Best Organic & Natural Facial Skin Care for Sensitive, Combination/Oily, and Acne-Prone Skin

Me wearing minimal light make-up. I still have large pores and a few atrophic scars (icepick and boxcar types) due to my previous acne problem

Have you ever experienced having problematic cystic acne that you just can't get rid of no matter what you do? Well, I've had! The best part though is that I was able to get rid of them without going to facial clinics nor using strong facial products! 

I'll share with you a back story if it's okay with you:

In 2006, when I was 16 years old, my acne problem had started, stressful college life full of sleepless nights did NOT help at all. That awkward stage lasted me for about 6 f*ckin years, yes until 2012! Yeah, it's true, my college classmates who were talking bad about me and my problematic skin behind my back can attest to the truthfulness of that fact. Hahaha! *insert evil laugh here*

I used to hide my ugly pimples and scars with make-up almost everyday because I felt so embarrased in having them. Little did I know that the cosmetics (and hair care products) that I used were some of the reasons why my acne problem was being triggered.  Not to mention, the facial care products that were being recommended to me by the dermatologists and other people never worked. That is because they were full of harsh chemicals that were too strong for y sensitive skin type. And just so you're curious, yeah I tried different derma clinics, spent thousands of money just to no avail. 

And one lucky day, I stumbled upon KSA stall, found a moringa w/ glutathione soap on sale for only Php 25. I tried it out and lo and behold, my pimples started drying up! And that, my friends, is how I found the effectiveness of herbal, natural and organic skin care, since then I never went back! (Oh, just so you know, I tried looking for that certain said soap, but I never saw it again. Sigh.)

Here's a barefaced photo of me. I still get 1-2 pimples during my monthly period, that's it. I no longer have a severe acne problem yet I was left with atrophic acne scars (ice pick and boxcar) on my cheeks and nose that can''t be fixed by topical facial care products. I was told to get a fraxel treatment from a professional dermatologist to fix them, I'll try it soon!

​Too bad, I lost those photos of me when I still had severe acne (I guess, I deleted them all since I hated it before!)

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Anyway, here are my personal favorite organic and facial products (usually sold as a set) that are tried-and-tested by me. These are all handmade in the Philippines being sold by local brands. I am proud to say that Filipinos are able to produce such effective products, since then, I no longer spend too much on expensive imported skin care products for I have these already!

TAKE NOTE:
I was not paid monetarily to give excellent feedbacks about these products even though some of them were sponsored. All reviews that I write are always true and honest, no bias! I would not say that a product is effective on me if it is not. Check out the hashtag #KrishxFacialCare in Instagram to check out my microblog reviews.

Now let's start!

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Skin Beautanicals Arbutin Set
(sold with toner, day cream, and night cream)
(I used this set along with this brand's collagen serum, miracle oil serum, and claire blanch soap)

One of my ever trusted facial skincare set came from Skin Beautanicals! This set contains products that are all made with organic and natural ingredients only. I've been using their Arbutin Set for 2 years now. Each set lasts for 3 months! I rotate this facial care regimen to ensure effectiviteness and to avoid getting immune from them.

Claire Blanch Soap- mild and gentle on the skin; no sting & no irritation; gradually lightens blemishes; helps prevent acne; smells fruity; doesn't easily melt.

Arbutin Toner- mild on the face; stings a bit for the first few days of use; thoroughly cleanses deep-seated dirt and residues left after washing w/ a cleanser.

Arbutin GigaWhite Day Cream- has SPF60; feels light on the face; moisturizes my oily skin w/o the greasy feeling; can be used under makeup and doesn't cause cosmetics to cake unlike sticky moisturizers.

Collagen Serum- the lightest transparent/blurry serum I've ever tried; helps in firming the facial skin giving it a healthy glow; can be worn under makeup and doesn't cause caking. I use it morning & night; smells light and fresh!
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Arbutin Intensive Whitening Night Cream- light mint green in color w/c neutralizes redness; can be applied before sleeping or can be worn under night makeup; feels light on the skin, non-greasy and non-sticky; helps in lightening blemishes over time.

Miracle Oil Serum- best to be used at night since it feels smooth to apply like water yet a bit oily (not the sticky cream type!); it deeply moisturizes the skin and helps in regenerating cells at nighttime during one's sleep. After waking up, my face looks glowing and refreshed!

2-Minute Miracle Oil Serum

I am strongly satisfied with this set! There are only a very few facial sets that is perfect for my sensitive acne-prone skin. It is great since it lightens pimple marks and prevents breakouts from re-occurring BUT if you keep on using other products that trigger the breakout like makeups and other products you're not "hiyang" with, it wouldn't be able to stop the acne even if it helps in healing them faster. Be mindful of what touches your face!

