In 2018, my life was a disaster. I had no routine outside of my part-time day job which was unfulfilling. Even getting myself out of bed was difficult. Waking up meant I had to endure another day of uptight customers, mindless tasks, and worst of all the heartbreak of waking up alone. To top off my financial struggles and lack of motivation, I was also trying to survive a nightmare of a breakup.
It was undeniable that these struggles manifested in my body. Even though I hadn’t suffered from acne since I was a teen, I was breaking out. I had put on weight. I had to admit, I wasn’t fooling anyone. I started buying cleansers to control my skin, but they only made me break out more. One day, I took to researching natural skin-care products and found the magic of the Asian Beauty 10-Step Skincare Routine.
First, this intimidated me. It sounded like nine steps too many. But I gave it a shot, trying a few of the steps at a time. I decided that for me, a five-step routine was easier. It wasn’t long before I found that my morning routine made me look forward to getting out of bed each day. I felt good going into work, and I felt relaxed before bedtime. For those of you struggling to get into a routine, here is my modified 5-step method (with an optional sixth step that I 110% endorse).
I am proud to share that my modified skincare routine has been going strong since January 2019. No, having a skincare routine didn’t magically heal me from my depression, but it did show me how to incorporate magic into myself each day. Over time, simple self-care has made a huge impact on my relationship with myself. I never knew that I deserved to have it so good!
We all deserve to be pampered, and plopping on a sheet mask is never a bad way to get started in the practice of “self-love magic.” Now on to the simple five-steps:
Step 1: Wash with water (or “cleansing” oil)
Before anything else, wash your face with just water (although some people swear by the Oil Cleansing Method to eliminate impurities). Water keeps skin hydrated and gets rid of any impurities that have accumulated overnight. If you are feeling like trying something new, try splashing this watery oil substance on your face each morning. See the lowest price on cleansing oil on Amazon.
Step 2: Use a toner
To balance the skin’s pH levels, I use a toner. I just apply some to a cotton ball and wipe it across my face. Without a toner, skin can become dry and dehydrated. Asian toners tend to be more hydrating, with ingredients like hydraulic acid, whereas Western toners contain ingredients, like alcohol, that can be drying. I highly recommend Laneige. See the lowest price on Amazon.
Step 3: Add serum
Serums can help to target skin concerns such as dehydration, dark spots, and wrinkles. I use an all-natural vitamin C serum.
Step 4: Use a moisturizer
Applying a moisturizer has been key in getting my skin soft and bright again. There are a ton of moisturizers on the market. I am a huge fan of gel-based ones because they feel extra hydrating.
Step 5: Apply sunscreen
My mother always told me to wear sunscreen, but I never listened. Protecting the skin on a daily basis from UV rays will help keep your skin looking younger for longer.
Step 6: My favorite step, using a face mask
Sheet masks come in all different varieties, such as charcoal, gold, ginseng, and more. Some even look like cute animals. I love to indulge in a sheet mask on a weekend when I have some time to lay around. My current favorite is a Japanese brand called LuLuLun. I admit, I love the packaging, but I also love that they come in packs of ten or 20 and are pretty inexpensive. See the lowest-priced LuLuLun masks on Amazon.
Not only do I feel about five years younger, but I love having a new self-care practice that helps me look forward to each day. I have even started making my own coconut oil exfoliating scrubs—taking the time to pick out my herbs and oils and really enjoying the process. (Bonus, I now smell like a flower!)
Is your favorite skincare product missing from this list? Tell us about it in the comments and we will check it out!