I am Asian and therefore have slightly different skin than what most products in Australia cater for.
I was born in Australia and have been here all my life and when I compare my skin to the majority of my Asian friends who have spent most of their lives overseas, i can see a big difference.
Their skin is noticeably whiter and softer.
My skin is usually oily but at the moment it is dry and flakey due to the weather.
My skin looks good when i wake up but as soon as i wash my face, tone and moisturize, it doesn't appear as smooth. Then in the middle of the day, my skin becomes oily.
My main concern is that my skin looks dull and lifeless, I have few open pores around my cheeks and occasionally get pimples.
I have spent thousands and thousands on products that do not work for me and I always get persuaded to purchase the whole range of products.
I just want someone to suggest the right products for me and not only because they're wanting to meet sales targets!!
I'm currently using Shisheido (White Lucent) Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer. Before i moisturize, i also use SKII essence and i also use SKII mask once a week. I also use a scrub twice a week. I just want my skin to be smooth, healthy and glowing! The first time i used the SKII mask, it gave me that exact effect but ever since, nothing has happened. Please help!
On the surface your concerns appear readily addressed and your exasperation isn't based on an evenhanded assessment of your trials and tribulations with various skin care products.
First and foremost, leave the department store and beauty salons behind. That they house so many brands with contradicting treatment philosophies under the one roof reveals their foremost concern, which is most likely incongruous with yours.
Make a small and most important investment in your skin's future by making daily use of a true broad spectrum sunscreen such as Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 or Skinceuticals Daily Sun Defense SPF 20. The sun's energy is the prime culprit in premature aging and deeper discoloration.
To prevent unwanted melanin formation, and preserve/restore translucency, a combination of antioxidant and true broad spectrum sunscreen will provide near perfect sun protection: apply Skinceuticals C E Ferulic underneath one of the above sunscreens.
Your moisturizer doesn't wear well because you haven't provided your skin with therapeutic exfoliation.
Instead of unevenly polishing the surface with a scrub, make frequent use of evenly-penetrating skin resurfacing agents such as glycolic acid or proteolytic enzymes.
Jan Marini Bioclear Lotion and Cream, and Skin Zyme Cleanser + Mask are good examples of these.
The documents Core Principles of Effective Skin Care; Choice vs. Need — Information Asymmetry In Skin Care; On The Winter Solstice - Think Summer Sun Protection and Understanding Photoprotection should help put you on the right track.