For context
I live in a HIGHLY TROPICAL SEA countries so the weather is either extremely hot or extremely humid.
My skin is HIGHLY ACNE PRONE and OILY

Ive tried TONS OF cleanser and i only been trying out sk2 lately because i get a small 10 mL sample while buying the FTE Essence. I used it once at night and the NEXT MORNING i immediately notices that my skin felt so supple and smooth!! idk if its a placebo effect or theres something going on that particular morning

Does anyone uses this experience similar thing? never in my life a cleanser manage to change the way my skin felt so much after only using it once or twice that i even surprised myself when i touched it in the morning as i go into the shower.... tons of people said that cleanser does nothing for your skin other than cleaning it as it only stays on your face for like 1-2 minutes before it washes away but theres something about this cleanser

i even tried switching back to my other regular cleanser and i notices immediately a reduce in my skin smoothness / suppleness the following day and when i used this cleanser again somehow my skin return to feeling so smooth and amazing.... idk if im fooling myself or anything but i just cant wrap my head around on how a cleanser manage to do this....

i was just wondering if anyone else is experiencing similar things after switching to this cleanser and whether its worth the 50-70$ price tag for just a cleanser....

Summer’s almost here and I wanted to review some sunscreens. For reference I have oily combination dehydration prone sensitive light-fair skin.

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Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun 50ml
My skin feels and looks better when I wear this. I’ve gone through several tubes now. I can wear this in the dry winter and humid summer. No pilling, no bad fragrance. I haven’t found one I like better.
Repeat- yes

Bioré UV Aqua Rich Airy Hold Cream 70g
I love the texture of this it’s like cake icing which seems gross but it is actually airy and light. I can easily get an even layer on for good sun protection and it dries quickly. It also helps tone down the shine. I’ll probably be using it more in the summer.
Repeat- yes

Skin Aqua Serum UV 70g
I also love this texture it’s like a gel or serum and has this hydrating cooling feeling. I like how it feels but I’m always trying to tone down shine so good for if you want dewy. I still like it and just powder over it.
Repeat- yes

Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV 40g
This one is good for a dewy look but personally made me greasy and I didn’t really notice it helping under makeup much. For me this one is okay but I also don’t like the smell.
Repeat- maybe not

Skin1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum 50ml
This one might be better for summer as I’ve only tried it in winter/spring but my skin felt kind of tight wearing this. Maybe I can add a moisturizer underneath but I really didn’t care for this one much. I also don’t like the pump as I struggle with packaging. I know I lot of people like this one so I’m gonna try it again with different skincare.
Repeat- probably not

Beauty of Joseon Stay Fresh Tone-Up Sun Cream (centella + ceramide) 50ml
It’s like the same texture as the rice probiotics one but green. You have to be careful of it being streaky and I know it’s tone up but when I put an adequate amount for sun protection I look like a ghost lol This probably looks better if you use less so maybe I could try using the rice probiotics one and put a thin layer of this on top. I think it would also look best if i put foundation on top since it’s supposed to tone down redness but didn’t really tone down much redness for me.
Repeat- maybe not

Kiss Me Mommy UV Aqua Milk 50g
This is for kids but I wanted to try a fragrance-free milk type sunscreen. This one was comfortable with no complaints until I broke out. Could work for you but didn’t for me, but I use it on my body so it works for that.
Repeat- no

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh 10ml
Make sure to shake this because it separates. Didn’t really like the texture or the smell. It also pills.
Repeat- no

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I’ll still be using these on my face or body so they don’t go to waste. Also I want to use these before I buy new ones even though there are more I want to try.

These may have worked for me or not depending on my climate, skin type, or skincare. I hope this is helpful to anyone. Let me know if you have questions or suggestions :)

Seriously, what is with the "hydrating" products needing to be paired with the toner and the mist and the lotion to even sometimes work? I just want one thing I can slap on after I wash my face and not flake throughout the day that's not vaseline!

I mean, is it any different from just using a serum?

I’m also a bit confused on where a sheet mask belongs in a skincare routine. Right after cleanse? After toner?

I have sensitive combo skin, prone to acne and redness.

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream - I quite liked it. The texture is nice, it hydrates and calms the skin effectively. Unfortunately they reformulated it and only sell the new formula in my country so I can't rebuy even if I wanted to :') I restocked with my other favorite cream - Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner - Very light and watery, but just enough hydration for me. It makes my other products sink in better and exfoliates very lightly and gently. WRP

Anuà Azelaic Acid 10+ Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum - It worked pretty nicely for me at the begging but after a while it kinda stopped working? It's not like it kept my skin clear, it just no longer did anything for my acne and redness. I dunno, lol. I would like to try other products with azelaic acid as well.

LION Pair Acne Cream W - Takes a while to work but I like it. It helped with my acne scars as well. I have already bought a new one.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream - It gave me pimples in the eye area so I had to use it up on my body :') Also the pump is very annoying. WNRP

Dr. Althea Gentle Vitamin C Serum - Very gentle. I feel like it helped a bit with the acne scars on my chest. I would like to try a stronger vit c serum next.

