I’m about to spill the beans on how I cured my hormonal acne with the power of Korean skin care. As a California native who moved to South Korea after college, I became immersed in the world of K-Beauty and discovered the secrets to clear and radiant skin. Inspired by my own experiences, I co-founded Soko Glam with my husband, David. Through years of trial and error, I’ve carefully crafted a skin-care routine that effectively treats hormonal acne and hyperpigmentation. Here’s what I’ve learned, and trust me, it works!
Hormonal Acne: Not Just a Teenage Problem
Did you know that hormonal and cystic acne can affect anyone, not just teenagers? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fifty percent of women between the ages of 20 and 40 are dealing with adult acne. It’s a combination of factors like bacteria, excess sebum, dead skin cells, and hormones. Even my diet plays a significant role in my breakouts. When I followed the Whole 30 diet, I noticed a significant reduction in hormonal acne. Armed with this knowledge, I’ve developed a holistic approach to reduce breakouts and promote faster healing. Let me walk you through my ultimate skin-care routine!
Double Cleansing: The Korean Secret
At the age of 22, I discovered the wonders of double cleansing. I never used to think about cleaning my skin regularly, let alone cleaning it twice a day! But once I learned that oil cleansers effectively deep-clean pores, remove excess sebum, and acne-causing bacteria, I was sold. My go-to oil cleanser is the Hanskin Cleansing Oil & Blackhead. It’s formulated with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) to gently exfoliate and keep blackheads and dead skin cells at bay. This cleanser also fights breakouts with tea tree oil and hydrates with jojoba, olive, grapeseed oils, and aloe vera extract.
After rinsing off the oil cleanser, I follow up with the Dr. Oracle A-Thera Cleansing Foam. Made by dermatologists, this water-based cleanser uses salicylic acid, green tea extract, and tea tree oil to deeply cleanse my pores and eliminate bacteria and excess sebum. It’s gentle and leaves my skin balanced and moisturized, crucial for dealing with cystic acne.
Targeted Treatment for Hormonal Acne
When I’m dealing with a hormonal acne breakout, I take extra steps to treat it directly. Before applying toner, I use the Dr. Oracle A-Thera Tea Tree Peeling Sticks. These unique sticks are soaked in a 6 percent AHA and BHA solution, which effectively clears my pores and exfoliates the skin. Tea tree extract, lemon extract, and bamboo extract provide natural exfoliation without irritation. Incorporating these sticks into my routine has made a significant difference in healing my blemishes faster. I never travel without them since they’re TSA-approved and perfect for on-the-go breakouts!
Soothing and Balancing with Toner
After the peeling stick treatment, I reach for the Dr. Oracle A-Thera Toner. Though currently sold out, ACWELL Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner is a great alternative. This toner instantly calms my inflamed hormonal acne with bamboo extract, which is rich in antioxidants that promote faster healing. It’s free of artificial fragrance, parabens, and mineral oil, making it perfect for sensitive skin. I use it with a cotton pad to sweep across my face, restoring balance with its pH level of 5.5.
Go-to Patches for Blemished Skin
To double-treat my cystic acne, I rely on the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch. These acne stickers come in different sizes and are super affordable. I apply them to inflamed pimples to draw out impurities. These thin, clear hydrocolloid patches stay put and treat breakouts by eliminating infection and bacteria. They break down debris and absorb gunk overnight, without leaving behind dry patches. Perfect for cystic acne, I’ve found that using them with the Dr. Oracle Tea Tree Peeling Sticks enhances their effectiveness.
Hydration and Healing
For hydration and treatment, I use the Dr. Oracle A-Thera Emulsion. Though sold out, Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is a great alternative. This emulsion treats acne-prone skin while providing much-needed moisture. Its bamboo extract and green tea extract fortify the skin barrier and prevent excessive oil production. Lighter than a moisturizer but more substantial than an essence, this emulsion leaves my skin plump and moisturized, without causing more breakouts.
As for my daily moisturizer, I turn to the Dr. Oracle A-Thera Cream. This soothing moisturizer nourishes inflamed skin with its mineral-rich formula containing Celtic mineral water. Bamboo extract locks in moisture and provides anti-aging benefits. It’s my favorite moisturizer for acne-prone skin because it’s incredibly calming.
Don’t Forget About the Eyes
Even though it doesn’t directly target my hormonal acne, the Benton Fermentation Eye Cream is an essential part of my routine. It hydrates and softens the delicate eye area, thanks to fermented and anti-aging ingredients like bifida ferment lysate and galactomyces ferment filtrate. With ceramides, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and panthenol, this eye cream deeply hydrates and repairs damaged skin. Beta-glucans and adenosine work together to plump and smooth the eye area, giving you brighter-looking eyes!
Sun Protection Is a Must
During the day, I rely on Missha Mild Essence Sun Milk SPF 50/PA++++ for the ultimate sun protection. Though currently out of stock, the Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence is an excellent alternative. This lightweight sunscreen provides powerful broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection while nourishing and hydrating the skin. It doesn’t leave a greasy feeling or white cast, making it perfect for everyday use.
Fading Acne Marks with Vitamin C
When my hormonal breakouts heal, they often leave behind stubborn acne marks. To tackle this issue, I use the COSRX Triple C Lightning Liquid twice a day. Developed in collaboration with COSRX, this serum contains 20.5 percent pure vitamin C, a potent ingredient for treating dark spots and pigmentation. Infused with black chokeberry and other hydrating ingredients, this serum restores radiance to the skin, repairs damage, and prevents future pigmentation. To maximize its effectiveness and shelf life, I store mine in the fridge.
Those are the secrets to my skin-care routine that saved me from hormonal acne. Trust me, it’s a game-changer! If you want to achieve clear and radiant skin, give these Korean skin-care products a try. Don’t let hormonal acne bring you down. Embrace the power of K-Beauty and enjoy the results!
This article was originally published on March 9, 2018, and has been updated throughout. If you want to learn more about beauty, visit beauty.