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[ Eddy Chua ] Guy Trying out Skincare regime with IDS

01 July 2021

I know I disappeared from blogging for quite some time because I was jumped to the YouTube bandwagon (thank God I haven’t really jump on the Tiktok bandwagon yet). Gosh, the new WordPress UI looks familiar yet strange, I almost forgot how to write blogs already. But thankfully, I managed to keep myself within the top 40 blogs in Singapore. But if you managed to read this post, then yay, I successfully managed to manoeuvre my way through the slightly new interface.

In this rare update, and hopefully we will be expecting more in the upcoming 3 months because it’s Summer Break! Oh yeah! Didn’t really expect Even as a guy, I will tend to be over-cautious with how I look. I mean, everyone wants to look aesthetically pleasing right? I’ve tried 1001 ways of skincare routine to keep my facial condition in its optimum.

Recently, I get to hear about this aesthetic clinic called IDS and they offered me to hop onto a skincare journey with them! They have two branches, one at Novena and the other at Orchard. Heard a lot of good reviews about it both from online and by mouth, so I decided to give it a go!

I went to the Orchard outlet as it was more accessible and convenient for me. Located at the 2nd level of the International Building (beside Shaw Theatres Lido), the outlet looks very posh, giving a royalty impression.

I was greeted by a group of very polite and friendly consultants. Even though it’s my first time there, I felt very welcomed and there is a feeling of familiarity around. First impression counts and they got it right!

After going the standard procedure of scanning in, temperature taking and filling up forms, the friendly consultant told me to take a seat at the posh waiting area.

MY PROBLEM

So Dr Ben Yim is my designated dermatologist. I explained to him that I am troubled with oily and acne-prone skin for the past few years. My face was quite alright that day because it just happened to be ‘good skin day’. But once faced with weather changes and other stress factors like poor work-rest cycle and poor diet choices, it will go haywire again.

**GOING BARE**: This is the condition of my face on the first day of treatment.

Of course, like many other dermatological clinics, they will help us to take a before and after treatment photo. But then, I also want to keep a record of it, so I got a photo of myself taken right before I went in to see Dr. Ben.

So yes, you can roughly see the condition of my face. There are scars left behind from my previous acne outbreak and it is kind of visible.

Dr Ben then told me about the products that I can use to help with my condition and improve my complexion. And he went on with several acronyms that I was quite puzzled with, but later I realised that those were the ‘code’ for the products. Throughout the consultation, a beauty consultant was stationed alongside me so she could take note of the issues I am facing and also jotting down the doctor’s instruction diligently.

After the quick yet efficient consultation with Dr Ben, I followed my beauty consultant to another room where she explained to me about the prescribed products and taught me how to apply them!

So her name is Cassandra, or Cass I would call her by. Pretty young lady but definitely quite experienced in her trade. She gave me a crash course to IDS products and went through my routine very clearly and patiently.

THE PRODUCTS

Note: The following photos are taken 3 months after my first treatment.

IDS REFRESHING CLEANSER (C1) – SGD66.34 w/GST (100ml)

Best for Normal to Oily/Blemish Prone skin, the Refreshing Cleanser has a gentle, pH-balanced formulation that maintain our skin’s natural protective barrier. You can trust it to help remove your makeup and end-of-the-day residue from the pores without excessive dryness. It supports natural skin cell regeneration and soothes irritated skin and reduces redness. In just one wash, you can feel that your skin is thoroughly cleansed.

So, I will use this cleanser to wash my face the first thing after I wake up and of course, before I go to bed. It’s the first step to my morning and night skin routine. Just apply 2 pumps onto the palm of my hand, rub my hands together to form a soft foam and then massage onto damp skin.

Oh did I mention that this product won the Bazaar Beauty Awards in 2014?

IDS PORE FORMULA (PF) – SGD80.25 w/ GST (30ml)

The ultra-light pore refining solution. This synthetic preservative-free product is formulated using the clinic’s proprietary NEULASTIN transcutaneous delivery system, meaning active ingredients are effectively delivered and absorbed into the skin. The PF works to refine pores and reduce blackheads and whiteheads, yet being gentle on the skin.

I would consider this as one of the most ideal products for myself because it suits individuals who have oily and blemish-prone skin. I was told to apply this on the T-zone area of my face – as this area is the most vulnerable to whiteheads and blackheads development. And yes, after using it for a few weeks, I do feel a difference in my skin texture along this area of my face.

C-PLUS (C+) – SGD160.50 w/ GST (30ml)

Also known as ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant essential in promoting the production of collagen. And, I am sure you guys know how collagen benefits our facial health. Well, in case you don’t, collagen helps to thicken the dermis – a component right below the epidermis of our skin that contributes to the strength and flexibility of the skin. Furthermore, it also promotes melanin production, which helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, hence evening out the skin tone and enhance skin radiance.

This very beneficial vitamin does not produce naturally by our human body and the only way to acquire it is through supplements or diet (cue the annoying orange). Therefore, this make Vitamin C application right on your facial skin all the more important.