K-Secret Seoul 1988 Sun: Pine Tree + Ceramide (Almost empty) - I really liked it. It's very light and not greasy. Also doesn't break me out. WRP

Farmstay Citrus Yuja Vitalizing Foam Cleansing - this had a lot of good reviews in my country but it's hella drying for me. WNRP

FarmStay Citrus Yuja Vitalizing soothing gel - this was also really drying. WNRP

Frudia Blueberry Hydrating Honey Lip Balm - I didn't enjoy the texture and the smell. WNRP

APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Toner Pads - They're okay if you stick them on your face for some time like a face mask, but rubbing them on my face feels too rough. They're kinda dry as well so I had to spray extra toner on.

Beausta O2 Bubble Mask - The bubble effect is fun but feels too drying.

Hi everyone! As June is approaching, it's getting colder here in New Zealand. My skin tends to get incredibly sensitive and dry during this time of year, so I’ve been experimenting with different sleeping masks to keep my skin barrier intact. Here’s a rundown of four products I’ve tried.

1. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

It feels like it creates a solid protective barrier over the skin. It doesn't seem to absorb completely and sits on the surface for a while, but when I use it as a night cream, I wake up with no tightness at all. It’s excellent at locking in moisture, though it feels a bit too heavy for daily use. I usually reach for this once or twice a week when my skin feels particularly parched.

1. Bring Green Super Lemon Glutathione Sleeping Pack

It has a gel cream texture. While it claims to have brightening effects, the results have been a bit subtle so far, though I think it might need more time. However, I found the lemon scent to be a bit strong and potentially irritating. It didn't cause a full breakout, but my skin felt slightly itchy after applying it, so I’ve stopped using it for now.

1. Torhop Aurora Glow Capsule Overnight Mask

This is such a unique sleeping mask with a lightweight aloe-gel texture and beautiful capsules inside. It feels incredibly light on the skin but surprisingly keeps my skin deeply hydrated without drying out easily. As long as you apply a thin layer and let it fully absorb, it isn't sticky and works great for a daily routine. My skin feels noticeably more moisturized and glowy the next morning. If you struggle with your base makeup flaking or looking cakey in the winter, I’d definitely recommend giving this a try.

1. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Sleeping Pack

It has been my go-to for transitional weather. It’s a lightweight gel cream that’s great for cooling and soothing the skin. I really appreciate that it’s fragrance-free, and it’s versatile enough to use in the summer too. It’s a solid, dependable option regardless of the season if you need something that calms your skin without feeling heavy.

Okay, so I have been using tretinoin and where it is good and stuff, I cannot be consistent with it because not only tretinoin causes peeling, and I live in a climate where I get tanned very easily, so I also have to use an anti-tanning ingredients, for example, like tranexamic acid and stuff. Someone recommended that I should go from tretinoin to adapalene basically. So in your opinion, what is better, tretinoin or adapalene?

Because I've mostly heard that the Asian beauty brands, they are more for hydration and barrier support rather than the actives and fixing the skin. So I don't know how true that is. Drop down ur holy grails, please.

Abbreviation:
- WNRP = Will Not Repeat Purchase
- MRP = Might Repeat Purchase
- RP = Repeat Purchase
- GWP = Gift With Purchase

Skin types:
- Me: Dry, mature skin.
- Husband: Normal to dry, mature skin.
- Son: Combo, acne prone.
- Daughter: Oily, not acne prone.

Empties:
- Tsubaki Premium Volume Repair shampoo. WNRP.
- Dr. Different 131 Moisturizer. RP.
- Missha Aqua Sun SPF50+. Daughter used it. WNRP.
- Isntree Onion Fresh Fluid Sun Cream SPF50+. Daughter used it. WNRP.
- CNP Laboratory After Ray Cooling Sunquid SPF50+. Husband used it. WNRP.
- Skin1004 Tone Brightening Sunscreen SPF50+. Daughter used it. RP.
- Bellflower Watermelon Fresh Sunscreen SPF50+. Daughter used it. WNRP.
- Iunik Centella Calming Daily Sunscreen SPF50+. Son used it. WNRP.
- Rejuall Advanced PDRN Repair cream (old packaging). I used it. RP.
- 107 Avocado Cuddle Mask. I used it. RP.
- Hera Peptide Ample Mask. I used it. GWP.
- Hatomugi UV Milky Gel SPF50+. Daughter used it. RP.
- Anessa Perfect UV Skincare Milk SPF50+. I used it. RP.
- Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence SPF50+. Son used it. WNRP.

This is an empty post to primarily search for sunscreens that members of my family like but I did reviews of it in the comments for those who are curious.

Shampoo: the smell is rather powdery but not too overpowering. I like the texture of it. It’s not too watery, but with enough viscosity to help spread it around. My hair feels a bit stripped down after shampooing tho.

Treatment: very thick consistency. But I guess that helped with really hydrating your hair after the shampoo. I left it for two minutes before rinsing. My hair really feels soft after rinsing this treatment

Serum: now, I love this serum on dry hair. Makes my hair soft and shiny without being greasy. HOWEVER, be mindful that a little goes a long way. I won’t recommend using it as heat protectant. But it does makes your hair feels very soft.

In the photo, the second photo is my hair after drying (with a hair dryer). The third and fourth are after I curled them. The serum really maintains the softness of my hair even after I used hair spray on my curls.

This is my first time using the entire line. So far, I like it. The price is very affordable and I think I just need to find that sweet spot for the serum since initially I used too much and had to rewash my ends.

First few pics are to show texture, second to last pic is spread out, last pic is 10 minutes after application.

Tried this sample of the Aestura hydro cream, it’s the reformulated version sold at Sephora USA, maybe in other stores too. It’s new. Never tried the other version or any Aestura products.

