Hello beauties!
Welcome back to another episode of Beauty Within - still at home edition.
It's your host, Rowena and...
It's me, Feli!
On our previous video on teen skincare,
we focused on the confusing and maddening aspect of teen acne
and how to build a basic and effective skincare routine.
And in the first one, we realized we mentioned a lot of drugstore brands,
but in this episode we wanted to expand the product range a little more.
So we partnered up with iHerb for this
because they have such a huge array of all types of skincare, and they're so affordable.
And it ranges from American brands, Japanese brands, K-beauty [brands], European brands.
Everywhere on this spectrum, and they're just filled.
iHerb is one of the online retailer we get our products from.
So beyond skincare, they carry over 30,000 brands, like supplements and vitamins.
And as we were going through the filters of, you know, price points,
because we wanted to share and find new products for you guys that were under $25.
But we're also going to refer to products that we've previously mentioned,
have loved for a really long time.
And just throw that all in there as a second follow up to how to build a skincare routine.
And as always, it's important to understand the basics and the essentials
before we recommend you guys the products.
Because it's all about a strong foundation!
Strong foundation, strong foundation.
YMCA! *Cue dance*
So diving into it: how to read and understand our skin.
I think this is the most important first step for anyone,
whether you're a teenage or, you know, even if you're more mature because our skin does change.
But how would you understand or "read" your skin, Ro?
Spend at least a minute or two every morning taking a look,
like a very good look at my skin in the mirror.
And when you look at your skin, I would tell myself to make little observations like,
"Okay, is my skin oily? Is it dry? Is it -
Are there flakes?" (Fel: And where are those areas?)
Yeah! Exactly. And like, "Is there inflammation? Where?"
So for me, I think it's like I know I have oily skin, so that's my foundation.
And then through observation, I'll be like,
"Okay, why is it I know I'm oily, but why am I dry here?"
And then that's kind of how I'll go about deciphering,
"Okay, so I'm feeling a bit combo. Why am I combo?
Is it the weather? Is it lack of hydration?" Which it normally is.
So, specially for teenagers, I think this is the most confusing part
because, you know, it's kind of like building up to a point where you thought you were fine.
And then all of a sudden all these issues come up, and you're like, "What happened?!"
So this is the greatest opportunity that we can take to really start understanding our bodies.
Now, let's dig into a little bit more about the K-skincare,
or Korean skincare, ingredients that we see a lot.
I really love this for the fact that it's really soothing,
it's really calming, hydrating, and it suits everyone.
So what Fel is talking about is ingredients like centella asiatica, green tea, snail mucin, even ginseng.
So all of these are all very soothing, calming ingredients.
And I feel like there's so much more! The houttata hout houttata coutta...
hakuna mutata! [aka houttuynia cordata]
Hourttata - Houttu Cata!
*laughs*
You guys know we're talking about!
What a wonderful phrase that we can't ever mention!
I think as a teen and building a solid foundation in a skincare routine,
what we should be focusing on are these calming ingredients that will then prevent,
you know, breakouts or dryness and itchiness or any sort of inflammation,
rather than trying to overdo it.
Which is why we're really excited to share with you guys
some of our longtime favorites and some new discoveries!
Starting with the basics!
What are the basics? Cleansing, moisturizer, SPF.
That's really all you need for the most, most, most basic and essential skincare.
Essentialism is the idea that less really is more and less can be better.
So what that means is we've been talking on our channel for a really really long time now
that our skin is really really smart.
Especially at a younger age, you can let your skin do what it needs to do
by just enhancing it a little and giving it the little push that it needs.
Fel: Even in our sebum, there's already natural vitamins,
there's already lipids that are coating the skin very naturally.
And so all we want to do is complement that natural process.
So diving into what we always talk about...
bubble bubble cleanser! You can start.
Oh, this is beautiful! ATrue Sweet Song Black Tea Energy Cleansing Gel.
This gel is super light, super watery.
And it doesn't foam or froth as much.
