As I’ve gotten older, I’ve focused a lot less on makeup and more on skin care. These days, as a busy mom, I don’t have much time to put on makeup. It’s also summertime here in Hong Kong, which means the temperatures are soaring and the humidity is making our sweat look like we just went swimming in the harbour. So I am letting my skin do all the talking. That means I’m being really picky about what I put on my skin each morning and night. I have sensitive skin, so it’s taken me a bit of trial and error to find out what works for my skin and what doesn’t. A lot of the brands I used to rely on either no longer work for my skin as I age, or they are no longer available.
Since I am now living in Asia, I have been introduced to so many new-to-me brands that many highly recommend and rely on. I see beautiful, glowing skin all around me every day, so I decided to start using what many others are putting on their skin. Let’s just say, I have not been disappointed yet. Most of my every day skin care products are not only easy to find, but also really affordable. I’m listing my ultimate favorites below. Below you’ll notice I use just 3 K-Beauty brands that I can’t get enough of. These are my 3 favorite brands at the moment (I have previously mentioned some here). Plus all of these products are under $25.
Face Wash
I used to loathe washing my face. I just couldn’t be bothered with it. But as I have gotten older, that has certainly changed. Now I can’t wait to wash the day off my face before I climb into bed. For the last 3 months, I have been using this face cleanser every night and it really has been a miracle worker at helping to clear my skin. I went through a period where I was developing a bunch of acne on my forehead and chin. I was relying on acne patches every single day, so I decided to switch up my cleanser and this one really deep cleans. You can smell the tea tree when using it. My face always feels incredibly refreshed after a good cleanse. To remove makeup, I use this cleanser followed by my face wash.
Toner
This isn’t necessarily a toner per se, but I do love using this exfoliator after cleansing. It is an AHA and glycolic acid power liquid to help reduce whiteheads. It’s also hydrating and helps even my skin tone. But sometimes after a mask, I like to use this toner before applying my essence and serums.
Essence
My favorite skin care essence has been a bit of a holy grail, so much so that the product has sold out a few times. I’ve been using this essence for a year now, and it has done wonders in hydrating my naturally dry skin. Snails are not harmed in the process with this brand. Snail mucin is what is left behind from a snail after they move around, as the mucin helps them glide across the ground.
Serum
I love green tea. I love having a roasted rice green tea every morning before breakfast. It does wonder for my digestion, so I shouldn’t be surprised that green tea also does wonder for skin. This serum has been my go-to for a year now after I apply my essence. My skin can easily get irritated, and after a long day it always feels good to apply this serum with gentle pats to calm my skin down. I’ve noticed calmer skin since I started using this oil day and night.
Daytime Moisturizer
I use different moisturizers during the day than I do at night. During the daytime, I like to keep my moisturizer light since I will usually be out and about in Hong Kong’s heat and humidity. In summertime, I like using this moisturizer for a final glow, but in wintertime I usually need something a little heavier so I like to use this thicker cream. Both give me a stunning hydrated glow without being shiny.
Nighttime Moisturizer
However, at night, I have relied on the same moisturizer for over a year now. This overnight mask is my skin care obsession. I absolutely love how hydrated, smooth, and bright my skin is in the morning. It is made with rice, which is known to brighten skin. I watched a video of someone making this product, and just from simply washing the rice with his hands, his hands were plump, bright, and smooth. My face is the same every morning when I use this moisturizer.
Eye Cream
I’ve got a toddler now, plus my schedule is incredibly busy, so I developed darker circles under my eyes than I would have liked. I started using an eye cream again to try to combat some of that, and this one takes the cake. It doesn’t irritate under my eyes at all, which is a common issue I have had in the past with eye creams. I love how it brightens under my eyes plus keeps them hydrated. I don’t have any lines by my eyes at all, and I think part of that reason is because of this eye cream.
SPF
I can’t leave the house ever without applying some SPF on my face. Even my 20-month old toddler will remind me that I need SPF (the way she says “SPF” is just so darn cute). This sunscreen is my absolute favorite. There’s a reason it keeps selling out. It’s the only sunscreen I have ever used in my life that does not leave a white residue, doesn’t even look like sunscreen, keeps my skin hydrated, and keeps my skin glowing. I was recently out at the pool during a staycation and while parts of my body got a little sunburnt, my face did not at all. It works, and I think it’s the best.
Face Masks
I like to use a face mask two or three times a week if I can. If little bean has been a bit troublesome at bedtime, I usually don’t just because I am quite tired and want to get to bed. But some nights I like to indulge a little bit as I lay down in bed and watch my new favorite tv show (Magnificent Century, if you’re interested!). My three favorite face masks are this pink clay one (so good for your pores!), this rice and honey one (really hydrating!), and this red bean one (good for deep cleaning!).