The C+ serum can be (and should be) applied to all skin types. IDS’ formulates their Vitamin C serum together with Nobel Prize ‘Fullerenes’ and Tocopheryl to improve its antioxidant action and promote strong collagen stimulation. The sum to the equation is a ‘wrinkle-free’ and a significantly brighter skin!

BLEMISH CLEAR (BC) – SGD73.83 w/GST (30ml)

Having concerns over your active and inflamed pimples? The BC is your answer!

As the name suggests, the BC can help to treat inflamed blemishes and whiteheads effectively, and at the same time, lighten old blemish marks. Dr. Ben heard me loud and clear. My blemish issue is quite evident and one reason why I have to put on a thicker foundation so as to cover it seamlessly. This product is a legitimate ‘life-saver’. If I were to recreate Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, then BC will stem its position right alongside my Psychological Needs.

It is effective in clearing active and inflamed pimples, and also help prevents new breakout from occuring. Furthermore, it stimulates cellular activity and aid in cell regeneration by regulating sebum production.

SPOT CONTROL (SC) – SGD30.50 w/GST (10ml)

My favourite and most essential product, hands down. And one of the key items in my Everyday Carry (EDC).

This tiny yet powerful bottle of fast-acting formula helps to rapidly minimise the appearance of breakouts, while reducing inflammation to soothe and heal the skin in the process. While BC promotes and regulates sebum production, the SC further inhibits excessive sebum secretion, giving the skin an optical state of balance.

So how does it actually work? Being anti-bacterial, the BC helps to kill the harmful bacteria associated with blemishes. When you remove the main cause of your main problem, that basically leaves you with not much problem, and I love that.

Although I was told to apply it whenever I have outbreaks, but it is important to self-note not to use it on broken or inflamed skin. While it’s very effective, I need to keep remind myself not to use it excessively. One reason is that it’s not cheap but the key reason is that excessive usage may result in dryness, peeling, and/or irritation.

There is no question about it being awarded the Editors’ Choice for Best Face Saver Acne/Blemish Treatment at the Beauty & Wellness Awards 2018 organised by Beauty Insider.sg. It is simply the best.

IDS NON-TINTED SUNSCREEN with EXTRA BLUE LIGHT PROTECTION SPF 50 PA+++ (S2) – SGD73.83 w/GST (50ml)

IDS S2 Non-Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++

The perfect finish to a morning/start of the day skincare routine, given that the nature of my job is to be exposed to the sun most of the time.

Approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation, the S2 is a chemical-free, ultra-lightweight daily skin protector that protects the skin from 99% of UV radiations and blocks more than 35% of blue light (or High Energy Visible Light, HEVL). In additionally, the sustainably produced Squalane provides natural moisturisation which contributes to the anti-ageing benefits.

Even if you are someone who sweats a lot, or a content producer like myself who often have to parkour all over the place to get the best shots, fret not. The S2 is proven to be sweat-proof and has 40-min water resistance.

Probably providing the best of both worlds, apart from its prevention benefits, the S2 also contributes to your wellness, by boosting your anti-oxidant activity by as much as 200%.

FACIAL SCRUB (FS) – SGD66.34 w/ GST (50ml)

How can a facial routine be considered complete if facial scrub is not being added?

Exfoliation of our skin helps to remove the dead cells that built up on the layers of our skin, and by removing them, it helps to give us a squeaky clean skin that is free from dirt, oil, and sweat. Furthermore, it helps to remove dark patches and acne scars — which is exactly my problem, and provide our facial skin with a new radiant glow!

The IDS’ FS contains ultra-fine crystals that do exactly what it has been tasked to do — to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells and speed up the process of skin turnover. It is especially useful when you are suffering from oily and/or blemish-prone skin like myself. By clearing out the impurities on our skin and absorbing the excess oil, it then leaves us with a more radiant and an evenly toned face, and inhibits the growth of p-acne.

A-PLUS (A+) – SGD160.50 w/GST (30ml)

Now for the more anti-aging part to the entire skincare routine. Introducing Vitamin A, the vitamin vital to cell growth. So once you are done with exfoliating, apply a little of the A+ to help and boost cellular turnover without irritation, hence reducing the fine lines and any wrinkles growing on the face.

Formulated together with another potent anti-oxidant called Niacinamide, A+ provide anti-inflammatory effect, lightening blemish marks, and thus resulting in a brighter and clearer complexion.

RECOVERY SERUM (RS) – SGD85.60 w/GST (30ml)

I was told to pair my A+ together with the RS so as to achieve a better effect in combating skin irritation. The enhanced serum helps improve and stabilise skin immunity and capillary integrity, and also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improves skin tone in the process.

THE ROUTINE

My routine was quite simple, nothing short of the routine I was following previously.

MORINING ROUTINE: C1 –> PF –> C+ –> BC –> SC (if needed) –> S2

NIGHT ROUTINE: C1 –> SC –> PF –> C+ –> BC –> A+ w/ RS

If you also want to know more about your skin, feel free to visit their website HERE or if you are interested in buying their products (or check out other products), they have an e-shop too!

As this is a part of my skincare journey with IDS, do look forward to the next installment to this series where I’ll be updating on my skin condition and my follow-up visit at the clinic!