The Peeling Gel Invasion

  This is part 1 of my 2 parts post.

The cult following 10 Steps Korean Skin Care Regime has brought about three unrecognized routine that we now (for the most) incorporate in our own. These are: essence, facial masks and exfoliation. Essence often mistaken as toners is the heart of Korea’s skin care routine. Facial Mask not really that new to some but because of developing science comes different varities that targets different skin concerns. Most of this, again, is manufactured in either Korea or Japan wherein the use of organics is the main component. Then comes exfoliation. First that came to mind when I read exfoliate is St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I know most of you know this household brand in terms of exfoliation and Yes! alongside with this is the word scrubbing. As in intense scrubbing, right? That is our mindset of the term exfoliate, scrubbing off dead layers of skin to achieve a softer, more supple looking one. But just like technology, skin care also had evolved and progressed into many innovations. Our then exfoliators which mainly consists of fine grains or micro beads in aid of taking off that dead skin with ease has now elevated into the form of gels. Peeling gel there is. A little trivia on this, I know that most of the peeling gels available in the market right now are brand names from Korea but did you know that the world’s best peeling gel is actually from Japan. Cure Natural Aqua Peeling Gel apparently a bottle is being sold for every second in Japan. That effective huh?! It is said that large percentage of this brand is consists of mainly water making it more gentle than any other peeling gel available. On with peeling gels, this might scared you off because of the word peel. I know, how can this be a major evolution when intense scrubbing is changed with peeling? Don’t fret ladies, for this is now called the fancy new generation of exfoliators. It is made special because now, chemicals (which we often thought of as the way peeling is made) are now replaced by a more gentle, more skin friendly solutions in the form of liquid and gel. Only gentle rubbing is required to achieve a soft and bright complexion. And who wouldn’t want that? I myself decided to join in the boat not because of the fad but because I feel that my skin is in need of the extra care brought about by the different layers of products used. Exfoliating also helps in making your products more effective because they are now more absorbed.

Have any of you tried using peeling gel or included such in your skin care routine? How was it? Let me know your experience.

On my beauty radar: The Latest on Korean Skin Care

Hi All! I know I’ve been procrastinating on my blog lately, which I admittedly aware of. I had a lot of thoughts occupying my mind but can’t seem to grasp the appropriate words. Anyways, I’m so glad to be back in my old self again and upon that week of brain hibernation, I did a lot of my reading stuffs and I had one focal interest.The water-less skincare from Korea being one up-manship.

I have a deep admiration on how Koreans treat their beauty and skincare with such devotion. Just last year, Charlotte Cho had introduced to the west The 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine. The renowned owner of SoKo Glam looks thoroughly for the best Korean products out in the market and curates them for better recommendation. Her vast Korean knowledge is selflessly shared for the modern woman to conform to.Undoubtedly, Koreans are far more advance than of the westerns when it comes to skincare and make up technology. Marie Claire would attest to this claiming that Koreans are 12 years ahead compared to US when it comes to skin care technology. The coming of BB Creams, and Essences are just a few of their contributions just the past year when in fact this has already been in their skin care regimes for ages. And what I love about Korean cosmetics is their use of all natural products. Snail Creams, Bamboo Essence, Jeju line of skin care just to name a few. The west might think this as some kind of crazy to use but it is a common fact for Koreans to treat their skin with care so only the gentlest ingredients are acceptable. Even washing of their faces or applying essences has this certain motion that they follow and not of the harsh type that we are accustom to. They believe that beauty is an investment. At a very young age, women are geared to love and take care of their self, their whole being for they believe this would lead them to a successful future. The ageless, dewy and vibrant looking Korean skin is the living proof. Such demands and customs only made them ahead of their league. So when I read that there are now a release of water less skin care products in the market, my skepticism raised. I know for a fact that water is very essential to our well being. It is a common knowledge that water is synonymous to hydration. And Korean skin is a look of total hydration. This indeed is just a big 360 turn. Just imagine the effectivity of this products if water has been extracted. But Christine Chang of Glow Recipe further explains that

When water disappears from the ingredients list, botanical extracts and oils are used as the base instead. “These extracts and oils are full of vitamins and antioxidants that work to penetrate each layer of your skin more intensely in order to repair damaged skin, hydrate and revitalize your complexion, and fortify the protective barriers on the skin meant to prevent further damage and faster aging,”

Water hydrates our skin, but this notion isn’t quite the same on skin care products with water as an active ingredient. The water strips off the purity of the active ingredients used to target certain skin concerns. With this big leap, skin care products would be now of their pure form or should i say more adhering to the FDA standards of not using too much chemicals.

Though it’s not as close as the 10 steps, slowly I’ve been incorporating some to my skin care regime. From 3, I now turned into 6. I have injected the masks, exfoliation and eye cream. I still yet have to try looking for a good essence brand. I’ll share my thoughts into it as soon as I find one since essence is the heart of this regime intrigues me. As for the water less, sooner one of my favorite Korean brand would unveil one so I might as well wait and see. Have you ever tried following the 10 steps regime? I would be delighted to share some thoughts with you.

Have a nice week ahead!