Received my Picky × Wishtrend today and I'm in love with what they gave me in this box. 

I ordered the Angry Skin Calming Package (Unscented Version) and Dear Klairs Supple Preparation All-Over Lotion with the points I exchanged last week.

I purchased all of these skincare products for a 51.92 USD instead of 109.30 USD, and it was a complete bargain! These also came surprisingly quick!

Thank you so much to Picky × Wishtrend for this great event!

Received a box from Picky × Wishtrend Event

What is a Moisturiser? 

A moisturiser should moisturise, right?  
And, the days of plain, water-and-wax moisturisers are over. 

So what every skin type needs in a moisturiser? 
It is an antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients and skin-identical ingredients. All skin types need these ingredients to be as healthy as possible.

What is Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are an essential part of any moisturiser. What makes antioxidants so intriguing is that they seem to have an ability to reduce or prevent some amount of the oxidative damage that destroys and depletes the skin’s function and structure while also preventing some of the degenerative effects in skin caused by sun exposure. These vital elements for skin can range from alpha lipoic acid, beta-glucan, coenzyme Q10, grape seed extract, green tea, soybean, vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), and vitamin E (alpha tocopherol, tocotrienols) to pomegranate, curcumin, turmeric, etc. 
Although antioxidants have great ability to intercept and mitigate free-radical damage, it is ironic that mostly they share a particular weakness : they deteriorate when repeatedly exposed to air (oxygen) and sunlight. Because of this issue, an antioxidant moisturiser packaged in a jar or clear (instead  of  opaque) container will likely lose its antioxidant benefit within weeks (or days, depending on their formula) after it is opened.    

What is Skin-Identical Ingredients?
Our moisturiser mostly is not about putting moisture in the skin, but rather helping our skin to keep or lock the water it has. You can give skin all the moisture in the world but it won’t be absorbed where you need it. You may have heard of the term humectants (pull water into skin), emollients (restore the skin barrier) and occlusives (create a barrier over the skin to trap moisture) in skin-care products.
While those can be helpful, the term 'skin-identical ingredients' refers to the substances between skin cells that keep skin cells connected and help maintain skin’s fundamental external structure. 
Skin-identical ingredients also encompass an additional assortment of substances, such as ceramides, lecithin, glycerin, hyaluronic  acid, sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, amino acids, cholesterol, glycerol, phospholipids, fatty acids and many more.  
All of these give skin what it needs to keep skin cells together. When a moisturiser contains a combination of these, it can help reinforce the skin’s natural ability to function normally, improve skin’s texture, fight environmental stress (sun, pollution, and more), and along with antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, eliminate dry skin with regular use. 

What is Cell-Communicating Ingredients?
Cell-communicating ingredients are getting a lot of attention for their role in helping skin to function more normally. Cell-communicating ingredients, theoretically, have the ability to tell a skin cell to look, act and behave better. Instead of normal, round, even and completely intact skin cells being regenerated, when damaged cells form and reproduce they are uneven, flat and lack structural integrity. As a result of these deformities, they behave poorly. 
This is where cell-communicating ingredients (eg. niacinamide, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, lecithin, phospholipids, most peptides) have the potential to help. 

So, does your moisturiser have some of these important ingredients. Most of my moisturisers have it, but not all those three (Antioxidants, Cell-Identical, Cell-Communicating).

Moisturiser for Oily Skin

The two most common types of sunscreen, which are chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. 

What is Chemical Sunscreen?
Chemical sunscreens, also sometimes called organic sunscreens, contain chemical compounds that absorb UV rays. These chemical compounds include formulas like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate and avobenzone. These sunscreens contain active sun filters that absorb UV light to prevent from causing damage. These chemicals change UV rays into heat, which is then released from the skin and scattered.

What is Physical Sunscreen?
Titanium dioxide and xinc oxide are often referred to as 'non-chemical, physical, mineral, inorganic' sunscreen ingredients, but this is misleading at best. All ingredients used in skin care products are chemicals and have a direct impact on skin. What these two substances do have in common, is that they are inert minerals used as sunscreen ingredients. They also have minimal to no risk of causing an allergic reaction, and are considered by most researchers to be safe for skin. They also protect skin from a good portion of the UVA spectrum.
Both their minimal risk of irritation and their ability to protect skin from most of the sun’s rays makes them a great choice to consider. One drawback these two ingredients share is that  they tend to leave a white look on the skin (whitecast). 
Physical sunscreens work by staying on top of the skin to deflect and scatter damaging UV rays away from the skin. In many ways, these two sunscreen agents are about as good as it gets in terms of protection and gentleness on the skin.

