IDS Clinic

Currently, I am a foot into the working society. As some of you guys may know, and have seen me around when you visited IDS Clinic, I am working as clinic assistant/ customer service officer in a dermatology and aesthetic clinic. The reason why I applied to this job despite holding a Nutrition degree is because I wanted to experience what my mum went through as a clinic assistant in a gynecology clinic. I thought the job scope will be fun, but hell no, it isn't that easy as a starter. Anyway, I am not going to touch in-depth about my working life here. Ask me personally, and I will tell you about it.

#selfie

The front counter of IDS Clinic

The waiting area

I consulted Dr. Heng about my hormonal acne during my free time. Firstly, I had to take photos of my face profile before consultation. I was embarrassed with my skin condition. Due to the hectic lifestyle I had back when I was studying, I hardly have enough time to sleep and take care of my skin. Trust me, I slept at irregular hours for months. E.g. Sleep at 7am - wake at 10am while I was doing my 30 pages Final Year Project dissertation.

After Dr. Heng analyzed my face through my photos, and through his magnifying glasses, he told me that yes, my condition is hormonal acne, which most young adults are experiencing. He prescribed me a few of IDS products in sample sizes, namely: Refreshing Cleanser (C1), Pore, C+, Spot and Probiotic Mask. As I am using toner from Nivea, Dr. Heng told me the toner that I am using should suffice, so he does not see the need of prescribing me IDS Oil-Control Toner (T2). He did told me that if my condition does not get any better in a month's time, I will have to take in Roaccutane (oral antibiotic).

Photo courtesy of idsclinic.com

Refreshing Cleanser (C1)

You must be wondering why the colour of the cleanser is so browny. Sometimes, I am so glad that I studied science. The reason why the cleanser is brown because it contains epigallotocatechin gallate (EGCG). Sounds mouthful? In summary, EGCG is a powerful polyphenol and antioxidant, mostly found in green tea. EGCG is able to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes (a gram-positive bacteria found abundantly on our human skin) to reduce inflammation.

You know how some cleansers in the market are able to make your skin feel squeaky clean after washing your face? I did try Garnier whitening cleanser, the cleanser made my skin feel squeaky, which is not a good sign, because the cleanser stripped off all of the excess oil on my skin. With the use of C1, I feel my skin has become smoother and cleaner after washing my face. Yay to no squeaky feeling.

Photo courtesy of idsclinic.com

Pore

The colour of Pore is similar to the cleanser, so yup, you guessed it right. Pore contains EGCG. Other key ingredients are botanical extracts, which are able to reduce the amount of oil produced by our sebum glands, the pore size and inflammations. After using Pore, I realized that my face is less shiny/ oily throughout the day.

Photo courtesy of idsclinic.com

C+

This is the product which I swear by. I do not know if it is placebo effect because the Refreshing Cleanser and Pore are so effective. C+ , as the name kindly suggested, contains vitamin C. So here's my input from the scientific knowledge at the back of my head... Vitamin C is a precursor of collagen. I dare to say that by ingesting collagen straight into body, does not directly make you produce more collagen on your face. Simple reason: What we eat, we pass out too. This is body homeostasis. By applying vitamin C on to our face, it does stimulate collagen directly. After using C+, I have noticed that my post-acne hyperpigmentation has faded off a lot, mainly due to the stimulation of collagen and continuous cell-renewing happening on my face.

Photo courtesy of idsclinic.com

Spot

I love that IDS named their products in an idiot-proof way. As the name suggested directly, Spot is used to apply on blemishes. When I use Spot initially, I feel that the smell of Spot is very similar to the smell of Acne Clear Pimple Treatment lotion. Then, I realized that under the ingredient list of Spot, it actually contains sulfur - which is also found in Acne Clear Pimple Treatment lotion. Sulfur is known to reduce the size and inflammation of pimples. I am very pleased with this product. As soon as I see a tiny pimple popping out, I dabbed Spot on it, the pimple was gone the next day.

Photo courtesy of idsclinic.com

Probiotic Mask

This mask smells really good! I have always thought that with my foundation in food sciences, probiotics are always used in yoghurt. I have never thought that a mask can contain probiotic. The probiotic used in this mask is of Lactobacillus species. The mask is able to normalize the microflora on our skin. Basically, it means Lactobacillus is able to reduce the dominant bacteria (P. acnes) on our skin, to reduce inflammation.

Skincare Routine

1. Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Milk to cleanse off make up
2. Refreshing Cleanser OR Caudalie Deep Cleansing Exfoliator once a week
3. Nivea Refreshing Toner

-Use of Probiotic Mask every fortnightly, leave it on for an hour, rinsed off-

4. Pore
5. C+
6. Spot


I am not in any way sponsored by IDS Clinic, or speaking good light about IDS Clinic because I want to be a good employee. I noticed tremendous difference with the usage of these products for two weeks. I have lesser breakouts, less inflamed pimples and my post-acne hyper-pigmentation has faded slightly. I will be using these products continuously, and I think it's time for me to buy the full size of products soon, as my sample size products are running out.

All products of IDS Clinic is formulated by Dr. SK Tan. If you are having acne conditions, come visit IDS Clinic. We are having free consultation.

IDS Clinic

Novena Specialist Centre

8 Sinaran Drive, #05-07 to 10