BODYCARE, THE NEW BIG THING

As many of you may know, I am an advocate for skincare.  And apart from our faces, we should also see to taking good care of the skin on our body as well.

Commonly known as body skincare routine, this routine is very personal and methods differ largely from person to person.  Today, I am going to share more about my body care routine in this short post.

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(by the way, I had a lot problems finding photos for this post because I don’t believe in going topless so I can’t show my body. 😛 Since the thumbnail is actually #tbt pic just to display my dedication to talking about good skin, here is a recent picture of myself taken in Korea! 


Here are 6 rules I follow for my body care regime, and this is for anyone out there who is wishing to rid of skin problems such as dryness, dullness and even body pimples!

Rule #1 : I protect it extensively from the sun. 

I am quite crazy with this. I usually wear long sleeves and stay under sheltered areas to avoid the negative effects from the sun!

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When I was doing my military service, people actually thought that I was out of my mind when I carried an umbrella everywhere I went – even on rainy days!

Rule #2 : I am selective about soap. 

As mentioned in a previous post, different skin types require different ingredients to supply the nourishment it needs.

(I personally don’t pay much attention to this because I have the typical skin type that doesn’t have much problems.  But because I like my skin to be clean, smooth and bright, I often use a shower scrub and gentle soap like Dettol bar soap.  You really need to find out what your skin needs at different point of time! )

Rule #3 : I moisturise right out the shower. 

Actually, I used to moisturise before bedtime.  But I recently read that that moisturising immediately out of the shower allows the body to absorb the product better.

Rule #4 : I drink lots of water… still trying my best! 

We need to remember the water that we drink everyday is to keep our internal organs in body as well as our external skin hydrated.

And given that we have so much more skin area other than our face (our skin is our largest organ and accounts for 16% of our body mass!), we need to drink plenty of water to ensure an even and thorough distribution for our replenishment!

Rule #5 : I strive to have optimal beauty rest… still trying my best! 

Having sufficient sleep is definitely not over-rated.

A recent article shared that your circadian rhythm, typically known as your body clock, affects the condition of your complexion.

While you were sleeping, your skin cells are regenerates overnight is enhanced by the  ‘plumped’ effect from the healing process, gives a more youthful look and radiance in the morning as it conceals wrinkles!

Rule #6 : I have a healthy relationship with my skin. 

This is probably one of the most important thing that I have to emphasise.

Some people might think I am too obsessed but I am very very careful about things that will affect my skin.

  • First, I don’t take harmful substances at all, such as cigarettes or drugs – you need to see how celeb’s complexion gets butchered by drugs… so no drugs!  I am also cutting down on soju and alcohol so that my skin can aged gracefully… like me! 😀
  • Second, I make extra effort to pay attention to daily care – such as rinsing off and pat away leftover shampoo and conditioner that cascaded down from my head after a bath. This is probably the most common reason why people get body breakouts or sensitive scalp (I will leave the scalp care for another post another day).

And when they do happen, I have deep cleansing products for body acne to get them under controlled.

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Been using it for a couple of years now, see above for the product I use (but I believe they have a newer packaging). 


The Tea Tree Body Wash
The Body Shop

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Said to target imperfections on back and body and get smoother, clearer looking skin, cleansing with the soap-free Tea Tree Body Wash will leave your skin feeling clean, purified and refreshed.

KEY INGREDIENTS 

Purifying tea tree oil grown in the foothills of Mount Kenya

LIST OF INGREDIENTS

Aqua/Water (Solvent/Diluent), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emulsifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), Sodium Chloride (Viscosity Modifier), PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (Viscosity Modifier), Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil/Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Glycerin (Humectant), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Ultraviolet Light Absorber), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Fragrance Ingredient), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), CI 19140/Yellow 5 (Colour), Caramel (Colour), CI 42090/Blue 1 (Colour).

More information here


 

I am also accepting direct questions, so feel free to drop me your questions in the form below and I will get back to you. Hope to hear from you guys!

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Thanks for reading! 🙂
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See you next time! xoxo

 

 

THE REAL DEAL, FOREO FOR REAL

Hi everyone! 🙂

But now, I am back with some exciting news!

(I have been on hiatus because I am just too busy at work and if you’re curious of what have I been busy with… stay tuned for the upcoming few posts!)

