How skincare helps my mental health

Good day to you! Hope you’re feeling good about yourself. I know I am.

This morning I said a mantra while applying my third and final layer of SPF on my face. In that moment, I figured out why and how keeping up a skincare routine totally changed my headspace.

It’s a practice in discipline.

You go at your own pace. Don’t feel pressured by the 10-step Korean regimen. Really, all you need is cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunblock. Take it one step at a time, with products that work best for you.

It makes you feel good about yourself.

You see results within weeks.You’ll start to feel a bounce in your step, and a glow beneath your cheeks. When people start affirming how great your skin looks, you feel motivated to keep it up.

It’s a way to take back control of your life.

One common trigger is when situations get out of hand. A skincare routine is a little pocket of time you dedicate to yourself and taking back your narrative. It’s a time to look in the mirror, literally, and psych yourself up.  You got this. You’re beautiful. You’re worthy.

You catch yourself when you become lazy or unmotivated.

We all have those days when basic hygiene is like climbing a mountain. But after keeping up a routine for weeks, I really feel a huge difference when I skip an entire night or morning altogether. My skin literally feels disgusting, and I feel guilty.

But I don’t beat myself up. I accept the consequences of oily skin and breakouts, and I strive to treat them and be better the next day.

Curious? Here’s my skincare routine!

For reference: I have combination-oily skin, huge pores, some blackhead problems, and hyperpigmentation (acne scars, freckles, sunspots).

1. Oil cleanser (PM): Banila Co. Clean It Zero

Highlights: A balm-type oil cleanser that easily dissolves makeup. It becomes a milky substance once you wash it off. It doesn’t leave your skin greasy.

Pros: It erases my Stila Stay-All-Day eyeliner so you know it’s good. Honestly, skip the micellar water. Get. On. This.

Cons: Literally nothing.

2. Foaming cleanser

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel (AM)

Higlights: A mild moisturizing foaming cleanser that’s perfect for a morning wash.

Pros: It feels and smells refreshing. It leaves my skin squeaky clean without the dryness.

Cons: It’s not exactly a one-step for deep cleaning and removing makeup at night.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser (PM)

Highlights: The idea behind double-cleansing is to get rid of surface grime with an oil cleanser, then use a foaming or water-based cleanser to thoroughly remove other impurities.

Pros: Super easy to find. Definitely my go-to nighttime cleanser because it really does take off the excess gunk.

Cons: It strips away some of the moisture on my skin, so I def can’t skip the rest of my routine.

3. Exfoliator (PM, 1-2x a week)

CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid (Wednesday PM)

Highlights: A chemical exfoliant that treats clogged pores and dislodges blackheads.

Pros: No scent, glides on my face like a dream. It’s not viscous, nor is it too thick. My skin cleared up in two weeks.

Cons: Now that I don’t have blackheads, I have no idea if I should continue? Like, it’s not doing anything for me any more.

Skinfood Strawberry Black Sugar Wash Off Mask (Sunday PM)

Highlights: A physical exfoliator with black sugar and strawberry seeds. You’re supposed to scrub your face, leave it on for 10 minutes, and wash it off.

Pros: It smells like Bonne Maman jam, aka the only strawberry preserves you should be buying. After using it, my skin feels like a baby’s ass—without smelling like such.

Cons: It’s not edible. Also, because it’s got texture, it can get a little abrasive on the skin if you scrub too hard like I did my first time.

4. Toner: Celeteque Alcohol-free Toner

Pros: It’s mild and it leaves my skin supple. Because there’s no alcohol, it’s not drying and doesn’t sting.

Cons: Kinda wish it came in a pump or spray bottle, but I’m not really complaining.

5. Serum (PM): It’s Skin Power 10 Formula LI Effector

Highlights: An intensive serum with licorice extract which is said to brighten skin and treat hyperpigmentation (e.g. sunspots, freckles, and acne scars).

Pros: The serum comes in a tinted bottle, so you know it’s safe from sun exposure. It’s also pretty cheap. After some weeks of use, people noticed how my skin became more even-toned.

Cons: My spots didn’t disappear completely—though people do say you can’t really reverse freckles without surgery. It takes a while to work, too, so there are other serums that work faster and better. Also I can’t find anything on the brand It’s Skin—besides local reviews—so that sketches me out.

6. Face mask (PM; 2 – 3x a week)

 

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Highlights: A mud mask that sucks up the sebum and dirt-buildup on your face and in your pores. It also shrinks or tightens pores, brightens and clears up acne-prone skin, heals your chakras, restores your inner peace, and reserves you a place in heaven.

Pros: It’s a dupe for that Aztec clay mask that everyone goes apeshit over. it’s fun to sit around for 15 minutes and pretend I’m a Real Housewife of Wherever because my face probably is as hard and unmovable. Once off, my skin feels like paper and looks like glass. My pores are clearer than EDSA in our wildest dreams. I’m so oil-free, America would ignore me.

Cons: It does tend to sting a little. But no pain, no gain, amirite? Also, not for lazy days.

7. Moisturizer (AM)

Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel

Highlights: A soothing gel moisturizer that calms down redness and is great for oily skin types.

Pros: It’s cool on the skin, so it’s my current summertime staple. Since it’s a gel formula, it absorbs into my skin really quick.

Cons: The huge tub doesn’t come with a spatula, so I’m not a fan of the packaging. Sometimes my skin feels sticky if I use too much.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizer

Highlights: A cream formula with SPF for sun protection and blackberry extract for smoothing out the skin.

Pros: It’s a 2-in-1 formula for when I’m lazy to layer my SPF. Smells great and comes in a pump bottle. You only need like, half a pump or less to cover the whole face.

Cons: The formula is so heavy on the skin, that I tend to sweat faster. It’s not for every day use, since I live in a blazing tropical country which is its own circle of hell.

7.5. Night cream: Celeteque Rejuvenating Night Cream (PM)

Pros: I just can’t get over nice-smelling products. This has a heavy cream texture, so really, only use it at night. I like to massage it on my face while saying a good night mantra. It’s like the namasté of skincare sessions.

Cons: Again, no spatula. But otherwise, no complaints.

8. Sunblock (AM)

Well, you know what sunblock does.

So what are you waiting for? Get glowing!

If a depressive wreck like me can keep it up, then you can too. Just think: if you have enough time for social media, you have enough time for skincare.

Thanks for making it this far! I’ve got some juicy life updates for you all soon.