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Japanese & Korean Skincare I Actually Use
15
items I’ve been buying and using Japanese and Korean skincare for years, including during long stays in both countries where I’ve spent far too much time going through beauty stores and looking at ingredients. My skin is sensitive and increasingly needs mo...
Sections
4
Cleansing & Exfoliation
Hydration & Calming
Treatments I Actually Keep Using
Sunscreens I’ll Actually Use
Cleansing & Exfoliation
The cleansers and exfoliating products I’ve kept because they do their job without making my sensitive skin feel aggressively stripped. I don’t exfoliate simply because a routine tells me to, so these are products I use when my skin actually needs it...
I love this cleansing oil. It removes makeup and sunscreen properly and rinses away without leaving that heavy oily film that makes me want to cleanse my face three more times.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 6.76 fl.oz, 200ml
I like this because it cleans properly but doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight afterwards. With sensitive skin, that sounds basic, but it rules out a surprising number of cleansers.
Arencia Korean Rice Mochi Face Cleanser - Face Wash, Gentle ...
I’ve always liked these because you get both physical and chemical exfoliation without having to use two separate products. I use them when my skin feels rough or dull rather than as an everyday step.
Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine
I’ve recommended this to several friends and they still use it, which probably says more than any product description could. I like it when my skin needs a quick exfoliation without using something very aggressive.
Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel
Hydration & Calming
These are the products I reach for when my skin feels dehydrated, dry, tired or simply needs something uncomplicated. I tend to prefer hydration that sinks in rather than heavy layers sitting on top of my skin.
One of my old Japanese favourites. I started using this years ago and still buy it because it gives my skin hydration without feeling like another cream sitting on top of it. Especially good when my skin feels dehydrated rather than actually dry.
Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
I’ve used this for years. I like it when my skin is looking tired or feels dehydrated and I want to wake up looking a little more refreshed without doing anything complicated.
Water Sleeping Mask: Overnight Hydrating Face Mask - Laneige
I like this when my skin needs moisture but doesn't want a heavy cream. It's light, doesn't irritate my skin and works particularly well for me in warmer weather or under makeup.
ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream 2.7 Fl Oz
One of the masks I use when my skin simply needs hydration and calming rather than ten different active ingredients. Good when my skin looks tired and I want something easy.
Round Lab - 1025 Dokdo Hydrating Water Gel Mask
If you’re curious about Round Lab but don’t want to buy several full-size products immediately, I think this is the best place to start. It’s inexpensive and gives you enough of the routine to figure out whether the brand works for your skin.
Birch Moisturizing Travel Routine Trial Kit
Treatments I Actually Keep Using
I’m much more sceptical about treatment products because this is where skincare trends can get noisy very quickly. These are the ones that earned their place because I kept using them, repurchased them or could actually see enough of a difference to ...
I was sceptical of this one because it was everywhere online. I ended up repurchasing it. I don't use it when my skin is irritated, but when my skin feels dull or uneven I genuinely notice why people like it.
VT COSMETICS CICA Reedle Shot 300, Advanced Night Exosome ...
This is one of the few beauty devices I've actually kept using. The difference for me comes from consistency, not using it once and expecting a miracle. When I'm using it regularly, my skin looks noticeably better than when I stop.
Booster Pro X2 - medicube us
Of all the PDRN products I’ve tried, this is one I particularly like for uneven tone and dark spots. I’m much more interested in whether I can actually see a difference than in the PDRN hype around it.
medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum with Rose PDRN
I keep these for the days when my skin looks dull or uneven and needs a bit more attention. I’m quite picky about sheet masks because a lot of them feel interchangeable, but this is one I actually kept.
Holy Hyssop Brightening Sheet Mask (5-Pack) for Post-Acne Marks ...
Sunscreens I’ll Actually Use
I’m very particular about sunscreen texture because the best SPF is useless if I don’t want to wear or reapply it. These are the Japanese and Korean sunscreens that have worked for me in real life, including hot and humid weather and reapplication du...
A Japanese sunscreen I actually trust when I'm outside for hours. I've used it in very hot and humid weather and it stays comfortable without making me want to wash my face after twenty minutes.
Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50+ PA++++ 2024 ...
This lives in my bag because I actually want something I can reapply during the day without getting sunscreen all over my hands. It’s mainly a convenience product for me, but that means I genuinely use it rather than forgetting to reapply.
Peptide 9 Bio Sun Stick Pro SPF50+ PA++++