For years, I believed in the traditional career path — work hard, climb the corporate ladder, and earn that well-deserved promotion. But the truth? I was working tirelessly for a promotion that didn’t even exist.

There’s always a “limited quota” for promotions in corporate life. No matter how capable you are, you’re forced to compete with equally talented colleagues for the same spot. And that causes office politics, back-stabbing, favouritism…and let’s just say you are lucky to have “harmless colleagues” that are ever so supportive, an episode of company restructuring could wipe out years of effort in a blink of an eye.

That’s when I started thinking:

“What if I built something where my success wasn’t dictated by quotas or office politics?”

That’s how my DR’s Secret Skin Buddy career began — first as a side hustle while I was still working full-time, and eventually, as my full-time career. Today, I’m a foundation-free, glowing mompreneur, running my skincare business while enjoying the flexibility to spend time with my family.

If you’re stuck in the same cycle — working hard but not seeing the rewards you deserve—this post is for you.

Why I Started My DR’s Secret Business While Working Full-Time

I didn’t set out looking for a side hustle — I just wanted better skin. Like many working professionals, I was constantly stressed, lacking sleep, and dealing with hormonal acne and a weak gut (due to constant stress) wasn’t helping. That’s when I discovered DR’s Secret. The results were so good that people around me started noticing and asking, “What foundation are you using?” — I’ll reply: “I am not using foundation, it’s my bare skin!”. That’s the best conversation starter, ever.

I began casually sharing my experience and realized something powerful:

• People trust real experience, not advertisements.
• Great skin sells itself, without much effort. People just ask – What’s the foundation you’re using and there we go!
• I was already recommending DR’s Secret—why not turn it into an income stream?

Unlike my corporate job, where salary increments or promotions depended on approvals and external factors that we couldn’t control, I saw that with DR’s Secret, the effort I put in directly translated to my earnings. I control how much I want to earn and how long my next promotion will take. That was my lightbulb moment.

How I Built My DR’s Secret Business While Holding a Full-Time Job

Starting a side hustle while juggling a demanding corporate job wasn’t easy, but I made it work by taking small, consistent steps. I didn’t overthink or dwell on “what ifs”— I just focused on doing. Looking back, I’m so grateful I stayed committed.

Here’s what helped me grow my business while working full-time:

1. I Used My Evenings and Weekends Strategically

Instead of mindlessly scrolling on social media after work, I prioritized my business. On days I didn’t have to work overtime, I dedicated 8 PM to 11 PM to:

• Creating and sharing my skincare journey online
• Engaging with prospects and customers
• Perfecting my content along the way, instead of waiting for it to be “perfect” before starting

This level of focus kept me moving forward without distractions. I didn’t let doubt creep in — I simply took action and refined my content, my speech or my way of sharing as I went.

2. I Offered Value Instead of Just Selling

Rather than pushing products, I focused on helping people. I provided complimentary skin consultations and skin demos. I shared my skincare journey openly, and simply asked my prospects, friends and family if they wanted to try out DR’s Secret skincare and explained how I could help.

I didn’t worry about what others thought. My goal was to share, not sell, and this genuine approach made all the difference.

3. I Let My Skin Speak for Itself

I never skimped on my skincare routine because I knew my results, even if my skin wasn’t as perfect as I wished, were proof that the products worked. Regardless of my starting point, as long as I saw some improvement, I knew I was moving in the right direction. And I wasn’t shy about sharing my “work in progress.”

My skin became my longest-running advertisement campaign.

Because while clear, glowing skin attracts people, it is the journey to getting there that will spark curiosity and build trust.

Instead of relying on words to convince people, I documented my progress with photos—a simple yet powerful step. Each picture became part of my personal brand, reinforcing a truth I swear by:

Real, visible transformation takes consistency, not perfection.

This is not just my belief—it’s the motto of my team and a mindset I instill in my mentees. Success, whether in skincare or business, is never about being perfect from the start. It’s about showing up, taking action, and trusting the process.

4. I Built My Personal Brand Authentically

I wasn’t afraid to share my thoughts and experiences because I knew personal branding was key to standing out. To build a strong personal brand, I shared my journey consistently, not just my wins but also my struggles. And this allows me to show my real personality so people can connect with me.

5. I Invested Time to Learn and Grow

I knew that to grow my team and my business, I needed to keep upgrading myself. I made time to deepen my product knowledge and understand the business structure and payment plan.

I did not wait for my skin buddy and mentors to spoon-feed me with everything I needed to know; I leveraged the company’s official website and attended all the trainings organised by the company, and participated in our monthly team huddle.

One thing I love about the company is their comprehensive training program that includes product training and, more importantly, personal development training, such as leadership training, team bonding training, and even public speaking training! I feel like a “better developed human being” after I joined as an independent distributor! How amazing!

I also borrowed books from the library and even learned from all possible sources—Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, YouTube and more.

Instead of waiting until I “knew everything,” I asked tons of questions, learned along the way, applied what I knew, and improved step by step.

The turning point? When my daily 3-4 hours investment after work started matching my full-time salary. That’s when I knew — if I gave my business 100% focus, it could take me further than any corporate job ever could.

DR’s Secret vs. Corporate Life: Why I Made the Switch?

The reality is ugly: Corporate life was never designed to reward everyone equally. But in DR’s Secret, every capable person gets rewarded, not just a chosen few. That’s when I decided to go all in.

Quitting My Job to Go Full-Time—And Then Becoming a Mom

When I finally left my corporate job, I felt a mix of fear and excitement. But the moment I started running my DR’s Secret & Avance Supplement business full-time, I knew I had made the right decision.

Because there came another significant life change — I became a mom. Unlike many working mothers who struggle with rigid schedules and mom guilt, I had the freedom to take care of my child without sacrificing income. I can work from anywhere, at my own pace. The best thing is that I can continue growing my business while being present for my family.

Becoming a mom made me even more grateful for my DR’s Secret business. To put it simply, it is about building a life on my terms. Because I really do feel that it is important to spend time with my child, especially in his early years. With DR’s Secret, I can nurture my 2-year-old myself, bringing homemade, organic dishes to the table daily, while bringing home a handsome paycheck every month.

More Than a Business—A Community of Amazing Women

The best things about being a mompreneur aren’t just the financial reward — it is also the friendships we build along the way. In this journey, I’ve met so many amazing fellow moms and capable ladies, and we’ve grown together, supported each other, and created bonds that will last a lifetime.

Instead of office politics, we uplift each other. Instead of competing for promotions, we celebrate each other’s wins. It’s more than just business—it’s a sisterhood I cherish every day.

Can I Start a Skincare Business While Working Full-Time?

YES! You don’t have to quit your job right away. In fact, I highly recommend starting your DR’s Secret side hustle while still working so you can build it with financial stability and confidence.

Start Your DR’s Secret Business in 4 Simple Steps:

STEP 1:  Try the products yourself – You can’t recommend what you don’t believe in! See the results firsthand. 

P.S: you don't have to start with a full kit! Just chat with me & I can recommend a starter kit that guarantees result.

STEP 2: Share your journey authentically – Just document your experience and share it with friends, family or on social media if you're open to it. It cost $0 to post, but the impact can be powerful. Your real story resonates more than any sales pitch! 

STEP 3: Offer free skincare consultations – Let people experience the difference, just like I did. No hard selling involved. Not sure how to begin? I've got a 1-on-1 coaching system ito guide you. Just come in with an open mind! 

STEP 4:  Join a team that supports your growth – I personally mentor women who want to build a meaningful skincare business. With the right support and proven strategies, you'll never have to figure things out alone. 

Final Thoughts: Your Future is in Your Hands

I never imagined I’d leave my corporate job to become a skincare entrepreneur and mompreneur. But looking back, I’m so glad I took that first step.

If you’re feeling stuck in a job that’s limiting your potential, know that there is another way. You don’t have to wait years for a promotion that may never come. You can create your own success.

If you’re curious about starting your own DR’s Secret or Avance Supplement business, let’s chat! Lastly, I really want to share a quote I came across recently:

Stop waiting to feel ready. Ready is not a feeling. It is a decision.

Scan the below QR code to my IG & Book a free discovery call with me today!

인스타그램을 통해 닥터 시크릿 제품에 대해 묻는 DM을 자주 받곤 합니다. 하지만 한국어로 된 리뷰가 많이 부족하다는 점을 느껴, 이렇게 개인 블로그를 통해 저의 경험을 나누기로 했습니다.

이 글은 조금 길어질 수 있지만, 더 나은 피부를 위한 대체 스킨케어 솔루션을 찾고 계시거나, 닥터 시크릿 제품과 리뷰에 대해 알아보고 계신 분들께 도움이 되길 바랍니다.

제가 닥터 시크릿을 처음 사용하기 시작한 건 2020년 2월로, 지금까지의 경험을 바탕으로 직접 느끼고 얻은 결과들을 공유해 드릴게요. #내돈내산 입니다.

저와 같은 고민을 하시는 분들에게 이 글이 조금이라도 유익한 정보가 되었으면 좋겠습니다. 시작해볼까요?

주의!!! 이 글은 저작권 보호를 받고 있습니다. 저의 허락 없이 다른 곳에 재배포하지 말아 주세요.

결심

어렸을 때부터 트러블이 잘 없는 피부였지만, 미디어 쪽에서 취직을 하면서 콘텐츠 크리에이터로 활동하다 보니 메이크업과 파운데이션을 발라야 하는데 나이가 들어서 그런지 꾸준히 관리해도 트러블이 생기기 시작 되었습니다.

모공, 블랙헤드 늘러나면서 피부가 칙칙해졌지만 주로 파운데이션으로 커버 하고 있었습니다.

2019 년 쯤에 저는 ‘완벽한’ 피부를 위해 메이크업 제품에 너무 과하게 시간과 돈을 투자했다는 생각이 들었습니다. 수천 싱가포르 달러의 미용시술과 화장품에 썼지만, 메이크업을 지울 때마다 피부 상태는 다시 제자리로 돌아가곤 했죠. 고르지 못한 피부톤에 칙칙함, 여드름 잡티 고민… 그전까지는 출근할 때마다 얇게 파운데이션을 바르는 정도였기 때문에 큰 문제로 느끼지 않았지만 몰디브 여행을 다녀오고 “괜찮았던” 피부상태가 나빠졌습니다.

