SkinCareBoutique

The Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil has been one of the most talked about oil products in the past several years.  As someone with combination/oily skin, I was very hesitant about applying an oil to my skin, however after doing some research, I decided to give it a try and my skin is so glad that I did.  I have used this product for about three years and it is one of my "holy grail" products.  Face oils typically sit on the surface of the skin, focusing on repairing the topmost layer of the skin and promoting the absorption of other water-based skin care products applied beneath it. The Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil is described as a "next-generation retinol oil that boosts the look and feel of skin plumpness, while improving the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly younger-looking skin." It contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which is the trans-retinol ester of retinoic acid and is gentler and less irritating than many other

During the past week, I have used the  Quality 1st All In One Sheet Mask - Moisture .  Quality 1st is a Japanese sheet mask brand available in many drugstores throughout Japan.  They have a variety of different sheet masks including, Moisture, Premium, White, and many others. I picked up the Moisture sheet masks while in Japan (they are also available on Amazon.com).  They are so affordable - there are 7 masks in one resealable pouch for only 330 yen.  Considering their price, these masks are amazing!  Upon first opening the package, these masks are made of a thick cotton material - definitely thicker and more sturdy than the LuLuLun sheet masks.  While they are not the softest masks, they do adhere well to your skin.  I could still do things around my home without this mask slipping off.  These masks have a light citrus/herbal scent - very refreshing when used in the morning.  This mask has great, natural ingredients including silk protein, sodium hyaluronate, soybean extract, ch

Washing your face - this is something that we all do every morning and evening.  It seems very simple, but here are a few tips to ensure that you're getting the most out of each time you wash your face. First of all, water temperature is important - try to use lukewarm water.  Lukewarm water helps to open the pores and remove the dirt from our skin.  But hotter is not better!  If the water temperature is too hot, this can lead to dilation of your skin's delicate blood vessels, cause breakage of tissue, and dehydrate your skin. Oftentimes people wash their faces too quickly!  Especially in the mornings, we are all in a rush to get ready and head out the door to work, but your face cleanser can only remove dirt from your skin if you allow it the time to do so.  It takes about 30 seconds to wash your face effectively.  Use your fingertips to gently massage your cleanser into your skin in circular motions, focusing on your T-zone or areas that you are particularly oily - harsh

Green tea, which is derived from Camellia sinensis , is one of the most discussed "superfoods" as it is filled with antioxidants and nutrients and has numerous health benefits for both inside our bodies and out.  Scientific studies have demonstrated that the antioxidants in green tea, including polyphenols such as Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, can help to protect your skin from UV rays and pollutants, as well as reduce the free radicals that contribute to cell aging.   Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is a type of polyphenol antioxidant (also known as a catechin), which is very abundant in teas with green tea having the highest concentration of EGCG in comparison to black tea and white tea.  In addition to its anti-aging skin benefits for firming and tightening the skin, studies have shown EGCG is also effective against acne by modulating pathways and suppressing the NF-kB pathway, which contributes to inflammation.  Green tea also contains tannins, which are respons

Here is my review of the M-61 by Bluemercury Hydraboost Eye Serum .  As I am in my mid-thirties, I have noticed gradual, unfortunately undesirable, changes in my under-eye area - the skin has become drier and more prone to the development of fine lines.  I was first introduced to the M-61 Hydraboost Eye Serum when I received one as a deluxe sample in one of my Bluemercury orders. M-61 Powerful Skincare is a brand created by the co-founder of Bluemercury and prides itself on combining powerful skincare ingredients without incorporating any parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. As described on the Bluemercury website, this eye serum "combines a trio of multi-action peptides to help improve the appearance of the eye area and reduce the appearance of fine lines, under-eye circles, and puffiness."  It contains aloe and centella asiatica for calming, licorice for brightening, and Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and hyaluronic acid for moisturizing. Hyaluronic acid is a glycosa

AHAs and BHAs, which are Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids respectively, are very effective chemical exfoliants for your skin.  AHAs and BHAs help to smooth skin texture, brighten dull skin, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. Thinking back to chemistry class, AHAs and BHAs are structurally distinct at the molecular level - the hydroxyl -group is attached to the carboxylic acid at the alpha -position in Alpha Hydroxy Acids and at the beta -position in Beta Hydroxy Acids.  AHAs are predominantly water soluble and thus work on the surface of the skin, essentially weakening the bonds between our skin and its dead skin cells, allowing them to be removed.  AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and my favorite, the more gentle mandelic acid.  BHAs are oil-soluble and work on both the surface of the skin and within the pores to remove dead skin cells, as well as dirt and oils.  In the realm of skin care, BHAs exclusively refer to salicylic acid. M

