before or After Moisturizer?

Retinol, like many treatments, acids, and active ingredients, needs to be applied after cleansing and before moisturization. Your face also needs to be dry when applying retinol, as wet skin can make the retinol penetrate deeper and make its effects too strong. Moisturization can help calm down retinol’s side effects and is great for boosting the skin’s moisture barrier.

Retinol, while being a powerhouse of an ingredient, has some pretty uncomfortable side effects. If you’re still starting out on retinol, whether it’s prescription-grade or over-the-counter, there is going to be an adjustment period that you should watch out for.

This period may include side effects like irritation, redness, dry skin, and flakiness. Know that this is completely normal. Your skin and face are just adjusting to the new product! You’re exposing your skin to a lot of new ingredients, but with the correct use and a bit of patience, you’ll be sure to reap retinol’s wonderful effects on your skin.

How to Use Retinol

If you’re wondering how to use retinol, you’ve come to the right place.

Start off small, using only a pea-sized amount once a week. Check your skin’s reaction after two weeks, and if the results are good, you can start to apply it twice a week.

Follow the same procedure. If you see positive results, you can start to apply it thrice a week, and so on. Like with any active ingredient, you may experience redness and irritation, so it’s best to take it slow especially if you have sensitive skin.

The best way to use retinol is by applying your retinol product at night so you’re less exposed to the sun. Using retinol WILL make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s harmful UV rays, so make sure you’re getting that good SPF in the morning if you think you’re going to be exposed to a lot of sun during the day. For dry skin, make sure you’re using a ton of moisturizer at night, too.

If you’re using actives and exfoliants like AHA and BHA, make sure you’re not using both the actives and retinol on the same night! When it comes to mixing actives, you need to be careful.

The active ingredient in the retinol product and the active ingredient in your exfoliant or treatment will not go well together. It’s best to stop using another active if you want to start retinol (especially if you have sensitive skin because retinol makes it even more sensitive to the sun), but if you’re using both and are determined to do so, it’s best to alternate them on different days. Use that vitamin C on Monday, the retinol on Wednesday, and your niacinamide on Friday. Don’t be in a rush to apply everything at once! Your skin is gentle and should be treated with care.

If you’re using retinol in your skincare routine and notice no signs of purging or irritation on your face, then consider yourself lucky. But if your skin does react badly, you can try to lessen your retinol use, opt for a milder dose of retinol, or consult a dermatologist. Retinol is incredibly tricky, and most of its worst side effects are brought about by user error.

Whew, don’t you just feel like you could be a skincare expert after reading all that? It’s my favorite thing. Learning all of the nitty-gritty science-y details and feeling like a legit chemist. Hand me my lab coat now. Of course, this advice can only go so far, because consulting an actual doctor is always better.

So if you’re determined to add retinol or any form of retinoid to your skincare routine, be sure to read up on its side effects! Trust us, it pays off. We know you deserve to get only the best skin, and if you think this product will be what helps you get there, then go for it.

Now that you know how to use retinol the right way, your face will look younger and fresher in no time.

Wondering what your night skincare routine should be? Read our guide here.

When shopping for new skincare products, how often have you come across the term “exfoliate”? Exfoliation is a benefit we look for to renew skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion, but how much do you actually know about this beauty technique?

Whatever questions you have about exfoliating, we’ve got you covered.

What does exfoliation actually mean?

Let’s start off with the very basic definition of exfoliation. It’s the process of getting rid of the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. This can be done by the use of chemicals, granular substances like facial scrubs, and exfoliation tools, such as a vibrating brush or even a warm face towel.

While your skin does naturally shed the outermost layer of your skin every 30 days or so, not all cells will shed completely, leaving behind flaky patches and resulting in clogged pores. Using exfoliating products will help prevent this and make room for the growth of new cells.

What are the benefits of exfoliation?

Here are the benefits of regular exfoliation:

• It unclogs pores to release sebum and oil buildup
• It reduces the size of your pores and minimizes the appearance of superficial scars
• It fades age spots, removing cells with the pigment
• It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• It allows for better absorption for other products in your skincare routine, such as moisturizers, serums, acne medications and skin treatments.

What are the different kinds of exfoliation?

There are two kinds of exfoliation, and that is mechanical and chemical.

