my journey into korean skincare

 so, this is a follow up of this post where i started taking care of my skin.  and started a new korean skincare routine.  i have been using this system for about a 3 months now.  it's pretty intense at first because there are so many steps involved, but i am really loving it, and it actually doesn't take that much time.  and because i am still using some of the other products that i bought in march, i am not using all korean skincare products at this time, but will probably start adding them in as i run out of the others.

you can read a million blog posts and articles and watch youtube videos all about korean skincare, its benefits, and tutorials.  but i'll just run through the basics and my opinion of them.  the routine is as follows: double cleanse, exfoliate, tone, essence, serums, eye cream, moisturize, spf.  a few steps you don't do every time, like i don't exfoliate daily.  sheet masks can be used a few times a week.  and other things like eye masks, scrubs, sleep packs are used a few times per week.  but the best thing of all is that the skincare routine is completely customizable.  so if you have really dry skin, you would perhaps use a sleep mask or sleep pack every night, or more often than 2 times per week.  if you have acne or hormonal breakouts, you can use some spot treatments or spot specific masks.  stuff like that. i have been learning a lot about my skin recently, like it's most likely combination, where my t-zone is oily but other parts are more dry.  but sometimes it's oily and dry at the same time.  the skin on my cheeks has become more red as i age.  i have blackheads constantly in certain areas of my face.  so i have been adding products to fix these issues.  here's what i am doing now:

1.  double cleanse---oil cleanser  

i have to admit, i was really wary about this step at first, because i always thought it was bad to put oil on your skin.  but most makeup is oil based, and i remember from chemistry class that like dissolves like, so an oil cleanser is the best thing to remove your oil based makeup.  and it's so gentle.  no tugging at your eyes.  currently i am using Pixi cleansing balm.  i like it so far.  my face feels super smooth and not at all dry after i cleanse with this.  after this cleanser is gone, i am going to try Banila Co. i have read so many good reviews, and it's a little more affordable than my current cleansing balm.  i only cleanse with this balm in the evenings.

this is the banila co clean it zero, they have different formulas but this one is good for all skin types, i have read lots of good reviews and i'm excited to try it next, this one is a korean brand

2.  double cleanse---water based cleanser 
currently i am using Pacifica Sea Foam Cleanser foam cleanser.  i bought it several months ago and didn't use it that regularly.  but now i use it twice per day, in the morning and in the evening.  at night, after i rinse the oil cleanser off, i cleanse with this sea foam cleanser.  i don't feel like there is anything special about it, but my skin does not feel tight or dehydrated after i use it, so that's good.  i may try a different water based cleanser after this is out.  probably a foaming cleanser like Neogen Foam Cleanser in Green Tea.

i really like this brand, it's also a korean brand.  i use the exfoliating pads.  anyway the cleanser comes in different "flavors", and i love a foam cleanser

3.  Exfoliate  
if you are exfoliating, then this is where you would do it in the routine.  there is manual and chemical exfoliation.  i was using Pixi mud mask with 5% glycolic acid, which is a chemical exfoliator.  and i did notice that my face was so much brighter and less dull after using this mask one time.  so i would recommend it.  but i wanted to try a couple other exfoliators when i finished this one, and i have read so many good reviews about this Biopeel which is both a manual and a chemical exfoliator.  i have been using it for about 3 months and i think this has been one of the most important changes for me.  it smells incredible, like grape juice.  and it feels nice on my skin.  it really cleanses all the extra dirt out of your pores, even after double cleansing.  i did notice my skin purging some more after i first used it.  i typically only exfoliate twice per week right now, because my skin can get a little sensitive.  perhaps later, after using this routine for a few more months, i will step it up to 3 times per week, we'll see.  so far this exfoliator does seem gentle.  it has lactic acid and reservatol which removes impurities, exfoliates, and the reservatol is an anti-oxidant that inhibits free-radicals, which prevents wrinkles and pigmentation.  after i started exfoliating on a regular basis, my skin has been noticeably less dull, brighter, less flaky, and softer.  i think this is a really important step in a skincare routine no matter what products you use or routine you follow.  the skin sheds and renews itself every 28 days or so, and once the top layer of skin sheds, it just sits on your skin until it somehow gets removed.  so if it just sits there, it obviously makes your skin look dull and can clog your pores.  so i would highly recommend exfoliating, this is a game changer.

these neogen exfoliating pads are the wine version, but they also have green tea and lemon, which i hear are also really wonderful, i would highly recommend this product though!  i am really happy with it!

