My Full Skincare Routine

Over the years, I've given many impromptu skincare presentations and written epic emails to friends and family who have inquired about the details of how I take care of my face. I never intend to prattle on about it so long, it's just that I'm really enthusiastic about skincare and the products I use!

Some years ago I read an article about the elaborate skincare regimes that are apparently fairly commonplace is places like Korea and Japan. Women there use from 8 to 15 products morning and evening, all of which are meant to layer on top of each other and work in cooperation as a whole. I thought the whole thing sounded really cool and as at the time I used only a single facewash and a single moisturizer, I decided to look into these beauty routines. Little by little, I tried different products and added them to my own routine; today, my own process has 10 products total, with some that I use twice daily and others that I rotate depending on whether it's morning or evening. So without further ado, here is my complete skincare regime!

Slavy's Skincare Regime

Makeup Remover: Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleaning Water. It all starts with properly removing makeup and dirt from the skin! I've used all kinds of makeup removers in the past and I was a fan of oil-free products for a while, but micellar water has changed my life. Sounds overly dramatic but really, nothing removes my makeup as completely or as gently as this stuff. I don't use waterproof makeup but I do like gel eyeliner and this micellar removes it with ease. I give the bottle a good shake, apply liberally to a cotton pad and wipe gently over my skin. For the delicate eye area instead of wiping (and pulling on the skin), I sort of press it gently over the eye for about 20 seconds and then very gently wipe to the outside. Usually this is enough to remove whatever eye makeup I have on, although if I used a lot of gel liner and mascara I may have to repeat this step 2 or 3 times. I mostly use this only at the end of the day to remove my makeup, but if you wanted you could definitely use it in the morning as well as the first step in your cleansing routine. Available pretty much everywhere but I find it cheapest on Amazon. 

Facewash: Clean and Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser. I'm still prone to spottiness (both hormonal and otherwise) so using this facewash helps keep breakouts to a minimum. I've used this same facewash for 10 years now and I've yet to find something I like as much. I tried Target's version but I ended up going back to Clean and Clear because I preferred it. Sold at CVS, Target, etc, but as usual, probably cheapest on Amazon. The single tube option is only for Amazon Prime members, but the 6 pack option that works out to the same cost per tube.

Exfoliator: Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel. This is a chemical exfoliant so it has no gritty particles- instead it uses AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) to gently but effectively remove dead skin cells. It also contains hyaluronic acid and fruit & botanical extracts, which I find leave me with a really clean, glow, fresh feeling but never sore, dry, tight, or stingy. As you rub a little dab of this over your face(on wet or dry skin, as you prefer) it balls up under your fingers, which part of how the product is supposed to work. I use this once a day.

Toner: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner. I recently got a travel size sample of this toner and so far I'm really really loving it. It does have an AHA exfoliating effect, so I'll use either this or the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel (although I have used both on occasion and it's been fine). Usually I'll use the peeling gel in the morning and the toner at night, but sometimes I switch it up and use the toner in the morning and the peeling gel at night! Aside from gentle exfoliation, it also minimizes the appearance of pores, which is especially nice for during the day. I just put a few drops on a cotton pad and swipe gently over my entire face.

Serum: Mizon Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid. This serum helps the skin creams I apply on top of it absorb better. The hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin to deeply moisturize and plump, which is why it also sort of boosts the effectiveness of your other creams and products. The bottle is glass and has a little glass dropper, but I've dropped it before and it didn't break so it's pretty sturdy. 3-4 drops are enough for the entire face and I apply it to my eye area and eyelids as well. I use this both morning and night.

Cream: Mizon Special Therapy Good Night Wrinkle Care Sleeping Mask. This is a white cream that is very light, absorbs quickly, and the color rubs away to nothing. It has a lovely delicate smell that I find really pleasant, and it's super soothing on my skin. Technically speaking this is a "mask" meaning it's meant to be applied over your regular moisturizer to seal it in, but as it contains hyaluronic acid and I've found it to be very moisturizing on its own, I basically use it as a moisturizer both morning and night.