Mechanical exfoliation is considered a manual process, where you use a beauty tool or even a warm face towel, to remove the dead skin cells. Scrubs with particles are also considered mechanical exfoliants because the microbeads, seeds, crushed shells and other granules are physical removing the dead cells.

On the other hand, chemical exfoliation makes use of ingredients that dissolve the cells, taking out the “manual labor” of the beauty method. Chemical exfoliants tend to have Alpha Hydroxy acids (AHAs), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), or natural enzymes, which are better suited for those with sensitive skin.

What is the right way to exfoliate?

You probably have a particular way of applying skincare products, so it’s hard to say what is the proper way to exfoliate. Preferences depend on a number of factors, with skin type being at the top of the list, followed by budget, how extensive your beauty routine is, whether you want to use vegan and cruelty-free products, among others. At the very least, you should determine your skin type and experiment from there, taking note of sensitivities and allergies. For those with sensitive skin, it’s best to stick with enzyme based chemical exfoliants or scrubs with tiny granules, like microbeads made from natural ingredients.

How often should I exfoliate my face?

One thing that you must remember is that exfoliants are not the same as your daily face wash, so please don’t use it as part of your daily skincare routine. Here’s how many times a week you should actually be exfoliating, based on skin type:

Sensitive: 1-2 times a week using a gentle scrub or mild chemical exfoliant.

Oily: Up to 5 times a week using heavy duty exfoliants, such as serums and peels.

Normal and combination: Up to 3 times a week using chemical or mechanical exfoliants.

When should I avoid exfoliating?

Exfoliation tends to be too abrasive on the skin for it to be done on a daily basis. But even if you have at least a day in between exfoliating, there are certain signs that you should delay it for at least a few days, or perhaps visit a dermatologist if the issue is more concerning.

Instances of delaying exfoliating include sunburnt skin, an infection, a cold sore, or any cuts or open wounds on your face, like a popped pimple. Exfoliating when your skin is more vulnerable puts you at risk for infections.

If you suffer from chronic or cystic acne, exfoliating on already inflamed skin would only increase the chances of hyperpigmentation after the inflammation has gone down. It also appear much darker on those with morena skin tones.

10 Beauty Trends to Ditch in 2020

Happy New Year, ladies! I hope you all had an amazing holiday filled with love, joy and happiness, and that you were surrounded by your favorite people in the world.

It’s a new year, a new decade, a fresh start. Because we’re obsessed with all things beauty here on Pretty Me, we’re going to be talking about all the skincare and makeup trends that you should leave behind. Out with the old, in with the new, am I right?

Get ready to say goodbye to the following trends for a healthier complexion and to celebrate your natural features:

1. Blinding Highlighter

While highlighters are great at emphasizing the high points of your face, beauty influencers have taken the obsession too far. We’re not saying that you should remove highlighting from your makeup routine; rather, take it down a notch. That extra shine is great for events with flash photography and evening looks, but for an everyday look, it can be a bit much.

2. Facial Scrubs

Remember when Kylie got called out for her walnut scrub that actually had pieces of the shell. Intended to help exfoliate the face, walnut shell pieces are abrasive and actually do more harm to the skin, making small cuts to the surface, leaving your pores open to trapped dirt, infections and more. Dermatologists also suggest that you stop using facial scrubs with micro beads, since they also have the potential to scrub more off your skin than recommended. Rather than scrubbing, opt for chemical exfoliation, using products with salicylic acid, which unclogs pores and reduces sebum secretion.

3. Full Coverage Matte Foundation

Yes, a full coverage foundation does a great job in covering up all of your skin’s flaws, but having that matte blank canvas takes away the natural dimensions of your face. Everything just looks flat, which often leads to more product to give yourself that structure again. Cakey makeup does not mix well in our humid climate, so save yourself the trouble by going for something lighter, such as a BB or CC cream or tinted moisturizer, and invest in a good concealer. If you can’t live without liquid foundation, at least go for a demi-matte formula.

4. Glitter Everything

From glitter bath bombs to glitter lips, people have seriously gone too crazy over the colorful aesthetic. Not only is glitter harmful to the skin, but it’s also not great for the environment. So say no to glitter personal care products, and definitely dial down the glitter on your face. No more glitter on the lips, and save the glitter shadows for special occasions.

