Skincare. I can't emphasize enough the importance of good skin care routine. If you are a beginner in makeup or skincare, i suggest you create a routine that works for your skin type and need. Let me introduce you to Korean Skincare. If you don't know, koreans are best known for their flawless, radiating skin. If you don't believe me, go to instagram and search for lorean skincare and get ready to be mind blown.
That being said, I didn't know or use korean skin care till two years ago. I did suffer from cystic during the time I use Nexplanon implant. During that horrible phase, my skin suffered from painful acne and acne-scars. After I got my implant taken off, I start using drug-store and high-end skin care but none seem to help. I subscribe to Proactive which only made worst because i developed a reaction. I tried DIY honey-sugar scrub/mask i found on Pinterest but i only developed hives. It was a disaster.
During my trial and error of skincare. My sister introduce me to Korean skincare. And I am not exaggerating when I tell you it saved my skin. I went from blemish-acne/acne-scars filled skin to acne-free, smooth skin. I've tried lots, LOTS of korean skincare but these are my favorites.
Cleanser
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| YADAH Anti-trouble bubble cleanser |
I always start my routine by cleaning all dirt, oils, makeup leftovers. I love this product because it's on a pump which is easier and more hygienic to use. This is a foam cleanser which is suppose to clean dirt from your skin and truth be told, after using this, I feel like my skin is squeaky clean.
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| Yadah AntiTrouble Bubble Cleanser + COSRX Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser |
I also love using this product with my favorite COSRX Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser. I only use this product on days where I feel my skin needs an extra help of cleansing, or that time of the month where pimples and blemishes starts to pop. This product helps exfoliate dead skin and prevents pimples from getting bigger, thus the work of Salicylic Acid. This product can be drying so always use a moisturizer after.
Toner
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| +SCINIC All Day Fine Pore Toner + SOROCI Soothing Skin Toner |
Cleanser, masks, exfoliators - all can affect the ph balance on your skin and toner is suppose to help restore ph balance on your skin quickly. When ph balance on your skin is restored, it can minimize oil, prevent infection and make your skin look radiant and glowy.. Some may argue that toners are gimicky but base from my experience and religious use of toner, my skin is looks more vibrant and smoother.
I use toner everyday and the toners I use are either SCINC Pore Toner or SOROCI Soothing Skin Toner depending on what my skin needs that day. Are my pores extra big and visible today? Is my skin extra dry? These are the questions I ask myself to determine which toner to use. As you can see these toners are well loved and almost out.
Scinic Pore Toner helps calm troubled skin and with ingredients such as Apple, Ivy and Kola Nut Extracts it tighten enlarge pores while Botanical Seed Oils moisturize and smooth rough skin.
Soroci Soothing Toner is a toner that balances skin ph at 5.5 and helps control sebum and minimizes pores. It is great for sensitive skin (like myself) and helps your skin soothed for a more dewy fresh look. Unlike the Scinic, Soroci has a pump which is easier to use.
Essence
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| Secret Key Snail Repairing Essence + DRAN Aqua Wonder Intensive Renewing Essence |
Essence is a step in your regimen that is in between your toner and serum and is a vital step in korean skincare. Essence is an extremely concentrated formula that works on a cellular level and is compatible to all skin type! Essence is kind of a skin regenerator and my personal skin care step. It regenerates skin from inside out with its highly concetrated antioxidants, vitamins, oraganic acids and prebiotics. Essence target fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and more. And though essence are more on the expensive price range, this is one of the product that is really beneficial therefore worth the penny.
I have fortunately tried lots of essence and here are my favorites.
Dran Aqua Wonder Intensive Renewing Essence is an essence that renews skin, whitens and is anti-wrinkle. After my horrible acne phase, my skin suffered with uneven skin tone and dark spots and scarring, this product was my skin saver. This genuinely renewed my skin.
Secret Key Snail Repairing Skin is currently my go-to essence. Since I don't have horrible acne and acne scars, this has been my preferred essence. ( I use my D'RAN Essence on days I do extensive masks which is every two weeks).
