While I don’t believe in magic overnight effects or the one product to cure it all, I do think that it’s worth it to explore ingredients and products to find your favorites and ultimately HG products. I’ve tried a lot of products in the past fews years and there are a few that have been real skincare gamechangers for me. The gamechangers-series on my blog will be about handpicked tried and true products and techniques that got me significant improvements. Enjoy!
Products mentioned
- Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Klairs Supple Preparation Toner
- Skins Boni Yoghurt Mask Pack
- Cosrx Centella Blemish Cream
- Pimple Patches
My skin concern: acne
Please keep in mind, that what works for me might not work for you at all and vice versa, so this post is merely to introduce some products. Maybe you can discover something new and decide if you want to try it, too or make up your mind if you were thinking about trying any of them. Some are really hyped within the K-Beauty community and for me, they exceeded all expectations.
dedicated to calming any irritations down, preventing further breakouts or keeping them at bay, treating blemishes and fading hyperpigmentation from pimple marks. Of course there are many factors playing into this, but the following products have significantly improved my skin and proven themselves for a long time. The order is arranged according to routine steps (it’s not a routine outline though) and not ranking the products. They’re all gamechanging!
COSRX Low pH good morning gel cleanser | Vegan & cruelty-free
My favorite 2nd cleanser for acne prone skin. Thanks to the low pH it is very gentle and not drying on the skin, so it helps to keep the natural skin barrier intact while removing dirt and oil. The salicylic acid helps to clean out the pores and prevent acne breakouts. I use it in my evening routine after an oil-based cleanser.
Ingredients:
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA.
Gamechanging?
When I first introduced this cleanser I instantly noticed how smooth and clean my skin felt without the drying squeaky-clean feeling. When used consistently it really does help to reduce the intensity of acne breakouts as well as their occurence overall. From time to time I try other cleansers but I always quickly realize how essential this specific cleanser is for my routine and my skin will start acting up again with most cleansers. You only need a little bit to cleanse your whole face and neck, so the product also lasts for a very long time. It’s already very affordable and considering the great performance and the use you get out of it, makes it even better.
Where to buy?
It’s so popular that you can find it in various shops. Just purchase in your store of choice, these are just some suggestions of shops I have purchased from before.
German: Lovemycosmetic
International: Yesstyle (use code: (affiliated)) or Jolse
KLAIRS Supple Preparation Toner | Vegan & Cruelty-free
My favorite toner of all times, which changed the way I think about the toning step overall!It just does everything a toner is supposed to do and even more. It’s not only prepping your skin for the following steps, but is also hydrating and noticeably soothing. I like to use it in my morning as well as my evening routine. Every time I use another timer I start missing this one and I always go back.
There is also a version for sensitive skin without the essential oils, but I haven’t tried that (yet) because the original version works perfectly for me.
Ingredients Supple Preparation Facial Toner:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1
Ingredients: Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Copper Tripeptide-1
Gamechanging?
It contains botanical extracts and some of my favorite incis like Centella Asiatica extract. My skin responds so well to this ingredient and this toner in particular. When I first started using it and changing up my routine, my skin got so much smoother and my irritations calmed down significantly. The toner is not watery compared to other toners, but it’s not heavy at all and absorbs perfectly. If you want to try to layer your toner this one will be up for the job. Even after several layers moisturizer and sunscreen can be applied smoothly. I don’t even necessarily need any other products for hydrating or treating my skin because the toner ticks all of these boxes for me in one step. You could even try to do your own sheetmask with this toner by soaking cotton pads or a DIY sheetmask.
Where to buy?
It’s so popular that you can find it in various shops. Just purchase in your store of choice, these are just some suggestions of shops I have purchased from before.
German: Lovemycosmetic
International: Yesstyle (use code: (affiliated)) or Wishtrend (they always have very good deals for Black Friday)
SKINS BONI yoghurt sheet mask
Sheetmasks are not a necessity for me personally, as they are a one-time-product and if you don’t buy a multi pack, you will hardly achieve significant long lasting results. But of course it’s nice to treat yourself and your skin once in a while or to sheetmask regularly or before special events.
This sheet mask introduced me to lactic acid and I was amazed by its instant and significant effect, so I had to put it on the list. It’s a calming, soothing and hydrating sheetmask and therefore perfect for irritated and blemished skin.
Ingredients: Water, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Betaine, Green Tea Powder, Green Tea Extract, Caprylic/Capric Tryglycerides, Canola Oil, Trehalose, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bis-PEG-18 Methylethyldimethylsilane, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Lecithin, Licorice Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance
Gamechanging?
Yes!! Directly after removing the mask my skin feels so soft and is visibly calmer than before. The redness is significantly reduced and my skin looks happier overall. The effect lasts for the following day as well, so an emergency stash of this sheetmask for special events or bad skin days couldn’t hurt. If this sheetmasks works wonders for you as well or you don’t want to spend on sheetmasks you could consider introducing lactic acid into your regular routine. I didn’t have as instant effects with this mask but my skin responds to the ingredient very well in general.
Where to buy?
Just purchase in your store of choice, these are just some suggestions of shops I have purchased from before.
Yesstyle (use code: (affiliated))
COSRX Centella Blemish Cream
Yes, that’s correct – yet another product from Cosrx! It just happens to be one of my favorite brands, so naturally they will carry a lot of my favorites. This blemish cream contains another of my gem ingredients for calming blemishes: centella asiatica leaf water. It’s even listed as first ingredient, which means it’s the main component! It’s a very popular botanical ingredient and is known for its soothing abilities. The cream is intended for spot treatments, so you are supposed to apply it on the blemishes and not all over your face. On really bad skin days or if I have multiple inflammations, most likely in my chin area, I’ll just apply it all over the area. The consistency is rather thick, so I mostly use it in the evening routine, but if you keep it very minimal you might be able to use it in the morning as well.
Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Betaine, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Viola Tricolor Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Zinc PCA, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Gamechanging?
It’s a really helpful spot treatment to calm the madness down and also speeds up the healing process! I have already used up 3 jars and it will always be a favorite of mine. If you apply it overnight, the next day the pimple will still be there but it won’t look as irritated and therefore be less prominent and the sooner and blemishes heal, the better for your skin. It also minimizes the risk of further injuring the skin and you are less likely to pick the pimple if it looks less bothering.
Where to buy?
Just purchase in your store of choice, these are just some suggestions of shops I have purchased from before.
German: Lovemycosmetic
International: Yesstyle (use code: (affiliated)) or Jolse
“DIY” Pimple Patches
You will hardly ever read a DIY skincare recommendation from me, but this qualifies as somewhat DIY-ish. There are many pimple patches out there and while some of them work just fine, I haven’t found any that could outperform these! I’m talking about medical wound protection band aids. More pluspoints: You can get them at the drugstore in large quantities at an affordable price compared to skincare pimple patches and you can customize the size of the patches, because you have to cut the pieces from the big band aid anyway.
Gamechanging?
Yes, yes yes! They are thicker than regualar skincare patches, but if you plan on using them overnight or at home anyway, or you simply don’t care if the patch is visible, it won’t matter. You apply the patch directly on the pimple, the skin has to be clean and dry, otherwise it won’t stick. After a few hours or overnight you can remove it and you will see the pus, that the patch extracted from the pimple. It doesn’t look nice, but it’s a satisfying view anyway because it means this stuff is no longer in your skin. The best part is, that you didn’t have to manually work on the pimple and therefore didn’t even have the chance to cause more irritation or hurt your skin.
Where to buy?
Just purchase in your drugstore of choice.
Germany: DM or Rossman for example
What are your personal skincare gamechangers?
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