5. Heavy Contouring

Can’t seem to contour as well as Kim Kardashian? Don’t worry, we can’t either, and it’s okay! That snatched look isn’t for everyone, and to be honest, it’s a lot of work. Replace sharp, blunt contouring with bronzer, as bronzer is a lot more forgiving when it comes to hallowing out your cheekbones. Plus, definition is a lot softer, which is suitable and totally achievable on the day to day basis.

6. Instagram Brows

That ombre Instagram brow slowly starting dying out last year as feathery, more natural brows started to take over. Thank God, because perfect eyebrows are totally overrated. Rather than penciling them in for a fuller look, go for an eyebrow gel to brush the hairs upwards and keep the arch neat. That way, you still have full brows without looking too heavy and stamped on.

7. Matte Lipsticks

Just as matte foundations flatten your face, matte lipsticks take away the natural plump of your lips. While matte lipsticks will probably stick around in the long term, it’s best to finish them off with a clear gloss, or a lighter colored gloss to dab in the middle of your lips to make them appear fuller. If you’re looking for something more natural, you can’t go wrong with a cheek and lip tint.

8. Makeup Wipes

Makeup wipes are really convenient when you can’t be bothered to wash your face, but experts say that they’re not that great for your skin. And depending on how much makeup you’re wearing, it can take up to two to three wipes to fully remove everything, which means more waste. Let this year be the start of a more eco-friendly beauty routine with reusable makeup wipes and face towels.

9. Over-lined Lips

Lining outside of your lips may look like you’ve got fuller lips in photos, but it ends up looking really silly in person, whether you’re blessed with full smackers or have lips on the thinner side. Buy or make your own natural lip plumpers so that you don’t have to over-line your lips like a lot of beauty gurus do.

10. Peel-off Masks

Last but not least, say goodbye to peel-off masks and nose strips! While viral videos of people trying out the painful mask have boosted sales, they’re only a temporary solution to clogged pores. Plus, masks and strips can strip away your hair and skin, leaving you vulnerable to more dirt, funnily enough. Sheet, mud and clay masks are much safer when it comes to drawing out those impurities, and you’re less likely to have allergic reactions compared to the alternative.

Makeup is empowering, but we also want you to embrace your natural beauty and not have to hide behind a mask all the time. While heavy foundation does give you a nice blank canvas for the rest of your makeup, a good skincare routine takes away the need of caking on too much product on your face.

‘Glass skin’ isn’t necessarily a new trend, but it really picked up some traction earlier this year, particularly in the K Beauty world. If you don’t know what glass skin is, let me just tell you this: do not mistake this look for an over-the-top highlighted face. The Korean version of the trend is similar to strobing, with an overall dewier finish without looking too wet.

Of course, you can achieve glass skin with contouring, but just as you wouldn’t go overboard with highlighting, you also don’t want to completely chisel out those cheeks. It’s still about looking natural, like a glossier version of the ‘no makeup’ makeup.

If you’re not entirely sure if you’re doing it right, or generally have no clue what you’re doing, here’s a guide full of tips from beauty YouTubers bloggers and makeup artists:

How to Get the ‘Glass Skin’ Look, According to the Experts

1. Start with a sheet mask

If your skin is looking dull, you can always apply translucent powder, or highlight underneath your foundation. But when you start off with a sheet mask, the result is this undeniably beautiful, unparalleled glow, leaving your skin so hydrated and supple that you don’t need to apply too much product in your next few steps. Use a sheet mask for 10 to 15 mins, then take it off and rinse off any remaining residue.

2. Don’t forget to moisturize

Hydration is key for glass skin, so never skip this step. For those with oily skin or afraid of becoming too greasy with all these hydrating products, the AR Vitamin E Cream is suitable for all skin types.

To get the most out of your moisturizer, let it sit for five minutes or so. This allows the product seep into the skin before applying primer and foundation.

3. Avoid a full coverage matte foundation

Mattefying foundations are the complete opposite of what you need. The look you’re trying to execute is dewy yet still skin-like, and a matte foundation strips away the natural shine that you’re trying to enhance. What you should opt for instead is a demi-matte, but don’t worry if you don’t have one. Simply mix some illuminating primer with your matte foundation and you’ll get almost the same results.

Because we’re not trying to go for anything full coverage, BB and CC creams are also great alternatives to foundations. At most, these creams give medium coverage, so you’re mostly just color correcting or blurring blemishes instead of caking on makeup.