4.  Tone 
i haven't used a toner in over a decade.  i started using Pixi Glow Tonic back in march when i first started taking better care of my skin.  this has so many great reviews, it's kind of a cult product now.  i actually really like it, it has glycolic acid, so it encourages skin cell turn over and lots of botanical extracts to help soothe and hydrate.  i would definitely use this again, but i wanted to try one of the korean brands, too.  so i have been using Mizon Intensive Skin Barrier. this step is not supposed to be harsh like the american brand astringents, which strip your skin of its natural oils and makes the skin more acidic than it should be.  it is supposed to soothe, hydrate and get your skin ready to soak up the serums you're about to put on your skin, and to pH balance your skin, which should normally be a little alkaline rather than acidic.  i use this twice daily, after cleansing.  in the evening i apply it with a cotton ball so that i can really remove all the remaining dirt, oil and makeup from my face, and especially my neck.  in the morning, since my skin is already pretty clean, i just sprinkle some product into my hands and press onto my face and neck.  i do notice that after using this, my skin is absolutely squeaky clean, and brighter, and is not tight feeling like when you use witch hazel or an astringent toner.

this toner is actually thicker than i was expecting!  it's very hydrating and makes your skin soft and supple.

5.  Essence 
apparently this is at the "heart" of the skincare routine.  and it took awhile before i understood what this step is for.  but it is like a watery serum that can be tailored to your specific needs (acne, age-defying, hydration, etc) and preps your skin for the heavier serums, hydrates and helps keep moisture in. i sprinkle some of this onto my hands and press into my face and neck twice daily, after the toner.  i am using Mizon First Essence, as it was recommended for first time korean beauty users, it works well with other products.  i may venture into some other essences at some point, but i'm good with this one for now, and i think the bottle will last me quite awhile.

6.  Serums, Ampoules
these are the soldiers, in my mind, that fight acne, wrinkles, dark spots, you name it.  this is the part where you really customize your routine.  my current goals are to make my skin clear, soft, bright and glowy, have less breakouts, even my skin tone, reduce wrinkles and puffiness.  haha, basically i just want a miracle in a bottle.  because i wanted to ease into this, i started off with just two serums, Mizon Peptide 500 which helps combat wrinkles and fine lines.  it also hydrates and helps with skin renewal.  i actually learned that when your skin loses collagen production, it starts to become less elastic, and putting collagen on your skin doesn't really do much since the molecule is too big to penetrate and be absorbed into your skin.  but this serum is cool because it has these peptides in it that help signal to your skin to produce more collagen.  pretty cool, huh?  so then your skin ends up being more plump and elastic.  the other serum i use is Klair's Freshly Juiced Vitamin C.  this product has a form of vitamin c that doesn't degrade, and vitamin C is a super powerful anti-oxidant that helps to inhibit free-radical production.  this serum has 5% vitamin c so it's very gentle.  i like that this serum helps to brighten the skin, reduce age spots and hyper pigmentation and evens out skin tone. i started using these about 3 months ago, and only at night for the first 3 days until i was certain my skin was ok with it, and now i use it twice daily after i use the essence.  i put a few drops on my fingertips and press into my skin and neck.  i have noticed that my skin is more plump, and glowy, but the most amazing thing is that if a blemish pops up now, after introducing these two products, they are almost gone by the next day or by two days later.  it's amazing.  and that's because these products encourage cell turnover and collagen production.  i will certainly keep using the klair's and i may try one of the other mizon products, and maybe as i get older i will add some higher powered serums, but for now i am very happy with both of these.  i am interested to see how my skin looks after 3 more months of use with these products.

