@rockets and silverwave,

if u guys don't mind me asking...i'm assuming that both of u aren't Chinese? unless u 2 r one of the small minority of Chinese guys that can grow a proper looking facial hair.

Actually facial hair among other things has everything to do with race and genetics. I'm sure most Chinese guys can grow a light mouthstache and beard...but how often do u see a Chinese guy sporting thick facial hair ala Pep Guardiola.

I think i'm gonna read up more about Rogaine

I have used the Simple Soap bar before because it said on the packaging that it is mild enough for face and body. That was a load of BS coz after just 3 days of using the bar twice a day my face got all flaky and red...and I have oily skin. My advice is not to use facial soap bars of any kind no matter what the manufacturer's claim is because soap bars contain a lot of harsh stabilizers and preservatives. It's these preservatives and stabilizers that make the biggest difference between facial foam and facial soap bar. Of course facial foam has preservatives too but generally speaking a soap bar is harsher on the skin.

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Added on July 21, 2010, 11:04 amSometimes ur skin gets overly oily because of the face wash u r using and lack of moisturizing. Try not to use those oil control/sebum control face washes because they r overly strong and dry out your skin...which makes your skin produce more oil. Try using a light gel moisturizer after washing your face. If this still doesn't work then try using a mattifying sunscreen in the day...that's what i use to control the oilies. I'm using Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Jul 21 2010, 11:04 AM

Probably the face wash is not as good as u think...it's too strong that's why your skin gets really oily. don't trust those claims about oil control cleansers because the cleanser is not on your face long enough. U could try using those blotters sheets to absorb the oil. A mattifying moisturizer or sunscreen may help too.

Air cond can be quite drying on the skin...so the face reacts to this by producing more oil. it's normal. I also wash with tap water as washing the face with cleanser too many times a day will make the skin dry and sensitive.

I think a good mattifying sunscreen will suit u. Try Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF50. it controls oil really well and dries to a smooth powdery finish. it has a sunscreen smell but u will get used to it. If the Biore sunscreen ends up drying your skin then u can try applying a simple oil free moisturizer b4 sunscreen.

I've been trying out Laneige Homme products for around 2 weeks and I'm quite impressed. The products aren't exactly cheap but they suit my skin really well and all I need is a small amount of product. Previously I was using Shiseido Men but their prices were too high so I was looking around for a slightly cheaper alternative, that's how I stumbled on Laneige Homme. Both brands are available at most department stores. Almost all high end skin care brands carry a male range. I have tried high end brands like Biotherm Homme, Lab Series and Clinique for Men but all 3 didn't impress me one bit. Pharmacy brands like L'Oreal Men and Garnier Men I have used before but I find their products too strongly fragranced and really too strong for my skin. Results were average or insignificant.

So if u do decide to go for pharmacy brands I suggest u just stick to the female range as the products tend to be better formulated. Avene and Eucerin are some of the better ones. And NO using the female line doesn't make u less manly or gay.

No la it didn't go up. I was just comparing Laneige and Shiseido prices.
Shiseido prices have always been high all the while.

Yup those are the ones but try to shop around as prices between Caring, Guardian and Watsons vary.

The Neutrogena sunscreen in cream form lasts longer than the spray and is more cost effective. But the cream version is not so nice for the face as it forms a thick waxy like layer on the face. But for the body its fine.

Biore Milk sunscreen got 4 types (purple, pink, blue and white) and one gel type (green). Some reviews I have read say that the blue and white ones are the same n only diff is the size n price. The white one (30ml) is around RM21-25 and the blue one RM31-35. TBH i have only tried the white one as it's cheaper.

Japanese sunscreens are still the best for the face because they are light and have a really nice finish. Try some on your arm n u will know what i mean.

Which toner u using ? Oil Control Solution or Water Lotion ?

I recently bought a bottle of the white Biore sunscreen from watsons for RM21.

I was at Watsons yesterday and Biore white was RM21+ and blue RM31+. ingredients wise both about the same, so too the finish. Probably getting the cheaper white one to try would be safer gua hehe. But the Biroe sunscreens does make the face slightly white...but it aint very obvious unless u got a dark skin tone.

