[Skin Care] ; 2nd Althea Beauty Box and My 10-Step Skin Care Routine

I'm getting married on October, and that is just six months around the corner. This means that I barely have half a year to make a drastic make-over on my pimple-stricken face. I am aware it is partly mostly my fault for neglecting my skin for the longest time, and now I have no choice but to stash out a huge sum and get all possible, quick treatment skin care products out in the market. 

In my last post, I got my first beauty box from Althea Korea. And because I was the skeptical-at-first-buy type of customer, I only bought 4 items (which I regretted later on). I eventually realized that this set wouldn't do me that much good. I had been following a basic skin care regimen for a few months now, and by basic I meant cleanse-tone-moisturize. I have bought and tried several local organic brands and none of which really made a prominent change in my complexion. I thought it's about time I venture in that tedious 10-step Korean skin care regimen that I had been reading over the net for a while now. Well drastic means drastic and I have not much time left. Without a moment's hesitation, I filled my shopping bag with all the products left unchecked in that 10-step regimen. For the benefit of those who didn't know, these are the "basics" of their regimen:

1. Pre-cleanse

2. Cleanse

3. Exfoliate

4. Tone / refresh

5. Essense

6. Serums / ampoules

7. Sheet mask

8. Eye Cream

9. Moisturize

10. Night Cream

I mentioned basics as not one from this list should be left out. The Korean skin care regimen can extend to as many as 11 to 17 steps, although I don't think I have to go that far. My first box already comprised of the Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize, leaving me with 7 more steps. I actually did not buy any sheet mask for the reason that it broke me out when I tried it on once and since the primary purpose of it is for additional moisture plus the benefits of the Essence, I decided to untick it out of the list. So anyway, here are the contents of my second box:

same box but smaller

L-R: Essence, Night Cream, Serum, Foaming Cleanser,
Eye Cream, Exfoliator

So here is an infographic on my own routine. I was not able to follow the regimen religiously, hence the lack of the pre-cleanse and sheet mask per se, plus the inclusion of a non-Korean Product (Celeteque). I do have a Pre-cleanse step but I had just emptied my Bench Tea Tree make-up removal wipes hence its absence in this photo below. Basically, the Korean pre-cleanse step refers to oil-cleansers in order to remove the make up but I have yet to get one for myself. In the meantime, I am using Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser which I wipe off with a napkin after massaging it into my face for about 5 minutes. So as not to confuse, I have listed in the left corner the standard 10-Step Korean Skin Care while I have enumerated the products included in my own routine.

My Korean Inspired Skin Care Routine:

< Pre-Cleanse with Pond's Cold Cream Cleanser >

1.  Cleanse with Innisfree Green Tea Pure Cleansing Foam

2. Exfoliate with Skin Food Black Sugar Mask.

3. Tone with Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

4. Serums/Ampoule. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

5. Essence. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Essence

6. Eye Cream. Salmon Brightening Eye Cream

7. Moisturize with Celeteque Hydration Facial Moisturizer

8. Night Cream. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream

9. Treat. Nature Republic Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel.

Since I have occasional break outs, I use the Aloe Vera Soothing Gel as my pimple treatment because I have read the benefits of Aloe Vera to your skin. I put a bead-size aloe to my pimples and leave them overnight. At times, I use the aloe as body moisturizer or in my underarms after I shaved. You can place it in the fridge for cooler and more soothing effect. 

I have been following this regimen for 2 weeks religiously and I must say, I can already see changes. I have recently stopped using my cake foundation (which I have used since forever) and just wear the Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder and flaunt an almost-bare face all day. I never thought I'd see the day when I say bye bye foundation. *tears*

How about sharing your skin care regimen? Or perhaps you may want to suggest products that I could try out. Oily to combination skin type here! Hehe Ciao!~

Love Lots,

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