Here are two of the sheet masks that I used this week! LuLuLun Kyoto Premium Geisha Mask  ~ If you have travelled to Japan and gone into a beauty section of a drug store, you likely have seen one of the many LuLuLun sheet masks.  There are many different kinds of LuLuLun sheet masks, which are, for the most part, distinguished by the color of their packaging - from the original pink, silver, and blue varieties, to their Precious Anti-Aging red and gold masks, and more recently their Regional Series masks.  In the Regional Series, the sheet masks incorporate local ingredients from a specific area and have been made to feature locations such as Okinawa, Hokkaido, and Kyoto.  During my last trip to Kyoto, I picked up the Kyoto Premium Geisha Mask. ~ Geisha (also called Geiko in the Kyoto dialect) are professional entertainers that are trained to perform for guests often during meals and special occasions.  While they are often recognized for their distinctive make-up, geisha are

Before my first trip to Tokyo in 2016, I looked up some beauty products that were recommended to purchase while in Japan.  The brand, Sekkisei, and it's distinctive and elegant dark blue packaging, repeatedly popped up as one of the must-purchase-products in Japan. Sekkisei is a Japanese skin care line that was started in 1985 and focuses on skin brightening products that "have captured centuries-old wisdom and combined it with the latest scientific research to formulate a unique combination of Japanese and Chinese herbal extracts."  One of the Chinese characters in the name, Sekkisei, means "snow," which signifies the brightness and purity that is the goal of this skincare line. The top selling Sekkisei product is the Sekkisei medicated lotion, which is the product I decided to purchase in Japan.  The Sekkisei lotion is a toner that claims to reduce "dullness and promote an even, refined skin tone." This product contains many amazing herbal i

Exfoliation is an important step in your skin care regimen to ensure that your skin remains radiant and clear.  With time, dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of your skin, making your complexion appear dull and also clogging pores, which can lead to acne breakouts.  Exfoliating helps to remove these dead skin cells, deeply cleanses your skin, and prepares your skin for the application of serums and creams, optimizing their effectiveness. Tiffany - InStyle Magazine 2016 My favorite exfoliation product is the  Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel .  I first heard about this product in a 2016 In-Style magazine article featuring the beauty products used by the former Girls Generation member and K-pop artist, Tiffany, who has absolutely beautiful skin.  After also reading stellar online reviews (4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 1000 reviews on Sephora.com), I had to try it and have been using it ever since. The Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel is a powder that is a

Like your skin, your lips also require special care to look their best.  We are moving our mouths and lips continuously every day and we also expose our lips to makeup and different foods and drinks.  Your lips are actually structurally different than the other areas of your skin and this difference makes your lips more susceptible to dryness and irritation.  While all skin is made up of three layers - the dermis (the deepest layer), epidermis (the middle layer), and the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer), our lips are unique in that the uppermost protective layer, the stratum corneum, is significantly thinner than anywhere else on our body.  Furthermore, our lips contain little to no melanin, which is the natural pigment that is responsible for our skin and hair color and also provides some protection from UV radiation.  Our lips also do not contain any sebaceous glands making them more prone to dryness. My lips are always dry and unfortunately flaky, so I'm always on the sea

Here's my review of a few of the sheet masks that I've used recently! Rose Gold 24 Mask (by 23 Years Old) ~ This mask claims to be "the best solution to help your dry skin problems." ~ It is "formulated with rose water, rose oil, and gold for a gently hydrating complex."  This mask also contains centella asiatica extract, chamomile flower, and tea tree leaf oil, which are great to reduce inflammation.   ~ After cleansing, apply this mask for 10-20 minutes. ~ This mask is a custom "full sheet" mask, which was unique in that it also covers your lips!  There are the usual openings cut for your eyes and a small slit cut for your nostrils, however there is no opening cut for your mouth!  It did take a few seconds to get used to the sensation of the mask over my lips, but in the end I really liked it and appreciated that my lips, which are always very dry, were also able to benefit from the great ingredients in this mask.   ~ This mask

