I use a lot of skin care products and some work, while others don’t. Some are greasy, heavy, and thick, while others are too light, and don’t moisturize my skin even when the label says it does. I’ve wasted a lot of time at beauty counters, stores and aisles, glossy-eyed at what to choose and confused on what suits me best. I’ve filled out surveys and have ticked off “oily” during the summer and “dry” during the winter. For me, skin care and make up is a confusing world with many rules. Hopefully, this blog will help me (and you too!), understand those rules and weed out the rotten apples from the firm, full-bodied, juicy ones that are just right for us.
Now, a little about me.
I’m twenty-two years old and of Asian decent. I live in Toronto where the weather is hot and humid during the summer and viciously cold during the winter. I travel a lot, and my second home is in heavily polluted Hong Kong. My skin goes through a lot, and I’m starting to see the effects.
When I was younger, I had “few” pores, but because of increased pollution in the city, as oppose to the suburbs where I used to live, I’ve noticed that my pores are now larger, stretched and filled with gross black gunk. I’ve used all sorts of products to help clean and tighten. I’ll share them with you too.
I used to tan a lot during the summer, and still do, but now my skin’s starting to pay the price. Sunspots. I hate them. Hyperpigmentation, dark spots, whatever you want to call them, I don’t care. I just want them to go away. I’m so afraid of sun spots that I’ll slather on any available sunscreen on my face. Of course, this isn’t the wisest choice because not only will some creams block my pores, I’m more pimple or acne prone during the summer because of the grease, sweat and dirt.
During the winter and under grey skies, I might be able to dodge dark spots, but with each season arises new dilemmas: Dryness from the heaters and tightness outdoors. My skin feels stretched and uncomfortable. Skin’s moisture decreases with age, so I’m keen on finding a product that will hydrate my skin and make it feel at ease.
A few other things I’m conscious about are wrinkles and laxity (loss of firmness). Though premature aging is less common in Asians, I’m very well aware that once Asians hit a certain age, let’s say, fifty-five, they’ll wake up pruney and flappy, just like a blood hound. It’s quite the metamorphosis, I’ve seen it myself, and as the saying goes, “Your skin will look great in twenty years if you take good care of it now,” so I’ve got to do exactly that. Take care of my skin.
Skin Cherie will look not only at skin care products but test make up and food theories as well. Does fish skin really make skin smoother? What about those sea plants? Do they really help collagen levels? Hopefully, we’ll get some sort of idea here.
Enjoy and Stay Fresh!
