Healthy Skin Thoughts
I'm pretty positive the Western Culture is becoming obsessed with this 10-step process of Korean skincare, and I am hitching onto this bandwagon. It's not strictly a 10-step process, I think I've been doing this 4-7-step process thing, which is normal--your skin is unique to you! However, I think when the title, "10-Step Korean Skincare Routine" is displayed across articles and magazines, it's really implying that there is this pampering process that Westerners, or at least me, are missing out on. I wanted to explore the ways of "stereotypical" Korean skincare, but also to write some mistakes I've made in the past regarding my skin, and what I've learned. Skincare is something I'm becoming more and more passionate about, and falling in love with--and I hope you enjoy it!
---
I want to start off by saying there are International Students at NKU from South Korea (amongst other students) and their skin is flawless! I (creepily) stare at their skin, admiring it--what are they doing that I'm not (probably a lot lol)? I don't want to assume that just because they're from South Korea, means that they are following along with this steady skincare routine, but I like to think that's how they achieve that glow! They're pampering their skin, not scrubbing away the "impurities."
I wanted to gradually write this post overtime, because skin takes time to heal! I want to see the products I'm using actually work before I preach about them. And I want to first start off by saying that ever since doing this skincare "routine," I have figured out that I have been doing this whole thing wrong. I think I officially started a "3-Step" skincare routine when I was like, 13. Before that, I never really cared about my appearance until one day I started breaking out, and I was like, "Man, I need to do something about this!!"
I have had quite the history of attempting new skincare products, lines, drugstore, professional, (my mom) spending so much money, no results, and a lot of impatience! How stupid I was to finally realize that to help prevent acne, I had to at least take all of my makeup off before I went to bed! And I put on a lot of makeup because of the breakouts, so it was a never ending cycle. Spoiler alert: if you want clear skin--unless you were born with great amazing clear skin genetics--you can't be lazy!
So where did we get this 3-Step skincare process that was an end-all-be-all when it came to clearing acne and having healthy skin? Who decided that your skin only needed 3 products to be healthy? Who decided that it was only products that was going to keep your skin looking healthy?
So where did we get this 3-Step skincare process that was an end-all-be-all when it came to clearing acne and having healthy skin? Who decided that your skin only needed 3 products to be healthy? Who decided that it was only products that was going to keep your skin looking healthy?
The South Korean way of cleaning your skin, starts very young--not when you suddenly break out at 13 and wish you'd started earlier! Skin ages slowly (unless you're in the sun a lot), and so the effects we are seeing in our skin are gradual, they happen overtime. Slowly, we see spots, bagginess, scaring that we didn't see before. Therefore, we can't heal our skin overnight!
There is this desire to want things instantly, it's almost like a disease. Skincare companies have marketed, I feel like especially to American's/Western culture, impatience to a simple 3-Step process saying: "You have acne? Here's this. It will be gone in 6 weeks." or, "You have one zit? Here's this 3-Step process, plus an acne spot cream, and it will be gone in 6 weeks." This has curated fear in getting one zit. In breaking out. In hormonal acne. And all of the above. Skin care companies live off of our fear of running out of their products so we will continually live off of their products! Not only that, but when you run out of this 3-Step process, you have to buy their products again, or else you'll get worse break outs!! No!!
I'm writing this temperamental paragraph about 3-Step processes, because it has never worked for me. If it works for you then great, that is awesome! If you only have one or two steps that work for you--then great! I just know that between me, my sister, and my mom, we could probably buy a whole cruise ship between all the money we've spent on with all "The Perfect 3-Step Processes," that haven't worked, and actually made our breakouts worse.
---
It's important to know how your skin is and how your skin reacts to different products. A big reason why these 3-Step processes didn't work for me was because I was too harsh, the chemicals in the products were stuff to clean bathrooms with, and I just wasn't taking care of my skin. How are you going to treat your skin if you don't even know what types of products you're sensitive to? If you're like me--you're sensitive to basically all of them! A big mistake I made was being too harsh on my skin. I'm laughing as I type, because one time I had a breakout of a bunch of little zits on my forehead (related to unresolved stomach issues), and I freaked out and mixed lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt (SALT!!)together in a little bowl and put it all over my face. It wasn't even 15 seconds later my face was burning. I took it off, and my whole face was red, and I started crying because I thought I had dyed my face red somehow from the cinnamon! Afterwards, I broke out the next day, but not because of the stomach issues--it was because I was too harsh on my skin!
I would always scrub my skin with a warm wash cloth over my breakouts, thinking that would clear them up, but it just made them worse. I would put old 3-Step skin care products on my face, on top of new 3-Step skin care products I had just gotten. This layering process could have been successful if I knew how my skin reacted to each product, or even what the product was supposed to do...I would put a whole mask of makeup on my face then only wash with a scrub exfoliator mask, thinking that that did the job of taking off all my makeup. When I had chicken pox, I had facial spots that I would pick at, they would scab over, and I'd pick them until there was a scar. I would put vegetable oil all over my skin when it was flaky, thinking that would moisturize the flakiness from topical creams I got from the dermatologist. Using oils for your skin is great, but not vegetable oil, and especially not for my skin.
Not only those things, but I have a high sensitivity to dairy, which caused stomach problems, which caused breakouts internally from stress and from stomach problems! Anyway, I could go on, but you get the idea. I get that if those things never happened, I would not be as smart and familiar about my skin as I am now, so I'm thankful for those things. I also think that when I got a breakout (which was almost every other day), I would just scroll through Pinterest and try and find a one-night remedy--which wasn't possible with the types of concoctions I was inventing.
---
I want to go back to this idea of pampering your skin. One of the things that makes Korean skincare so great is the layering process. I've been so ignorant and scared of trying this layering process of toners and serums, because I thought my skin was too sensitive to handle it! It is true, my skin is sensitive, but I'm also confident to say that most peoples skin is more sensitive than they think. It is not about scrubbing off your acne, it's about taking care of it! That one zit doesn't make you ugly, or your whole face ugly--you simply have to treat and take care of it. I feel like when I get a zit, it's like every time I look in the mirror it's this tunnel vision to only that one thing on my face, and not my face as a whole. I laugh because I will have a small hormonal breakout, and my boyfriend will look at me and genuinely say, "You're so beautiful," and I'm over here thinking, "How can I look beautiful at a time like this??" Then I think...It's literally not going to be on my face forever. How desperate and shallow to think that one zit (or even a breakout) could diminish your wholistic beauty! Those are lies that Satan is feeding to us!
It's not the end of the world, it's just a blemish.
---
...Back to pampering. So the "original" 10-Step Korean Skincare Process involves 1) cleansing with some type of cleansing oil and washing that off then, 2) gently double washing your face with a water-based cleanser, 3) exfoliating with a light scrub or peel, 4) using a toner, 5) adding an essence to renew the skin, 6) adding boosters or serums for spot treatments/anti-aging qualities--especially overnight serums, 7) using a specific sheet mask targeting certain areas on your face that may be lacking--such as brightening, moisturizing, etc, 8) applying eye cream, 9) moisturizer, 10) and SPF.
Wow, I'm out of breath! That's so many steps! When I first saw that awhile ago, I was like no way, my skin could never handle all that! But when I kept consistently seeing results from YouTubers and bloggers I followed saying, "Korean skincare," and the mentality behind it over and over, I thought--It has to be worth a shot!
---
Below I will list the products that I am using now, the prices, and the links, because so far they have saved my skin! There are so many products out there it's crazy...I was always hesitant to experiment with new products just because of how sensitive, acne-prone, and dry my skin would get, but now I have no trouble, even in winter months. I'm not saying I won't ever get a breakout again (cause I still do), but my skin is so much brighter, smooth, toned, plump, and accepting to the vitamins and minerals in these products than when I first began. It's not perfect--but it works! This is my version of the Korean skincare routine, that has really taught me to enjoy getting my skin in check, ready for bed, and awake in the morning.
