🌱 Korean Beauty: East Meets West-Skincare Edition 🌱

[darlyndar]

As part of my New Year's resolution, I promised myself I would explore the world of Korean beauty a lot more than I have. I would love this to be a place to discuss and share your experience!

I am currently practicing the "7 Skin Method" every morning. This will help hydrate dry skin as well as balance sebum production is oily skin. I was a grease factory and am now very normal. This method is simply applying a hydrating toner 7 times in a row. You can use a cotton round, but I prefer to apply 5/6 drops to the palm of my hand and press it into my skin. I am currently using:

• Missha First Treatment Essence 2X ($49)
• Amore Pacific Single Extract Vintage Essence 1X ($145)
• ElishaCoy Moist Up Hyalurone Ampoule Essence 4X ($10)

Results are immediate! My skin is plump and glowing. Now, I could NEVER give up my Good Genes and Luna, but this will definitely take the place of some very expensive skincare products I use like my Vintner's Daughter. I would love to hear about Korean Beauty products you have discovered. I'm all for spending in the name of great skin! ❤️❤️❤️

[sprocketta]

@fieldsofclover I'm definitely seeing how one could be overwhelmed.  The summary and realistic assessment helps a lot.  Thank you.

[Kim888]

@darlyndar @fieldsofclover Are you ladies still moisturizing after the 7 skin method in the morning? I've still been using a moisture after the essences (I use the embryolisse moisturizer ) but I'm not sure if I'm overwhelming my skin. I did some quick research on it and the articles said you totally still can, and my skin doesn't seem over saturated or anything, but I was wondering what everyone else was doing!

[Aaliaa]

Like the ladies said it does depend on your skin but an essence and moisturizer do different things. An essence attracts hydration to your skin while a moisturizer 'locks in' or keep the exsitng moisture from evaporating. I would reccomend using a moiturizer, gel to a thick cream formula, depending on your skins needs. I've used the Pyunkang Yul moisture serum a few times and like it as a light moisturizer in the day time.

FYI, the embryollise mosturizer can be quite rich/thick and you might find a lighter moisturizer is all you need with the seven skin method. @Kim888

[Kim888]

@Aaliaa Thank you! That was super helpful - i was using a gel moisturizer in the summer (before i started with the essences) so maybe moving back into the warmer months I will make that switch again away from something quite so rich!

[Aaliaa]

Honestly realizing and then understanding the difference between moisture and hydration over the last 6-8 months has really helped out my skin. If you want to know more the two ladies I love are Caroline Hirons and Stephanie Nicole.

[Kim888]

@Aaliaa Love stephanie nicole - though i do sometimes get distracted when watching the longer videos haha but she is super informative! I will have to check out Caroline Hirons

[Aaliaa]

OMG anyone interested in skincare please check out Caroline. She is a facialist from London, amazing knowledge, British sense of humour, no nonsense. She does do videos but her blog has loads of great info, her 'Cheat Sheets' are my first go to when I need skincare help. I totally get you about the long videos, her skincare videos are the only ones i can watch without skipping forward. @Kim888

I feel like i should say i dont know her personally or get paid to say this, its like everyones LOVE for Pyunkang Yul Essence in this thread - its real, its true.

[darlyndar]

@Kim888 I use the Pyungkang Yul Moisture Serum after the 7 skin. It’s much lighter and I like the way my makeup looks over it. ❤️

[Kim888]

@darlyndar thanks -  that's the one you had mentioned I should check out next! 

[fieldsofclover]

@Kim888 I don't. I use a tinted moisturizer instead of a regular foundation these days (Laura Mercier, etc) so it was getting to be overkill. I found (for me) if I am diligent about getting enough masking and overnight moisture that stopping after serum or just essence was the best prep for my makeup.

I have normal skin and live in a maritime climate though, so I would say you're only overwhelming your skin if it feels... overwhelmed, I guess. You're definitely not doing anything wrong by layering on another product.

