Recs from 40-something year old skincare enthusiast with dry, dehydrated skin. Sharing the mix of American and K-Beauty products I use to boost hydration and improve the look of my skin via peptides, vitamin C, and retinoids.
Sections
5
A.M. Basics
P.M. Basics
Protect with SPF
Extras
Hair
A.M. Basics
Gentle cleanse | prep: Toner or essence | treat: Vit C and/or antiox treatment | Moisturize | SPF protect
Gentle facial cleanser
Aveeno Calm + Restore Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin with Nourishing Oat & Feverfew - Fragrance Free - 7.8 fl oz
HYDRATING TONER $ When my skin feels extra tight-dry, layer this on after cleansing.
Cosmic Silk Milky Toner
Vit C serum for protecting the skin. Use after cleaning before moisturizing.
Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum - 15% L-Ascorbic Acid
Light gel texture. Another good 10% vit C formula.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum - 1 fl oz
$$ Gold standard moisturizer. Great for barrier repair.
Lipid Gold, Ceramide Moisturizer
P.M. Basics
Cleanse | Prep | treatment - either peptides and/or a retinol | moisturizer
Favorite cleansing balm when I need to break down makeup/SPF. Light citrus scent, no oily residue after rinsing!
Living Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover - Then I Met You
Keep this in the shower! Gentle enough for the face and value sized so you can use it for the body, too.
Glycerin Cleanser For The Face & Body - Gleanser
ENZYME MIST - I spritz after cleansing. This mist reduces redness and neutralizes pollution.
Superoxide Dismutase 3 Enzyme Mist (SDEM3)
My other favorite milky essence. So hydrating. My skin drinks it up.
Great starter retinal. Helps with cell turnover (glowy skin) and this gel-cream formula feels delightful, no irritation. I used this before moving on to Rx tretinoin.
Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%
She is thick, she is creamy. Highly rec for anyone using retinal/tretinoin!
DeliKate® Recovery Cream - Kate Somerville Skin Care
If you like a tube dispenser- this K-Beauty rich barrier cream is it.
Dr. Althea - 345 Relief Cream
Protect with SPF
K-beauty SPF for the face - not greasy, velvet finish.
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Sunscreen
$ SPF BODY favorite - super light lotion dries down quickly. Love it.
Banana Boat® Light As Air Lotion SPF 50+
$ No weird sunscreen taste! Goes on clear and really smooth.
Rohto Melty Cream Lip Balm SPF 25 PA+++
$ Body SPF. Another good one without a white cast! Chemical filters. Non-greasy.
BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN Large Kids SPF 50 Lotion 6oz
Hands-free SPF that i keep in my purse. I also use it on my neck and top of hands, my kids faces.
Quick sunstick Protection bar
Extras
Optional extras to add in to the skincare regimen.
To keep acne at bay. Light exfoliating treatment for the nose & chin to keep blackheads away.
BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Treatment - COSRX | Ulta Beauty
EYE My favorite eye cream
Multi-Peptide Eye Cream
EYE I like the metal tip applicator here
Revitalizing Eye Cream
Lips - Just thick enough and lightly citrus scented, lasts quite a while on the lips without being sticky
Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment - OLEHENRIKSEN | Sephora
Overnight Lip treatment that feels luxurious
Le Chouchou Viral 3-in-1 Lip Treatment | Award-Winning Balm
A must during dry winter szn!
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Repairing Hand Mask - 0.7 fl oz
It's giving Freddy Krueger but with consistent use, it seems to make my skin feel firmer/smoother and heal blemishes faster.
LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2
Hydrating sheet masks. Use pre-event for a super glowy, plumped and smooth effect.
BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Deep Hydrogel Mask 4ea
SOAK at least 30 mins in hot water beforehand! Anyone else with extra dry hands and feet?
Baby Foot Original Exfoliation Foot Peel - Lavender - 2.4 fl oz
When I can’t be bothered to wash my face in the morning or after a workout but still want to feel refreshed.
Five brightening ingredients incl Vit C to help with dark spots
numbuzin No.5+ Glutathione Vitamin Concentrated Face Serum - 1.01 fl oz
Hair
Hair shedding/thinning and drier texture is real in perimenopause. A few items I've used to help with this. I've got normal-oily scalp for my 3 hairs.
Pre-shampoo treatment. Massage encourages bloodflow to the scalp. It seems counterintuitive to use oil on my oily scalp but this doesn't make you oilier!
