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!

I don’t rave about skincare lightly. As someone who develops skincare products for a living, it’s easy for me to filter out what works and what doesn’t. I like to say that a quick ingredients check should tell us everything we need to know if something works or not! Most of the time, how good a product is isn’t determined by fancy formulations, but the quality and concentration of the ingredients used.

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.

Most of us are stuck indoors for the rest of summer, yes, but the tropical fun doesn't have to be shoved to the side and forgotten, yes? blk Cosmetics' Wondermelon Edit captures summer fun all year round with a skincare collection that feels as refreshing as it looks! The products contain watermelon seed oil that refreshes and hydrates. Here's the report of what I've tried!

Ellana has always been known for their “skin first” philosophy as a mineral makeup brand. They’ve always aimed to create products that actually benefit the skin beyond just temporary coverage or color. That’s why it makes perfect sense for Ellana to create their own skincare line!

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.

Toners aren’t at the foreground for me when it comes to building up my skincare roster. What with my dry skin woes, I tend to pay way more attention to potent serums and rich moisturizers to get the job done. However, I’ve learned that this post-cleansing step is a necessary one, as the moisturizing toning products I use are workhorses that get the hydration ball rolling!

Are you one for New Year’s resolutions? Some people may be naysayers but I personally believe in the power of a new year for sparking change! Sure, you’ll need to follow through for the next 11 months to achieve success but getting started is almost always the hardest part. If one of your resolutions this year is to achieve your best skin yet this 2020, here are four things you can do to reach that goal.

Whether you have dry skin or oily skin, applying moisturizer is an essential step of any skincare routine. However, this can be tricky to do in a humid country, as many formulas can feel too heavy and sticky, especially when it’s hot. Gel formulas are a great alternative to the traditional cream formula, but did you know that there’s an even more lightweight option?

I have a confession to make: last year, I started teaching myself to buy less makeup. I unfollowed a lot of cosmetic brands on social media, and stopped consuming makeup content from videos to blogs, and even newsletters. When I see a sale, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and walk away. I still love makeup and that’s not gonna change, but I needed to stop an unhealthy shopping addiction that had me buying waaaay more than I need. What snapped me back to reality was seeing a drawer full of expired makeup that I hadn’t even used more than thrice. So this 2020, my New Year resolution is to stay committed to #ProjectPan and doing a low buy!

Skin care diet, skip-care, the anti-10 step skin care routine - these beauty buzz words basically all mean the same thing. They’re all about going back to the basics and downsizing your skin care regimen and not compromising the image of minimizing pores. I enjoyed the 10 step skin care routine for a good while but I’ll be the first to admit that I found the rules of layering a bit tedious. Do I really need to spend an hour to slap products on my face, or can I do it under 15 minutes and make time for other things that I enjoy?

Whenever Japanese beauty cult faves come up in the Project Vanity Community, Hada Labo always makes an appearance. The brand is a particular favorite among skincare enthusiasts, but until recently, we were dependent on Tokyo-bound friends and pasabuys to help us get our J-beauty fix. With Hada Labo’s arrival in the Philippines, we can now stock up on their best-selling products by visiting Watsons! 

Since discovering the wonders of hydrating toners, my skin has actually become quite normal compared to its previously dry and dull state. I love how they’re so easy to apply and feel lightweight on my skin, so I can move on to the next step much faster. The truth is, I often just slap several layers of toner on rather than apply moisturizer after because I’m lazy like that. Since the weather has become a bit chilly, I find that I now need to apply moisturizer again. I’m so used to my easy cleanser-acid-toner routine though, so I’ve been trying to look for ways to get back to it without sacrificing hydration.

My patron singer Santa Mariah, along with Tita Whitney, once sang that there can be miracles when you believe. TBQH, I immediately ignore any product that claims to be miraculous. But thanks to all the persuasive marketing and my insecurity of having adult acne, I volunteered my face to try the Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA Miracle Toner.

One of the more obvious skincare misconceptions that frustrates me the most is when people think that toner is supposed to be "matapang" and have astringent properties in order for it to be effective. Sure, clarifying toners can come in handy for those with oily/acne-prone skin or for those who occasionally want to do some deep cleansing. But unless you have extreme skin issues, you won’t need to go hard with the heavy-duty toners on the daily! In fact, overdoing it could ruin your skin’s moisture barrier and cause breakouts to worsen.