As a follow up, to what got me into Korean Skincare, I think I should share my current skincare routine, talk about my skin a wee bit more, and why I have stuck with these specific products in my routine. I purchased most of these products from SokoGlam (side note that link will get you 20% off of your first order with them), but I occasionally get them from Amazon as well. I will note which site I got them on as I go through the steps. For Sokoglam, please use that link above to save some money. I will link it throughout.
So skincare routines are like flowers. No two should be exactly the same. As someone who has dry skin, as well as hormonal acne that is extremely reactive to stress, skincare has always been interesting for me. I will point out, I did have to see a dermatologist to get prescription medication to handle a lot of the hormonal acne. All of the below are the parts of my routine that can be procured without a prescription:
Step 1: Makeup Remover: Clinque Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for Eyes, Lashes and Lips (Sephora $19)
This is the first step of my evening routine, as I’m sorry, I refuse to go to bed with eyeliner and mascara on. It can cause issues with your eyes, and lead to infections. I don’t have time for that, and neither should you. This is the only non-Korean makeup product in my routine, and that is because I have yet to find a Korean substitute that is as good as this. This remover is actually an oil water-based cleanser mix, and it is the only on I have used so far that has managed to get off liquid lipstick, as well as not sting my eyeballs when using.
Step 2: Cleansing Water: Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Water (Sokoglam $15 – plus 20% off from this link =$12)
This cleanser is a more recent addition into my skincare routine, as originally I only had a 2 step cleanse, but one day, I had a sample of a cleansing water (don’t remember what it was) and love how much cleaner my skin felt that I decided to add one more quick step to the beginning of my routine. I love to add products with fermented ingredients into my routine as they help the skin absorb products better, and basically amplify the effects of whatever product you are using. This essence was picked up from Sokoglam, and it is truly a great find, as my skin immediately feels refreshed and just a bit cleaner after using it. I use this product as my second step of my cleanse ritual at night, and first step in the morning.
Step 3: Oil Cleanser: Missha M Perfect BB Deep Cleansing Oil (Sokoglam- $27 – plus 20% off from this link =$22.60)
This is the third step in my typical evening routine, and has recently been dropped from my morning routine, as I have discovered that I don’t like using an oil cleanser twice a day. It feels excessive, unless I was really disgusting when I wake up in the morning. I actually got this cleanser with points from Sokoglam, as they had the full size as a reward one month, and I had yet to try an oil cleanser that I have died over. So far, this one has in fact been my favorite, but I still do not think that it has become a die hard must have for me. It is only the best I have stumbled along thus far.
Update: I have actually rotated this product out of my skincare routine for a much lighter, thinner oil for summer, as this one is a bit thick for my taste. The one I switched to is the Face Shop Rice Bright Oil Cleanser. You can get it here for about $9. I still only use this at night or after a really sweaty workout.
Step 4: Gel Cleanser: CosRx Low pH Good Morning Cleanser (Sokoglam- 11$- plus 20% off from this link $8.80)
This cleanser is one that I keep coming back to. I’ve tried one or two other cleansers, and this one just does a really good job, especially if you have skin that reacts ALOT to different products. In regards to the ingredient deck, it is very clean, as in there are no harsh ingredients in it. Additionally, the lower pH of this cleanser really helps control my breakouts. I have other cleansers in the pipeline to try. Staggering the start dates of new products is key though. If you try too many at once, your skin may go into shock. This one does hold a big place in my heart though. I use this morning and night.
Step 5: Toner: Klairs Suppler Preparation Facial Toner (Sokoglam – $22 – plus 20% off from this link– $17.80)
I have tried a number of toners, and this is the first one that has me thinking, yes, this is it. When I put this toner on, my face has almost an immediate calming effect on my skin. Because of the Centella Asiatica in it (it comes from Tiger Grass), it is excellent at taking redness down on the skin, and helping heal acne scars. I’m not sure how much it does with that, but I do definitely feel my skin calm when I put this on, and it is also very hydrating. I use this morning and night.
Step 6: Essence: Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist (Sokoglam – $49 – plus 20% off from this link– $39.80)
This is one of my holy grail products. Not going to lie. It is expensive, but there is a reason for it. This product is considered to be a dupe for the SK II first essence, which is like twice the price of this. The thing that make this product so amazing is the use of fermented ingredients. The fermented ingredients in it really give your skin that extra bit of lovin’ it needs. My skin is actually addicted to this stuff, and I don’t think that I will ever stop using it. It is truly just that amazing. I use this morning and night.
