Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Evening Skincare Routine [Winter 2015]

I posted my morning skincare routine for the winter months yesterday, so today I'm posting my evening routine. Even though my skin is oily, it is also dehydrated and since I'm using tretinoin daily my skin dries out easily. For the winter I focus on light layers just as I do in the summer, but I also focus on hydration more to prevent tightness or flakiness. All products in this post were purchased by me, but many purchase links are affiliate links that keep my blog going.

My Skin: oily, dehydrated, acne-prone, hormonal cystic acne, sensitive to alcohol, mild anti-aging concerns.

Balm Cleanser:
Banila Co Clean It Zeroavailable on Memebox USA & Amazon | Ingredients
Botanic Farm Grain Ferment Cleansing Sherbertavailable on Memebox USA | Ingredients
Nooni Snowflake Cleanseravailable on Memebox USA | Ingredients
Shara Shara Berry Berry Cleansing Sherbertavailable on Memebox USA & KoreaDepart | Ingredients
The first step of my evening routine is usually an oil-based cleanser. I prefer balm cleanser because they're much easier for me to maneuver and get onto my face. I'm not married to any one balm cleanser, as I've found the one's I've used so far all work the same. They all remove sunscreen, foundation, and my eye makeup.

Second Cleanser:
Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash; available on Memebox USA & Amazon | Ingredients
Re:cipe Slowganic Cleanser (Green Tea); available on Memebox USA & TesterKorea | Ingredients
Every evening I use a regular cleanser, usually low pH, but always something that just washes away dirt, oil, and grime from the day. If I used my balm cleanser before-hand then this cleanser makes sure there's no leftover product or reside on my face too. I have a whole line-up of cleansers next to my bathroom sink, but these two are my current favorites. Both foam up nicely for me, but the Tosowoong is more of an exfoliating cleanser (not rough, but because of the enzymes from the papain) and the Re:cipe is more gentle and feels like a marshmallow on my face (literally - it's wet, spongy, and moist in the jar it comes in).

Acwell 5.5 Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner
Available on MelodyCosme | Ingredients
I've used this toner in my rotation for a few weeks now and it's the only one left. I like the scent (it's fresh, almost citrusy) and makes my skin feel nice - like smooth and not tight like it sometimes can after cleansing in my dry-ass house... This is a good prep step for lowering my skins' pH before actives after rinsing my cleanser off with our hard high pH water too.

Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
Available on Memebox USA & Jolse | Ingredients
I use AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) almost every night because I feel like it helps keep my breakouts down. AHA speeds up cell turnover and helps renew your skin by pushing out impurities (like blemishes, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation) sooner. This one from Cosrx is pretty gentle so I don't mind using it often.

Stridex Maximum Strength (Alcohol Free)
Available on Amazon | Ingredients
Stridex contains BHA (beta-hydroxy acids / salicylic acid) that help prevent blackheads from forming and cleaning oil-clogged pores. I have found that my skin takes BHA a little too seriously, and I only use it twice a week. On those nights I don't use AHA to prevent my skin from becoming overexfoliated.

Curology
Get your first month free using my referral link! | My Curology Progress
I've posted about Curology a few times now, and while it's not Asian beauty related it is definitely something that has made a huge difference in my skin. It's almost eliminated my hormonal acne and it's cleared out my pores so well that I rarely get a bad breakout any more. I currently have a prescription of 9% azelaic acid, 1% clindamycin, and .009% tretinoin which combats acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging.

Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence
Available on: Amazon, Jolse | Ingredients
This is how I quickly add in moisture after using my actives. Galactomyces has been an ingredient I've loved since I first happened upon it in a past Memebox. It hydrates (lightly) and makes my skin thirsty - not dehydrated, but thirsty for more hydration from other products. I'm still unsure of brightening effects from this specific product, but I do like how it meshes with my skin so this is a product I continue to use. I usually give my skin 15 minutes or so to fully absorb my Curology prescription, then I gently pat a couple pumps of this onto my skin and continue on with the hydration!

Guerisson 9 Complex Essence
Avaliable on: Memebox USA, Amazon, KoreaDepart | Ingredients
I recently reviewed this essence and found it to be something that works great with my skin. It smells slightly of grapefruit. It's hydrating, thick enough to form a protective layer on my skin, but still completely absorbs after a couple minutes. This essence has helped my dehydration tremendously and I feel like it has helped my acne as well.

All In One Ampoule
Pictured above is a decant bottle of the Shara Shara Aqua AIO Ampoule (Memebox USA)which is a favorite of mine, as well as the Shara Shara Berry AIO Ampoule (Memebox USA), but I happen to have four different decants of ampoules that I alternate between. They hydrate very well, and deliver a nice mix of ingredients that I like to believe help improve my skin. Maybe not, but what is having a lengthy routine if you're not having a little fun, right? But the hydration is there if you really need a reason...

Sheet Masks
This is pictured above, but almost every night I use a sheet mask for 30 minutes to one hour. I use all different types and brands, but I use them because they deliver hydration right into my skin with a barrier preventing the moisture from escaping, and they give my skin a nice plumping effect. They're also a great way to unwind after a long day. You can see reviews of past sheet masks I've used on my spreadsheet.

Sleeping Pack:
Ladykin Vanpir Dark Repairing Water Mask
Available on KoreaDepart | Ingredients
This is a light gel that abosrbs into my skin very well. It's hydrating and plumping, but I do save it for nights where my skin is fairly hydrated before this step, just to seal in moisture. My skin is always plump and bright in the morning after I use this pack.
Skin Ceramic Donkey Milk Yogurt All-In-One Gel Cream
Available on Memebox USA | Ingredients
I've recently found that this cream is too sticky to use during the day. It absorbs quickly if I use a small amount, but then I don't get the hydration I need. So I reserve this for a pm sleeping pack. This is heavier than the Ladykin, so I use it when I know my skin is getting extra dry, or when I didn't use a sheet mask. I also enjoy using the Freeset Donkey Milk 3D Moisture Cream (Memebox USA) at night as well because it's so hydrating, but because of the higher price point I feel a little less guilt piling the Skin Ceramic on in thicker layers at night, and save the Freeset for during the day.

I hope you enjoyed checking out my current evening Winter routine - [click here] to read about my morning routine.

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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