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[ Janel Ku ] Journey To Better Skin: My Experience With IDS (Part 1)
20 September 2021

I have a confession to make. Now that I'm over 30, I find myself relying more and more on liquid foundation for better coverage. I find that I could not live without it!

 

But for 2021, I threw my skin a challenge. I told myself that I had to at least maintain how my skin looks currently, and slow down the aging process. 

 

And Singapore's humid, hot weather isn't helping. My current skincare wasn't showing me too much results. My facial therapist kept hard selling me stuff that she claims can help tighten my pores. 

 

Just as I was feeling lost, IDS contacted me. (what impeccable timing!) 

 

Feeling like I have nothing to lose, I visited the IDS Clinic to have my skin checked. They have 2 branches, one at Novena and the other, at Orchard. I chose to visit the Orchard branch, located in International Building. 

 


As the lift opened, I thought it was going to be just another facial place. But I remember feeling impressed as I steped into the clean, aesthetic blue and silver design of the place. I approached someone at the counter to inform them I was here on appointment to the clinic. They shared that their counter was for the IDS Aesthetics and I had to proceed to the next counter to check-in for the clinic. 

 

'Pretty well organised, with specific staff in-charge of various sections,' I thought to myself, nodding my head unconsciously, as though I was there as a mystery shopper.

 

 

Anyway, I checked-in, and they shared that I'll be meeting with Dr Michelle Wong. But first, registration form. As I was waiting to see the Dr Wong, I took a quick glance around their wall of fame, which displayed the plenty smiling, satisfied customers and the award-laden, best selling products. 

 

 

 

I hope I'll be one of these happy customers soon :)

 

And their army of skincare products

 
 
Shortly after my own mini-tour, I was ushered into an office to take photos of my current skin condition. Thereafter - we head over to Dr Wong's office. The first thing I notice about her is how she carries the results on her own skin. And may I just add, she's really pretty btw! haha. 

 

Okay, back to me. So the consultation was a straightforward process, which ended up in me sharing with her my skin concerns, as well as my goal to get off foundation forever. Anyway, she was patient and after hearing me out, she recommended me a recommended skincare routine - one of my concerns was also how I was trying to cut down on the number of products I want to use, as I was worried also about developing skin tags / oil seeds on my face. 

 

So I was very appreciative when she recommended me a course that would only require 6 products (including sunscreen) at best!

And to deviate again, on a side note: How nice is that brown chair? Love it! 

 

 

After I said my goodbyes, she also bid me farewell with a reminder to come back in a month to monitor the results. Also, to keep the results very objective - I will not be modifying my diet over the next 1 month (an excellent excuse to keep to my current diet when I really should be eating more diet foods). The only changes I will make are (1) the use of the skincare products, to test how they really fare if I don't change anything else. (2) No other skincare products will be used. (3) Aim to drink 1 more litre of water a day - an advice my personal trainer gave me. (4) Use the rose quartz roller I purchased to also help with absorption of the IDS skincare products.

 

I was next ushered to have a short run-through of how the IDS skincare products should be used. I am thankful for the detailed explanation. 

 

 
 
And I left the clinic after collecting my products from the dispensary. I would say that the whole experience was very clinic-like, and professional, fuss-free and I didn't feel like I spent time waiting around. Basically, I liked that the process didn't drag out, and I was out of there under an hour. 
 
 

Back at home, I laid out the products in front of me in the order I was supposed to use them, both in the day and night, with the only exception of S3 (tinted sunscreen) which I shouldn't be using at night. To be honest, I was pretty excited to get started. 

 

My skincare routine order: Cleanser (C2), toner (T2), serum (C+), treatment product (PF), moisturiser (OM), DermaShield Mask Sheet, tinted sunscreen (S3). 

 

Well, they kept their product naming very simple - I think it's to also emulate the element units of the periodic table. (Ahhhh, those studying days of old). 

 

 
All prices stated below are accurate as of 20 March 2021, before GST. 
 
 
C2, Refreshing Cleanser (100ml), SGD$67: A gentle, pH-balanced formulation that maintains skin’s natural protective barrier, this comforting cleanser quickly removes makeup and end-of-the-day residue from the pores without excessive dryness. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here. 
 
T2, Delicate Toner (100ml), SGD$62: A delicate toner refreshes and invigorates skin instantly, while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture balance. It also aids in skin regeneration and the condition of superficially damaged skin. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here.
 
C+, C-Plus (30ml), SGD$150: An age-defense serum formulated with a potent form of Vitamin C, coupled with Nobel Prize ‘Fullerenes’ and Tocopheryl to exhibit a superior antioxidant action and strong collagen stimulation — resulting in a ‘wrinkle-free’ effect along with significant skin brightening. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here.
 
PF, Pore Formula (30ml), SGD$75: Special treatment product that refine pores and reduce blackheads and whiteheads. It minimises oil production without excessive drying. Formulated with IDS’ proprietary NEULASTIN transcutaneous delivery system. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here.
 
OM, Oil-Free Moisturizer (30ml), SGD$89Lightweight and non-greasy moisturiser packed with ingredients specially selected to regulate sebum, control acne, minimise shine and lighten blemish marks. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here. 
 
S3, New Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++ (50ml), SGD$69Matte sunscreen lotion, with powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here. 

 

DermaShield Mask Sheet (10 sheets in 1 box (SGD$105), individual sheets (SGD$12) available for purchase): Protects skin from damages caused by UV, Infra-Red, and HEV or Blue Light. Details on ingredients, benefits and usage here.

 


 

Why did I choose the tinted sunscreen instead of the non-tinted one? 

 

Well, simply put - I mentioned I was trying to get off liquid foundation, so for the coming week, I would be using only this product for light coverage and sun protection. 

 

 
 
Notes on where I'm supposed to use PF (Pore Formula) on my face. 

 
I was advised to use this mask sheet 1 time a week. Basically, I wasn't used to just using 1 sheet mask a week, because I was used to using sheet masks everyday. But as per their explanation, this product is just that powerful so I won't have to use one everyday. Once a week! That's some hardcore power juice for your face. 


 

My update a week after using only IDS skincare products
, as per advised: 
 
 
 
Till then, I'll update you all with part 2 after my next visit! 

 

You can visit www.idsskincare.com for more about their products or www.idsaesthetics.com if you wish to know more about their treatment that can help your skin!

 

xoxo, Janel

 

 

 

*Credits to Janel Ku

Visit Janel Ku's blog post here.