The neutrogena one u can get during sale for around RM38-39+. So lucky u din buy haha.

I find anything more than SPF 50 to be a little gimmicky la...I read somewhere that even SPF100+ would be same as SPF50+ in terms of protection. I haven't tried Sunplay before as they got so many types and makes it confusing going through one by one

Any kind of waterproof sunscreen will need something extra to remove. The Japanese ones like Biore are especially hard to remove even after 1-2 washes with cleanser. A cheap cleansing oil is by Biore too...RM23 (RM19 during sales) for 150ml.

I too face the same prob with oiliness but mine is only confined to the nose area mostly. Try using a cleanser for normal skin because a lot of these pharmacy cleansers for oily skin skin are often very strong and end up stripping your face of oils which in part causes more oil to be produced. As for the pores have u tried a clay mask ? U could use a product that contains salicylic acid to help get rid n prevent blackheads.

One really good and cheap method to help with white and blackheads, unclog pores and fight acne is an aspirin mask. I'll explain further if u r interested.

I assume the Beaubelle hydro matte gel is an oil control product ? I haven't seen it before or used it but atm I just use Shiseido Men Anti Shine Refresher Gel or Biore Perfect Face UV Milk to control oil n shine on my nose. The Biore is really good and keeps me matte for almost the whole day.

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Added on August 9, 2010, 8:43 amI do double cleanse with cleansing oil but only I if I use sunscreen on that particular day. Currently using Biore and Shiseido Aqualabel cleansing oils.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Aug 9 2010, 08:43 AM

U see the main ingredient in aspirin is Acetylsalicylic acid, which is a chemical compound similar to the commonly used salicylic acid (used in anti acne products mainly). Acetylsalicylic acid like salicylic acid has anti inflammatory properties and when used as a mask it will calm down and soothe skin among other things. I have been using an aspirin mask for around 6 months (twice a week) and the results are almost immediate. I noticed my skin is smoother, pores smaller, skin less oily (temporary) and small pimples go down and flatten almost immediately. But the main prob with aspirin mask is its really drying so a moisturizer must be used after washing it off. Some ppl are allergic to salicylic acid and must not use an aspirin mask. Pls note that although the aspirin mask is applied topically, some aspirin will be absorbed into the blood. That is why if u have any kind of allergy or sensitivity to salicylic acid, pls avoid using an aspirin mask.

Yes u can combine a clay mask with aspirin mask. I have not done this before as my aspirin mask is strong enough. If u google aspirin mask u will see that there are many "recipes". I mix 3 aspirin tablets with aloe vera gel, mash and mix the 2 up n apply to face..leave on for 30mins and wash off. Some ppl mix aspirin with honey yogurt, green clay and etc.

Japanese Sunscreens like Biore Perfect Face are very light and very good in oil control. They are very different from the American and European sunscreen that are thicker and oilier. U can use an oil free moisturizer before putting on the Biore sunscreen.

If u don't use makeup or sunscreen, just use one type of cleanser. The main purpose of cleaning oil is to remove sunscreen and makeup. Most of the cheaper cleansing oils leave some oily residue that y washing 2nd time with normal cleanser is recommended.

Toners are optional really as the ones with a lot of alcohol will make the skin even drier. I stopped using those strong alcohol toners for a few months now and my skin looks n feels better. Instead I use a mild hydrating toner in the day.

Yup all can be obtained at either Watsons, Guardian or Caring. But the Biore sunscreen I have seen mostly at Caring and Watsons.

Yup moisturizer then sunscreen. But the Biore Perfect Face is already a sunscreen so u don't have to add another layer for outdoor activities. Or by "...and lastly a sunscreen layer for outdoor activities?" do u mean sunscreen for body ?

Neutrogena Helioplex in Malaysia AFAIK got 4 types...spray can, tube and plastic bottle in yellow box (one is regular n one is moisturizing type). Spray can has low SPF and the tube type would be best suited for the body as its cheaper n thicker. The other 2 in yellow boxes more for the face.

