Hello, hi. Welcome to another installment of the Alyx Tries K-Beauty series. I’ve written about where you can find K-beauty in South Africa and a few posts about updates about my skincare routine. Essentially, I had a really bad breakout after giving up the pill and so, I went right on back. I don’t enjoy being on it, but having “bad” skin really harms my overall self-esteem but that story is for another day.
I started using K-beauty products around about a year ago, and have ordered a few products since then. So, let’s get into what I won’t be repurchasing.
CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
This may come as a surprise, because I truly love a chemical exfoliant. But I didn’t really see long-lasting results with this product – especially in the midst of an ongoing breakout. I started off slow by using the product twice a week and saw a pretty swift improvement. But then, it seems like my skin got used to it? I don’t know if that was the case or I was just overdoing it. I did take a break between using it but I don’t really feel like it was worth repurchasing for me (it’s over R300 on most k-beauty online retailers). But even though, it didn’t work as well for me – I’ve recommended this product to a few people because their experience might be a bit different from mine. And I’ve had good experiences with other products from the line – so I definitely won’t stop trying out their offerings.
(BHAs = beta-hydroxy acids and AHAs = alpha-hydroxy acids)
My Signature C Source Vitamin C Serum
Ah, vitamin C serum. The miracle antioxidant that can really help the skin barrier, improves fine lines and can make your skin firmer. The Tia’m My Signature brand is known for creating serums that will drastically improve your skin. As long as you know how to use it, and don’t mix it with products that’ll cause a terrible reaction – this product is set to smooth out your skin and lighten your scars. I’m really prone to pigmentation and thought this product would help. And for a short while it did, but there are a couple of cons. Firstly, the smell? It’s a bit weird and off putting to put this on your skin. Secondly, the serum is pretty stable until it’s not and can go off.
Vitamin C is stable on its own, but Dr. Zeichner says that it’s sensitive to light and requires a very specific acidic pH to remain stable. Beyond just that, it can also easily become oxidized when it’s exposed to air, meaning that you can kiss that litany of complexion-boosting benefits buh-bye.
Well + Good – HERE’S HOW TO TELL WHEN YOUR VITAMIN C SERUM EXPIRED
But, personally I want to pare down my routine a bit and Vitamin C is getting the boot.
However, here’s what I’ve been loving in my routine.
Pyunkang Yul – Acne Facial Cleanser
I’m a sucker for well-designed packaging and Pyungkang Yul has that clean, slick minimalist aesthetic down. Two months ago, I bought the facial cleanser from the acne range, and it feels like a baby caressing my face. It’s not very foamy (which I love) and has a really moisturising, silky feeling when you apply to your face. And between us, I think I’ve found my favourite cleanser!. But, I’d like to try more of the Pyungkang Yul range – and see if I get the same results from other products.
CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
Not to be dramatic, but this product honestly changed my life. If you’re prone to getting those painful, red cystic pimples – the pimple patches really help! The COSRX patches are easy enough to use, you simply put one (or more) on at night and see how sucked out the sebum from your zit in the morning. Most of the time, the surrounding area is completely flat and not inflamed at all. And if you get regular breakouts, you know how hard it can be to get rid of painful pimples. A definite repurchase!
Thanks for reading – and feel free to share your fave/not-so-fave K-beauty products! I hope this is helpful (P.S I bought my products from Glow Theory)
-A
alyx carolus 