여행 중에 SPF 50 과 SPF 120 선크림을 챙겨가서 꼼꼼히 발랐음에도 몰디브에서 돌아온 후 피부는 2톤이나 어두워지고, 엄청나게 민감해졌습니다. 또 물놀이후 가려움증이 시작되어서 피부 상태가 더 악화됐습니다. 여행 후 피부는 극도로 건조하고 붉어졌으며, 모공은 이전보다 훨씬 더 눈에 띄게 보였습니다.

피부 문제로 인해 점점 커버력이 높은 쿠션 제품을 더 손이 가게 되었죠. 그래서 피부 화장이 종 종 두꺼워 보이고 마음에 들지 않았었습니다. 특히 카케라 앞에서 더 소심해지더라구요. 

이 경험은 제 피부 관리 방식을 다시 돌아보게 만드는 계기가 되었고, 저는 근본적인 솔루션을 찾겠다는 결심이 생겼습니다.

몰디브 여행 몇 달 전, 제 가장 친한 친구가 “놀라운 효과를 낸다”는 제품 세트를 추천했던 것이 떠올랐습니다. 솔직히 그때는 회의적이었어요. 저는 한때 라이프스타일 매거진에서 뷰티 에디터로 일했으니까요. 정말 그렇게 좋은 제품이라면, 그때 왜 들어 본적이 없을까 하는 생각이 들었죠.

하지만 그때 SNS에서 봐던 리뷰들은 꽤 인상적이었고, 저는 밝고, 자연스럽게 광채가 도는 매끄러운 피부를 갖고 싶다는 생각에 한 번 시도해보기로 했습니다. 여기서 말하는 자연스러운 방식이란 IPL, 리주란, 물광 주사나 침습적인 미용 시술 없이 말이에요. (싱가포르에서 너무 비싸고, 아픔 만큼 효과가 오래 안 가니까요).

닥터 시크릿이란?

간단하게 말하자면 닥터 시크릿은 퍼스널라이징 스킨케어 제품과 피부 관리 멘토 시스템으로 1:1 관리하는 프로그램입니다. 2000년부터 싱가포르에서 출시된 프리미엄 브랜드이고 2023 년에는 싱가포르 프레스티지 브랜드 어워드 (Singapore Prestige Brand Award)에서 종합 우승상 과 가장 인기 있는 브랜드(Most Popular) 상을 수상했습니다.

닥터 시크릿은 총 2가지의 스킨케어 라인을 보유하고 있습니다. 닥터 시크릿 라인은 클렌저, 토너, 모이스처라이저, 선크림, 각질 제거 등 기본 스킨케어 필수 제품이 포함되어 있습니다. Aestier 라인은 주로 안티에이징, 주름 개선, 과도한 유분 또는 건조한 피부 문제를 타겟으로 합니다.

개개인의 피부 타입에 따라 자유럽게 선택할 수 있는 구성이니 우선 편하고, 평소에 피부 관리에 관심이 많은 친구들에게도 닥터 시크릿 제품을 사용하면서 직접 루틴을 짜는게 재미 있기도 합니다 ^^

제품 안전성

닥터시크릿 제품들은 엄격한 실험실 테스트를 거쳤으며, 아세안 화장품 지침과 유럽연합 위원회와 같은 지역 및 국제 규정을 준수하답니다.

제품들은 360가지 약물 테스트, 4가지 주요 중금속, 에스트로겐 성분, 5가지 주요 미생물, 10가지 스테로이드 테스트를 통과해 안전성이 입증되었는데요.

모든 제품은 SGS 인증을 받아 임신 중 이시거나 수유 중에도 안전하게 사용할 수 있습니다. 또한, 싱가포르 보건과학청(HSA)에 등록되어 있으며, 이는 스테로이드나 호르몬과 같은 유해 성분이 전혀 포함되지 않았음을 의미하며, 사용하기에 안심합니다.

맞춤형 루틴은 어떻게 작동하는지?

일단 닥터 시크릿의 모든 사용자는 ‘스킨 멘토’ 측 ‘스킨 버디’ (Skin Buddy)를 소개받게 됩니다. 스킨 버디는 간단한 설문사로 통해 제 피부상태, 피부 고민, 그리고 생활 습관까지 파악해주고 제 피부상태에 맞게 스킨케어 루틴을 추천해 주셨죠.

상담 받고 자신의 가장 신경쓰이는 피부 문제를 타겟해서 몇가지 제품만 쓰셔도 좋고 제가 피부를 영원히 건강하고 아름답게 유지하고 싶은 욕심이 있어 풀키트로 했습니다.

풀키트는 10가지 제품을 들어가 있습니다. 데일리 피부관리 제품들 (세안,수분, 보습, 선크림) 과 피부 세포 재생율을 증가 시켜주는 트리트먼트 제품들, 그리고 여드름 관리 제품 다 들어가 있어 루틴 바뀌기에 편리하고 만약 트러블이 생기면 빨리 대응 할 수 있어서 추천 합니다.

일주일에서 이주일에 한 번씩, 제 ‘스킨 버디’가 제 피부 상태를 확인하고 필요한 대로 제 루틴도 조정해주고, 제품 사용 순서, 사용량, 제품 바르는 방법, 엑스폴리에이션 방법등 안내해 주셨죠.

예를 들어, 해외여행을 갔다 온후에 피부가 너무 건조할 때는 몇 가지 제품을 루틴에서 제외하고, 피부가 진정 되때 모공관리나 블랙해드 제거 하는 루틴으로 바뀌주고 정말로 꼼꼼히, 저와 함께 제 피부를 케어 해주셨어요.

이 과정에서 저는 닥터 시크릿이 모든 피부에 동일하게 적용되는게 아니라, 각자의 피부 상태와 특정 문제를 해결하기 위해 제품을 Mix & Match 할 수 있는 맞춤형 스킨케어라는 점을 깨달았습니다. 스킨 버디는 제품 지식을 잘 갖춘기 때문에 제가 안내 받은 대로 따라가고 어느세 거울을 보니까 제 피부가 파운데이션 필어 없이 빛이 나더라구요. 이 스킨 버디 시스템은 닥터 시크릿 만의 독특한점으로, 제가 정말 마음에 드는 부분입니다.

피부의 변화

이제 여러분이 가장 궁금해하실 부분입니다! 사용 전과 후 저희 피부의 변화가 무엇일까요?

본격적으로 이야기하기 전에, 비교의 기준점을 위해 제 피부 고민과 완전 생얼 상태의 피부를 공개 해드리겠습니다.

사용전:

2020년 2월 11일 닥터 시크릿을 사용하기 하루 전에 촬영한 사진들입니다. 아침 세안 후 100% 생얼 상태입니다. 물놀이 후 가려움증으로 인해 피부가 민감한 상태였고, T존과 이마에 여드름이 자주 나는 피부상태였습니다. 제 피부 고민을 정리해보자면 다음과 같습니다:

• 코 옆 부분의 붉은기
• 색소침착
• 블랙헤드
• 넓은 모공
• 고르지 않은 피부 톤
• 눈 밑의 피지 덩어리
• 목 부위의 눈에 띄는 주름

사용한 첫날 :

첫날부터 기존의 모든 스킨케어 제품을 닥터 시크릿 제품으로 바꿨습니다. 솔직히 잘 사용하던 제품들이 갑자기 전부다 새 상품으로 바뀌면 부작용이 나지 않을까 걱정되었어요. 하지만 제안 받던 첫 스킨케어 루틴이 부드럽고 수딩 하는거라서 편안함을 느겨지고 문제를 일으키지 않았다는 점에 만족했습니다.

특히 리파이닝 세럼 9를 정말 마음에 들었습니다. 리파이닝 세럼 9는 자극받은 피부를 즉각적으로 진정시켜 주더라고요.

하루 종일 닥터 시크릿 제품을 해서 아주 약간 유분감이 느껴지긴 했지만 피부가 이전보다 더 촉촉해지면서 지나치게 끈적이지 않은 점이 마음에 들었습니다.

2주 째:

외 사진은 닥터 시크릿 제품을 사용한지 2주째 되는 시점의 제 피부 상태입니다. 피부가 이전보다 촉촉해진 느낌은 들었지만, 아직 눈에 띄는 변화는 없었습니다.

더 빠르게 좋은 효과를 얻기 위해 스킨 버디와 상담 후 저는 안내 받은 대로 파운데이션과 CC 크림을 아예 사용하지 않기로 했습니다. 닥터 시크릿을 사용한지 단 2주 만에 메이크업 안 하는것 도전하게 되었습니다.

닥터 시크릿 제품은 피부 속의 노폐물과 불순물을 부드럽게 배출해 준다고 합니다. 그래서 저는 제품의 효과를 제대로 느끼려고하면 메이크업을 아예 안 하는 것이 나을 것 같다고 판단했습니다.

사실 화장 안 하는것도 다이어트과 비슷합니다. 다이어트를 위해 주스 디톡스를 하고 있는데도 피자, 치맥을 먹고 있다면 어떨까요? 제품이 제 피부를 정화하고 있는 중이라면, 굳이 피부에 부담을 더할 필요는 없겠죠 — 같은 맥락이라고 보시면 됩니다 ^^

4개월 후 결과

4개월 동안 메이크업을 완전히 끊고 정해진 스킨케어 루틴을 성실히 따랐습니다. 매일 아침, 클렌징 후 닥터 시크릿 제품을 바르고, 선크림5를 마무리로 한 뒤 하루를 시작했습니다.

그리고 4개월 째 되던 날, 셀카를 확인하며 놀라운 사실을 봐았습니다. 외에 제가 정리했던 대부분의 피부 문제가 눈에 띄게 개선된 것입니다. 아래 사진은 매일 사용하는 닥터 시크릿 스킨케어 루틴을 마친 후에 메이크업 없이 촬영한 모습입니다.

제 피부는 더 이상 자극을 받지 않고, 코 옆의 고질적인 블랙헤드와 발진이 줄어들었으며, 눈 아래 기름샘도 크게 개선되었습니다. 무엇보다 중요한 점은, 2020년 2월 11일에 찍힌 사진에서 보였던 왼쪽 볼의 옅은 색소침착이 거의 사라졌습니다. 그것도 비싸고 아픈 미용 시술 없이 제품만 쓰고 얻은 효과라서 정말 정말 신기했습니다!

