Current Skincare Routine

My skincare routine has slightly morphed since its humble beginnings back in March 2015- more about its origin story here.

  • Skin profile: normal to combination, acne prone on T-zone and cheeks
  • Makeup shade: Unofficially matched NC35-40. In between Missha 27 and 31. IOPE 31
  • Issues: post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) from occasional hormonal breakouts, sebaceous filaments (SFs) in T-zone, fine lines on forehead
  • Skincare goals/focus: brightening to fade PIH, even skin tone, get that natural glow, acne prevention and/or control, overall maintenance, aging prevention (secondary)

My skin is a bit boring. I don’t have any pre-existing skin conditions. I don’t have any miracle stories. But everyone’s skincare story is different. It’s also important to figure out and know how to maintain that boringness- but with an added glow 🙂

I generally alternate essences and ampoules since I have a (small) variety of products that address different goals. I don’t always go through every step depending on if my skin needs a lot of love or just a smidgen.

I’ve learned to always assess what my skin needs right before I start my routine. Does it feel a bit dehydrated? Give it some snail love. Are my dark PIH marks not fading quick enough? Up the niacinamide use. Face looking on point? A simple sheet mask soaked in a ton of essence + moisturizer should keep it hydrated enough.

nov15 routine
(Asian beauty products sans Vitamin C (in the fridge) and oil cleansers)

With that being said, these are the full-sized products in my current arsenal (as of March 2017) in routine order:

1) Oil cleanser (PM use only)
– Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbet

2) Foam cleanser
– Rohto Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Foaming Facial Wash
– Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
– Cremorlab T.E.N Cremor O2 Bubble Energizing Mask

3) Actives
– CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
– Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine (AHA + mechanical exfoliator)

4) Toner
– Son & Park Beauty Water
– RE:P Organic Cotton Treatment Toning Pads

5) Essence
– CosRX Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
– CosRX Advanced 96 Snail Mucin Power Essence
– Tosowoong Propolis Brightening Essence

6) Serum/Ampoule
– CosRX Mela14 White Ampule
– Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Borabit
– Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence

7) Moisturizer
– Laneige Balancing Emulsion (for light)
– Mizon Returning Starfish Cream [brought back out for winter]

8) Eye Cream
– Cremorlab Shadow-Off Eye Cream

* to phase out/will not repurchase once finished