Recently, I dropped by IDS again for a facial and follow-up with my dermatologist. As I have not done facial in a while and one of my biggest concerns was my enlarged pores, the beautician recommended Hydro Therapeutics Treatment which targets clogged pores and stubborn blackheads.

The treatment goes through various layers of cleansing to remove build-up and accumulated dirt, leaving us with a brighter and clearer by the end of the facial. The Hydro Therapeutics Treatment is suitable for all skin types, with your beautician customising your treatment steps for you. 

1) Double cleanse

2) Microdermabrasion

3) Ultrasonic cleansing

4) Extractions

5) Ultrasonic penetration of vitamin C 

6) Mask

Last but not least, you will be given a whitening, soothing or anti-acne mask depending on your skincare needs. 

Post-facial

There was no down-time to speak of — I only saw minimal redness, even on places with the most extractions taking place (my chin and nose). I went out for a dinner bare-faced right after the facial, and didn't even feel self-conscious. My family also commented that my face seemed less clogged up and immediately brighter after the facial :')

After my facial, I met Dr Ian Tan, my dermatologist, again to discuss my skin concerns. One of the issues that popped up during the month I was using IDS Skincare’s products was the area around my eyes that seem to be perpetually dry.

Dr Ian Tan noted that I might have extra-sensitive skin around that area and thus, prescribed me a product to combat that issue (ER - Eye Rescue), along with an anti-ageing product (A-Plus).

ER - Eye Rescue

A-Plus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

C1 - Refreshing Cleanser

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

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

The light texture of C1 - Refreshing Cleanser

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

T1 - Refreshing Toner

Sprayed from my bottle of T1 - Refreshing Toner

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

PF - Pore Formula 

How PF - Pore Formula looks like

C+ - C-Plus

C+ / C-Plus solution from IDS Clinic

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

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

RS - Recovery Serum

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

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

Extremely moisturising RS - Recovery Serum

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

MB - Moisture Boost

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DM - Dermashield Mask

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

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

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

Fit of DM - Dermashield Mask

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

Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery offers free standard delivery for orders above $60 and, if you're rushing to fulfil your ice cream cravings, one-hour express delivery at $18. Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery so committed to delivering your treats to you on time that they promised customers will get a full refund via store credits if your order is late for more than one hour.

The ice cream pints were neatly packed, with ice packs slotted between them to prevent the ice cream from melting during delivery.

Speculoos Ice Cream ($14.90)

Before eating the ice cream, I commented that $14.90 seems rather steep for a pint of ice cream. Later, I took back my words because I dare say Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery's speculoos ice cream is one of the best I've tried, with a strong cookie flavour and a hint of spiced caramel together with brown sugar.

Of all the speculoos ice cream I've tried in the market, Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery's speculoos ice cream reminds me of the actual Lotus Biscoff Biscuit the most. Not to mentioned, there are biscuit chunks in the ice cream, creating a crunchy bite. Yum.

I sprinkled speculoos on top of my speculoos ice cream for some extra crunch and flavour because... why not? 

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream ($14.90)

Gula Melaka Ice Cream ($14.90)

Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery's gula melaka ice cream boasts a complex flavour consisting of a slightly burnt caramelised sweetness and the fragrance that comes from it. My mom voted this as her favourite flavour, especially since she enjoys pairing her ice cream with waffles. 

Lemon Sorbet ($13.90)

If you're craving for a light and fresh dessert, Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery

lemon sorbet is perfect for you. The tangy and citrusy dessert is perfect to end off a heavy meal. The sorbet was a little to sour for me, but my brother, who loves all things sour, enjoyed it. 

Vanilla Frozen Yoghurt ($13.90)

Looking for a guilt-free dessert? Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery's vanilla frozen yogurt is great when you want to indulge in a dessert, but still feel healthy after a sinful meal. The frozen yogurt had a subtle vanilla sweetness that paired perfectly with the sourness from the yogurt. 

Overall, I'll have to eat back my words about Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery being expensive — their cold dessert is worth every cent you spend, and I would definitely purchase from them once my ice cream stash depletes.

Mathilda's Gelato Ice Cream Delivery

Website | Facebook | Instagram

8Crabs Seafood Restaurant reached out to me just as my mom complained that we haven't had zi char in a long while. Eating zi char every weekend used to be a custom for my family, and I believe most Chinese Singaporeans are familiar with this practice as well. With food delivery being all the rage now, naturally, 8Crabs Seafood Restaurant hopped on the bandwagon, and is offering up to one-hour express delivery.

8Crabs Seafood Restaurant