드디어 메이크업 없이도 빛나는 피부를 실감할 수 있게 되었습니다.

뷰티 에디터로서 수 많은 화장품을 사용해 보았고, 그중에 괜찮은 제품도 있기는 하지만, 이렇게 파운데이션 없이 스킨케어 하고 선크림만 바르고  나갈 수 있는 자신감을 주는 제품은 전혀 없었습니다.

피부가 좋아지면서 저는 목 주름 관리 루틴까지 추가했습니다. 그리고 6개월이 지난 시점에서, 2016년 전부터 있던 목 주름이 사라지기 시작합니다. 지금까지 매일 닥터 시크릿 제품을 사용하고 있으며, 이제는 완전히 팬이 됩니다!

닥터 시크릿 사용 후기

전혀 상상하지 못했던 일이지만, 이제는 완전히 파운데이션 없이 출근 할 수 있다는 사실에 매우 놀랐습니다. 지금 돌이켜 보면, 메이크업을 하지 않은 것, 그리고 시작하고 미용 시술 아예 끝는다는 것이 더 빨리 결과를 가져오는 데 도움이 된 것 같습니다.

자주 받는 질문 Top 1: 제품이 효과적이라고 느끼나요?

저에게 이 제품은 정말 효과적이었고 약속한 대로 결과를 보여주었습니다. 제 피부가 이제 탄탄해지고 촉촉하고… 쿠션 사용 안해도 모공이 거의 보이지 않다는게 너무 만족합니다.

자주 받는 질문 Top 2: 퓨론님은 4개월 내에 결과를 보긴 했지만, 왜 저는 아직 효과를 보지 못했을까요?

한국에서 모든게 빨리 빨리 해야하는것 아는데 스킨게어는 하루아침에 달라지지 않아요. 인내심을 가지세요 ^^ 일반적으로 3- 6개월 정도 꾸준히 사용하면 어느 정도의 결과를 보게 됩니다만 환경, 영양, 오염, 생활 습관, 흡연 및 간접흡연하는지, 닥터 시크릿을 사용하기 전의 어떤 제품을 쓰셨는지, 그리고 과도한 미용 시술로 피부 손상 되있는지 효과에 영향을 줍니다.

스킨 버디와 한번 상담해 보세요! 클렌저를 올바르게 사용하고 있는지 확인하고, 제품을 정확히 추천된 용량만큼 사용하고 있는지 점검해보세요. 또한 Miraglo 각질 제거 천을 제대로 사용하고 있는지도 확인하세요.^^ 진짜루 제가 알려 드리는것들 다 체크 해서 알맞게 사용하시면 눈이 보이는 좋은 결과 있을겁니다.

스킨 버디 정퓨론

앗 그리고! 저는 2020년에 제품 4개월 동안 사용해보고 너무 만족해서 공식적으로 닥터 시크릿 스킨 버디가 되었습니다!!! 지금은 성실하고 행볶하게 스킨버디로 활동하는지 5년이 되가고 있습니다.

만약 스킨 버디가 필요하시거나 닥터 시크릿 스킨케어를 제대로 하고 싶은 분들은, 인스타그램 DM으로 연락 주세요!

제 인스타 계정은 @pheurontay 이고 카톡은 ‘punytay’ 치면 나옵니다 ^^ 닥터 시크릿 멘토 시스템과 함께 피부 자신감을 되 찾으세요~

I wasn’t given hormone pills at the early stage of the pregnancy to enhance the survival rates of my fetus, despite the unfortunate miscarriage just last year. Nor I was given supplements from my gynae throughout the pregnancy. I didn’t suffer from morning sickness, I eat fairly well all three trimesters — weight gain was moderate and steady. I had very minimal heartburn, occasional constipation, and no gestational diabetes or other complications, despite having my first child at the mature age of 35. Bébé was born post-term at 4.1 KG without jaundice. I am so incredibly blessed with this experience.

I have always been advocating all women who plan to conceive should prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Let’s face it: Pregnancy can bring long-term health issues that last a lifetime. Bearing a child and even birthing carries risks. These are hard truths. While social media tells us how amazing pregnancy and motherhood can be like, growing a healthy baby inside our body isn’t something that should be taken for granted.

Knowing what kind of physical state and health condition a fetus would likely thrive in advance and preparing your body for it can really minimize pregnancy discomforts and risks during our pregnancy. However, each pregnancy is unique and to each their own. This article aims to provide insights for those who are keen to prepare their body for a baby to nest in for a good 9 months. And if you’re looking for such content, I hope this is helpful

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor your medical provider. While I believe that preparing our body well before conceiving will make our pregnancy journey so much more pleasant and enjoyable, what suit me may not suit you. With each individual comes your own choices and circumstances, so whatever you choose is good for you and know that you know yourself better than anyone else.  

Warm-up My Womb

From a TCM perspective, there is a correlation between a cold womb and infertility. I used to have obstructed blood flow, and coldness in the lower abdomen, hands and feet. So I been visiting Physician Lim Sor San at Time Enterprise TCM for a good 2 years before I got married. Back then, all I wanted was to get rid of menstrual cramps so that I can focus better at work during that time of the month. Her medicine worked well. #notsponsored

Before successfully conceiving with bébé Keian, I suffered a spontaneous miscarriage in 2021. Post-miscarriage, I took 2 weeks of confinement food with Chilli Padi Confinement to improve blood circulation and maintain body warmth. Their food always looked appetising (you can expect colourful & nourishing dishes) and I like that everything including the dishes is delivered in thermal flasks. #notsponsored

I also went back to see Physician Lim for 2 months before trying for a baby again. If you are suspecting a cold womb is hindering your chance of conceiving, please know that TCM can be an alternative treatment.

Learn My Family’s Medical History

As K and I are not “young”, we went for a fertility check-up at KKH just to make sure both of us are okay before we take everything seriously. One thing I learnt from the doctor was that collecting our family’s health history can be important for our child’s health. We might not realize that a sister’s heart defect or grandpa’s medical condition could affect the child, so sharing family medical history with your doctor can be important.

We shared our medical condition, as well as our family’s medical information and underwent some recommended tests just to make sure we are all cleared and really, it is for your peace of mind.

Fallopian Tube Test

As part of my fertility check-up, my doctor also suggested a fallopian tube test, or hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This minor test procedure lets the doctor examine the inside walls of our uterus and fallopian tubes, by flushing medical liquids via the cervix into the uterus and the tubes.

It provides information about the shape and contour of our uterus, document other possible conditions, and determine if our fallopian tubes are open. Having a blocked tube or growth in our uterus can reduce our chances of pregnancy as the sperm wouldn’t be able to reach the egg.

I experience more painful menses every alternate month so even though I have very regular menses, to be very sure of my fertility health we went ahead with the test. The report turns out to be perfect. And believe it or not, some ladies actually became more fertile after the test as the procedure clears minor blocks in some women, making it easier for an embryo to implant successfully.

Make Better Lifestyle Choices

Neither I nor K smoke. And prior to conceiving, we keep our casual drinking to a minimum too! We also consider ourselves very fortunate as we do not have other medical conditions that require us to take any medicine that may affect the health of our baby.

Prenatal Supplements

It is a no-brainer that a healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals we need. However, if we take a closer look at our diet, most of us would realise that we are not taking enough vegetables and fruits in a day, and may fall short on key nutrients. So prenatal vitamins can help fill any gaps if we are pregnant or hoping to conceive. It is important to get our bodies ready before hosting the baby.

• Folic Acid
Folic Acid or folate is the natural form of vitamin B9. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects in the baby’s brain and spine. KKH Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department actually recommend taking folic acid 3 months before trying to conceive. I started taking it 3 months before I successfully conceived back in 2021. While the embryo didn’t make it, I continue to take folic acid daily until I am pregnant again with bébé Keian.

#Tip:  You can purchase Folic Acid tablets off public hospital's pharmacy or on National Healthcare Group's site at a very low cost. It is SGD 2.10 per 30 capsules, so much more affordable compared to the well-known brands in the market. 

• Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acid helps promote a baby’s brain development. It is a type of fat found naturally in many kinds of fish. However, if you don’t take fish or other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids due to your choice of diet, it is better to supplement it for the sake of your baby. I took Avance’s Super EPA 2000 as it contains 810mg EPA and DHA in one soft gel, which is one of the purest and highest concentrations of EPA and DHA in the market.

#Tip:  Each Avance fish oil soft gel went through a dual-stage molecular distillation that removes impurities and heavy metals from the fish. Only God knows how much heavy metals one would be accidentally consuming if she's only taking real fish to hit that same amount of Omega-3 fatty acids one needs to grow her baby! 

• Borage Seed Oil
I bet you’ve heard about the benefits of taking evening primrose oil which includes regulating hormones and relieving discomfort associated with monthly cycles. Avance’s Borage Seed Oil contains 22% of GLA, which is much higher compared to evening primrose oil which typically contains 8-10% of GLA. It also helps to improve blood circulation and clear off the clotting that may be one of the reasons for infertility and recurrent miscarriage.

• LB30
Adding probiotics to our arsenal of motherhood must-haves can go a long way to help encourage the absorption of nutrients, nurture our baby’s immune system, and support us in common, uncomfortable roadblocks that can occur during pregnancy and postpartum life (think heartburn and constipation for a whole 9 months!).

I made sure my gut health was in good condition before conceiving, which I believe attributed to the minimum heartburn and constipation during my pregnancy. In fact, I only experienced occasional heartburn and constipation after week 34 when the baby has grown bigger in size.

Avance’s LB30 probiotics have 30 billion good bacteria from 5 clinical strains, and 4 are patented. Each strain is also coated with 5 layers of coating to ensure the stability of the cultures and make sure that they stay alive until they reach our gut.

Taking probiotics during the pre-pregnancy stage helps to lower the risks of vagina infections that may cause pregnancy complications, eczema in babies and many more. Babies actually inherit their entire microbiome from us as they pass through the birth canal, from skin-to-skin contact, and taking our breast milk. These are the building blocks for our child’s immune system, which is why it’s critical to inoculate our newborn with the bacteria needed to set them up for a lifetime of health!

