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Skincare I Personally Use Every Day for my Oily, Dehydrated skin

25 items

Samar Ikram

Started with Korean skincare during COVID as a curiosity, ended up a full-blown junkie. This is everything currently in rotation for oily, dehydrated skin; mists, toners, sunscreen, cleansing balms, retinol. Updated as I switch things up.

Sections

Mists

Toner

Sunscreen

Cleansing Balm

Moisturisers

Face wash

Mists

Keeps oily skin hydrated without any shine. Use throughout the day.

I like that it's not just water. I spray it after cleansing and then again during the day whenever my skin feels dry. Even in hot summer months it doesn't make my oily skin look shiny or greasy, which is the main reason I keep buying it over other mi...

Dear, Klairs - Fundamental Ampule Mist

This one sits right in the middle, not too heavy and not too light, which is what I need on days my skin feels dehydrated but still oily. I use it as a light layer under my moisturizer, and it doesn't leave any sticky feeling once it dries down.

SIORIS - Time Is Running Out Mist

Toner

Hydrating without feeling heavy. My skin looks brighter after.

My skin looks brighter after I use this, and it just looks more put together overall, even without makeup. I use it after cleansing, before my other toners or serums, and it soaks in fast enough that I can move on to the next step right away.

Yuja Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Toner

This is very hydrating without feeling heavy on my skin, and I don't need much of it, just a couple of pats is enough. I use it after cleansing, and since it's fragrance free, it doesn't sting or bother my skin the way some scented toners do.

haruharu wonder - Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance Free

This is my most recent find and I am already loving it. I alternate it these days with Yuja Niacin. It is thicker but absorbs quickly and the peach fragrance is definiteky a morning wake-up color. My skin looks more even and brighter last 2 weeks.

Anua Peach 77 Niacin Essence Toner

Sunscreen

Watery, no grease. One with tint for work days.

I'm on my third tube of this, and I keep a backup packed in my drawer at all times. It's watery, not thick like a lot of sunscreens, and I don't get any grease on my face after I put it on, even a few hours later on a hot day.

Kao - Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen SPF ...

I wear this on days I'm out for work most of the day. It has a light tint, so it works as light coverage on its own and I don't put makeup over it. On my oily, dehydrated skin it doesn't get shiny or leave a white cast like some sunscreens I've tried...

Anthelios Skincare | Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Cleansing Balm

What I use every night. Dissolves everything, doesn't strip my skin.

I use it every night to cleanse my face. It literally dissolves all the dirt on my face. I haven't had to try another Balm since 5 years.

Beauty of Joseon - Radiance Cleansing Balm NEW

This is my second cleansing step, right after the Radiance Cleansing Balm. I use it every night to rinse off whatever the balm leaves behind. It has a light, clean scent that isn't too strong, and my skin doesn't feel stripped or tight after, which m...

Beauty of Joseon - Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

Moisturisers

Absorbs in seconds. Safe to layer under makeup or tretinoin.

I use this once a day, in the afternoon after I shower, to put back any hydration my skin lost that morning. It soaks in within seconds, so it doesn't feel sticky or slow me down before I get dressed and head out.

Dear, Klairs - Fundamental Water Gel Cream

I reach for this on nights I'm using tretinoin, since it's thick enough to calm the irritation without feeling greasy on top of everything else in my routine. I also use it under makeup on days I need extra hydration. It soaks in fast so my foundatio...

Neutrogena - Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

Face wash

Gentle, lasts forever. A little goes a long way.

I started this two months ago, using it 3-4 times a day, and the tube is still only about half empty. One small pump makes more foam than I expect each time, which is why it's lasted longer than every other face wash I've bought this year.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser Set

Serum

For brightening and pores. Some strong enough to pair with tret.

This was the first serum I ever tried, and I saw results within a week, which is what got me hooked on serums in general. I apply it with tretinoin at night, layering it in before the tret so my skin can handle both together.

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Brightening Serum for Uneven Skin

This is my morning serum to help with pores and skin tightening. I've never been disappointed. I'm on my 10th bottle at this point, so it's become a permanent step in my routine that I don't skip, no matter how rushed my morning is.

The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

Retinol

My holy grail. Anti-ageing, oily skin, overall skin quality.

This is the retinol I basically with 2 years ago to prepare my skin for the stronger tretinoin. It's a good first step if you're new to retinol, since it's gentler, and starting light like this let my skin get used to it before I moved up.

The Ordinary - Retinol 1% In Squalane Serum

This is my holy grail for anti ageing, oily skin, and overall skin quality. I'm literally ageing backwards with it. It's the one product in my routine for fine lines and texture, not just to hydrate or brighten. I put it on at night and started slow ...

Tretinoin - Member Prescription Program Prices - Costco Wholesale

Cream

For barrier support when I'm on tret. Absorbs fast, twice a day.

This absorbs really fast, so it never feels like an extra step. I usually apply it twice a day when I have been using tret regularly to prevent damage to skin.

ROVECTIN - Calming Sensitive Lotus Cream

This is the newest thing in my routine. I put it on last, in the morning, after toner, serum, and moisturizer, to seal everything in. It's early days with this one, but so far it hasn't broken me out or felt heavy under the rest of my routine, which ...

DR.RASHEL

I tan easily even with sunscreen, so I was looking for something for dark spots, not just general brightening. This is my first time trying it for the alpha-arbutin, and it's become the step in my routine for tan lines that my other brightening produ...

Estelin Skin Brightening Cream with Alpha Arbutin & Niacinamide

Face Mask

Nothing like face-masks for a little luxury and hydration. I love to put these on while taking a nap.

I use this every night as the last layer on my face, after everything else has soaked in. It's meant to protect my skin barrier, which matters most on nights I've used tret or other actives that can leave my skin more sensitive.

Medicube

I put this on right after my shower and leave it on while I nap, so it's not a once-in-a-while mask, it's a daily step for me. Using a sheet mask this often instead of just serum is just easier, since it's one layer I can leave on and forget instead ...

Mary&May Niacinamide + Vitamin C Sheet Mask

Eyecare

I have had dark circles since my childhood. Cannot be completely cured because they are genetic but two products keep them manageable.

I apply this every night on top of my tret, mostly on the eye area, to help with dark circles. It only works for me if I use a medicated brand with at least 15%, anything weaker and I don't notice much of a difference in the darkness.

Azelaic Acid GEL 15%

I apply this every morning to help my eyes look brighter and a bit fuller. It also helps with my dark circles, so it's become part of my morning routine right alongside my other eye and brightening products.

The Ordinary - Argireline-Solution 10%

Lip care

My perpetually chapped lips are always fighting my skin for some much needed moisture.

While my face is oily, my lips are perpetually chapped. This is one ointment which has actually worked where nothing else did. I apply it daily at night and wake up with fresh supple lips every morning.

Lip Hydration Treatment

Why Korean Skincare?

So, why Korean skincare? I find Korean skincare much gentler on my skin. A lot of the products I’ve tried don’t leave my skin feeling dry, tight or stripped after using them, which is important to me because my skin can be oily and dehydrated at the...

This is one of my go-to channels to learn about tips and tricks for korean skincare. I learn something useful every single time

KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE | the secret to glazed, glass, supermodel skin! (melanin friendly)