4. If you are contouring, use cream products

Although contouring is great for contrast and thereby amplifying your highlight, it’s totally optional. If you do want to contour, go for cream products that will maintain the realistic sheen, as opposed to powdered products that tend to mattefy the skin. The same goes for your blush. If you don’t have a cream blush, a lip and cheek tint would also work. And feel free to dab the tint on your eyes and lips to give those areas some color while still maintaining the natural glow.

5. Use translucent powder on your T-zone and below the cheekbones

Believe it or not, powder is a crucial step, especially for combination and oily skin types. It’s up to you whether you want to go with loose or pressed power, as long as you choose a translucent powder to blur and soften your look, as well as get more mileage out of your makeup. A luminous translucent powder would also really help with that glowy finish.

You can apply the powder all over your face, or simply concentrate it in the T-zone and other oily spots. If you’re using a loose translucent powder, you can also “bake” under your eyes to brighten that area, as well as below your cheeks for more contrast. Contouring not necessary to do this step.

6. Don’t go crazy with highlighting

The look may be glass skin, but try to refrain from going wild with your highlighter. The goal isn’t to have blinding, multi-colored highlighter that influencers often showcase on Instagram. Obviously, you want a highlighter that is a natural color for your skin tone, and you can lightly dab it on the high points of your face, such as the top of your cheeks, above your brows, nose and cupid’s bow

7. Finish with a setting spray

Finally, lock everything in with a setting spray. Make sure you use a spray that adds radiance rather than dulling down your complexion. Remember, any product with the words “matte” or “mattefying” are to be avoided if you want any semblance of glass skin.

That’s all, ladies! Let us know how these glass skin tips work out for you, and feel free to comment below with feedback, or mention us in your selfies using @pretty_me_philippines!

You’ve probably been told, or at least heard time and time again, how important it is to eat your greens. Yes, a balanced diet is the key to a long and healthy life, but there’s much more to green veggies than boosting your immune system and helping with weight loss.

It’s no secret that greens are packed with nutrients that strengthen your body on the inside, but consuming them regularly can also improve your appearance on the outside, resulting in healthier hair, nails, and of course, skin. When it comes to skincare, it’s not just about what you put on your skin; it’s also just as important to treat your body well on the inside.

So let’s go over all those nourishing greens that will give you that envious healthy glow.

Five Green Veggies for Amazing Skin

1. Arugula

The darker the greens, the more nutritious they are. But what exactly does arugula offer in terms of improving your complexion? What many don’t know (including me up until today) is that arugula is extremely high in sulfur, which also just so happens to be one of the most abundant minerals in the body that aid in collagen. Collagen, as you already might know, tightens and keeps your skin elastic to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

2. Avocados

Although technically a fruit, avocados definitely had to be included in the list. Avocado oil and extract are common ingredients in skincare products for a very good reason, and that’s because they are filled with a bunch of vitamins and antioxidants that are great for your skin overall. The vitamins include C, E and K, where vitamin C helps with collagen production; vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and support skin health; and vitamin K reduces the appearance of bruises and stretch marks, as well as speeds of skin healing.

Vitamin E has a ton of antioxidants, which protect your skin from free radicals or environmental stressors. Additionally, the vitamin E also helps to moisturize your hair.

3. Broccoli

Vitamin A is another one of those nutrients known for its skin benefits, which broccoli is packed with, along with vitamin C. When applied topically, it’s great for its anti-aging properties, but when consumed, it helps with skin cell growth, helping your skin heal faster as well as renew the dead cells with new ones to boost skin radiance. It also protect against damage from sun exposure. Moreover, broccoli has zinc, which is said to help with acne, skin inflammation and wound healing.

Lutein is a cartenoid found in broccoli, which protects skin from oxidative damage like dryness and wrinkling.

And next time you snap the florets off the broccoli, don’t. The florets have sulforaphane, a special compound that might help prevent skin cancer and further protect your skin against the sun.

4. Kale

If there was one veggie out there that could be dubbed as nature’s multivitamin, it would be kale. It’s one of the greens with the highest amount of vitamins A and C, which we all know by now are essential in skin health in general.