You may order this online at 
http://www.skinbeautanicals.com/

or visit their Instagram account:
www.instagram.com/skinbeautanicals
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Natura Organics Timeless 24K Gold Reform System Set
​(Peeling Gel and Skin Rejuvenator Essence)

As an exclusively breastfeeding mom, I gotta make sure that my daily skin care regimen is safe for the baby yet effective for my skin type as well!

Natura Organics Timeless 24K Gold Reform System Set (Peeling Gel and Skin Rejuvenator Essence) brings skin to its optimum potential for health, balance and beauty; with 24 carat fibers that is biochemically compatible, meaning our cells have the receptors to recognize the compounds which can be easily absorbed and metabolized into the cells.

I use these two products alternately every night for a month. I believe that after which, you should rest your skin from using this for the mean time and use a different facial set. The ingredients used here are potent that is why. 

The Peeling gel (packaged in an injection-like container) is used once or twice a week, and on other nights I apply the Skin Rejuvenator Essence (one golden capsule per use). Aside from their pretty golden appearance, this is what I like about them:

PROS:
- feels light on the skin, non-sticky and non-greasy;
-gentle on my acne-prone and sensitive skin;
- gradually lightens pigmentation from acne marks;
- gives my face a radiant and luminous glow even without makeup on;
- since I'm "hiyang" with these products, I rarely get pimples now.
- made with vegan, organic and natural ingredients.

CONS:
- nothing about the product per se, but I think the packaging for the peeling gel can be improved since during the first few uses, the product easily spilled out when I opened it. It would be nice to put them in a more secure packaging to avoid product waste and spillage. ​

Visit their website:
http://naturaorganics.ph/

or follow their Instagram (to see more posts and reviews):
www.instagram.com/realnaturaorganics
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​
Elella Ginseng Therapy Facial Set
(Deep Cleansing Foam, Toner, Refreshing Gel, Emulsion, and CC Cream)

After using skin brightening or whitening products, it is a must that we rest our skin from using them after finishing a certain skin-lightening regimen to prevent our facial skin from becoming too thin and sensitive which makes it even more prone in getting sunburnt and developing melasma.

I use Elella Ginseng Therapy facial skincare set for maintenance. The ingredients are mild and gentle for everyday use.

The Deep Cleansing Foam thoroughly cleanses my skin without leaving it dry and itchy. The Ginseng Therapy Toner effectively removes dirt and other residues (if there were any) without stinging my skin unlike the other chemical-based toners.

The Ginseng Therapy Gel soothes my skin whenever it feels irritated, wounded or when I get breakouts. It feels so cool on the skin, I like using it during the hot weather! I can use it not only on my face but on my body as well which makes it multi-functional. The Ginseng Theraphy Clarifying Essence hydrates the skin well. It feels light, non-sticky, and non-greasy, perfect for those who have oily skin types!

The Ginseng Therapy Perfect Face CC Cream has SPF 21 which works not only as a tinted moisturizer but also as a sun protection! The texture is smooth and gets easily absorbed by the skin. It provides a light coverage that can even out the uneven skin tone.

You may visit their store at Beauty Essentials by Eren McKay
located at 2L FISHER MALL, Quezon Ave., Quezon City

Visit their website at:
http://www.erenmckaybeauty.com/

or their Instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/beauty_essentialsbyem/
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​Natura Organics  White Reform Facial Set
with Hydra Bright Supercharged Facial Scrub

Last 2015,  I had an allergic reaction from using a different facial set that caused my face to breakout! Well, that's the downside of being a beauty blogger, when you try a new product and don't get hiyang with it, good bye clear skin! I decided to change my regimen then by using this set and I was happy w/ the results - no more breakouts!

Here's Natura Organics Dream White Reform Facial Set with Hydra Bright Supercharged Facial Scrub which I used this set for 5-6 weeks. 

Power Bright Tonic
-is a very mild toner (doesn't sting!) that gently yet thoroughly cleanses my skin removing excess sebum, dirt, etc that was left after washing with soap. I put some of it on my palm and directly apply it on my face to absorb all the organic ingredient goods in it!

Miracle Fluid
-Every night, I apply this generously on my face. It looks oily at first but it's okay. It moisturizes my skin very well and I wake up w/ a certain glow on my face! My skin felt softer, smoother and firmer to the touch!

ReVive Power White Night Cream
-I get an instant luminous whitening effect on my face everytime I use this! I love using this moisturizer because the texture is soft and the consistency is balanced: not too light and watery, and not too thick and heavy on the skin, just right! It effectively moisturizes my skin without that greasy feeling!

Hydra Bright Supercharged Facial Scrub
-this fruity-smelling product applies like a dream on my face! The scrub beads are so gentle to be rubbed on my face yet rough enough to exfoliate dead skin cells! You can really experience a scrubby dubby feels with this scrub w/o the worry of scratching your skin! After using this, my face feels smoother and looks brighter!

