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My skin (at this point in time) is dehydrated, oily in the tzone, normal on the cheeks, and a bit flaky around the chin and mouth area, and bit sensitive (especially to alcohol).
My current concerns are hormonal acne (a few patches along the jawline), anti-aging, and hyper-pigmentation. Brightening my overall complexion is something I've been working on as well, but I feel like I've really made improvements there so it's not so much a concern anymore as it is just something I'm trying to maintain.
Favorite Morning Routine Products:
1. Banish The Starter Cleanser
(Press Sample from Banish Acne Scars)
I love this cleanser in the mornings because it's a lotion-type cleanser, making it very gentle. It's not stripping at all, and is perfect for washing away excess oiliness or product from the evening before. There are a lot of oils and extracts in this cleanser which makes it calming (for my skin) and leaves it feeling hydrated and fresh.
2. Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
(Purchased from Cupidrop)
Centella is perfect for calming irritated skin, and hydrating. I like this toner because it's gentle and it tends to ease redness out of my skin the morning, as well as any inflamed acne bumps I may have. It comes in a 150ml bottle for under $20, and the spray cap allows me to use it as a mist throughout my routine if I so choose as well.
(Also available on Memebox, Amazon, and Jolse)
3. Blithe 9 Essential Seeds Vital Treatment Essence
(Purchased from Glow Recipe)
I haven't been using this as long as, say, my Cosrx products... but this has quickly become a favorite of mine for it's brightening qualities. It smells a bit like citrus, and sinks into my skin quickly. My skin feels smooth afterwards, and within a few minutes my skin looks noticeably brighter. I use it day and night but I can tell (by splashing a bit in my hand each use) that it's going to last a long while, so it's well worth the price.
(Also available on Sasa and KoreaDepart)
4. Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence
(Purchased from Cupidrop) (Reviewed)
It's no secret that I love this essence - it's probably my favorite Cosrx product right now. It hydrates and brings moisture deep into the skin, without leaving behind any stickiness. My skin heals faster when I use this, doesn't get as oily, nor does it get as dry - it's perfect.
(Also available on Beauteque, Amazon, and Jolse)
5. Yuripibu Artichoke Power Essence
(Purchased from Glow Recipe)
This is another newer addition, but it's quickly become a favorite that I don't think I'll be looking to replace any time soon. This essence looks and feels like a silky lotion in a dropper bottle, but it spreads thinly onto the skin and absorbs quickly. It leaves your skin feeling buttery smooth, and keeps oil under control too. My pores appear smaller as well, which is really great in areas where they usually seem enlarged, like my cheeks. This essence also contains ceramides and squalene to heal and repair skin.
(Also available on Amazon)
6. Manyo Factory Ultra Moist Spa Gel Cream
(Purchased from Memebox)
This was a bit of a surprise product for me. I got a decant from Sam at Can I Put It On My Face, and was hesitant because it claims to be good for dry skin, but it's actually very lightweight and works perfectly for my oily-ish skin. I can use it both day and night, but since so few creams work for me during the daytime without being too heavy, I save this for day use only. I'm very impressed with this and will probably use it year-round.
(Also available on Manyo Factory and KoreaDepart)
7. Innisfree Perfect UV Protection Cream Triple Care SPF50+ PA+++
(Purchased from eBay)
Sunscreen is probably my least favorite part of skincare - if I didn't think it was necessary for, you know, warding off skin cancer and such... I would avoid it all together. Innisfree makes some great sunscreen if you're sensitive to alcohol like I am. I previously was in love with their No Sebum Sunblock, which has been discontinued, but I have thankfully found a suitable replacement in the form of their new Triple Care Protection Cream. It's white and pasty, but it does absorb pretty well and leaves a minimal white cast on a pale gal like myself. It leaves a satin matte finish, and doesn't break me out, so I'm not moving on until this one disappears.
(Also available on Innisfree World)
Favorite Evening Routine Products:
1. Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil
(Purchased from Memebox)
This was a toss up between the Elizavecca Natural 90% Olive Cleansing Oil, and I really enjoy both (and they're both mineral oil free) but truth be told I'm drawn to the candy apple scent of the Innisfree Cleansing Oil. It removes makeup and sunscreen completely, and is able to clean my pores well enough to loosen up grits (or hardened oil clogs) while massaging.