Many of you have been asking me for skincare advice.  Now, I am ready to reveal one of my biggest secret – the Foreo Luna! (for real. did you get it? :p)

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As a skincare addict, I have been an avid follower facial cleaning brushes like the clarisonic brushes and the Prox Advanced Cleansing brush by Olay.

For me, I decided against the clarisonic and went ahead with the Prox as the latter was more affordable.

Especially for guys, it doesn’t make sense to invest so much when there isn’t any make up to remove.

But there was a problem.

I had to replace the brushes every other month… until I decided to swap to the Foreo Luna.


What is the Foreo Luna?
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Foreo Luna. photo: hellomagazine.com

The Foreo Luna is said to :

  1. Harness the anti-bacterial properties of silicone; that is hypoallergenic and soft ;
  2. Uses T-Sonic power pulsations (8000/min) gently against the skin and removes dead cells and unclogs pores for firmer, cleaner complexion ;
  3. Employs lower-frequency pulsations on grooves to reduce signs of age such as fine lines and wrinkles.

LUNA devices were found to remove up to 99.5% of impurities from the skin by unclogging pores of dirt and oil.  And that is absolutely amazing!  Check this video out.

Anyway purchasing the Foreo Luna comes with warranty coverage and free shipping if bought from the site.

Today, there are so many choices when it comes to the Foreo Luna.

LUNA™ 2

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Personalized Facial Cleansing Brush & Anti-Aging Device

Price point: $299.00

Rechargeable

 

LUNA™ MINI 2

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Cool & Customizable Face Brush

Price point: $225.00

Rechargeable

LUNA™ GO

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Compact Facial Brush & Anti-Aging Device

Price point: $142.00

Rechargeable

LUNA™ PLAY / PLAY PLUS*

the boyish life - louistylersim -foreo luna playThe Tiny but Mighty Sonic Face Cleanser

Price point: $69.00

Non-rechargeable*

LUNA™ FOR MEN (BLACK)

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3-In-1 Facial Scrub Brush, Pre-Shaving & Anti-Aging Device 

Price point: $69.00 – $299.00

 


My Foreo story

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I started with the Foreo Go (the smaller light pink Foreo shown on the right) as I wanted something portable for travel.

But after a year, it felt that it was time to “graduate” and go for an upgrade.

But, I decided to get the Luna Mini over the Luna 2 simply because I just couldn’t decide which skin type I was and which one should I take, so I “settled” for the mini.

Just so you know, the Luna 2 has three choices for Combination skin (Blue), Sensitive & normal skin (Pink) and Ultra-sensitive skin (Grey).

 


A SUMMER SALE!

This is the good news for all!

FOREO is having two online sale till Sep 5, 2017.

Set aside your clarisonic or cleaning your face with your fingers and take this opportunity to own a Foreo.
I still remember the first time using it because I was so amazed by how thorough my skin was cleansed.

 

1. A whooping 11% OFF all Foreo Luna Men 2

The Boyish Life - Louis Tyler Sim - Foreo Luna Promo 2

2. 11% OFF all Luna 2

The Boyish Life - Louis Tyler Sim - Foreo Luna Promo Aug

I recommend this to everyone because you will be able to see results in less than a week.
Let me know if you guys have bought it or already own a Foreo. I would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Check out the FOREO website

 

 

GET READY WITH ME IN 2 MINUTES

A lot people have been curious on how do I make sure I look the way I look everyday.  Watch my 2-min #getreadywithme video tutorial on going from weary to full-on freshfaced pretty boy. 🙂

I go by the personal philosophy that makeup should be used sparingly to enhance your existing features and not make you look like someone else.

Share with me your comments and ideas on what is your personal makeup philosophy, and what do you think should be the philosophy of makeup for guys.  

Watch on Youtube

Subscribe to my channel 🙂

Keep on inspiring

#boyishboldbrave

“HIDDEN DRAGON, CROUCHING” TIGER CICA HERB

Disclaimer: This post is not a sponsored post. However, it is a prelude to upcoming posts on IT’S SKIN new Tiger Cica line. So stay tuned! 🙂

Men Skincare Grooming Blog The Boyish Life Singapore - Tiger Cica Its Skin

There has been a slow but gradually growing hype about this particulae skincare ingredient since 2014.

But is this ingredient able to become an all-popular choice just like how the snail products invaded our lives, or become an essential ingredient of an anti-aging line just like fermented ingredients?

To be quite honest, I am not too sure.

