My Skincare Routine

For today, I'll be sharing my skincare routine. I've been using these products for quite a long time now. I don't really like experimenting with face products since I have sensitive and acne prone skin. If one product works for me, I'll keep using it until maybe I get immune to it.


 So let's get on with the products, shall we?

Morning Routine

I wash my face using the Benzac 5% wash.  

I apply the Etude House Minisize U Pore Serum on my cheeks and nose.

Finally, I put on Neutrogena Fine Fairness SPF30 lotion. 

I also sometimes use the iWhite Aqua Moisturizing Cream if my skin is dry.

Evening Routine

I wash my face again with the Benzac 5% wash.

I put a pea size amount of Benzac 5% gel on my entire face to prevent pimples.

I then apply the Etude House Minisize U Pore Serum on my cheeks and nose. 

Finally, I apply Neutrogena Fine Fairness cream.

Weekly Routine

I use the St. Ives Apricot Scrub 2-3 times a week to exfoliate.

For masks, I use Aztec Secret Healing Clay and iWhite Whitening pack (not on the same day of course). 

Well, that's it! My skincare routine is pretty simple and fuss-free.

What about you? What skincare products do you use?

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Deep Whitening Mask

Price Php990 per box which contains 5 pieces of mask

Size 30g per mask

Price Breakdown Php 198 per mask

The Story

     I have always wanted to try this product because of the many raves of beauty bloggers both here and abroad however I find the price too prohibitive to actually purchase one. There’s always the risk of this product not working on me and that’s a little less than Php1000 down the drain (and that thought makes me cringe). How I just wish that we can purchase it per piece instead of committing to buying a whole box to see whether it works for us or not since Php 198 is less cringe inducing that Php 990 anyway.

     So I went to the mall, went to the Neutrogena counter and picked up a box. The funny thing is that I put the box back to the shelf not once… but twice. I tried to distract myself by checking out the other beauty products but I find myself going back to the Neutrogena counter picking the same box and putting it back on the shelf then doing the same routine again until I finally headed down the cashier. Bottom line, I ended up buying it otherwise this review wouldn’t be made possible.

     I’m pretty happy with my Aztec Secret healing mask which costs less than Php500 a tub and lasts about half a year or more on me. Though I know that Aztec Secret and this Neutrogena mask are different since well the latter is a whitening mask whereas the former is a deep cleansing mask.  I haven’t tried any whitening masks before so curiosity got the best of me.

The Verdict

     15 minutes have passed but I decided to let it stay for one more minute. The mask felt so good on my face that I wanted to sleep with the mask on. After another minute, came the big reveal. I took the mask off and massaged my face. I took a good look at my face on the mirror, there wasn’t any major change in terms of skin tone but my skin felt really hydrated and fresh. I’ve read on other reviews that after the night they’ve put on the mask, their faces would be glowing the next morning. True enough when I woke up the next morning, my face was indeed a little brighter and hydrated however the effect didn’t last for the whole day. I guess this product is good to use when you have a date or an event to go to as after all this mask leaves the face a little brighter (don’t expect the mask to do anything drastic) and well hydrated for the day.

I’ve used up the whole box already. I used it once a week. I definitely liked the product but I don’t think I would shell out that much money for it since adding a little more amount to your Php198 can afford me a basic facial at the salon already. I would happily buy it if it were 50 bucks a piece though. I know I’m such a cheapskate but that’s the most I can shell out for a mask. 

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Cream

Price Php774.75 for 50g (That’s about 15.50 per gram)

I purchased this cream last May since I felt like my face needed a little more moisturization. Like the Neutrogena lotion, it looks sleek and the bottle is quite heavy as well. Both products have the similar smell-light and not overpowering. The cream has a thicker consistency compared with the lotion. 

It comes in a tub packaging so some people would have hygienic issues with this since you have to use your fingers to dip into the product over and over again and bacteria might transfer into the product and contaminate it. This of course can be prevented by making sure your hands are clean when dipping your fingers into the tub. By the way, I use this as my night cream but you can use this during the day if you need heavier moisturization (if you use it during the day, make sure to use sun protection since this one doesn’t have SPF). I suggest going easy on the application and don’t over apply since it can sting especially on the nose area and make skin feel heavy and oily.     

Neutrogena Fine Fairness SPF 30 Lotion

(Picture  was taken from yesstyle.com. My bottle is busted so I didn't bother posting it)

Price Php720 for 40ml (that’s 18 per ml)

Neutrogena Fine Fairness lotion is a daily moisturizing whitening lotion that helps protect skin against the appearance of melanin and uneven pigmentation for a healthy, fair and translucent glow.

I’ve had this product since December and I have been using it daily during the daytime after I’ve cleansed my face. It’s been more than six months and I still have about 30% product left so it is really economical and easy on the pocket. The packaging looks really sleek but a little heavy. I accidentally dropped mine and the hard plastic case got broken and chipped like crazy but good thing the product didn’t spill the over. That would be such a total waste. So I guess the heavy bottle has a good purpose especially for clumsy people like me.

Plus I could pull out the product from the plastic bottle and see how much is left. (You probably couldn't if your bottle isn't broken like mine)

I love that it has SPF 30 so I need not use anymore sun block. It has a faint smell but it is not at all irritating to the nose. I also love how it instantly brightens my face after application. It’s not like WOW but there’s definitely a difference when I use this Neutrogena lotion.Although I don’t know if I became whiter after using this product as I am already on the light side to begin with but it does help on the brightening side. We don’t what to look white and dull, don’t we?  And like other Neutrogena products I’ve used before, this one also didn’t break me out. (Yay! I ♥ Neutrogena! ) But one thing that I didn’t like is that it is not moisturizing enough. Even with that, I’d still repurchase this product as the pros definitely outweigh the cons. But I wouldn't be reaching for a new one soon as I still have some product left that would probably last me for one more month. 【ツ】

Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner

Price Php276.50 for 150ml (that’s about 1.84 per ml)

Prior to using this Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner, I previously used Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Dual Action Toner but I think it was phased out as I don’t see them in the stores anymore. Too bad I loved that toner so when I ran out I just bought the alcohol-free one and I’m going to do a review about it today.

 Basically, I love that it is alcohol-free—it doesn’t sting when applied on the face plus it is not drying. This toner also keeps oils at bay though the oil control lasts just a couple of hours. I still have to blot my face in the middle of the day. It has a mild scent but I don’t think it can be irritating. I have sensitive acne-prone skin and I have not experienced any irritation and break outs with this. I use this toner every time after washing my face to remove extra dirt or oil off my face before I apply my Benzac gel. I use about 3-4 drops of this toner each time and that’s pretty much all you will ever need for the entire face so this bottle lasts a long time. One bottle lasts me about three and a half months. ツ