Well, maybe not my life, but certainly my skin.
I never thought I’d be that person — the one who raves about skincare routines with religious fervor. But here I am, doing just that. Because when I tell you this routine changed my skin and my confidence, I’m not exaggerating. For years, I struggled with dullness, breakouts, and uneven texture. After months of trial and error, I finally landed on this holy grail lineup that has completely transformed my skin.
My mantra is “Cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, moisturise and protect.”
Here’s what my AM routine looks like:
- Cleanse – I will be honest I just wash my face with water. I don’t think any product is necessary for morning cleansing.
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner Pad – These toner pads are a dream. Soaked in a soothing essence with 77% Heartleaf extract, they gently exfoliate and tone at the same time. My pores look tighter, and the blackheads are way less noticeable. I swipe one across my face and neck every morning—it feels like a mini spa moment.
- Allies of Skin Vitamin C Serum – This tiny bottle of magic is packed with a powerful brightening complex. It firms, smooths, and leaves my skin with a natural glow. I’ve noticed a big difference in the fading of dark spots and overall evenness of my skin tone since introducing this.
- Cosrx Niacinamide 15 Serum – I follow up with this lightweight serum that targets breakouts and blemishes. Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient, and at 15%, this serum is no joke. My skin looks clearer and less inflamed, and it helps control excess oil throughout the day.
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence – Okay, I was skeptical about snail mucin (whatever that means) at first—but I’m officially a convert. This essence is like a shot of hydration and healing for my face. It has drastically improved the texture of my skin and helped with any post-acne marks. It absorbs quickly and leaves the skin looking plump and dewy.
- Anua Heartleaf 70% Daily Lotion – To seal it all in, I use this intensely hydrating lotion. It’s rich without being greasy, and packed with calming Heartleaf extract. My skin feels soft, balanced, and protected—perfect for layering under SPF and makeup.
- SPF Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Mild Sunscreen – It’s silky and smooth, you don’t really feel it on your skin.
It might seem like an overdoing and maybe it is, but it works wonders for me.
PM skincare routine
I am pregnant now so retinol is out of the question, but in the normal circumstances it’s a religious part of my routine.
- Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm (Banila Co) – I start with this sherbet-textured balm to melt off SPF, makeup, and impurities. It turns into a silky oil on contact and rinses off easily, leaving no residue — just soft, fresh skin.
- COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum – Packed with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and peptides, this serum is a hydration bomb. It helps even out my skin tone, smooth texture, and prep my skin for the deeper treatments that follow. I pat a few pumps into damp skin right after cleansing.
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair – A classic for a reason. This silky serum targets signs of aging, stress, and fatigue. I use it nightly — it sinks in beautifully and makes my skin feel firmer and more resilient over time. It is expensive but, in my opinion, worth it.
- Bi-Oil Skincare Oil – I seal everything in with a few drops of Bi-Oil. It’s lightweight but deeply nourishing, and it gives my skin a lovely glow. Plus, it helps with evening out skin tone and reducing the appearance of any scars or spots.
