Chapter 3: Cleanser and Makeup Remover

We all know that we need to cleanse, moisturise and protect our skin each day. 


With the enormous range of products on the market and new products launched every year, it is confusing to decide what you should use, not to mention in which order to use them. I wish there's a fuss-free guide to complexion perfection for my skin type. 


"Cleansing is a critical step in your skincare routine, especially if you wear a lot of make-up," says Dr Doris Day, a New York-based dermatologist and member of the Olay Professional Alliance. Face washes have come a long way in recent years; not only are there more options available, but they have added hydrating ingredients and use less drying and irritating surfactants (the inclusion that give cleansers their lather).


For my dry and sensitive skin, yet prone to breakouts and eczema, I have 2 options of cleansers - cream and oil. 


(i) Cream - Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 500 ml (Dry and Sensitive Skin) 

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, which makes it a good soap-substitute that softens the skin as it gently cleanses. 


It is non-drying, with less irritation than many other cleansers, and it does so without foaming and lathering. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser liquid can be used with or without water, is pH balanced and is lanolin and fragrance free for a pure, fresh cleansing experience. 


Can be purchased from: Any chemist, pharmacy and drugstore 


Price: $13 for 500 ml - TOTAL BARGAIN! My 450ml bottle lasted 14-15 months!! 


Verdict: My dermatologist recommended Cetaphil when I went through a strange period of countless skin problems (eczema, allergy, rash etc). I have super sensitive skin at times, so some days I can use any products but some days I get irritations from those products. Luckily. at those times of need, I always resort to Cetaphil - it will ALWAYS be one of my cleansers. I often stray to other products but I always have my Cetaphil ready when my skin gets irritated. 


I highly recommend this product to anyone who is experiencing skin problems, whether it's acne/oily skin, eczema/dry skin or sensitive skin - you can always count on Cetaphil to be gentle.


(ii) Cream - Lancome Galatee Confort Comforting Milky Creme Cleanser 200 ml

Description: Emolliently-rich and milky creme cleanser gently melts away makeup and impurities.

The instantly comforting formula contains honey and sweet almond extracts to moisturise and condition and leave skin feeling clean, silky-soft and soothed. Rinse or tissue off. 

Dermatologist-Tested For Safety 

Can be purchased from: Official Lancome Site, Local Department Stores (Myer and David Jones), or online from StrawberryNet. 

Price: $29 for 200 ml. 

Verdict: I use this cleanser as a makeup remover, it is amazing - gently removes foundations and tinted moisturisers without drying out my skin. I usually have 2-3 pumps for my whole face, massage into my skin then remove with cotton pads. After removing the makeup, it leaves my skin feeling soft and velvety, which is always an added bonus :) 

However, I am aware that Galatee Confort contains mineral oil and fragrance, which can clog pores or cause irritation. Although I  have no noticed any breakouts caused by this cleanser yet, but some users might want to get a sample of it before purchasing the product. 

(iii) Oil - Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O 450 ml 

Description: Shu Uemura cleansing oil was developed from the knowledge that mr. uemura gained while working as a foremost hollywood makeup artist in the 1950s. the secret to shu uemura cleansing oil is protecting the skin’s delicate balance while removing make-up and impurities in a single step.  

This green tea extract beauty oil is for aging concerns and is the No. 1 selling Shu Uemura cleansing oil in the world. A premium anti-oxidant skin purifier that thoroughly cleanses the skin while protecting it against the internal and external aggressions associated with skin aging.

Can be purchased from: Department Stores (Myer and David Jones), or online from StrawberryNet. 

Price: $97 for 450 ml. 

Verdict: What an expensive cleanser! But, with such a big bottle, it can last you up to a WHOLE YEAR!

The anti-oxidant cleanser oil contains catechin (derived from green tea, which is a strong anti-oxidant), green/woody aroma (known for its relaxing scene), botanical oils (consists of jojoba oil and macadamia oil, which hydrates and soothes skin), and despea water that is found in the deep sea below depth of 200 meters that naturally provides moisture to skin and helps to enhance skin transparency and improve skin quality. 

Now, this oil-to-milk cleanser is amazing! Shu Uemura cleanser oil is definitely in a league of its own. It is a fabulous makeup remover, it breaks down the makeup so well that my skin feels so refreshed and clean afterwards. Even for water-proof mascara, this stuff works - it makes your face feel extremely clean, every single pore feels clean!!

However, now with my dry and sensitive skin, I am considering purchasing a different cleanser oil from the range (below), will report back on how I go. 

(iv) Oil - Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil Enriched 

Description: Suitable for dry and sensitive skin conditions. 

This is a luxuriously rich cleansing oil with plant extracts for dry or sensitive skin. It focuses on improving the texture of the skin, leaving the skin moisturised, nourished and more radiant looking. 