Sunscreen for Oily Skin

If you’re looking to amp up your skin care routine with a product that offers a bigger, more powerful dose of active ingredients than a cleanser or moisturizer, a face serum may be the answer.

When it comes to choose a skin serum, it’s important to recognize there are different types of serums, as well as specific ingredients to look for based on your goals. Face serums fall into the following categories :

• Anti-aging serums 
(Vitamin A/Retinoids, Bakuchiol).
• Skin-brightening & lightening serums 
(Vitamin C, Licorice Root, Arbutin, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Fruit Enzymes, Mulberry Extract).
• Hydrating serums 
(Vitamin B5/Pantothenic acid, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Fatty Alcohols, Squalane).
• Free-radical fighting serums 
(Vitamin E, Green Tea Extract, Resveratrol, Sea Buckthorn).
• Acne-prone and sensitive skin serums 
(Aloe Vera, Vitamin B3/Niacinamide, Oatmeal, Honey, Allantoin, AHA/BHA/PHA).
• Reparative/texture improvement serums 
(Coenzyme Q10, Apple Stem Cells, Snail Mucin).

Basic directions : Serum is lighter and delivers active ingredients to the skin quickly, it goes on first, after you’ve cleansed your skin. But you also need to seal the serum to maximize the benefits, which is why a moisturizer or face cream is the next step.
(Cleanser > Toner > Serum > Moisturiser > Sunscreen) or you goes from the thinnest consistency up to the thickest.

And, here's my favourite serums for my oily, dehydrated and acne-prone skin. I also living in a tropical country, and every skin is different. What works for me, might not work for you. This is just my personal experience.

Favourite Serum for Oily Skin

Big thanks to the Picky team for creating the best channel for skin care, for us to communicate with each other and now, my skin starts to become more healthier.
Before, I used to have oily skin, acnes with a lot of scars and sometimes I hate seeing myself in the mirror.

But since I registered with the Picky app in the beginning of 2020, I started to discover a new knowledge about skin, my actual skin types and concerns, which products I really need, which ingredients that my skin might allergic to, etc. Now, I start to accept my skin flaws and keep using great products with the help from Picky 🙆

And, last year, I'm using a tretinoin as prescribed by the dermatologist and here's the best way I did on my skin (mostly I researched them first in Picky app). Shared these here since it might help you but you must get professional help if your skin problem too serious. A dermatologist can help diagnose the exact cause of your skin and develop a plan to help treat it.

So here's the list :

1) Using a mild and gentle cleanser 
• BHA (Salicylic Acid) or Benzoyl Peroxide face wash in AM (use when have acne and skip it when my skin becomes too dry).
• Micellar water/balm + gentle cleanser for PM. I used to apply oil cleanser but it makes my skin worst so I just stick to micellar water or balm.
• Use hydrating cleanser if my skin needs some hydration / feels dehydrated.


2) Use hydrating toner/essence when my skin feels dehydrated on wet skin. Sometimes I skip it when I'm quite lazy 🤣 But for easy application, I just put it inside a spray bottle and spray on my skin direct after bath.
• 1-2 layers for AM.
• 3-7 layers for PM.

3) Apply spot treatment (Mostly prescribed from the clinic)
• 20% Azelaic acid / Benzoyl Peroxide / Clindamycin for AM.
• Tretinoin cream for PM (First month apply 1-2 times a week. Third month apply 2-3 times a week. Now consistently 3-4 times a week or every other night).
• Sulfur / zinc cream for gentler alternative.

4) Serum or Ampoule
• Brightening / Antioxidant : Vitamin C / Alpha Arbutin / Kojic Acid / Green Tea / Coenzyme Q10 for AM.
• Calming / Soothing / Repairing : Centella Asiatica / Snail / Heartleaf / Propolis for PM.

