New Beginnings + Base Skincare Routine

There's never quite a good time to start anew.

Since the idea for the birth of this blog began doing laps in my head, I've been dreaming about how I'd be presenting it. Would it be written professionally, with a minimal theme and echo a vogue simplicity? Would it be dynamic, with tastefully shot photos and all out flatlays with flowers to match the characteristic of products reviewed? Originally I was going to wait until the trimester finished before I started this, but in the end, the beginning became now. 

No grand aesthetic, no defined feel, yet. For now it's just me and some products, a world away from the stress, trying to regain that freeflowing feeling of being able to write and convey my thoughts and intentions. It's a coming to terms that I will never be a born natural, or immediately perfect in anything I do - and that's okay. So long as I start somewhere, and that I'm constantly moving forward or learning from when I fall backwards, that's okay.

Without further ado, let's establish a base skincare routine. The goals are to establish no-frills, products that work to calm and moistuire the skin, while eliminating dry patches. They should not irritate the skin at all.

Oil Cleanser

If my skin is upset, I'm definitely going to keep using make up to cover it up meaning an oil cleanser is a must. Before I was using Sephora's Oil Cleanser (unpictured) which was quite thick and occlusive, but did a great job at dissolving make up and removing the bulk of it. It's also a very boring product compared to other K-Beauty products, but it works. 

Since I finished it, I've moved onto trying Klairs Gentle Oil Cleanser. It's of a far thinner consistency, 3 pumps is usually what I need to emulsify all the make up and sunscreen on my face, ears and neck. Both cleansers have left my face feeling soft and supple, but Sephora is more accessible for me than waiting several weeks from Wishtrend.

Where to buy
Wishtrend

Hadalabo Gokyujun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

Image taken from Amazon listing

I don't want to a second cleanser in case it dries out my skin too much, so this doubles as a to remove any makeup residue whilst hydrating my skin.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence

I absolutely adore this product. When it's first dispensed, it seems quite viscous for an essence but it absorbs surprisingly quickly into the skin. It helps to soothe my skin and visibly reduces redness, especially when my skin is inflamed.

Where to buy
iHerb*
StyleKorean*
TesterKorea

Swisse Vitamin E Facial Moisturiser //  Cetaphil Moisturising Cream

From L - R: Swisse Anti-Aging Eye Cream Swisse Vitamin E Facial Moisturiser
Cetaphil Moisturising Cream
Benton Fermentation Eye Cream

Cetaphil is a very thick, occlusive cream that I would only use at night due to it's consistency. It's boring, bland but definitely my go to every time my skin throws a temper. No need for a facial oil after this one, even my GP recommended that I wait at least 30 minutes before using a particular prescription cream after it.

Where to buy
Swisse + Cetaphil range can be found at Chemist Warehouse in Australia

Ingredients list for Swisse + Cetaphil Moisturisers

I picked Swisse specifically because it's very unlikely to react badly with other skincare products, unlike the time I forgot to check my ingredients for niacinamide and started using a propolis based cream (shudders). It's also less occlusive than Cetaphil and therefore sits better under make up. It's also a very affordable drugstore line that often has 50% off sales at Chemist Warehouse. 

Swisse Anti-Age Argan Oil // Benton Fermentation Eye Cream

In the two weeks I've been testing these products (one on each side) they have effectively moisturised my undereye area. They've also smoothed out the once, very bunched up fine lines, enough to reduce creasing of concealer and patchiness. Note: not eliminate, reduce. Sometimes I'll also use these products if the skin around my lips are cracking/flaking for extra TLC.

While I'd love to think Benton does a better job than Swisse, I can't say there's a noticeable difference. Maybe my skin doesn't care for galactomyces, or maybe I'll only appreciate its effects when I'm 50 and one side of my undereye area is pristine and wrinkle-less, while the other side is heaving with rolls of loose skin *shrugs* 

So there you have it, my current no-frills skincare routine that I'll always be going to. With that settled, let the craziness and fun of product trialing begin!

Benton Fermentation Eye Cream @ StyleKorean* and TesterKorea

* Affiliate Links