There was a time when the word “moisturizer” was not part of the average Filipina’s vocabulary, what with the heat and humidity we deal with on a daily basis. We believed that moisturizer made us more oily, and it used to be true - most moisturizers even just 10 years ago were heavy, sticky stuff. But it’s already 2023. Now moisturizers are incredibly lightweight and have more benefits aside from hydration!

Do you have that one product in your vanity that seems to be irreplaceable? That despite you trying out new ones every so often, you keep on coming back to it? For me, it is the Cure Natural Aqua Gel Gentle Exfoliator (P1,500 / 250g). It was in 2013 when I was first introduced to Cure and ever since then, I can no longer count how many bottles of it I have repurchased and downed. Yes, it has been almost 10 years but I still can’t stop gushing about it!

I have to admit that I love using high end facial skincare products because they tend to work better than most things I can find in the drugstore. It really shows on the face when a brand is using good quality actives in high concentrations! I definitely don’t mind splurging for something that truly works. However, there is one drugstore brand that I can swear by when it comes to skincare. It’s something I always recommend to those on a budget because it’s iconic for a reason: Hada Labo.

CeraVe, a drugstore staple in the US that’s been around since 2005, blew up online just a few years ago because of younger skincare influencers led by Hyram. I’ve been meaning to try something from the brand but it was previously so difficult to get it in the Philippines! Luckily I spotted fresh stocks at Landers BGC some months back. I know that LOOK (in SM Aura) also sells the brand so FYI if you’re looking.

Do you notice that after a good night’s sleep, you wake in the morning with plump and bouncy skin but then lose plumpness throughout the day? Now we can bounce back and get bouncy and youthful skin that lasts for 24 hours with Olay Collagen Peptide-24.

I remember the launch of the Naturals by Watsons line about four years ago. It was at this cute little cafe with lots of greenery inside, and I remember Jared of Watsons explaining how proud they were that they were able to source certified organic ingredients for the line, and on top of that use Post Consumer Recycled Plastic for the packaging. I thought it was a great move for Watsons! I love their Rice Bran Cream Bath because it’s a nice moisturizing body wash that smells soothing.

I first reviewed the iconic Clinique Moisture Surge eleven years ago here on Project Vanity. Eleven years, would you believe? It was the first true gel moisturizer I’ve tried in my life, and my mind was appropriately blown. I’ve only tried heavy cream moisturizers previously and gels weren’t as easily available before as they are now. Clinique was definitely one of the first brands that led the pack when it came to this particular innovation.

Most of us are stuck indoors for the rest of summer, yes, but the tropical fun doesn't have to be shoved to the side and forgotten, yes? blk Cosmetics' Wondermelon Edit captures summer fun all year round with a skincare collection that feels as refreshing as it looks! The products contain watermelon seed oil that refreshes and hydrates. Here's the report of what I've tried!

Ellana has always been known for their “skin first” philosophy as a mineral makeup brand. They’ve always aimed to create products that actually benefit the skin beyond just temporary coverage or color. That’s why it makes perfect sense for Ellana to create their own skincare line!

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is something I grew up with. I remember when I was in high school, my Titas in the US sends us the brand’s 3-step Skin Care routine with all the travel-sized GWPs (they have the cutest pouches!) and that yellow bottle was quite memorable. I liked how simple and effective it was but as with all cult classics, sometimes, they need a bit of an update for new users to take notice.

Toners aren’t at the foreground for me when it comes to building up my skincare roster. What with my dry skin woes, I tend to pay way more attention to potent serums and rich moisturizers to get the job done. However, I’ve learned that this post-cleansing step is a necessary one, as the moisturizing toning products I use are workhorses that get the hydration ball rolling!

When I’m super busy, my self-care tends to go out the window. It’s ironic because I know that I need it the most when I’m tired and stressed. And it does tend to show up on my skin because I neglect my skincare routine, doing very little else besides washing my face before bed. Considering that I have so much to do throughout the day, the idea of having to apply several different skincare products just does not appeal to me.

As a member of the Grease Girl Group, I have a love-hate relationship with my oily skin. Sebum production helps to keep my skin smooth so I look younger, but it’s unpleasant when my face looks greasy after a few hours! Oil control sheets and powder for touch-ups are must-haves in my makeup bag. With skin care, I tend to stay away from facial oil, and even once tried to remove moisturizer from my routine because some experts claim that moisturizer for oily skin will only make my face oilier.

Are you one for New Year’s resolutions? Some people may be naysayers but I personally believe in the power of a new year for sparking change! Sure, you’ll need to follow through for the next 11 months to achieve success but getting started is almost always the hardest part. If one of your resolutions this year is to achieve your best skin yet this 2020, here are four things you can do to reach that goal.

Kiehl’s is one of those skincare brands that my skin just seems to love. I’ve tried a few of their cult favorite serums as well as some then new releases), and my experience has been good thus far. Sam also did the Kiehl’s Let Us Change Your Skin Challenge with quite satisfactory results. The brand has been around since 1851, after all, and has many fans worldwide!

Whether you have dry skin or oily skin, applying moisturizer is an essential step of any skincare routine. However, this can be tricky to do in a humid country, as many formulas can feel too heavy and sticky, especially when it’s hot. Gel formulas are a great alternative to the traditional cream formula, but did you know that there’s an even more lightweight option?

We know that skin care is for everyone. But based on stories shared by members of the Project Vanity community, it seems like getting the men in our lives to use skin care is quite a challenge! It's especially difficult to get them to use sunscreen because of common complaints like “it feels sticky” and “it requires too much effort”. 

I have a confession to make: last year, I started teaching myself to buy less makeup. I unfollowed a lot of cosmetic brands on social media, and stopped consuming makeup content from videos to blogs, and even newsletters. When I see a sale, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and walk away. I still love makeup and that’s not gonna change, but I needed to stop an unhealthy shopping addiction that had me buying waaaay more than I need. What snapped me back to reality was seeing a drawer full of expired makeup that I hadn’t even used more than thrice. So this 2020, my New Year resolution is to stay committed to #ProjectPan and doing a low buy!

It took me years before I learned how to care for my oily skin. As a teen, I thought that frequently washing my face and using astringents would do the trick of banishing the grease. 15-year-old me had a lot of misconceptions about skin care, and I’m so glad that the internet and sites like Project Vanity made learning about proper skin care much easier! Of course, there’s a lot of misinformation online, too, so it’s important to be careful about which sources to trust and avoid the pitfalls of shady skincare hacks.