of the skincare routine of my 30-year old self

I am by no means a beauty or skincare expert nor do I have flawless skin (who does? Let's talk!). I just thought I'd share the skincare routine that has been working for me so far. Who knows, maybe one of you may find it useful if you have combination skin like me.

As you can see, they're not at all from the same brand as I'm a rebel like that. Lol. No, not really, it just happened to be that the products that worked best on my combination skin are from different brands. So let's get on with my reviews of these and why they worked for me. Be warned that this post will be long!

Facial cleansers - Laneige Multi Cleanser and St. Ives Apricot Scrub 

I originally went to Sephora to grab the Shiseido Gentle Cleansing Cream as that's also one of the best facial cleansers I've tried out there. But I got there and saw that they're now carrying Laneige products. Now, I've been using Laneige Water Sleeping Mask for some time and have been absolutely loving it (and its smell!). So I was all about trying out this cleanser. I fell in love with it! It's so creamy and foamy, and a little goes a long way! I always felt really clean after washing with this.

Once a week (or twice, depending if I've put makeup on too many times that week), I'll wash my face with the St. Ives Apricot Scrub exfoliator that I've been using for years. It really does help loosen up my blackheads so when I'm plucking them away after (TMI?) with my blackhead remover, they come out easily with no problem. But as always, make sure not to scrub way too hard. I tend to do not when I feel my skin's been packed on with makeup that I dry out my skin after. Lightly scrubbing your face will do as the microbeads will work its magic anyway.

Toner and moisturizers - Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner and Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Gel Cream and Serum (Hyaluronic Acid)

I've first heard about Etude House's Wonder Pore Freshner years ago when I was on the lookout for a pore minimizing toner. The one that really worked for me is Neutrogena's Pore Minimising Toner but it is so hard to find or they always don't have it in stock. So when I heard about EH and at that time I was on the Korean skincare phase (I still am actually) because their skin seems so flawless, I immediately bought one.

It boasts of 7-in-1 Total Pore Solution:

• Deep cleanses pores
• Maintain ph 4.5 +/-1
• Control a large amount of the sebum
• Minimize appearance of pores
• Refine the skin tones
• Keep the elasticity of pores
• Moisturize inside and outside of the skin

I haven't noticed much difference is the appearance of my pores but my skin feels a lot cleaner after as it takes away the excess makeup that the cleanser wasn't able to remove. I also felt that it didn't dry out my skin too much for days when I'm too lazy to put on moisturizer after (I know, I shouldn't miss this!). 

Layering on skincare products is one of the best ways to treat and care for your skin. So I've found that putting on serum before moisturizer can really double up the moisture on your skin. I like Hyaluronic Acid serums. The best I've used was the Juju Cosmetics one but that can be a little bit on the pricey side. So I was actually going without this serum for a while after I've run out until I found out that Neutrogena's Hydro Boost line now has this! And because I love their gel cream so much, I was ecstatic when I found out! Finally, I can pair them up together! The only difference I found between the Juju Cosmetics and Neutrogena is that the former absorbs faster and is more lightweight on my skin. The Neutrogena, I find, is bit heavier and stickier although it's a serum.

Moving on to my holy grail moisturizer - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. This one is heaven sent! There was a lot of good buzz around this product about two years ago when I discovered it. As I mentioned above, I love using my Laneige Water Sleeping Mask - how lightweight it feels on the skin but still moisturizes like crazy. This moisturizer has the consistency of the water sleeping mask and smells just as lovely. I hate heavy cream moisturizers that leave my face too sticky for comfort and to have found a moisturizer with lightweight gel consistency was pure bliss. It moisturizes like no other, my face always feel supple and soft like a baby's bum (even when I was using it alone w/o the serum)! This is actually my second jar because I love it so much (and I'm someone who likes to try one brand after another).

So with the Hyaluronic Acid serum and gel cream from the Hydro Boost line, I wake up with a very supple, soft, and smooth skin.

Eye creams - Olay Anti-Aging Eye Gel and Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

I have to confess that putting on eye cream is always something that I forget to do. So before the effects of years of neglection show, I have started doing it! And I think Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream has been pretty good at keeping my dark circles at bay. I've been using this brand for years now and recently added the Olay Anti-Ain Eye Gel because #aging and I got it as a gift from a friend. I use the Olay in the morning because I don't want anything heavy and the Roc at night.

Lip care products - The Body Shop Born Lippy and Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm

Chapped lips are as noticeable as dark spots and pimples. Lipsticks and lip glosses don't ever go smoothly on a chapped canvas. There are actually a lot of makeup gurus who put on lip balm first when doing their makeup routine so as to moisturize their lips way before putting on lipstick.

I've been loving The Body Shop's Born Lippy as my "lip primer" for my everyday makeup routine. Sometimes I use it as is when I'm in a hurry and have no time to properly put on lipstick. The Malin+Goetz lip moisturizer I got from an Ipsy bag (yes, this has been with me for a couple of years lol) and when I've finally started using it, I noticed that my lips are so soft come morning! I was so amazed! It's very sticky when you put it on and it doesn't seem to be absorbed by the lips but it really does moisturize the skin overnight. Very kissable lips, indeed! Just a little dab does the trick!

Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water and Velcro Hair Clip

My Korean friend introduced me to Avene Thermal Spring Water spray and I've never stopped using it ever since. I always carry a smaller bottle with me in my bag as well as it's the perfect on-the-go face freshener. I use this after my cleanser to moisturize a bit before the toner. This is especially helpful after exfoliating as it can leave the face drier than usual and so spritzing this all over my face helps smoothen out my skin and leave it a little plump. I always loved the feeling of my skin after using this. I switch it up from time to time and use this as my last skincare step just so I can feel the smoothness and plumpness of my skin!

And of course, the pink ribbon velcro hair clip keeps my hair away from my face the entire time I'm doing my skincare routine. I found mine at Daiso in the States and since I haven't seen this in my local Daiso, I immediately grabbed it. Who wouldn't want to look cute while taking care of their skin right?

So there it is - my skincare routine in a not-so-nutshell. I warned you it will be long. I don't have perfect skin and I have dark spots that I've been trying to get rid off for years! So I am still on the lookout for the best but affordable skin lightener product to use on mine. I'll be sure to share it once I've found that holy grail product.

I hope that this post, though too long, was somehow helpful to anyone looking to use the products I've mentioned above.