Skincare Rockstars 2017

this is a post i wanted to do well before before 2016 came to a close, but i ended up trying out some new little gems that, in turn, quickly become favorites as well. so here they are, my current skincare recommendations, which i hope will help you if you are in the market for new products to try.

1. kiehl’s midnight recovery eye – INT’L $37 | PHILIPPINES P2435

eyebags be gone! this popular eye cream promises less puffy, tired-looking eyes, and gradual lightening of pesky dark circles. texture is creamy but lightweight, and a little goes a long way. an investment worth making, for sure.

2. pixi glow tonic – INT’L £18 | PHILIPPINES P390 – P1690

a cult favorite for good reason, this exfoliating toner is infused with 5% glycolic acid to gently tone, firm and tighten the skin. my skin loves this stuff and now seems to be eternally glowy — not greasy — because of it, plus it also helps control breakouts. will definitely pick up the full size if i ever encounter it (the 250ml bottle sells out in the blink of an eye!).

3. shiseido ibuki gentle cleanser, INT’L $30 | PHILIPPINES P1495

this is, quite simply, my all-time favorite face cleanser. it deep cleans with a light but creamy lather, and never feels drying on the skin. the shiseido ibuki cleanser basically jump-started my skincare routine a couple of years ago (yes, it took me that long to care about my skin; 10/10 would NOT recommend) and this is a happy repurchase.

best of skincare - shiseido, pixi, kiehls, cosrx, glossier

4. COSRX acne pimple master patch, INT’L $3.75 | PHILIPPINES P170

this has been all the rage lately, in the k-beauty world and beyond: little round patches that you stick on your zits, and it literally sucks them out in a matter of hours (i typically leave them on overnight). sounds gross, but i swear it is the most satisfying thing. i haven’t had any major breakouts since i got these patches, so i’ve only tested them on smaller, stiffer bumps, which sometimes require two overnight sessions. they do work though, and the fact that they are affordable make them an instant must-have.

5. benton honest TT mist, INT’L $10.34 | PHILIPPINES P400

my skin seems to loathe moisturizers and face creams lately (all of them break me out and i still can’t figure out why), so i thought i’d try another form of hydrating skincare. this face mist is made with amazing ingredients — mostly tea tree water and extracts — which leave my skin both refreshed and hydrated. i spray some on after toner and gently pat into the skin before applying make-up, and it absorbs nicely into the skin after a few minutes. no break outs so far from using this stuff, and i hope it stays that way!

6. simple cleansing facial wipes, INT’L $9.85 (2-pack)

i’ve gone through several packs of this stuff, because it’s the best. it removes every trace of make-up and dirt and oil you’ve accumulated throughout the day, and yet it feels incredibly gentle on the skin. these cleansing towelettes are very handy for travel, but also when you can’t be bothered to pull out your liquid/oil-based make-up remover and cotton pads and all that jazz.

skincare products review - COSRX, benton, glossier, beach born, pixi, kiehl's, shiseido, simple

7. beach born bam balm, PHILIPPINES P168 (for outside the PH, try the ELF lip exfoliator, $3)

this is my go-to lip prep before i start putting on make-up. made from all-natural, edible ingredients, the bam balm is infused with shea butter, vitamin E and peppermint oil to reduce fine lines and help plump up lips, so your lipsticks go on smoother over top. unlike most other lip scrubs, this comes in a handy, fuss-free tube for ease and convenience. absolute LOVE!

8. glossier coconut balm dotcom, US $12 | PHILIPPINES P799

glossier’s cult-fave flavored balm is the highlight of my nighttime skincare routine, mostly because it smells amazing, but also because it’s the bomb…dotcom, heh. it’s rich and thick without feeling gloopy (just don’t overload product, k?), and leaves my lips super soft until morning. this stuff can also be used on cuticles and dry patches on your face and body, so it’s a total winner.

i have a handful of new — mostly korean — skincare products that i’ve just introduced to my daily regimen, and i plan to talk about those here as well. so excited!