My Oily Skincare Routine

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My skin and skincare routine is something that I’m pretty proud of. I consistently get compliments on my skin and get asked for my skincare routine. I blush every time thinking back to how my skin wreaked havoc on me just a few years ago. When that happened I started taking my skin pretty seriously and adopted a regimen and stuck to it. Throughout the years I have adapted my routine a few times as I get older and my skin changes but the principles stay the same – cleanse, moisturize and protect. Today, I’m sharing my current routine that I have been using for a little over a year. I’m sure it’ll change as I learn more but for now, I am sticking beside this regimen because it works well for me.

To begin, I have oily, sensitive and acne-prone skin. When I shop for products, I shop with those concerns in mind. I try to buy products that help display my natural “glow” but don’t make me too oily, arent too harsh for my sensitive skin and won’t clog my pores (clogged pores = acne). I am also prone to hyperpigmentation with any breakout that I get. I do my best to minimize breakouts so that I can eliminate additional hyperpigmentation spots on my skin.

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For my regimen, I use an adaptation of the world-renowned “10-Step Korean Skincare Routine”. SOKO Glam explains the skincare routine as “The 10-step Korean Skin Care Routine is the skincare regimen that includes thoroughly cleansing, exfoliating, treating, intensely hydrating, and applying SPF during the day. This regimen was inspired by women in Korea who are experts in taking care of their skin from an early age.”

I know, 10 steps sound daunting, but once you start to do it, it’s really not that bad and it comes as second nature. You also have to adapt the steps to work well for you. My steps include products that are going to help me eliminate old dark spots, stay hydrated and keep acne at bay. You have to tweak your plan to work for you. Below is what I use in my regimen:

Morning Routine

1. Cleanse with Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser
2. Tone with Cocokind Rosewater Toner
3. Splash face with an essence – Aveda botanical kinetics hydrating treatment lotion
4. Use serums: Hyaluaronic Acid and Vitamin C
5. Use eye cream – Cocokind revitalizing eye cream // I also like Urban Skin Rx eye cream
6. Moisturize with Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer Balance
7. Protect my face with SPF – I love Kiehl’s SPF and Supergoop Unseen
8. Apply lip balm – I love Naturium Phyto-glow Lip Balm and Urban Skin RX Hydrating Lip Treatment

Nightly Routine

1. Oil cleanse with argan oil (this is called double cleansing) the oil helps break down dirt and serves as a pre-cleanse before using my official face wash
2. Clean with Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser // A few times a week I use Urban Skin RX’s clean skin or even tone bar to control acne and hyperpigmentation (dark spots)
3. Tone with Cocokind Rosewater Toner
4. Splash face with an essence – Aveda botanical kinetics hydrating treatment lotion
5. Apply serums if I am using them OR
6. Apply retinol: Urban SkinRX Retinol Rapid Repair Treatment OR
7. Use sheet masks. You can find these anywhere.
8. Use eye cream – Cocokind’s revitalizing eye cream
9. Moisturize with Urban Skin RX mega moisture illuminating night cream
10. Apply lip balm – Naturium Phyto-glow Lip Balm or Urban Skin RX Hydrating Lip Treatment

Weekly Things

• DIY Facial – some weeks
  • My at-home facial includes cleansing with steam, exfoliation, masks, serums and moisturizer.
  • I use this steamer from Amazon.
• Apply a face mask. Currently, loving:
  • Glossier’s Moisturizing Moon Mask
  • Urban Skin RX Masks: Acne and Blemish Control Mask and BrighterDays™ Dark Spot 8% AHA Polish
  • I also use Korean based sheet masks sometimes
• Exfoliate 1-2x per week with Urban Skin Rx’s Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub
• Incorporate acids like AHA/BHA etc. Currently loving:
  • Glossier’s Solution

It seems like a lot of steps (and it is) but it has been extremely great in maintaining my skin especially now that I am in my 30s. I know that I will add on more products as time goes by to address the different needs that my skin will have. As a word of love, no matter where your skin is right now please know that you are beautiful regardless. Rock the bold lipstick, wear the fun makeup, do whatever you feel makes you beautiful as you navigate your skincare journey.

So, do you have a skincare routine? Would love to know what products you swear by!