So there's 33% black tea water in here.
There's also glycerin, panthenol, and licorice root extract, witch hazel,
calendula flower, which is your favorite Felicia,
and madecassoside, which is similar to centella asiatica,
as well as orange peels, black tea as an ingredient, and just any tea really in general.
So in skincare, you'll see a lot of green tea [and] a lot of black tea.
It's very high in antioxidants, it's very hydrating, and it is very soothing. It's just all around -
To me and I guess to Fel, it's like a superior superfood super ingredient.
Super yes, super leaf ingredient!
Teas, especially, are so high in antioxidants and polyphenols and flavonoids
that, you know, it does great benefits for inside the body when we drink it.
But also it does wonders for the skin in protecting it from things like free radicals,
which actually cause aging.
And you might not be thinking about that as a teen, but let me tell you it will come!
Nah, it's okay. You guys still have like a decade, don't worry.
Worry about prevention, but don't worry about the aging part.
Yes. Okay, so Mizon is a brand that,
as we're talking to Peach and Lily's Alicia Yoon, she really speaks highly of.
Through even her vetting process of picking and choosing selected brands to go on the website.
So Mizon is known for their snail mucin as the key ingredient,
which really helps with the hydration process.
This one, I feel is definitely dedicated to the more oily side of skin
because it does have that soft foam.
You know how it turns into a plush pillow that is formulated with the snail mucin.
There's also glycerin, which is a humectant, which is for hydration.
There's also green tea, going back to the tea benefits, as well as papaya extract.
So all of that is really good for just helping [to] nourish the skin in a really gentle way.
And for those of you who don't know what snail mucin is,
it's basically the mucus that's left behind their bodies as they -
as they slowly make their way across life!
And it's collected in a very friendly way so no snails are harmed during this process.
And it's only $7.89 on iHerb, which is why I was like, "Why not?"
Under $10. Who can argue with that?
For the amount that you use, you only need a tiny bit.
And the whole face just emulsifies very beautifully.
Just while we're here, they have a whole line.
And Alicia also said this really helped, you know, when she was facing adult acne and adult breakouts.
And this whole line is just really awesome for that purpose.
So one more cleanser that fits both of our skin types, both of our skin concerns
is the 9 Wishes Rice Foaming Cleanser that we mentioned like two years ago.
Man, has it been a long time.
And this one has the micro-ground rice powder.
So it is more of that, it's got an exfoliating element to it.
But that sugary-like consistency makes it just so plush.
But it's a very gentle physical exfoliant.
You won't really feel it's too coarse or it's dragging on your skin.
It's very lightweight, very micro, very very very micro.
And it's very soothing, very hydrating, and very nourishing.
And it's infused with rice bran water.
And I think when we mentioned it for the first time,
it just triggered a memory that my mom would be like,
"Go wash your face with the water I washed the rice in!"
Ro: "Don't throw it away!"
So that's this one.
And we really enjoy this brand, which we'll also mention in a little bit.
Leading to moisturizer!
The first one is the Mediheal N.M.F. Natural Moisturizing Factor Intensive Hydrating Cream.
I've loved Mediheal for a few years now, specifically for their masks.
They have really great sheet masks.
And I would say this intensive hydrating cream,
the deep sea water is something that I found is really great for dry, dehydrated skin.
Love Purito's Deep Sea Water Cream!
And it's the same concept of harvesting water that is untouched by the sun,
which has a lot more - just minerals [and] nutrients that are not found in, I guess, regular sea water.
Aand there's just a lot of ingredients in here, from ceramides [to] hyaluronic acid.
Peptides that our skin really loves and our skin really needs
to form a very very healthy skin barrier.
So this is great! And this is $15.
So moving on to this [Pyunkang Yul Acne Cream].
*can't contain the excitement*
I'm like actually kind of shaken by how amazing this was.
So this one says it's a cream, but it's actually the most lightweight gel cream.
This one, I think would suit teenage skin so well,
whether you're combination [or] if you're fighting breakouts.
