Skin Diary

My Minimalist Skincare Routine That Still Delivers Results Because less really can be more. I used to think that more was always better when it came to skincare. More serums, more steps, more products. I fell deep into the rabbit hole of 10-step routines, weekly exfoliations, and trying every hyped-up product on my feed. At one point, I had a drawer full of skincare—but ironically, my skin wasn’t happy. Breakouts? Check. Redness? Check. That dull, tired look that no amount of serum could fix? Absolutely. And that’s when I realized: maybe, just maybe, I was doing too much . So I did something kind of radical. I stopped. I paused all the layering, all the experimenting. I gave my skin a break—and I went minimalist. Surprisingly? That’s when the healing began. Why I Chose to Simplify This isn’t just about decluttering my bathroom counter or saving money (though that definitely happened, too). This was about listening to my skin . There was one night—I remember it clearly—I was st...

My Minimalist Skincare Routine That Still Delivers Results I used to be the kind of girl who would fall for every skincare trend that popped up on my feed. You name it—I’ve probably tried it. Snail mucin, glass skin, 10-step routines, acids, face rollers, sheet masks every night—you get the idea. But ironically, the more products I used, the more overwhelmed and irritated my skin became. Eventually, my skin (and my wallet) had enough. That’s when I decided to go minimalist —not because it was trendy, but because I needed to simplify my life and let my skin breathe . And here’s the twist: this stripped-down routine actually gave me better results than any 10-step regimen ever did. Why I Switched to a Minimalist Routine Let me paint the picture: I had a vanity overflowing with serums, toners, essences, ampoules, creams, oils—some I didn’t even know how or when to use. My skin was breaking out, constantly red, and just…tired. One night, while staring at my inflamed face in the mirr...

Top 5 Skincare Tools from Shopee I Actually Use (And Love) Let’s be real—there’s something so satisfying about unboxing a skincare tool you got on Shopee during a midnight budol moment, especially when it actually works . I used to think skincare tools were just Instagram gimmicks. But after trying (and failing) with a few, I finally found some real gems—tools that didn’t just collect dust on my vanity but became essentials in my routine. So here’s a list of the top 5 skincare tools from Shopee that I personally use, love, and highly recommend—especially if you’re a beauty budgetarian like me. These are affordable, easy to use, and most importantly: effective . 1. Ice Roller — My Morning Puffiness Hero Price: ₱99–₱200 Search Keywords: ice face roller, facial cooling tool I found this during a random 8.8 sale. It looked cute, had 4.9 stars, and was under ₱150— why not? Little did I know it would become a non-negotiable part of my morning routine. I keep mine in the freezer a...

Korean Skincare Routine: Tried and Tested, Here's My Verdict It all started with a YouTube binge. One rainy afternoon, curled up in bed with a face full of hormonal breakouts and zero motivation, I stumbled upon a video titled “My 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine Transformation.” Curious and desperate, I clicked. That was the moment I fell into the glowing, dewy world of K-beauty —and let me tell you, there was no turning back. So I decided to commit. Not for a week. Not for 3 days. But for a full month . I followed the famous Korean 10-step routine (yes, even on sleepy nights) to see if it was worth the hype. Here’s my story—and my honest verdict. Step 1: Oil Cleanser — Melting the Day Away Before K-beauty, I thought double cleansing was extra . But once I felt how my skin loved Banila Co’s Clean It Zero balm, I was hooked. The balm melted off my makeup, sunscreen, and stress like butter on hot toast. Verdict: Yes to oil cleansing! It prevented clogged pores and made my sk...

Face Masks I Swear By When My Skin Breaks Out Breakouts always seem to come at the worst times—before an event, during deadlines, or when I just want to feel pretty. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of things to calm my angry, inflamed skin. Some didn’t work. Others were just meh. But a few— a magical few —earned a permanent spot in my skincare emergency kit. So here it is: a list of face masks I swear by whenever my skin breaks out , with a mix of local gems and global favorites. All of them are tried, tested, and breakout-approved . 1. Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Let’s start with the OG. If you’ve been in the skincare community for a while, you probably already know this mask has a cult following—and for good reason. Why I love it: It sucks out oil, dirt, and impurities like a vacuum. I mix it with apple cider vinegar for maximum power (though water works too if you have sensitive skin). It leaves my skin feeling tight, clean, and visibly calmer the next day. Pro tip: Do...

How Water Changed My Life—Inside and Out I used to be the kind of person who could go half a day without a single sip of water. Coffee? Yes. Milk tea? Always. But plain water? I barely touched it unless I was extremely thirsty. And guess what? My skin hated me for it. I remember staring at myself in the mirror one morning, wondering why my face looked dull, my lips were always chapped, and I kept getting random breakouts despite using all these expensive skincare products. I was investing in serums and creams but ignoring the most basic thing my body had been asking for all along— water . That moment sparked a turning point in my wellness journey. What started as a small challenge—“Let’s try drinking 8 glasses a day for a week”—turned into a total lifestyle shift. And let me tell you, water isn’t just good for your skin; it’s life-changing for your entire body. Let me take you through what I’ve learned and experienced along the way. Water: Our Body’s Quiet Hero Our body is arou...

How to Build a Skincare Routine on a Student Budget (Without Going Broke or Breaking Out) “Paano ba ‘to? Gusto ko ng glow-up pero ayoko naman magutom.” Yan ang una kong nasabi nung sinimulan ko ang skincare journey ko. College student pa lang ako noon—tight ang allowance, limited ang options, at madalas, trial and error lang ang skincare ko. Pero dahil ayoko namang forever oily at acne-prone, I figured out a way to build a simple but effective routine na hindi kailangang mahal. Kung isa ka rin sa mga estudyanteng gustong mag-alaga ng balat pero tipid-mode, this blog is for you. Here’s my student-tested, budget-approved guide to building a skincare routine that works— without emptying your wallet. 1. Know Your Skin Type First (Libre ‘to!) Walang point bumili ng skincare kung hindi mo alam kung ano ang kailangan ng balat mo. Minsan, akala mo oily ka, ‘yun pala dehydrated ka lang. How to check: Oily: Makintab buong araw, especially T-zone. Dry: Flaky, tight feeling after w...