Pack: Mizon Multi Function Formula Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack. This is the very first Mizon product I tried, and it worked so amazingly that I just had to look up what else they offer. This is technically not a solo moisturizer- like the sleeping mask above, this sleeping pack is meant to be applied over your regular moisturizer. I use it on its own when I want a light non-greasy moisturizer (like during the summer) or layered over the sleeping mask cream. The secret ingredient in this is snail extract, and it leaves me with the most plump, moisturized glowing skin. I obviously can't guarantee it'll do exactly the same for everyone, but after letting them try mine both my mom and my sister have also gotten hooked on this product! I love love love it, if I had to choose only one moisturizing product it would be this cream because it is very very moisturizing but absorbs quickly, isn't sticky or greasy, and smells really nice. I use this both morning and night!

Eye Cream: Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Moisturizing Reviving Eye Mask. This is the only area in my skincare lineup that I keep switching up and trying out new products. I've used many eye creams over the years that have all been good eye creams, but I've yet to find one that blows me out of the water so much so that I'll commit to it (unlike the Mizon products above for example, which I need to live!) I got a deluxe trial size tube of this Clarins eye cream a couple weeks ago so this is what I've been using lately. I like it; it moisturizes well and doesn't make my eyes water. I use it both morning and night, and it absorbs well.  

SPF: Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF 50+ PA+++. Sun protection is one of those things that everyone knows they should be doing but often falls by the wayside. I won't harp on the damage that skipping sunscreen can cause, but all the pricey skin cream, facials, serums, etc won't keep your skin looking its best if you skip or skimp on the sun protection. While a little vitamin D is essential for our good health, generally speaking about 10 minutes outside should give you enough vitamin D from the sun! No sunscreen is 100% at blocking UVA and UVB rays so even with sunprotection, you'll still be getting vitamin D if you're outside on a sunny day. I regret not using very much SPF in my 20's but I hated the oily greasy feeling on my skin and how it always broke me out. I tried to avoid the sun as much as possible, but I just couldn't submit myself to the sunblock I had to choose from. Enter this sunscreen which I "discovered" about a year and half ago. It's very watery (you shake the bottle every time you use it and there's a little ball inside you can hear rattling around), it's very lightweight, it absorbs super fast, it doesn't leave skin looking (or feeling!) greasy or shiny, and remarkably it makes a GREAT base for makeup! After applying this sunscreen I wait about 3 minutes and then start on my makeup application, which I've noticed goes on smoother and easier. I really love this sunblock and best of all, it has definitely not broken me out like the sunscreens of my teens. I use this in the morning only.

The bonus step is using a sheet mask (which I've written about in its own blog post here!) I try to use a sheet mask least a 2-3x a month, but 1-2x a week would be best. However, I don't always have the time or energy, and some is better than none! When I use a sheet mask it's usually at night, after I've fully cleansed and applied my hyaluronic acid serum. I'll leave the sheet mask on for about half an hour, then remove it and massage what remains on my face so that it absorbs fully into my skin. A minute or so later, I continue on as usual with my moisturizers and creams.

Wow, this was an epic length post, so much so that I almost feel like congratulations are in order if you've made it all the way to the end. Please feel free to share your favorite skincare products in the comments! Questions and suggestions are also totally welcome! As with any product promising a therapeutic effect, please make sure you do your own research as well! I'm not a dermatologist nor do I have any medical or scientific background so I have discovered these products by reading tons of reviews and by pure trial and error. Although I love how they work for me, keep in mind that everyone's skin is different and has different needs. Also, I need to note that although I do consider myself to have sensitive skin, I do not have any ingredient allergies as far as I know. With that said, I hope this post inspires you to give more thought to your own skincare regime, perhaps discovered a new product, or simply wear more SPF!

** This post is not sponsored in any way. The Amazon links may earn me a small commission if you purchase, but there is absolutely no difference in the cost to you. The other links are included for informational purposes only and earn no commission. **