Kale also is high in fiber content, which aids in digestion, and better digestion means it effectively absorbs all the skin beneficial nutrients. Additionally, kale is rich in the detoxifying antioxidant chlorophyll, which together with the fiber, helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

5. Spinach

Spinach has a lot of vitamin A, but it also has several B vitamins, which all have different benefits that are no only great for your skin, but are also wonderful for your hair, making your locks longer, stronger and shinier.

Spinach has high levels of iron as well. Iron in your blood increases the oxygen intake of your hair and skin, and when there’s an iron deficiency, it may result in damage, dryness, and potentially hair loss.

And lastly, spinach contains omega-3 fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory, keeping your skin clear, on top of moisturizing and restoring the lipid layer of your tresses.

While veggies may not be your favorite food, their benefits should be motivation enough to incorporate into your diet. Besides, there isn’t anyone out there that can say they don’t want clear, glowing skin.

For more beauty tips, feel free to check out all of our skincare guides and reviews.

Eggs are the perfect start to the day. Unless you’re vegan, that is.

They offer so much nourishment and energy, and they keep you full until your next meal. Eggs are great for your health when you consume them, but did you know they also offer amazing benefits externally, specifically to your skin, hair and nails?

Pretty Me has a ton of facial care products that can solve all of your skincare needs, but it’s pretty cool how something as simple as a breakfast ingredient can work just as well to moisturize your face or brighten your complexion.

Before we get into all the beauty uses of eggs, there’s a couple things to note about applying eggs different skin types.

For those with sensitive skin, apply egg masks up to once a week at most. For those with oily skin, egg masks can be applied up to three or four times a week.

And if you are allergic to eggs, please don’t use them on your skin.

Now, onto the beauty benefits of eggs!

1. An egg hair mask can rescue damaged locks

Is your hair dull, dry and full of brittle split ends? A egg hair mask can help! Since your locks are made of keratin protein anyway, the protein in the eggs basically strengthen your hair by hydrating, moisturizing and smoothing out each strand. Plus, it restores the luster back in your tresses so your hair is silky smooth.

There are tons of different hair masks you can make, like an egg white and lemon mask for oily hair and an eggs and mayo mask to tame frizzy locks. You can also make an egg and olive oil mask for overall nourishment.

2. A face mask with eggs can shrink your pores

Egg whites can help tighten skin, thereby closing up enlarged pores so that less dirt is absorbed, lessening the chances of breakouts. All you need to do is whip one egg white and add a squeeze of lemon in a bowl, then apply it to a clean face. Once it dries, you can rinse it off with lukewarm water.

3. It can also give you a glowing complexion

If you want to achieve that enviable glow, mix a whole egg and 1/2 teaspoon of natural yogurt. Clean your face completely, then apply the egg and yogurt mix on your entire face. Let it dry for up to half an hour, then rinse off with lukewarm water for a brighter complexion.

4. An egg face mask also hydrates your skin

You don’t need to be in a cold country to have dry skin. If you have dry patches on your face, an egg and honey mask will sort you out. Mix 1/2 teaspoon with one whole egg, applying it on a clean face and letting it dry completely. Wash it off with lukewarm water, and you’ll feel and see your skin is instantly hydrated.

5. Eggs remove excess oil

For those with oily skin, an egg and oatmeal scrub is just what you need. Mix one whole egg with a teaspoon of oatmeal, then scrub it on to a clean face for a few minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water. You can apply this scrub twice a week to help manage the oil.

6. Apply eggs under your eyes to de-puff and get rid of dark circles

Since we already know that eggs firm up and tighten your skin, it’s no surprise that eggs are also effective in reducing puffiness under the eyes. And as eggs also brighten your skin, they’re also effective in getting rid of dark circles. All you have to do is apply egg whites with a brush underneath your eyes, letting the whites dry completely before rinsing with cold water.

7. Use eggs to strengthen nails

Not only are eggs great for repairing the damaged hair, but they’re awesome at strengthening your nails as well. It’s the yolks in particular contain proteins that make soft, brittle nails stronger.

For a DIY nail treatment, mix one yolk with some honey, which then you can either apply on your nails or leave your fingers to soak in a bowl. The honey is included in the mix because of its antifungal properties that will help clean out your nails.

Some women are blessed with great skin. Others need a rigorous skincare regimen. It all comes down to genetics, really, but the beauty of the skincare industry is that there is something for everyone, thus it’s totally possible for anyone to achieve that flawless goal.

