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Hello, there. Like most people, I was told my whole life that wearing makeup messes with your skin, clogs pores, and makes you break out. I wore it regardless (because makeup is fun!), but for the last couple of months, I haven’t put on even a speck of concealer. Tell me why, then, is my face turning into Zit City and I'm getting dry patches???
Turns out, this is happening to others, too. Stress, perhaps?
Fret not, however! We're all going to have to give our skin a lil' extra TLC and deal with its tantrums, despite its treachery. Here are some products that might help:
1. NIOD's popular Voicemail Masque which glides like honey onto your skin and works its magic to improve your complexion overnight. It uses a variety of plant stem cells to help your skin cells work better together to banish dullness.
2. Some rosewater and chamomile toner that is as gentle as it sounds. It's alcohol free and will help remove sebum, excess oil, and makeup residue from your skin. Just pour some onto a cotton pad and wipe your face to cleanse and hydrate.
3. A bottle of The Ordinary's bestselling Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 2% solution that can help calm and heal their acne-prone skin. I'm on, like, 15 skincare groups on Facebook and nearly everyone swears by this super-affordable magic elixir.
4. But if you're looking for a quick fix, try COSRX's pimple patches that'll literally suck out the gunk and bacteria from your zits and bring it to the surface, leaving your pimple shrunken and dried out in hours. Put 'em on before you hit the sack and you'll wake up with no swollen, painful bumps.
5. Or a multipack of Lululun sheet masks that will deeply hydrate your skin. Sheet masks are so much quicker to use on lazy days when you don't want too many steps in your skincare, and these are one of the bestselling ones in all of Japan! They use a combo of Royal Jelly and glyceryl glucoside to nourish your skin.
6. A peeling foot mask that'll take your tootsies from calloused to gorgeous using the exfoliating power of apple AHAs. Just put on the two socks provided in the mask kit, pour in the gel formula provided, and let it work on your skin.
7. A gemstone facial roller that'll massage your face to help drain excess fluid and release built-up tension. You can even use it to massage your favourite serums and beauty oils more efficiently into your skin at night, or chilled in the fridge to help de-puff your face in the morning.
8. Speaking of which, try a beauty fridge to boost the soothing effect of your skincare products. Nothing feels nicer than a spritz of cool facial mist on a summer day, especially if you have acne- and heat rash-prone skin. Plus, keeping skincare and makeup products in the fridge can also help extend their life.
9. A salicylic acid-based tonic from NIP+FAB that'll remove acne-causing impurities from your skin and banish blackheads and clogged pores. And unlike harsher purifying products, it won't strip your skin of the oils and moisture it needs to stay healthy and glowing.
10. An antibacterial tea tree oil stick that'll help you spot-treat blemishes, insect bites, heat rash, scratches, and other minor skin irritation problems. It feels nice and cooling on the skin, and it has witch hazel, too, which will ensure your skin stays hydrated.
11. A hyaluronic acid serum to keep your skin hydrated and free of stress (even if you aren't). I like patting this on a damp face at night and before applying makeup, because it doesn't pill and absorbs quickly. When applied alone, it leaves your skin super glowy, without getting greasy or tacky.
12. An antioxidant eye serum that's packed with aloe vera, cucumber, and burdock to provide deep hydration to the delicate eye area. Pat a few drops of this moisture powerhouse into the contours of your eyes at night, so you can fake that well-slept look for your next 10 a.m. work meeting. We're all trying to do it.
13. Some Burt's Bees hand salve, if you prefer your skincare to be all natural. Using too much hand sanitizer leaves my hands quite parched, and this always makes them soft again, without leaving a slippery feeling. It has almond oil, lavender, and beeswax, which help lock in hydration.
14. A delicious-smelling hand soap and lotion duo that'll look beautiful on your bathroom sink and ensure your paws stay pampered, no matter how many times you wash them. The soap is made with soothing botanicals, oatmeal, and vetiver, and the lotion has shea butter, aloe, and green tea in the formula.
15. A post-shave sheet mask that'll cool your skin off, if you miss the luxury of getting a fresh shave at the barbershop. This award-winning mask is enriched with herbs, collagen, and skin-loving vitamins that'll neutralize any redness and irritation in 15 minutes.
16. A deluxe silk pillowcase that'll be gentler on your skin (and hair!) than regular cotton pillowcases. There's less friction, so your skin will stay free of irritation and tugging. Plus, it stays cool, which means you won't find yourself flipping sides in the middle of your beauty snooze.
17. A K-beauty eye mask that'll get those peepers looking bright and awake again. It uses fermented snail mucin and gold tea to rehydrated fragile under-eye skin and leave it radiant and visibly energized.
18. A soap-free body wash for if your skin has suddenly decided to break out and act weird in new places. This one's specially formulated for sensitive skin and has calming ingredients like chamomile to clean your skin, without irritating or stripping it of moisture.
19. An overnight avocado mask that's perfect for anyone who wants to try out retinol-based skincare, but finds it intimidating. It'll help accelerate your skin's cell turnover rate, revealing fresher, glowing skin. It's especially great for dry skin and 23,000 reviewers have hearted it on Sephora Canada!
20. An extravagantly thick nighttime moisturizer that'll inject your skin with moisture, so you’ll wake up to a bouncy-plumped-up feeling. It's perfect for people who suffer from chronic skin dryness. On nights when you don't feel like doing all the steps, just slap this on and catch your zzz's.
21. And if you love light moisturizers, this Korean green tea watery cream will sink into your skin in seconds. It's chock full of antioxidants from green tea and will protect your skin while softening it. Plus, it's great for year-round use!
22. A copy of The Korean Skincare Bible, which will answer all the questions you have about product application, choosing the right stuff for you, layering skin care, and good and bad combos.
23. And lastly, a cream corrector palette from Stila that'll help you quickly deal with red spots, sallowness, under-eye circles, or hyperpigmentation. If you want to have flawless skin for your next Zoom date, but aren't in the mood to pile on too much makeup, just spot-neutralize with these and then dab on a little concealer.
You're welcome, skin.