And doing it in a really gentle, subtle, and lightweight way.
So it's got ingredients, like the willow bark,
which will help balance out sebum production.
It's got very natural skin-brightening ingredients, like the niacinamide, as well as the licorice root.
And calming ingredients, like the centella.
So, oh my gosh! This is - This has shot up probably to my favorite moisturizer,
especially for the hotter months because like that it just drinks it up!
It is so lightweight! It's clear, it's spreadable, it's not sticky.
And I'm sold! I'm gonna stock up on this.
So although it says cream, it's definitely not a cream.
It is a gel. It's a straight-up gel in the best way possible.
So highly recommend! And this is $15.30
All right! Next is the 9 Wishes Hydra Glow Deep Hydration Ampoule Cream.
9 Wishes!
First thing that I will say is because this is more of a lightweight gel cream,
the coverage you get of hydration won't be as thick and as protected
as let's say if you use like an actual cream cream.
But this will be great for the more summer [and] humid months
because there are a lot of ingredients in here that are super super hydrating,
especially for people with dry, dehydrated skin.
There's 52% coconut water, which is very high in electrolytes, as well as a lot of different minerals.
And there's also 25% sodium hyaluronate, which is the second ingredient.
There's also glycerin, which we know is really great for retaining hydration.
The reason why this one was really exciting is because of that coconut water actually.
Because I haven't seen any product that really utilizes that much amount of the coconut water.
So the last one that I tried out for you guys was a new brand.
It's called - I don't know what it's called actually.
Hddn - Hddn=Lab. (Ro: SNP Hddn=Lab)
Open Your Ice Cream!
Open Your Ice Cream.
Okay, so like looking at the ingredients,
there was glycerin, niacinamide, aloe leaf extracts, squalane, sodium hyaluronate,
turmeric root extract, aloe flower extract, [and] ceramide np.
All of these are such great ingredients!
So I was like, "Okay, let's give this a try."
And it also says it's soothing and cooling, which it really is!
Not in a tingling way that feels really obnoxious and just strange.
It's this like -
You know if there was a light breeze and it blew past your face as you had something on. (Ro: Oooooh!)
It's like - It's cooling, it really is.
So it is a little bit more of that nourishing gel moisturizer,
you know when it leaves a little bit more of that like slip on the face.
So you kind of have to work it in, and then it will eventually kind of settle.
But it's not a quick-dry gel cream, just comparing these two together.
This [Pyunkang] is much more fast absorbing than this [Hddn=Lab].
So if you're more combination, I think this [Hddn=Lab] will work better.
And I think the plus about this is that you get a lot of it for $22.
Last shout out for a brand that we discovered last year: Instanatural.
They have a Vitamin C Moisturizer with aloe, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and sunflower seed oil.
This is a brand that Fel and I have actually grown to love a lot over the past year.
Surprisingly!
It's one of those very natural clean brands that work.
Yeah! So we tried the Brightening Serum.
We tried the Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
They also have a cleansing balm, which was out of stock,
which I couldn't get. Sad cry :'(
So they have the whole range, and it's just very straightforward.
It's kind of like The Ordinary, but Instanatural.
The interesting thing with that one is although it's not a K-beauty brand,
it also has a lot of those ingredients that we see, like centella, green tea leaf extract, aloe,
as well as meadowfoam seed oil [and] jojoba seed oil.
All of these are really great, quick-absorbing oils for a moisturizer.
Okay, so probably moving on to one of the most important steps of all: sunscreen!
Sunscreen. (Fel: Ding ding ding!)
And I think lately, I've just been really into sunscreens.
Maybe because I did that whole video about it, testing them all.
But oh my god, let me just foreshadow and say I'm really excited to share with you guys these two.
But Ro, take it away.
So the first one we're gonna talk about is the
G9skin White In Milk Sun SPF 50 PA++++
Let me just first show you the texture.
'Cause I feel like over time, I've just realized that sunscreen,
especially texture, is so important.
