pamperpenguin

My Skincare Routine

 

Back in the days, all I ever knew was cleanse, tone, and moisturize.  I've tried the infamous Clinique 3-step cleansing routine religiously for many years before I came to a conclusion: my skin is not glowy, it is dull, it is dehydrated and lots of acne scars, and of course, lots of acne especially around my monthly hornomal period.  I can tell you I do regret not digging deep enough and starting this korean 10+ step skincare regimen sooner.  I used to wear foundation everyday, makeup was my best friend.   Ever since my skin got better, I now only need a few drops of bb cream and concealor for a few parts of my face and the rest is makeup free!   I will share with you my routines, this is what really works for me and changed my skin from dehydrated and dull to moisturized and glowy and less acne scars!

 

I have a Morning and Night Routine that consist of mainly the same products but a few different products as well.  I only find some products are more hydrating that I should use at night vs in the morning that's all.

 

Morning Routine:

 

1. Cleanser - Finding the right cleanser for your skin type is crucial to good skin.  If you don't cleanse your face properly and prepare your skin for the rest of your regimen, no matter what products you use after will not make a big difference!  Right now I'm using the Etude House Wonder Pore Whipping Foaming Cleanser as I have reviewed it here

 

2. Booster - Prepare your skin to absorb products better by using a booster.  Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, but there are also other good alternatives at different price points: Missha Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence, as well as Missha Geum Sul First Essence Booster.

 

3. Toner - Toners in Korean (or Asian in general) skincare is different from toners in other countries.  Toners in Korean skincare is to moisturize the skin and to restore your ph balance.  Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water.   I will also be trying the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner and I've also used a non-Korean brand toner that I also recommend, Christian Dior Gentle Toning Lotion (the one without alcohol).

 

4. Emulsion - Emulsion is like a moisturizer but its light and sometimes more watery and for some people it may be enough if they have oily skin.  Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Essential Banalcing Emulsion.

 

5. Serum - The term serum is widely used in a lot of products in Korean skincare, so do not just use any products that says serum on it as a serum right away without reading the instructions!  Notice the booster I'm using is also called a serum.  Many people mistaken it for a serum.  Right now I'm using Hanyul White Chrysanthemum Powder Serum.  It really helps with my acne scars and redness on my face which I have reviewed it here.

 

6. Treatment 1 - I use a couple treatments within my regimen daily, the first one is a brightening fluid: Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Brightening Fluid (thanks to my friend who gave it to me).

 

7. Treatment 2 - the second treatment I use daily is Rosehip Oil.  Many brands make them, some with a high price tag that claims to be different, but this one I'm using is just pure cold pressed rosehip oil which works wonder: Life Flo Rosehip Oil.  Just a few drops on my palm and I rub it evenly on my hands and pat it on my face.  The oil absorbs very quickly and it really is magical.  I will post a review about this as well later.

 

8. Eye cream - this is a debatable subject as many claim that an eye cream is not really necessary, which I think makes sense as it is still skin on my face and a good moisturizer should do the job.  However, if you are looking for specific functions for the eye cream then I so suggest you finding a good one that addresses your concerns.  If you only need hydration I would suggest a good face moisturizer is enough.  Right now I'm using Missha Geum Sul Vitalizing Eye Cream, which I don't highly recommend.  I'm waiting on my order of the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream and I can't wait to try it!

 

9.  Sunscreen - I can't stress how important it is for everyone to wear sunscreen daily!  You will thank yourself when you don't have much age spots and wrinkles than other people who doesn't use sunscreen later as you age.  I've used Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF45/PA+++ and now trying the HERA Sun Mate Daily SPF 35/PA+++.  I highly recommend the HERA Sun Mate daily sunscreen!  Again, I will review later on this.

 

10.  Moisturizer - I have a habit of putting moisturizer on top of sunscreen, which is again a debatable topic.  Feel free to use it your way.  Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, and it is my holy grail.

 

11.  Finisher (optional) - I've been given a deluxe sample of the finisher from Missha as well as Sulwhasoo, I think it does seal in moisture but I do not feel it's a must have in my regimen.

