Tag: korean skincare

Summer Skincare

My favorite skincare for summer plus reviews of Erno Laszlo!

During summer, additional skincare concerns crop up: blackheads, sunburn, etc. The weather is hot and applying skincare seems heavy to the skin. Here are some easy products to use that get the job done quick and will keep your skin looking great all summer!

For getting rid of blackheads, while living in Japan, I learned a method that they use to keep their skin clean, bright, and moisturized:

step 1: pat your face with a hot towel, carefully, so as not to burn your face. This will open up the pores so that the dirt in them can get dislodged. You can heat water and dip a clean towel in it to heat. Squeeze out some of the hot water and pat face. Your face does not have to be wet and you do not have to pat your face for too long maybe 2 or 3 minutes.

step 2: your face shouldn’t be wet (you can pat dry excess water), then put some cleansing oil on your hands and rub in circular motions on your face. Cleansing oil is a Godsend for Asian skin and people who have blackheads, dry or super oily skin. The reason is that cleansing oil deep cleans but also moisturizers your skin, and depending on the type it can have other effects. Down below are my favorites:

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Sekkisei cleansing oil. I’ve been using this product for years. It used to be sold at Bath and Body works. It brightens the skin and makes it soft and shiny. This is personally my favorite. They have a new version for 28$ Can order online in the U.S.
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As per Tory Burch’s recommendation (she’s in her 50s but looks 30), I tried the cleansing oil and it’s amazing. Tory Burch uses the sea mud cleansing bar from this brand and I got it for my mom and she loves it! This travel set, with a small cleansing oil and sea mud bar, retails for 28$ and lasts a long time.
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Tatcha Cleansing oil, pricey but works! Lasts a long time.

step 3: a final step to take, after rinsing off the cleansing oil is to use a clay mask to further clean. I would only use a clay mask once or twice a week. However the hot towel + cleansing oil routine you can do once a day. I usually do cleansing oil at night, and use a much gentler cleanser in the morning. A long time favorite clay mask is the Lancome white clay mask. It used to be 20$ now it’s 36$ (boo) but it works! I’ve also tried the Borgese clay masks they come in big jars and make skin soft/supple. A little pricey though. But there’s also clay masks from Korean brands that may be more affordable. Check out sokoglam.com for affordable Korean skincare!

Next for summer: Don’t forget sunblock! My favorite sunblocks are Japanese, and if you are lucky enough to be able to buy affordable Japanese sunblock, please let me know your source! Otherwise try my favorite: Shiseido sunblock in spf 50. It has to be spf 50. That will provide ultimate protection from sunburn. I like the milky texture as it makes it easy to apply (there’s also a cream version in a smaller container that’s around 20$). It will give a white sheen to your face but should sink in. It’s easy to apply makeup or other products on top. This product is also recommended by Tory Burch. You can just apply this product and head out for the day, but I recommend putting on some kind of light toner/moisture before hand. It’s very important to do deep cleaning and remove it as soon as you get back indoors for the day, as sunblock can block pores. Your other options are a sun hat, sun gloves, sun umbrella (women in Asia use them, why did American ladies stop? lol), or you can use a car shade (sometimes you can use a child car shade does the same trick). Another option is to use mixed products like sunblock plus foundation, (such as by Laneige with spf 50 foundation compacts), but I’m not sure how resistant they are to sweat.

During the summer the skin can get dry but who wants to have heavy lotions on? You can use a light moisturizer such as an emulsion, like one from Laneige. An emulsion is like a lotion but lighter. Any Korean one should do. You can opt for the Mizon snail cream. It’s light but has so many added bonuses. It’s one of my favorite moisturizers right now. Also if you need touch ups through out the day you can use the Inglot face spray. I have searched high and low for a face spray that isn’t 30$ plus that doesn’t have alcohol (it’s 10$). I actually discovered this product in Milan and love it. Also good for setting makeup. Otherwise you can make your own spray too with rose water, for example. I love homemade!

I hope this list helps you with skincare for summer concerns! Thanks again! #Hotlanta Dont forget to check out my instagram @tehminberry

Drugstore Gems: Cheap Skincare

Skincare

Alot of people say I do not look my age, and ask me for skincare recommendations. I don’t mind dishing out the deets: I actually like it. Unfortunately, a lot of skincare is very expensive, and there can be pressure to look a certain way for women. However, I have been using a combination of skincare products, and drugstore products do work!

I have been using skincare products since maybe middle school. I would as a child watch my mom taking care of her skin. I have been doing some basic things which have probably helped a lot: wash, moisturize, protect. Here are my suggestions:

Cleansing: In the morning/night I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and every once in a while I use the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash in Pink Grapefruit. The Cetaphil is very gentle and slightly moisturizing but it will not wash off makeup. It comes in a huge bottle that lasts forever so it’s worth the price. The Neutrogena is stronger and great for washing off most makeup or for preventative measures against zits/pimples. I never had acne growing up, but its a good cleanser, though a little strong. I have to apply some toner or moisturizer after using the acne wash, but I usually do anyway.

Serums/Moisturizers: It took me a while to find a good moisturizer from the drugstore. They were either too heavy or too light. You can technically use any toner or even rose water for instance, then apply serum and moisturizer (day and night). I really like the Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Restorative Night Cream. Using in conjunction with a toner and the Loreal Revitalift Volume Filler Serum it really works! I use the cream during the day, and at night I use the the toner+serum+moisturizer. It makes my skin smooth and soft looking, not greasy at all. The Aveeno cream is I believe 15$ and the Loreal Serum is 20$, both at Target.com. Other options that I loved from Target were Korean brands, like Laneige. However they have moved, from Target and are available on their website and will become available at Sephora later in the summer.

Other Gems: Target or drugstores have other gems that I have been using for years. I really like Physician’s Formula powders. I use their translucent powder to set my makeup using a Sonia Kashuk powder brush. The brushes last for years and are a bargain. Buy the individual brushes, they are better quality. Sonia Kashuk is only available at Target, and Physician’s Formula usually has a section in most drugstores/Target. I also really like the Ivory Body Wash if you need a recommendation there. If you need a body cream to help get rid of dead skin/bumps on your skin a dermatologist recommended to me the Eucerin line (advanced repair or smoothing repair) that has AHA in it. However AHA will make your skin sensitive to the sun so wear sunblock.

Some additional good news: Peach and Lily will be bringing some Korean skincare lines to CVS Pharmacy soon at different price points and affordable items too! Check out their website/blog for more details.

*Pro-tip: skincare is not just about what you buy and apply to your skin. It’s mostly about your lifestyle: stay hydrated, sleep well, eat well (but not too much), exercise, wear hats/sun gloves/put car shades/wear sunglasses/ or just avoid the sun. Keeping clean. Don’t drink/do drugs/or smoke. Too much caffeine is bad for your skin and fat free dairy products affect skin too. Don’t stress yourself out. I think out of all of these, sleep is so important to skincare, low stress, staying hydrated, and avoid the sun. You can fake a tan! It’s not worth the permanent damage. It’s better to get some sleep then stay up thinking at night or playing on your phone (as tempting as it is), waking up at a reasonable time, and then try to find solutions to your problems. Just saying. I know it’s hard, but you will feel so much better. Everyone has problems (no matter how perfect their social media accounts) or fat their bank accounts. Even so, if things are going well for others wish them well. If things are working out for others that means there is hope. Think of that.

I hope these suggestions help as they can save you time and money given the convenience.  Thanks again and check back soon!

T.