Heads up - stay tuned till the end of this post, because I've got a discount link from Peach and Lily for you!
We all have those days where you just need a fresh start for your skin. I get this feeling the most often in the summer - probably a mix of the heat and the increased oil production in my skin. I've whittled together a go-to routine for when my skin's crying out for rejuvenation.
I tend to do this routine on weekends when I'm not wearing makeup, so I skip my makeup removal step and head straight to a regular cleanser. I've written about my love for the Cremorlab Gentle Foaming Cleanser* here, and I'm still loving it now. It really feels like you're hitting the refresh button for your skin - the bubbles in the foam feel super energizing and invigorating. This doesn't strip my skin and just leaves it feeling fresh and clean.
I use the Pixi Glow Tonic pretty much every night after cleansing, but I always make sure to use it after the Foaming Cleanser. Since it's an acid toner, it ensures my skin's pH balance is regulated after using the more basic cleanser. I've written about this time and again on my blog, and it's probably my most favorite skincare product ever. It truly changed my skin for the better when I started using it, and it helps keep my skin from getting clogged and congested on these hot, humid days. You wouldn't think this about an acid toner, but it actually feels really soothing and calming on my skin - it must have something to do with the aloe vera it contains.
Next, I move on to an essence. Essences are something I never thought of using until I received the Mizon Water Volume Ex First Essence* from Peach and Lily. It may seem like an unnecessary extra step, but I really notice a difference in my skin's hydration when I take a second to use this. This particular essence contains snow algae extract to soothe and hydrate the skin, along with ceramide to lock in moisture. I always make sure to use this during my "refreshing" routine because it feels just that to apply and leaves my skin dewy and hydrated. Sometimes I use a sheet mask instead of the essence, since they're just sheets soaked in an essence. My favorite one is the Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask - I tend to buy it in bulk so I'm never without it. I think all sheet masks feel absolutely wonderful and revitalizing on the skin, but this one in particular takes the cake for its ability to both hydrate the skin and calm any blemishes. If I use this while I have one of those painful under-the-skin spots, it's immediately smaller and less painful - no wonder it's my favorite.
After an essence/mask I go in with the Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream* (full review here). Since my skin leans on the dry/dehydrated side, I use this as more of a serum step than my final moisturizing step. If my skin is having a particularly oily moment though, I'll end my routine here. This really just plumps up my skin and instantly makes it feel less tired.
After letting the Snail Cream absorb and do its thing for awhile, I like to finish off with an oil or a more oily moisturizer. I particularly love ending this routine the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil because of how reparative it is for the skin. After trialling this for about a month (let me know if you'd like a full review at some point), I can really say I have noticed a difference in my skin's texture and in its evenness. Truly amazing stuff. If I'm not using the Luna oil (I tend to stick to using it every other night), or if I'm doing this routine in the morning (which also feels amazing by the way), I'll end with a nice coating of the Nourish Argan Skin Renew (reviewed here). I can really feel it repairing and rehydrating my skin after a long day or if I wake up feeling particularly parched.
I just love going through this routine after an especially long day at work or during a chilled-out weekend pamper session. It's extremely relaxing, so it's perfect for before bed, but it's also so rejuvenating that it would be great in the morning as well.
As promised, I've got a little discount link for Peach and Lily since I've mentioned so many products from them. If you follow THIS LINK, you'll get $10 off your first purchase of $50 or more. My top picks from the site are the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel, the Mizon Snail Repair Cream, and the Cremorlab Blemish Minus Mask. I also really want to try the Shangpree Gold Black Pearl Hydrogel Eye Masks.
What are your favorite refreshing skincare products?