(Also available on Amazon and Innisfree)
2a. Klavuu Pure Pearlsation Revitalizing Cleansing Foam
(Press Sample from Mochi Beaute)
This... I've actually only been using a very short time, but I'm already in love with it. It's been a very long time that I've been so impressed by a cleanser that I'm excited to wash my face - but this cleanser really raises the bar. It's pearly white, it's creamy, it produces fluffy bubbles, and it leaves my face looking bright and feeling smooth. It's not at all drying either, so I really have no complaints.
(Also available on Klavuu)
2b. Manyo Factory Active Refresh Herb Peel (once a week)
(Purchased from Memebox)
Exfoliating is a hard habit to break, but a peeling gel is a gentle alternative to a sugar scrub ripping at your skin. The gel combines with oil and dead skin cells to form little gummy balls that gently exfoliate your skin, but this particular gel also has minuscule bits in it as well, so it's a bit more abrasive than other (super gentle) gommage products.
(Also available at MelodyCosme, KoreaDepart, and Manyo Factory)
3. Primary Raw DoYou Soy Milk Ferment Cleanse Toner
(Purchased)
I got a great deal on this from a friend, and was thrilled to finally give it a try - it claims to tighten pores, calm skin, and remove debris leftover from cleansing. It has no odor, but it does make my skin feel soft and clean. It doesn't leave any stickiness behind, and my essences absorb very quickly afterwards. I haven't decided yet if I'll repurchase, but right now I'm really enjoying it!
(Also available at Glow Recipe)
4a. Guerisson 9 Complex Essence from Claire's Korea
(Purchased from Memebox) (Reviewed)
This is the one product in my stash that I can call a "holy grail" of my skincare routine (though the Artichoke Essence is coming up quickly as a second). The star of this essence is horse oil, which is great for acne prone skin (you can read about why in my review). It has a grapefruit scent, and is lightweight but hydrating. I use this year round, but I really slather it on in the cooler months. It helps my acne, brightens my skin, and hydrates.
(Also available on Amazon)
4b. Blithe Seeds Essence
(Purchased from Glow Recipe)
The Guerisson horse oil essence has been my favorite for over a year now, but I still get anxious and want to test new products. This essence has quickly become a favorite of mine for it's brightening qualities. It smells a bit like citrus, and sinks into my skin quickly. My skin feels smooth afterwards, and within a few minutes my skin looks noticeably brighter. I use it day and night but I can tell (by splashing a bit in my hand each use) that it's going to last a long while, so it's well worth the price.
(Also available on Sasa and KoreaDepart)
5. Yuripibu Artichoke Power Essence
(Purchased from Glow Recipe)
I probably don't need to be using this twice a day, and I'm definitely going through it pretty quickly (I can see this bottle lasting a month tops, which is a bit crazy considering it's a $40 essence) but it makes my skin feel so nice I just can't help it! This essence looks and feels like a silky lotion in a dropper bottle, but it spreads thinly onto the skin and absorbs quickly. It leaves your skin feeling buttery smooth, and keeps oil under control too. My pores appear smaller as well, which is really great in areas where they usually seem enlarged, like my cheeks. This essence also contains ceramides and squalene to heal and repair skin.
(Also available on Amazon)
6. Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule
(Purchased from Amazon)
Propolis is great for healing acne, lightening hyper-pigmentation, anti-aging, and moisturizing. This ampoule contains 80% pure bee propolis, smells sweet, and has a watery gel consistency that absorbs well. It lasts a long time too. This hits almost all the issues I'm looking to target, so it stays in my routine year-round.
(Also available at Memebox)
7. Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum / Lotion
(Gift)(Purchased from eBay)
Short story first: I received this Magnolia Lotion from a friend, and that really kick-started the brightening phenomenon I've been experiencing lately. I was so impressed by the seemingly immediate results of this lotion that I went on a Naruko-binge and ordered an embarrassing amount of product from them. When they started arriving, however, I received one broken, some expired, and some expiring in less than a month, while others were fine. I received only one response (about the broken item, after emailing three times), and only that one item was replaced. Despite how well their products work, I actually won't be repurchasing anything from them.