I have previously reviewed my daytime eye cream, the Innisfree Orchid Eye Cream, which is a great, light-weight product that focuses on moisturizing and brightening, however as I am in my thirties and starting to get fine lines around my eyes, I also wanted to incorporate an eye cream that focuses on fighting wrinkles and the signs of aging.  Thus, over the past two to three months, I have been using the Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Wrinkle Smoothing Cream before bed. What does this eye cream claim to do?  Clarins states that this eye cream "visibly firms and reduces the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and fatigue."  It's featured ingredient is shea butter , along with Damascus rose, blackcurrant bud extract, and vitamin E (tocopherol).  Shea butter is made from the nuts of the karite tree in Africa and is a rich moisturizer as it contains a lot of fatty acids that are very beneficial for the skin around the eye, which has decreased amounts of moisture-producing gland

Troiareuke is a Korean professional prescription skincare brand that is very popular in the K-beauty world.  Troiareuke is founded upon the idea that a "personalized skincare prescription gives the best solution for different skin types and skin disorders."  Their products are also used by skincare professionals and aestheticians in over 5,000 beauty spas, primarily in Korea and Hong Kong.  Combining their various products, Troiareuke recommends specific "skin recipes" for each skin type and concern. Troiareuke has also come out with three cushion products - the Troipeel H+ cushion, the Seoul Aesthetic cushion, and the ASCEN A+ cushion, all of which are composed of 99% skin care and only 1% makeup !  In this blog, I will be reviewing the Troiareuke ACSEN A+ cushion . The Troiareuke ACSEN line (ACSEN stands for ACne + SENsitive) is formulated for sensitive and acne-prone skin.  The ACSEN line features ingredients such as centella asiatica that helps to restor

When anyone talks about their skin care regimen or recommendations, one step that is often overlooked and forgotten is the step of cleaning their makeup tools.  Like many of you, I use my makeup brushes and sponges or Beautyblenders on a daily basis, using them to apply everything from foundation and concealer, to eyeshadow and blush.  We don't often think about it, but every time we apply these brushes or sponges to our skin, they are not only accumulating excess product, but also bacteria.  These bacteria can lead to unwanted skin or eye irritation and breakouts.  We do our best to use amazing products and spend the time to cleanse our skin well - don't follow it up by spreading bacteria over your skin with dirty brushes or sponges! How often should you cleanse your makeup tools?   ~ Foundation and concealer brushes should be cleansed once per week.  These brushes are used over the entire surface area of the face and over areas with acne, which contain a lot of oils and b

Recently, you may have noticed more and more skin care products on the market that contain the ingredient, birch tree sap or birch juice.  Birch tree sap is a skin care ingredient that was introduced and made popular in Korean beauty products, which have often been utilizing birch tree sap in place of water, with Western brands such as Origins following suit. What is birch tree sap?  Birch refers to a group of tree species most commonly found in the northern hemisphere of the world.  The extracts, leaves, and bark of various birch trees have been used in everything from teas and flavoring, to building skateboards and furniture.  In the realm of skin care, we shall focus on the tree sap of the specific species of birch called Betula platyphylla , which is obtained from the Japanese white birch or Siberian silver birch trees.   Birch tree sap is an ingredient that deeply hydrates and brightens your skin.  It is packed with numerous nutrients that are beneficial for your skin, inc

Masking is an important part of my daily skin care regimen and I always love to try new masks.  These are a few of the sheet masks that I've recently used! Whamisa Organic Seeds and Rice Fermented Hydrogel Facial Mask with Lactobacillus  ~ Sheet masks are continuously evolving and incorporating new ingredients and technology.  Hydrogel masks are made of a gel material that is better able to adhere to the skin, thus allowing the moisture and nutrients to be most effectively absorbed. ~ This mask claims to lift, soothe, and have anti-aging benefits for the skin. ~ This mask contains fermented seeds, black soybean, and rice, which moisturize and calm the skin.  It comes in two pieces - the first piece covers your forehead, nose, and eye area, with the second piece covering your lower cheeks and around your mouth.  Apply this mask for 20-30 minutes. ~ This mask has an herbal scent, which I actually found to be quite relaxing, almost like aromatherapy.  The hydrogel material make

