On cleansing…
“Not everybody will double cleanse, it’s really up to the woman. I think because there is more of a focus on skin health in SoKo, women are more into wiping things off very gently. You take the first layer off with a gentle, gentle oil cleanser and get all the oil-based impurities off your face, then you follow-up with very gentle, nourishing, non-stripping water-based foam cleanser to get all your water-based impurities off. The philosophy there is to cleanse gently. There aren’t a lot of people using the Clarisonic, for example, because it would be seen as very harsh on your skin.”
On the trick to mixing-and-matching your products…
“These are not hard and fast rules, but commonly regarded as ingredients that should be used together with caution, if at all (not only Korean-beauty specific): retinol and benzoyl peroxide can potentially cancel each other out, and be too drying and irritating to be used together. Retinol and AHAs actually can be used together as the ingredients will stay active, but can be a bit harsh on the skin.Retinol and vitamin C if in super low doses, can be fine to use together, but both are very potent and can be very, very drying and irritating to use together. AHAs and vitmain C are both very acidic ingredients and can cause, again, a lot of irritation and even peeling. Copper peptides and vitamin C typically cancel each other out. Also, it can increase photosensitivity and dryness, so it’s very important to use humectants (moisture-loving ingredients) and other hydrating ingredients to stay moisturized. Also, make sure to use sufficient SPF.” On the cult products you should try…
Essences:
1. Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence packs moisture into the dermis and uses fermented chamomile water to nourish. Other active ingredients to brighten skin and combat wrinkles
Cleanser:
2. Banila Co Clean It Zero gently melts off all traces of makeup and casts away impurities
Cream:
3. Mizon All-in-one Snail Repair Cream: This is one of our bestsellers for the way it hydrates, firms, nourishes, combats acne, and rejuvenates all in one lightweight formulation
Cushion Compact:
4. Iope Air Cushion Sunblock XP this is called the "six second" compact because one is sold every six seconds. You went through all that effort to achieve radiant skin — makeup shouldn't mattify that, but should add onto the radiance. Achieve a glow with just a few dabs.
Sheet masks:
5. Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask this is extremely soothing and hydrating and it's that great mask.
Gommage peel:
6. Be the Skin Non-Stimulus Face Polisher the exfoliator that I was telling you about where your dead flakes and impurities just gently roll off the face
Pore Packs:
7. Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack think GlamGlow, but better priced and exceptionally well formulated. This heats up on the face and using charcoal draws toxins and impurities out. All-natural, to boot.