I'm not going to lie, I'm a packaging guru. I pick my wine by finding the most appealing label. So the first time I saw TONYMOLY products, I lost my mind. Cute animals with beauty products hidden inside? Genius. As I dove into this new brand, I started learning about Korean Skincare, also known as the Korean 10 Step Skincare Routine. That's right...10 Steps, which is a lot more steps than my usual routine (0-1 Steps). I've been doing it for several weeks, and I love it! It has become a small ritual, and my skin is happy. I have what would probably be classified as combination skin. Dry in some places, oily in others, and occasional breakouts, mainly hormonal. Basically, terrible. So, when my Knot App Calendar told me I needed to get on a regular skin routine for that fresh wedding glow, I obliged.
Step 1
Oil Cleanser
One of the main components of the K-beauty routine is the double cleanse. The first cleanse is with an oil cleanser, which removes your makeup and other grime that has collected on your skin throughout the day. I've read some articles where they double cleanse night and day, and others that say you only need the oil cleanse at night. I've been doing this at night only.
I'm using Farmacy Clear Bloom Makeup Cleansing Oil (Sephora $30). Any time I can add a natural product, I will, which is my main problem with America's Beauty scene. There are 1,000 ingredients banned in other countries, that are still allowed in the US. Educate yourself, and be good to your body.
Step 2
Water-Based Cleanser (or Foam)
Too Cool for School is one of your quirky, creative Korean brands. Everything they have has an adorable flair. This cleanser comes out as a foam, and contains, you guessed it, Eggs! The Egg Mousse Soap (Sephora $20) is great for taking off the remaining oil cleanser, and whatever dirt and grime is left over.
Step Three
Exfoliate (1-2x a week)
Exfoliation is important, especially if you have congested skin, and it is one of the most satisfying things that I do to my skin. I can feel the sugar cleaning house. I usually exfoliate 2-3 times a week, but you might find yourself needing it less. I'm loving Skinfood's Black Sugar Mask Wash Off (Sokoglam $14.70) because I get an exfoliator and a mask in one.
Step Four
Toner
Toner to me always meant the second step of my Estee Lauder kit that came in this huge bottle, and was packed with alcohol. That was before people were more observant about the label on their products. Your K-beauty toners are not your mother's toner. Since I have congested (or what I might recategorize as 'Unpredictable Skin' which is defined as 'clear until I have something important coming up, then I'll get three huge pimples'), I went for Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner (Sokoglam, $17) because it has Aloe and Salicylic Acid.
Step 5
Essence
The essence is the heart of the Korean skincare routine because it increases your cell turnover, as well as boosts your hydration. Now, y'all, let me tell you about this May Coop Raw Sauce (Sephora, $14). First of all, it smells what I can only imagine baby angel puppies smell like as they frolic through marshmallows. It is 93% maple tree sap, and helps prep the skin, and helps the products that follow absorb better. Apparently, maple tree sap particles are almost the same size as our bodily fluids, which allows the formula to penetrate deeper (that's what she said?).
Step Six
Serum
So, I haven't purchased a full size serum yet, but I have tried a couple of samples. I really enjoyed Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Serum (Peach and Lilly, $39). It contains botanical herbs that are good for aging skin, and you can never start too early with aging serums. However, some other serums that have peaked my interests:
+Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule (Peach and Lilly, $38)
+Cremorlab Hydro Plus Snow Falls Water-Full Serum (Peach and Lilly, $48)
Step 7
Sheet Mask (2-3x a week)
Part Michael Myers/Part Miracle. The sheet mask is very K-beauty. The sheet comes soaked in essence, and then placed on your face for 20-40 minutes, depending on the mask. I've used a couple of TONYMOLY mask, but my holy grail mask is the Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask (Peach and Lilly, $6). I had a couple of pimples, put this mask on for 30 minutes, went to bed, and woke up with a significant difference in the size and redness of my pimples. MIRACLE! CUE GOSPEL CHOIR! Now, the price tag is kind of pricey for one mask, so I'll get a couple to have on hand for emergencies.
Step Eight
Eye Cream
Snail mucin is all the rage. And besides sounding disgusting, it helps fade scars, makes your skin smooth and helps you have the glow. I've only had this eye cream for a few days, so I can't give a full review yet, but you get a lot of product for a reasonable cost. It also has glowing reviews.
Step 9
Moisturizer
My face used to be on the dry side, until I started this routine. I originally purchased this moisturizer because of its cult status in Korea. It is a lightweight gel, and has a 'cool' feeling going on, but with winter coming, it will really show how moisturizing it can be. Time will tell,but no complaints so far!
Step 10
SPF
BB Creams came from Korea, so it makes sense that they have perfected it. Most days, I'm too lazy to put makeup on in the mornings. Because I'm a serial Snooze hitter, I need something quick when my skin needs a pick me up. This BB cream goes on like whipped air, and creates a smooth, even skin tone, and protects your skin with some SPF 25.
Alternate Steps
Since my acne is hormonal, it comes and goes at its own will. If my skin starts getting a little angry, I use spot treatment right after I use my essence. The May Coop Raw Sauce is great at making sure everything that goes on after it, goes deeper into the skin, so spot treatments will dive deeper to the root of the problem. I use Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion (Sephora, $42) to help keep everything under control.
As with starting any new skincare routine, introduce one product at a time to make sure your skin isn't going to explode with anger.