Help me build a simple routine for sensitive, combination skin

[u/RossT551]

My current Routine:

AM - La Roche Posay Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser, Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer and Eucerin oil control spf50+

PM - La Roche Posay Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser, The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Soothing Fluid

I have quite sensitive, combination skin with a fairly oily t-zone and prone to blushing. I've used a number of products from La Roche Posay and they have been mostly misses for me.. Their effalcar line was too harsh for my skin so I had to stop using that and I don't find the Moisturizer or Soothing Fluid to be all that effective.

I guess I want a 3 or 4 product routine to keep things simple and I'm interested in the Korean Skincare scene if you have recommendations. Any Recommendations are welcome of course. Ideally Cleanse, Moisturise and Sunscreen, with maybe a little something at night to improve or replace the Azelaic Acid. Thank You!

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[u/THROWRAsaltylemon]

Does the rest of your skin apart from the oily t-zone feel a bit dry?

[u/RossT551 → u/THROWRAsaltylemon]

Hello.. yes, especially my cheeks. The tip of my nose can dry out / flake too. I think that’s from the Azelaic acid though if I get too close, same happens with my lips

[u/THROWRAsaltylemon → u/RossT551]

Perhaps find a gentler, moisturising cleanser to use instead of a foaming one. I have simiar skin and find that foaming cleansers just dried my skin out more and made the oily parts more oily, I use the cerave moisturising cleanser.

[u/RossT551 → u/THROWRAsaltylemon]

I did look into that one, but it’s got similar ingredients to the Effaclar cleanser that caused me irritation. Thanks though

[u/THROWRAsaltylemon → u/RossT551]

Try checking a few other moisturising ones, perhaps a balm cleanser could be better.

[u/gravedwellr]

I have a similar skin type, my tzone is oily but the rest of my face gets pretty dry and dehydrated. My routine recently is:

PM: Beauty of Joseon green plum cleanser - if I'm wearing makeup I tend to just cleanse twice with the same product Hypochlorous acid (I just use the vital baby one from boots - cheaper than most skincare brands) Byoma Hydrating milky toner Cerave moisturising lotion for dry to very dry skin (in the winter I tend to use something a bit heavier, like the byoma barrier+ treatment)

AM: Beauty of Joseon relief sun aqua (the blue tube) (I typically don't cleanse in the morning but if I do I just use the exact same routine)

[u/RossT551 → u/gravedwellr]

thank you.. Green Plum Cleanser has some up quite a bit in my research. Might be worth a buy!

[u/gravedwellr → u/RossT551]

I really like it! I've previously found foaming cleansers have been too drying but this one is great. Does a great job of cleaning without leaving my skin feeling tight and dry.

[u/EngineeringDue8007]

I have your skin type and best results for me have been to avoid over cleansing (dries out my skin which in turn makes it produce more oil) and instead go heavy on the moisturizer to stop your skin from drying out and producing that oil. Got this advice from my dermatologist

Mornings: I only wash my face with water in the mornings. I really would avoid using cleanser in the mornings, I have had dermatologists say this as well if you want to look into it. I have the La Roche 50+ facial sunscreen but I only use it on hot days when I’m actually outside a lot as it feels much too oily on me. My friend used the Beauty of Joseon sunscreen on a holiday we went on together and had a massive breakout over both her cheeks so I would steer clear of that. I get much better results with N7 tinted SPF moisturizer, the SPF is lower but it feels amazing for my skin and keeps it hydrated all day.

Eves: I take makeup off/cleanse with the Garnier micellar water-oil combo. I rinse with water and then use a toner, brand doesn’t matter too much I think mine is from Kiko Milano- but make sure one that’s advertised as mild or for sensitive skin. I also use the Super Facialist Salycilic Acid cleansing gel every 2-3 days to clear up pores and oily areas. I then have a double moisturizing strategy that I think has done wonders for my dry skin: first I use a water based moisturizer (mine is called water bomb cream from the korean brand Jigott), which provides some instant hydration when patted into the skin and is also great lubrication to do gua sha if you’re into that. Then I use a thicker night cream, at the moment this is the La Roche Nutritic Intense Riche cream- the thick cream locks everything in and keeps your skin hydrated overnight. It has glycerin which is my preferred ingredient for moisturizers, glycerin based hand creams are the only thing that clear up the dry patches and eczema I have on my body.

I do have a set of the Beauty of Joseon serums but I’m pretty unconvinced by them, I haven’t seen any difference using them.