Skincare is definitely something I care deeply about — evident by how I changed my entire lifestyle (stopped drinking alcohol almost entirely and established a regular sleeping routine) just to decrease breakouts. This came after years of being plagued with skin problems since puberty hit me like a train.

Thankfully, breakouts are an irregularity today, although my skin remains sensitive and my pores are quite big. As I grow older, I also noticed that my skin turned from oily to dry/combination yet it remained stubbornly defiant — moisturising or hydrating products that help combat dryness tend to give me angry pimples.

These are some of the issues I pointed out to Dr Ian Tan during my first session with IDS. After reviewing my skin with a pair of professional magnifying spectacles under intense light, he determined that I, indeed, have dry skin that is tired out by blue light emitted from digital screens.

With this, I was ushered into another room where I was shown skincare routine recommended by the dermatologist to address my skin concerns.

I was introduced to a total of eight daily skincare steps (excluding masking, since that is done every three days or so).

1. Cleanser
2. Toner
3. Pore serum
4. Vitamin C
5. Serum
6. Moisturiser
7. Sunscreen

Each of IDS Skincare has a special code tagged to it, so you know exactly the product to ask for when purchasing.

After trying them out for two weeks, here's my honest intermittent review.

C1 - Refreshing Cleanser

C1 - Refreshing Cleanser is one of IDS Skincare’s most popular products, and this is a new and improved formulation! It uses botanic extracts for anti-inflammatory and antiseptic purposes, and sulfur-based ingredients for blemish control.

Although it's usually recommended for people with normal or oily/blemish-prone skin, the cleanser worked well on my dry skin — probably because it's so light and gentle. I also like how clean and natural the cleanser smells.

The light texture of C1 - Refreshing Cleanser

I tried using only the cleanser without makeup remover for a few days to see if the product really cleanses as thoroughly as it promises, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out there was not much makeup residue left. 

T1 - Refreshing Toner

 

Sprayed from my bottle of T1 - Refreshing Toner

Similar to C1 - Refreshing Cleanser, T1 - Refreshing Toner is a light formula made with ingredients targeted to produce anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, wound-healing and anti-microbial properties. 

PF - Pore Formula 

 

How PF - Pore Formula looks like

PF - Pore Formula is a watery substance, which smells and feels slightly minty.

C+ - C-Plus

 

C+ / C-Plus solution from IDS Clinic

 

Like most Vitamin C products, C+ - C-Plus leaves a light warm effect during application, which is a totally normal reaction when you apply Vitamin C on your skin. I've used some harsher Vitamin C products that left uncomfortable heating on my face and boy, that wasn't a good feeling.

 

 

Thankfully, C+ - C-Plus feels pleasant on my face, and the warming effect is especially comforting at night. The formula is definitely something I look forward to applying on my face after a long day at work.

 

 

RS - Recovery Serum

 

 

Because the Pore Formula is drying on my face, I was introduced RS - Recovery Serum to combat that dryness. 

 

 

The RS - Recovery Serum is an enriched serum that reduces redness, irritation, and establishes skin immunity. Its main ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is supposed to be "super moisturising". 

 

 

Extremely moisturising RS - Recovery Serum

 

I was initially hesitant of this serum (remember how my dry skin reacts badly to moisturising products?), but after several applications, I realised I was proven wrong — the serum is so mild on my face that even my troublesome skin doesn't protest its existence. Hooray!

 

MB - Moisture Boost

 

Another product to combat dryness is MB - Moisture Boost, an all-in-one moisturiser that promises to "restore and maintain the natural protective capability" of our skin's barrier function.

 

 

MB - Moisture Boost also happens to be one of IDS Skincare’s star products.

 

 

 

 

Again, I was freaked out by the creamy formula initially as it's known to leave my skin angry but IDS Skincare managed to formulate the MB - Moisture Boost to be both moisturising and lightweight at the same time :OOO I'm impressed.

 

 

S2 - Non-tinted Sunscreen (SPF 50+ PA+++)

 

 

The last part of my daily skincare routine was definitely sunscreen. I cannot emphasise the importance of sunscreen enough!!! The abundance of skincare you paint over your face is useless if you don't use sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. 

 

Even if you skip every skincare routine, please, at least put sunscreen every day.

 

 

S2 - Non-tinted Sunscreen is lightweight and non-greasy while still offering ample protection from the sun, pollution, infrared and blue light. You can tell how light the formulation is from how it's threatening to drip off my hands. 

 

According to IDS, S2 - Non-tinted Sunscreen is chemical-free with 100% mineral actives. The sunscreen is also water and sweat resistant, although I was recommended to reapply it if I was going to be out in the sun for a prolonged period of time.

DM - Dermashield Mask

 

 

Weee, it's time for my favourite nighttime routine, masking. DM - Dermashield Mask is suitable for both day and night usage, although I prefer using it at night so I can overload my face with serum before I head to bed.

 

 

As you can read from the box, DM - Dermashield Mask targets skin harmed by blue light and environmental pollutant aka every one of us because you're definitely using a digital divide to read this blog.

 

 

Other factors to lead to premature ageing of skin include the sun (I told you sunscreen is important!) and fluorescent light, which we come into contact with every day. 

 

Fit of DM - Dermashield Mask

In the meantime, here are IDS's details if you'd like to drop them a visit.

Opening hours: 10am to 8pm on weekdays | 10am to 5pm on Saturdays | Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays