My Bare Minimum Skincare Routine

Hey there, my fellow skincare enthusiasts! Let's talk about the bare necessities of skincare – the stuff you cannot (and should not) skip, no matter how crazy your day gets.

I get it. We are all busy, but come on, this takes, what, five minutes? And your skin deserves at least that much attention. It's your body's biggest organ, after all. Treat it right, even if you are just starting with the bare minimum.

So, how do we keep our skin happy without diving into a ten-step skincare saga? Well, I've got the lowdown on my bare minimum routine – tried, tested, and true.

Double cleanse

First things first, I kick things off with a double cleanse. Look, I know this is a bare minimum routine but I'm not willing to skip the double cleansing step. I wear sunscreen every day and sometimes go heavy on the makeup, so double cleansing is a must because it really works wonders for my skin.

If you are not familiar with double cleansing, it's not just about washing your face twice; it's about using two different cleansers to get a deep clean. For my first cleanse, I use the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil. It's awesome because it effortlessly removes makeup and dirt without leaving any residue. Sometimes, I like to switch it up with the Round Lab Dokdo Cleansing Oil. These two are definitely my faves!

Then comes the second cleanse, which takes care of things you can't really see, like pollutants and debris. Any gentle cleanser should do the job here so I always go for the Kayman Coalberry Cleanser – it's a gel cleanser with a low pH.

What I love about it is that it's got activated charcoal, honey extract, and a mix of 10 berry extracts for a powerful antioxidant boost. Besides all the good stuff it does for my skin, I really appreciate that it leaves my skin feeling clean without that tight sensation.

Serum

Serums are like super-concentrated goodness for your skin – packed with all the good stuff like nutrients, hydration, and antioxidants. They're not a must, I get it, but they can be a game-changer in stepping up your skincare routine and giving your skin a nice pick-me-up.

The superhero of my routine – Axis-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum. I have gone through bottles of the stuff and I'm hooked. It's not like those super intense brightening products; it's more of a slow and steady kind of deal. So, I would say it's pretty chill for all skin types. Even if you are not super into skincare, a hydrating, brightening serum like this one can do wonders.

I have oily skin and this serum is like a burst of hydration without making me feel greasy. Plus, it's been doing wonders for my acne scars – especially the hormonal ones that pop up every month. I'm definitely giving this one LOTS of thumbs up and recommending it to everyone!

Moisturizer

According to every skin expert out there: you need to moisturize twice a day. Seriously, if you are gonna do one thing for your face, let it be this. Your skin's like a thirsty plant; it needs a daily dose of moisture to stay happy. 

You can use the same moisturizer for AM and PM but I always stick to my trusty COSRX Advanced Snail 92 Cream or Laneige Water Sleeping Mask EX Microbiome. My go-to is the COSRX; it's the everyday hero for my skin. No matter if it’s morning or night, this cream's got my back. It does a great job at moisturizing my skin without causing congestion or irritation on my oily skin.

The slimy texture might throw some people off, but I love it. The best part? After I slather this snail cream on, my skin looks like a shiny glazed donut! So if you are into that glazed donut vibe, this moisturizer is your new BFF!

Sunscreen

Quick tip for looking fabulous in your 40s and 50s: do not ditch the sunscreen in your 20s! Seriously, whether it's sunny or snowing, slap on that SPF every single day. Even if your moisturizer claims it has SPF, throw on a real sunscreen with at least SPF 30 over it. I'm all about that SPF 50 life – it blocks out 98% of those UVB rays!

Now, if you are not a fan of sunscreen (totally get it, I used to be too), that's no excuse. It's 2023, and there are tons of sunscreens out there for every skin type. Oily, dry, deep skin tones, you name it. I have been loyal to this sunscreen forever. No white cast, no breakouts, and it's a dream for us oily skin girlies. So, no more excuses – protect that skin!

Exfoliate twice a week

Exfoliation is like giving your skin a little boost by getting rid of those dead skin cells on the surface. You can do it with a scrub, a tool, or some chemicals. Instead of waiting for your skin cells to drop off naturally, using an exfoliant helps to clear them away early, making your skin look fresher and brighter.

Personally, I'm all about the chemical exfoliation. It's like a gentle way to dissolve those dead skin cells using stuff like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs like glycolic and citric acids) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA like salicylic acid). I have been loving the COSRX Original Clear Pad – everyone's been raving about it and I'm no exception.

This magic pad takes care of anything hanging out on my skin and tackles my oily skin's sebum issues. My pores are looking smaller and cleaner, and even the occasional hormonal breakout seems to heal up faster. Using the pad twice a week doesn’t bother my oily skin one bit!

*Some links used in this post are affiliated links, which allows me to earn a commission when you buy the product using my link. No commission is earned through clicking links. I'm not being paid to mention any brand in this post. Thank you for supporting the content that makes my blog possible.

What's your go-to bare minimum skincare routine?