#Tip:  I took 1 stick of LB30 each day before conceiving, continue the same dosage up to the 2nd trimester, and take 2-4 sticks daily in the 3rd trimester. I would increase my intake to 6 sticks in a day when I experience constipation and my problem would usually resolve within the next day. 

Meal Management Camp

Because our modern and instant diet often leaves gaps in our nutritional needs, when it comes to preparing ourselves for pregnancy, we are more than willing to go the extra mile to ensure good health before conceiving.

One thing I did was join a Meal Management Bootcamp that aims to achieve a healthy BMI (of an Asian standard), healthy body fat ratio and cultivate mindful eating. It is a one-month program where members eat 4-5 full meals per day while incorporating just one “5DP” healthy smoothie from Optrimax into our daily meal plan.

The smoothie shake is jam-packed with Vitamin B2, B6, D3, E, Folic Acid and Biotin which are all great to prep our body for baby. I’ll share more about this in another blog. We are thrilled to find out good news from a few ladies who join the camp for at least 3-6 months. So if you want to do something about your diet that may enhance your overall reproductive health, you can DM me on IG

Remove Myself from Stressful Environment

I was in the hospitality industry and it was challenging in the past 3 years due to the pandemic. The high levels of stress, and receiving work emails in the wee hours were taxing to my body and mind. As I managed to establish a stable side income by advocating for DR’s Secret skincare during my downtime, I took the leap of faith to quit my day job as a hospitality marketer.

I took a one-month break, did a Free & Easy trip to South Korea and found out that I got pregnant with bébé Keian when I came home! So please do not downplay the complex interplay between the level of stress you have and your fertility health! Take a break and find a solution for yourself. Remember, our job should not become our whole identity.

Need help purchasing Avance Supplement Products?

Chat me up on IG, and I’ll be able to give you complimentary advice and recommendations! Download the “BWL Mobile” app on AppStore, and sign up with me to access your member’s only perks and discounts.

What is a Skin Buddy? Do you really need one? Trust me, engaging a Skin Buddy is the best (and cost-effective) way to kickstart your DR’s Secret Skincare Journey. Let me tell you why.

Think about this: We’ve all been through the lonely journey of reading up and researching skincare products that work for our skin — endless trial and error and unfinished bottles on your vanity table, and yet our skin still looks the same, regardless of how much money we spent.

And DR’s Secret makes your skincare journey so much easier with Skin Buddy. You can have someone who is equipped with accurate product knowledge, attended skincare training, and has relevant experiences to figure it out together with you, at zero cost.

What is a “Skin Buddy”?

A Skin Buddy is an independent sales representative and an experienced DR’s Secret skincare user who has successfully achieved healthy glowing skin with the products. In short, Skin Buddies are the ones that have been there before and know what to do to improve your skin condition.

Some skin buddies have a solid track record of helping hundreds and thousands of people to regain their confidence through their guidance, regime and product knowledge.

Skin Buddy’s Scope?

Different skin buddies would have their different way of execution – depend on which school of training, which team they’re from, and what’s their team’s support system like.

Say, for example, if your skin buddy is on maternity leave, who can you reach out to? Is there a support system in place? Or, if you are not happy with the result, is there someone else from the higher up whom you can speak to directly?

While I can’t comment on other teams’ operations as I am truly unaware of how other team works, at team LUMOSQUAD which is under the umbrella of SUPER RICH team, you’ll get to understand your skin and also the usage of the products better. As long as you don’t give up on your skin, we won’t give up on you too!

What Exactly Do I Get from Engaging a Skin Buddy?

DR’s Secret’s skincare routine is highly customisable, based on your skin type, skin condition, and ultimately, your skin goals. A skin buddy is like a personal skincare coach that would tweak your regime, troubleshoot your application method and also exfoliation method so to improve your skin condition, and gradually achieve your skin goals.

You’d also learn a thing or two about the ingredients and functions of the products from your buddy if you wish to. We’re always very happy to share!

Good skin requires some work. And we can’t expect miracles to happen if we do the same old thing to our skin.

At DR’s Secret, not only the regime is important, we stress the importance of the right dosage applied and the correct exfoliation technique to see results. While I do have some tips here for those who are not seeing improvements yet, if the situation persists, you should really engage a skin buddy to unleash the full potential of this set of powerful products you own. It also saves up so much money and time for guesswork as there is someone to show you exactly how to use the product correctly.

While individual skin improvement may vary depending on your skin type and skin condition before using Dr’s Secret, we should expect some improvement every 3 months and expect to hit some milestones every 6 months if you work hand in hand and in full cooperation with your skin buddy.

#Tip: You should also seek your skin buddy's advice whenever you're replenishing products, as they know the best deals each month (ways to unlock free products), and will assist you to get your Purchase with Purchase Promotion and Birthday Month Promotion (Both are up to 35% discount!!) which you shouldn't miss at all! 

What Remuneration Does a Skin Buddy Receive?

Let’s be transparent. When you signed up with a Skin Buddy and make a purchase, the company will appropriate a small incentive to the skin buddy as a token of appreciation for helping and guiding you during your skincare journey with DR’s Secret.

There is no extra cost from you as a consumer to engage a skin buddy. Since it is free of charge, you might as well engage a buddy of your choice and learn all the tips from your skin buddy!

#Tip: You only have 1 chance to appoint the skin buddy of your choice!

Each member is given 1 chance to appoint your skin buddy. Once you signed up your membership using your skin buddy's referral code, you'll pass the point of no return. You may still be able to terminate your membership and sign up under another buddy if you absolutely wished to but to facilitate fair play to fellow sales rep, there will be a cooling off period and some other conditions* where you won't be able to purchase product for some time, and that is going to be very inconvenient. 

So don't act on impluse. DM/whatsapp your ideal skin buddy directly, understand better before sign up and enjoy various exclusive new-member promotions directly with your skin buddy! 

Conclusion

Skin Buddies are the ones that have been there before, so they understand how you feel, and more importantly, they know what to do to counter your skin reactions.

It is always a good idea to engage a skin buddy if you want to effectively use the products. The routines suggested on the official website are a good reference, but it doesn’t take into consideration of each individual’s skin condition, the root reasons for your skin oiliness and dryness, and therefore not 100% accurate and should not be followed blindly if your ultimate goal is to use this set of product to achieve good skin.

With a skin buddy in your DR’s Secret skincare journey, we can find out more about your skin type, your exact skin condition, your allergies and past episodes of skin outbreaks and give you a customised routine, checking on you regarding application method and Miraglo exfoliation techniques, which are KEY to see the result.

What Makes LUMOSQUAD Skin Buddies Different?

Team LUMOSQUAD spends time undertaking company training courses, attending exclusive focus groups and are also trained under SUPER RICH’s veteran trainers on DS products. Our signature (and secret) routines make us stand out from the rest. Our buddies are clear in explaining the packages and deciphering the promotion each month so that you can make your informed decision when it comes to purchasing products!

As we are not particularly fond of hard-selling, we can totally relate to your concerns. Our buddies will go the extra mile to explain everything clearly so that you are well aware of what you’re signing up for and the expected result with your commitment. If this is what you are looking for, then we’re the right fit!

Contact our LUMOSQUAD Skin Buddies

If you find this article helpful and would like to connect to get your complimentary 1:1 skin consultation and find out what’s your very first regime like, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram! If you have a budget in mind, we can also help you find out which product would help you get closer to your dream skin, by kick-starting a very simple regime that cleanse, calm, hydrate & moisturise, and protect against harmful rays!

I am also training, guiding and helping my team of skin buddies to grow. This bunch of amazing skin buddies have been studying alongside me for the past two years, and are very experienced! Don’t be shy to reach out to them, tell them that you read my blog and see what we can do to transform your skin together!

Your journey to healthy & glowing skin with DR’s Secret shouldn’t be alone! DM either one of us & kick-start your DR’s Secret skincare Journey!

I’m interested to be a Skin Buddy!

If you wish to grow from a user to a qualified Skin Buddy and earn a decent side income (part-time or full-time are welcomed), DM me on IG (@pheurontay) and we can start planning. This would include a 1-1 session to understand your needs, and find out your niche market (Yes, regardless of working professional, SAHM or fresh grad, we believe each and everyone has their unique market & will help you identify that) and how to improve your social presence so people will come to you to enquire about products. In fact, we don’t need to have a huge following to have a successful Skin Buddy career, and that’s the know-how we can transfer to all LUMOSQUAD skin buddies!

When it comes to skincare, size definitely does matter.

We look at the molecular size of the product, as well as texture, vis-à-vis how much of the product you should be applying to your skin. Not forgetting that too much or too little of certain products would cause a breakout or dehydrated skin.

Many of you chance upon my blog after researching DR’s Secret skincare. With the most common question in your mind – Is DR’s Secret well worth my investment? We all know that DR’s Secret Skincare isn’t cheap. But it is effective (only, if you do it right ). And considering DR’s Secret Moisturiser 6 or Refining Serum 9 is retailing at $109 and $188, every squeeze, squirt and pump is costing you money.

If you’re not seeing improvement, or if you want to optimise your investment in DR’s Secret, you need to make sure that you’re using the right dosage. Here’s my recommendation:

CLEANSER 1 

A Singapore fifty-cent coin-sized amount is all you need.

For those who are unable to master the skills of lathering bubbles with bare hands and have succumbed to foaming net or foaming cup, please ensure that you are using fifty-cents circumference worth of cleanser as these foaming nets tend to foam very well with very little cleanser.

Imagine washing a greasy pot with very little dishwashing liquid… you get what I mean.

Tips to lather: Make sure you have emulsified the pink gel cleanser to a milky white solution by rubbing your palms together, before lathering bubbles. The gentle, fragrance-free bubbles can pull out dirt, makeup and foreign substances from the skin and trap them in cleansing molecules so that they can be rinsed away. It also works super well in softening the dead skin cells and cuticle build-ups, so that we can easily exfoliate them off our skin!

Instructions: Squeeze a 20-cent coin-sized of DR’s Secret Cleanser 1 and lather bubbles before massaging the bubbles onto your skin. Washing once in the morning and twice in the evening if you wear makeup (foundation, bb cushion, cc cream and tinted sunscreen),  or only once at night if you don’t wear makeup.

AESTIER A1 CLEANSING CREAM 

If you think applying only concealer and loose powder is a great way to reduce liquid foundation coverage, and therefore do lesser harm to your skin, think again.

