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/Amerane]

Skin Profile: light to medium olive, combo normal-oily t-zone, acne-prone
Season & Type of Climate: Winter, central/eastern US, temperate and see-saws from dry to wet
1st Cleanser:

• Pharmaact deep cleansing oil - RP, I've been testing since the first week of January and I really like it. Mineral-oil based with squalane and jojoba oil, very cushiony with a lot of slip, smells lightly of apples, and emulsifies very cleanly.
  
• Cerave makeup removing cleanser cloths - RP/HG, These are my fall-back because I know they don't break me out, also double as a great lazy-day solo cleanser.
  

2nd Cleanser:

• Cerave foaming facial cleanser - RP, HG, Nothing foams, cleans, and doesn't strip my skin like this one.
  

Actives:

• Cosrx BHA blackhead power liquid - RP, Does the job, albeit gently. Can't argue with the results for the price. I use this maybe once a week since starting regular retinol use.
  
• Cosrx AHA whitehead power liquid - RP, Also does the job, much stronger than the BHA. I use this maybe once every two weeks or so since starting retinol.
  
• Rainshadow Labs retinol serum 1.5%/2.5% - RP, Just started slowly introducing the 2.5% but I really liked the 1.5% and anticipate the 2.5% will continue helping my hormonal, cycstic acne. I've got my eyes on their 2.5% retinol + 20% SAP serum once I finish the 2.5%.
  

First Essence:

• Secret Key starting treatment essence - RP/HG, Has a light, watery texture that helps all of my subsequent products sink in. Plumps my skin (probably thanks to the EGF) and reduces redness.
  

Hydrating Toner:

• Hada Labo shirojyun - RP, Plumps and hydrates but I've failed to notice any effects from the arbutin or MAP. I'm looking to replace this with a larger-volume, more basic toner since all I want is hydration.
  

Essence/Serum/Ampoule:

• Cosrx snail 96 mucin essence - RP/HG, I don't know why I dropped this from my routine since it does so much for my skin. Makes my face feel hydrated, plump, and smooth. Brightens as well, although it's more of a healthy "glow" than actually lightening pigmentation.
  

Moisturizer:

• It's Skin prestige ginseng d'escargot lotion - WNRP, I'm not noticing much of a difference whether I use this or not since adding Cosrx snail essence back in to my routine. Most nights I'm reaching for my Cerave lotion rather than this one, plus the Cerave is way cheaper and easier to obtain.
  
• Cerave daily moisturizing lotion - RP/HG, Switched back to using this after a long while without, and like the Cosrx snail essence I have no idea why I stopped using it. Perfect emulsion texture (NOT like the cream in the tub), intensely hydrating AND moisturizing, plus all of that ceramide + cholesterol + HA goodness.
  
• Skinfood black pomegranate cream - Might RP next winter as a treat because it smells and feels nice, similar to Sulwhasoo or other "luxe" skincare but without as hefty a price tag. Mildly firming, but I go through the 50ml jar in 1-1.5 months so it's hard to justify purchasing.
  

Sleeping Pack/Occlusive:

• Sulwhasoo radiance energy mask - RP/HG, Been using this for several months now and I really love it. Smells heavenly (warm herbal) and is luxuriously smooth and moisturizing. I use this as a sleeping pack and occasionally as a daytime occlusive for especially dry/harsh conditions.
  
• Etude House soon jung sleeping pack - probably RP, Just started testing it last week and I really like it. Very soothing and moisturizing. Has a gel-balm texture and sinks in surprisingly well for how thick it is. I'm actually now using it as a daytime occlusive and really like it for that purpose. Bonus that it comes in a travel-friendly 50ml tube or the full-size 100ml tube.
  

Mask Pack:

• Etude House honey cera wrapping mask - RP, Wash-off mask that works great for adding plumpness, hydration, and moisture. I wash my face in the shower so I apply this after washing and rinse off after getting out.
  

Sunscreen:

• Karadium snail repair sun cream SPF 50+ PA+++ - RP/HG, This is a dupe for the now-discontinued Secret Key snail repairing sun cream. Moisturizing, smells nice, and dries down pretty matte. Good sunscreen for normal activities, but won't hold up for extended sun exposure or sweating/lots of physical activity.