5 Post-Beach Holiday Skin Refreshers

when you're living the moment, you tend to forget about the basics, like skin care

Easter Sunday's in and if you're from the Philippines, you probably took some time off to enjoy the long weekend that the Holy Week has brought in.

when you're from a country with 7, 100 plus islands in it, going to the beach is inevitable

Whenever we're out and about, I always apply sun block. But sometimes, living in the moment means forgetting it's reapplication.

burn baby, burn

For this edition of TMW, I'd like to give a shout out to all those ladies out there who may have recently had a bit too much sun and don't seem to know what to do about it.


Here are my Top 5 Post-Beach Holiday Skin Refreshers:

1. FACIAL CLEANSER - everyone knows that the secret to great skin is always knowing how to cleanse it properly. If you had a lot of beach time during the holidays, finding a cleanser that would moisturize and clean is key. You may not be too keen to use a facial scrub as using one on sun burnt skin may cause more problems. Try using CLEAN IT ZERO by Banila Co (made in Korea, but available in the Philippines). I was introduced to this product by my sister in law, and I really think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread (or maybe Shu Uemura's cleansing oil). It's been around for a couple of years now, and people swear that it is fabulous, because it is!


It's a solid balm that you scoop up and rub on your unwashed, dry skin. As you rub the sorbet-soft balm, it transforms into a silky oil. It strips your skin of make up and impurities. Rinse with lukewarm water or wipe off with tissue and voila! Skin is squeaky clean, without that tight, dry feeling. You'll feel change immediately!

PRICE: PHP 890.00 (Banila.co Philippines website)

2. LIP CARE - Not a lot of folks know this, but our lips get damaged by too much exposure to the sun too. Thanks to MAX's therapist, who went on holiday in Australia, I was able to try (and continually use) REAL PAW PAW OINTMENT (made in Australia and available in your fave online stores in the Philippines like BeautyMNL and Lazada). Not only does it soothe and protect your lips, it's also good for the parts of your skin that needs it (bites, burns, wounds, dry or irritated skin can helped by this product).

It's a smooth, non sticky ointment that glides on your lips. You only need to use a little and it lasts on your lips all day! It's also makes a great lipstick and eye shadow primer!

PRICE: PHP 320.00-499.00 / 25g tube (Lazada) 

3. HAIR CARE - Even hair gets sun damaged too! Lately, I've been  experimenting with bolder hair color choices, making sun exposure, my nemesis. Whenever I go out, I make sure that I've got SEMI DI LINO ILLUMINATING SERUM on my hair. It's made in Italy and available in the Philippines through David's Salon. I learned about this from my hairstylist about a decade ago and haven't stopped using it since.

bleaching your hair before summer may not be the best thing to do to your hair, but if you did, don't forget your hair serum

Apply it on wet hair or after styling, this ultra-luxurious beauty fluid instantly adds more light, shine and softness to every hair type. It's a light weight serum that comes in a glass pump bottle (sort of like a perfume bottle). It's made with Linseed extract enriched with vitamin E that provides both strength and shine with every use.

PRICE: PHP 600.00-700.00 / 30 ml bottle (David's Salon)

4. ANTI AGING PRODUCT - sun exposure causes premature aging too. My anti-aging prodcts come in the form of the BB and CC creams that I use every time I go out. But before those things go on my skin, I apply AVON's ANEW CLINICAL INFINITE LIFT TARGETED CONTOURING SERUM. It's made in Poland, and available through your nearest Avon dealer.

pushing forty, with zero make up on

Yep. My pushing forty is no secret. But I don't have lines, wrinkles and all those tell tale signs of aging, thanks in part to proper moisturizing and using this product. It's an instant facelift! This product provides an instant firming sensation that gives you that lifted look that lasts all day. Apply it on your face with it's built in massaging roller and enjoy a firmer, contoured and more defined face soon after A great pick me up for your skin - literally!

PRICE: PHP 799.00 (on sale, Avon Catalogue)

5. MATTIFIER - notice how your skin gets super oily after you've tanned or gotten sun burnt? Have you noticed too, just how  your foundation, concealers, BB, CCs and what have you, don't seem to glide on to your skin? Try applying QUICK FX NO-SHINE MATTIFIER (made in Korea and readily available at your nearest Watson's drugstore).

taken one sweaty afternoon, after I reapplied some no-shine mattifier

It's a moisturizer that contains salicylic acid, chamomile and tea tree extract - all known to help prevent and treat breakouts. You can use it as a primer or as a mattifier (instead of using face powder, that tends to cake on dry skin). To use as the latter, pat lightly over make up and blend for a smoother, more radiant complexion. I carry this with me for those quick touch-ups.

PRICE: PHP 89.00 (Watson's)

These are products I swear by, use on a daily basis and would probably stick to for a while. Whatever product you use though, always remember to cleanse, moisturize and protect your skin.

From TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!