I learned a lot from you on our last skincare post! I am 45 with normal to dry skin and need to make sure that future posts about skincare and products are more inclusive. So this has some products for blemish prone skin as well. Some of you mentioned Korean skincare. After reading about it, I splurged on the Costco Case Full of Seoul kit. It was on sale for $100 which felt like a lot to spend on skincare but it was $50 off. I would only recommend about 3-4 products from it, some of which are below. You don’t need the whole kit to get results and can try some of the products from Amazon.

My skin is so smooth and soft now. Plus the tiny blackheads on my nose are much less noticeable. It’s unclear if the difference is due to the new skincare or the skincare plus the microneedling I mentioned earlier. While I think the microroller definitely worked, I’m not 100% sold on it as I noticed tiny little marks. (No one else notices them and with makeup on they’re invisible. Plus they are fading over time.)

The first part of this post reflects some of the k-beauty routine I follow. It feels luxurious and once you do it for a couple of days it becomes routine. Toward the end are products for oily skin.

An oil cleanser that melts into your skin and rinses off clean

One of the keys to the k-beauty regime is the two step oil then foaming cleansing system. Almost every article I read (this one was the most informative, thanks Lena) recommended this product, Banila Clean It Zero. Reviewers say it melts into your skin, dissolves makeup easily and is moisturizing. However some people with acne prone skin say that it can cause breakouts.

A gentle exfoliating foaming rice cleanser

9 Wishes Rice foaming cleanser is the exact cleanser I’m using and I love it! I’m definitely replacing it once it runs out. It is strong enough to remove eye makeup without being abrasive, and it leaves your face feeling so clean without feeling tight or dry. It has micro-ground rice powder so it helps slough away dead skin and impurities without damage. Other gentle, low PH foaming cleansers with great reviews include Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam, and Corsx Low PH Good Morning Gel cleanser.

A non-drying clarifying toner for brighter skin

I’m using May Coop raw sauce, which came in my Costco kit. It’s decent but not incredible and I will replace it with an alternate toner. Experts recommend either Cosrx AhA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner or a Mizon toner, which has mixed reviews. The Klairs Supple Preparation toner has a lot of product for the price and people rave about it, calling it refreshing and moisturizing yet light. I’ve found the toner I’m going to buy once mine runs out!

A serum to repair skin before moisturizing and applying sunblock

Urang true rose repair essence came in my kit. It’s good and I sort-of recommend it but it’s expensive and hard to find. Klair’s rich moist soothing serum is positively reviewed and seems to be the best alternative. Reviewers say it’s good for all skin types, even oily, and that it adds a layer of moisture and makes your skin look radiant. (An alternative for oily skin might be this Essence Korean Skin Care spray.)

An anti-aging serum set that can fade acne scars and age spots

I wasn’t going to include this set but then I read the reviews and now I want these! Users say they reduce pores, fine lines, age spots and scars. They’re also said to even out skin tone, improve texture, and may even reduce under eye bags. Some of the products can be strong, so it’s recommended that you use them sparingly on wet skin right after you wash.

A rich moisturizer to hydrate and plump skin

While I’m not including sunblock, please include a good sunblock in your skincare routine. My favorite is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer liquid. Before that, you need a good moisturizer and I
would recommend the affordable all-in-one Mizon snail cream. Yes it’s made with actual snail stuff, but you can’t tell. Someone recommended this in our comments years ago and I bought it and loved it. I’ve also used and can recommend this retinol moisturizer, similarly under $20. The exact moisturizer I use now which came in the Costco pack is the May Coop raw moisturizer. It’s good but it’s not $40 good, you know?

A three step acne treatment system for adults and teens

Now we’re into products for acne prone skin. The La Roche-Posay treatment system is affordable and well reviewed. Many people say that it works wonders for their acne, including adult and cystic acne. It can be drying, especially the spot treatment, so you may want to use it just a few times a week and go easy on the spot treatment until your skin is used to it. The moisturizer is a good companion product, people with very oily skin say it’s effective, but that it’s pricey.

A glycolic acid toning solution for clear skin

So many of you recommended products by The Ordinary, particularly this glycolic acid toning solution. Many people say this cured their acne and that it also works on fine lines. Some people say it feels sticky but the consensus is that the results are worth it. At least two of you recommended The Ordinary’s Niacinamide serum for acne as well.

A healing clay mask with over 2k positive reviews

This was a recommendation by Joanne, who calls it amazing! Reviews say they mix it with apple cider vinegar or water to extend and make the product easier to spread. It’s supposed to clear acne prone skin and provide results which last for a few days. I’m definitely trying this!

Thanks for reading this post and commenting with your favorite products! I’ve learned so much from you and am really pleased with the results.

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Header photo credit: Tarzine Jackson via Pexels. Photo directly above credit: Daniel Xavier