My Skincare Routine ♡

Taking care of your skin is so important and this is something we all know and have heard so many times over and over! It means you can wear less base makeup as well as look more healthy and youthful! Granted, I do not have the best skin in the world but through committing to a skincare routine, it has dramatically improved! =)

A typical skincare routine consists of 3 main steps: cleanser, toner and moisturiser. However, I have adapted to a more Korean-based skincare regime where there are several more steps involved, especially for nighttime. My skincare routine now consists of the following:

1. Cleanser

2. Toner

3. Serum

4. Moisturiser

5. Spot treatment

6. Masks and nose packs

For some, there are even more steps involved including using an essence and an emulsion before a moisturiser and/or a facial spray afterwards! I have found that incorporating extra steps into my skincare routine has allowed my skin to absorb more nutrients and vitamins to allow it to heal and repair. I know that there is a debate on whether using few products is better than using more but in my opinion, everyone’s skin has different needs and you need to find what is more suitable for you! =)

⟣ M O R N I N G

In the morning, I use fewer products because I want my skin to be as free of product as possible before I apply makeup.

♡ Cleanser: Holika Holika Soda Pore BB Deep Cleansing Foam

As with all cleansers, I use the Clarisonic Mia 2 to work this into my skin. I feel that it leaves my skin feeling really nice and clean for my toner to apply onto. I will be doing a full review on this cleanser so be on the look out hehehe.

♡ Toner: Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

This is a very popular toner in Korea and I do enjoy it other than the fact that it has not minimised my pores whatsoever. I like it because it doesn’t make my skin feel too dry and it does a fantastic job at cleaning off any excess dirt or sebum on my skin.

♡ Serum: Skinmiso Pore Corset Serum

As with the toner, this serum also has not changed the size of my pores at all. It does however, leave my skin feeling quite soft! I won’t be repurchasing it though once I finish it because I want to try other serums that can potentially minimise my pores! ><

♡ Moisturiser: Nature Republic 92% Aloe Vera Soothing Gel

Please see the full review here. In a few words, this moisturising gel is the most amazing skincare product! It feels so lightweight on the skin and it settles into the skin so fast. It’s perfect before makeup application because you don’t need to wait long for it to absorb.

N I G H T ⟢

Your skin repairs itself most during sleep so it’s important that you cleanse it properly before you slip into bed! Pamper your skin at this time so it has the best opportunity for all the products to work their magic while you sleep. =)

 ♡ Cleanser: Holika Holika Soda Pore BB Deep Cleansing Foam OR Peel: Skinfood Fresh Apple Mild Pore Peeling Gel

     

For the most part, I do use the same cleanser morning and night. However, sometimes I use the peeling gel by Skinfood. It is different to the Pineapple version because it takes a much longer time for it to actually work into the skin and remove dead skin cells. I find that it takes a lot of pressure and effort to work the gel into the skin but after I do, my skin feels really soft and clear. It’s really interesting to see all your dead skin cells flaking off!

♡ Toner: Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

I do not switch up my toners at all so I use the same one I use in the morning! To add onto my mini description from the morning routine, I do have to say that the bottle has lasted me the longest time. It comes in two sizes, 250 mL and 500 mL. I purchased the 500 mL bottle last year and I still feel as though I have at least a few more months left until I will completely use it up. If I missed out on any makeup removal, the toner does a great job at removing all the last traces!

♡ Serum: Original Pure Vitamin C20 Serum

This is the absolute best-selling serum in Korea. It is raved for it’s unbelievable ability to treat acne scarring. My skin has improved overall but I can’t say I can give credit to this serum just because I did basically switch up my whole skincare routine. I would recommend you give it a try though if you do have acne scarring, just because I don’t think it would be a best seller if it really didn’t work!

♡ Moisturisers

1. Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

Snail mucus has been a huge trend in Korea as I have mentioned in one of my earliest posts! I heard that Mizon was amazing for its snail range so I really wanted to give it a go, especially since I had fairly bad skin at the time. This gel is fast to apply and you don’t need a lot for the entire face.

2. Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream

This was originally what I wanted to purchase but I found that buying the cream together with the recovery gel was a great deal so I bit the bullet. This cream contains a high percentage of snail mucus but it really does not have a bad scent or anything. It is a little bit tacky/sticky to the touch but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling the same way. It’s not meant to be used as a moisturiser so I would recommend you apply a more nourishing one over the top.

3. Nature Republic 92% Aloe Vera Soothing Gel

I absolutely adore the feeling of this on my skin. I feel as though it helps all my skincare products absorb nicely into my skin. I don’t wake up with any sticky residue but my skin is rather more nourished and glowing! I feel that it helps all the other skincare products absorb too! (Full review)

♡ Spot treatments: Ciracle Red Spot Cream

I honestly don’t think this spot cream really works for me but I do continue to use it when I need to because I don’t want it to go to waste. It reduces the size of spots slightly but on larger cystic type acne, it doesn’t do much.

⟣ O T H E R

♡ Masks: Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, Skinfood Fresh Aloe Pack & Sheet Masks

   

About once a week, I like to apply a mask on my face for extra treatment! Depending on my mood and skin, I will do a liquid, clay or sheet mask! If my skin is doing particularly bad one week then I will do the clay mask. I feel that it does a great job at extracting all the impurities and dirt out of my skin. My skin also looks a lot brighter and less red after I use it! =) I like the Skinfood Fresh Aloe Pack because it’s an easy mask to throw on and you only need to leave it on for 5 to 6 minutes. Sheet masks are just so fun to put on! =) And there are just so many out there that every facial is slightly different!

♡ Nose packs: The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Nose Pack

I enjoy this nose pack a lot, I feel like it does a great job at removing any blackheads on my nose. I like it more than nose strips because there are a lot more uses in one tube and it’s less harsh on the skin! You can also apply it to a larger area of the face, where a nose strip is more restrictive! I like to extend it out onto my inner cheeks because I have impurities there too.

My bare skin before I go to bed after I’ve used all my skincare products (plus lip balm that’s why my lips are darker than they naturally are =P)! I still suffer from rosacea and acne scarring but I no longer have moderate-severe acne like I did during my teenage years.

So that’s my skincare routine! If you have any questions or would like more in depth reviews please do let me know! I’ll be more than happy to do them! ♡