Updated Skincare Routine with Product Recommendations | October 2015

Since discovering Asian beauty products and how effective and unique they are to the beauty world, my skin has flipped a total 180 and is something that I never thought I'd see it be in my lifetime. Earlier this year, I filmed a YouTube video showcasing how I performed my evening skincare routine, but didn't go into any depth about products used or why I chose the types or products or steps that I did. In this post, I'm hoping to cover what steps I take for my skincare routine, the types of products I use for each step, and some options that I've tried for that step as well.

I'm currently testing more products, so products I like in this post may change in a month or may stay the same. These are just some current products I've tried and enjoy for each step of my routine.

My skin is: oily, prone to acne, hyper-pigmented, can have dry patches in the winter, beginning to develop fine lines in certain areas & sensitive to alcohol.

Step One: Cleansing (including makeup removal at night)
Cleansing is the biggest step where I really pay attention to what the pH of the product is. I like to use an oil cleanser at night to remove my makeup, and since these cleansers are oil based, the pH doesn't generally matter - but when I use a regular cleanser it really does. I am currently using a oil cleanser from Innisfree, but to be honest I really prefer balm cleansers. They don't necessarily work better, but they work well and are less messy. I use the same oil cleanser on my eyes as I use on my face. Each one will come with it's own instructions, but I generally take a small amount and massage it onto my dry face and gently onto my closed eyes. After a minute or so I wipe my face with a damp cloth then rinse it with warm water. This minimizes the mess I make at the sink but still allows the oil to emulsify and rinse away cleanly from my face.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Innisfree: Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
~Banila Co: Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)

I haven't dabbled too far into Korean cleansers because, in my experience so far, their cleansers are high foaming with a high pH and drying to the skin. Of course there are exceptions, but I have not tried them yet. In the morning I only use a regular cleanser, but at night I always use a regular cleanser after my oil cleanser to remove anything the oil cleanser may have left behind, including excess oil. My biggest concerns when searching for a cleanser with a low pH (I've found that low pH cleansers or more gentle on my skin, don't dry it out, and help my acne) and that it doesn't contain alcohol.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
Su:m37: Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
Hada Labo: Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam (Amazon - affiliate link)

Step Two: Toner
I rely on my toner to be a bit of a multi-tasker. I like my toner to have a lower pH like my cleanser, but I also want it to soothe my skin in the even that cleansing stripped it too much or if I'm just having a bad skin day in general.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Cosrx: AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
~Cosrx: Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)

Step Three: Acid Treatment or Vitamin C
This step is dependent on either morning or evening. In the morning, I use a vitamin c serum because it helps lighten my dark spots, and the antioxidant properties of vitamin c help protect my skin from environmental damage during the day.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Paula's Choice: Resist C15 Super Booster (Paula's Choice *new customers receive $10 off their order of $15+ with my referral link* - affiliate link)
~C20 C21.5 Original Pure Vitamin C Serum (Amazon - affiliate link)

In the evening I use an acid treatment to help accelerate the cell turnover of my skin. This pushes impurities out sooner and also speeds up the lightening of dark spots and scarring. I use BHA two nights a week and AHA one night a week to avoid over-exfoliating my skin.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Paula's Choice: 2% BHA Liquid (Paula's Choice *new customers receive $10 off their order of $15+ with my referral link* - affiliate links)
~Paula's Choice: Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA (Paula's Choice *new customers receive $10 off their order of $15+ with my referral link*  - affiliate link)

Step Four: Essence
This step is what I feel helps prepare my skin for the upcoming products I'm about to "feed" it. In the morning, I skip to a moisturizer after this step, but this step opens up the door for my evening routine.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Missha: First Treatment Essence (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
~Secret Key: Starting Treatment Essence (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)

Step Five: Prescription Treatment
Curology (formerly Pocketderm) is now an essential part of my skincare regime. It's not an Asian beauty product, but it's done wonders to my skin and probably the one product I simply cannot live without at this point. My Curology updates can be found here.

Use my referral link to sign up for Curology to receive your first month free. 

Step Six: Serums/Ampoules
This is an evening-only step. Sometimes I try a serum that really does help my skin and I end up using the whole bottle. This step was easier last year (as I mentioned earlier) but I currently look for serums/ampoules that give my skin an extra boost.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Skin79: Snail Nutrition Ampoule (Amazon - affiliate link)
~Missha: Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule (Amazon - affiliate link)
~LJH: Tea Tree 90 Essence (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)

Step Seven: Sheet Mask
This is also an evening-only step, but it's one that I've found essential to my routine. Since I have a hard time finding several different serums at any one time that are affordable, I've essentially replaced having several layers of serums with a different sheet each night to claim new benefits. Also, by using a sheet mask, the nutritious goodness is pressed against my skin longer and given a better chance to absorb more than by just applying a serum.