Because if you don't like how it feels on your skin and what it does,
you're not gonna be as inclined to apply it as much.
And this one just, it absorbs so beautifully into your skin.
It doesn't leave a white cast, and it's very similar to krave Beauty's,
where it leaves you with glowing skin.
This has zinc oxide, which is a mineral or physical filter.
There's also niacinamide.
There's also a chemical filter, so this is a chemical and a physical sunscreen.
Which is, I think, we're seeing a lot more of these days.
There's also a slew of extracts, including jasmine, lily, hollyhock,
marshmallow, lemon, [and] mango,
which are all very soothing and moisturizing.
It still gives you that glow, and it also gives you that hydration
while being able to protect your skin with the physical and chemical filters.
Because if you guys don't know too much about sunscreens,
the mineral and physical are the more "traditional white cast ones."
Whereas the chemical is the invisible that can cause more irritation.
So I have two. Both by brands that we love.
This is the TrueCica Mineral 100 by Some By Mi.
And this is the 9 Wishes again. And this is their Sun Moisturizer.
So Ro and I, I think, are really big fans of sunscreens with a moisturizer consistency,
which both of these are.
So what this one [Truecica] has is zinc oxide,
as well as tea tree leaf water, tea tree leaf oil, centella asiatica, niacinamide, and mugwort extract.
Whoa!!
So if you guys are acne-prone [or] if you don't like thick sunscreens,
and the formulations of sunscreens annoy you,
but you also want something really calming and soothing,
I would say definitely pick this one up.
It's also SPF 50+ and PA++++,
which is kind of all you need to protect your skin. (Ro: Yes.)
This just means it's broad-spectrum.
So it will protect you from UVA/UVB,
which are the harmful rays for, you know, causing skin aging.
And then the 9 Wishes is very similar to this one.
It's just got one plus less,
which, if anything, it won't really make much of a difference.
It's still giving you full protection - UVA/UVB.
But in terms of the supporting ingredients, it's got zinc oxide, homosalate, both UV blockers.
It's also got glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, shea butter,
green tea leaf extract, allantoin, and some fragrance.
So the fragrance is very subtle. I actually quite enjoy it.
And then in terms of the other ingredients, the green tea leaf is there for soothing.
It's got shea butter, which is for nourishing. But it's not heavy.
Both of these are almost very similar in terms of lightweightness.
And you can see I'm like, "What the heck, this is so lightweight! This is awesome!"
So it's lightweight, breathable, easily spreadable, soothing, moisturizing.
Yeah, all the things you would want for in a sunscreen, right?
I would recommend this to anyone! It got me so excited!
So yeah! Those are our foundational.
Now moving on to the second tier to build up from the essentials, build up from the basics.
If you do want to add additional products into your skincare routine,
here is where toners and serums would come in.
Fel, what are your thoughts on toning and seruming as a teen?
I think you can definitely start introducing it.
I don't think it's pivotal.
I think why you would do it is because, you know, you want more hydration,
which never hurt anyone.
So which is why I think the next step for me would be a toner.
Serums, as we talked about in our serums video, is usually to target specific skin concerns.
If it's hyperpigmentation [or] if it's acne.
And I think at a younger age, because our skin is rejuvenating and regenerating a lot -
Is our skin rejuvenating a lot quicker?
Our skin is regenerating a lot quicker, and everything is changing so fast.
If you do have skin concerns, I don't think it'll ever be lasting enough
for you to be able to tell a very big difference.
So not gonna really get fine lines and wrinkles in our youth.
We're not gonna really have super intense hyperpigmentation,
unless it's, you know, sun damage.
At the root of all this, this is why we mentioned the basics before this.
Is because if you can get the cleansing, the moisturizing, the SPF right,
and if your skin is happy, let it be happy.
But if you're like, "Ooh, I feel like it needs a little bit of a boost here and there."
Or like, "It's still a little dry." Or, "I need a little bit more of an oomph,"
then you can try adding in a toner into your routine.