But from a guy’s standpoint, this ingredient, known as Tiger Cica – Centella asiatica or the Gotu Kola herb – has a major potential due to all the skin benefits it promises.

What can I say?  It is a super food and a super herb.

But when it comes to skincare, it is pretty much under-rated at the moment. Fortunately, skincare companies are starting to catch on this trend early, and incorporating this underdog ingredient into their lines.

Today, we are seeing that many skincare brands that have incorporated Gotu Kola (centella asiatica extract) into their products, catering specifically to acne prone and sensitive skin.  Skincare brand Dr. Jart+ that prides its products to be safe for the most hyper-sensitive of skin has done it with its Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream.

Men Skincare Grooming Blog The Boyish Life Singapore - Madaekasul

In fact, this ingredient is known as 병풀/호랑이풀 or “byeongpul” in Korea, which means Tiger herb or  “disease-treating plant”.

So, what is exactly this Tiger Cica grass?

Let’s first begin with its origins.

According to the legends, a wounded Bengal tiger was said to have rolled in the Centella asiatica or the Gotu Kola leaves with the intent to stimulate wound healing for itself.  And that is how the name of the “tiger grass” came about.

The Tiger Cica grass definitely has a longgg history!

With different cultures using it as a medicinal herb for varioud reasons up till this day, I would say that the Tiger Cica ingredient is definitely tried and tested – to the point that it has stood and conquered the test of time!

Men Skincare Grooming Blog The Boyish Life Singapore - Tiger Cica Herb
Wild Tiger Cica Grass. photo: livestrong.com

Today, this herb is used in Traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Medication extensively.  Some articles out there even went further to highlight its role in enhancing meditative practices as it has shown to help in improving focus and concentration.

So, what is exactly this Tiger Cica grass

 Rich in amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids, and numerous potent phytochemicals, the Centella asiatica extracts have been found to “calm inflammation, speed wound healing, stimulate new cell growth, build collagen, and improve circulation”.

A research summary from Phytomedicine has also brought up the fact that the ingredient has been subjected to “quite extensive experimental and clinical investigations”, while Indian Journal of Medicine cited gotu kola as a “potential herbal cure-all” in an overview.

“WHAT CAN I SAY?  IT IS A SUPER FOOD AND A SUPER HERB.”

Specific plant chemicals called triterpenoid saponins (more specifically asiaticoside, brahmoside, brahminoside, madecassoside and madecassic or madasiatic acid) that have been shown to help heal wounds by boosting antioxidants, increasing the blood supply to the area and strengthening the skin.

In fact in a 2012 study, researchers found that the ingredient extracts inhibited bacterial growth, fueled the growth of new skin cells and increased skin “tensile strength” and resilience after applying concentrate of centella asiatica to the skin of  rats with open wounds.

Why should we try Tiger Cica?

If you are looking for the following effects on your skin, then Tiger Cica is definitely for you.
  1. Anti-Aging
  2. Skin Restructuring (Healing of wounds and scars)
  3. Toning and Tightening

Some articles which focused on how it could actually cure varicose veins highlighted its ability to stimulate the regeneration of peripheral blood vessels, making it one of the best alliances to help those with paler skin.

For me, I am extremely excited about this product! 🙂

As I am growing fairer (for some strange reasons!), I have been noticing some redness at the side of my nose.  I reallt hope this helps in rebalancing the colour of my face.

Cosmetic Applications of the ingredient
  1. Treatment of sun damage
  2. For circulatory enhancement
  3. Speed up healing of damage tissues / Stimulate skin repair
  4. Minimize scarring
  5. Improve the looks of cellulite
  6. Anti-aging (by improving the moisture barrier)
  7. Anti-aging (by providing collagen support)

Lastly, the tiger cica is said to have other benefits beyond just skincare – improving memory and haircare.  In particular, it is helps with hair loss and improves the blood circulation at the scalp.

In Conclusion

 
I hope this post has helped you to understand the potential skin benefits of Gotu Kola and its related skin care products.
Interestingly, I truly feel that the use of Gotu Kola suits and appeals alot to boys/guys/men.  For me, I like that it zooms into maintaining that healthy complexion by just healing and regeneratinh, combating skin disorders and defying the effects of time – all at once.
And that it isn’t so focused on getting that beauty glow related to whitening or radiance that most females desire.
I absolutely can’t wait to share more about the It’s Skin Tiger Cica line with you in the next post(s)! :p
Till then, see you next time! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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