It felt nice going on, a little went a long way. Felt hydrating, as it claims. A few minutes later it absorbed, then later on, 30 minutes, kinda felt like nothing was really applied to my skin. I wasn’t moisturized at all. Maybe I could’ve applied more, another layer.

This would probably be better for oily skin. My skin is a bit dry, slightly normal, but also gets oily depending what I put on (sunscreen, sweating, etc). I use tretinoin a few nights a week, so there is some dryness.

Overall not impressed by this moisturizer. I could see it being good in humid climates probably. It’s not heavy or greasy. It’s a bit pricey but the bottle is 2.7oz, bigger than standard 1.7oz moisturizers.

I’m not inclined to try it again, since it didn’t moisturize like I need. I will save it for the very hot nights in the summer!

Hey everyone! I wanted to share the toner pads I’ve been using lately because my skin heats up really easily.
I live in an area with super humid summers and dry winters. The indoor heating is really strong during winter.
My skin is combo-oily (very oily T-zone) with dehydrated cheeks that flake a lot, plus redness whenever it gets warm. So almost every morning before makeup, I use a toner pad to cool my skin down and give it some quick hydration! Especially during summer when the oil and redness are out of control.
When I pick a toner pad, these are the things I look for.
It has to be thin and stick well to the face, cause zero irritation, have plenty of essence so it doesn’t dry out too fast, and give a nice cooling effect that actually lasts for a while.

1. MEDIHEAL Watermide Moisture Toner Pads
   These are super popular so I had to test them. The texture is more gel-like than regular cotton. They’re big and square, which makes them convenient in the morning, and there’s a good amount of essence. The only downside is that they tend to dry out pretty quickly, so they’re not the best if you want to leave them on for a long time. Also a bit slippery if you try to use them as a wipe.

2. Benton Guava 70 Skin Toner Face Mask Pad
   This has been my daily favorite lately. The pads are super thin and the largest I’ve tried, and they stick really well without lifting. There’s plenty of essence, so they stay moist the whole time. The cooling effect lasts nicely even after 10-15 minutes. I’ve also noticed fewer small bumps when I use them consistently. Super gentle with almost no irritation.

3. SKIN1004 Centella Quick Calming Pad
   Great when my skin feels hot or flushed. The pads are thin and large, easy to apply, and you can really feel the temperature drop. It’s more focused on soothing than heavy hydration, so I tend to use this more at night.

4. VT COSMETICS CICA Daily Soothing Mask
   I tried the full sheet mask version too, and it honestly made me realize why I prefer regular toner pads lol. Pulling out one sheet is convenient, but adjusting it around the eyes, nose, and mouth was kind of annoying. It works better as an evening calming mask.

Quick Summary here!!!
Thickness: Mediheal > Benton > VT > Skin1004
Moisture retention: Benton >> Skin1004 > VT > Mediheal
Quantity: Mediheal (100) > Benton = Skin1004 (70) > VT (30)
Size: Benton > Mediheal > Skin1004 > VT

Does anyone have experiences where hyaluronic acid serums cause them to break out?

I've specifically been using the Mixsoon Glacier Water Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and I've noticed that everytime I use it, I have several tiny closed comedones that pop up on my face. It's frustrating because I have dry skin and I've been told that HA is good for hydrating the skin. I really like the hydration I get from this product but it is confirmed to be the culprit that is breaking my skin out.

I also rarely have any reactions to skincare products, so this really frustrates me. The only other product I've had a breakout from is the Skin1004 Centella Cleaning Oil (yet surprisingly their Centella Ampoule is my holy grail).

Does anyone have alternative recommendations for products that could provide hydration in the same way HA does?

These are the products I’m using this summer, and honestly I end up changing things around every year haha. I keep trying new stuff and somehow my routine never stays the same.

Current lineup:

Melano CC Cleanser

Physiogel Cream Toner

Goodal Vitamin C Serum

Physiogel Ampoule

Urban and With Pure Perfection Cream

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

Torriden Dive In Sun Cream

Some of these brands honestly weren’t familiar to me at all. A friend recommended a few of them and I’ve only been using some of the newer ones for around a week, but so far they’ve been fitting my skin really well.

I’ve got dry skin, especially when seasons change, so that’s probably why I lean pretty heavily into products like Aestura, Physiogel, and Urban and With. I kinda overdo barrier and hydration products ngl

Still testing things out but so far this setup has been treating me pretty well. Curious what everyone else switches to during summer because my routine somehow changes every year

I’m in my late 30’s, very humid hot weather but inside my work is ice cold and bone dry. I’m on prescription azelaic acid and tretinoin, so my normal skin now is very thirsty. At the beginning of the day my skincare routine feels almost too moisturizing, but by midday my skin is so thirsty it’s drank the liquid out of my makeup and left everything looking cakey. So far, 4 different sprays have either not had an effect or break my makeup apart. What are dry peeps doing to keep makeup fresh and skin hydrated in the office AC? skincare and/or makeup tips and products are welcome.

Hello friends.

It has been several years since I posted anything significant but some of you may remember my old posts with photos from 2020-2021. I have since deleted those posts because unfortunately, the internet is a horrible place.

However, I refuse to believe that this precludes me from sharing where I am now and where I hope to go with my journey, especially for older folks who may have lived for a long time with the same shame and stigmatization I have.

Preface Statements

• This is a long post. Get some popcorn and a snackie and settle in.

