MY (MOSTLY KOREAN SKINCARE) BEAUTY ROUTINE
I feel like I should preface this post by letting everybody in on what type of skin I have. I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I'm quite certain that it plays a large role in how dry my skin is. Back to what I was saying, skin as dry as the sahara, red cheeks, and I deal with hormonal acne (primarily on my chin and whenever I'm about to start my godforsaken period or start my godforsaken birth control). Also every so often I have issues with those tiny bumps on your forehead, which seem to be subsiding due to the massive amounts of water I've been forcing myself to drink. My goals for my face basically revolve around maintaining its youth, moisturizing dry patches, and minimizing redness in my cheeks. Lastly, I've been doing this specific routine for about 8 months now and have been overall thrilled, occasionally I skip a few days of it (like when traveling or I'm just too tired to do the entire process) and I notice a huge difference, as in TRY TO DO YOUR ROUTINE EVERY NIGHT because your skin WILL know and it WILL hold it against you. Now let's get to it (click on any photo to take you directly to it's page to learn more):
MUJI UNBLEACHED COTTON PADS ($7.18) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Okay, so I'm including these cotton pads from Japan because I really love the look, the price, and that they're unbleached (not sure how much more sustainable that makes them), I find that I like the quality of them better than a bleached cotton. Keep in mind, these pads are speckled with small spots, that come from the husks of the cotton. Added bonus, they don't get stuck to my eyelashes when I'm taking off my mascara or begin to pill, like the regular bleached circle ones do.
GARNIER MICELLAR WATER ($6.79) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Speaking of mascara, this is the first step of my routine: removing my makeup. I tend to use about two (of the above) soaked cotton pads to remove my eye makeup and eyebrows. This micellar water is paraben-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free AKA it does not irritate my skin. Even if I didn't wear any makeup that day I still swipe my face with one soaked cotton in order to remove any dirt, excess oil, or impurities.
COSRX LOW PH GOOD MORNING GEL CLEANSER ($13.90) - LINKED IN PHOTO
This face wash smells SO good! Very fresh, citrusy, and it really does "wake me up" in the morning. It's got a daily exfoliating effect due to the natural BHA ingredient. Also, Korean skincare focuses heavily on using products with the proper pH level. So for this particular face wash, the pH level is 5.0 - 6.0 and your natural skin pH is around 5.5. I use this in the morning and at night, it's great at removing my face makeup, which is light-medium coverage.
NEOGEN DERMALOGY BIO-PEEL GAUZE PEELING - WINE ($21.50) - LINKED IN PHOTO
I only do this maybe three to four times a month (they suggest 2-3 times a week) because my skin is pretty sensitive and I will literally start molting like a snake, only to reveal a new layer of skin underneath. Anyway, this is great for exfoliating any dead skin off your face. It has two different sides, one is a bit rougher but will leave your skin noticeably smoother. I insert this step after washing my face and I make sure to rinse off after using it, in order to not irritate my skin. I do feel like my complexion is obviously brighter, tighter, and softer after using this product.
THAYERS WITCH HAZEL ROSE PETAL W/ ALOE VERA ($6.99) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Here is where I start to layer on my products (trying to go from thinnest to thickest), I soak one cotton pad with a good amount of this witch hazel and make sure to run it over my entire face. It smells like roses and feels rather cooling on the face which I would imagine comes from the aloe vera. It has no alcohol, which is important to me, and not only does it cleanse and tone the face, but it moisturizes as well.
DERMAL KOREA COLLAGEN ESSENCE FULL FACIAL SHEET MASK, 16 Combo Pack ($9.99) - LINKED IN PHOTO
I don't do this every night, but when I do, I leave it on for 10-15 minutes after completing the above steps. After I remove the mask I make sure to gently rub the remaining essence into my skin AND neck, making sure it soaks in before applying any other products.
COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSCENCE ($20.00) - LINKED IN PHOTO
I use this essence before I put on any serums or ampoules because I notice it tends to froth (for lack of a better word) up otherwise. This is truly one of my most favorite products I've discovered, actually it was my gateway product to the Korean Skincare Scene. I purchased this primarily to focus on the removal of redness in my cheeks and I wish I would have taken before and after photos because it truly improved my skin tone by 200%. Albeit the consistency is a bit sticky, as you would expect a mucus to be, don't let it dissuade you!
KLAIRS FRESHLY JUICE VITAMIN DROP, 5% PURE VITAMIN C ($23.50) - LINKED IN PHOTO
This super light multi functional serum is designed to clear up acne, acne scars, prevent breakouts, minimize pores, improve dull skin, and add moisture. For normal skin it's recommended to use an entire dropper full, for sensitive they say to use a few drops on your face and pat it in. I ONLY use this at night, if you choose to use this in the morning make sure you absolutely don't forget your sunscreen!
MIZON AMPOULES - PLACENTA 45, COLLAGEN 100 AND HYALURONIC ACID 100
I use these every single night (sometimes one, sometimes all three) and occasionally in the morning if I have time, each have their own specific benefits which I'll list below, and I love them all equally.
PLACENTA 45 ($10.99) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Highly enriched with (50%) placenta, the ampoule gives you revitalized clean and clear skin
Whitening wrinklecare for rough skin improvement, rejuvenation, protection and regeneration
Free from fragrance, artificial color, and parabens, ideal for sensitive skin types
COLLAGEN 100 ($14.72) - LINKED IN PHOTO
The 90% highly concentrated marine collagen ampoule is anti-aging and makes your skin tight and supple again
Tightens and tones up skin, forms a protective film, moisturizes, and improves skin texture and elasticity
Free from fragrance, artificial color, and parabens, ideal for sensitive skin types
HYALURONIC ACID 100 ($13.28) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Provides wrinkle care, renewal, immediate deep skin hydration, and moisture balance
Contains hyaluronic acid (50%) for moisturizing
Free from fragrance, artificial color, and parabens, ideal for sensitive skin types
MIZON COLLAGEN POWER FIRMING EYE CREAM ($14.89) - LINKED IN PHOTO
I apply a small amount around eyes and tap in until absorbed. Also make sure to use on laugh lines, and neck and forehead wrinkles. Key Ingredients Include: Marine Collagen, Cacao Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Adenosine, Raspberry Extract, and Orris Root Extract, Natural Moisture Veil: Organic Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Meadow Foam Seed Oil, Mango Seed Oil, Shea Butter, and Hyaluronic Acid.
MIZON MULTI FUNCTION FORMULA ALL IN ONE SNAIL REPAIR CREAM ($18.98) - LINKED IN PHOTO
Every other night I switch off between this cream and an oil, from my Sonoran Bath and Body line. I use about a blueberry sized amount and make sure to spread all over my forehead, cheeks, and chin. With 92 percent snail mucus extract, it provides outstanding skin regeneration and recovery, solves multiple skin concerns. It is anti-aging, focusing on fine wrinkles, blemishes, acne scars, and pores.
MIZON HONEY BLACK SUGAR SCRUB ($12.99) - LINKED IN PHOTO
I'm putting this at the end because it't not necessarily part of my daily routine, but I do use it about twice a month while I take a shower. It's a natural exfoliant that smells wonderful and is great at sloughing off dead skin.