So there's three examples here, right?
So I would say this [Benton] is an evergreen, awesome toner for everyone!
(Ro: Yeah.) It's, you know, very similar to the Peach and Lily essence
where you can just keep applying it, and your skin cells will be jumping
and happy because it's so hydrated.
I want to send this to all my sisters and stuff to start using
because it could probably prevent breakouts.
Because, you know, it's just balancing your skin.
This has 50% green tea leaf water.
It's also got sodium hyaluronate [and] centella asiatica.
It's got our favorite houttunyia cordata extract.
It's got green tea leaf extract and also green tea seed extract and willow bark.
So you can load up on this any time of the year.
It's only $13.
I feel like a salesperson, but I highly recommend this.
And I fell in love with it.
And then these two,
I think this [Some By Mi Miracle Toner] is more something that we talked about for ages now.
I go to it when I get a little bit more inflamed and breakout-prone.
Maybe when my period's coming, or I just feel that the sebums are raging.
Then I'll use this to calm it down.
And it's formulated in a way that you don't have to worry that it will be overdrying.
I feel like it just really helps to balance and brighten.
And then this [Mediheal Toner] is more of an essence.
It's a little bit more goopy than just a straight-up watery toner, very hydrating.
The scent of it makes me think of like an old boyfriend's cologne.
*LOL*
Okay! I have two on my end as well.
There is a Hydrating Ampoule Toner from 9 Wishes.
Very hydrating [and] very soothing.
It soaks into your skin really beautifully and really quickly.
It's like a splash of water on your face!
These two are probably really really similar in their formulation.
One is just in an ampoule cream form.
One is in an ampoule toner form.
Which is a good point because then it depends on what you need.
Because they're essentially the same product, just formulated one's thicker, one's watery.
And there is this Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Toner.
It's with 88% galactomyces.
The galactomyces ferment filtrate is a fermented form of sake.
If you want to think of a very very high-end brand, it will be SK-II. (Fel: Kaching!)
That's like - Just take my money, you know?
So the fermentation process helps bring out a lot of the properties of the specific ingredient
and allows your skin to absorb it a lot better.
So this one has that, as well as vitamin C.
So it's great for brightening, soothing, and even for blemish care.
So this toner is super lightweight, it absorbs beautifully into your skin.
I feel like it's one of those watery, your skin just drinks it all up.
Although vitamin C is one of those evergreen ingredients that I feel like
anyone, no matter what age, can benefit from,
I don't think it's necessary as a teen.
But I do remember our interview with Desiree from Paula's Choice.
She was saying how, you know, ingredients are kind of like nutrients that you consume.
To like broccoli, right?
As a - You can eat it as a kid. You can eat it as an adult.
Just because you eat it all this time, doesn't mean it's gonna lose its effectiveness.
Because it's just a really overall great ingredient.
There's even a bunch of fruit extracts, like antioxidants, from blueberry [to] cranberry.
Which are all so potent.
I think this is a great entry level, I guess, to vitamin C, entry level to more brightening products.
Then those are toners and serums, which kind of sit into the supplementary,
or, you know, the first step into adding new products.
And then right at the top, you have things like sheet masks, like your tools, like your exfoliating acids.
Which we wouldn't really recommend that you overdo,
especially if you haven't worked out the previous kind of tiers and foundational levels.
So, you know, we gotta walk before we run.
So we want to thank you guys for watching again.
Make sure if you have questions that you leave it below.
And we want to thank iHerb for letting us explore more products
and being able to share more affordable options with you guys with really great ingredients.
Because, you know, one thing we've come to learn is that affordability,
or a low price point, does not mean that it's a poor quality product, whatsoever.
There's a lot of products out there that do really great things at, you know, a fraction of the cost.
Okay, I'm out of battery!
Okay, we love you guys!
I hope you guys are staying safe, positive, happy, and we'll see you in the next episode.
Byeee! (Fel: Bye!)