Yet, no matter how diligent you are with your beauty routine, every now and then, you’ll see a big pimple pop up out of nowhere. And for some reason, this always happens at the most inconvenient of times, like when you have to take a new photo for your government ID.

In a panic, your instinct is probably to pop the giant crater, even though you know very well that popping is the last thing you should be doing. In fact, you shouldn’t even be touching the pimple at all, but you can’t help yourself.

Why do we even resort to bursting the pimple? Most likely because a lot of us don’t actually know how to get rid of it, and we think that getting rid of the fluid minimizes the size, which it does, but it also results in a wound that takes much longer to heal.

So what SHOULD you be doing instead of squeeze that pimple?

Drink and apply green tea

Green tea is filled with a bunch of great nutrients that are great for both consumption and application. For starters, it’s got flavonoids and tannins that fights bacteria and inflammation associated with pimples. Plus, green tea is packed with antioxidants that further fight inflammation, decrease sebum production, as well as inhibit growth of acne for those with acne prone skin.

Before you go to bed, make yourself a cup of green tea. Let the steam of the tea open up your pores, maybe have a few sips, but remember not to drink all of it. Let it cool completely before you soak a cotton ball in it. Use that cotton ball and dab on your problem areas, or even all over your face. Let the green tea work its magic overnight, then rinse off in the morning.

Use a pimple patch

If you haven’t heard of pimple patches yet, you’ve been missing out! Basically, they speed up the life cycle of your blemishes, drawing out the gunk in your pimples so you can go back to being pimple free in no time. Most people like to use them overnight so they can wake up blemish free, but you can also use them during the day. Since they are clear, they are basically just a protective film that look much more subtle than a plaster.

The good thing about the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch is that it also works over already popped pimples. So even in those times you’ve popped your pimple, you still have this pimple patch to help it heal.

Apply Products with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has a lot of amazing skin and hair benefits, but in terms of treating pimples, the ingredient on its own doesn’t always work. But studies have found that aloe vera combined with acne treatments were the most effective in addressing spots and blemishes.

You have two options: you can other apply the natural gel in conjunction with your existing acne treatment, or you can look for new spot treatments that include aloe vera. Either way, the aloe vera will really help sooth, disinfect and heal your pimples.

Search for Makeup with Salicylic Acid

Obviously, you can’t hide at home forever when you’ve got an embarrassingly large red pimple, but you also don’t want to cover it up with makeup that will only further clog your pores. The way around that would be to opt for makeup with salicylic acid, which would not only cover up those blemishes, but also actually address any acne issues.

While an acne treatment-based foundation and concealer sounds rather pricey, there are a lot of products out there that cater to every budget. Although if you are really weary of prices, you can always limit your purchase to a concealer, which would basically be a spot treatment with some coverage along with it.

Got any tried and tested pimple hacks that we haven’t mentioned? Feel free to share them in the comments below!

We don’t talk about vaginal care often enough.

We get it. Sometimes it feels embarrassing to talk about our vaginal health, but in all honesty, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Vaginal care should never be considered a taboo subject.

So let’s discuss what it takes to keep her clean and healthy.

In reality, it’s not that difficult to take care of her, considering that she does clean herself.

Here are a few tips to make sure your vagina is as healthy as possible:

Use the right soap

The safest way to wash your vagina is by using a non-perfumed, mild soap. Because your vagina has the ability to clean itself, you only really need to wash your intimate area once a day, maybe twice, if you’re on your period.

But for some ladies, perfumed soaps don’t bother them. Fragrances tend to irritate those with sensitive skin, though if you’ve been using perfumed soaps all your life, you should be fine.

The thing to look out for in a vaginal soap is if it’s pH balancing. Your vagina is at a specific pH to clean itself and kill bacteria, and if you don’t choose your soap carefully, the product could be dangerous for your vaginal health.

And definitely don’t douche

The vagina is a self cleaning oven, so why mess up the chemistry with a douche? The only part that you should be cleaning is your vulva, which is the outside structure, which we normally refer to as the vagina, even though it’s on the inside.

Moral of the story is to use soap on the vulva, and leave the vagina be so that it can work its magic.

