Who Wants Glowing Skin?
Do I even have to ask?
People compliment me on my healthy skin (which I gladly and humbly accept) but I always make it very clear that this is the result of years of consistent care and verrrry patient work.
I always say your skin wants to be healthy. Despite how you might feel when a zit appears out of nowhere, your skin is not out to hurt you. In fact, your skin is asking for your help. It is designed to care and heal itself - all you must do is create the right environment for it to do so.
This means moisture, inside and out. Drink water. Wash your face well. Learn how to properly layer skincare so your skin absorbs it. Not all products are created equally - and not all skin is the same. What works for one person may not work for you. Be patient, and listen to your skin’s needs.
Skincare isn’t complicated or complex.
It appears that way with the onrush of marketing and new products flooding every social media page. Don’t get too flustered. Remember the cardinal rule - MOISTURIZE.
After that, we can sort out any other individual issues.
In college, I made a horrible skincare mistake that chased me for years.
I was sick of my forehead getting oily by midday. People told me all kinds of things - you should blot. Don’t wear makeup. You need to exfoliate more. You are probably drinking too much sugary things.
So I washed my face multiple times throughout the day, sometimes scrubbing my face in the desperate and misguided attempt to exorcise the oiliness from my skin. As you can imagine, this led to a damaged skin barrier. My face became red and blotchy. Acne popped up on my cheeks, which turned into scars, which I tried to hide with poorly applied concealer, which made my skin break out, and so on and so on….
Instead of being patient and paying attention to the mistakes I was making, I just stopped caring for my skin. I stopped washing my face with foam cleanser. I stopped wearing moisturizer, sunscreen, everything.
I spent a whole winter despairing over my face, refusing to look in the mirror. I have very few photos from this time of my life.
So. How did I get out of that hell-hole of skincare disasters?
A friend took me to a 피부과 (dermatologist) in Korea for the first time. The doctor took one look at me, gave me cortisol shots of my acne, and impressed on me sternly that I needed to moisturize.
“I’m not using anything right now,” I admitted abashedly.
The doctor and my friend looked at me with something like horror.
“Your skin is telling you it needs moisture,” the doctor said, surveying me through his glasses. “It cannot heal itself without your help. Don’t be afraid to moisturize.”
Alright, this is a long-winded way to say that my skincare journey has been fraught with troubles, and I’ve come through the other side much wiser, much kinder, and much healthier.
Let my mistakes lead you to safer waters. Avoid the pitfalls and traps that I fell into, and make your way directly to Beautiful Skin Land. You absolutely deserve to love your skin.
There’s a lot out of there that can help you, absolutely. But I want to introduce my favorite skincare staple that many people overlook.
The Sheet Mask
Once a week to two or three times a week, I slap on this Korean sheet mask for some moisture-boosting goodness. My skin is always glowing afterwards.
Remember how I said not all products are created equally? This is absolutely true for Korean sheet masks, as well. I know some people like to say oh they’re one and the same, but I emphatically say they are NOT.
These are my absolute favorite sheet masks. They’re elite in every way. I won’t get into everything but you can learn about them here.
(Don’t be surprised to see me as their model. I know the founder of the brand and I’ve been a massive fan of these sheet masks since she launched them. When she asked me to model for her, I had to say yes. Because when I recognize a good thing, I have to tell everyone.)
I’ve posted extensively about these masks on my social media. If you want to give them a try, you can get them here.
I’m completely unashamed to promote these masks, because they have carried me through dry winters, multiple photoshoots, unexpected flareups and allergic reactions.
Take care of your skin. Love your skin. Give it what it needs! If you try out these masks, let 영미 (the founder) know what you think. I know she will be so happy to hear more have discovered her.