 

 

Night Routine:

 

1. Cleansing Oil - I use cleansing oil as my makeup remover and it is very effective without stripping my skin's natural oil and removing all my makeup at the same time.  Right now I'm using Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil.  This brand is by far the best cleansing oils from my own experience.  They have other kinds of cleansing oils for other functions.  I will write a review on this later.

 

2. Cleanser - Finding the right cleanser for your skin type is crucial to good skin. If you don't cleanse your face properly and prepare your skin for the rest of your regimen, no matter what products you use after will not make a big difference! Right now I'm using the Etude House Wonder Pore Whipping Foaming Cleanser as I have reviewed it here

 

3.  Exfoliator (optional) - there are different types of exfoliants, which may not be put on so early in my regimen depending on the type of exfoliant.  For the good old exfoilator with the beads, I use the St Ives Apricot Scrub, which I will use after cleanser.  Also, I may use a peeling gel that I will also use after cleanser.  Unfortunately I bought my peeling gel from Japan and I can't seem to find the link to show you.  The other type of exfoliant I use is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.  I will review all this later.

 

4.  Booster - Prepare your skin to absorb products better by using a booster. Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, but there are also other good alternatives at different price points: Missha Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence, as well as Missha Geum Sul First Essence Booster.

 

5.  Toner - Toners in Korean (or Asian in general) skincare is different from toners in other countries. Toners in Korean skincare is to moisturize the skin and to restore your ph balance. Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water. I will also be trying the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner and I've also used a non-Korean brand toner that I also recommend, Christian Dior Gentle Toning Lotion (the one without alcohol).

 

6.  Sheet Mask (optional) - I use a sheet mask every other day, yes that's right, that's 3 sheet masks per week.  I just find that splurging on my skin is well worth my investment.  But it is optional, some people like to use it once a week, twice a week, once every 2 weeks, its really up to you.  The one I use regularly is My Beauty Diary brand, and all kinds within this brand.  Once a month I will use some more expensive sheet masks just to boost it up kind of.  One of my monthly ones is Nature Republic Aqua Collagen Solution Marine Hydro Gel Mask.

 

7.  Emulsion - Emulsion is like a moisturizer but its light and sometimes more watery and for some people it may be enough if they have oily skin. Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Essential Banalcing Emulsion.

 

8.  Serum - The term serum is widely used in a lot of products in Korean skincare, so do not just use any products that says serum on it as a serum right away without reading the instructions! Notice the booster I'm using is also called a serum. Many people mistaken it for a serum.  Right now I'm using Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule.

 

9.  Treatment 1 - I use a couple treatments within my regimen daily, the first one is a brightening fluid: Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Brightening Fluid (thanks to my friend who gave it to me).

 

10.  Treatment 2 - the second treatment I use daily is Rosehip Oil. Many brands make them, some with a high price tag that claims to be different, but this one I'm using is just pure cold pressed rosehip oil which works wonder: Life Flo Rosehip Oil. Just a few drops on my palm and I rub it evenly on my hands and pat it on my face. The oil absorbs very quickly and it really is magical. I will post a review about this as well later.

 

11.  Eye Cream - this is a debatable subject as many claim that an eye cream is not really necessary, which I think makes sense as it is still skin on my face and a good moisturizer should do the job. However, if you are looking for specific functions for the eye cream then I so suggest you finding a good one that addresses your concerns. If you only need hydration I would suggest a good face moisturizer is enough. Right now I'm using Missha Geum Sul Vitalizing Eye Cream, which I don't highly recommend. I'm waiting on my order of the Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream and I can't wait to try it!

 

12.  Moisturizer - for night time I love a good and heavy cream so my face can get all the rest and hydration during the night.  Right now I'm using Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Perfect Master Cream, which works very well only with the Night repair Ampoule, otherwise it is more to the sticky side.

 

13.  Sleeping Mask (optional) - I use a sleeping mask on my non-sheet mask nights.  Yes I know I'm crazy about masks lol.  Right now I'm using Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask.

 

14.  Eye Patch Mask (optional) - for eye patch I use random brands, currently I have been using Missha eye patches, which works great!