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...

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...

Best Serums for Hyperpigmentation Based on Skin Type (2025 Guide) “May dark spots ka ba, besh? Don’t worry — may serum diyan para sa’yo!” Hi mga ka-Skin Diary! 🌞 Dark spots, acne scars, sun damage — lahat ‘yan ay signs of hyperpigmentation , and I know the struggle. Yung kahit okay na ang pimples mo, naiwan naman yung peklat? Ugh, right? Don’t worry, besh. Today, I’ll share with you the best serums for hyperpigmentation — based on your skin type . Kasi hindi one-size-fits-all ang skincare. Iba-iba tayo ng needs, so let’s find the perfect match for your beautiful face. ☁️ What is Hyperpigmentation? Hyperpigmentation happens when your skin produces too much melanin , which causes: Dark spots Melasma Post-acne marks Uneven skin tone It’s common and super normal — but if you want to fade them, serums are your best bet. They contain active ingredients that target dark spots directly and speed up cell turnover. ✨ Ingredients to Look For Before we dive in, here are ...

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...

How Hormones Affected My Skin – and What Helped Me Cope I used to think that skincare was just about the surface—cleansers, toners, serums, and maybe a few face masks here and there. But it wasn’t until my hormones decided to go rogue that I realized: skin health is deeply connected to what’s going on inside our bodies. This is my story of how hormonal imbalance messed with my skin , how it made me feel, and the changes I made—both in my routine and lifestyle—that finally helped me cope. The Breakout That Started It All It began in my early twenties. One day, I woke up with two angry cystic pimples on my chin. No big deal, I thought. Maybe I forgot to wash my face properly or overdid it with the sweets. But the next week, another one popped up. Then two more. What shocked me was how different these breakouts were— deep, painful, and persistent , mostly along my jawline and cheeks. No amount of spot treatment or pimple patches seemed to work. I was using all the “right” products,...

Morning vs. Night Skincare Routine: What’s the Real Difference? Para hindi ka na malito sa “AM or PM ba ‘to?” moments! Hi beshies! 👋🏼 If you're like me dati, super confused sa dami ng skincare steps , tapos naguguluhan ka pa kung bakit may ibang products na pang-morning lang, at yung iba pang-gabi — this blog is for you! So today, pag-uusapan natin ang difference ng morning and night skincare routine — ano ba talaga ang kailangan sa umaga, at ano ang dapat bago matulog? And why is it important to have both? Let’s go, besh! ☀️ What is a Morning Skincare Routine For? Ang goal ng morning routine is simple: PROTECT . Sa umaga, ang skin mo ay haharap sa: UV rays ☀️ Pollution 🚗 Heat and sweat 🥵 Blue light from screens 💻📱 So kailangan mo ng barrier para hindi agad ma-stress si skin. ✅ Basic Morning Skincare Steps (For Oily/Acne-Prone Skin) Gentle Cleanser Pang-alis ng oil at sweat from overnight Choose something mild (huwag harsh!) Toner (op...

Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin in the Philippines (2025 Update) Because walang glow up kung sunog ang mukha, bes! Hello mga beshies! 🌞 Let’s be real — living in the Philippines = living under intense sun exposure . Kahit pa nasa loob ka lang ng bahay or naka-commute sa FX, the UV rays are always there chika-ing your skin . Kaya kahit oily pa ang skin mo, you STILL need sunscreen . Pero gets ko, mahirap talagang humanap ng SPF na hindi greasy, hindi malagkit, at hindi magpapakinang sa mukha mo like lechon sa fiesta . Kaya today, ishare ko sa inyo ang updated list ng Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin in the Philippines (2025 Edition!) — tried, tested, and loved by Filipinas (and oily-skin beshies) like you and me! 💡 Quick Reminder: Bakit Important ang Sunscreen Kahit Oily Ka? UV rays = skin aging + dark spots + cancer . Pampawala ng acne marks ? Hindi 'yan uubra kung hindi ka nagsa-sunscreen. SPF is not optional — it’s a daily non-negotiable . So let's get into ...

How I Cleared My Acne in 30 Days – My Step-by-Step Routine Hi beshies! 🌸 Grabe, hindi ko in-expect na darating yung araw na masasabi kong “clear skin” na ako. Just a month ago, nagba-breakout ako ng bongga—halos buong forehead and cheeks ko punong-puno ng inflamed pimples, whiteheads, at maskne. I was losing confidence, lalo na kapag kailangan kong mag-zoom meetings or lalabas with friends. But now, 30 days later , iba na ang glow up! I wanted to share with you my honest skincare journey , kung paano ko talaga na-clear yung acne ko. This isn’t a sponsored post (though, manifesting soon! 😂), this is me sharing what truly worked— trial and error, patience, and the right routine. So kung ikaw din ay struggling with breakouts right now, hug muna kita . I hope my story gives you hope and maybe even a few tips you can try for yourself. My Skin Situation Before (Context muna, besh!) I have combination skin – oily sa T-zone, dry sa cheeks. Nagstart ang acne ko mga January pa lang, per...

10 Skincare Products Under ₱300 That Actually Work (Shopee Finds!) In a world where serums can cost more than a fancy dinner and moisturizers come with luxury price tags, budget skincare lovers are always on the hunt for effective and affordable products. The good news? You don’t have to splurge to have glowing, healthy skin. Shopee is a goldmine for budget-friendly skincare products , and I’ve personally tried and tested a bunch over the years. So if you're building your skincare routine without breaking the bank, here’s my honest list of 10 skincare products under ₱300 that surprisingly work—and yes, all from Shopee! 1. Luxe Organix Power Glow Serum – ₱249 This vitamin C + galactomyces serum is a glow-up in a bottle . It brightens dull skin and improves texture in just a few weeks. Lightweight and non-sticky, it works well under sunscreen or moisturizer. Plus, it smells divine! ✅ Great for: Brightening, evening out skin tone ✅ Skin type: All skin types 📦 Shopee Price: ₱...