Now that you've applied your broad-spectrum sunscreen, you proceed to do your makeup, get dressed, and head out the door.  With time every sunscreen, regardless of the SPF number, will lose effectiveness, therefore it is recommended that sunscreen be reapplied every two to three hours.  So two hours later, you're still out in the sun, doing errands and seeing family and friends, how are you supposed to reapply sunscreen and protect your skin without ruining your makeup? When we think of sunscreens, we often think of the liquid formulations such as the Missha, Biore, and Shiseido sunscreens in my prior blog, however sunscreen and SPF protection are also available in powder and spray/aerosolized formulas.  While the liquid formulations are not ideal for reapplication of sunscreen over makeup, the powders and sprays are perfect for this job! Sunscreens are separated into two groups - chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens, based upon the mechanism of how each protects you

Sun protection is one of the most important parts of any skin care regimen.  Using sunscreen on a daily basis is essential in preventing the development of wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation.  Preventing skin damage is much easier and effective than having to use multiple products to try to reverse the damage that has already been done.  However, there are so many different sunscreens with labels that are not always easy to decipher - here are some of the basics to help you to navigate the information on sunscreen labels. When purchasing a sunscreen, you want it to provide "broad spectrum" protection.  "Broad spectrum" refers to protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays.  UV-A and UV-B rays refer to two different wavelengths of ultraviolet light (sunlight) - UV-A rays are longer and can penetrate more deeply into the skin into the layer called the dermis, while UV-B rays are shorter and affect the surface layer of the skin called the epidermis.  UV-A rays are resp

You have followed a careful skincare regimen - always removing your makeup before going to bed, double cleansing, exfoliating, and regularly doing clarifying masks, but inevitably we all unfortunately experience acne.  Acne can be precipitated by hormones, stress, and even what we eat (especially dairy products, sugars, and fats). What exactly is acne?  Throughout the surface of your skin are pores, which are actually tiny openings that connect to the glands deeper within your skin.  These glands produce an oily substance, which is called sebum.  Occasionally, the sebum and skin cells accumulate and essentially clog the pore.  If there is any bacteria contained behind this plug, then the inflammation and swelling of a pimple begins. So now that you have that red and inflamed pimple, what can you do?  The main product that I rely on to battle my acne is the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.  I typically use these pimple patches overnight - I apply them to clean skin, directly ove

While I love sheet masking for moisturizing and brightening the skin, it is important to incorporate other products into your "masking" regimen, especially those that exfoliate and clarify the skin.  Exfoliating products clear away dead skin cells so your skin treatments can most effectively penetrate the skin and also facilitate the removal of dirt and build-up from your pores.  One of my favorite exfoliating masks is the Tula Probiotic Exfoliating Treatment Mask. I first learned about the Tula Probiotic Exfoliating Treatment Mask from one of my favorite Youtube beauty vloggers, Ingrid Nielsen.  I have been using this mask for about eight months - I utilize two to three exfoliating masks on a rotating basis, including this Tula mask, and typically use an exfoliating mask about two times per week.  I am currently on my second jar of this product and love the results.  This mask gently clears out my pores and makes my skin feel amazingly soft and plump.  It has a cream

The sensitive eye area is one of the first places to show signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles.  The skin surrounding the eyes is thinner than the skin of the remainder of the face and also has a decreased concentration of glands that provide moisture, making it more susceptible to dryness.  This delicate skin also overlies the muscles that we utilize every day, all day, to make facial expressions.  Every time we smile, squint, or make any facial expression, these muscles are contracting and over time can cause wrinkles to appear around the eyes.  For all of these reasons, this area requires special care. I have tried many eye creams over the years (more reviews to come) and the morning eye cream I am currently using is the Innisfree Orchid Eye Cream.  I have been using this eye cream for four months and have found it to be very effective, despite being a fraction of the cost of many of the other eye creams that I have tried ($29 for 30mL).  The area around m

I was first introduced to the Skinceuticals brand by my esthetician.  I have a very fair complexion and as a result, every new spot of hyperpigmentation, no matter how small, is very apparent on my skin.  My esthetician emphasized how important it would be for me to invest in products that prevent skin discoloration and recommended Skinceutical's Phloretin CF. After seeing Skinceuticals products also being featured in my dermatologist's office, I started looking more into the Skinceuticals brand and was impressed with the scientific evidence backing their products.  Phloretin CF is formulated with ingredients that provide protection against what Skinceuticals refers to as "atmospheric skin aging."  "Atmospheric skin aging" encompasses the visible skin changes caused by UVA/UVB, infrared-A radiation, and ozone (O3) pollution.  Products like Phloretin CF are able to neutralize the free radicals on the skin and help to prevent the skin damage associa