The evolved version of the original shu uemura cleansing oil is reformulated with an advanced high performance cleansing oil system for significantly improved removability of waterproof make-up.

Benefits: The cleansing oil contains licorice root derivative which soothes sensitised skin, amino botanical complex maintains barrier function while supporting collagen production, and despea water which is found in the deep sea below depth of 200 meters, naturally provides moisture to skin, and helps to enhance skin transparency and improve skin quality. 

Can be purchased from: Department Stores (Myer and David Jones), or online from StrawberryNet. 

Price: $92 for 450 ml. 

Verdict: OK, I have no started using this cleansing oil yet. I plan to start after I finish the current Lancome Galatee Confort, and then will review whether it is moisturising and gentle enough for my radical skin. 

Chapter 2: Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants

Here's a list of the supplements I take on a daily basis.

1. Multivitamin - Meta B Complex (High Potency B Complex) - 1 tablet per day

Metagenics Meta B Complex is a broad-spectrum vitamin, mineral and amino acid dietary supplement. It has been designed to help relieve stress and increase energy in the face of everyday hectic lifestyles. It is also designed to assist brain functions such as memory and concentration and may help maintain healthy digestive function. 


This formula may also assist in the maintenance of healthy skin and hair. Meta B Complex is a high potency, B vitamin formula with supportive cofactors such as vitamin C, potassium and magnesium that may assist in the management of vitamin and mineral deficiency, thereby aiding the improvement of general wellbeing.

2. Antioxidant - GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Grape Seed Extract - 1 capsule per day



Each capsule contains 300 mg Grape Seed Extract providing 95% Polyphenols 285 mg.

Standardized herbs provide uniformity of a single plant chemical batch after batch. Each extract delivers a quantified and measurable level of the targeted active ingredient in every serving. This active ingredient is considered by science to be the key ingredient responsible for the herb’s health benefits.

3. Antioxidant - GNC Preventive Nutrition® Cell Protector

4. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA- Omega 6) - GNC Women's Evening Primrose Oil 1300 - 8 capsules per day



Each capsule provides 1,300mg of EPO. 

Evening Primrose Oil naturally provides essential fatty acids that must be supplied through the diet.

4. Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3) - EPA/DHA Plus - 6 capsules per day 

EPA/DHA Plus provides pharmaceutical grade fish oil in enteric-coated capsules lightly flavoured with vanillin to minimise a fishy aftertaste. This purified omega-3 concentrate guarantees a high 300:200 ratio of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 300mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 200mg). 

Omega-3 EFAs are utilised by the body in several key areas that help influence general wellbeing. As phospholipid components of cell membranes throughout the body, they support healthy cell function and fluidity. Additionally omega-3 EFAs provide anti-inflammatory activity, and also support the maintenance of healthy brain function and healthy triglyceride levels. 

5. Blackmore Nails, Hair and Skin - 2 tablets per day  Biotin is an essential vitamin for the skin, hair and nails. Biotin may strengthen soft, brittle nails and reduce breaking and splitting. It also may increase nail thickness by 25%. Improvements in nail strength and thickness have been observed in clinical trials after 12 weeks. Silica is concentrated in all connective tissue including nails, hair and skin, where it contributes to collagen formation. Collagen serves as the structural framework for skin. Horsetail is a plant source of silica. Zinc helps maintain the structural integrity of the nails, hair and skin. Vitamin C is important in the production of collagen. 6. Himalaya Pure Herbs - Neem Capsules  Himalaya Neem is a pure herb extract. The Neem tree is known as Arishtha in Sanskrit meaning 'reliever of sickness'. Neem is a powerful blood purifier and detoxifier and promotes healthy skin and wound healing.  Apart from being a general health promoter, neem helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Neem's myriad uses led the US National Academy of Sciences, to publish a report entitled 'Neem – a tree for solving global problems'. Neem is nature's systemic purifier, supporting the natural cleansing mechanisms of our skin and internal organs.

Chapter 1: Failure of Western and Eastern Medicine

So I'm left to my own devices.

I had trouble-free skin until late December 2008 - by trouble-free, I don't mean perfect, porcelain and poreless. I had combination skin, prone to breakouts, so I get spots during stressful exam times or after pigging out on oily and spicy food. 


However, during December 2008, I had a zit on my right cheek that never went away, then new patches of spots started coming. I knew it wasn't acne, because the redness was more like 'patches' rather than squeezable pimples. Also, I know at 21, you just don't suddenly get acne. So I did many silly things like using mud masks trying to get rid of the 'pimples' even though I knew it wasn't a simple case of acne outbreak. 


Naturally, the masks made the situation worse, my skin got irritated and it started weeping a little and was very itchy. 