This is the Biore Cleansing Oil. Priced around RM19.90-RM23 for 150ml. Not the best cleansing oil but one of the cheapest in the market. It's kinda thick n hard to spread around face. I personally prefer Shiseido Aqualabel Cleansing Oil, but its more expensive RM40 for 150ml. Remember to wash ur face wit cleanser after using the cleansing oil. U don't have to use cleansing oil for the body even if u apply sunscreen.

I used all the Biotherm Homme products u mentioned earlier this year and was not impressed. The cleanser was really harsh n strong...the tightening lotion (toner) useless and the moisturizer decent but drying because of the alcohol and silica. The moisturizer did not help minimize pores one bit. I have oily acne prone skin. But do note your experience with the T Pur line may be different from mine. I still have a bottle of the T Pur toner (still quite full) and I won't mind selling off for cheap. PM me if u interested.

Most products that claim to reduce pores only work cosmetically and temporary. Most over the counter products cheap n expensive are like that. However I am not sure about those higher end facials and dermatologists. Maybe they can help. So far the best product for me that reduce oil/shine, masks enlarged pores and provide high sun protection is Biore UV Perfect Face sunscreen.

Well if u exposed to the sun for long periods just reapply the sunscreen. It's SPF50+ and the sunscreen ingredients are not the best but should be sufficient. If u really looking for very high protection then u got to go for brands like La Roche Porsay but they r not available here n r really expensive. Mixing sunscreen from different brands may cause the ingredients to cancel each other out, making the sunscreen less effective or downright useless.
Brand A SPF50+ Brand B SPF50 does not equal to SPF100.

Yeah the Neutrogena and Biore would be best suited for daily use.

I use the Neutrogena SPF50+ for whole body except face but i'm not really outdoors a lot so not very often I apply on the body hehe.

Nighttime no need apply la coz sunscreen will clog pores wan. I do use the Biore on my nose only when im out for long time at night coz it controls oil n shine very well. As long as u remove the sunscreen properly u can use it at night as in my case wit de Biore.

Moisturizer only will do.

This Blog Post gives a lot of good advice on sunscreen.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Aug 28 2010, 11:27 AM

As long as u don't mix sunscreens.

Even with a moisturizer in between the ingredients from both sunscreens will still mix. The problems with mixing is u must get the combo right or risk making both set of ingredients ineffective. AFAIK Banana Boat is a typically American sunscreen that uses quite primitive ingredients compared to European and Japanese brands. Reason being the FDA is very slow in approving the latest sunscreen formulations. That's why I often stay away from American sunscreens. European brands offer the best protection but the finish is often heavy and greasy. Japanese brands offer lower protection than EURO but have excellent finishes. I won't be too surprised if your Biore offers more protection than Banana Boat LOL.

I too have quite a few crater acne scars and after doing a lot of reading about it, Vitamin C serum looks like the best bet to get rid of these type of scars.

Try Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer http://simpleskincare.my/hydrating-light-moisturiser.php

It's a very basic moisturizer. I'm not sure of the price but should be within your budget. U can get it at any pharmacy.

I don't think the Holy Grail of skincare brands exists. U just got to read reviews, look at ingredients and what they do and experiment to see what works and what doesn't.

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Added on September 19, 2010, 11:06 pmThe OXY pimple medication with benzoyl peroxide should be good for light to moderate acne. But it really dires out the skin so after u apply the medication wait 10-15 mins n apply an oil free moisturizer. The face wash should be alright for oily skin but if u got drier skin then u got to watch out as its kinda harsh. Ingredients wise the face wash is real simple and doesn't really do much in controlling oil or treating pimples.

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Added on September 19, 2010, 11:10 pmNIA24 is highly raved about on forums and blogs due to its high percentage of niacinamide in its products. I have not come across NIA24 over here but even if its available it's going to cost a bomb. U can try the Olay Regenerist line as a cheaper substitute for NIA24. Regenerist products also contain a considerable amount of niacinamide...of coz lower than NIA24.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Sep 19 2010, 11:10 PM