7.  Eye Cream 
the skin under your eyes is the thinnest and most delicate.  so you have to be very gentle with it and use a very emollient moisturizer.  i suffer from under eye bags and a little bit of discoloration.  i was using mary kay firming eye cream every once in awhile until march when i started using it twice daily, after the serums.  i do notice that the fine lines around my eyes are less noticeable.  i just ran out of that eye cream, so i bought Cremorlab Wrinkle-Offf.  i've been using it for about 2 months or so now.  there were amazing reviews on it.  you gently pat this around your eye with your ring finger.  i think under eye bags are a result of facial structure and genetics mostly, so there isn't much that can be done about that i have noticed, except drinking lots of water to stay hydrated, avoid things that make me puffy (like too much dairy or sugar), getting enough sleep (beyond my control right now because of the kiddos), and sleeping with my head slightly elevated.  anyway, i have been using some really nice under eye concealer haha.  i have also been using a little jojoba oil under my eyes as well for some extra hydration.  so hopefully all of this will help keep my under eye area moisturized and help with the fine lines and puffiness.  however, i do for sure notice that the wrinkles and fine lines under my eyes are less noticeable, and the darkness under my eyes is considerably less.  this brand all has an eye cream called shadow-off that has lots of really great reviews for those who have very dark under eye discoloration.  i do want to try this other product by biossance that's called squalane + peptide eye gel.  it has very good reviews, and they are always sold out at sephora and the biossance website.  i like the company because it uses natural, quality products, are cruelty free and don't include harmful chemicals.  they also are environmentally responsible.  and i really like that.  so i will try that one when i am done with the cremorlab, but i have also been very happy with cremorlab and will definitely order it again.  the best thing i have noticed is that if i do apply makeup or concealer under my eyes now, it goes on much smoother and doesn't cake and settle in the fine lines.

this product is supposed to be amazing, squalene is a molecule that moisturizes the skin, and keeps moisture locked in as well.  we naturally produce squalene, but just like collagen, at some point our skin doesn't produce it as well.  i think people are so enamored over it because the ingredients in it are supposed to help with lymphatic drainage and circulation, which people claim has pretty much deflated their under eye puffiness.  so anyway i'm so excited to try this one next!

8.  Moisturize
i have been using Pixi's H2O Skindrink which is a moisturizing gel.  i have never used a gel on my face before so i wasn't sure that i would like it, or that my face would feel sufficiently moisturized, but i have been pleasantly surprised.  it is very light, doesn't feel heavy or oily, absorbs quickly into my skin, and keeps my face supple.  i may try another moisturizer like this one, but i would definitely buy this Pixi product again.  i use this in the morning, after all the serums and eye cream.  at night, i use Pixies Beauty Sleep Cream because it's more emollient, and i don't mind if my face is a little greasy in the morning.  but also, my skin seems to absorb this moisturizer up just fine and my face is not really greasy in the mornings.  i will probably try another product, it's called Heliocare 360, and it's highly recommended by this makeup artist whose blog i follow, Beauty and the Boutique, it has really great UVB and UVA protection, has a great age fighting ingredient in it, and includes vitamin C and E as well as green tea.  i like all that stuff, especially since it protects against UVA rays, but also because it is slightly tinted to help reduce redness, and that it finishes like a gel as in it melts nicely into your skin.  and the best thing is that it is multiple products in one.

excited to try this one!

9.  SPF
i am very fair skinned and prone to burning easily in the sun, so i do use sunscreen, but not daily.  usually just when it's sunny here.  because the sun is never that intense here, except for maybe a handful of days.  but, protecting your skin against UVA and UVB rays is super important in korean skincare because that's what prematurely ages your skin and causes hyper pigmentation.  so, i started using SPF 50 on my face on a daily basis.  it's about time, as there's a good possibility that i'm genetically pre-disposed to skin cancer.  i've been using Paula's Choice because my mother-in-law gave it to me.  it seems just fine, although i think i can find a brand that feels less greasy.  i will probably try Missha All Around Safe Block, because i have read good reviews on it.  this brand also has some other kinds of SPF that i have heard good things about, they feel light and not greasy at all.

probably will try this brand in the future

10.  Sheet Masks
ok, this has got to be my favorite part of the routine so far.  a sheet mask is a gel or some sort of cotton, thin mask that is soaked in a serum, you take it out of the package and lay it on your face for 15-30 minutes, depending on what you need.  there is a sheet mask for everything.  i got a variety package from tony moly that has 12 different types; from clarifying to pore care, to moisturizing.  i just finished up the variety pack like in the image above, i do one sheet mask per week.  usually on saturday nights after the kids have gone to bed, and i just relax, and read or listen to a podcast for 20 minutes while my skin soaks up all the goodness.  it is really like a mini pampering session.  if that wasn't good enough in itself, i can always tell the next day that i used a sheet mask because my skin looks so plump, clear and super soft.  it's incredible.  i just re-ordered some on amazon, Innisfree brand, because the variety pack of tony moly ones aren't there anymore for some reason.  so i ordered this new brand in a 15 sheet variety pack.  i like using a variety pack, because then i can try to figure out which one i like the best, and also depending on what my skin needs.  it seems like the aloe vera one was the best, and then i also noticed the avocado and the tea tree ones were also very effective.  but you can buy sheet masks anywhere now, from $1.50 a pop on up, some are really fancy and expensive and i'm sure they do amazing things.  but these ones are good for me, maybe i will spurge on one here and there.  oh, and i decided i would sheet mask twice per week now.