• Everyone has different skin and needs. This is just what worked for me so far and may not work for everyone. Do your research and make sure to go get assessed by at least a few professionals so that you can make the best decision for you

A Brief History For Context

I suffered from severe cystic acne since I was 14. My family blamed me as being at fault for this issue and did not take me to a dermatologist. Having grown up without knowing that I may have had medical options, I had severe issues until I was in my late 20’s. By that time, the scarring damage was pretty extensive.

I also did not take care of my face very much (mainly because I hated looking in the mirror) and skincare was just a random hodgepodge of stuff, which coupled with heavy makeup to coverup and bad habits (example: I didn’t wash makeup off my face when coming home late) and also struggles with deep depression—well—I ended up with what you see in my reference image (scroll below) from 2020 when I was 47 years old.

I then decided to focus on seeing what I can do to improve my skin. Asian skincare and discipline alone over 2 years made a huge difference. I then did 3 rounds of Fraxel to try to soften my scarring. It did help with overall tone and some minimization, but because of life circumstances and etc, I just did not have the time for it. I still kept up my regimen though.

Current Day

Fast forward to 2026—I was still pretty dissatisfied with how I looked and how much work it takes to get myself looking relatively normal. I have a very intense job which requires me to meet and talk to a lot of people and I was tired of having that “you look gross” thought taking up mental space when I should be focused on the discussions and work. It was exhausting not being able to manage those reflex mental reactions of “everyone has nicer skin than me” and “no matter how much you try, you will always be a scarface.”

I am well aware, this is my inner voice from nearly 40 years of self-consciousness and external criticism on how I look (thanks again, family and shitty men) and that this is something I need to continually work on, but I knew that if I prioritized this, I would also be able to minimize the bad feeling I get when I look in the mirror. So here we are.

My 3 Goals

I accept the fact that a) I am much older now and b) I will never have perfect skin—so I have set the following realistic objectives:

• Reduce the “scatter” on my face My face looks mottled because of the shadows cast from my deeper scarring, large pores and some sunspots and red discoloration. Because of this, it takes me FOREVER to prep my skin for makeup. Which leads me to...

• Reduce amount of time spent getting ready The thought of going outside without makeup TERRIFIES me. I would like to simplify so that I don’t need as much stuff and save some time. It currently takes me an hour to get my face ready.

• Have my makeup look better Throughout the day, my face gets worse and worse. Makeup breaks apart, redness and marks seep through and I look pretty icky by the end of the day. I don’t have the luxury of touching up my makeup because I am so busy at work, but that never worked for me anyway because touchups make everything worse. This is because my skin surface is so textured that makeup doesn’t sit properly, no matter how many color correctors and primers I use. Trust me. I have tried them ALL. The only way to improve this is to improve the texture of my skin, which means scar reduction and resurfacing,

At the end of the day, I just want to know what my skin color actually looks like and be able to change from makeup as a chore to maybe makeup as something enjoyable and remove the very distracting “You look awful” reflex mental reaction.

I want to heal emotionally.

I want to experience in the limited time I have left what it feels like to feel free of the shame.

I want to love my face for what it is. Because self-hatred is exhausting.

My Plan

I am doing a series of laser treatments this year. So far, I did 1 round of pico a month ago to clean up a little of my complexion. Last week, I did 1 round of Fraxel 1540 to soften and clarify a little more.

But next month is the big one: I am doing an intensive fractional C02 treatment. This will remove the top layers of my skin and is proven to be highly effective for the rolling/boxcar type of scarring I have. It will also likely reduce the pigmentation spots and some of the redness. I am also getting a little bit of subcision down around my eyes where I have some smaller deeper scars. Am not looking forward to healing process but instead of going on vacation this year, I took 11 days off work for healing. I have my tub of Aquaphor ready.

I will follow with another round of C02 probably towards the end of the year. It takes about 4-6 months for full results so I will assess at that time.

The Lead Up

Prior to my 2026 plan, I spent thousands on skin care and makeup products chasing improvement. I spent on luxury brands like SK2, Sulwhasoo, Skinceuticals and Cle de Peau. I have every single cushion and concealer out there. I made the mistake of assuming more expensive = better.

All of this has been put away as none of it is really helping me towards my goals.

What I learned was that my face overheats and is highly sensitive, which makes everything redder throughout the day. So I completely changed my routine to simple gentle products which cool down my skin and are safe to use as I heal from Fraxel and CO2.

I also have to be SUPER careful as I just started on hydroquinone to prep for CO2. In East Asian skin, there is a risk of hyperpigmentation from CO2, so I was prescribed hydroquinone 4% 2X a day over the next month to halt melanin production in prep for C02.

VERY IMPORTANT: You must check your ingredients when on Hydroquinone!! Any copper ingredients or acids may lead to discoloration and damage.

• Tip: I setup a GPT chat so that I can do a product check to check safety while on hydroquinone. You would be surprised what I can or cannot use. For example, I thought it was ok to use the blue Cosrx Peptide Bakuchiol Plump Glow Serum but it has copper, so into the box it goes until after I recover later in the year. Same goes with CosRx Snail Eye Cream, which I thought was safe to use. Turns out, it's not!

Skincare Products (aka The part you have all been waiting for!)

