It has been ages since I last wrote about my skincare routine so with the recent change in seasons, weather and temperature, I thought today would be the perfect time to share. This time last year I swear I was doing multiple layers of products to keep myself and my skin sane but that all changed recently.
I no longer find it necessary to pat 3-4 layers of essences and toners, on the contrary, my skincare steps are much simpler. Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe I've been eating better and drinking more water, but my skin has been at its best for the past few months and I partially credit it to my simple routine.
CLEANSING
Some things never change and my love and fussiness for cleansers will forever remain the same. I only use cream, milk or balm cleansers in the morning. The same old favourites such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (I've repurchased and am currently on my second bottle), Skinceuticals Gentle Cleanser*, Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and finally Instytutum Transforming Melting Cleanser* which is new to my routine.
Instytutum Transforming Melting Cleanser* is a rich balm cleanser used on dry skin and it will emulsify and turn milky white when added to water. It's rich with antioxidants, vitamins, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Retinol and Bisabolol and it cleanses well without stripping the skin's natural oils. Instead it nourishes the skin leaving it soft and very supple. It can also be used to remove makeup but I reach for Clinique Take The Day Off Balm for that purpose.
Instytutum Transforming Melting Cleanser* is a rich balm cleanser used on dry skin and it will emulsify and turn milky white when added to water. It's rich with antioxidants, vitamins, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Retinol and Bisabolol and it cleanses well without stripping the skin's natural oils. Instead it nourishes the skin leaving it soft and very supple. It can also be used to remove makeup but I reach for Clinique Take The Day Off Balm for that purpose.
HYDRATORS
I'm still in love with IT Cosmetics Miracle Water* and I use it at least once a day with a cotton pad. When I am not using it, I will reach for either WishTrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water* or Cosrx AHA/BHA Toner. I will then follow up with either Secret Keys Starting Treatment Essence, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner or Vichy Mineral 89.
Recently I have also been enjoying Instytutum Resurfacing Glow Toner*. Initially I thought it was just another AHA toner but this little bottle is special. It contains 6% Glycolic Acid, 2% Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, antioxidants and vitamins. It gently exfoliates while hydrating and nourishing the skin at the same time. Personally I feel this works more like an essence instead of a toner. I absolutely love this and believe it's one of the biggest contributing factors to my glowing skin.
Recently I have also been enjoying Instytutum Resurfacing Glow Toner*. Initially I thought it was just another AHA toner but this little bottle is special. It contains 6% Glycolic Acid, 2% Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, antioxidants and vitamins. It gently exfoliates while hydrating and nourishing the skin at the same time. Personally I feel this works more like an essence instead of a toner. I absolutely love this and believe it's one of the biggest contributing factors to my glowing skin.
SERUMS
I'm not going to dwell much on this category as I have a full post on them which you can read here and here. Nothing much has changed as I am very happy with all the serums in my rotation now.
MOISTURIZERS
This is where it always gets a little tricky for me; moisturizers or face oils and sometimes it's a mixture of both. On normal days I rotate between IT Cosmetics Secret Sauce* and Kallēis 101 Kalilux AHA moisturizer* but I need to take a moment and gush about the latter. It needs more exposure and more people should know about it.
Kallēis 101 Kalilux AHA moisturizer* is a vitamin, antioxidant and AHA rich moisturizer that not only restores, smoothens and softens the skin, it also nourishes, hydrates and protects the skin from environmental aggressors. It's a rich cream that absorbs quickly and doesn't cause pilling when layered over other skincare and under makeup. My skin loves this, it's a beautifully formulated cream and I highly recommend checking it out.
I'm going to come clean, I very rarely use a face mask anymore, not even overnight masks. I remember using one and sometimes two every single night back in 2016 but those days are long gone. That said, I am slowly getting back into it now that my work schedule is no longer as erratic and have been enjoying the occasional sheet and wash off mask again.
I have been testing three face masks from the brand Naruko and so far so good. I was kindly sent a few masks, two of which are sheet masks; Face Renewal Miracle Mask* and Supreme Rejuvenating Treatment Mask* and finally, a wash-off version, Superlative Gold Aqua-Lifting Mask*.