Wear breathable underwear

La Senza and Victoria’s Secret may have really cute, sexy, and really comfy silk panties, but they’re not actually the best material for your vagina. Silk and satin tend to trap moisture, unlike cotton, which is airy enough to let your girl breathe.

Let’s face it though, not every one of us is going to choose to wear cotton panties every day. As long as you change your underwear daily, any fabric is fine.

Change your underwear after a workout

If you don’t have time to have a full shower after you work out, at least change out your workout gear into other clothes. The same goes for your underwear. Since moisture is the enemy, wearing the same underwear as you did during your workout is an absolute no-no.

Let her breathe at night

With your vagina covered up for most of the day by underwear, it’s important that you give her some time to breathe. Underwear traps moisture, and moisture is basically breeding ground for a bacterial infection. And the easy way to balance that out is by wearing your birthday suit at night.

It might feel strange sleeping naked, especially if you’re used to wearing pajamas. You can always start off by wearing loose shorts and going commando, or wearing a dress or a big tee with no underwear. Eventually, you’ll be comfortable enough to sleep in the nude. Plus, it’s a great way to cool down in the hot weather.

Or wear underwear less

Going commando in public seems really scandalous. However, when wearing no underwear is better for you than the alternative, then by all means, ditch the panties. Obviously, you’d still need to wear undies with jeans and other tight bottoms that may ride up, but for items such as maxi dresses, wide leg pants, and midi skirts, underwear is totally not necessary. Just be careful not to wear anything too short, in case there’s an unwanted gust of wind.

Get checked up regularly

Hospital checkups are terrifying enough, and some people feel like a vaginal screening is an invasion of privacy. But if you want to make sure that everything down there is in tip top shape, cancer and infection free, then you need to visit your gynecologist every year, and if possible, twice a year. Pap smears are the only way to know for sure what’s going on down there.

So you figured out how you’re supposed to prep your skin for the day, but what about the evenings? For some people, it’s as simple as using makeup remover, face wash and night cream. Hey, that actually works for some people, especially for those lucky ones that don’t have problematic skin.

However, if you have this whole routine, or are thinking about going for a full nighttime skincare regimen, here’s the order of products to use to maximize the benefits of everything:

Step #1: Makeup Remover

Some people actually skip this step and go straight into a cleanser, especially if their face wash indicates it also removes oil-based makeup. But the truth is that no matter how good a cleanser claims to be, it will never remove all the makeup as thoroughly as a makeup remover. The best thing you can do for your skin is take your makeup off with your chosen remover (micellar water, coconut oil or whatever works for you) so that it can do all the heavy lifting, leaving your face wash to wash away the extra grime, sebum, dirt and maybe any leftover makeup that you might have missed in this first step.

Step #2: Cleanser

Having your cleanser as your second step ensures that you have a clean, blank canvas to help your skin soak up the rest of your products as effectively as possible. This is why the Aloe Vera Cocoon Facial Scrub Soap is perfect for the job, since the finger soaps deeply cleanse while refreshing your face for the next step.

Step #3: Toner & Essence

Just like you would in your morning routine, the next step is to soak a cotton pad in toner and pat it all over your face.

If you have essences or boosters that you like to apply at night, you can apply it during this step after or in place of toner. The main thing about toner is that it cleans and refreshes your face, while essences and boosters are about treatment. If you feel that toner is completely unnecessary at this stage, feel free to skip it.

Step #4: Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes are very delicate and sensitive, so before you go into any of your harsh treatments, it’s best that you put your eye cream on first. That way, the eye cream can double as a protective layer from the next steps in your regimen.

Step #5: Serum & Spot Treatment OR Exfoliating Treatments/Detox Mask

Any anti-aging serums and or acne treatments that you use daily should be applied at this time. These products work best during the night, when your skin cells regenerate, so incorporate these products in your evening skincare routine rather than your daytime one.

Now if you want to use a detox mask or an exfoliating peel/treatment, this is the time to do it. But one thing you should remember is that these products should be the only products applied in this step. This is because the combination of serum and prescribed creams and spot treatments with any exfoliating or detoxifying product can be extremely irritating. Thus, on days for peels or detox masks, make sure you forgo the serum and creams. In reality, you only should be using exfoliants and detox masks once a week. Twice, max.

If your skin type is dry, you can follow the exfoliant or mask with a face oil for that extra bit of hydration. Otherwise, you can move on to the last step.

