This Not That: My Skincare Routine

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Even though I test a ton of products, my personal routine stays pretty simple. This is what I use when I’m not testing anything new — just the products I genuinely love.

For reference: I have dry, sensitive skin and prioritize brightening, anti‑aging, and hydration.

🌞 AM Routine

(No cleanse)

I skip a morning cleanser and go straight in with hydration.

1. Milky Toner

• Winter: Byoma Milky Toner

• Summer: TIRTIR Milky Toner

  Light, hydrating, and perfect for prepping my skin without stripping it.

2. Vitamin C

• Maelove Glow Maker

  I apply this while my face is still slightly damp from toner — it absorbs beautifully and boosts brightness.

3. Hydrating Brightening Serum

• Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

  I let this fully dry before moving to the next step.

4. Moisturizer

• Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

  Deeply hydrating, barrier‑strengthening, and never irritating. Leaves a beautiful dewy glow.

5. SPF (also my “foundation”)

• Heimish Tinted SPF

  This doubles as sunscreen and gives me the perfect light coverage.

🌙 PM Routine

1. Oil Cleanse

• Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil

  I typically shower at night and use this to remove SPF and buildup.

****If I don't shower at night for whatever reason, I use the Bioderma Micellar Water to remove my make-up with a Make-up Eraser.

2. Exfoliating Pads (2–3 nights/week)

• StriVectin Daily Pads

  Since adding Azelaic Acid into my routine, I only use these on nights when I am not using tretinoin.

  
  

3. Milky Toner

• TIRTIR Milky Toner (again)

  Adds back hydration after cleansing or exfoliation.

4. Treatment (Tret Night)

• Tretinoin + Azelaic Acid Prescription

  I apply this while my skin is still slightly damp so it spreads evenly. I use this 4-5 nights/week.

  
  

5. Barrier Repair + Hydration

• Ma:nyo Bifida Serum

  Helps calm, repair, and support the skin while using strong actives.

  
  

6. Moisturizer

• Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

  Locks everything in and prevents dryness or irritation from tret.

  
  

7. Lip Care

• Tocobo Lip Mask

  A perfect overnight hydrating lip treatment.

Other favorites I reach for when I’m dealing with specific skin concerns:

• When my skin is extra dehydrated:

I reach for the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Barrier Mask — it gives that deep, plush hydration my dry skin craves.

• When my dark spots need extra attention:

I use the Numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Serum as my nighttime treatment serum. It gives my brightening routine a solid boost. This would be after I use my tret and before I use the Ma:nyo Bifida Serum.

• When I’m dealing with redness

I use the Beauty of Joseon Glow Rice Mask to calm and even things out.

• When my skin barrier is severely damaged

(…looking at you, Medicube toners!)I apply the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 as a full-face overnight mask. It’s my emergency barrier-repair fix.