All-in all, I am IN-LOVE with this set: they totally stopped my previous breakouts and they gradually lightened the dark spots left behind! The acne scars were no longer that obvious since I used this! It helped in maintaining my fair skin tone as well. I can really say that I am "hiyang" and truly satisfied with this set!

​Visit their website:
http://naturaorganics.ph/

or follow their Instagram (to see more posts and reviews):
www.instagram.com/realnaturaorganics

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PRODUCT COMPARISON SWATCH
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Natura Organics Revive Day Serum Sunblock with SPF50
vs.
Skin Beautanicals Rejuvederm Sun Protection

For casual days when I didn't have to wear heavy makeup, I love using organic tinted moisturizer/sunblock that evens out my skin tone w/o the heavy feeling that usual makeups give. Here are two of the products that I use to make my skin look better that still gives my skin a breather.

Natura Organics Revive Day Serum Sunblock with SPF50
- it hydrates and protects my skin from UV rays,
- It also has age defying, brightening, blemish corrector and oil control properties. - it instantly evens out my skin tone and gives a light coverage, perfect for fair-skinned women,
- the texture is light and a little bit watery,
- the color has a bit of pinkish tone in it that is easily blendable on the skin.

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Skin Beautanicals Rejuvederm Sun Protection
- it has SPF60 that prevents sunburn
- the consistency is light but is thicker and heavier than Natura Organics'
- the formula dries faster so applying it swiftly is a must for an even application,
- it has a yellowish undertone that can be used for neutral-warm fair to medium skin tones

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Rose-C Botanical Glow Boosting Facial Set
(facial gel cleanser, spritz toner, serum and face creme)

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The Happy Organics Rose-C Botanical Glow Boosting Facial Set lasted me for 2 months. True to its claims, it made my skin look more radiant that even without makeup on, my face still looks glowing which makes me confident to go out barefaced!

Facial Gel Cleanser 
This isn't the usual cleanser that produces soapy and bubbly effects. The formulation of this product has a silky feel that produces very little bubbles yet it is effective in removing dirt and makeup residues. It has tiny bits of fruit beads that helps in mild scrubbing.

Spritz Toner
Feels mild: no stinging, redness and irritation felt. The texture is just like rose water yet it thoroughly removes left over makeup and deep-seated dirt leaving my face feeling light and.ultra-clean! It smells light like roses.

Serum
- Two pumps of this is enough for my face and neck. It is easily absorbed by the skin and it leaves my face feeling a lil bit more firm than usual. My face and lips feels deeply moisturized without the sticky feeling. It smells like roses too but a lil bit on the sweet-sour side, nothing bothering for me. (Keep in a cool, dry place. Avoid heat which can make it smell like patis or something.)

Face Creme
- light-weight, non-sticky, non-greasy and easily absorbed by the face. It has SPF15 and instant whitening effect after application. The white cream blends easily and doesn't leave awkward streaks unlike other sunblock. It's safe to use under makeup, it doesn't affect any cosmetics application. It is moisturizing enough to make my face look healthy without making my face look oily! It smells like rose-scented detergent at first though but the scent goes away after a minute.

Visit their website at:
http://www.thehappyorganics.ph/

or follow them at their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thehappyorganics/
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Absynthe Beauty Emu Oil

 Absynthe Beauty's Emu Oil is a pure fully refined emu oil that claims to be 100% good and beautiful!

I have been using this oil on my face, tummy, hands and feet and I love how it moisturizes my skin without the greasy and sticky feeling! A little goes a long way too so this 30ml bottle lasted me for a few months. I use this day and night after putting on toner. 

Visit their Facebook:
http://www.thehappyorganics.ph/

or follow their Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/absynthebeauty/

Aside from using these products, I also make sure that I am mindful of the food that I eat (allergic to seafood), toothpaste, hair care and cosmetics that I use, taking note of the brands that caused me breakouts and allergies in the process. My skin may not be as flawless as the other fair-skinned people for I still suffer from the atrophic acne scars that were caused by my previous severe cystic acne problem but I am hoping that a fraxel treatment can finally fix it. I am happy with my facial skin now, in spite of the flaws, for I no longer have to battle with stubborn pimples. i just have to maintain it with organic and natural facial care products.

REMEMBER!!!
This review is solely based on my personal experience. The results of using any skin care products may vary from person to person so I am not giving others a 100% assurance that this may give similar results to everybody. However, since these products were effective for me, I still recommend using this product to others who are having the same problem that I had before because it MIGHT work on them as well, hopefully.

To see more of my microblog reviews about local skin care and cosmetics, check out my Instagram:
www.instagram.com/iamkrishenriquez