Glow Notes Series: Anti-Aging

Bismillah...

Loving the outdoors simply means it's almost impossible to have a perfect skin unless it's in your genes. I struggled with blemishes as a teenager. I think my skin only got better during my undergrad when I started to consistently follow the basic skincare routine; cleansing, toning and moisturizing. But actually at that time, I used to wonder why some of my other friends always seem to have flawless, glowing skin throughout the day. It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I realized that these friends were doing a lot more than those 3 basics.

I'm putting this post together as a little cheat sheet for myself because I always mix up the active ingredients and forget what they're suppose to do. At first I wanted to use Canva to create fancier cheat sheet but then I think I probably will spend too much time obsessing over the design instead of the content. And I also want a more detailed notes so writing everything on this blog is the best option. I'm going to write in series so lets start!

Anti-aging

This is currently my biggest concern of all. I got panicked last year because I could feel my skin becoming less firm, so I started taking oral collagen (will write about this in another post). There are also some crow's feet at the corner of my eyes but they don't bother me too much since they're not very noticeable.

Retinoids

Retinoids is an umbrella term used for vitamin A. The common ones seen over-the-counter are retinol and retinal (retinaldehyde). Both are used for

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve skin texture and tone
• Boost collagen production 
• Speed up skin cell turn over

So how are retinol and retinal (retinaldehyde) different?

Retinol 

2 steps conversion: Retinol ➡ Retinal ➡Retinoic Acid

Therefore, it is gentler and slower

Available strength: 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 1%

Retinal (retinaldehyde) 

1 step conversion: Retinal ➡Retinoic Acid

Stronger and faster

Available strength: 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%

To avoid irritation, start with low % and use 2-3 nights per week first. When I first started using retinol, I didn't really do any reading and mistakenly bought the 1% strength. I was really anxious when I learned that 1% is actually the highest concentration. But I used it anyway and started slowly. I used it twice a week, made sure I moisturize well afterward and always apply sunscreen the next day. I tolerated it quite well. However, I do have friends who experienced irritation with the lowest strength. My first retinol product was from The Ordinary. The shelf life is only 3 months so I ended up not buying it anymore.

I bought this in Japan (I'll make sure to note the price next time). Texture wise, it is quite thick but it doesn't feel pasty at all and it absorbs well into the skin. It contains both retinol and retinal. It also has bakuchiol, a plant-based ingredient which is often used as a gentler alternative to retinoids for anti-aging. I use it 2 to 3 times per week. I really love how my skin looks the next morning, feels and looks more supple.

I also bought this one in Japan. This is my second purchase and I actually have another one in stock. It only contains retinol but I'm not sure about the exact percentage. The texture is gel-like and it absorbs really quickly into my skin. While it doesn't give that instant plumping feeling like the Some By Mi one, I do notice my fine lines gradually look less visible after using it. I guess it works for me and it's more budget-friendly too!

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals. Therefore it helps to reduce oxidative stress and slow down collagen breakdown. It is also important in collagen production whereby it is needed to stabilize collagen. And finally it also brightens and evens skin tone. So, basically vitamin C is best for daily protection and giving the skin a healthy glow.

Another product bought in Japan. This is my 3rd bottle because I spilled the 2nd bottle hehe. It's a concentrated 10% vitamin C serum plus Cica extract. The Cica extract is for hydration and to prevent irritation. The texture actually feels a bit oil-like. When I apply the product, I do feel a slight warm sensation but it only lasts a few seconds. Not prickly and stinging. In terms of whether it works or not, I don't really notice any visible changes immediately after use and that make sense because vitamin C is not meant for instant results. I continue using the product because I believe in the benefits of vitamin C. I don't use it during the day as I it makes my skin more oily. Instead, I alternate it with my retinol products.

Peptides

This is something I just recently tried. I bought my first peptide serum during my visit to Seoul in February for GD's fan meeting. Peptides are short chain amino acids that act like messenger that tells your skin to perform specific restorative function and different peptides work in different ways.

• Signal Peptides - Tell skin to produce more collagen and elastin
• Carrier Peptides - Deliver trace minerals that support skin repair
• Enzyme-inhibiting Peptides - Inhibit enzyme to slow down collagen natural breakdown
• Neurotransmitter Peptides - Block chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. Botox-like effect

There are 5 peptides in this product

• Signal Peptides - Palmitoyl Pentapeptide- 4 & Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
• Carrier Peptides - Copper Tripeptide-1
• Enzyme-inhibiting Peptides - Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
• Neurotransmitter Peptides - Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

It has other ingredients too; PDRN for cell regeneration, niacinamide for brightening effect, adenosine for healthier skin structure and ocimum sanctum (holy basil) leaf extract for soothing anti-inflammatory effect. 

This is currently my go-to daytime serum. I love the pink colour, the texture and the scent. It absorbs really quickly into the skin which makes it perfect for my morning routine when I'm rushing to get ready for work. Just bought another 2 bottles during my recent visit to Japan.

It's honestly hard to tell which product is making the biggest difference because I'm using several active ingredients at the same time. Plus, there could be other contributing factors too. I've cut back a lot on sugar, been staying active, make sure I'm well-hydrated throughout the day and try to get enough sleep.

So my skincare routine for aging is quite simple,

Morning: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Brightening Glow Serum

Night: Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum or Unlabel Lab Retinol Essence or Keana Beaute VC-10

Since I've never been blessed with smooth poreless skin, I'm pretty happy with how my skin is looking these days. Been enjoying the reactions I get when I tell people I'm turning 40 this year! Hahaha

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Just Coffee...

Bismillah..