Step 7: Treatments: EasyDew EX Repair Control EGF (Sokoglam – $88 –plus 20% off from this link– $70.40)
This is another holy grail product for me, as well as the newest product to my routine. This EGF line is ridiculously expensive, but it is 100% worth it. This stuff is like magic on my acne scars. Since I’m so blond and fair skinned, any sort of pigmentation on my skin is almost impossible to cover up. This magical little nugget is formulated with the highest amount of EGF that is allowed without a perscription. EGF targets the lower layers of the skin and really helps deal with scarring in the skin without laser treatments.
I have never been this impressed with a product before. This is the real deal. If you have bad acne scarring, I highly recommend that you try this first, give it a month or two, and see if you get results. It has worked wonders for me in the past month that I have used it. This gets applied morning and night to my skin.
Step 7 (Part 2): Ampoule: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule (Sokoglam – $49 – plus 20% off from this link– $39.80)
This has become another staple in my night skincare routine that has also aided in fading those stubborn acne scars. This product is formulated with a light amount of retinol (a variation of vitamin A) which is known for helping to prevent acne, as well as future breakouts. Since retinol can make your skin more sensitive to light, I only use this in the evening. Ain’t nobody got time for my pale skin to get red.
Step 8: Eye Cream: Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Eye Cream (Sokoglam – $30 – plus 20% off from this link -$24)
This has to be my favorite eye cream that I have tried to date. It’s very light, fragrance free, and very moisturizing around the eyes. As someone who has dry skin, my eyes and eye area always get super dry during the winter, and I usually get dry patches. While using this, none of that happened, and we had a very rough winter in Pittsburgh this past year. I was very impressed. I use this morning and night, and if you are going to use it before makeup, it dries pretty quickly.
Update: This ran out and I switched to the innisfree Orchid Eye Cream. I’m really liking it thus far. You can pick it up here for $20. I use this morning and night as well.
Step 9: Moisturizers: Son & Park Beauty Filter Glow Cream (Soko Glam – $32 – plus 20% off from this link – $25.60)
I use this moisturizer every morning under makeup, and man, does this stuff make your skin glow. It is very lightweight, extremely hydrating, and my makeup doesn’t pill when I put it on top of this. I’m not sure what results I’ve noticed with this product in particular. Obviously I’m still more focused on getting rid of all of the red spots on my skin. My makeup always applies very nicely with this. I don’t use this moisturizer at night. The formula is specifically for under makeup. Also, I’m not going to talk about the lotion that I’m using at night right now. I’m not totally happy with it. So, I don’t want to recommend it to you, as I am most likely going to go back to one I tried previously.
Step 10: Sleeping Mask: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask (Sokoglam – $23 – plus 20% off from this link – $18.40)
Sleeping masks are something that I rotate through a bit more frequently. Out of all the ones I’ve tried thus far, I like this one the most. It is very hydrating, and definitely helps brighten my skin. Even though I do like this mask, it isn’t something that I am dying over. It’s not like I use this and wake up in the morning and am a visibly different person. It is just a nice bonus product to have in my nightly skincare routine. This is especially true in the dead of winter when you need that extra step of hydration. I do only use this a few time a week.
Step 10 (Part 2): Sun Block: A’ Pieu Pure Block Natural Sun Cream SPF 45/PA+++ (Amazon $10 – here)
When I’m not using a sleeping mask due to daylight, I always put sun block on my face before stepping out the door. Ain’t nobody got time for pre-mature aging, crow’s feet and wrinkles. Using adequate sun protection is the best, and easiest way to prevent that. Also, this is the 1 step in your skincare routine that I would NEVER skip…. like ever. What I really like about this sunblock is that it is really lightweight. It also doesn’t give a white cast and is also affordable. Please remember to give this product at least 5 minutes to sink in before applying your makeup.
Final Thoughts on my Skincare Routine:
I know my routine is extremely long, and I use a number of products in it. They all serve different purposes though, and help my skin in general. On top of that, I don’t use all of these skincare products every day. As you noticed, a number of them are only during the day, or at night.
Yes, I know that this skincare routine looks quite expensive. Some of the bottles will last me months before I have to buy new ones. I only use some of them once or twice a week. Additionally, with a k-beauty skincare routine, a little bit goes a long way. For most of these products I use barely any product in order to cover my whole face.
Side note: I did leave my exfoliators out of here. I want to do a separate post discussing those as well as masks and sheet masks. I feel that these deserve their own special post because they are so unique and individualized in a skincare routine.
What products are in your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments section, K-Nuggets!
사랑합니다!
–Rachel
