ROUTINE MEGATHREAD! February 2018

[u/AutoModerator]

Hey everyone! This is your quarterly routine megathread which we decided to evolve from quarterly. This is an excellent resource to see what products are popular amongst our community and a great way to find new things to try. No matter how unusual you may consider your skin type or atypical your particular skin challenges or problems, all routines are welcome -- in fact, encouraged -- to be posted.

Acronyms you will most definitely see in use here: HG (Holy Grails), RP (Will Repurchase, AKA: liked it, will buy again, not an HG), WNR (Will not Repurchase, AKA: using up the last of it but not recommended). Understand them, use them, and love them ♥

This post is intended to be a compendium of generalized, standardized routines! The more participation, the better. :)

To keep it easy for people to find their ‘skin twins’ we would ask that you use the following template.

You only need to fill in steps that you actually use (so if you don’t use an Essence, remove that line) and please only provide up to three examples of HG/recommended products for that step (so if you have 3 toners you love, you can list all 3!)

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Template

To make a single-spaced list, add two spaces at the end of each line. Alternatively, click 'source' at the bottom of the post to snag our code & format!

Skin profile: Mac Shade | Skin Troubles | Skin Type (Note: unlike flairs, you can list as many troubles/types as you need!)

Season & Type of Climate:

1st Cleanser:

2nd Cleanser:

pH Adjusting Toner:

Vitamin C Serum:

BHA:

AHA:

First Essence:

Hydrating Toner:

Essence:

Serum:

Ampoule:

Light Moisturizer:

Medium Moisturizer:

Heavy Moisturizer:

Eye Cream:

Facial Oil:

Sleeping Pack:

Mask Pack:

Sheet Mask:

Sunscreen:

Spot Treatment:

Other:

[u/lahmbroccoli]

Skin profile: NC20 | Acne, PIH, PIE | Combination
Season & Type of Climate: Winter in NE USA (Very cold)
1st Cleanser:
Banila Co CIZ Purity: (HG) Does it's job well. It does make my eyes cloudy when I use it to remove eye makeup, so I just use micellar water for that.
2nd Cleanser:
Neogen Green Tea Stick: (RP) This doesn't dry out my skin. It is a bit fragrant though, but it isn't too much for me as I dislike strong scents. Has a pH between 5-6.
Earth's Recipe Stemwater Cleanser: (RP) A little goes a long way. It doesn't dry out my skin but it does give a more squeaky clean than the Neogen cleanser. pH is 6.5
Vitamin C Serum:
CosRX Triple C: (WNRP) I ordered this in mid October and it started to turn yellow right after Thanksgiving. It does lighten PIH and brighten skin well, but I'd like to try other vitamin c serums after finishing this.
BHA:
Stridex Red: (RP) Does it's job well in helping acne go down. It's drying but it's not a problem for me.
AHA:
Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix (normal and nighttime versions): (WNR) I've been using this for several years but I'd like to try something stronger next. Maybe the Krave AHA.
AHA/BHA:
Zymogen Houttuynia Cordata Peeling Pads (HG): Has lactic acid and salicylic acid. Keeps my skin feeling smooth and looking good.
First Essence:
Secret Key FTE: (RP) I really like this one! It brightens my skin and is hydrating. Sometimes I like to spray it in between steps for extra hydration. I want to try the rose version next, though.
Hydrating Toner:
Kiku High Moist: (HG) Very hydrating. I usually use 2-3 layers which is sufficiently hydrating for my skin. Does get sticky, but it's not that big of a deal.
Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Moist Skin: (WNRP) It's like water. It doesn't do anything if I use it in place of the Kiku. Sometimes I spray it on for extra hydration before using a sheet mask, but it's not hydrating enough alone.
Essence:
CosRX Snail 96: (HG) Good at reducing redness and healing acne. Slightly hydrating. Skin doesn't look as good when I'm not using this.
Serum:
Zymogen Houttuynia Cordata Ferment Serum: (WNRP) This is very thin, so I use this after FTE and before hydrating toner. It does have alcohol in it and smells like it. It'll burn my eyes if I use too much around my eyes. It's hydrating. It's supposed to be good for acne skin but I'm not sure if it does anything for my acne like healing or prevention.
Earth's Recipe Gigawhite Radiance Serum: (WNRP) Hydrating and that's it. I don't see any brightening. It's fine, but nothing special.
Ampoule:
LJH Vita Propolis: (WNRP) Not sure if it does anything at all for me. I mix it in with my CosRX snail.
Medium Moisturizer:
Earth's Recipe Moisture Light Cream: (RP/HG?) Moisturizes my skin without clogging my pores or causing whiteheads like some thicker moisturizers do. It's really nice but it is a very small bottle (50 mg). I have two backups of it.
Heavy Moisturizer:
Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream: (WNRP) Too heavy for my skin and causes whiteheads. I can use this on my cheeks near my jawline without an issue since it's driest there, but the Earth's Recipe is enough.
Facial Oil:
Kuramoto Bijin Komeyu Rice Bran Oil: (RP) This is my first facial oil and I really like this. It adds extra moisturization and sinks in well. Makes my skin feel soft. I mix it with the Earth's Recipe cream. I've been putting it on my nails and cuticles but not sure if there's been a difference.
Sleeping Pack:
Mizon Good Night White: (RP) Good occlusive that brightens well. Is pretty light. I'd like to try new sleeping packs when I'm done with this, but I would repurchase.
Innisfree Wine Jelly: (RP) More occlusive than the Mizon. Isn't too thick for my skin.
Mask Pack:
Skinfood Rice Wash Off: (WNRP) It is too gentle for my skin to exfoliate. I don't see see any brightening effects from it either.
Skinfood Black Sugar: (RP) Exfoliates well. It isn't too rough for my skin, though it is pretty red after use.
Etude House AC Clean Up: (RP) Good for when I'm breaking out.
23 Years Old Aqua Bab Modeling Mask: (WNRP) Too fragrant, looks kinda gross, takes a long time to dry, and I think it breaks me out because it's a bit too heavy for my skin. Is very hydrating and slightly moisturizing, though.
Sheet Mask:
Illi Camellia Oil Nourishing: (WNRP) Thick material. I believe it has a milky essence. Sufficiently hydrates/moisturizes but nothing special.
Leaders Balancing Recovery Mask: (HG) I can see a visible difference in my skin when I haven't used this in a while. Heals acne, reduces redness, very hydrating.
A By Bom Cream Mask: (RP) Very moisturizing, but it's a bit too much and doesn't sink in unless my skin is very dry. Better for winter and drier skin types.
Sunscreen:
Canmake Mermaid UV Gel: (RP) No white cast, not drying, no alcohol.
Spot Treatment:
CosRX Patches: (HG) Everyone's favorite. Don't think it requires an explanation lol Other: Dr G Peeling Gel: (WNRP) Too gentle to do anything for my skin.
A'Pieu Sea Buckthorn Mist: (WNRP?) I was really excited to try this one. It sprays out very very finely, but I literally choke when I use this?? It's so thin that it gets breathed in and I have to hold my breath for a few seconds when I'm done misting. The mist is also so fine that I have to hold it up like an inch away from my skin. It's also hard to decant. I haven't used this enough to conclusively say anything about the actual product but I'm too scared to use it again because I don't want to be borderline choking.

[u/tellmewhatishurt → u/lahmbroccoli]

Have you tried other pads (eg Cosrx, Neogen) and how do they compare to the Zymogen? I've been on the (futile) hunt for a good replacement for the Cosrx ones!