I thought it was about time I did an update on my skin and talk about one of my acid-heavy skin care routines, since I haven’t done one in a while. I’m a huge fan of acids; I just can’t get enough of them. My skin responds to them positively, especially glycolic acid and lactic acid in a mixture. Here is a skin care routine I often reach to in the morning.
Cleanse
Erborian Black Cleansing Oil: If you’ve read my review on this, you already know I don’t fancy this as a cleansing oil, mainly because it isn’t a true cleansing oil. To avoid trashing it, I have been using it periodically as a regular cleanser, with a damp face. It does a great job used this way.
Tone, Serum, Treatment
Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose: This is a relatively new product I am testing out. It’s glycolic acid based and I’m almost out of it! It’s the first step in the morning after cleansing. If I am feeling like I need more moisture, I will mist my face with the Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner, another product I am testing. I have been a bit fussy with with this toner mist, mainly because it’s a water based toner, but more on that later.
I recently repurchased the Niod Re:Pigment Serum because of the potential I saw in it to fade the dark marks on my face. I have started applying this with a cotton ball rather than a cotton pad; I find I use less of it that way. I only apply it directly to my scars and let it settle in for about ten minutes. This serum has so many acids in it, which is what attracted me to it in the first place. Make sure to read my review on this one.
Moisture
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% Ferulic Acid 3%: This is an antioxidant and also provides moisture for me because it is basically an oil. I sometimes alternate this with the bit of Biossance Squalane + Rose Oil I have left over from my Weightless Hydration Essentials Set. This oil is impressive in that it’s light and doesn’t take long to seep into your skin.
Kate Somerville Exfolikate Glow Moisturizer: This moisturizer leaves my skin feeling baby soft, provides just enough moisture for my skin during the winter, and also contains on of my favorite acids, lactic acid for even more exfoliation.
For reference, I have oily skin that isn’t so oily in the winter. I have been detecting drier skin in the mornings when I wake up and thought maybe it was transitioning to normal, but I don’t see a difference in the amount of oil I produce when I am at work (in a traditional office building).
I generally use a regimen like this about two or three times a week and let up on the acids the rest of the week. For me, acids have a tendency of lightening my skin slightly so I usually only use them where I need them rather than on my whole face, depending on what it is.
Even though it may not feel like I need it, I make sure I perform moisture overload after applying so many acids to my face. These are basically performing a chemical exfoliation. Anyone with drier or even normal skin knows how dry your skin can get if you fail to moisturize after using acids. I also recommend using a sunscreen after chemical exfoliation. With that, I’ll say, “do as I say, not as I do” because I rarely use sunscreen in the winter and I’m sure I can come up with 10 good reasons why I don’t but you definitely should. Sometimes, we get a surprise ray of sunshine and that’s when I remember I should have worn sunscreen!
I’ve got a few different combinations of skincare routines and when I give myself extended facials, sometimes I use more than what you see here.
What are your favorite acids? I’d love to hear about them!
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