Sharing My Eczema Journey From 5 Years Old And How Japan Changed My Skin Conditions
- Joey Wong
- Aug 11, 2020
- 4 min read
The following Q&A sections are from a blog interview from On Night Stand
Q: Tell us about you - Name, age, where are you from, anything interesting about yourself!
Originally from Hong Kong as a recruiter and went to Beauty University in Tokyo for 4 years.
I am a licensed Hair Dresser and Kimono Professional in Japan, also certified in Cosmetic Pharmacy Test, so I can read the skincare ingredients in Japanese.
Moved from Japan to New York last year, 8 months pregnant, a mom to be.
During the pedantic in New York, I have set up my online jewelry shop call @JBW_Studio
Q: Tell us about your skin, your skincare routine, and even your skincare journey.
I have had serious eczema all over my face and body since I was 5, getting better in my late 20’s after knowing how to take care of my skin. I used to love getting sun tanning when I was younger, which worsened my eczema skin condition. I thought when I have tan skin, people won't be able to see my eczema skin conditions.
After I move to Japan, I start learning from the Japanese, wearing sunscreen daily and avoiding direct sun, eat healthier, hydrate my skin, take bath more frequently and go to bed before 11 pm.
My skincare routine is very long after studying in Japan:
Step 1 - Cleanse:
Clean my face with the Gel/Cream base, we need to make sure to wash off the skincare products from last night especially when you had the sleeping mask the night before.
My recent favorite is this Korean Brand: Lagom (water/gel-based texture) you will feel your skin brighten up after using it in the morning.
Step 2 - Applying Toner
My Recommendations :
The One Thing Toner
Toner (When I don’t have time I will use “The One thing Toner “CNP Laboratory to spray it on my face and continue the next steps. When I have more time, I will use a small amount of toner, gently pad it on my face with my hands 3 times. It takes time but you can see the differences
Step 3 - Applying Serum/ Essence
My recent favorite is:
Chose a water-based serum (I will choose something like HA, watery texture, easier to absorb into my skin and also easier to blend in together with other skincare products)
Step 4: Apply Moisturizer
I have really sensitive skin during pregnancy, so I only use the moisturizer containing cica to reduce the redness on my face.
Step 5: Apply SPF
Even cloudy day and at home (before I move to Japan, I almost don’t wear sunscreen at all, living in Hong Kong with hot and humid weather, wearing sunscreen daily was torturing me) Now I have found a very lightweight sunscreen that I love to use every day (Dr.Jart + Sunscreen is a cica cream with color and SPF 40 sun protection, I don’t wear foundation anymore)
My Recommenndation:
NIGHT:
Triple clean when I have makeup on, double clean when I have the only sunscreen on
Triple clean including - First Cleanse:
Cleansing toner to wipe off the first layer of foundation, mascara, etc)
Belif Cleansing Herb Water To-Do List Cleansing water https://www.instagram.com/todolist.official/
Second cleanse: Use oil-based cleanser to melt the makeup
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil
Third Cleanse: Use a cream/milk-based cleanser
Round Lab 1025 Cleanser
Toner - same as the morning routine
Serum (can use rich texture, layering if that day you feel too dehydrated)
Sheet Mask (Put on toner and serum before putting up the sheet mask, leave it on for 10 mins, after 10 mins put on some light texture moisturizer on top of the sheet mask, flip the mask over and leave it on for 5 mins) - I learned this trick from the most famous Japanese beauty blogger - Tanaka Minami 田中みな実
Wash off your face after the mask
Put on any moisturizer that you love
What do you look out for in a skincare product?
With very sensitive skin, I usually look for something natural, not too pricey and can see the result fast (YES, not too patient)
What is one product you can't live without?
A good cleansing oil to remove makeup (Shuuema - is the one I used more than 5 years now, gently removes your makeup and leaves your skin clean and moisturized)
Can you let us in on a skincare tip you swear by?
Take a bath when you have time, you will see the differences when you do it more often. I have learned a lot from my Japanese classmate when I was studying beauty school in Tokyo, they take baths every day and even in the morning when they have time.
The benefits of taking a bath:
( I have an article about Japanese Beauty Secrets From My Beauty School Classmate-Read Here )
Have better blood circulation
Warming up your body before you go to bed (BEST for winter time)
Fall asleep easily
Destress
Any skincare regrets you wish you could tell your younger self?
Neck care! Because of eczema, I didn’t enjoy putting sunscreen on my face and especially the neck area.
Now my neck and face have visible color tone differences, so I need to spend extra time taking care of my neckline recently and those lines are stubborn!
What would you do if you only had 5 minutes to get ready?
I would put on a lightweight mask for 1-2 mins, hydrate the skin and put on some tinted foundation/tinted sunscreen, draw my eyeliner!
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