There was a time when I spent millions of won on cosmetics. Of course, the immediate effects and the feeling were great, but that was only temporary; I found that my skin would quickly revert to its original state once my daily routine was disrupted. After countless trials and errors and significant costs, I realized that the habits I build every day are what ultimately create my true skin. I may not have any flashy techniques, but I would like to share three core, bone-chilling home care principles that I have followed every single day for the past five years.
Principle 1: The dangers of washing your face with 'lukewarm water' (31–32 degrees if you have a thermometer)
There is a common misconception that you should open pores with warm water and tighten them with cold water, but this is a shortcut to ruining sensitive skin. The key is to wash your face with lukewarm water, which is closest to your skin temperature. The ideal temperature is when you feel just slightly lukewarm when you touch your face with your hand. Washing until your skin squeaks strips away your skin's protective barrier, so please stop when your skin feels slightly smooth after cleansing.
Principle 2: Reduce the number of cosmetics (Vanity diet)
Toner, essence, serum, ampoule, emulsion, and even cream... are you applying them all? There is a limit to how much your skin can absorb. Excessive nutrients can actually cause breakouts. I stop at just three steps: [Toner - 1 functional ampoule - Moisturizing cream]. Instead, I allow ample 'absorption time' by gently patting the skin to ensure it is completely absorbed before applying the next step.