My GP diagnosed 'dermatitis' and he prescribed bactroban and a course of Doxycycline (antibiotics), but I had a hand rash after taking the antibiotics, which then I was prescribed Diprosone for the hand rash. 


My GP (a different one, but it's at the same medical practice, so I know them all) subsequently gave me Cephalexin genix (antibiotics) and prescribed Elidel cream for the facial rash, which helped for a few weeks but the problem never went away, the Elidel simply alleviated the symptoms. Strangely, I have taken Doxycycline in the past and since then, but the bad reaction was only a one-off epidemic. 


I have taken a blood test during that time, and the allergy test came back with very high sensitivity to dust mites and dusts. The normal range of sensitivty is 3-120, and mine came back 793! I mean, who gets allergic to dusts, it is everywhere, and it wasn't like I lived in a dirty environment (oh my mum would go mad if anyone said my house is not squeaky clean). 


I have, as my doctor suggested, changed my bed sheets and pillow cases to Allergen (anti-dust mites), but this did not seem to help. My symptoms were very random, it would come and go, one day I will wake up and it's horrible, but a few days later, it will be normal-ish again. I found it immensely frustrating, because of its unpredictable nature. During the Christimas and New Years break, I had to cancel many dates and plans with friends and boyfriend last minute because it'll just be too unbearable to leave the house with a rash :S It was then, I changed my skincare products to the Cetaphil range, it was gentle and the moisturising cream was just too greasy, so I can breakout from the cream. 


Mind you, the Christmas of 2008 was one of the HOTTEST summers in Sydney - ever. 


In February 2009, my GP thought my condition has changed and prescribed Eryacne 2% (what was he thinking??!!) for my skin. I guess, he thought I had acne. But I didn't. Eryacne dried out my skin terribly and it was itchier than ever before and started weeping again. So I had to use bactroban, Elidel and Eryacne on a daily basis on different parts of my face, depending on the situation. My face is not that big, but somehow, I managed to have different zones of problems that required different prescriptive cream. The horror, the horror!


In March 2009, My GP(s) has finally conceded, he is clueless about my symptoms and he has referred me to a dermatologist. My dermatologist is my savior, I wanted to kiss her because she is that brilliant! She looked at my long history and simply asked, why was I not referred to her earlier, and why did my GP(s) not realise I have eczema and need cortisone? 


My dermatologist prescribed Sigmacort cream 1% to apply 3 times a day. I have never heard of eczema before, so when I did some research on the internet, I was perplexed. Usually, people get eczema as a baby and then grow out of it, or there's always a family history of it. In my case, it just came from no where, also, eczema means dry skin, I have combination skin which is quite oily in summer. Does that mean I don't have an ordinary case of eczema?


After 4 days, my skin was back to normal, so I only used Sigmacort 1 time per day, at night. At that time, my skin was still reddish, but it was not rashy or itchy or weepy, obviously my standard of 'normal' has dropped dramatically and considered that level of recovery a miracle already. 


I went back to the dermatologist a week later and she told me to use Sigmacort once every few days for a while, just to keep the problem under control. I did, and when uni started, my skin was back to normal. I was over the moon!


If only this was a happy ending, and I said then I lived happily ever after with trouble-free skin. 


No, Sigmacort is a cortisone cream, as a steriod, it does not help with my strange case of eczema but only keep the flare up under control. In addition, the wonders of Google told me cortisone cream is a no no, it has MANY negative effects, I was horrified and thought I was going to die from such a drug. So my parents decided to find a natural therapy for my condition, heal the root cause rather than just the symptoms. 


Due to my suspected food intolerance and my parents' adamant belief that certain foods are just NOT good for your skin. So I was rushed to try TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), the practitioner at Beijing Tong Ren Tang gave me a long spill about my blood being too hot (i.e. heat, in TCM jargon, talking about hot blooded woman eh), my stomach is too cool (apparently my digestive system is too weak to handle certain foods thus the food intolerance). 


So he gave me a list of food I should not be eating, they are garlic, onions, wasabi, pepper, chilli, mushrooms, octopus, squid, seafood (especially crabs, lobster, shellfish and crustaceans), seaweed, lychee, honey, eggplants, lamb, and beef. 


Instead, my diet should consist of very bland food, such as green bean, cucumbers, pearl barley (fantastic), carrots, tomatoes, water melon, yam, duck, fresh water fish. 


I followed the diet plan strictly. Luckily for me, my family is super health conscious, so it wasn't hard for me to convert to a mainly vegetable based diet. Due to the confinement of my food choices, I went to see a naturopath to consult on certain vitamin and mineral supplements. 


