Skincare Routine for Dry, Dehydrated, and (Sometimes) Sweaty Skin!

So, my skin? It’s a whole story. Dry, dehydrated, mature with a bit of pigmentation, but wait—it also loves to sweat around my nose, upper lip, and forehead. Fun, right? And to make things trickier, I avoid chemical ingredients and physical sunscreens. If you can relate, let's dive into my morning routine!

Step 1: Morning Cleanse

First thing in the morning, I wash my face with a Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Now, I know some beauticians say "any cleanser will do," but for me, that’s not it! With dry, sensitive skin, using the wrong cleanser is a recipe for disaster. Over the years, I’ve tried everything—from drugstore brands to those premium, ‘mesti beli bila ada sale’ ones.

Right now, I'm using Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleanser (thanks to a sample, because we love free things!). It’s been amazing—super soft, hydrating, and smells divine. A little goes a long way, which is great because even though it’s pricey, it lasts forever. Definitely a good investment for my skin.

Step 2: Toner Time

After cleansing, while my skin is still damp (this part is important, ok?), I tap in some hydrating toner. Here’s my trick—I layer it up to three times, fanning my face between layers like I’m Beyonce in a music video. Why? Because hydrated skin is happy skin! The more moisture, the better my skin feels.

Step 3: Moisturizer & Oil Magic

With damp skin (yep, still damp), I go in with a thick cream moisturizer. Gel types don’t do much for my skin, so I stick to the good ol’ thick creams. Once that's done, I lock everything in with a drop or two of facial oil.

Now, I know what you’re thinking—facial oil?! Oily skin?! But trust me, just a drop, warmed up in your palms and gently patted on your skin, keeps everything hydrated and happy without turning you into a shiny mess.

If I’m Staying Home…

That’s it! My skin is prepped and ready for a Netflix marathon. But if I’m heading out, there’s more…

Step 4: Primer & Sunscreen

Before any makeup, I use a Facial Primer to protect my skin from absorbing makeup nasties. This is the one product I allow to have silicone because it works like a charm. Next up, sunscreen—an absolute must! I know sunscreen ingredients can be a bit controversial, but we need them to protect our skin from UV damage. Pro tip: use two full fingers of sunscreen to make sure your skin is fully covered, especially if you have a sweaty nose like me!

Extra Tips for Makeup Days

Before my makeup routine, I have a couple of secrets to make everything last longer. Use ice or a hydrating sheet mask for 15 minutes before applying skincare to cool down your skin. Or, just sit in an air-conditioned room for a while to control sweat (our Malaysian heat can be a killer, kan?).

Once my skin is prepped, I’m ready for makeup, and my face is good to go!