I know that In Her Element, my company’s proudly Filipino-made skincare brand, has been quiet for a while. Honestly, it’s been a struggle for us post-pandemic as we deal with mounting costs of raw materials and manufacturing. We’re a very small brand and I felt lost about what to do with it for a while. So I decided to go back to just making things for the pure joy of it. That’s who I am, and that is who I’ve always been. Today, I’m excited to finally share with you one of those things!

The In Her Element Fresh Start Scrub Wash (P385/ 40 grams in Shopee / Lazada) is a low pH powder facial wash that’s formulated to gently exfoliate skin. If you’re dealing with oily skin, rough texture and clogged pores, this one is for you!

Washing your face is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin, leaving it clean and refreshed. But how often and what should we use to wash our face? Today, we'll explore the best practices for washing your face to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

There was a time when the word “moisturizer” was not part of the average Filipina’s vocabulary, what with the heat and humidity we deal with on a daily basis. We believed that moisturizer made us more oily, and it used to be true - most moisturizers even just 10 years ago were heavy, sticky stuff. But it’s already 2023. Now moisturizers are incredibly lightweight and have more benefits aside from hydration!

Have you heard about the AHA Cleansing Research Wash (P725 /120g)? It’s a Japanese cleanser that is formulated to be multi-purpose: it aims to remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and exfoliate all at the same time. It claims to erase dullness for a complexion as fresh and glowing as if you had just had a beauty treatment, so let’s see if it delivered!

A little about my situation: I have dry and sensitive skin, as well as natural texture and acne marks.

I get asked a lot by my mom and tita friends about skincare I can recommend to their tweens and teens. For young skin, I always tell them not to use anything too harsh, with too many strong actives; their skin is still quite resilient and can heal fast. Most of the time they really just need something for maintenance so building that habit is important in the beginning. A simple routine that’s comfortable and affordable is important, otherwise they can’t maintain the habit. You know what they say - the best skincare is the one you actually like to use!

There’s been an explosion of facial skincare products these past two years, but our body care options have been a little neglected, no? The skin on the rest of our bodies isn’t as sensitive or as thin as our facial skin but they still benefit from a lot of love! There’s a ton of brightening products out there but today let’s focus on a nourishing line.

A fascinating truth: Even before you become fully aware of it, cleansing is the earliest form of skincare you take on. It’s a ritual most people even take for granted. But why aim for just getting it over with, when you can pay attention to flaunting that fresh, oil-free glow by choosing the ideal cleanser to deliver those results?

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Dermalogica, but I haven’t tried it until only a couple of months ago. I’ve always thought that the brand was a bit under the radar despite being around for some time now, with not much to offer my informed skincare routine. How wrong I was! I’m glad the Dermalogica PH team reached out and asked if I wanted to do a skin consultation. At that time I was struggling with flaky skin and blemishes (the former new, the latter not) so they recommended two products for me to try out.

I remember the launch of the Naturals by Watsons line about four years ago. It was at this cute little cafe with lots of greenery inside, and I remember Jared of Watsons explaining how proud they were that they were able to source certified organic ingredients for the line, and on top of that use Post Consumer Recycled Plastic for the packaging. I thought it was a great move for Watsons! I love their Rice Bran Cream Bath because it’s a nice moisturizing body wash that smells soothing.

Since I started writing for Project Vanity many years ago, I have learned to adopt a multi-step skincare regimen. There was even a point where I challenged myself to a 10-step Korean routine! And yes, I totally get the sensorial appeal of each luxurious step. But I will always have just as much appreciation for the straightforward but efficient skincare routine. Now after having tried five of Japanese brand BCL’s high-performance products, I have no doubt that they have the simplified skincare routine down pat.

Writing about beauty feels like a mental refuge for me during this tough time, so I hope this throw down can give you a few minutes of stress-free reading. While it is important to stay updated and alert, we should also think about the potential effects of reading news article after article. I’m quite guilty of this as I’ve had to make more of an effort to put down my phone before my anxiety turns into full-blown panic. So take a deep breath, clear your mind for a while, and let’s indulge in some beauty talk.

Hello, it’s here! My team and I have been working on the In Her Element Sunflower Wash-Off Cleansing Oil (P695/110ml) since late last year and I’m so pleased that it’s finally out! As someone who adores ridiculously loud eyeshadow, thick lashes, and full-coverage foundation, a good cleansing oil that removes even waterproof makeup is a non-negotiable for me. It has to wash off cleanly with water, too, without me needing to do a second pass to erase everything. I ain’t got time for non-emulsifying cleansing oils!

What if you wanted a change? What if you’re looking for something better? What if you dared to dream and strive to do? Just realizing that there are endless possibilities available is a source of empowerment, but sometimes we need a little help to become aware of them. Neutrogena and Belle De Jour offered a fun afternoon of imagination and positivity as we learned about the newly formulated range of Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleansers and created inspiring vision boards with Trixie Esguerra!

K-beauty has given rise to some pretty strange and interesting trends like applying 7 layers of toner, dunking your face in ice water to set makeup, and the use of bubble cosmetics. The last one particularly sounds like pure skincaretainment, which simply uses carbonization to create a fun and fizzy experience. But does it actually do anything for your skin?

A low pH cleanser is the best kind you can use for your skin, and this holds true for all skin types and concerns. The super gentle formula is perfect for sensitive skin, won’t dry out dehydrated skin, helps prevent acne in troubled skin, balances out oily skin, and leaves dry skin feeling soft and supple. Most low pH cleansers are formulated to match the skin’s natural pH level of 5.5, which allows the proper and healthy maintenance of the acid mantle.

Nivea is a pioneering skincare brand. Can you believe that their best-selling cream was first introduced way back in 1911? Personally, I have fallen in love with their Facial Cleansing Wipes for those long days where I'm simply too tired for multiple cleansing steps. But here’s exciting news that will #ChangeTheWayYouCleanse: Nivea just launched two new Zero-Alcohol Cleansers with Liza Soberano as the official ambassador!

I never fail to stalk the beauty aisles whenever I'm in Tokyo. It's, ehem, research for Project Vanity and In Her Element, okay? Last fall, I spotted an interesting development in Japan's beauty scene called "hot cleansing gels". I have never seen or heard of this concept before, but there's a whole shelf just full of them in Tokyu Hands! I chose the one that looked pretty popular (it had the Cosme #1 sticker) and didn't cost as much as the others at P1,880 yen.

Our skin is an amazing part of our body. It’s the largest organ because it covers us from head to toe. The skin on the face is delicate and is usually more sensitive than other parts. Fortunately, skin has a layer of protection that's called the skin barrier. This is basically the topmost layer of the skin that protects from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. A healthy skin barrier on our faces keeps it hydrated and acne-free so if you're experiencing skin trouble, it's possible that your skin's barrier is not at its best state.