Starting Tretinoin: 4 Asian products to help fight flakes

Tretinoin: The dreaded dry skin flake-maker that promises to eliminate our acne and smooth our wrinkles. After attempting to fight my hormonal acne with AHA, BHA, benzoyl peroxide, Voodoo, Vitamin C, and anti-androgenic birth control, I finally caved in mid-October and scheduled a dermatologist appointment to get a retinoid prescription.

Now after around two months of using Tretinoin almost every day with very very minimal of the infamous flakies, I figured I'd write a quick blog about the Asian products that helped me survive starting tret. Yes, I use a lot of Western products too, but this post is just focused on the Asian ones. No, I don't use these all at once, I mix and match as needed.

I am not a doctor (nor do a play one on a TV show. I do, however, have a background in Theatre if you're casting for one...) so please take everything I say with that in mind. And remember: your mileage may vary (YMMV).

Memebox sale insanity haul

   Memebox had a flash summer sale last weekend and I managed to snag a few heavily discounted items from the chaos and scramble. It wasn't easy; the goal was to make $30 minimum so that I would qualify for free shipping, but every time I went to check out, half my cart would already be sold out! Finally made the cut off at $31 and checked out. A day later I get an email that one of the masks I purchased, a TonyMoly Red Wine sheet mask, was oversold and they needed to refund me the cost of the mask ($1), plus an extra $5 for an apology. Didn't bother me any, it made my grand total $25 and I still got free shipping. All of these products are completely new to me except for the Innisfree cream, as I had a sample of it previously that I enjoyed.

Holika Holika Penguin's Dream hand cream: $3
Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream: $10 (I like to think it was actually $5 due to the apology discount Memebox gave me!)

Botanic Farms Polar Energy Camel Milk hydrogel mask (x3): $1 each, so $3
Naexy Genius Pore Tightening mask: $1
Naexy Genius Lifting mask: $1

Leaders Insolution Coconut Gel Moisturizing Recovery mask (x4): $1 each, so $4
Leaders Insolution Coconut Gel Lifting Recovery mask (x4): $1 each, so $4

Mediheal Dress Code mask (Violet, Tone-up): $1
Skin79 Honey Moisture mask: $1
TonyMoly I'm Real Pomegranate mask: $1
Etude House Mango mask: $1

Innisfree Eco Safety Perfect Waterproof Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++ Review

   My quest for the perfect waterproof sunscreen for horseback riding has come to an end. When I purchased the Innisfree Extreme Safety 60 sun gel that I reviewed previously, I received a free deluxe sample of the Innisfree Eco Safety Perfect Waterproof Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++, that I promptly cast aside and ignored.

   That is until another Asian Beauty loving equestrian pointed out the sunblock on Innisfree's website and I told her that I'd try my sample and tell her if it was good for barn work. Basically we wanted a sunscreen that was very sweat resistant that dried matte/non-sticky so horse fur and barn dust wouldn't stick to our faces. Innisfree delivered.

Review: Innisfree Extreme Safety 60 sun gel SPF50+ PA+++

    I am on a quest to find the perfect sweat-resistant sunscreen for horseback riding, barn work, and for generic summertime sweating.  Innisfree Extreme Safety 60 sun gel SPF50+ PA+++ is my first Korean sunscreen and second non-American sunscreen (I have Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence that is, sadly, not sweat-resistant). I've worn it for about a week or so now, and while that wouldn't be enough to test the whitening/healing/etc of a product, I feel it is long enough to get a good feeling of the pros and cons of a sunscreen.

 Innisfree's website has three claims for this sunscreen:

1.  Waterproof without any white cast. This is a white cast-free waterproof sun gel that can withstand water and sweat, which makes it perfect for use in water. 
2. Feels as moist as a moisturizing essence. This is a water-based sun gel with green tea and aloe extracts, providing rich moisture. 
3.  Contains sunflower oil. Sunflower oil maintains healthy skin that may otherwise be prone to damage from the sun

Innisfree Impulse

I think this qualifies as my first official "haul" of Asian skincare products! Innisfree has a global website and makes ordering insanely easy. They also are quite generous with the coupons. I used a "free shipping" one that came with the account when I signed up a few months ago. Free EMS shipping: hell yes!