My Skin Care Journal as of November 2022

I just added a retinol product in my skin care routine recently. Mainly because I want to keep/achieve a youthful appearance. However, I am still testing the tides. Honestly, I forget to apply it sometimes. XD 

As I was reading about how to incorporate retinol in my skin care routine, I stumbled on the term "skin cycling" which is kind of a trending topic in the skin care community.

According to my research via Google, skin cycling is a term coined by Dr. Whitney Bowe. It is a four-night schedule; exfoliation night, retinoid night, recovery night, recovery night, repeat. The day time routine can consist of a gentle cleanser, vitamin C serum, a barrier-protecting cream, and of course, SPF. Basically, skin cycling is done at the night time where you alternate the use of actives and exfoliation.

Come to think of it, I've been doing the same night routine for my self, minus using the retinol product. If I want to be more consistent with retinol, I have to be more mindful of my skin care routine. 

Here's my updated skin care routine, by the way. 

Day Time skin care routine

1. Water cleanse 
2. Toner
• Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
3. Serum
• I skip this step sometimes or apply Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion (office days or when feeling extra dehydrated).
4. Moisturizer
• COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
5. Sunscreen
• Biore Perfect Milk (office days)
• RA&GoWoori Real Kill
• Hello Glow (for body only)

Night Time skin care routine

1. Makeup remover
• Issy and Co Cleansing Balm
2. Facial wash
• CosRX Low PH Cleanser
3. Toner
• Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner (plus Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion when feeling dehydrated)
4. Serum
• Manyo Factory Bifida Biome Complex Ampoule
5. Moisturizer
• COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream (Applies extra on the eye area.)

Skin care on alternate days

• Detox Sundays or Mondays
• Clay masking with Apotheke Science Detoxifying Face Mask
• This is satisfying when I apply CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid the night before then do clay masking the next day. My skin feels so refreshed, clean, and ready for the next week. XD

• Exfoliation every two to three days
• Dermorepubliq Glycolic toner
• CosRX BHA

Sometimes, if I feel there's some bumps or rough textures on my skin, I slather on some Glycolic toner or BHA. I think two to three days is a good measure for exfoliation for me but if I follow this instinct, it's hard to incorporate retinol consistently. It's not good to have retinol and some acids on the same routine, and I think on the same day. So. I'm not yet sure when to insert retinol. I think after clay masking day is a good measure. Then again, I forget! XD

I've seen those skin cycling charts on Instagram and Pinterest. It could help. I may try but let's see. 

In skin care journey I've learned that

• The most important thing is to listen to your skin
• Stick to what really works for you. You can try something new and stick to it for a few weeks to a month and see. If it works, then good. If not, let go. However, this can cause over-the-budget expenses. So, read as much as you can and rely on good reviews from certified professionals or seek a forum or groups with common people trying on the products. 
• Be patient and be consistent. Results don't happen overnight. 
• Wear sunscreen or avoid sun-exposure. XD

All the products that I have listed above have all worked for me. If you check the previous routines I've posted, you can see some similar products. Redundant mentions are my holy grails (HG)! So, let's see if I can put retinol in my skincare routine. :D

My Current Skin Care Routine as of July 2020 and Some Reviews

Hi guys! How are you? I was able to go home here in my hometown and I have been very thankful! Now, I'm listing down the skin care products that I am using since I did not bring all of them with me. I left some of them in the work city and some are slowly running out. I am getting anxious just by the thought that I won't have anything to use! Have you ever felt that?

Doing this made me realize that I have products that I'm really hiyang with and cannot live without. I guess you could say that they are my Holy Grail (HG) products. And with the on-going pandemic, this also made me realize that a basic routine really works for me.

Here is my current skin care:

Day Time

1. Water cleanse 
2. Toner: Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner or Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion 
3. Serum: Apothēkē Science Niacinamide 10%. I use this if I use the Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner. Sometimes, I skip this step.
4. Moisturizer: COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
5. Sunscreen: Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV SPF 50+ PA++++

Night Time

1. Makeup remover: Biore Cleansing Oil /  *Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing
2. Facial wash: Shiseido Senka Perfect White Clay
3. Toner: Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner or Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion
4. Serum: Apotheke Science Niacinamide 10%. I use this if I use the Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner.
5. Moisturizer: COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream or Cleopatra's secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum
• I use the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream if I have the serum step.
• If I skip the serum step, I use Cleopatra's secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum immediately. No need to top it off with a moisturizer.

Exfoliation

• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: I use this 2-3 times a week or when I start feeling some small bumps on my face.
• CURE: Natural Aqua Gel: I use this sometimes during the day, especially upon waking up.
• Apothēkē Science Detoxifying Face Mask: I use this once a week because mixing is a tedious task for me. However, my face feels refreshed and smooth when I use this. The after-effect is rewarding.

Here are some thoughts on the products I have been using. I just realized that I have a lot of backlogged posts to create!