First of all, concealer is WAY heavier than foundation. They offer thicker and fuller coverage than a foundation and therefore, they are also harder to remove.

Improper removal of makeup aids in ageing your skin, and over time, creates a sallow skin complexion. Over-trusting cleansing wipes not only lead to the tugging of the skin, but they also don’t do the best job of removing all your make-up effectively. So a safer and more efficient choice of makeup remover for all skin types is a cream-based cleansing cream. Aestier A1 Cleansing Cream allow us to gently remove makeup or sunscreen without drying out or irritating our skin.

Its counter-time peptides also help to increase skin youthfulness, elasticity, and rosiness and prevent ageing! Imagine massaging it onto your skin to cleanse while benefiting from the anti-ageing properties? I am all in! 

Instructions: Start with squeezing some cleansing cream (roughly 50-cents size) in clean, dry hands. Gently massage the cream onto your face in circular motions—taking extra care around the eyes—all over your face. Once the makeup starts to break down, add some water and continue to massage the milk-like texture, and finally rinse away with lukewarm water. Extremely dry-skin-type may use this in the morning in substitute of Cleanser 1. Check with your buddy.

SUNSCREEN 5

If you are still getting undesirable sunburns and tanning despite sunscreen application, chances are that you are not applying enough sunscreen, or you have not been reapplying sunscreen diligently to protect your skin.

While sunscreen is a big topic, considering the SPF, chemical or mineral filters, and the broad spectrum. (By the way, higher SPF does not mean better protection). I will probably explain a bit more about this in another blog but as a general guideline, if you are applying DR’s Secret Sunscreen 5 or 5M which has an SPF25, you need to reapply every 3 hours to maintain the protection.

Instructions: Dot 9 mungbean size of sunscreen onto your entire face, and use a “press & roll” method to help blend the product onto your skin. You should also apply extra sunscreen to cover your neck and chest, depending on the clothes you are wearing. If you are having problems blending the sunscreen, try applying sunscreen after your face has absorbed other skincare products. Reapply every 3-4 hours.

MOISTURISER 6 

Everyone has heard of and owns a moisturizer (or two). While you thought that you just need to put them on and they’ll moisturise your skin, turns out it is not so simple.

Applying enough moisturiser will hydrate your skin’s superficial layer, protecting them from environmental aggressors, and preventing surface water loss. Applying way too little moisturiser, your skin may feel tight, flakey, and look dull. So how much moisturiser is enough for your skin?

Instructions: To avoid over-moisturising yet maintaining what your skin needs – use at least 2 full pumps, or the size of a jumbo blueberry for a full face application. Avoid swiping the moisturiser too much to reduce white residue. If you do a “press & roll” method, there is a lower chance you’ll see white films. Check-in with your skin buddy if you’re seeing white residue for a proper application tutorial.

A 30 ml DR’s Secret Moisturiser 6 tube would last around 3 weeks+-, used twice a day, a total of 4 full pumps a day.

If your skin feels dry even after using the right amount of moisturiser given by your skin buddy, alert your buddy and switch to a richer formula with an additional Pentalab Balancing Oil or apply our Aqua Boost Serum 10 underneath.

Chances are that we need to address the problem at the deeper dermal layer. While moisturiser takes care of the epidermis layer, the dermal layer is where collagen, elastin and water are located. Most molecules from moisturiser and oils cannot reach this particular layer, and we will need a hydrating serum to maintain moisture and hydration at the inner skin layers.

REFINING SERUM 9 

While you may read from beauty magazines that “a pea-sized amount of serum is more than enough”, experts would recommend you to check on the product consistency than following a one-size-fits-all rule.

DR’s Secret Refining Serum 9 is a serum in a gel-type consistency, way thinner compared to lotions. Hence, if you are only going to apply “a pea-sized” of Refining Serum 9 on your skin, it is highly likely that you are not applying enough to get the ideal result.

Gel-consistency products contain higher water content, and usually, give off a refreshing feeling on the skin after application, which is great for oily skin types. And what’s more, it is often used to calm and soothe irritated and stressed skin, refines skin texture (and pores), and sculps our visage for a more defined appearance.

Instructions: If you are having easily irritated skin, need to work on your enlarged pores and tighten your sagging skin, our recommendation is 4-6 full pumps of Refining Serum 9 onto your entire face due to its light consistency and versatility.

AQUA BOOST SERUM 10 

As mentioned in our Moisturiser section above, moisturiser and hydrating serum take care of different skin layers. A hydrating serum usually has a higher concentration of actives and is designed to penetrate the deeper dermal layer to deliver targeted results; while a moisturiser is designed to help fortify the surface of the skin, and bind skin cells together to prevent skin from drying out.

They actually serve distinct purposes.

Moisturisers usually have larger molecules than serums. They won’t penetrate the skin as deeply or as quickly as a hydrating serum will. Given their different scope, a hydrating serum can’t replace moisturiser, and a moisturiser does not provide your skin with the extra boost it needs to look great for years to come. Both are necessary and work in conjunction for healthy skin!

Instructions: You’ll need at least 2-3 full pumps of DR’s Secret Aqua Boost Serum 10 before applying all other DR’s Secret cream-based products, such as moisturiser. Some skin that has a weakened skin barrier may encounter some functional reactions including redness or minor breakout during the first few applications. Inform your buddy of such situations. We’ll condition your skin, and slowly introduce it back again.

Conclusion

Cleanse, hydrate, moisturise and sun protection are the keys to healthy and glowing skin. It is also the reason why we as skin buddies have always been stressing the importance of using the right amount of hydration and moisturising products and reapplying sunscreen.

Sometimes, it means that you have to listen to the needs of your skin, not how you feel. For example, if you’re actually experiencing any one of the below:

• Eww, it’s so sticky to apply moisturiser / sunscreen!
  
• The moisturiser is suffocating!
• It’s too many products on my face…
• I have never applied so many products to my face? — my dear, that is why your face is dry!

Now, every morning before you apply your given routine, start by looking into the mirror so you can see and feel at the same time – What is your skin trying to tell you? Does it have lesser fine lines? Do your pores look more refined? Is it rough or smooth to touch? If there are breakouts, where are they?

Instead of focusing on how you feel right after applying the products, pay attention to the result on your skin the next day, or in the coming weeks.

If your skin is showing improvement, you should stick to your buddy’s advice and not cut the dosage just because you are not comfortable.

Interestingly though, most users who had doubts and felt uncomfortable with 2 full pumps of moisturiser, or totally did not reapply sunscreen would see results after they decide to trust & follow our instructions! That is because they have been depriving their skin of these two most essential products in one’s daily skincare regime.

Remember, ensuring the right dosage to apply to your skin will put you on the fast track to perfect skin.

If you do not have a skin buddy and wished to kick start your DS skin journey and enjoy member-exclusive product rates, discounts or even earn cash rebates, buzz me at @pheurontay on Instagram and I’ll explain to you! 

This blog does not cover recommended dosage for DR’s Secret T2 Toner, T3 Skinlight, T4 Skinrecon and C15 Essence 7, as they are DR’s Secret’s Treatment series products and your dosage of these products should be advised based on the individual’s skin condition. 

Related Articles:

How I go Foundation Free With DR’s Secret Skincare

Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Your DR’s Secret Products

4 Important Things To Note If You Want To See Improvement Using DR’s Secret

In my recent Singapore-South Korea VTL trip, I realised that when we are travelling overseas, it is impossible to always avoid crowded places. The reality is, we can’t possibly travel to a new (or favourite) city and stay in a hotel room most of the time. That’s where our immunity needs to be strengthened. I am not saying that taking supplements will cure and prevent you from the diseases, but keeping our immune system healthy 24/7 is key to enhancing our defence system against viruses. In this blog post, I am sharing the supplement products I brought to my VTL trip to boost my immunity.

Before we start, I’d like to again, stress that supplements are not medicine. While it does enhance your health condition and lower your risk of certain diseases, it should not be a substitute for medicine and proper medical support.

If you have an existing medical condition, please seek your healthcare provider’s instructions before taking any supplements.

Here are the 6 supplement products I take to boost my immunity:

1. Avance LB-30 

I have had a weak stomach since young. As I grow older, to aid in my bowel movement and better digestion, I started taking probiotics.  But not all probiotics are the same.

There are three levels of probiotic identification starting with the genus name (such as Lactobacillus), followed by a species name (such as Paracasei) and lastly a strain name (such as GMNL-133). A strain gives the probiotic its specific function, making it more effective at supporting the body in a specific way.

Let me quote this from one of the training sessions I attended: Strain names are important as clinical studies found probiotics available on one strain cannot be applied to another strain. This means that some strains are stronger than others, even though they may share the same genus and species family. For example, GMNL-133 is different from GMNL-32 though they may both share the same genus and species family – Lactobacillus Paracasei. LB-30 is made of five specific strains that are proven effective in supporting immune and digestive health.

I have been taking LB-30 for about 1.5 years now and not only I am having a smooth bowel movement daily, but I also see improvement in my gut health. I can take a moderate amount of milk without the urge to go toilet immediately! (I used to have mild lactose intolerance and whenever I drink a latte, I would have to make sure there is a toilet nearby but I no longer have this issue now!)

When you are travelling, be it flying on a plane, driving on the open road or exploring a new city, sticking to your normal healthy diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins isn’t always a priority or even a possibility. There is always a long list of places we want to go and the food we want to try. Not drinking enough water, stress from travelling (especially the VTL trips), and the food we eat can trigger constipation and lead to abdominal pain, discomfort, gas and bloating. This effective probiotic product will come in handy when you are on the go!

2. Avance SangoCal

As we all know, keeping our body less “acidic” is crucial for body immunity and general defence to diseases and oxidation. An acidic blood and body fluids create the ideal host environment for bacteria, viruses and fungi, which in accumulated amounts can lead to illnesses and health conditions. And when we are travelling, it is not always easy to keep a healthy diet. To combat this and help maintain a less acidic body, I throw one sachet of SangoCal in my drinking water daily whenever I am travelling.

SangoCal consists of natural Okinawan coral sand. It is harvested from the coastal waters of Okinawa and highly purified to replicate the beneficial qualities of Okinawan water in regular drinking water. It helps to keep the drinking water at an Alkaline pH level, removes the odour of chlorine, and helps to replenish other minerals. It is packed in one mini tube for easy consumption especially when you are travelling. Just throw it into your water bottle and voila!