My naturopath told me to take Vitamin B12, multi-vitamin, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamin C. Something STUPID I did was, my naturopath was also a beauty therapist, which she convinced me that my blocked pores are causing me all the eczema and acne, I needed to let my skin breath and a microdermabrasion is exactly what I needed, because it'll make me GLOW and have PERFECT skin. I am the kind of idiot that fall for words like this. 


A reasonable person can foresee this did not go down well, I had another flare up, but thankful to my Sigmacort, I had it under control within a few days. However, it made my skin more sensitive :( 


For the rest of 2009, my skin was tolerable. I only use Sigmacort 1% when my skin flare up, for a 45g tube, I still have 60% of it left. I am just too scared about using cortisone creams on my sensitive and thin skin. I didn't see my dermatologist again after the initial 3 visits or my GP again, in fact, I have never returned to that GP again. 


Then I had another problem, my eczema conflicts with my combination skin, all the cleanser and lotions for sensitive skin and eczema skin seem to be too 'moisturising' for my skin, which causes breakouts, which further tortures my poor skin. 


As a result, I have developed discolouration on my cheeks and scars from repeated skin problems, and I often switch between skincare products depending on my current conditions. It was very expensive and time consuming doing research for possible products to try. 


In March 2010, I had a sudden allergy attack which strained my skin (again). Since then, I now have sensitive and DRY skin (very eczema like now, at least), which is still prone to breakouts. I don't use prescribed creams, but I just want to even out my skin tone, keep my skin moisturised and hydrated yet don't get blocked pores or breakouts. 


I need to do something!!!

The Art of Porcelain Skin - Confession of a Hopeful Cynic

I am at wit's end.
Unpredictable, complex, troubled, mysterious, elusive, sunshine one moment, rain-clouds the next. You never know what to expect. These words are only desirable when we are describing a Byronic hero.

But I'm talking about my skin right now.

I am starting this blog so I can share my skincare routines, my woes with different products, and hopefully, I can change my life around and finally achieve the perfect porcelain skin I desire. OK, that is a bit far-fetched right now. At least, I aim to achieve trouble-free skin, because there are too many things in life to tackle than been bothered by your skin. 

First of all, let me describe my skin type. 
- I have very pale and thin skin, which means it tolerates NO blemishes. 
- My skin is sensitive and prone to redness. 
- I  used to have combination skin during High School days and prone to breakouts, but now, I have dry skin and developed eczema since a year ago.
- My eczema comes and goes, I suspect it's linked to certain foods (definitely alcohol consumption) and weather conditions. 
- Yet, I'm still prone to breakouts, so I get a spot here and there, when I use overly greasy moisturiser for my eczema problem.

Oh dear, try to deal with that! 

Insanity and stupidity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. 

So, I have finally decided to IMPROVE my overall health and wellbeing; and as a result, improve my healthy, body, skin, hair and mentality!!! I believe health and beauty comes from both within and out, it's about our eating habits, exercise routine, lifestyles, as well as what products we put on our faces. 

Rough winds do shake the darlings buds of May, but thy eternal summer shall not fade!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Here are some of my favourite things:

I love beautiful things – especially seeing beauty where others don’t.

I love business, accounting, finance and law – Having a Commerce degree means I should be share trading savvy right? Not really.

I love travelling and photography – One day I will travel the world and see all the beauty the world has to offer and capture them both with my memory and my camera.

I love fashion and shopping – Like most girls, I am tragically fashion-obsessed (but in our defence, we are merely stimulating the much-needed-to-be-stimulated economy).

I love daydreaming and gossiping – that’s how I stay sane 

I love flowers and perfumes – experiencing beauty with all my senses. I will definitely dedicate a post to my favourite flowers and my perfume collection.

I love music and arts – especially classical music and French impressionism.

I love theatre/musical and BBC miniseries – I wish we can all just break out into songs or dress like we live in a period Drama.

I love horoscopes and Greek mythology – there is more to horoscope than your weekly horoscope prediction and Greek mythology is not just about incest!

I love literature and poetry – I love reading, I love books and libraries, and yes I am a total nerd and a hopeless romantic, but

Above all, I love LOVE!

About me

Name: Violet
Gender: Female
Astrological Sign: Leo
Zodiac Year: Tiger
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

I am a recent university graduate with a B Com and LLB background, who have entered the crunch of the corporate world.

I am an eternally optimistic girl who can resist anything but temptation; yet I am a very rational and practical person – so I only consume things that are either useful or beautiful.

I love all the finer things in life, I love LOVE and I love my family and friends. But what I value the most – is my independence and freedom (both of my mind and body).

I wish I can always remain my sense of wonder and innocence – so I dedicate my blog to the happy, carefree and cheerful girl I am today.

Thus this blog is the eternal musings of a terribly self-centred, easily distracted, attention-seeking, technology-challenged, boy crazy, health conscious, little superstitious, and overly verbose girl.


♥ V

April 2010