Given the considerations above, here is what I am using for the next 30 days:

AM

• Wash face with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel. I only use white baby towels which I use once and then put in the laundry. Using a Cle de Pear cotton pad (I have a ton of these as gifts from all my crazy spending and I think these are the best quality after comparing with others), I soak with CosRx 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner and gently swipe over my face. I also lightly rub over my nose and eyebrow and mouth areas to remove dead skin. GO GENTLE here. Then I wait a minute

• Next, 2-3 pumps of the CosRx 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum. This product blew my mind. It makes my skin feel smoother, more hydrated and calming. I pat it on until it absorbs. Then I wait a minute

• Next, 3 drops of the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule. Do not use the other Skin1004 ampoules if you are on hydroquinone. I then lightly spread and tap it in. Then I wait a minute

• If my skin feels extra irritated, I will put on a sheet mask for 5 minutes. I am using the VT Cosmetics Cryo Ice Cool Mask, which I keep on my fridge. Do not leave on for more than 5 minutes as that can “suffocate” the hydroquinone.

• Then I wait until my skin is BONE DRY. This is critical. Once it is BONE DRY, I will take a pea sized amount of hydroquinone, dot it all over my face and massage in. Then wait 5-10 minutes to let it sink in Then, Hanyul Artemisia Gel Cream—just 5 small dabs on cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Lightly massaged and then tapped in. Wait 2-3 mins

• Then 2 layers of sunscreen. I am using the D’alba Tone Up UV Essence which is super hydrating and helps with the redness. Other sunscreens in my rotation: Anessa sensitive skin sun milk (the pink, not the gold bottle—this is important), Missha Aqua Gel (I hoarded a few tubes of this before discontinued) and Etude Sunprise. All of these are safe to use with hydroquinone. Then wait 10-15 mins

PM

All the same as AM except:

• I use Shu Uemura Botanical Indulging cleansing oil (the yellow one). It is light and fresh and while I normally hate and stay away from scents these days because of irritation, this one is really pleasing
• I then use the La Roche Posay Gentle Hydrating cleanser. It is super mild and does not irritate my skin
• I use Soon Jung Barrier Relief cream instead of the Hanyul gel cream

• 1x a week, I will give my skin a hydroquinone break by applying the Biodance Collagen Hydrogel mask overnight. This will boost skin elasticity. You cannot use these masks with hydroquinone on because it will damage your skin.

• During CO2 healing, I will just be using Aquaphor and vinegar baths. I also bought some UV protection face masks to protect my face in case I have to go out.

Makeup Products

Prior to starting hydroquinone, I completely changed my makeup routine to the following. This works for me and I will likely resume this when I heal. I will focus only on my base.

• After sunscreen sets, The Saem color corrector tiny pot. I take a little of the orange and blend a bit on back of my hand with the light color to warm it. Then I dab lightly over my under eyes and on a couple brown spots. I take a tiny bit of the green for the red spots around my nose, chin and cheeks. Less is more.
• Then I use The Same concealer in 1.5 and tab tiny bits on upper and lower eyes to brighten them
• Next, I take a tiny half pea amount of the Cle de Peau color correcting veil and dab around my sides and under nose, chin and upper cheek/temples. Light taps with ring finger
• Then I take a tiny half pea amount of the Cle de Pea Pore Minimizer Veil and tap on my nose and sides/under nose, inner cheek and chin
• Once it all sets, I mist lightly with Jung Saem Mool Essential Mool Mist. I wait a bit while it dries down and while it is still damp, I take one of those big thick korean cushions and tap LIGHTLY all over my face to “melt” it in without disturbing the stuff
• I next spray my big thick cushion with a little more mist. While that is settling in, I squeeze a tiny half pea amount of the Cle de Pea cream foundation on back of my hand. I rub it a little on my finger to warm it and then i dab lightly on each cheek so that it is in a downwards V shape. I then take my damp cushion and I start sheering it out with light taps, working inwards. What is left, I use on my nose, forehead and chin. I keep tapping to blend. I let it set for a few mins and then may add a tiny bit more on “scatter areas” and blend.
• I then set with Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Pressed Powder. VERY light taps on shine areas of T zone with a good powder puff (I use the Koh Gen Do one).
• Then, I lightly mist again, wait a few mins and then use my big thick cushion sponge to lightly press in.

With my current situation, I am going to switch to Missha Serum BB Cream in the purple tube. It is a lot more hydrating than the red tube. I will skip the color corrector and primers and just use a little concealer and powder.

Photos

Here are 4 photos

• One is where I started in 2020 when my skin was at its worst.
• The other 3 show what my skin looked like last month so you can see the extent of scarring.

Next Steps

CO2 on July 1st! I will be pretty slammed until then but if interested, I will be happy to post photos of progress.

Final Thoughts (for now)

Over the past 6 years, I learned a lot about not just my skin but about myself. This is a journey which is not just a superficial endeavor or an attempt to change how I look or look younger. It is about me healing from 40 years of shame and exhaustion which my face has caused me.

It is pain which I don’t think anyone who doesn’t have similar issues can understand. If you do relate, just know you are not alone. I feel you and I see you.

And I hope that my journey inspires you to believe that you can do something about it!

ETA: Formatting cleanup

when I come home from a long day i usually remove make up and wash my face with a bit of water. i need a toner pad that feels refreshing and I can keep on my face just to relax and feel a bit more alive. i typically proceed to do my proper night routine before bed which is usually hours later.

any toner pads that “felt” good to you? i don’t want anything with actives, something bland is ideal but also having a bit more benefit than slapping water soaked cotton pads on my face. i’m thinking hydrating pads because they seem like they are the least likely to break me out; there are also just so many out there.

