My A.M. Skincare Routine 2021 (For Hormonal Acne)

I find it a challenge to understand my skin type, let alone select products that are beneficial for my skin. After years of experimentation and research, I finally got the grip of choosing the right products for my skin type. Let me introduce my skin type for some context before diving into my morning skincare routine. I have combination skin suffering from hormonal acne which in turn causes dehydration and dullness. If you're reading this and hormonal acne is something you're battling, I hope this sheds some light on your situation. It was a rollercoaster ride when it came to the health of my skin. I hope that I could pass on valuable tips from my experience, so you won't make the same mistakes as I did! My skincare will be centred around affordable, Korean skincare beauty products to combat hormonal acne. Let's walk through what I've learned and used for the past year. 

1. Cleansing

I know for a fact that cleansing is key in every skincare routine. However, I've seen a lot of people online not cleansing their faces as thoroughly as in their nighttime routine. I understand most of these people are living in a 4 seasonal climate, and they don't experience heat on a typical day except during summertime. As a person living in a tropical climate, our weather is hot and humid. 

My skin is oily daily, even right after waking up in the morning. Hence, I would still cleanse my face with a pea-sized amount of product (not as much as I used for my nighttime routine). This step greatly depends on your skin type and environment. I prefer to use a gel cleanser as it's more gentle for hormonal acne skin. Hormonal acne can flare up A LOT and it hurts even when washing the face. Ever since the start of my hormonal acne journey, I've been sticking to only gel cleansers. If you're interested in the COSRX Morning Gel Cleanser, I've reviewed it in this post: Cosrx Low pH Cleanser

2. Toning

Some skincare experts mentioned toner is not a necessary step, however, I find it to be relaxing and a step that I would never want to miss in my skincare routine. I love that toner is water-based so you don't have to worry about applying too much. Toner just gives this suppleness and smoothness to the skin. The one I'm loving for the daytime is the Benton Green Tea toner, packed with rich antioxidants. My review on the toner: Benton Green Tea Toner

3. Enhancing

During this step, I would take out my ampoule or serum that targets my hormonal acne or post-acne scars. I would apply 2-3 drops of ampoule or serum onto my skin after toning. This step helps to heal my acne scars or wounds during the day. The one that I'm loving so far, to reduce redness and flares, is the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule. My review Skin1004 Centella Asiatica Ampoule

4. Sealing

To seal all the goodness that you've applied before, apply a good amount of moisturiser. A lot of people have the misconception that moisturiser is oily and causes even more oil on the face. This is a myth and we need to bust that. 

Although I may have oily skin, I apply a finger-strip amount of moisturiser. The longer I get used to applying thick moisturiser, the longer I feel my skin has been hydrated. I suggest a gel moisturiser if you have super oily skin, but if you have combo or dry skin, a thick moisturiser is a must. The cream ones I've tried so far have been reviewed on my site: Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser

5. Protecting 

Sunscreen is your best friend when it comes to protecting the skin barrier from harsh light and the environment. You do not want to go out naked and expose your skin to harmful rays. Even if you're staying indoors, sunscreen is still a must to protect your skin from hyperpigmentation from acne scars. 

In a way, sunscreen helps to heal and dries up the scars or wounds from acne. The brand that I'm using is Atomy. I've made a review on it here: Read More About Sunscreen

I truly hope that this entry will be a help in your journey towards achieving better skin! Hormonal acne is more than a physical battle- a mental war. It felt like dysphoria at times, but let's never give up on achieving healthier skin each day. With that said, once I'm ready, I will share further on my acne journey on this nook. Do share this with those who are experiencing hormonal acne! We shall speak soon x take care and stay safe.

All photos by Prisc

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