[Seasonal Skin Care Tips] The Great Survival Plan for Dehydrated Oily Skin

Hello~ The wind has gotten quite chilly in the mornings and evenings lately. Is everyone's skin barrier holding up? ㅠㅠ I have typical dehydrated oily skin, so whenever the seasons change, the tightness deep inside feels like it's going to tear, while the surface is shiny with excess oil, and white flakes of dead skin appear around my nose and chin—it often becomes the absolute worst. That is why I completely overhaul my cosmetics and skincare routine around this time every year. I thought I'd share a few of my personal tips for managing skin during the changing seasons that have been quite effective for me.

The first great tip is to "drastically reduce your cleansing time"! In the past, I used to wash my face until it was squeaky clean to thoroughly clean deep into my pores, so I would do double and triple cleansing very meticulously and for a long time. I would rub in with cleansing oil for a long time and use foam cleansers with super strong cleansing power. However, my dermatologist told me that this was the main culprit for damaging the skin barrier and stripping away moisture.

So these days, I do a very gentle first cleanse with cleansing milk or water, and then I quickly wash my face in under a minute using a mild, pH-balanced foam cleanser. I create a rich lather and just roll the foam over my skin without touching it with my hands. At first, I felt a bit uneasy because it didn't leave that squeaky-clean feeling, making me feel like I wasn't washing properly. However, after getting used to it for a few days, the tightness in my face after washing has definitely decreased by more than half, which was a whole new world!

The second tip is 'layering a skin pack with a watery toner.' Right after washing my face, before my skin dries, I generously soak a cotton pad with a watery hydrating toner in the bathroom and place it on my cheeks and forehead—the areas that tend to feel hot—for exactly 5 minutes. I find it perfect to leave it on while drying my hair. It feels like it lowers the skin temperature while opening up moisture pathways so that my skincare products can absorb better.

After removing the mask, dispense the same toner onto your palm and gently press it all over your face about three times to help it absorb. It's known as the "3-skin method" haha. If you apply a heavy, sticky cream all at once because your skin feels dry, combination skin is bound to break out. I've found that layering light moisture thinly like this is much more effective for tackling inner dryness.

Lastly, instead of a nourishing cream, I mix a drop of face oil into a hydrating ampoule and apply it. Whenever I use the thick moisturizing cream that everyone else uses during the change of seasons, my pores get clogged and I get huge pimples ㅠㅠ. So, I add just one drop of jojoba oil or plant-based squalane oil to the light hydrating ampoule I usually use, rub it between my palms, and then press it firmly all over my face, as if to envelop it.

Doing this creates a very thin and light moisturizing film that prevents moisture from evaporating into the air, keeping your skin comfortable and preventing it from feeling greasy until the next morning. If you have your own tips for surviving the changing seasons and maintaining flawless skin, please share them in the comments! Let's get through this transition well and become beautiful together!