Bought
Aesop Lightweight Hydrating Serum Umpteenth repurchase. It's been renamed and sort-of reformulated (ingredients shuffled around) but still all good. After 3 months on Accutane, this isn't moisturising enough for me anymore, but I know it works for my skin so it's my failsafe. It's also very 'neutral', for lack of a better word — the stuff I use after actives or after sheet masks. Honestly, though, if my skin continues to get drier, I won't repurchase.
Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream Got this because I needed something more heavy duty. Was nervous because I ordered it online and hadn't tried it before, but it was instant love. It's definitely hydrating but magically dries matte. Not a powdery, silicone-y matte, but a nice air-brushed and velvet-y matte. I use this in the day and together with my new sunblock, I've gotten the best foundation application I've ever had.
Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV Essence SPF50+ Got this because my previous combination of Aesop Lightweight Hydrating Serum+Shiseido Urban Environment Oil Free UV Protector (what a name) became too drying and made my foundation look patchy. First off, super happy about the price. Texture-wise, it reminds me of the pre-2017 Biore Watery Essence. Once on the face though, the Senka looks way more shiny, almost glossy. It's definitely sunk in, because it doesn't feel greasy, it just looks shiny. On top of the Camellia Nut, it gives a good slip to work in Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. On top of the Lightweight Hydrating Serum (which dries 'natural', not matte) though, it's wayyy too glossy. It's not that it's heavy or anything, I just can't powder it down. I really do like it, but I probably won't repurchase because I fear I might be sweating it off — with my old Shiseido sunblock (which is waterproof), my pigmentation would get visibly lighter over a week or so, but with this, things don't seem to be improving.
MBD Royal Pearl Mask Realised I didn't have any truly 'nourishing' sheet masks ever since I've used up all my Papa Honey ones — which I can't replace because they don't sell it in my country yet and Selfridges sells them for SGD7 A PIECE. And the Accutane means I can't use brightening masks all the time. This one does say it's 'illuminating' as well, but I like that after the usual water, butylene glycol, etc, the next ingredient is aloe. I really like this mask. It's not a WOWer, it just delivers what it promises. The smell is okay, reminds of something from my childhood, nothing too offensive. Going back to MBD masks after Leaders leaves me wanting a bit, in re the actual sheet. Still wish MBD made their Royal Jelly masks. Probably won't repurchase as I prefer the Papa Recipe ones.
DHC Lip Cream Again, another thing to reprieve Accutane-induced side effects. AMAZING. Never really touched lanolin anything before as my mum is severely allergic, but I was getting desperate. Lips don't crack anymore! Also a really nice gloss.
Nivea Milk & Honey Lip Balm Bought in an ~emergency when I left the house without the DHC. Chose it out of... nostalgia? I used to read about it in Seventeen years ago but it's only just come to Singapore. Also Milk & Honey just sounds so luscious. For what it's worth, Nivea lip balms generally don't work very well on me — they're just short term relievers. But this works. The hydrating doesn't last quite as long as the DHC, but if I layer it with the Lucas Papaw I have lying around, it can match up. The amazing thing about it, though, is that it smells A LOT like Chanel Beige. Will use up but won't repurchase.
Passed On
Klairs Supple Preparation Toner Was very seriously considering it because of u/lgbtqbbq, but once I decided I wanted it, it was out of stock. Passed on reluctantly.
CosRX Snail 96 thing Again, swayed by u/lgbtqbbq, but as I'd ordered the Aesop Camellia Nut, I was a bit wary of introducing too many new things into my routine. Will probably pick up when repurchasing my Low pH Good Morning Cleanser.
Basically everything on my face now revolves around Accutane, but in general I'm really happy (apart from having to put Vaseline up my nose). For the first time in a decade I have practically no active acne. I can slowly work on improving my did-not-know-it-was-so-dark-PIE; skincare is more fun because I don't break out at everything. The only downer is that I can't really wear lip products because they just don't sit nicely anymore. As much as I love my lipsticks, it's a small price to pay for the extra boost in confidence.