Whether you’re rushed getting out the door in the morning or wrapping up loose ends at night, the last thing you need is to look as stressed as you feel. Finding an easy, convenient beauty regimen is key when it comes to your skin’s appearance and health. So don’t feel guilty if a full K-beauty skincare routine remains an aspiration rather than an accomplishment.
Morning
Don’t stress, just keep it simple in the mornings—rinsing your face with water is enough. But if you’re not too short on time, I suggest washing your face with an oil cleanser because it’s less likely to strip skin of natural oils (which can occur when using harsher soaps). For a full morning routine, I recommend also applying eye cream, serum (on any problem areas), moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Nighttime
Nighttime is when I do most of my pampering. Throughout the day, skin is exposed to lots of pollutants and irritants that can lead to clogged pores and acne if left sitting on skin overnight. Another benefit of a longer nighttime routine is that it allows your bare (no makeup) skin to breath, and allows moisturizer and other serums to do their jobs.
1. Wash your face every night. I suggest washing your face twice—first to remove dirt and grime, and the second time to deep clean pores.
2. Exfoliate 2-3 times every week with a mechanical or a chemical exfoliator. A mechanical exfoliator is a tool (such as a Clarisonic face brush or simply a washcloth) or a face scrub which physically removes dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliation utilizes chemicals to remove dead skin cells and other impurities. Chemical exfoliates include many types of enzymes (including fruit enzymes), alpha hydroxy acids (e.g. lactic or glycolic), and beta hydroxy acids (e.g. salicylic acid). I like using retinol creams or acid exfoliators, but not both because it’s possible to over-exfoliate.
3. Apply serum. Serums are not a required part of your daily routine, but can be essential if you’re targeting a specific problem area or issue. Serums are lightweight moisturizers that penetrate deeper to deliver active ingredients.
4. Use eye cream. The skin around the eyes is extremely delicate and so very susceptible to fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. This is especially important if you’re over 30 (like me!) or want to look your best on all the video calls filling up our workdays.
5. Moisturize. This is the key to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Even if your skin is oily, moisturizer is still essential as it also helps with flakiness, redness, and premature wrinkles. NorthStar just launched the first product in our skincare line, Polaris Cream, a custom, K-beauty, water-based cream infused with CBD which is now available for presale.
Summertime
Your summertime skincare routine doesn’t need to be that different from your regular skincare routine. Really—wearing sunscreen year-round is a must! If your moisturizer doesn’t already include UVA/UVB protection, you will need to apply (and reapply) sunscreen afterward.
My favorite sunscreen is Supergoop because of it’s lightweight, non-greasy formula. But another brand might work better for your skin, so don’t be afraid to try other options. The best sunscreen is one you will actually wear!
It is never too late to start a helpful skincare routine! If you would like more in-depth skincare advice, feel free to schedule an online consultation or in-person class. You can also follow us @NorthStarLuxe for homemade face mask recipes and other DIY skincare and beauty tips