I'll try any mask without alcohol or other harsh ingredients:
~You can check out past reviews here on my blog to find ones that I've enjoyed.

Step Eight: Moisturizer
This step is generally a lightweight moisturizer that I use in the morning before I apply my makeup or a bb cream, or in the evening before I apply a sleeping pack or heavier moisturizer that isn't suitable for daytime use with my oily skin.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~It's Skin: Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
~SN: Plant Stem Cell Cream (Memebox - affiliate link)

Step Nine: Sleeping Pack
At night, I rely on extra moisture to counteract my skins' oil production for the following day. Sometimes, due to the weather or hormones, I just have super oily skin no matter what I do, but I've noticed by layering my moisturizers I have less oily skin the following day.

From what I've tried, I recommend:
~Too Cool For School: Pumpkin Sleeping Pack (Memebox / Amazon - affiliate links)
~Ladykin: Vanpir Dark Repairing Water Mask (TesterKorea)


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 Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. 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.

#Tosowoong Pure Propolis Mask #Review #mymaskstash

Today's mask review is of the Tosowoong Pure Propolis Mask. 

This mask is supposed to be lifting for the skin, but propolis is also calming and healing. I chose this mask because I was experiencing a hormonal breakout and wanted to calm my face. Any lifting or firming effects would be a bonus for me.

For reference; I am 29 years old and have skin which is oily, acne-prone, sensitive to alcohol, and dehydrated. I have closed comedones around my chin and jawline, large pores, redness, and some aging concerns. 

The entire back-side of the mask packaging is in Korean, but I was able to track down the ingredients list on Cosdna.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Propolis Extract, Xanthan Gum, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Edetate Disodium, Allantoin , Dexpanthenol , Fragrance.
Noteable Ingredients:
Butylene Glycol: rates 1 out of 5 on Cosdna as a potential cause of acne.
Niacinamide: anti-aging, improves skin barrier, brightening
Propolis Extract: antibacterial, anti-inflamitory
Adenosine: anti-inflamitory

This mask had a fresh honey scent that disappeared when I applied it to my face. It was soaked with essence, but not dripping everywhere. This mask fit my face well, but left small gaps around my nose (not uncommon with any mask really) and I felt like the eye holes were a little too wide but it did hug around my eyelid and undereye area nicely. I removed this mask after 30 minutes, when it started to dry out.

After removal, my face felt damp but actually felt a bit tight. It did not feel dry, but tight like this mask really went to town trying to firm my skin. The results from my skin analyzer show that this mask wasn't very hydrating at all, but my skin basically normalized while wearing it. My oil level rose to what it usually sits at, and the moisture level of my skin started to drop. My acne was less red and inflamed after removal as well.

I'd recommend this mask for anyone looking to sooth redness, inflammation, irritation, or acne. Or anyone looking for a temporary firming effect of the skin. If you have dry skin, I would be prepared with a good heavy moisturizer afterwards.

You can find these masks on Peach & Lily, WishTrend, Memebox USA (affiliate link).

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 Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. 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.

My Mask Stash | Week 11

This week I went through a few more masks than usual, thanks to some morning masking and double nightly masking ;-)

Last week I used my masks from the September Beauteque Mask Maven, so this week I'm continuing on with week 11 of My Mask Stash.

For reference; I am 29 years old and my skin is oily, acne prone, sensitive to alcohol, and dehydrated. I have closed comedones around my chin and jawline, large pores, redness, and some aging concerns.

My Beauty Diary: Imperial Bird's Nest Mask

This is my first morning mask of the week. I used a wash-off mask the night before and it dried out my face more than expected. This mask fit really well, felt soothing and very comfortable, better than the few other varieties of MBD masks I've tried in the past. This mask provided enough hydration to last all day, did not leave my face feeling sticky or greasy. I skipped moisturizer after this and still did not get very oily throughout the day either.

[cosdna analysis]

 DayLight & Hue: Mango Essence Mask
This mask smelled like mango, but with a fermented undertone. It was... different, but not bad! The fit of this mask wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst either. The material was comfortable and easy to work with, and I got it situated good enough after about a minute. After I got this mask in place, however, it began to burn a little on my skin. I only left it on for about 15 minutes because the burning sensation, albeit dull and not painful, did not subside and I was worried about a reaction. My skin seemed fine after removal, but the real magic was what happened the next morning - when I noticed a lot of my whiteheads had dried up! Yay! Maybe the burning was a good sign (I can hope, right?).

