I'm sharing my skincare routine that tackled inner dryness and repaired the skin barrier for my sensitive skin that flares up every change of season.

The weather has changed drastically lately, and it seems my skin can't adapt. It’s driving me crazy with redness and dryness. Since I’m exposed to the office heater all day, by the time I get off work, I feel like my face is going to tear apart from the extreme dryness. My skin barrier is naturally thin and sensitive, but whenever the seasons change like this, I throw a party of flaky skin and tiny bumps. I decided I couldn't take it anymore and completely revamped my skincare routine. After managing my skin with this routine for about a week, it definitely feels more comfortable and glows, so I’m writing this post to share my personal skincare tips.

The very first thing I changed was my cleansing routine. I used to use a foam cleanser that leaves my skin squeaky clean, but I heard that it actually damages the skin barrier. So, in the morning, I just rinse lightly with water, and in the evening, I lather up a mild, slightly acidic gel cleanser and gently massage it onto my face with minimal pressure. I like that even though it doesn't leave that squeaky-clean feeling, I can feel it doesn't strip away my skin's moisture barrier. Immediately after washing, I don't dry my face with a towel; instead, I apply the Panthenol toner I keep in the bathroom two or three times. I absolutely never wipe my face with a cotton pad! I also heard that the friction from cotton pads can irritate sensitive skin, so I just pour some into my hands and pat it in to help with absorption.

Next up is the real key: the combination of a hydrating ampoule and a ceramide cream. To combat inner dryness, you shouldn't just apply oily products to the surface; you need to replenish moisture from deep within, right? I apply a generous amount of hyaluronic acid ampoule all over my face and pat it in until it absorbs and feels slightly firm. Then, I squeeze out a pea-sized amount of the barrier cream, which is high in ceramide, and coat my face by creating a thin film. Doing this locks in the moisture from the ampoule, preventing it from evaporating, so my face stays hydrated until the next morning.

And I make sure to use a modeling mask about twice a week. Yes, it's that cold rubber mask they put on at the end of treatments at the dermatologist's office! Mixing the powder with water at home is a bit of a hassle at first, but the cooling and soothing effects are seriously much better than applying 10 sheet masks. If you apply plenty of ampoule, put on a thick layer of the modeling mask, and peel it off after 20 minutes, the heat sensation goes down completely and the redness subsides significantly. If you are like me and sensitive to temperature changes or worried about a compromised skin barrier, you absolutely must try this routine of mild acidic cleansing + Panthenol/Ceramide combination + modeling mask just once!! You will seriously feel your skin getting firmer day by day haha. Do you all have your own secret cheat code items that you always use to soothe breakouts during the changing seasons? I'm curious haha.