Dripping Cooked Chips £3.5 

I will start from the masks that I don’t use very often to those that has a special place in my heart. The first one is LUSH’s Cupcake Mask. Just because I mentioned this first doesn’t mean it’s not as good. This mask is my go-to whenever my skin is acting up and acne pops out all over the place. Which usually happens when I just got back to London from Jakarta and face a drastic weather and water change.

This mask works wonders for even the toughest acne. It claims that it works especially on young (teenage) faces dealing with acne. What I love about this mask is that compared to the other LUSH mask, Cosmetic Warrior, that are also specialized for acne. This mask is actually soothing and calming the skin from acting up and redness while clearing the acne, while Cosmetic Warrior kinda burns and adds the havoc to my already upset skin. The girl from the store suggested to use it every 3 days in order to combat my skin problems.

4. Mustika Ratu Bengkoang Root Mask

I first bought this because …of course trend. Korean Skincare trend to be exact (and also it is very cheap about £9.90 for 10pcs on Amazon!). Then I thought “Okay, this is a mask so I’ll use it once a week”. But after 9 usage, I figured I can’t find any effect on this mask like at all, I mean there was the after effect right after using the product, but that was it. Between those months, I also came across articles and videos that states that sheet masks are non-sense and useless, and I thought Ah.. perhaps that’s why, and I moved along.

BUT THEN, I found this article on HelloGiggles, as it turns out, I have been doing it all wrong. Korean girls used this mask EVERY single night. Even though it was recommended to use it a few times a week. So there I go, scraping my cupboard and using it 6 days in a row, and I kid you not I AM SHOOK. My skin became super slick and I was blessed with those Korean skin natural highlight (ya know what I’m sayin??), and to add those annoying little bump on my skin dissapear completely AFTER only 6 days. Since then, I dedicated 5 days every month for that routine in order to maintain my relationship with Korean skincare, and I am still very much addicted and in fact become number 3 on my list.

2. Antipodes Manuka Honey Mask

This is also my go-to for acne and bad skin states, but this one is easier to use and LUSH face masks has very limited expiry (about 3 weeks) but they’re all natural and no preservatives! Another thing about this product that this is super hydrating which is perfect for my combination skin and the weather here. This mask is made from Manuka Honey which is anti bacterial and perfect for when I have few acnes here and there, but I use it quite often since it’s hydrating so it’s kind of therapeutic to me.

1. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

At last! It’s the most frequent mask I use!!! You may think this mask must be so special that it made it to the TOP 1. But no, actually this one is quite general. But that is why! I love a routine and this mask is the regular go-to pore cleansing mask, which I use once every week. I consider this mask a detox for my skin every week so that my skin is well maintained. I know, I know, there are other brands such as GlamGlow that does the same thing. But I find Glam Glow over drying while Origins is quite the ‘natural’ kind of brand which is good for your skin! and not very drying. It is also made from active charcoal which works like a magnet in clearing the insides of the pores. I’m quite obsessed with this since it is so easy to use and lasts quite a long time, I haven’t even finished my first tube!

So there’s my list, but of course it is solely based on my experience and opinion. Every skin is different and it needs different ways to treat it! But if you have the same case as mine, hope this inspires you!

Night Routine

1.     Cleanse

2.     Tone

3.     Oil

4.     Repair

5.     Moisturize

6.     Lip Balm

Morning Routine

1.     Cleanse

Of course it is important to clean your face again after all those layers in the night time. So I repeat my cleansing routine, using Micellar water. But since I’m not exposed to dust and dirt at night, I usually just clean my face with Aurelia Miracle Cleanser before I shower and also to have those extra hydration during the day.

2.     Tone

Then I would repeat using Pixi Glow Tonic to prep and freshen up the face.

3.     Repair

To maintain the oil, I use the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ again around my T-Zone and on my chin where I the oil mostly build up.

4.     Moisturize

To maintain, nurture, and protect the skin I moisturize thoroughly (don’t forget the neck!). Nowadays, when I don’t moisturize during the day, I feel like all the oil on my face are so ready to pile up and break out.

5.     Protect with SPF!

To top it off, I layer my face with a sunscreen. Sunscreen is essential! The ozone layer is depleting and your body needs shielding from harmful rays. It also protects you from skin cancer and prevent discoloration and appearance of brown spots. I'm currently using La Roche Posay Anthelios 45 Face ($29.00) since it is super light on the skin.