3. Avance V-Propolis 

Some of you may not be familiar with Propolis. It is a sticky natural resin collected from tree barks and leaves by worker bees to protect their hives against invading bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The bees use propolis to seal the entrance of their hives. It works as a sterilising agent against bacterial and viral infections as the bee comes in and out of the hive. It also functions as a natural sterilizer by protecting the inside of the hive from outside contaminants (dust particles and parasites). All in all, propolis contains strong antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, and has the ability to seal up the harmful infection and prevent it from spreading.

When I was young, my mom would always feed me propolis when I have slight respiratory symptoms and usually the symptoms would go away the next day. However, the propolis I had back then tasted really awful. It has an unpleasantly pungent kick that I hated. While with Avance V-Propolis, it tastes like honey so I don’t foresee feeding your kids propolis an issue! You can mix it with water, or just pump the liquid directly into your mouth.

I  brought a bottle of Avance V-Propolis with me to my recent VTL trip. In between the trip there were a few times I got a faint sore throat and felt the “heatiness” or have a runny nose and I would spam the propolis and feel better almost quite instantly!

4. Avance Chewable Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that performs many functions in the body. It is the 2nd most abundant trace mineral in our bodies after iron. Maintaining an adequate amount of Zinc helps to boost our immune function, and also improve our body’s natural resistance. Hence it is all the more important to keep a sufficient zinc level in our body when we are travelling because we will be out and about and there will be more people we will come in contact with because we are exploring the new city the entire day!

Zinc support cell renewals and growth, hence is widely reputed to be an important healing nutrient. It speeds up recovery through cell repair and tissue renewal. This allows our wounds to heal faster, and it is also known to help to shorten recovery time for common cold symptoms.

One thing that stresses us the most when we are travelling during COVID is the PCR test. For the SG-KR VTL trip, we were required to do a mid-trip PCR on our 7th-day post-arrival to Incheon. Imagine catching a cold on your 6th-day and stressing yourself the entire day waiting for your 7th-day PCR? This is definitely not what we signed up for. So what I would suggest is to take Avance Chewable Zinc whenever you are feeling a little under the weather.

5. Avance ImmuGain

Most mothers would know about “Colostrum”, the first form of milk produced by mammals (including humans) following the delivery of a newborn. Colostrum provides all the nutrients and fluid that your newborn needs in the early days, as well as many substances, to protect your baby against infections. It’s very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies which are proteins that fight infections and bacteria.

Most colostrum supplements are made from the colostrum of cow, which we called the Bovine colostrum. It is very similar to human colostrum, rich in minerals, vitamins, good proteins and digestive enzymes. Research has shown that it may promote immunity, fight infection, and improve gut health.

Avance’s ImmuGain is a Bovine colostrum supplement that is collected only from pasture-fed cows in New Zealand. Hence it is free from hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. It is also rich in Immunoglobulin G (IgG), an antibody that makes up a major component in our immune system. Loading up our body with IgG helps strengthen our immunity, and it also helps to reduce allergies (especially food allergies) and various hypersensitivity reactions. I take two tablets every morning before meals every day to strengthen my immunity!

6. Optional: Avance Vitamin C

I guess this is a no brainer. All Asian kids grow up knowing that when you are under the weather, pop a Vitamin C tablet. It helps to support our body’s immune functions to fight minor infections and prevent common cold, flu and cough, and speed up the recovery process. It is also a great source of vitamin to build up healthy gums and teeth.

HOW DO I EAT THESE SUPPLEMENTS? 

The 6 items above are what I’d usually bring with me when I am travelling. Given the sky-high confirmed cases reported daily when I was in South Korea, I took LB-30, SangoCal and ImmuGain on a daily basis to strengthen my immunity. The rest were taken when I felt that I need an immunity boost. I am still taking the 3 supplements mentioned here (LB-30, SangoCal, ImmuGain) on a daily basis even when I am back home.

• Avance LB-30 — Daily 
  I take one sachet of LB-30 every morning right after I wake up. Once consumed the probiotics, I’d usually go get prepared and take my breakfast 30 mins++ after taking the probiotics. It helps to digest and pass the toxic, keeping my body light and healthy.
• Avance SangoCal — Daily
  I’d throw 1 sachet into my water tumbler and drink the SangoCal infused water throughout the day. Regardless of whether I am travelling or in Singapore, I want to maintain my body alkaline level so that it won’t be the ideal host environment for infectious viruses.
• Avance V-Propolis — When Needed
  I’d only pop a syringe of propolis when I feel a faint sore throat. My tip is to quickly take 1 syringe of V-Propolis before these faint symptoms developed into something more serious. It usually works!
• Avance Chewable Zinc — When Needed
  I usually take this when I am down with a common cold or flu, and I want a speedy recovery (because I don’t want to miss the itinerary the next day). During one of the nights in Seoul when my husband was having a fever, he pop a panadol followed by Chewable Zinc and felt so much better the next morning!
• Avance ImmuGain — Daily 
  I take 2 tablets in the morning, before or after my breakfast. You may also take this after lunch.
• Avance Vitamin C — When Needed
  I take this when I am feeling a little under the weather. It works as an immunity booster for me.

There’s no right or wrong in taking supplements. All in all, if you’re travelling and keen to take some supplements to help in boosting your immunity, a few key aspects are: Drink plenty of water, and if possible, drink good water to keep your body at an alkaline pH level. And make sure that you poop daily. Take the right supplement when it is needed.

Again, I am not advocating totally skipping healthy food intake and “just take supplements”. After all, there is a reason why these health products are called “supplements” because they can never replace a balanced, healthy diet. What I am saying is with our passion and love for hawker food, the majority of us are not taking enough good oil,  good fibre and antioxidants. Some of us may also be skipping too much carbs than we should which affect our body from functioning properly.

Making healthy lifestyle choices by consuming balanced and nutritious diets, getting enough sleep and exercising are the most important ways to boost your immune system. Supplements are an enhancement, especially in times like this.

Need help purchasing Avance Supplement Products?

Chat me up on IG, and I’ll be able to give you complimentary advice and recommendations! Sign up with me to access your member’s only perk and promotion.

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Things I learnt during My Recent Singapore-Korea VTL Trip

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Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Your DR’s Secret Products 

4 Things to Note if You Want to See Improvement using DR’s Secret

As an experienced DR’s Secret User and an active skin buddy myself, here are my two cents of how you can enhance your skin condition:

#1. Ensure You’re Using the Right Dosage

Through the DR’s Secret Skin Buddy Program, I’ve met countless ladies that aspire to have healthy and radiant skin. And the most common mistake is not using enough product. Some were telling me that the products are not cheap so they’d like to be more prudent.

You can have the most powerful and revolutionary product line up on your vanity table. But it is the dosage that can be the most critical element to the outcome of your skincare effort. If you are using too little of the products, your skin will not benefit fully from the active ingredients, and you’ll probably take a longer time to achieve your skin goals.

At the end of the day, are we trying to stretch the dollar, or we only managed to stretch our journey to perfect skin from 6 months to 2 years?  Of course, I am not promoting to overuse the products.

When it comes to skincare, applying more products doesn’t mean it’ll work better. It is about using the RIGHT amount.

When we are using too little products, we actually expose our skin to external aggravators like UV rays and pollution, which may end up causing long-term damage. If you are unsure, check with your skin buddy to find out the right amount of products for your skin. I have also written a general guide about applying the right amount here.

#2. Verify if You’re doing Miraglo Correctly

Miraglo exfoliation is one of the most crucial parts of DR’s Secret regime. Typically, our skin cells regenerate itself every 30 days. The dead skin cells on the surface of our skin will give way for new cells to grow. However, some old skin cells don’t just shed on their own. They end up accumulating on our skin, leaving dry, scaly patches that are hindering the absorption of our skincare products.

Miraglo exfoliation cloth is used to remove dead skin cells, debris and blackheads for all DR’s Secret skincare regimens. The green cloth comes with ultra-thin microfibers that are 200 times thinner than human hair, which is specially designed to lift up the dead cells without injuring our skin.

The way we hold the miraglo cloth, the dampness of the cloth, the strength we push the cloth against our skin etc. all plays a part in an effective Miraglo exfoliation session. If you’re doing it correctly, you’ll feel that your face is brighter, your pores are less noticeable, and your skin is soft and supple.

How do you know that you are doing it all wrong? If you feel a sharp pain when you are applying products right after miraglo, or you didn’t see dead skin cells or debris on your miraglo after months of regular exfoliation, you’re not nailing it just yet. Please arrange a demo session with your skin buddy.

#3. Foam up Your Cleanser 1 Properly 

Why the trouble? Many of us who just started using DR’s Secret loathe the extra step of lathering the bubbles. But why do all the buddies insisted on this, and why are we against using a foaming net or pump when it comes to foaming the bubbles?

Lathering injects oxygen to the cleansing gel and it helps to kill anaerobic bacteria. This bacteria is the culprit of many skin issues as it prevents our skin from absorbing oxygen. When skin lacks oxygen, it will lose the ability to absorb the products we are applying, no matter how expensive the product is.

Many skin buddies are against using the foaming net or pump as we cannot control where and how our members are storing or drying the foaming devices. Ultimately, we want to cut down the allergen exposure, especially from dust, dust mites or any possible form of infection.

How do you know if you are foaming it correctly? Your bubble should look like well-beaten egg whites within 20-40 seconds! 2 basic tips for a start: Wash your hands with hand soap before foaming bubbles, and make sure to emulsify the pink gel before you start foaming the bubbles. When in doubt, consult your skin buddy for personalised advice.

#4. Be Proactive & Communicate with Your Skin Buddy Regularly

Communication is the key to good skin with DR’s Secret. Follow up with your Skin Buddy more proactively. Don’t wait for your buddy to contact you. If you are unsure, ask away. Share your concern, tell your skin buddy about the improvement or the lack of improvement. Take notice of the changes in your skin especially when you were given a new regime.

Try not to give ambiguous feedback like “It feels alright”, “No much difference yet”, or “I didn’t pay attention.” Instead of telling your skin buddy that your face is dry or oily, take note of when your face starts to get oily after applying the regime, which are the oily zones, or what time does your face starts to feel tight and dry.

