While on holiday in Manila, I read an article on how to achieve clear skin – this was a magazine from the Philippines talking about Korean beauty.

There are about 7 different steps which you must do every night in order to keep your skin healthy and glowing. Its not an easy task but if you stick to this routine, I guarantee a dramatic improvement in your skin tone, suppleness and glow.

Step 1: Cleanse

After you’ve removed all of your make up (thoroughly) a good cleanser is super important. If you have oily skin use a gel based wash. For dry skin, a sensitive cream version is better.

Oily skin try:

 

Shu Uemura Pu:re Nu Cleansing Oil-in-gel 100ml

I use the Shu Uemura cleansing oil and the Garnier Cleanser gel interchangeably.

For dry skin try ( I used to use this one – its really good!) Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser

 

So super gentle!

Step 2: Tone

If you ever get lazy and don’t want to follow all the steps, the 3 key ones to stick to (like a rock!) are 1. Cleanse 2. Tone 3. Moisturize

Does not matter what brand but if you are trying to maintain a balanced skin tone, trying to eliminate shine, controlling break outs, try and use something which has a bit of alcohol. A bit will not hurt you and won’t be drying if you use the right moisturiser. Toner helps pick up the dirt,oil and grime that your cleanser won’t (and trust me – your cleanser will not do 100% of the job – ever).

Apply a bit of toner to your demak pad and wipe gently the areas of your face which are the most oily. These are usually your T-zone, around your nose, chin and forehead. Have a look at the demak pad and you’ll see the dirt and oil which your cleanser did not pick up. Do you really want to go to bed with that stuff still on your face? I don’t think so!

We live in very polluted areas, the outside is full of dust, car pollution and grime you might not notice, so its very important to use toner to pick up the last of all that bad stuff which lands on your beautiful face!

My toner is:

 

Biore triple action astringent

I think they might have re-branded and the product now has a blue bottle like this

It still should do the same job though as the ingredients should be the same.

Step 3: Apply emulsion

What is emulsion you might ask? Its basically a very basic and light form of moisturiser – like a milky liquid. This is applied first to your clean face so that it gets absorbed really well by the open pores.

I use the Missha Marine Stem Cell Control Emulsion

 

Missha cosmetics are very affordable and they have a big range of products available in Australia which is great. I frequent the 455 George st store often in Sydney. Its right inside the QVB (Ground level).

Step 4: Apply Serum

Serums are a more concentrated form of moisture and help seal in the emulsion which is to keep your skin hydrated throughout the night.

I use the Missha Super Aqua Pore Ideal Serum

 

Its very light and refreshing so won’t leave any heavy residue.

Step 5: Use an anti-age moisturiser or treatment

If you’re in your mid twenties or higher, the truth is you need to start using anti-age products. Prevention of wrinkles and sun damage is better than treatment of these things which are practically irreversible without surgery. So to keep yourselves looking youthful, try and invest in an anti-age moisturiser (some of them are not very cheap unfortunately) and make it a habit to apply every night before bed.

I use the Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisturiser

Its affordable and has Retinol SA which is basically one of the only ingredients in anti-age treatment that have been proven to actually work. (Another one is Vitamin C).

 

This product doesn’t have a fantastic smell, I’ll tell you straight away – but thats one of the signs that its got real Retinol in it.

You can tell a retinol product is going to do its job when the moisturiser/treatment comes in a tube or bottle which are NOT see through as retinol becomes ineffective when exposed to light. And if the smell is not ‘nice’. Then you have yourself a winner

Step 6: Use eye cream/treatment

No one I know gets enough sleep and rest these days. We are always running on empty and our sleep depravation and energy lows result in puffy eyes and dark circles. Apply an eye cream or serum for under eyes to help keep them looking fresh.

I use the RICH skincare Caffeine Eye Serum

 

If you need an alternative. It is not as potent and I find its more for puffy eyes than dark circles or treating wrinkles:

Clinique All About Eyes

 

Step 7: Apply face oil/body oil

I put body oil because you can also use Bio Oil - only use a bit as its quite heavy.

I use my Parisian beauty buy ( blog post on my other Paris beauty buys here)

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse 

Its fantastically light, has a delightful fragrance and is a French beauty essential. I bought 2 bottles, one is a plain oil and the other has sparkles

You use oil to seal in the moisture from previous steps 3 to 7.

 

Your skin will love you if you repeat all these steps religiously and you’ll notice results straight away. There won’t be as much need to put on primer before your foundation as your skin will be a perfect palette for make up without it.

Let me know your beauty tips and I hope you enjoyed this post!

x

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