Beth, a 29-year-old freelance artist and animator, discovered Korean beauty after searching for an affordable routine that would improve her acne-prone skin. Read on for the products that have worked for her so far.
We recently came across a Twitter thread from a Soko Glam customer named Beth who, after years of struggling with sensitive, acne-prone skin, found Korean beauty and hasn’t looked back since.
After seeing her impressive before and after photos, we had to know more about her journey. She told us that while she always dealt with acne and sensitivities, when she moved to the dry west coast from Michigan in 2013, “her skin went nuts”. To combat the breakouts, she started using benzoyl peroxide alongside a cleanser and moisturizer, but it caused irritation and didn’t give her the lasting results she was hoping for.
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She then switched things up again using advice she learned from beauty vloggers on YouTube. She tried ingredients like witch hazel, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C but she says, “I still had troublesome breakouts frequently enough that I needed a change.”
Below, Beth shares the oil-based formulas, as well as the other K-beauty products that are currently in her 10-minute morning and nighttime routines.
Cleansers
“Morning and night I try to do a double cleanse which means washing my face once with an oil-based cleanser, and again after with a water-based cleanser. My #1 oil-based cleanser is the Enature Moringa Cleansing Balm. This stuff is gold.
For my water-based cleanser, I LOVE Neogen’s Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser. I’m buying my 3rd bottle today and of all the cleansers I’ve been trying (you’ll run through these quick), none have come close to how much I love Neogen’s.”
Exfoliator
“Thoughts about exfoliation – it’s super important! Because I have sensitive skin, I’m careful with physical exfoliates because [for me] it causes acne breakouts. My Clarisonic brush exfoliates and I use a chemical exfoliant called AHA – which sound scary but is actually way more gentle.”
Toner
“I’ve only been using 1 toner and it lasts forever since you only use a few drops: The Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner.”
Essence
“I’m obsessed with the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. It’s snail secretion! How neat! Some blogs say snail mucin is bull and you’re better off with hyaluronic acid, but it WORKS for me!”
Serum
“I really loved Neogen’s White Truffle Serum In Oil Drop but the size to $ ratio has kept me from repurchasing. I just bought the Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence to try out so fingers crossed! I like fermented ingredients in my products.”
Moisturizer
“Everyone who cares about their skin should be moisturizing! You have to lock in your natural oils with an invisible layer of good stuff so that all those healthy oils can’t evaporate off your face. I LOVE Missha’s Super Aqua Ultra Water-Full Clear. It doesn’t feel like anythings on your face!”
Lip Treatment
“Something I added after watching a Michelle Phan review is the Klavuu Nourishing Care Lip Sleeping Pack. Get this stuff, it’s magic and transformed my lips.”
Other Skin-Healthy Habits
“Drink Water! Don’t wipe your face with dirty things! Manage your stress, and keep a consistent workout schedule. This surprised me but lifting heavy things spikes your testosterone hormones which can lead to acne if your body isn’t in a rhythm with it!”
We love hearing skin care success stories! Have one? Email us at editorial@theklog.co for your chance to be featured.