With more information from you, your skin buddy will be able to give a better (and accurate) regime. One very simple way is to observe your skin condition every morning. Check the pore size, skin tone, the amount of whiteheads and blackheads etc, and if there is any difference after washing your face, after applying the products or post-Miraglo.

Remember, though your skin buddy should provide support, they need your support to do their job too! This is a collective effort and both of you have to be equally invested in making your skin goal happen!

Remember:

Everyone is given ONE chance to appoint their own skin buddy.

And you can’t change your buddy once you have validated your buddy relationship.  So all the more you have to choose wisely. A general skin quiz online can only give you a generic analysis, and once you fill out your name and mobile number on the site, a random skin buddy will be assigned to you. If you want a thorough & personalised analysis, I suggest you reach out to a skin buddy of your choice directly. She’ll be able to give you a tailored consultation, walk you through your skin journey, and advise you on the latest promotion exclusively to new users!

I have shared a bit more about Things You Should Know Before Purchasing DR’s Secret on my previous blog here.

If you need a skin buddy, you can scan the QR code below & talk to me, or anyone in the team directly!

What is Skin Buddy? A skin buddy is an independent sales representative and an experienced DR’s Secret user who has the know-how to achieve healthy & radiant skin. 

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Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Your DR’s Secret Products

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DR’s Secret is a revolutionary skincare brand that is highly customisable through their very unique support system — DR’s Secret Skin Buddy. The products are one of the few in the skincare market that utilises game-changing technology that goes into the deeper skin layers and rectifies your skin issues. (without thinning your skin!)

People admire our products, thinking these are some “magic skincare products” thanks to the Before & After photos circulating online. While the results are indeed amazing, this could give off the idea that DR’s Secret can transform your skin overnight. Sorry. That’s not how it is.

We don’t just sell the products. Neither do we sell a miracle. What we sell is a service that guides you throughout your skincare journey just so we can gradually achieve your ideal skin through a holistic approach that is sustainable.

This includes using products that contain beneficial ingredients and cultivating the correct skincare habits. I really like this Skin Buddy system because it saves up my precious time (and money). At last, we can finally cut down the guesswork. A skin buddy would measure your progress and recommend products that are aligned with your skin goals. This is some high-level, bespoke skincare service that we don’t even get from luxury skincare brands!

Here are the 8 things you need to know before purchasing your very first set of DR’s Secret products. In my humble opinion, understanding these few important points will definitely cut down the disappointment, unhappiness or regretful foundation-free journey with DR’s Secret. 

Disclaimer: This article is copyright protected.

#1. Beautiful Skin Doesn’t Happen Overnight.

I can’t stress this enough. When it comes to skincare, patience is a virtue. While there might be skin buddies who tell you that results kick in within 1 week, take it with a pinch of salt because every skin is different. Our genetic influences, ageing, health issues, environmental assaults (smoking, 2nd-hand smoke etc.), lifestyle choices (sleeping late, binge eating, unhealthy food & allergy), nutrition intakes, and using skincare products that are not beneficial to your skin condition all play a part in what is happening on our skin now. It takes time to see the difference, and maintaining the result will require ongoing use.

Do note that applying the right dosage, correct application & exfoliation method is crucial to see results too!

#2. You Might Experience Skin Purging with DR’s Secret.

DR’s Secret is one of the few skincare products with the technology that can go into the deeper layers of our skin, rectify the issue, and slowly build up our skin barriers again. During the process of rectifying and conditioning our damaged skin barriers, some may experience purging. Typically, users with oily but dehydrated skin (eg. “Internal Oily, External Dry” or “Internal Dry, External Oily”), or those that unfortunately have some preexisting skin issues would likely see different levels of purging, depending on their skin condition. However, don’t get too worried about the purging because this is where your skin buddy comes in to get you back on the right track!

#3. It is Better (and cost-effective) to Kickstart Your Skin Journey with A Skin Buddy.

Skin buddy is a free feature by DR’s Secret. A skin buddy will recommend and tweak your DR’s Secret regime, sharing tips on how to effectively exfoliate using the Miraglo cloth etc. These tips are essential if you want to see the result. The products aren’t cheap so use them the way you’re supposed to so to magnify the results. I have a dedicated blog post here about what exactly Skin Buddies do, and why you need one in your DS journey. Alternatively, you can scan the QR code below to connect with any LUMOSQUAD skin buddies below to find out more about DR’s Secret Skincare!

#4. Don’t Lose the Only Chance to Appoint Your Skin Buddy.

DR’s Secret only sells products on its official website and through its skin buddies. While I totally understand that introverts may prefer to purchase items off the website rather than talking to a real person, the downside is that you’re missing out on the new member package deals, as well as other attractive deals such as Monthly Promotions, Purchase-with-Purchase, Birthday Month deals (up to 35% off!) if you purchase on the website. These promotions are only available if you purchase through a skin buddy.

Also, while the website quiz is helpful in terms of suggesting a routine for you, it doesn’t take into consideration of individual’s skin condition. I have had customers who answered that their skin is oily, and got recommended a set that isn’t suitable for her skin type at all because the system did not consider the root reasons for her oiliness is actually due to dryness. Imagine using the wrong set of products just because “it is recommended by the website”, and not seeing the result you’re supposed to see?

As DR’s Secret is a set of skincare products that our routine is highly customisable, it is best to speak to a skin buddy.

If you complete the quiz online, you’ll be randomly assigned a buddy. You can talk to the assigned buddy to find out more, but before you make a purchase, I’d recommend you also talk to other buddies before signing up. By signing up, I mean keying your ideal buddy’s referral number on our mobile app.

#5. You Can’t Change Your Skin Buddy Once You’ve Signed Up. 

You are only given 1 chance to appoint your skin buddy. Once you’ve used your buddy’s referral code to sign up, you are tagged to the buddy permanently and will not be able to change your buddy at all. You should only sign up with the buddy’s referral code when you are 100% sure to engage her as your buddy, and that you are comfortable with her before signing up.

#6. Sign Up The Membership Yourself.

Be extra careful with those who told you that you need to “fill in your ID to sign up so that you can play around with the points.” Because most of the time, these are the naughty ones that try to secure or validate you as their buddy before you are even sure about engaging them. Don’t come to me and ask for advice after signing up with another buddy or asking for a routine formula because this is beyond my capacity to help. (Due to fair play and no-poaching policy, skin buddies are not supposed to advise a regime if you’re already signed under someone else).

#7. Do Not Buy DS Products from Non-Official Channels.

By this, I mean Lazada or Carousell. DR’s Secret only sells its products on its official website and through its skin buddies. Since 2020, DR’s Secret has tightened its regulations on distribution channels and is taking a stand by actively clamping down on sellers who slash the price on Lazada and Carousell. Even if the reviews on Lazada or Carousell suggest that the products are authentic, we cannot guarantee if the seller will be taking care of your skin. So why risk it?

#8. Find A Skin Buddy You’re Comfortable With.

Find that someone you can instantly “click” with because this person is going to be your skin buddy and you’ll be texting or even meeting her as you embark on your foundation-free journey. More importantly, the routine formulas given out by every skin buddy are different. It all boils down to which trainer or director the buddies studied under. For myself and my team, we are trained by an experienced skin specialist hailed from Taiwan. Our team’s signature routine formulas are tried & tested by at least 70k satisfied customers, and we do not share the routine publicly because that’s what makes us different ; p 

By the way, I am currently a skin buddy and also a skincare & career trainer. I am heavily involved in all the training, guiding and helping the skin buddies in my team to grow. You can also find out more about Skin Buddy’s scope and why we do what we do here.

Disclaimer: This article is copyright protected.

Connect with a Skin Buddy under my team:

If you would like to understand the promotion of the month, or if you do not have a buddy and would like to ensure you are doing your DR’s Secret skincare routine correctly, please reach out to our buddies!

Our buddies will go the extra mile to explain everything clearly so that you are well aware of what you’re signing up for and the expected result with your commitment. If this is what you are looking for, then we’re the right fit! 

You may also click here — @pheurontay and connect with me on Instagram to get your complimentary 1:1 skin consultation and find out what’s your very first regime like. If you have a budget in mind, we can also help you find out which product would help you get closer to your dream skin, by kick-starting a very simple regime that cleanses, calms, hydrate & moisturises, and protect your skin against harmful rays!

Related Articles:

How I go Foundation Free With DR’s Secret Skincare

4 Important Things To Note If You Want To See Improvement Using DR’s Secret

DR’s Secret Application Guide: Are You Applying the Right Amount?

I’ll be covering my entire journey –  Why I decided to go foundation-free, What is DR’s Secret, How does the customisable regime work, When did I finally see results and Where to get DR’s Secret products. If you want to know more about Things you Should Know Before Purchasing DR’s Secret, I have it covered here.

This is going to be a long article but if you are also looking for an alternative skincare solution to go foundation-free, or researching DR’s Secret skincare products and its review, I hope you’ll find this article helpful. : ) These are my first-hand experiences since I started using DR’s Secret in February 2020.

Disclaimer: This article is copyright protected.

THE DECISION

I felt that I was spending too much time (and money) to achieve flawless skin with makeup products. I spent thousands of dollars on makeup and skincare products but whenever I remove my makeup, my skin condition goes back to square one. Before this, I was already applying a light layer of foundation to work every day. Frankly speaking, I didn’t think this to be an issue until my Maldives holiday.

I came back from Maldives 2 shades darker, with extremely sensitive skin although I brought an SPF 50 and SPF 120 sunscreen with me and apply diligently during the trip. I also had swimmer’s itch (cercarial dermatitis) after swimming in the Indian Ocean which makes my skin condition even worse. My skin was extremely dry and red after the trip, and my pores are seemingly more visible than before.

Due to my skin issues, I needed more coverage. Sooner than expected, I found myself even more dependent on the foundation or BB  cream. Putting on the foundation was like a security blanket to me, something that I can’t go without. And I didn’t like this. Especially the fact that I am hiding my skin issues with layers of products that actually corrupted my perception of healthy skin. I wanted to change.

And I remembered months before my Maldives trip, my best friend Kylie told me about this set of products that “work wonders”. I was sceptical. I mean, I was a  beauty writer for a local lifestyle magazine. If there is anything so good about this, why didn’t I hear about it back then?

