My 5 Steps to Glowy Skin

Most of the time these days, I genuinely love my skin. This has not always been the case, and whilst I still deal with normal skin issues such as redness and occasional breakouts, transforming my skincare routine and attitude has resulted in a glow I never thought was possible. I can assuredly say the changes happened because of my move to Seoul, South Korea, in 2014 and the influence of the “Korean skincare routine”. I say this in quotation marks because I don’t believe there’s a definitive “Korean skincare routine”, more a way of thinking about skincare in Korea. Over the past four years my skin has become the best it’s ever been, and I wanted to share what has worked for me. When I began my journey my skin was dull, very uneven in tone, and- without me knowing or understanding this- extremely dehydrated. Here’s how I overcame those problems and got the glow.

Disclaimer, I’m not professional, and this is not professional advice. This is for entertainment purposes only. Everyone’s skin is different, and this is just what worked for me. Please consult a dermatologist for personal skin advice.

1. I started washing and cleansing my face. PROPERLY.

This may sound so simple, but it’s a step that is often hugely neglected. When I was younger, I’d usually just use a makeup wipe then go to bed, or use an old foaming cleanser in the shower. That does not, I repeat does not, get rid of all the sunscreen, makeup, and gunk that has gathered on your face throughout the day. Although it may sound obvious, I solidly believe that good cleansing is vital for healthy, glowy skin. Now I use a gentle cleanser in the AM, and in the PM I double cleanse. Double cleanse means using an oil cleanser to clear the sunscreen and makeup, then a second-step water-based cleanser to get rid of any further residue before proceeding with my skincare.

2. Hydration

So I had combination skin and did not know my skin could be oily yet severely dehydrated. I’d never even heard of the word essence, or considered that a toner could provide the vital hydration my skin needed. I first started seeing big changes when I began using the light hydrating layers that Korean companies excel at producing. These products are easy to incorporate, absorb so quickly, help skin retain moisture, and transformed my skin from being dull and dehydrated to bright and dewy. It doesn’t happen overnight, but I saw results after about a month of incorporating such products, and I haven’t stopped since! If I had to choose a single change I made that had the most significant impact on my skin, it would the light hydrating layers of toners and essences.

3. Using AHA, BHA and Vitamin C products.

I’m forever learning about acids and active skincare, and it’s so interesting! I began using gentle acid products (namely Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid) about 3 years ago, and although my skin was already looking pretty good by then, this took it to the next level. Chemical exfoliation has helped me control and reduce the appearance of the sebaceous filaments I have all across my nose (pores that look like black dots and squeeze out squiggly white stuff if pressed), smoothed my skin texture, and overall just given me more clarity and even tone to my skin. I now use Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Toning Solution in the AM, then Tiam My Original C Source Vitamin C Serum in the evening. I also have a product from Oxygenceuticals called the Double Peel, which I do alone once a week which has 24% AHA and 0.5% BHA for a strong peel. Everyone has a different mileage with these kinds of products, and it’s vital to start slowly and figure out what’s best for you. Plus sunscreen is a must when using acids!

4. Using sleeping packs

Not everyone will agree with me on this one, but sleeping packs honestly work so well for me, and have done since the beginning. They are applied at the last step of an evening skincare routine, and work to seal in the moisture from your routine overnight. Whenever I use a sleeping pack, I wake up with such moisturized, glowy skin and you can’t beat that. Not all sleeping packs are made equal, and I’ve heard frequent complaints of people breaking out from sleeping packs, so it’s definitely a personal choice. For me, they’re a crucial step.

5. Adapting and listening to my skin

This may sound a little deep, but what I mean is reacting to how my skin feels/looks/behaves, rather than always using the same products daily. This helps me treat and address issues. Don’t misconstrue what I mean- consistency is key for results and throwing a bunch of new products on your face can also be troublesome. I test every new product independently, then once I know it works for me, it’s officially in my rotation and I can use it when/as I like. This rotation was particularly necessary in Korea, where the weather and air condition varied so dramatically throughout the year. On a daily basis I judge what my skin needs, and select my products accordingly. It may sound time-consuming but it’s really not. It’s just a case of having an organized collection!

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These “rules” will not work for everyone, but they’re the big changes I feel have helped me feel confident in my own skin, even on the days where I want to cover up. What’s worked for you? Any steps you’d add to your own list like this? Please let me know and share down below!