Secret Key Snail Repairing Essence has EGF (Cell Regeneration Fact) which acts as a skin stain remover, healer and repairer of wounds and scars. It also has Macadamia Seed Oil which provides moisturization, Hydrolyzed Placenta Extract which nourishes skin, Trenella fuciformis extracts that soothes sensitive skin and Rice Extract to brighten and clear skin.
Include essence in your skincare routine and you will thank me later.
Serum
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| RAMOSU Oil Drop Serrum |
This may sound extra but after essence, if you can, add serum on your regimen. Should I choose between essence and serum, i'd choose essence but that doesn't mean serum is a step that should be left out. My favorite is RAMOSU Oil Drop Serum. I take a dime size, I spread it on my face with a circular motion. This product feels like your regular moisturizer in texture but once blended on the skin, it transform in to a very smooth, silky almost watery texture. It glides super smooth in the skin and will make your skin almost oily but then it disappears after a minute.
According to their product description, RAMOSU Oil Drop Serum has a high functional serum containing jojoba seed oil, camellia oil and sunflower oil added to the excellent moisturizing extract from okra, dioscorea japanica and kelp using oil drop technology. All that good stuff is suppose to keep the skin soft, smooth and is suppose to bring moistness and elasticity by providing anti-aging effect at the same time.
I know what you're thinking. I'm too young to be using anti-aging products. I get your concern but there is no harm, especially with these natural ingredients, in protecting your skin from ageing. I guess this is the untold secret of koreans when it comes to looking fresh and young.
Soothing Gel
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| Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel + TonyMoly Pure Eco Bamboo Soothing Gel |
On days where my skin is really damage from the sun, dehydrated or recovering from stress, I include Soothing Gel.
The Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel is made from 99% fermented aloe straight from Jeju Island, South Korea. Back in the day, I tried an organic, fresh from garden Aloe and put it on my skin and you guys, this product, smells and feels like it. Okay, a little less stickier than the organic Aloe but you get my point. Holika Holika Aloe absorbs quickly to soothe your skin and keep it moist without any stickiness. For days I need extra help after crying over korean dramas, I put the product on the fridge over night for extra coolness. Put a dmize sixe amount and tap it on my skin
TonyMoly Pure Eco Bamboo Soothing Gel claims in their product description that it is formulated with 99% Damyang bamboo water that provides refreshing relief to fatigued skin, helps soothe seneitive skin, provides rich hydration making a healthy flawless complexion. Damyang bamboo sap includes 18 kinds of minerals and amino acid that supply moisture and relief to skin.
When I feel like my skin is dull and needed life, I get a small amount of this gel and pat it on my skin. And since it can be use for body as well, I also put this on my elbow and knees.
Face Lotion
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| Snail Bee High Content Lotion |
I have never heard of face lotion before so I have been only using this bad boy for about 8 months or more. Face lotion like body lotion nourishes and hydrates the skin. After cleansing, toning and putting essence and serum, I get a descent amount of my Snail Bee lotion and dab in on my skin. It gives my skin hydration and moisture. Keep in mind that Snail Bee Lotion does not claim to be a moisturizer but it has the same effect on me, if not more.
Snail Bee claims to be beneficial for all skin type. And instead of water, snail secretion filtrate was used. It also has bee venom, EGF, Hyaluronic acid botanical based natural ingredients to help improve rough, damage skin. In addition to the skin-soothing, cooling effect, moisturizing and skin-lifting improvement, ingredients such as Niacinamide and Adenosine helps brightens skin and removes wrinkles.
SPF
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| Secret Key Snail Sun Cream in spf 50 |
Last but definitely not the least, Sun Screen! Many tend to look down on this step but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of protecting one's skin from the harsh rays of the sun. I use this on days I don't wear makeup. This doesn't live a white tint after application, this doesn't smell like regular spf as well. If you're planning on putting makeup, keep in mind that like any other spf product, this will leave a white cast.
So there we go, My go-to Korean Skin Care Regimens!
I hope this article helped you in one way or another. And again, if you are new to skin care or makeup, I highly suggest for you to invest your money in good quality skin care products over makeup. Because if you have a bad base or bad canvass, nothing you put on top will look great. Also. never sleep with makeup on.
xoxo
