Skin Diary

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 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...

My First Time Trying a Chemical Peel at Home – Before & After “Nakakatakot pero worth it?!” – My real experience, besh. Hi mga ka-Skin Diary! 👋🏼 This post is all about my first ever at-home chemical peel experience . Totoo ba talaga ‘yung glass skin effect after peeling? Masakit ba? Safe ba siya gawin sa bahay? At ano ang before and after results ko? If you’ve ever been curious but scared to try chemical peels, let me share my story — no filter, no sugarcoating. Let’s go! 📌 First of All, What is a Chemical Peel? A chemical peel is a treatment where you apply a chemical solution (usually acids like AHA, BHA, or TCA) to your skin to exfoliate the top layer . Ang goal nito ay tanggalin ang dull, damaged skin to reveal a smoother, clearer, and more glowing layer underneath. Marami na ngayong mild, at-home versions available — unlike the deep peels na clinic-level. I used a 30% AHA + 2% BHA solution (the red serum na viral) for my first try. 🤔 Why I Tried It To be hon...

Skincare Myths You Should Stop Believing Now Besh, hindi lahat ng chika sa TikTok ay totoo! Hi mga ka-Skin Diary! 💕 Let’s face it — sa dami ng skincare tips sa YouTube, TikTok, at tsismis from your kapitbahay, nakakalito na talaga kung ano ang totoo at ano ang kalokohan . Kaya today, it’s time to set things straight! In this post, let’s bust the most common skincare myths na baka hanggang ngayon ay pinaniniwalaan mo pa. Don’t worry, guilty din ako dati — pero change is beautiful, ‘di ba? 🧴 Myth #1: “Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer.” Busted! This is one of the biggest lies in skincare history! Kahit oily ka, your skin still needs hydration . 🚫 Skipping moisturizer = more oil production ✅ Use water-based or gel-type moisturizers instead! Try: Celeteque Hydration Gel, Neutrogena Hydro Boost ☀️ Myth #2: “No need for sunscreen if you’re indoors.” Busted! Besh, UV rays can pass through windows. Even if naka-WFH ka or sa bahay lang, the sun still affects your skin . ✅ W...

My Honest Review: RtopR Blackhead Remover – Does It Really Work? When it comes to skincare, I’m always a little skeptical—especially when a product promises instant results or claims to remove all blackheads like magic. That’s exactly what I thought when I first saw the RtopR Blackhead Remover being hyped online. It felt a little too good to be true . But as someone who constantly tests and reviews skincare products here on Skin Diary , I knew I had to give it a shot. After all, blackheads have always been one of my biggest skin struggles. So I bought it, tested it, and here’s everything you need to know—from the delivery, first impressions, and application process, to what really happened after using it. 📦 First Impressions & Delivery I bought my RtopR Blackhead Remover from Shopee for around ₱200 . Pretty affordable, right? To my surprise, delivery was faster than usual. Within a few days, I was already holding the tiny silver box in my hands, heart racing from a mix of...