we'll see how these work out, i'm going to try one tonight

11.  Extras
for me this includes a sleep pack, or sleep mask, which is basically just a really moisturizing extra layer of cream or gel that you put on your face overnight and rinse off in the morning (you must not forget to rinse off in the morning, otherwise you will get tiny little bumps and blemishes all over your face).  it's good for people who have dry skin, or when the air is dry.  i use it twice a week, typically the night after i exfoliate.  i am using Pixi's Nourishing Sleep Mask.  it definitely moisturizes my skin, and sometimes after i use it, my face is a little oily in the morning.  so i'm not sure this is the one for me.  i may try Laneige Renewal Water Sleep Mask.  i have read good things about it, and it seems like it's more lightweight, which is what would probably work better for my skin.  so far that's it.  some people use an ultra-sonic silicone pore cleanser, or a blackhead remover kit, or a peel or microdermabrasion product.  but i haven't gotten into any of that stuff yet.  i did order some spot treatments, because i get hormonal zits during the month, so i'd like to blast them away, haha.  i have read that the spot treatments get rid of the zit in a day or two so i'm curious to see how it works.  also, on my wishlist are some under eye masks, and a blackhead remover.  oh, and i'm going to get a BB cream when i'm done with the foundation that i'm using.  i'll write a separate post about that.

will start using this when my current sleep mask is done

so.  that is my korean skincare routine so far.  it's been almost 4 months of using mostly these korean products, and my skin has definitely changed.  it is much softer and smoother, brighter and looks more plump.  the lines around my eyes have become less noticeable, blemishes clear up much faster. and my skin has just become so much more bright and glowy.  like, sometimes i will catch my reflection in the mirror and think that my skin is oily and i need to blot it, but when i go to do that, it's not oily, it's just shiny because it's so healthy.  it's so different! i still have some problem areas that i will target after i've been on this regimen for a couple more months.  but, the best compliment was from my hubby.  one day, i came downstairs and he said "wow, your skin looks really great".  and then later in the day, we were chatting, and he said "your skin really does look great".  this may not sound like much, but for my hubby, it's a huge compliment, haha.  not to mention, men don't normally tell you that your skin looks glowy, at least not unprompted.  and since then he has made a few more comments on my skin.  so, that in my book is a big WIN!

btw, if you are interested in venturing into the world of k-beauty, and need help, let me know.  i did lots of research (like i do with everything), and have a lot of resources i could share.  i also would love to help refer some different products to you if you are interested.  i am not affiliated with any of these products or anything, i just have enjoyed using them so much, and love the idea of using products that are made with quality ingredients.  i also like the concept of korean beauty; it's all about prevention, they start taking care of their skin at a much younger age than we do here in the US, and they demand high quality and innovative products, so that's what they get.  it's so smart.  anyway, message me if you would like my opinion.

and lastly, here are some pics that kind of show some of these results:

and this was almost 2 years ago, you can see the lines around my eyes again and maybe you notice that my skin is not super smooth, and there's hyper pigmentation

this is a few years ago, you can see the lines around my eyes are more prominent and my skin tone is uneven

so this is when i started this whole skincare changeup in march

this is after almost 2 weeks of using mainly the korean skincare products, my skin is much brighter, although i am wearing a little bit of makeup, so that makes a difference

sheet mask!  hahahah

i am not normally a car selfie person, but i felt very confident about my skin at this time, probably about a month and a half into the korean skincare regimen

looking more smooth---again i have a little bit of makeup so that helps, but really, day to day especially when i am at home, i typically only wear under eye concealer, some bronzer, and cheek color

so this was the day that hubby made a couple comments on my skin, i happened to be wearing makeup here, but it definitely looks better than before

this was just 2 weeks ago, with light makeup, looking more evened out

this was taken about 2 weeks ago, no makeup at all, my under eye area is looking better, my skin looks more dewey, and more even, still don't have flawless skin, but it is so much healthier.