5) Moisturiser 
• Lighweight, non-comedogenic & gel-like moisturiser for AM.
• Repair skin barrier (Hyaluronic acid / Peptides / Ceramides / Cholesterol / Panthenol / Allantoin / Green tea / Fatty Acids / Glycerin) cream for PM. 

6) Reapply 3-4 times of sunscreen
• Gel sunscreen with SPF50 & PA+++ (Prefer physical, mineral or inorganic sunscreen as I don't really mind to have a whitecast and I'm staying at home for almost all the times).

7) Extra Chemical Exfoliating, Sheet Mask, Sleeping Mask
• Use 1-2 times a week when not using a tret. 
• Depend on skin needs 
(If need more hydration, will use sheet / sleeping mask. If skin congested, will use a BHA serum).

8) Most importantly, use your skincare products consistently for 3 months and above if your skin does not allergic to it.
• For beginner, you must apply basic skincare (Cleanse > Moisturise > Sun Protection) before start any treatment. I started to see the changes when I try to reduce my skincare but when it dehydrated, then I added more products and introduced them one by one.
• Do your skincare in moderation and do not overdo cleansing or exfoliating because when you overdo it, it won’t end well.
• When using the tret, I just did the basic skincare for first five months. Now I try to avoid any active ingredients with the same routine since the tret is a potent and strong product. 

9) Please be patience as the skin care is our personal journey. You will see the changes for next few months as our skin cell turnover takes around a month to shed and renew itself. It took me almost a year to see these changes.

If you have your own tips, please let me know as my skin still have a few active acnes and PIE on certain parts due to my hormonal changes but I try to live with it now 😅 And, I did add some supplements, drink a lot of water, consume green tea, spearmint or any herbal teas.

P.S. I do have a lot of products and I don't use it under the same routine, mostly it depends on my skin needs (e.g. hydration, deep cleanse for pores, brightening, repairing, minimal or just go with basic). But as for ABIB and L'Essential products, Go Picky selected me to give a review and my skin really love most of their great products.

Disclaimer : This is my skin needs and I’m not a skin expert. I try skincare products out and I review them accordance to my skin type, which is oily but dehydrated, and prone to acne. I also living in a humid country, so what works for me, might not work for you and vice versa.

Skin Problem Solutions?

Aside from the salicylic acid in the formula, there are a variety of texturizes, preservatives, and the like. But, the second Ingredient in the formula is Witch Hazel and this ingredient and I don’t seem to get along very well LOL.
Immediately after use of this product, I notice that my skin feels slightly dry&#47;tight (even with the toner). I find that I need to reach for my toner again right after the “wait time” I have allotted myself. Its the same feeling I’ve gotten while using other products high in witch hazel. 

Having said that, I do have to say that this Salicylic Acid Solution did help my skin to look less greasy throughout the day and overall I did see some positive results. I’ve seen a slight reduction in overall congestion&#47;clogged pores while using it.

Back when I started really focusing on a skincare routine, I wasn’t too familiar with the terms AHA, BHA, and all of that. I just knew that my skin needed “acids” to keep breakouts and congestion at bay. But, after learning the differences in acids and how they worked, I realized that BHA was essential to my Routine LOL!

This particular product from The Ordinary was intriguing because at the time…it looked like a really straightforward and affordable product.

As with a lot of The Ordinary Products that I have used in the past…I really appreciate the minimalist packaging and glass bottles. These bottles have the potential to be reused or recycled really easily and that is a total bonus for me.

My initial application of this product went fine, just a couple of drops on the skin and then distributed into an even layer. Once thing I did notice is that this product absorbs rather quickly. I ended up moving this step in my routine to just after my toner. That way my skin was slightly damp&#47;dewy to allow for a more even application.

Just a quick note that applying acids to damp skin can cause them to activate faster. Meaning bigger potential for irritation. Also, the pH of the products you use can impact the efficacy of acids. I’m no expert on this but I simply do what makes the most sense for my schedule and skin. Monitor your skin, listen to it, and respond accordingly.

A bit heavy on my skin if I do more steps in my skincare routine but if your skin is normal to dry, your skin might love it 😊

This product contains five types of hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, licorice root extract, green tea extract, houttuynia cordata extract among other quality ingredients. It provides moisture to dry or dull skin with natural moisturizing factors and keeps skin healthy.