Step #6: Moisturizer or Night Cream

There’s a difference between daytime moisturizers and night cream. For day creams and lotions, they tend to be slightly thinner and may contain SPF. If there is no SPF in your moisturizer, you can use it in your nighttime regimen as well. But as we’ve said, when you sleep it the time your skin cells regenerate, so it’s best to use a thicker, more potent night cream, so that your skin really could rejuvenate and renew overnight.

Then again, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have a night cream. Any moisturizer as the final step is better than no moisturizer at all.

As you might have noticed, some products may not apply to you or seem unnecessary. It’s about figuring out what’s best for your skin (and your schedule, really). If you have the time to do all these steps, great. But the most important thing is to find out what works best for you, and that may take time and a little trial and error. Eventually, you’ll find the products and routine best suited for you.

How many products do you use in your morning skincare routine?

To be honest, I don’t think a lot of us have the time to have a skincare routine in the morning, considering how busy we are during the work week.

But if you have the time to spare and want the best skin ever, here are all the correct steps in a morning beauty routine, as recommended by dermatologists.

Step #1: Cleanser or Face Wash (Optional)

Predictably the first step in a skincare regimen, face wash is actually optional for your morning routine, considering you’ve presumably washed your face from the night before. Since you’ve already cleaned your face from all that grime before you went to sleep, there’s not really a need to cleanse your face again, and just like the natural oils from your scalp, natural oils on your face also help to retain moisture in your skin. Thus, all you really need to do in the first step is splash your face with some water water to wake your skin up.

But if you must, you can use a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type. One cleanser you can consider adding to your daily routine is our Aloe Vera Cleansing Foam.

Step #2: Toner (Optional)

Normally next in line would be toner, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s not totally necessary for everyone. It all depends on the type of cleanser you’re using, your skin type, as well as the functions of the specific toner that you’re using.

While lots of toners are marketed as pore shrinkers, they don’t actually reduce the visibility of pores, although they do a bunch of other great things that help your skin soak up the other products in your next steps of your routine. While some toners are harsh on your skin, others work as a medium for absorbing antioxidants and vitamin B derivatives better.

However, if your skin has been healthy for most of your life without ever including toner in your beauty regimen, you can skip this step.

Step #3: Serum

Serums are really rich in nutrients. While some people prefer to moisturize before doing this step, serums are actually much more effective when there aren’t any other barriers between them and your skin (aka your other skincare products). They’re filled with amazing ingredients that will do wonders for your skin, so you’ll want to make the most of them by making sure nothing gets in the way of your skin fully absorbing all that goodness.

There are tons of different serums out there, but the best ones for daytime application are antioxidant serums, since the antioxidants offer extra protection against free radicals that cause premature aging, as well as damage from environmental pollutants and UV rays.

Step #4: Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is very delicate, which is why the best time to start using eye cream is before you even develop them, like in your early 20’s. Using eye cream as early and often as possible is important to maintain the elasticity and smoothness, so while the first two steps are optional, eye cream isn’t.

To give your under-eye and eyelids some extra protection, choose an eye cream with SPF.

Step #5: Spot Treatment (Optional)

Like the serum, you want your acne spot treatments to be as close in contact with your skin as possible for the treatment to actually work. Remember that most acne spot treatments tend to have drying formulas because they’re meant to dry out pimples, so you really only should be applying the product on places where absolutely necessary. If your face is clear, skip this step completely.

The important thing to remember here is to give your skin some time to soak up the spot treatment. Depending on the treatment, some products take quite a while before they penetrate the surface of your skin, so give yourself a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step #6: Moisturizer

While the humidity seemingly defeats the purpose of a moisturizer, your skin needs all the hydration it can get, even those with oily skin. In fact, moisturizer helps control the oils, so don’t even think about skipping this step.

If you have applied spot treatment and are wary of wiping it away as you apply moisturizer, simply avoid those spots as you’re massaging the product onto your face.

Step #7: Sunscreen

Last but not least, finish your morning skincare routine with sunscreen. To get maximum protection without your moisturizer getting in the way, it’s best to go with sunscreens with zinc oxide or ones specifically formulated with moisturizing benefits.

And if all of this is too much for you, you can always buy multi-functional products to save time, money, and energy in your morning routine, such as an ultra-hydrating moisturizer with SPF.