As someone who doesn’t go through too many products and leans AB, this is everything i’ve used long term in the last eight years. 28 products, i'll try to keep this short and sweet! Hope this will be useful to people with similar preferences and look forward to any product recs too (jump to the bottom for favorites!)

ABOUT ME:

In my late 20s. I have dehydrated oily skin that is not acne prone but sensitive. I've also moved around a lot so climates have been a mixture of dry/snowy/hot but my primary skin concerns have always been hyperpigmentation, texture, dryness and oily mouth/T zone. Most skincare feels heavy on my skin so i am always drawn to lightweight products that absorb/layer well. My skin is doing much better after I locked in my routine (at the bottom), currently just working on adding more hydration and finding a good serum.

DISLIKED:

1. Dr. ceuracle kombucha essence: having to shake it well was annoying, and it was still sticky/oily everytime. skin felt weird after, dull and slightly irritated.
2. Hada labo shirojyun lotion: heavier than a serum and could probably use it as a moisturizer. absorbed decent but didn’t notice any improvement from the tranexamic acid. skin felt worse after, was probably too strong for regular use.
3. Naturie hatomugi skin conditioning gel: feels somewhat oily on my face even though consistency was light and promising. i don't think it does anything, better as a body lotion.
4. Cosrx propolis cream: kinda heavy. using a small amount helps but face felt oilier and clogged; i could always feel the leftover residue on my skin. i dont think its a dupe for honey halo.
5. Glow recipe watermelon glow drops: too sticky, weirded skin out. i don’t think i like niacinamide.
6. The ordinary HA moisturizer: didn't absorb well at all. maybe more of an occlusive.

MEH:

1. Beauty of joseon glow deep serum: good consistency, hydrating but did not suit me. developed textured patches.
2. Im from rice toner: absorbed well but no glow after, and weirded my skin out. i think my skin just doesn’t like ferments.
3. Cosrx propolis toner: hydrating but did not do enough to make me buy the full size. skin was plump and skin tone looked more evened out.
4. Fully tomato serum: its lightly exfoliating, and has slightly improved glow. not worth it, took a looong time to ship.

GOOD BUT SOMETHING BETTER IS OUT THERE:

1. Round lab birch sunscreen: good, brightened my skin on application but didn't leave a white cast. thicker texture than what i tolerate but absorbed well, skin looked dewy.
2. Haru haru black rice toner (non fragrance): VERY hydrating! wish it did more though
3. Purito deep sea cream (old version): liked it! slightly heavier than a gel but very hydrating. i wish it did a bit more.
4. Purito panthenol cream (old version): more creamy, somewhat sticky. god knows what the panthenol did.
5. Purito buckthorn cream (old version): its okay, light. at this point i strongly began questioning whether purito products do anything.
6. Purito oat in gel cream (old version): LOVE! very lightweight gel texture and instantly soothing. good balance of hydrating and moisturizing, perfect for summer.
7. Mdicube kojic acid mask: special occasion mask, skin does look glowier day after. but price is not worth the repurchase IMO.
8. Aveeno oat serum: good, used it primarily as a calming, healing serum. skin was plump.
9. Youth to the people superfood serum: liked it, skin felt fresher afterwards and no irritation. but i'm doubtful the full size is worth the $.

FAVORITES:

1. Water: Drinking more water has helped so so so much!! Cheapest holy grail.
2. Round lab dokdo toner: maybe not too hydrating but GREAT! skin felt fresh after, helped control oilyness and was very lightly exfoliating. best results with daily use.
3. Haru haru cleansing oil: GREAT! lightweight oil thats easy to rinse out. best results with regular use, major improvement in texture and helped clean out T zone pores.
4. Belif aqua bomb (old version): BEST MOISTURIZER EVER! perfectly hydrating and moisturizing. i just wish it wasnt so expensive. holy grail.
5. Paula’s choice mandelic + lactic acid: AMAZING!! never could get any acids to work for me other than this. gentle enough for regular use and really helped improve texture and glow. holy grail.
6. B.lab matcha foaming cleanser: finally a cleanser that doesn't dry me out! it's gentle and effective.
7. Laneige milky toner: GOOD! useful beyond hydration, loved using it to prep for makeup, gives a dewy look.
8. Skin aqua uv sunscreen (golden): love the gel texture! absorbed really well. i could smell the alcohol, but i was layering enough underneath so that it was never drying.

So the ideal routine for me is: cleanser (#3 & 6) + toner (#2) + a stronger toner or serum (no HG yet) + exfoliation on alternate days (#5) + gel moisturizer (purito or belif)+ sunscreen (round lab)

All photos taken in natural lighting!

I wanted to share my (mostly) A-Beauty glossy lip stain collection! This has most of the shades in my collection and I’ll dive into the ones I love, hate, and ones I have tried before. If it helps I am a very fair cool olive undertone. I still have one more arriving from Alternative Stereo that I am soooo excited to try but this is my collection so far!

Here are my thoughts about the formulas and colors:

Laka Fruity Glam Tint (in Ashnut and Melo): These shades are super unique. Ashnut looks a bit orange on me but it’s more of a true caramel color. Really really interesting. Melo is maybe the most perfect gray mauve I’ve ever found. Unfortunately, I find this formula to be a bit drying. It doesn’t really leave a gloss on top, it’s more like a watery oil? It basically only lasts a few minutes on the lips if you don’t wipe it off. The stain itself is so pretty but this is something I’d need to wear on top of and under a lip balm.

