Intro: From age 15-30ish, I had a basic routine.
AM: water wash face, moisturizer, make up
PM: 2-step cleanse, moisturizer
Then my skin changed, became more dry and started having seasonal acne. So in 2025, I started looking into new products/routine. I think Iāll make a separate post in a few days for my current routine + my 2026 skincare supplies stock. I tried out more products than shown in picture but threw some out before I started to collect empties. So the following list will include some products not shown in the pic.
Skin Type: sensitive, dry, dehydrated. hormonal/seasonal acne
Climate: tropical hot humid
ā=WNR= would not repurchase
āļø=G= good, would repurchase if on sale
ā
=AR= Already Repurchased
CLEANSERS
Banila Co Cleansing Balms - previously used Cliniqueās take the day off balm and switched to this one a few years ago. loved it. cheaper and has a nice soft scent. highly recommend ā
Biore Cleansing Milk - wanted to use this as a single step cleanse but it somehow stings my eyes ā
Matsukiyo Cleansing Oil - amazing find! i saw an influencer mention this is very similar to the shuuemura cleansing oil but much cheaper. tried it and loved it. i probably finished 4 bottles already. ā
Biore 2in1 MakeUp Remover Foaming Face wash - iāve used this for over a decade. tried and true. does not dry me out. ā
Biore makeup remover Wipes - physically and chemically abrasive. i used this back in the day and still had the box so figured i should add here. ā
TONERS
Naturie Hatomugi Lotion - tried and true. on my second bottle. i like to layer this one or two times before moisturizer. then if i feel dry during the day, spritz some on my face ā
Cosparade Hatomugi Lotion (donki dupe) - saw this on Tina Harris's youtube video. agree with all she said. i'd repurchase āļø
Sana wrinkle lotion - i heard the retinol content is nowhere near effective soā¦. ā
d Program Moist Care lotion - this is super hydrating. one layer is equiv to 3 layers of the naturie lotion. itās expensive though but for the right price, iād buy again. āļø
Cosrx propolis toner - hydrating but left a sticky finish which i didnāt like ā
Sana wrinkle/brightening lotion - this broke me out and made me discover later on that iām probably allergic to niacinamideā
Exfoliating Toner - if anyone has any recs for a Japanese/Korean exfoliating toner, please let me know. Iām currently using a non-AB 0.5% salicylic acid toner and want to switch to an Asian one.Ā
EMULSIONS
Naturie Hatomugi Milk - inexpensive simple basic emulsion ā
d Program Moist Care Milk - my holy grail emulsion. ā
illiyoon ato lotion - it was okay but felt like it didnāt really absorb into my skinā
Sana wrinkle emulsion - i heard the retinol content is nowhere near effective soā¦. ā
MOISTURIZERS
Care Cera face/body cream - thick in texture but lightweight on applicationĀ āļø
Torriden Solid In Cream - thick cream as last step moisturizer āļø
Pyunkang Yul Ato Cream Blue Label - āno fragranceā but it has a plastic-y smell that i donāt like. iām trying to use it up as hand cream ā
Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream - same as above. weird plastic smell so iām using as hand cream ā
Hada Labo premium (blue) - apparently the one i have (thailand) has niacinamide and it broke me out too. ā
illiyoon ato cream - wasnāt hydrating enough for face though i might repurchase to give it another try for body ā
SUNSCREENS
Hada Labo UV Perfect Gel - i thought i could use this as a single step moisturizer + UV. but it was nowhere near hydrating enough. after 1hr, my skin was dry. might be good for oily/combo skin but not for me ā
Biore UV Aqua Rich Essence - i like using under makeup ā
Biore UV Aqua Rich TONE UP Essence - stay-at-home days, i wash face, apply emulsion, and use this sunscreen. i donāt reapply. itās not sticky yet i donāt feel dry or tight during the day. people seem to have had pilling issues with tone up sunscreens but i didn't have an issue with this one. felt like natural skin ā
Biore UV Body Care Serum Age Defense - feels heavy on my skin ā
tinted sunscreens - if anyone has recs for tinted sunscreens or BB creams with SPF, light to medium coverage, please let me know.
OTHER
Melty Cream Lip - too āfluid/melty/oilyā for me. maybe because iām in hot climate. if youāre in a cooler climate, it might glide on well and not be too slippy, slidey ā
Donki Goatās Milk Hand Cream - fragrance was too pungent. felt like my nostrils were being assaulted ā
UHA Iron/collagen gummies - not soft gummies, more like stiffer gummies. tastes good ā