[Kim888]

@fieldsofclover thanks for the response! When i use tinted moisturizer I don't moisturize either - I mostly use a quick dusting of powder foundation for work most days though 

[makeitup305]

Do you guys do toner and essence or just one or the other? I'm almost out of all my toners (i have 3- one day, one night, one exfoliating) but I have several essences that I want to try (and already own. Right now I'm using Pyunkang Yul essence after my Son & Park Beauty water in the morning and after my Nooni deep moisture toner at night. Too repetitive?

[Aaliaa]

Hey @makeitup305. I would say it depends on the toners you have and your skin. I think using the Pyunkang Yul after the Son & Park Water is fine, I have as well. If you have oily skin or normal in summer time the Nooni and Pyunkang Yul might feel too much. Personally at night, I use the Missha First Time Essence followed by a facial mist and then the Pyunkang Yul. Depending on my skin and might multiple skins (layers) of the Pyunkang Yul if I need the hydration. I have combination-dehydrated skin, and the dehydrated part LOVES essences, especially the Pyunkang Yul. I also mist my face maybe 5-10 times a day, as I work and live in circulated heat/cool air and that really dries out your skin. Is to overkill, maybe but my skin both looks and feels great with essences.

I just realized I went on a tangent and didn't fully answer your question - I would recommend using an Essence after an Acid Toner or PH Balancing Toner for sure, not as necessary after a moisturizing/hydrating one (as its the same thing).

[makeitup305]

@Aaliaa thank you! My skin is pretty normal though it feels as if I'm keeping dryness away through rigorous skincare since I just moved to the desert and I've lived in humid climates my whole life. I might try out some new toners then 😉

[Aaliaa]

One additional thought @makeitup305 - a few years ago i too moved from a humid climate to a drier one (not quite desert) and i noticed my skin was getting dehydrated and I thought that it was getting dry. Thats why essence (and a regular skincare routine) has helped me so much. Essence/hydration helps dehydrated skin and Moisture helps dry skin generally.

[fieldsofclover]

This isn't really related to anything but I was checking out the Pyunkang hospital website and they have a letter from my old state senator featured... I just thought that was kind of cool.

Spoiler

[fieldsofclover]

I'm nearing the end of my skincare sample stash and starting to get a bit antsy, so I'm putting together my OhLolly order. Here's what my routine is looking like these days...

First cleanse: It Cosmetics melting balm (ok but not in love with it, will probably try the Heimish when it's done)

Second cleanse: various

Exfoliate: Ren daily AHA tonic (love)

Essence: Pyunkang Yul hydrating toner (7x)

Serum: DDG Firming Peptide Milk (nice enough but won't repurchase)

In the evening I do the same, except no DDG. Then:

Serum: The Ordinary hyaluronic acid

Moisturizer: various (Tatcha Water Cream, now Belif moisturizing bomb)

I'm planning to order the PKY facial oil, nutrition cream, and the smaller balancing gel (on the off chance it's the one sleeping pack that won't make my skin congested).

@darlyndar if you PM me your OhLolly referral info I can get you your 50 bonus points 💰

[fringebride]

@fieldsofclover I just picked up the Heimish All Clean Balm a few days ago and it is A+, especially for the price. The smell is fresh and lovely, sort of herbal. Also, I'm obsessed with the packaging for some reason. It's not, like, mind-blowing, just really convenient. The lid pops open and the spatula is right there and I don't have to unscrew anything.

How did you like the Tatcha Water Cream?

[fieldsofclover]

@fringebride The Tatcha was awfully nice... if I weren't set on getting a PKY cream I would really consider a full-size jar. The only other thing I've tried recently that I liked more than it has been the YTTP superfood cream (my backup option if the PKY doesn't work out for some reason).

Both are very light-feeling moisturizers... I don't have oily skin but my pores clog easily, so I'm usually better off with two layers of a light cream than using one heavier one.

[Aaliaa]

Have you tried any of the Belif creams? I know most people recommend the Moisturizing Bomb but if you are looking for a lighter moisturizer you can layer the Aqua Bomb is lovely too. I had a few deluxe samples and really enjoyed them. @fieldsofclover

[fieldsofclover]

@Aaliaa I actually have a DS of the moisturizing bomb sitting ready to go! I was about to start it, then my YTTP promo came and cut to the front of the line 😂 It'll probably be the last thing I try out but I might not make myself keep waiting. I just do it out of habit 😉