I thought I would love Face Renewal Miracle Face Mask* because I love the essence but the mask fit was so poor that I took it off after 15 minutes. I didn't find this mask to be anything special, maybe because I tested it only for a short time but this is a pass for me. I say skip this and buy the essence instead.
Supreme Rejuvenating Treatment Mask* on the other hand is brilliant! Yes, I look like a monster from down under, creepy AF but the results are so worth it. The mask fits perfectly and I love that I can hook it behind my ears for a better fitting. This also creates a lifting and firming effect that lasted for a few days. I wore it for 30 minutes and once removed my skin was glowing and looked and felt so soft, smooth and supple. I kid you not, my skin felt so much firmer too. Repurchase? Yes, yes, 110% YES!
Superlative Gold Aqua-Lifting Mask* is an interesting one because it took me a long while to notice what it was doing for my skin. I have been using it twice a week for almost a month now and I finally saw some results. This mask contains a blend of botanical/plant extracts and it's rich in soothing, nourishing and skin restoring ingredients. It's NOT a mask that gives you amazing results within days or even weeks but after a month, I'm starting to notice my skin feels and looks healthier. The results are minimal but I do have pretty good skin so sometimes it's hard to see the differences.
Will I repurchase? I'm on the fence, I do think this mask would be better suited for someone who has dull, sallow, dry and dehydrated skin. These are not my concerns for now but if that ever changes in the future then I would definitely repurchase.
So that's it for my skincare routine and if you made it this far then you are my superstar and I love you dearly! I didn't feature any eye creams in this post because I have a whole dedicated post on them coming soon.
Do share your routine in the comment below!
*Products marked with * were received for free but my thoughts and opinions are 100% unbiased, honest and my own. There is no place for any sort of BS here.
FACIAL MASKS
I'm going to come clean, I very rarely use a face mask anymore, not even overnight masks. I remember using one and sometimes two every single night back in 2016 but those days are long gone. That said, I am slowly getting back into it now that my work schedule is no longer as erratic and have been enjoying the occasional sheet and wash off mask again.
I have been testing three face masks from the brand Naruko and so far so good. I was kindly sent a few masks, two of which are sheet masks; Face Renewal Miracle Mask* and Supreme Rejuvenating Treatment Mask* and finally, a wash-off version, Superlative Gold Aqua-Lifting Mask*.
I thought I would love Face Renewal Miracle Face Mask* because I love the essence but the mask fit was so poor that I took it off after 15 minutes. I didn't find this mask to be anything special, maybe because I tested it only for a short time but this is a pass for me. I say skip this and buy the essence instead.
Supreme Rejuvenating Treatment Mask* on the other hand is brilliant! Yes, I look like a monster from down under, creepy AF but the results are so worth it. The mask fits perfectly and I love that I can hook it behind my ears for a better fitting. This also creates a lifting and firming effect that lasted for a few days. I wore it for 30 minutes and once removed my skin was glowing and looked and felt so soft, smooth and supple. I kid you not, my skin felt so much firmer too. Repurchase? Yes, yes, 110% YES!
Superlative Gold Aqua-Lifting Mask* is an interesting one because it took me a long while to notice what it was doing for my skin. I have been using it twice a week for almost a month now and I finally saw some results. This mask contains a blend of botanical/plant extracts and it's rich in soothing, nourishing and skin restoring ingredients. It's NOT a mask that gives you amazing results within days or even weeks but after a month, I'm starting to notice my skin feels and looks healthier. The results are minimal but I do have pretty good skin so sometimes it's hard to see the differences.
Will I repurchase? I'm on the fence, I do think this mask would be better suited for someone who has dull, sallow, dry and dehydrated skin. These are not my concerns for now but if that ever changes in the future then I would definitely repurchase.
So that's it for my skincare routine and if you made it this far then you are my superstar and I love you dearly! I didn't feature any eye creams in this post because I have a whole dedicated post on them coming soon.
Do share your routine in the comment below!
*Products marked with * were received for free but my thoughts and opinions are 100% unbiased, honest and my own. There is no place for any sort of BS here.
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