I am of the opinion that facial oils are severely underrated. They can feel so… extra - and, therefore, not for everybody. Since they’re primarily occlusive in nature, oils work best when they’re not just used as a one-and-done skincare step. Rather, they best function as a final moisture “sealant” to go over your serum and moisturizer. That’s why some might feel that they’re excessive.

Retinol, aside from sunscreens, is one of the best age management ingredients out there. I first got onto the bandwagon with this beautiful sleeping oil from a luxury brand. It’s fantastic - my skin did get smoother and plumper because of the retinol - but man was it expensive! I also found out that my skincare brand’s small but loyal group clamored for a retinol product that really works for their skin, without being too expensive.

When I went to New York in 2018, I bought a Sunday Riley Power Couple Duo set on a whim. It contained a 15ml tube of the Good Genes (review in the link) and a 15ml dropper bottle of the Luna Sleeping Night Oil. I was a bit hesitant to try the products first since I’ve never tested Sunday Riley before, but boy oh boy my mind was blown! My skin got so nice! I’ve repurchased the Good Genes a few times since then. I did, however, balk on buying the Luna Oil as I felt it was too expensive at P3,375 for 15ml, or P225 per ml.

The right skincare routine will vary depending on your skin type, but one thing is sure: whether you have oily, dry, or normal skin, you still need to moisturize! If you have oily skin, it may seem unnecessary or too much, but using the right moisturizer can actually help minimize your skin’s oil production. Finding “The One” can take some effort but it’s not impossible, as long as you know the basic guidelines on how to shop for moisturizer!

The nippy weather is really making me feel the Ber months! The shift to cooler weather has been making my skin drier than usual, but I already changed my routine recently to suit the weather. Instead of swapping my lightweight moisturizers for something heavier, I'm opting to add face oils like the In Her Element Pure Squalane Oil as my last skincare step instead! I apply it over my moisturizer and other skincare layers, and what it does is act as an occlusive or barrier to trap the moisture in my skin. It's literally the divide between healthy skin and Flake City.

Pinays used to steer clear of applying any kind of oil on their faces. With the often hot and sticky weather plus oily skin being a common beauty concern, using facial oils didn't really make much sense! As more beauty gurus started including oils in their skincare routines and mixing them with their foundations though, that perception has definitely shifted to seeing oils in a more favorable light.

If you have oily skin like me, you’d probably think that putting on a face oil is counterintuitive. I certainly felt that way until Liz gave us samples of the In Her Element First Wash Cleansing Oil in its testing stages. It was the first time I'd ever knowingly and willingly applied any kind of oil to my face and something just...clicked. I discovered how easy, effective, and non-abrasive oil cleansing is. Now, I don't need to struggle removing my HG mascara (Heroine Make's Volume and Curl) every night!