MONDAY
7am We have our big team sync at work on Monday mornings, and because the rest of the team is in Korea this means I have to get up extra early. I wash off the serum from last night’s face mask (MediHeal Tea Tree) in the shower using my favourite skin soap, Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser.
7.30am After my shower I dab my skin dry with a soft facial tissue, and apply Innisfree Forest Fresh Skin moisturiser. After getting dressed the moisturiser has soaked in, so I use my Abib Sunstick to apply some SPF. The sunstick was a game changer for me, taking SPF application from an annoying chore that left my fingers sticky and my skin shiny to something that takes 10 seconds and is not noticeable in my face (and crucially does not have that sunscreen scent).
Noon The rest of the day is uneventful. As usual I religiously moisturise my hands with Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm to keep them fresh and expensive smelling.
10pm Before bed I wash my skin with Innisfree Forest Cleansins Foam, a mild facial soap. I use Anua 77% Heartleaf toner (yes, I heard about it from TikTok). To help me wind down from the day and get me into a bedtime mood I try a new sheet mask: Abib Gummy Madecassoside. Its main ingredient is derived from CICA, one of the staple ingredients in Korean skincare. It is mainly used for skin healing and inflammation reduction. As I lay there with my mask on listening to a podcast, I can practically feel my skin barrier growing back.
TUESDAY
8.30am No early meetings today! I use the extra time in the morning to exfoliate my skin using Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Scrub. I then apply Aestura Atobarrier moisturiser, which feels really nice and light. I only have a sample (I got it at Olive Young for turning one of those big wheels and “winning” it), but when it’s empty I think I will buy the full size version.
2pm I have a meeting in the city, so I re-apply the Abib SPF before heading out and
11pm Before bed I wash my face with the Innisfree soap, and after toning with Anua 77% I use my favourite night cream: Laneige CICA sleeping mask. I massage it into my skin using a knockoff skincare wand that has a red light and massages the skin with sonic vibrations. I don’t know if it works but it feels really nice and the red light looks cool and science-y.
WEDNESDAY
8am Shaving day! I wash my face with extra warm water and Innisfree Forest for Men Shaving & Cleansing Foam before applying the Harry’s Shaving Foam. After shaving I give everything a good wash with the Soon Jung soap in the shower, and apply the Anua toner. My neck area tends to get inflamed after shaving, so I use some Calming Toner Pads and leave them on for 15 minutes while I brush my teeth and do my hair.
11.30pm It’s time for a mid-week pickup so I chose the Jigott Hyaluronic Acid sheet mask and put on an episode of Modern Family.
THURSDAY
7.45am Another team sync day! I overslept, so I take a quick shower and hop onto Zoom
10pm It’s a beautiful summer evening and a chilly wind is blowing through my bedroom. I apply the Body Shop Mineral & Ginger Warming Clay Mask – my favourite clay mask. It deeply warms and de-stresses both me and my skin.
10.30pm After washing off the clay mask, I apply a thick Cerave moisturiser to retain hydration overnight
FRIDAY
11am As I am standing in the kitchen making a second pot of coffee I suddenly realise I have not taken my daily Collagen powder at all this week. I quickly add a double dose to my cup (that’s how it works, right?)
SATURDAY
10am After my morning run I wash my face in the shower and apply the Abib SPF.
2pm We head to the park to eat bagels, so I pack my sunstick in case I need to re-apply SPF.
5pm I forget to re-apply my SPF in the afternoon
9pm I arrive at home and cover my face in Aloe Vera. Before going to bed I also use the FarmStay Aloe sheet mask, which deeply hydrates and quenches my thirsty skin.
SUNDAY
10pm To prevent dark sun spots from forming, I use the Goodal Vital Vitamin C Serum. It’s quite strong so I try not to use it too often, but I feel like it really helps prevent and remove sun damage. Since seeing that famous photo of the truck driver whose face is half old I have become increasingly obsessed with preventing sun damage. I cover it with a thick layer of moisturiser to lock in the serum and prevent my skin from drying out over night. I try to fall asleep on my back to prevent any product from rubbing off on the pillow
BONUS QUESTIONS
What is your holy grail product? Definitely the CosRX snail mucin! A friend of mine from Seoul recommended it and I brought two bottles back to the UK with me.
Secret trick that was crucial for you to achieve flawless skin? I change my pillowcase twice a week. Makes a big difference