I wasn't a coffee lover until our trip to Melbourne in 2012. I remember it was spring. Although the temperature was generally pleasant during the day, it often dropped to a single digit in the morning and late evening. So, in the morning I made it a habit to drop by at whichever 7e that I came across to grab a cup of the AUD1 coffee to warm myself up before I start driving. It was then that I realized how good coffee could actually be. And if I paid attention, I could taste the different notes in them.

My aging gut decided it could no longer take latte or cappuccino. Therefore, I've been only drinking Americano for over a year now. This lets me taste and appreciate the true flavour of the coffee, without it being masked by milk or other additives. So, nowadays, I go coffee hunting whenever I'm solo travelling.

I watched this yesterday. I really love the way he explained the essentials of coffee. It was clear, simple and interesting. Here I'm going to put a quick summary of the things that determine a coffee's flavour.

Processing

• Washed : Cleaner, brighter flavours with pronounced acidity. Floral, citrus and fruity notes
• Dry (Natural) : Intense fruitiness and pronounced sweetness.  Lower acidity

Altitude

• High: Less oxygen, more anaerobic respiration, more acid build up. More complex beans with high acidity and floral or fruity notes
• Low: Warmer temperature, more oxygen. Milder and less acidic coffee. Nutty or chocolatey flavours

Brewing method

• French press: Immersion brewing method. Oils and fine particles are not filtered. Rich and heavier flavour profile
• Pour over: Infusion method. Precise control of water temperature and pouring technique. Clean, light and delicate flavour profile

The above are pictures of coffees that I tried in Seoul during my trip in October 2025 and February 2026. Honestly, Seoul does feel closer to KK now since there are lots of direct flights daily.

My personal favourites are 

1. Rewire Coffee

It's just a few minutes walk from Chungmuro station.  A very small cafe tucked away on a street frequented by locals. A steady stream of local customers kept on coming when I was there. I also noticed a few Japanese coffee magazines in the cafe. The vibe did felt more Japanese than Korean.

2. Maxim Plant

This is a huge cafe on the main street of Itaewon. It has 5 full floors for guests which offer a variety of spaces for socializing and working. There's also a spot where you can just sit by the glass window and watch the street below. As for the coffee, I didn't know that Maxim is the sister brand of my favourite Kanu coffee. I loved the coffee from the very first sip! The only drawback is the cafe is quite a walk from the nearest subway station.

3. Sim Coffee House

I was rushing that afternoon, but I needed my coffee to avoid getting a headache from lack of caffeine in my system. The cafe has the highest rating on Google and it was just 3 minutes walk from where I as staying. How I wish I had more time to spend in this cafe because it's not an ordinary one. The owner is a seasoned barista and many young baristas come to his cafe as his apprentices. His impressive range of coffee brewing equipment is displayed as decor and this added a sophisticated touch to the cafe. Best of all, he takes time to explain about the beans and brewing process. You don't just drink the coffee, you truly experience it in this cafe.

I think my blog's content will be very different from what it used to be (^^)

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Return to Writing...

Bismillah...

Wow! I guess this is my longest hiatus from writing ever. Not that I entirely stopped, I do write lengthy posts on my IG story. I just haven't got the time to really sit down quietly, organize my thoughts and put them into words. I was just reading my last posts before I start with this one. Hurm.. I left off with a note that things were not going too well for me. If there's still anyone reading this blog, they might have thought I was in a really bad place and have probably given up writing. Nope! I love writing too much to give it up...

On the contrary, things actually got better for me around October in 2023. The department got a new leader who was prepared to make a massive change in both the system and culture. I was immediately appointed to lead my unit. I was part of the team tasked to reinvent new culture and to pursue goals that weren't there before. So, I suddenly had my hands full. And around November, I started to join this group of people who plays volleyball at the mortuary. And that was when I returned to sports, widen my social circle there and pretty much found my old self again. 

If I were to be asked whether I discovered the 'blessing in disguise' of being transferred to Tawau, the answer is no, I have not. To me, it was simply a prolonged career 'reset' and one of the greatest tests of character I've ever had. The most challenging part of it all was navigating my way through depression. I spent a lot of time in deep internal conversation, asking myself how to break free from cycles of negativity, how to refocus on who I envisioned to be and how to get back on track towards growth in the direction that I truly wanted in my life. Eventually, I left Tawau with no resentment. I was happy to have contributed the best I could within the time and capacity that I was given. And most importantly, I'm grateful for all the memories created.

So, how am I doing now? This image on my new phone case perfectly captures how I feel internally...

Not fully practicing clinical pharmacy doesn't come without consequences.  

Well, I actually fought to be posted to my old hospital. And before I graduated from my masters program, I did mention to some close friends that I felt drawn to critical care. A part of me wanted a change, wanted more challenge. I guess, after the long career reset and everything that came with it, it feels like Allah had finally answered this one quiet prayer that was buried deep within me. Now, I no longer identify myself as an ID pharmacist but am proud to call myself a critical care pharmacist.

In 2 months, it'll be a year since I started. I've been enjoying the journey so far. It's been a steep learning curve every single day. Even patients with the same diagnosis can present so differently and their management has to be individualized. Lately, though, I've been struggling a little more. I've just taken over the RVD clinic again and it's not easy holding 2 very different specialties in your head at the same time. I feel switching between them as needed requires a different kind of mental agility. 

And that brings me to WHY I feel the need to write again. I want to make writing as one of my mental exercise. In the past, writing used to help me gain clarity. What I didn't realize was how much writing shaped my thinking and how it has strengthened my neuroplasticity all along. 

As I aged, I do notice episodes of mental fog from time to time. But interestingly, since working in ICU, I can feel my memory and cognitive function sharpening again. So now I'm intentionally working on improving my brain through multiple approach like writing, language learning (Still working on my Japanese), reading, word search etc. 

How we age is a choice after all...

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