It is refreshing and non-sticky. It is a daily gel cream that comes in a hygienic tube. Honestly I don&#39;t use a lot of hyaluronic acid products so wasn&#39;t sure what to expect or how much to use. It has a bit of viscosity and appears to be thicker than my usual gel creams. However, it absorbs immediately and leaves no residue after application. It&#39;s a good moisturizer that prevents my dehydrated skin from feeling tight. It sinks into the skin to create a barrier of hydration so my skin is moisturized and protected. My acne also calmed down the next morning after using this at night. I personally think this is a great summer moisturizer that prevents trans-epidermal water loss.

May make my skin a little oily and sticky. 

Firstly, let me point out that my skin type is oily, acne prone and sometimes dehydrated. So when I say that a sunscreen can be too moisturising or oily for me, then remember it might not apply for you.  

This sunscreen has a lightweight cream that turns in to a milky consistency during application. Very easy to apply, doesn’t pill or ball, no problem with reapplication either. Very moisturising with lots of hyaluronic acid. 

Its texture is comfortable on the skin, doesn’t dry my skin but sometimes it may make my skin a little oily & sticky. Just after application the skin is shiny, but after a while the shininess goes away & there's no white cast. On days when my skin is a little dry or dehydrated, I always reach for a more moisturising sunscreen like this one. 

I notice no irritation, stinging or burning sensation around my eyes too. 

Perfect for all type of skin especially if you have a dry, normal, combination or sensitive skin types. 

As this product is my first sleeping mask, I like it but I will look for other sleeping mask such as Laneige, Innisfree, etc.

This actually wasn’t a product that I had on my radar lol. But, after seeing it at my local skincare store, I decided to pick it up. Aside from simply being an impulse purchase, I was interested in the concentration of Rice Extract in the formula. I have been loving rice as a brightening Ingredient.

Lets talk about ingredients. Rice Extract is the featured ingredient here…with a concentration of 68.9%. From there, Sunflower Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Palm Oil, and Allantoin also make an appearance. You won’t find Synthetic Fragrance, Denatured Alcohol, or Dyes in this product which is really nice to see. There is silicone however, but that ingredient has become less of a concern for me over time (just my personal opinion). Of course, I’d prefer as “clean” of an ingredients list as possible.
This formulation, even with the oils…has a very light feeling&#47;gel-like consistency (for a Night Cream&#47;Mask). The product glides on really well and just applies like a dream. This Cosrx Overnight Spa Mask also has a milky consistency that gives a perceived richness that I found appealing.
Although I knew this wasn’t going to be the best sleeping mask for me just after those first few applications, I did appreciate the immediate effects of the product that left my skin looking brighter and feeling softer. It didn’t have quite the “velvet skin” effect but I was surprised to get that kind of nourished skin effect from a product that is so lightweight.

I think those with Oily&#47;Combination skin will really like this mask. They absorb really well and do provide some decent results.

I only use these product after my tret nights eventhough I have an oily skin 😅 

And, I don&#39;t recommend you to use it for daytime routine and if you&#39;re in humid country, as it may too heavy on your skin.

Beta-glucan in general is such a wonderful ingredient with so many potential benefits, but first and foremost it hydrates really really well! On the website it has been compared to hyaluronic acid and is said to be 20% more hydrating! It&#39;s also believed to be able to reach the deepest layer of the skin so it can really plump up and hydrate from within.

Texture : In terms of texture it reminds me quite a bit of what I would imagine snail slime to look like, it has the same stringy&#47;gloopey consistency. However, it doesn&#39;t go on sticky, melts into skin easily and once absorbed doesn&#39;t leave behind a tacky finish. It&#39;s a lightweight texture but has a bit of viscosity so not super watery or runny. I do find this mixes easily with other serums and saves me time for when I&#39;m feeling lazy. I even like to use a little on my lips to keep them hydrated!

Scent : Fragrance free!

My Experience : It&#39;s really suited my skin well and kept it from drying out, over time my skin has really balanced out. I no longer feel tight and dehydrated and certainly no more dry patches in sight! My skin overall is plump and smooth and baby soft! Certainly other things in my routine have contributed too but this has just been wonderful at hydrating and comforting. It&#39;s such a gentle ingredient too and is great for soothing irritated skin.

Overall, a very pleasant experience with this! 😊

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