If you read my story, you know I got the lotion from the friend and it worked amazingly with my skin. It's lightweight but hydrating, I was using it as a daytime moisturizer, but I liked layering with it once my skin got a little dryer so I moved it to a layer in the evening. I ordered myself the serum from this line, and am surprised that it's actually thicker than the lotion. It smells the same as the lotion and seems to give an incredible brightening effect. But I feel these two items are interchangeable, and if I do repurchase one of these items, it'll probably be the serum just because of the pump bottle.
(Also available on Naruko)
8. Sheet Mask (most nights)
Sheet masks are the key (for me) to glowing, hydrated skin. Masking on a nightly basis helps tremendously keeping my dehydration in check, which in turn keeps my skin from produces extra fine lines or looking dull. I'll list some affordable options that don't break the bank by masking daily, as well as some of my all-time favorites.
$ Dermal Collagen Sheet Masks (Amazon / Amazon)
$ Lululun Moisture Balancing Masks (Amazon)
$ BonVivant Pure Mask Packs (Memebox)
$$ TonyMoly Pureness 100 Masks (Amazon)
$$ Freeset Donkey Milk Healing Mask (Memebox)
$$ Papa Recipe Bombee Bombee Mask (Amazon)
$$ Papa Recipe Bombee Black Mask (Amazon)
$$ Papa Recipe Bombee Whitening Mask (Amazon)
$$ Tosowoong Pure Masks (Memebox)
$$ Illi Green Tea Brightening Mask (Memebox)
$$$ Maskingdom Masks (Mochi Beaute)
9. Manyo Factory Bifidalacto Cream
(Purchased from Memebox)
Eye cream is one of those things that I hate, but I use because I know I should. Since fine lines are inevitable and I'm not getting any younger, I've been making an effort by applying a cream specifically for firming to my eye area each night. This Bifidalacto Cream isn't technically an eye cream, but it comes in a fancy tube and keeps my eye lines in check, so I'm gonna keep using it that way!
(Also available on MelodyCosme, KoreaDepart, and Amazon)
10. Curology
(Reviews)
Curology is my lone active product right now. I used to use BHA, but it always causes closed comedones along my jawline that don't purge over time. I occationally use AHA, but right now I'm finding it's not necessary with Tretinoin in my Curology prescription. I may start using it again in the future, but for the time being I'm holding off.
I use Curology to help battle my hormonal acne (at which is does a good job) and to help with my anti-aging concerns (at which is does a great job). It costs $20 a month, with a new bottle arriving every three months (or sooner if you manually request it). That cost includes unlimited online consultations with your assigned dermatologist as well, so I find the cost is well worth it.
(Sign up through my referral link for your first month free)
11a. Banila Co Miss Flower & Mr Honey Cream
(Purchased from Memebox) (Reviewed)
My favorite nighttime cream has been replaced - the Freeset Donkey Milk 3D Moisture Cream was another "holy grail" last year, but it's since become too difficult to track down, and the price is much higher than what I was paying, so I moved on. This cream from Banila Co is thick like Vaseline, but it absorbs beautifully. I was worried it would be too heavy for my oily skin but it hydrates and softens my skin like a dream, and it smells like honey. The occlusive-ness of this cream also allows my skin a better chance at healing overnight as well.
(Also available on Amazon and Jolse)
11b. Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
(Purchased from Amazon)
Just like the Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule, the propolis in this sleeping pack is great for healing acne, lightening hyper-pigmentation, anti-aging, and moisturizing. This mask contains 85% pure bee propolis, has almost no scent, and has a gel consistency that absorbs well. It's also very hydrating without feeling sticky. I always wake up with a hydrated, glowing complexion after using this.
(Also available on Memebox, Cupidrop, MelodyCosme, and Jolse)
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 post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links - which costs nothing to the consumer but does help this site. 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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