My skin just got a beating from the weather in different places during the past few months. It was a bit dry from the Riyadh winter last January to March then I went for vacation in the Philippines where it was tropical: sunny today and raining the following day, my oil glands worked over time. I’ve always been oily when I was based in the motherland. Then I came back to Riyadh in the beginning of summer where it’s hottest. My skin is combination when I’m here in the desert. I noticed however that it’s a bit oilier than usual. Truly, my facial skin suffered from the past few months but I’m not complaining because I did not have any breakouts! An achievement I must say. The reason? I’ve been using facial products that are working for my skin. Here they are:
1. Pixi Glow Tonic
What: Exfoliating facial tonic that helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin.
Price: SR 58 (100 ml) / SR 111 (250 ml)
Where To Buy: Sephora / iHerb
This cult favorite is an amazing product that does a lot of things: brightens, tones, and conditions the skin. It’s enriched with 5% glycolic acid that gently exfoliates to reveal healthy skin cells. I don’t know how it does this because it doesn’t have beads that is normally what “exfoliates” but then again, its ingredients probably helps a lot: aloe that soothes and hydrates, ginseng that promotes cell health and skin vibrancy, and witch hazel that firms and tones. Super packed with the good stuff! I noticed that my skin’s imperfections are diminished. I apply this in the morning with an organic cotton pad from iHerb. It doesn’t absorb the toner; it puts it in my skin, which relishes in the refreshing liquid.
2. Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drops
What: A daily supplement essence designed with a hybrid of 5% L-Ascorbic acid and Centella Asiatica extract, helps stimulate collagen production and improves skin tones and texture without harsh irritation
Price: SR 78
Where To Buy: iHerb
I saw this product recommended by one of the Filipina Youtubers I’ve been watching. Over time, I see her skin look clearer and more dewy. So I got this from iHerb. It’s another variant of the Vitamin C serums, which is all the fad these days. When I first used this, I noticed a warm sensation so the next time; I combined it with my moisturizer as suggested for those with sensitive skin. It glided on smoothly. My skin is now more supple and soft.
3. Origins GinZing Ultra-Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream
What: Major hydration. Major energy. Our ultra-hydrating energizer with Coffee Seed Oil & Cupuacu Butter gets skin glowing.
Price: SR 125
Where To Buy: Sephora
Remember the moisturizer that my husband also loves? We ran out of it last month (our third tub) and I had to buy a new one. Because I was in a hurry trying to pay before the prayer time, I got the wrong tub of the GinZing Ultra-Hydrating Energy-Boosting product. It was the cream version instead of the gel. We used it anyway and it worked just as well. It feels a bit heavier than the gel but it’s not that big of a difference. It works well with the Dear Klairs vitamin drops (above). I mix them together and massage into my face. I love this moisturizer whether in its gel or cream form because it brightened up my dull skin. And my husband’s skin too.
4. Innisfree Daily Protection UV Cream with SPF 35
What: A clean and matte oil control UV protection cream with a special sunflower formulation.
Price: SR 50
Where To Buy: iHerb
Early this year, I had a face analysis in Al Raheema Medical Center and I found out that while my skin is aged 36 (I’m 34), I need to put on more sunscreen. So I was really on the lookout for a good sunscreen cream. Hopefully, not sticky. The Innisfree came as a random find when I went for vacation in the Philippines. I actually bought it from a random Shopee online store and it proved to be a nice sunblock for the face. This cream is made of sunflower oil and Jeju green tea that protect the skin against UV rays. I like that it’s not oily and greasy and makeup glides effortlessly above it. It doesn’t leave a white cast.
5. Tarte Maracuja Oil
What: A vegan, multitasking powerhouse from maracuja seeds that promotes firmer, brighter, and smoother-looking skin.
Price: SR 74 (travel size) / SR 220 (full size)
Where To Buy: Sephora
The Maracuja Oil by Tarte is one of their holy grails. Its known for its brightening vitamin C and replenishing essential fatty acids. It helps restore the balance an d harmony of the skin. It’s very moisturizing and hydrating. Curiously, it works well with all skin types even for more oily and acne-prone skin. The oil is weightless and after massaging it into my skin, I don’t really feel it anymore; the “oil” factor is not sticky. However, I only use this at night. I don’t feel comfortable using oil with my other skincare products because everything (skincare + makeup), when combined, just feels heavy on my skin.
These are the products that currently work on my skin. I tend to add something in the mix, especially when I ran out of one product, but for now, I’m sticking to these. If you have other recommendations and products you want me to review, just comment in the section below.