---
I'm going to start off with my Night time routine, because I believe that this is where all the action happens. This is such a crucial period for your skin to heal and re-balance, that applying these products on top of getting some crucial-healing-sleep is a no-brainer. When I don't apply these products at night, I noticed a considerable difference than when I do. Plus, it's nice to unwind from the day by taking care of my skin. This is the ideal nighttime skin routine...
I'm writing this temperamental paragraph about 3-Step processes, because it has never worked for me. If it works for you then great, that is awesome! If you only have one or two steps that work for you--then great! I just know that between me, my sister, and my mom, we could probably buy a whole cruise ship between all the money we've spent on with all "The Perfect 3-Step Processes," that haven't worked, and actually made our breakouts worse.
---
It's important to know how your skin is and how your skin reacts to different products. A big reason why these 3-Step processes didn't work for me was because I was too harsh, the chemicals in the products were stuff to clean bathrooms with, and I just wasn't taking care of my skin. How are you going to treat your skin if you don't even know what types of products you're sensitive to? If you're like me--you're sensitive to basically all of them! A big mistake I made was being too harsh on my skin. I'm laughing as I type, because one time I had a breakout of a bunch of little zits on my forehead (related to unresolved stomach issues), and I freaked out and mixed lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt (SALT!!)together in a little bowl and put it all over my face. It wasn't even 15 seconds later my face was burning. I took it off, and my whole face was red, and I started crying because I thought I had dyed my face red somehow from the cinnamon! Afterwards, I broke out the next day, but not because of the stomach issues--it was because I was too harsh on my skin!
I would always scrub my skin with a warm wash cloth over my breakouts, thinking that would clear them up, but it just made them worse. I would put old 3-Step skin care products on my face, on top of new 3-Step skin care products I had just gotten. This layering process could have been successful if I knew how my skin reacted to each product, or even what the product was supposed to do...I would put a whole mask of makeup on my face then only wash with a scrub exfoliator mask, thinking that that did the job of taking off all my makeup. When I had chicken pox, I had facial spots that I would pick at, they would scab over, and I'd pick them until there was a scar. I would put vegetable oil all over my skin when it was flaky, thinking that would moisturize the flakiness from topical creams I got from the dermatologist. Using oils for your skin is great, but not vegetable oil, and especially not for my skin.
Not only those things, but I have a high sensitivity to dairy, which caused stomach problems, which caused breakouts internally from stress and from stomach problems! Anyway, I could go on, but you get the idea. I get that if those things never happened, I would not be as smart and familiar about my skin as I am now, so I'm thankful for those things. I also think that when I got a breakout (which was almost every other day), I would just scroll through Pinterest and try and find a one-night remedy--which wasn't possible with the types of concoctions I was inventing.
---
I want to go back to this idea of pampering your skin. One of the things that makes Korean skincare so great is the layering process. I've been so ignorant and scared of trying this layering process of toners and serums, because I thought my skin was too sensitive to handle it! It is true, my skin is sensitive, but I'm also confident to say that most peoples skin is more sensitive than they think. It is not about scrubbing off your acne, it's about taking care of it! That one zit doesn't make you ugly, or your whole face ugly--you simply have to treat and take care of it. I feel like when I get a zit, it's like every time I look in the mirror it's this tunnel vision to only that one thing on my face, and not my face as a whole. I laugh because I will have a small hormonal breakout, and my boyfriend will look at me and genuinely say, "You're so beautiful," and I'm over here thinking, "How can I look beautiful at a time like this??" Then I think...It's literally not going to be on my face forever. How desperate and shallow to think that one zit (or even a breakout) could diminish your wholistic beauty! Those are lies that Satan is feeding to us!
It's not the end of the world, it's just a blemish.