• Makeup remover
• Biore Cleansing Oil: I have been using this than more than I can count my fingers. I really like this cleansing oil because it removes makeup really well. I'll talk more about this soon.
• *Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing: I immediately jumped to this when my Biore was all used up. It has the same consistency and quality with Biore. I'm on my last 30 ml refill bottle and I am worried I'll run out soon. I'll more about this, too on a separate post.
• Facial wash
• Shiseido Senka Perfect White Clay: I bought this around February, 2020 and a little really goes a long, long way. It helps if you use a foamer. It's not drying on me even if this is very foamy and has a high pH. I think I'll just finish this up and go back to my go-to low pH facial wash or try a Hada Labo facial wash.
• Toner: I use two different toners depending on my mood actually. Whenever I feel hot, I use the Human Nature one. I prefer using Hada Labo when going to work. Since I'm just working at home, I use this after exfoliation. More notes below:
• Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner: I have purchased this more than I can count. I'll talk more about this in a separate post soon.
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion: This toner helps my skin hydrated, especially in a dry, cold environment, such as the office. I'm on my last 30 ml refill bottle. I'm thinking if I should repurchase or not.
• Serum
• Apothēkē Science Niacinamide 10%: I wasn't able to bring the last spritz of this. I'm thinking of repurchasing because I like how it makes my pores look small and my sebum controlled.
• Moisturizer
• COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream: I can say this is my HG cream. I just love how it moisturizes my face and my under eyes. Truly, an all-in-one cream. I'll talk more of this soon.
• Cleopatra's Secret Marigold Skin Brightening Serum: I just recently used this around May, 2020. So far, I don't have any complaints. I'm loving the relaxing, natural, herby scent. It's thicker than the serums I've known. It works more as a face oil. I don't need to top it off with a moisturizer. My oily skin is already okay with it as the last step of my night routine. I'll talk more of this soon.
• Exfoliants
• COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: Definitely, one of my HG exfoliants! I have repurchased more than three bottles of these already. A bottle lasts me a year and I'm on my few drops now. I have to repurchase! I'll definitely share my thoughts on this.
• CURE: Natural Aqua Gel: This was recommended by my friend. I posted just a mini review of this on my Instagram account.
• Apothēkē Science Detoxifying Face Mask: I use this once a week because mixing is a tedious task for me. However, the after-effect is rewarding. My face feels refreshed and smooth when I use this. Sadly, I've used this all up already and now I'm thinking to repurchase or try other masks. By the way, I've shared my thoughts on this here.

I'm seriously thinking about repurchasing some of the products that I have already repurchased twice. I'm also open to other options, such as for the serum and for the exfoliants. I just have to patient now and wait for the payday sale to avail my necessities!

What's your current skin care routine, by the way?


*[UPDATE] I just realized that I'm actually using the Hada Labo Moisture Oil Cleansing now. Like I mentioned, I have been using Biore Cleansing Oil for the longest time. Maybe that's why I got my self mixed up! Sorry about that guys. Will definitely talk more about those cleansing oils. HG material!

My Skin Care Journal as of September 2018

I have been writing a beauty or a skin care journal which I started last year. I just use a note / journaling app in my phone and write about what I recently purchased, what I think works, and my current skin condition.

Here are the things I learned and realized about writing a beauty or skin care journal:

• I realized I am very lazy to follow a complicated routine. A short, simple skin care routine works for me very well. This is how my current routine looks like with the products I use.

Day Time

Night Time

1.       Water cleanse or cleanse with a low-pH facial wash = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Wash 2.       Toner = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Toner 3.       Moisturizer = COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream 4.       Eye cream =  Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream 5.       Sunscreen = Bioré UV Bright Face Milk SPF50+ PA++++ - If just stay at home, water cleanse is just enough for me and fast on skin care.

1.       Double-cleanse = Biore Cleansing Oil + Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Wash 2.       Toner = Human Heart Nature Nourishing Facial Toner 3.       Moisturizer = Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask or  The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil non-humid days or exfoliation days. 4.       Eye cream = Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream (skipped when using The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil as moisturizer). 5.  Spot treatment for pimples =  Zenutrients TeaTree Blemish Oil 6. Spot treatment for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) = Skin Genie Heal All Tamanu Oil Exfoliation: - When I feel bumps on my face, I use COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid after double-cleansing and with a 20-minute wait time. Usually after 2-3 days after COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. - On a weekend or a night before the workday, I use the Fiddy Snails method with COSRX BHA > The Beauty Bakery Charcoal & Clay Scrub Mask > Biore Cleansing Oil.

• I learned that over time, my skin has shifted from very oily to oily but dehydrated type. The dehydration mode depends on the time of the month, the season or the environment. For example, if it’s Summer or if it’s humid, I cannot stand having something very occlusive in my routine. I may need more moisture in a dry and cold environment, like being in the office.
• I like skin care products that are multi-purpose. I dab the The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil as a lip balm/cream at night. Sometimes, if I exfoliate with COSRX BHA, I moisturize with the The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil and that’s it. 
• It helped me pinpoint on what’s wrong or what’s going on with my skin and what I feel about the products that I’m using.
• It helped me in my skin care purchase decisions. So, it has made me into a very careful buyer. 
• Writing this skin care journal is a keeper! 

Do you have a beauty / skin care journal as well? Please share it! \(^o^)/