My Skin Care Routine
(Sistar Hyorin for Holika Holika)
Everyone has different skin, but the Korean skincare routine can work for everyone with a little tweaks. If you are curious to know what kind of routine I follow for my skin type, read on! I'll describe my skin type and detail my skincare routine as well as list some of my favorite products.
My skin type:
★ Very dry skin
★ Sensitive skin/itching
★ Red skin/rosacea
★ Freckles/blemishes
★ Neutral-Cool skin tone
★ Age: Early 30s! (yikes!)
As you can see, I have a few skin troubles I like to address in my skincare routine. The biggest one is that my skin is incredibly dry and sensitive. This means I have to be picky about the products I use, and I like to use things that are very moisturizing. I also look for products to help with the redness and blemishes, such as whitening and brightening ingredients. Because I am now in my 30s (eep!), I worry about keeping my skin looking young and wrinkle-free.
So, to break it down, what I look for in skin care products are gentle ingredients, a good moisturizer, things to help whiten and brighten the skin, and anti-wrinkle/anti-aging properties. For these reasons, I tend to look for items with ingredients like green tea, aloe, pearl, and chamomile.
So, to break it down, what I look for in skin care products are gentle ingredients, a good moisturizer, things to help whiten and brighten the skin, and anti-wrinkle/anti-aging properties. For these reasons, I tend to look for items with ingredients like green tea, aloe, pearl, and chamomile.
My Favorite Brands
I love try all different kinds of skin care, but I do have a few favorite brands! I use both Korean skincare brands (more often) and American skincare products (less often). Here are a few of my personal favorite brands. I like brands with sensitive skin options and fewer harsh ingredients. Remember, everyone's skin is different, so what's right for me may not be best for your skin type!
Korean Brands
★ Tonymoly
★ Holika Holika
★ Etude House
★ Innisfree
American Brands
★ Burt's Bees
★ Simple
★ Yes To
Morning Routine
Step 1: Cleansing
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I start my morning with a foaming or a cream cleanser. Most people swear by foaming cleansers, but because my skin is often dry and itchy, I tend to alternate between the two regularly. Cream cleansers tend to be less drying, so they are great for the winter season especially.
Step 2: Toner
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If you have dry or sensitive skin, toners can be tricky. Many toners are too strong and can overly dry out the skin. Luckily Korean toners are usually pretty good, and they are more mild then American or European toners. I like to use light, more watery toners with soft cotton pads to balance my skin's pH.
Step 3: Essence
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A good essence is the backbone of a proper skincare routine. I like to use essences that will help to brighten my skin and reduce the redness I struggle with. I usually just use my hands to apply essence, as I feel this is more gentle.
Step 4: Serum
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Next comes the serum, an essence on steroids! While you can layer on more then one serum, I prefer to just use one at a time in order to keep my skin from getting too irritated. I just switch which serum I use depending on what my skin might need. I like to use brightening serums and redness reducers, as well as skin tightening serums to prevent wrinkles.
Step 5: Eye Cream/Spot Treatments
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Next step is the eye cream and spot treatments. Now that I'm getting older, eye creams are a must. Younger people can get away with skipping this step, but I do recommend it to keep the thin skin around your eyes healthy at all ages. Plus, it feels really refreshing! This is the time to use spot treatments as well. A little dab of a specialized treatment can do wonders if you feel like you are getting a pimple or have a blemish. I tend to get these issues due to hormonal changes around certain times of the month, so spot treatments are very helpful.
Step 6: Day Moisturizer/Emulsion
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The last step is the moisturizer, which is super important if you are like me and have really dry skin. I use moisturizers that are still fairly heavy for the daytime, just because my skin is so dry. I like creams and heavier lotions. Calming ingredients like green tea, tea tree, and seaweed are some of my favorites.
Night Routine
Step 1: First Cleanse
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First, I start by using a tissue/towelette to remove the easy makeup, like BB cream, eyeshadow, etc. After a quick wipedown, I then use cleansing oil to remove the heavy stuff like eyeliner and mascara. You can use your hands with cleansing oil, but I usually use a cotton pad to avoid getting the product in my eyes. I like to have control over where it goes - that stuff can make a mess ;)
Step 2: Second Cleanse
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Now, time for the foaming or cream cleanser. I always make sure to take my time here, because leaving any oil cleanser on my face is sure to cause a breakout of hives and scratchy skin. I use lukewarm water to rinse off, and I use very soft baby washcloths to make sure I have all the soap off of my face. Many people will just rinse with water and their hands alone, but I find if I have soap residue left on my skin, I will be very itchy at night!
Step 3: Exfoliate/Mask
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Time to pamper! Now you can either exfoliate your skin, or you can use a mask if you like. I typically exfoliate about twice a week. Exfoliating too much can be bad for your skin, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. I exfoliate this amount because my skin is so dry that it flakes a lot, so this helps me deal with that. I like to use gentle exfoliaters instead of real scrubby ones. Masks are a nice luxury, so I like to use them at least once a week as well, especially if I am not planning on using a sheet mask.
Step 4: Toner
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After you are done with all the cleansers, you can use the toner to finish up the cleaning process. Same as in the morning, I like to use gentle toners with fewer ingredients then most American or European toners. I cannot recommend Innisfree toners enough!
Step 5: Essence
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Next is the evening essence. I apply this just like in the morning. I just use my hands, and gently tap it in.
Step 6: Sheet Mask
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Sheet masks are seriously my favorite. They feel so good on my irritated skin, and if I have enough, I'll use them every night! They feel like a mini spa treatment for your skin. My favorite ones are aloe, green tea, tea tree, chamomile, or other soothing ingredients. It helps so much with the redness and itching that I get during the busy day - after I take it off I just feel so amazing. It's a great way to unwind after a long day.
Step 7: Serum
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After using a sheet mask, tap in the remaining product on your face and then it's time for your serums. I only use one a night. At night, I usually try to use the more intensive serums so that they will have more time to work while I am sleeping away!
Step 8: Eye Cream/Spot Treatments
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Time for eye cream and spot treatments again. This is basically the same as in the morning, but at night I also like to put on lip balm or something to moisturize my lips. I'll be honest - this is because it won't stay on during the day! So I put it on before bed to keep my lips soft.
Step 9: Sleeping Pack
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The last step for the night is the moisturizer. Now, my skin is so dry that I use a sleeping pack every night. Many people use sleeping packs only once or twice a week, and switch between moisturizers and emulsions the rest of the week. I use packs every night to try to give my skin as much moisture as possible. I switch between ones that are heavier (like the honey one above) and lighter ones, like lemon whitening packs or the Tonymoly banana pack (which is so fun and cute!).
f(x) Krystal for Etude House
So, what do you guys think? What does your skincare routine look like? Do you have a certain type of skin that you'd like me to cover with specific products and tips? What are your favorite skincare brands? Let me know!
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