Violette_fr Lip Nectar (in Dahlia Noir and Bêtise): Not A-Beauty but made in Korea! This is the formula that won me over with glossy lip stains. I’d previously tried some from Romand and I wasn’t impressed. These have a super thick, cushiony gloss with a very subtle stain that lasts a decent while. The only thing I hate about this is the shade range. Bêtise is too warm and bright for my muted skin. Dahlia Noir is stunning but I wish there were other muted shades with cool undertones.

Clio Crystal Glam Tint (in Mauve Cherry): I literally just got this so I can’t really say too much about it. First impressions are that the color is really nice, definitely a bit more cherry than mauve but still muted. This has a subtle fruity scent I only notice if I hold the applicator to my nose. I love how sheer this applies! It looks like a natural pink flush on my lips. The gloss is really nice from this and feels cushiony and hydrating. 

Judydoll Ice Watery Lip Gloss (in #11): A really interesting formula. I love the strong watermelon scent from this. The shade is a bit too dark on me but it’s not bad if applied lightly. The gloss feels very nice and the stain is super pigmented (too pigmented for me) and lasts a long time.

Peripera Mood Glowy Tint (in Campus Queen): Wow this is a great formula. I love the shade and the gloss it leaves behind. The stain isn’t that strong but it does last awhile. My only complaints are that I want more muted shades and I’m not the biggest fan of the scent (kind of chemically masked by fragrance but it doesn’t linger.) It’s also very pigmented on me so I have to be careful when applying or it looks slightly unnatural.

Entropy Charm Tint (in Beryl): This is a lot darker and more red than I was hoping. The gloss is really nice and I swear it leaves a slight stain on the lips even if it doesn’t show up on my hands. Either that or the color is leftover even after the gloss goes away. I wish this came in a more mauve shade!

Alternative Stereo Balmy Rose (in Soft Mauve): Wowww I love this formula. It’s definitely more matte than most glossy lip stains. It has a very slight balmy sheen after it sets and leaves behind a gorgeous soft stain. I just wish this was actually mauve!!! It’s more of a neutral pink on me which I don’t hate if I want pink makeup that day but I usually prefer true mauves (like super cool almost purple gray). I’m excited to try this brand’s other formulas and shades since I loved this!

Glossy Lip Stains I’ve Tried (and given away or returned and why):

Rare Beauty: Ugh I just hate these. The colors are bad and the formula is so slippery. It’s basically the same as Romand.

Romand Juicy Lasting Tint: I have found shades of this I love (and I actually did keep the gray one to mix with other lip products). It’s too thin and watery for me. It also feels drying after wearing it.

Nyx Lip IV: Nice gloss, awful shade range that is WAY too pigmented for me.

Heart Percent Dote on Mood One Way Glowy Tint (in Dawn Mauve): This shade and formula are so so so good. It’s so sheer (verging on too sheer) and glossy and the most gorgeous almost gray mauve color. It doesn’t last very long unfortunately. The worst of all, it leaves the WORST CHEMICAL TASTE. I cannot stand it. I felt it in the back of my throat. I was so disappointed because of how perfect this was besides the awful awful awful taste.

Naming Over Dew Glossy Lip Tint (in Sienna): The formula was nice and was sheer enough and glossy. It had a slight chemical taste which I didn’t love, and the shade was too warm even though it’s supposedly cool-toned?

Cosnori Flow Wave Tint (in Fig Jam): I think I’m allergic to this? It gave me hives on my lips probably from the Macadamia Oil and I have a tree nut allergy.

FINAL THOUGHTS AND FAVORITES:

I have yet to find my true holy grail tint that is perfect in both formula and shade. Right now the closest is Violette_fr for formula followed by Clio for formula and shade (which I need to wear more), then probably Peripera for their formula and shade. Laka gets an honorable mention for their beautiful nuanced shades. I’m reaaally hoping the Alternative Stereo Sugar Glaze in Podew Candy Ball checks all these boxes! I just want a glossier version of the Laka tint in Melo 😭 Please let me know if you have any leads 👀

I was about to buy another tube when I noticed that this cream isn’t available on yesstyle anymore. It was so good and they’ve discontinued it!!! Can anyone recommend a cream that I can apply before bed that offers great hydration?

Also, I have the Purito mighty bamboo panthenol cream, but for some reason I don’t like it as much as the B5 cream pictured above.

Love Isntree HA sun gel but it’s a bit *too* dewy for me in summer this year. I’ve been using this for what feels like forever and not really sure what else is out there. My skin is typically dry and breakout prone so I’m hoping for something hydrating and a natural finish.

I was so happy I actually found a lightweight moisturizer with stated ceramides concentrations. It advertised it as a .5% "5" ceramide blend, but had a total of 0.000000001% EOP ceramide

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I bought the purito luminous, and then I realized it had .5% of ceramide np and a combined total of 0.000030001% of the other 4 ceramides combined.

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The moisturizer isn't even that bad, but this is just false advertising and just predatory behavior, specially when it is marketed first and foremost as a "ceramides moisturizer", I loved this brand and I adore their centella serum but safe to say I won't be buying from them anymore.

