MY NIGHTLY SKINCARE ROUTINE

I’m really excited to talk to you about one of my nerdiest passions – my nightly skincare routine! You see, about two years ago I was an average gal, washing my face with ordinary products that I got from my local store. Just blindly accepting that the claims on the bottle would work…and then wondering why they didn’t.

Then I came across the skincare craze known as the 10-step- Korean skincare routine. You may have already heard about the 10-step method, but if you haven’t, it is a routine that is, you guessed it, comprised of 10 – steps, each with a different product used for cleaning, hydrating, and preventative treatments.

I basically fell down a rabbit hole while reading about different products, and it turned into a slight obsession. My obsession lead to dedication, and while I enjoyed carving out a little slot of time for myself each night, I soon found myself spending what I felt like way too much time washing my face.

That is when I decided I to tweak what I was doing, and came up with my shortened routine, which I couldn’t be more in love with! I try to focus on what I felt was the most important parts of the 10-step routine – clean your face and make your skin glow! In this post I am going to break down my condensed nightly skincare routine, so you can get the benefits of the 10-step Korean skincare routine, but not have to spend the whole night locked in the bathroom!

Before we jump in, I want to mention that I am not a dermatologist…I went to art school. So, with that said, the products included in this post are products that I’ve tested on myself and work for me. Everyone’s skin is unique and can react to products differently. What I’d recommend for any new skin product is “patch testing” it for a week before fully committing to a full application.

To patch test simply put a small amount of the product on a place of your body that isn’t easily seen, like the side of your neck. Continue to apply the product in the same spot every day for a week while watching for any negative reactions – including burning, redness, hives, splotches, and breakouts. Every product I listed below I took the time to test, so remember to take this slowly and give your skin some time to be introduced to each product before adding a new one.

Here are the products that I use. For reference, my skin is on the dry side, but many of these products can be for all skin types. I suggest checking out the reviews for each product to see what goes well with your skin type.

01.  Cleansing Oil – Etude House Real Art

02. Cleansing Foam – Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam

03. Toner – Kikumasamune Sake Skin Lotion High Moisture

04. Moisturizer – Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

05. Microdermabrasion Brush – ProX by Olay Microdermabrasion

06. Lip Mask – Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

07. Sheet Mask – Mizon sheet mask variety pack

Daily (in order of how I use them)

1 – Cleansing Oil:

First, I want to break down all the grime, makeup, and sunscreen that is on my face. For that, I turn to my good friend, cleansing oil.

When a cleansing oil is applied, the oils combine with the natural oils on the face. Some of these oils are the good friendly kind that keeps our skin healthy, and the other oils are the kinds that cause breakouts and come from different skin products. As you massage the oil into the skin, the bad oils get pulled from pores and bind to the cleanser. As you wash away the cleanser the impurities wash away with the oil.

Using a pump or two, lightly massage into your skin, especially in areas where you know you’ve applied more make-up (hello under eye concealer). Rise clean after working it in.

2 – Foaming Soap:

This step is known as the second cleanse. You rinsed off the oil cleanser.. but you don’t want to walk away after that step. Next, we want to apply a foaming cleanser to cleanse the skin of any remaining oils and dirt.

Pump the soap in your hands and massage it into the skin. Enjoy the foaminess while knowing that this step will keep any cleansing oil from soaking into your pores, taking any bad nasty oils in with it. Rinse clean.

3 – Toner:

Probably my favorite step in this whole process! Since adding toner, my skin has become so soft, like little baby lamb ear soft! Toner is a superstar product, it helps remove the last layers of makeup and sunscreen that the other cleansers missed, it helps balance your skin pH levels, it hydrates, and it helps minimize pores.

Soak a cotton pad with toner and pat it into the skin on your face and neck. Some people apply toner three times, letting the product soak in before applying again with a new cotton pad.

4 – Moisturizer:

For my moisturizer, I have chosen a lightweight and fragrance-free product from Mizon, that has a bit of a cult-like following. This product uses the natural secretions that come from… snails! You might be reading this and saying, “GIRL, you put WHAT on your face?!??!”, and when I first read about it, I had the same reaction. But I kept hearing people rave about this product, and curiosity got the best of me.

A pea-sized dollop goes a long way and always has me saying, “slimy, yet satisfying!”. If putting snail essence on your face isn’t your thing, Hanukkah Matata! There are so many moisturizers out there, and you will find something that you’ll love as much as I love this one. BUT, if you want to give this one a chance, you’ll probably fall in love too!

Twice a week

5 – Exfoliate:

Twice a week I use my microdermabrasion brush to exfoliate my skin. This process removes dead skin cells and freshens up dull looking skin. You don’t want to overwork your skin, so I recommend spacing it out during the week. During my usual Step 2, I put some of my foaming soap onto the brush and gently scrub my face and neck.

6 – Lip scrub:

I am prone to dry lips in the winter, and I have found that using an exfoliant twice a week helps my lips stay healthy and avoid unpleasant flakiness. I like to do my lip scrub the same night that I exfoliate.

7 – Sheet Mask:

If you are looking to mix up your routine and bring in a lot of fun, sheet masks are where it is at! There is so much variety in products, and you can narrow down what you want to work on. Dry skin, oily skin, fine lines, brightening, exfoliation, there is a sheet mask for that! I like to use them once or twice a week. Experiment (slowly) and have fun!

So, I know that must sound like a lot, but believe me, once you figure out what products work the best for you, your skin will thank you for it! My routine has become one of my favorite parts of my day!

If you liked reading about my nightly skincare routine, be sure to check out the second part to this post all about my morning skincare routine! In the meantime, if you are looking for another way to relax, be sure to check out my post for shimmery rose petal bath salts. It is another excellent way to add some relaxation to your day!