(Skincare) My Very Basic Routine

After trying several products which didn't really work for my combination sensitive skin, I finally found a routine which doesn't cause acne, irritation and closed comedones. It was not an easy journey, finding products that would suit me, but I discovered some things that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't tried every thing.

The following are what I discovered about my combination sensitive skin:

• Creams are a no-no. My skin gets easily clogged by all kinds of cream. Even cleansing balms, it may seem, are causing me minor clogged pores. Cleansing creams, moisturizers and sunscreens in cream format are also too rich for my skin and I should avoid them as much as possible.
• I can only handle very gentle exfoliation and I should do it once every week only. This is a discovery that had negative financial repercussions as chemical exfoliants are quite pricey. I tried Klairs Vitamin C, Cosrx BHA and Naruko 5% Mandelic Acid, all of which claimed to be gentle on the skin. However, all these gave me minor irritation, redness with some small red bumps on the cheeks. Now, I stopped using any form of chemical exfoliants, but I might go back to using them when my skin is more resilient.
• Less is more. For two weeks last month, I decided to stop my skincare routine for personal reasons. During those two weeks, I did not get new pimples (surprise, surprise!). I had less redness and less clogged pores. But my skin did become dull so there's that. It was then I realized that my skin doesn't need everything so I pared down my routine to the basics. No more cleansing toners, hydrating toners, serums and essences for me. For now. 
• Alcohol is my fiend. It was through Biore UV Watery Essence sunscreen that I discovered this fact. I observed that upon applying this alcohol-laced sunscreen, my skin would get red but if I skip this during my morning routine, no redness! Thus, I avoid this ingredient in all of my skincare products.
• Oil cleansing is my jam. I have large pores due mainly to genetics and they used to be my biggest skin issue during my teenage years. I'd get sebaceous filaments deep in my pores and it was sort of a therapy for me when I removed them via pore strips, tweezers (so fulfilling when I removed a centimeter long filament), etc. When I started oil cleansing, I got less and less sebum on my pores which in turn made my pores seem smaller. I realized it was true, that oil fights oil.

Keeping in mind all of these, I ended up with this basic routine which works very well for me. 

Super basic and mostly green routine. :-)

• Oil Cleanser - Banila Co. Clean It Zero (original variant) 
• Cleanser - Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Cleanser
• Moisturizer - Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
• Sunscreen - Yadah Oh My Sun Slush 
• Mud Pack - Nature Republic Bamboo Charcoal Mud Pack
• Sheet Mask - Different variants from The Face Shop and Etude House

I will post Part 2 of this topic to talk about my impressions and reviews of my current products so please stay tuned for that! See you soon!

Posted in: Featured, Skincare