Tag: Beauty

Product review: Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare

Three years after my last product review, my search for a sunscreen that meets all my requirements continues.

I was introduced to the Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare when I was stocking up my skincare essentials at Sephora. Sidetrack: I’ve had great customer service experiences at Sephora after discovering that if you need help, the trick is to carry a basket and walk purposefully.

It’s non-oily, works well with makeup, waterproof, and alcohol-free, she told me. My impossible requirements. Naturally, I was intrigued. In the last two years, I have added a fifth requirement after struggling with sunscreen stains along the neckline of my white tops and dresses, and a sixth, which is, it must not sting my eyes.

Does it actually meet my requirements? The only way to find out is to road test it. I was feeling both adventurous and desperate for a sunscreen at that time, so I bought it.

The good: it feels quite comfortable on my oily and dehydrated skin. It doesn’t give me that tight and frankly quite painful feeling that products with alcohol do. And yes, liquid foundation still looked presentable at the end of a workday despite not using a primer. On makeup-free days, the sunscreen was still on my skin despite sweating copiously. Stains have not been a problem but whether it has cumulative effects on clothing remains to be seen. Is it greasy? It is not more so than the average sunscreen. Loose powder is a must if you are going to apply makeup on top of it.

The bad: the first thing you will notice is how heavily perfumed the product is. It smells like cheap perfume oil that tries to mimic the scent of grapes. It either dissipates or my nose gets used to it quite quickly. I hope it is the former because it is quite a horrifying thought to be associated with that scent. And it need not be mentioned that fragrance conveys no benefits to the skin.

What I’m ambivalent about: it does sting the eyes but only on days when you are unfortunate enough to sweat heavily. By heavily, I mean heavily enough for your perspiration to drip. If you do not have the problem, then the sunscreen is fine for your eyes.

Would I buy it again? Yes, reluctantly. My search continues.

The Asian 10 step skincare routine

Skincare used to be just three steps: cleansing, toning and moisturising, which was popularised by Clinique. It was a neat way to sell three products to a customer. When I read in beauty forums that there is a 10 step Asian skincare routine, I was both peeved and amused by the flagrant profiteering.

Firstly, Asia is the largest continent. It is by no means homogeneous. It gives me great hope for the state of world affairs if China, India, Pakistan, Japan, North and South Korea and Taiwan could come to a happy consensus on a single issue. Secondly, there is the assumption that the different schools of thought (if there is a difference) do not influence each other. They do. Hyaluronic acid is a big ingredient in beauty products in the East and the West. And the idea that you need an “essence” or serum before a moisturiser, where did it come from? The New York Times attributes it to the Asian brands, but the Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair isn’t exactly a new product.

Ultimately, skincare is something that should meet your needs and budget. If a 15 step regime works for you, continue with it. My opinion is, if your routine cleanses, exfoliates, provides your skin with antioxidants, sun protection and hydration, your needs are met. Don’t let a company sell you products that do nothing for you. If you are unsure, experiment by introducing one product at a time.

I’m suddenly wondering if I too, am buying too much. How many steps are there in my routine? I am counting as I write:

Morning

  1. Cleanser
  2. Toner
  3. BHA (exfoliant)
  4. Antioxidant serum
  5. Vitamin C serum
  6. Sunscreen

Night

  1. Makeup remover
  2. Cleanser
  3. Toner
  4. BHA or retinol
  5. AHA gel
  6. Antioxidant serum
  7. Vitamin C serum
  8. Hydrating essence

To the friends who have travelled with me, hey, I’m not that high maintenance ok? The number of steps are in single digits!