---
...Back to pampering. So the "original" 10-Step Korean Skincare Process involves 1) cleansing with some type of cleansing oil and washing that off then, 2) gently double washing your face with a water-based cleanser, 3) exfoliating with a light scrub or peel, 4) using a toner, 5) adding an essence to renew the skin, 6) adding boosters or serums for spot treatments/anti-aging qualities--especially overnight serums, 7) using a specific sheet mask targeting certain areas on your face that may be lacking--such as brightening, moisturizing, etc, 8) applying eye cream, 9) moisturizer, 10) and SPF.
Wow, I'm out of breath! That's so many steps! When I first saw that awhile ago, I was like no way, my skin could never handle all that! But when I kept consistently seeing results from YouTubers and bloggers I followed saying, "Korean skincare," and the mentality behind it over and over, I thought--It has to be worth a shot!
---
Below I will list the products that I am using now, the prices, and the links, because so far they have saved my skin! There are so many products out there it's crazy...I was always hesitant to experiment with new products just because of how sensitive, acne-prone, and dry my skin would get, but now I have no trouble, even in winter months. I'm not saying I won't ever get a breakout again (cause I still do), but my skin is so much brighter, smooth, toned, plump, and accepting to the vitamins and minerals in these products than when I first began. It's not perfect--but it works! This is my version of the Korean skincare routine, that has really taught me to enjoy getting my skin in check, ready for bed, and awake in the morning.
---
I'm going to start off with my Night time routine, because I believe that this is where all the action happens. This is such a crucial period for your skin to heal and re-balance, that applying these products on top of getting some crucial-healing-sleep is a no-brainer. When I don't apply these products at night, I noticed a considerable difference than when I do. Plus, it's nice to unwind from the day by taking care of my skin. This is the ideal nighttime skin routine...
1) Shea Moisture Oil Complex -- $9.99: I wash my hands then, I pump once (or twice, depending on if I wear foundation that day), then lather it in my hands until it turns a white-ish color, then massage it onto my face. You can feel the makeup and dirt melt once you rinse it off, and your face feels so soft!
2) No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser -- $9.00: After the oil, I take a dime-size amount of this cleanser and coat my face with it. I feel like it acts as a bonus defense mechanism against the rest of the bad oils on my face. Some nights I just use this wash. It is wonderful for getting off eye makeup, I can literally rub my eyes with it and it doesn't sting. It's a gel that turns into a milky substance. This makes my skin feel so clean without being over dry.
3) Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Toner -- $6.29: I don't use this every night, actually hardly ever, but I probably should. It sometimes feels repetitive when I do a toner and a serum. It depends on what my skin is feeling like. If my skin is feeling more dry, I usually skip this step. However, if I do put on the toner, I wait for it to dry before I put on serums.
4) Exposed Skincare: Clear Pore Serum -- $19.00: This product is literally a miracle worker. I hadn't ever tried serums before this one, so maybe my world has just been significantly broadened by serums--but this one just does the job. This is actually my sisters, but when she runs out, I'm buying more. I only put this one on at night, but it takes care of everything. Basically I love this product, and even though--for me--it's a little pricey, I will save up my pennies for it. (I sound a little desperate, but it's fine).
5) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum -- $16.00: I originally got this serum, because I realized the power of serums and this was the cheapest one I could find that still had some cool hydrating benefits. This, and the Vitamin C serum (below), I usually don't do together. I normally do one or the other. If my face is feeling dry, I warm 3 pumps in my hand and dab on my face and neck with my hands then wait for it to dry before moving onto the night cream. This is also a super good day serum too.
6) Naturalico Anti-Aging Organic Vitamin C Serum -- $13.00: I'm not exactly sure just how organic this serum is, but the results after two weeks have been awesome! Once I put it on, my face feels a bit tight, but not dry. Occasionally, I put it on and it burns--other times it doesn't! I think it's the reaction to the other products as well, so sometimes I just wash my face with one cleanser and then do this serum if my face needs brightening. Some times I just put it on dark spots, which helps too. I notice a considerably brighter face and refined dark spots in the morning.
7) Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Cream -- $22.00: I actually bought this product a couple months ago and made the mistake of lathering it on. Making it a night sleep mask rather than just a lotion/cream. I have a moisturizer (listed below), but at night I just skip the moisturizer and use this cream, because it is so thick. I scoop up about half a quarter size in my hand, warm it up, then massage it on my face. I have to make sure that it's almost all the way dry before going to bed. In the morning my face is so hydrated. There is a layer of dewy sheen on my face in the morning, and it feels so refreshing--I love it!
8) *Extra* Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay -- $10.00: Sometimes my face feels super grimy, extra greasy, and gritty. Even if I have small spots, or just need a re-firming of my skin, this clay mask does it all. I'm not even kidding, this mask is so cheap but so good. It's a clay powder that you mix with water and apply to your face. When I first did it I kept it on for at least 30 minutes, and afterwards my face was like a dry sponge--it was clear, but so dry. Then I figured out you were only supposed to keep it on for around 5-15 minutes...It sucks everything out of your pores, just use a lot of moisturizer afterwards. This is such a beneficial mask! Plus, the container is huge and has lasted over a year!
8) *Extra* Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay -- $10.00: Sometimes my face feels super grimy, extra greasy, and gritty. Even if I have small spots, or just need a re-firming of my skin, this clay mask does it all. I'm not even kidding, this mask is so cheap but so good. It's a clay powder that you mix with water and apply to your face. When I first did it I kept it on for at least 30 minutes, and afterwards my face was like a dry sponge--it was clear, but so dry. Then I figured out you were only supposed to keep it on for around 5-15 minutes...It sucks everything out of your pores, just use a lot of moisturizer afterwards. This is such a beneficial mask! Plus, the container is huge and has lasted over a year!
---
Below is my morning routine that is half the time of my night time one. Some of the products are duplicated from above.
1) No7 Beautiful Skin Melting Gel Cleanser (Listed above) In the morning, this is a gentle cleanser to rid of the sheen mask I wake up with from the products I put on my face the night before. Does not over dry!
2) Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 15 -- $9-11.00: For awhile I was having trouble finding a gentle moisturizer, with simple ingredients, SPF, and that wouldn't make me breakout and become greasy. My sister and I were walking through Trader Joes one day, I saw this, and snatched it up and thought, "Eh, whatever." I am now on my third bottle (about to order my fourth), and each one lasts about six months. It feels light, and not greasy at all--in fact I think it evens out my complexion once I put it on. This product is a staple for me. Also sometimes I mix Passport To Organics: Hyaluronic Serum with my moisturizer and it's awesome and works so incredibly well in retaining moisture! (Pictured above)
3) Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 110 With Helioplex -- $13.00: (Pictured right) I use this for harshly sunny days!
4) Kroger Brand Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70-- $10(?) If I'm not feeling an intense sunscreen, I use this sunscreen, which is just another version of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lotion SPF 70. It gives a very nice glow, and doesn't feel cakey or over powering!
---
Maybe this gives you some inspiration on what to buy, specifically for how your skin is feeling at the time, and what products it needs. These products I have equipped over time and have been very rewarded with. I will continue to use them, or throw them out if I decide otherwise. Maybe then I will give an updated skin routine.
I think it's fascinating to figure out peoples routines--even if it is just one cleanser and one moisturizer. I love finding new products and figuring out what they do, and what can improve or can't. My life has spun around with this new way I have been pampering myself in the evenings before bedtime. It's even helped with hormonal breakouts and stress. I think if you take away anything from this blog post it's that you should take washing your skin as not a chore, but a way to relax and pamper yourself--even if it's just like, five minutes. And the inspiration of the 10-Step Korean Skincare has really helped do that for me! It's not about the outside, it's about taking care of the inside! I didn't even mention the healthy eating aspect of healthy skin, but I'll save that for next time... ;)
Thanks for reading--
❤✌👀
-Courtney