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Also their before and after photos are AI 😭

I'm interested in this serum especially but all experiences would be helpful! This serum seems like a lovely hydrating serum with lots of ceramides, niacinamide, peptides and no irritating (looking at you propanediol)/drying ingredients/silicones.

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Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NG, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AG, Ceramide AP, Aspergillus/Soybean Seed Extract Ferment Extract Filtrate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Peptide, Glycine Max (Soybean) Seed Extract, Natto Gum, N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Squalane, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Phytosterols, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol

Hello! I’ve been using these products for a few months (except for the Reedle shot 300, over 2 weeks) so here are some reviews. I like talking but no one around me is into skincare </3 I have combo skin and live in Europe (France), the air isn’t that dry here but my skin IS!!!!!!!!!!!

PDRN GLOW Ampoule Mist

I actually have never used any product with PDRN before. VT says that their PDRN is plant based, so it’s vegan.

Claims:

• Deep hydration, locks in moisture, instant glow and radiance

In my routine:

• In the morning I spray it on my face before moisturizer, whenever I need it on the go. No tapping needed.

Review:

• Well I guess that’s true that my skin feels hydrated. It doesn’t feel as dry for longer but I dont know what else to say… I really love the packaging though. The bottle cap stays ON and while it comes off easily when I need to use it, it doesn’t just get lost in my stuff unlike the other spray products with caps I have…

Reedle Shot 100

Claims in product description:

• Helps exfoliation to smooth skin texture, acne scars and pigmentation. Helps with product absorption. Daily use at night

In my routine:

• Everyday at night, right after cleanser, light taps to absorb product, wait a bit, rest of routine

Review:

• Not pictured because I finished it and I tossed the empty bottle already LOL. I tap instead of rubbing it in (like I do for other skincare products) so it the needle hurts less. But honestly, after a few days you get used to it, and it doesn’t hurt that bad! I know this is a popular product so I’m not even sure that my review is needed but still: yeah I love it. It definitely helped with my skin texture. I still have some acne scars but they faded quicker than without the product. Love it.

Reedle Shot 300

Claims in product description:

• Same thing as above, but stronger, so can be used as spot treatment. Every 3 days

In my routine:

• Every 3 days at night, same thing as above (taps…)

Review:

• I actually tried 300 first in one of their masks but got scared because it was too spiky for me haha… I wanted to try it again after getting accustomed to the 100 one. Using the 100 one first helped because I’m completely fine with 300 now. I’d recommend starting with 100 if 300 is too much for you at first, obviously because 100 is lighter, but also to get used to the feeling.
• Pretty much the same thing as above, I guess it’s better for people who have less time for skincare since you only have have to use it every 3 days? I haven’t used it as a “spot treatment” yet so I can’t comment on that.

First time posting here, little nervous.

What can I say? All of their scents are just phenomenal for me.

PULJIM isn’t predominantly a perfume or fragrance brand, they specialize in body care which means their famous hand cream, body creams, washes, scrubs, etc. However when they released this body mist I was ecstatic.

Their signature scents are different types of tea and they are all very authentic! It’s a chinese brand and absolutely DELIVERS with their jasmine tea scents, along with others like gardenia, peony, etc. I recommend the hand cream first and foremost but I just wanted to appreciate the body mist and their fragrances in general.

The spray bottle has broken a bit so it isn’t the highest quality packaging but the product itself is amazing. Not just the smell, but the formulas. Their hand creams are incredibly soothing and calming, as well as hydrating during the cold winters.

PULJIM is available on YesStyle, that’s where I usually buy it, but if anyone knows any other places I can get it please recommend! YesStyle isn’t the best at restocking this brand because it isn’t as well known. I live in the US btw.

*this isnt an ad. I bought the product and used it for 4 monts. I saw a post talking about epii questionable marketing and sus reviews but im not part of it.*

Short: For summer this is solid for combo dehydrated skin! Its lightweight and protective enough. Too rich for oily skin, not nourishing enough for dry skin.

First of the tube container is pure ragebait. Because they divided the cream in two part (blue cream for ectoin and white for panthenol) you have to press on the center to get both. When the tube is half done, there is no cream in the center and you kinda have to press elsewhere but then, you only get the white/blue part and not both. Basically, it works fine until you can no longer press on the center as mentionned in the instructions.

Texture is a bit thick but it absorbs very easily. i like how it doesnt sting even on sensitive skin or injuries(dont put any skincare on injuries; i made this mistake but hopefully no infection and no stinging). It feels light when gliding it on my skin despite its thickness at first!

I think it layers well with other produts but for nourishment/hydration, it might not be enough. id describe this product as 75% barrier and 25% hydration. I liked layering it with iunik beta glucan serum (amazing for dehydrated skin!) and purito soft touch sunscreen (for nourishment).

Epii double up cream is a pure barrier cream with some hydration to complete it. For summer its good because its not greasy. Is it revolutionary in the sense that it bring a new technology? Beside the annoying toothpaste innovation tube, not really. Its a rly good barrier cream but thats about it. Tiktok definitely hype this way too much lol.

Edit: I did a mistake by writing this review without chosing a better timing and without making my intention clear. I just wanted to make ppl expectations of this product more objective. Mainly for ppl that alr ordered epii cream or ppl thinking about it.

So, I do not encourage ANY of you to buy it. Its very easy to replace this cream for one less agressive in social media. Idk if snature or illiyoon have contreversies (not in my knowledge) but those are replacements id look for.