As the reviews I found on social media were pretty impressive, I decided to give it a try as I wanted to achieve fairer, brighter, radiant and smoother skin naturally, and by this I mean no IPL or invasive aesthetics treatment. So here’s my entire journey to foundation free:

MY SKIN TYPE

To be honest, I do not have any big issues with my skin. I do not suffer from acne problems, nor I have the “internal oily external dry” issues. I am a normal-to-dry-skin type, with enlarged pores and uneven skin tone. My skin was normal, but it was extremely sensitive after my Maldives holiday. I also observed that it is more prone to acne if I wear a surgical mask for long hours. I’ll list out all my skin issues at the below “Baseline” section for a fair comparison.

DR’s SECRET PRODUCTS

DR’s Secret has 2 main skincare lines (DR’s Secret & Aestier). Depending on your skin type and skin problems, you’ll use products from these two lines, with occasion add-ons from its other subsidiary lines like PentaLab, Avance, LIF device and Optrimax.

DR’s Secret line is also referred to as the “Classic Range”. It has a comprehensive array of products, from the basic skincare must-haves such as cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, exfoliators and different types of facial masks. This range also consists of acne care, pore care, hydration as well as whitening & brightening products.

The Aestier line generally, works as a “Supplement Range” to the DR’s Secret line. It has 6 products, mainly targeting Anti-aging, wrinkles and excessively oily or dry skin issues.

PRODUCT SAFETY

All DR’s Secret products are formulated with a rich blend of botanical extracts that comply with regional and international regulations such as the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and the European Commission. In other words, the products have gone through extensive lab tests with stringent testing criteria before reaching the consumers.

They are tested against 360 types of drug tests, 4 main heavy metal tests, estrogen composition tests, 5 main micro-organism tests and 10 types of steroids test. All of the products are pregnancy and breastfeeding safe as certified by SGS. All of the products are also registered under the Health Science Authority (HSA) Singapore – Which means, there is no nasty stuff like steroids or hormones, and they are all safe for consumption.

HOW DOES IT WORK

After consultation with my Skin Buddy (also known as Skin Consultant), I was recommended the Classic Full Set which includes Cleanser 1, Toner T2, Skinlight T3, Skinrecon T4, Sunscreen 5, Moisturiser 6, Spot Serum 8, and a piece of Miraglo exfoliating cloth. As I am also targeting to improve my enlarged pores, dull & uneven skin tone and neck wrinkles, I also purchase 2 additional products –  the Vitamin C essence (C 15 Essence 7) and Refining Serum 9, this completes the entire set of 10 products, which would last a good 2 -2.5 months depending on my routine.

Every one week or two, my Skin Buddy will follow up on my skin condition and make necessary adjustments to my regime. For example, we’ll remove some products from my routine when my skin is too dry; add some products or adjust the dosage when we are shrinking my pores (or some other concerns) during a certain targetted period.

I came to realize that DR’s Secret is a one-set-fits-all kind of skincare product, where we can mix and match the products to suit the needs of our skin, and to target specific skin concerns. This is where the Skin Buddy comes into play.

Your Skin Buddy will be providing personalized 1-1 advice and guidance, customisation of a routine tailored to my skin, and also making recommendations when you are restocking the products just so there is no guesswork or disappointment when the products didn’t work. This Skin Buddy System is a unique selling point of DR’s Secret which I really like.

PROGRESS & COMPARISON

Now we are at the part most of you guys would probably be most interested in. Before we dive deeper, it is only fair that I list down my skin issues and my complete bare skin condition here as a baseline for the comparison:

BASELINE TO MEASURE PROGRESS

This set of photos was taken on 11 Feb 2020, a day before I started using DR’s Secret. It is my 100% bare face right after cleansing in the morning. I was having sensitive skin due to the Swimmer’s Itch episode in the Maldives, and also having an acne-prone area around my T-zone and forehead. My skin problems at a glance: 

• Redness & Inflammatory rashes around the side of my nose
• Light pigmentation on left cheek
• Stubborn blackheads on nose
• Enlarged Pores & Redness at the cheek area
• Uneven skin tone
• Oil clogs under eyes
• Visible wrinkles at my neck

DAY 1

I switched out my entire skincare product to DR’s Secret on Day 1. To be honest I was worried my skin would protest due to the sudden change. But my introductory routine was gentle and comforting, I was pleased to see that the products didn’t cause trouble at all. Furthermore, I really liked the patented Refining Serum 9 as it immediately soothes my irritated skin. While it does feels slightly oily towards the end of the day, I can feel that my skin is more hydrated and not overly sticky after applying the products.

2 WEEKS LATER 

Here is my skin condition after using DR’s Secret products for 2 weeks. Other than feeling more moisturised, there is no life-changing result yet. So I decided to ditch my foundation and CC cream. In other words, I am taking a leap of faith to go zero foundation just 2 weeks after starting DR’s Secret.

I was told that the products will gently pull out dirt and impurities from our skin. So to make my money’s worth and to test out the efficiency of the products, I figured it would be better to stop wearing make up for the time being. After all, it makes more sense to not burden my skin when the products are doing the cleansing for me. Imagine you’re on a juice detox to lose weight but still taking pizza, beer and fried chicken at the same time? You get what I mean.

RESULT AFTER 4 MONTHS

So for 4 months, I ditched my make-up and followed my regime religiously. Every day, it was just cleansing, putting on skincare products followed by the non-tinted Sunscreen 5 and I am off to start my day. And on the 4th month, I look at my selfie and realized most of my skin problems have subsided. The below photo is taken after applying my daily regime.

My skin is no longer irritated, my stubborn blackheads and the rashes around the side of my nose have been reduced significantly, and so do the oil clogs under my eyes. More importantly, the light pigmentation on my left cheek that was captured on 11 February 2020 has disappeared completely without any expensive and time-consuming aesthetic treatments! I finally see the glowy skin effect without having to wear makeup at all.

As an ex-beauty writer, I’ve use countless skincare products. Some were great, but none of them has provided me with the confidence to walk out of the house without wearing a foundation. Until I started using DR’s Secret.

After eliminating most of my skin issues, we added neck wrinkle care to my daily regime. And on my 6th-month point, I noticed that the neckline which I have had since 5 years ago started fading away! So far I am using the products daily and I must admit I am a total DR’s Secret convert now!

I had never imagined myself being able to go totally foundation free, so the positive outcome came as a pleasant surprise. I really can’t stop admiring that radiant skin of mine. At this point, I believe doing away with makeup did help to facilitate a better outcome and the fact that I decided to splurge on that SGD 863 LIF Device helped to accelerate the performance of the products too.

p.s. I got my LIF device the 2nd month into using DS products. So the first month was just purely the products, and the subsequent 3 months are the result of products + LIF device. It does help to penetrate the products deeper into my skin layers, and I believe that is also the reason why I see greater improvements compared to my peers. If you are not seeing results, highly likely that you missed out on these 4 important tips & super basic rules when you are using DS. So do read them up!

MY TAKEAWAY

Do I find the products efficient?

To me, this set of products has shown great efficiency and delivered the promise – I was able to go totally foundation free, which is great as wearing a mask is mandatory in Singapore nowadays due to the pandemic.

By the way, did you know that makeup worn under a mask will contaminate the fabric of the surgical mask, making it a less effective barrier to filter out the harmful pathogens in the air?

You see results within 4 months but why have I yet to see any?

Patience is vital when it comes to skincare. I can’t stress this enough. Typically, one will see some results after regular use for 6 months. While for certain skin types, the positive outcomes might only kick in after 1 year of ongoing usage. Every skin is different. The environment, nutrition, pollution, lifestyle choices, smoking or second-hand smoke, the products we use before using DR’s Secret, and the facial program we signed ourselves up with may have caused irritation and are detrimental to our skin.

My take is to check in with your Skin Buddy if you already have one. Share your concern, and make sure you are lathering the cleanser correctly, verify your application method, confirm that you are using the exact recommended dosage and if you are using the Miraglo exfoliation cloth correctly.

By the way, after seeing the result myself in 4 months, I’ve officially become a Skin Buddy with DR’s Secret. If you do not have one and would like to ensure you are doing your DR’s Secret skincare correctly, please reach out to me via IG direct message!

PRICING

During my time (February 2020) there were some promotions and I got the entire set and was given a full-sized cleanser for free. The updated promo is as follows –

Please note that the price of the package does not include considerations of your skin type, skin condition and skin goals. And to target each individual’s skin concerns and ultimate goals, you may have to top up a few ala-carte items as DR’s Secret is fully customisable based on your skin condition. Also, this does not include member-exclusive discounts, birthday benefits and free gifts that are updated on a monthly basis! If you wish to find out more about the promotion for the current month, please reach out to me!

*To get your personalised skin care regime & recommendations, Buzz me at @pheurontay on Instagram and I’ll explain it to you! 

One Last Tip From Me:

Make your purchase directly with the Skin Buddy of your choice. Your buddy will guide you through the entire purchasing process so that the system will validate your buddy relationship. This will ensure the service you get and you’ll be able to leverage your skin buddy’s product knowledge to guide you through your journey to foundation free.

If you purchase the products online (through random sellers on Shopee, Lazada or Carousell), you risk buying counterfeit products (yes! there are a lot of counterfeits in the market and you don’t want a drama), and there is no guarantee that the seller will take care of your skin or update your regime as and when you need. DR’s Secret only sells products through its official channels and official skin buddies. The transaction with skin buddies should also go through official channels too!

Disclaimer:

1. Although I am currently a DR’s Secret Skin Buddy, this does not detract from the fact that DR’s Secret is an effective product, a brand that I love and use on a daily basis.  
2. The article is recreated on the blog to document my personal review using the products. The content first appeared on my continual IG stories review in March 2020. 
3. This is NOT a sponsored post. I paid for the products.
4. This content is copyright protected. Please note that all photos (unless otherwise stated), as well as the write-up, is produced and owned by Pheuron Tay. For sharing purposes on your respective channel, please request written consent from me, or use the official sharing button below the tags on your social channels.

Related Articles:

Things You Should Know Before Purchasing Your DR’s Secret Products

4 Important Things To Note If You Want To See Improvement Using DR’s Secret

DR’s Secret Application Guide: Are You Applying the Right Amount?