[cosdna analysis]

TonyMoly: Earth Beauty Rice Mask Sheet
I posted a review of all the TonyMoly Earth Beauty masks earlier, but had lost all my mask selfies for them (thanks to my beautiful 4yo who now plays on my phone all the time) so I was only able to include photos of the packaging with that review. This mask leaves me with so many mixed feelings...
I enjoy putting this mask together - you separate the two pieces into different parts of the tray, add the liquid to each piece, spread it out to make sure all of the rice paper is covered, then very gently apply the pieces of rice paper to your face. It has a strong scent to it, but whatever the scent is doesn't bother me much. After removal my face is sticky and greasy feeling. The stickiness subsides, but the greasy feeling lasted until I went to bed, and even a bit was left in the morning. However, this mask does not clog my pores or cause any breakouts for me. It's so strange! My skin was very hydrated and plump afterwards, and my skin for so soft the whole day after!

[cosdna analysis]

Mediheal: Dress Code Black
This mask is labeled for whitening (or brightening of hyperpigmentation and other dark spots) which is one reason I purchased it, but also because the ingredients list includes things like propolis, galactomyces, honey and royal jelly for soothing and healing, along with niacinamide and pearl for brightening. This mask doesn't have much of a scent, fits my face fairly well (it bunches a little around my mouth, but it lays pretty flat otherwise), and it looks so fun and pretty while wearing! This mask really does do a lot for my acne - it soothes pain and eases away redness and inflammation. This is one mask to always have on hand.

[cosdna analysis]

Botanic Farm: Polar Energy Hydrogel Mask Pack Camel Milk [Anti-Wrinkle]
This mask I had saved for a while because I had such high hopes for it, camel milk sounded so lovely, and I love hydrogels too! It had a bit of a scent, but not bad - and it even had extra essence in the package. My problems started after that... The mesh that held the gel together was exposed, so this mask felt rough and scratchy against my skin. The mesh was also thick so it didn't form to my face well at all. It was tingly at first, but then became very cold, like my face was literally freezing. My face did not look or feel any different afterwards, so I put on a second mask.

[cosdna analysis]

Innisfree: "It's Real" Rice Mask
I have had such good results with the TonyMoly Rice masks, that I was very excited to try another type of mask with rice in it. This was my second mask for this evening. This mask had a thicker lotion-like essence with a nice and light fresh scent. It is made from thick and comfy cotton, like a blanket for my face! My face was plump, hydrated, and bright after use.

[cosdna analysis]

Neogen [Code9]: Lemon Green Caviar Essence & Tox Tightening Pack
This was a morning "mask" that wasn't really a mask but was like a facial pack so I'm including it here. I love Neogen Code9 rounds, I reviewed the Gold Tox Tighteing Set last yet, and really enjoy those, so I was excited to use this.
The pad had a slit in the middle so you could stick your fingers in to apply easier. One size was a bit rough to gently exfoliate your skin, and the other size was soft to help you massage the essence into your skin better. This had a light lemon scent that was refreshing, and my skin looked a bit brighter after use.

I unfortunately could not find the ingredients for this product, but this is what that back of the packaging had to say:

PureSmile: Blue Heart Mask
I haven't used PureSmile masks too often, I'd only previously received them in Memeboxes, and they were ok but never too special. This mask (like many in my stash) was a gift from a friend, and I was so excited to use it because of the cute print! This mask was a bit thicker than other PureSmile masks I've tried, but it still hugged my face very well. This mask had a light rosewater scent, and was very hydrating. It left my face plump and smooth but not sticky.

[cosdna analysis]

My Scheming: Snail Essence Hydrating Mask
I was saving this mask because I love silk masks and I love snail, so I wanted to use this when I felt like I could really relax and pamper my skin. It fit perfectly, formed like a second skin onto my face, and didn't move at all! My skin looked soothed afterwards, but it didn't provide much moisture.
The next morning, my whiteheads were completely dried up! This mask may not pack much in the hydration department, but I'll take a healing snail mask any day - I'm definitely going to stock up on these.

[cosdna analysis]

Freeset: Whitening Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask Pack
I absolutely love the Healing variety of this mask, but Whitening is pretty good too. This mask doesn't have the herbal scent of the Healing mask, but it is the same gel material embedded in a porous cloth. It feels cooling when applied to the skin, and forms to my face nicely. My face was very bright afterwards with no redness left over, but I do wish I could wear it a little more. My face must have been dry because my face absorbed the melted gel within 20 minutes.

[cosdna analysis]

Next week I'm hoping to start incorporate reading from my moisture meter before and after using each mask. Find a full list of the masks I've reviews on my Sheet Mask Reviews page.

 What masks did you use this week?

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 Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. 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.