Whether we like it or not, acne’s one of those unique skin concerns that can occur at any stage of life. 

Unlike fine lines and pregnancy spots, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, pimples and breakouts can appear as soon as one enters adolescence and continues well into adulthood– often until one’s 30s and 40s. 

There are now entire brands dedicated to eradicating every type of pimple and comedone, with products ranging from hydrocolloid patches to liquid exfoliators packed with AHAs and BHAs, but this season, we’re focusing on simplicity and getting back the acne fighting basics. That’s why we’re set on sharing our favorite budget acne fighting cleansers. 

These three water based cleansers tap into the powers of tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and amino acids to eliminate gunk, dirt and grime and keep your skin clear!

Check out our favorite budget acne fighting cleansers below and see which one you should pick up to cut out all that extra summer sunscreen and sebum.

Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water – $17

This game-changing Soko Glam’s Best of K-Beauty winner is also a favorite amongst beauty editors, having graced the digital pages of publications from Byrdie to Refinery29.

Fragrance free and formulated with only 10 ingredients, the Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water provides the most for your money with 70% tea tree leaf water. 

This cleansing water uses tea tree’s unique antibacterial and antiseptic properties to zap zits without irritation- this natural ingredient soothes inflammation and decreases redness! 

Inward Agas ACue Cleansing Foam  – $19

If you’re looking for an AHA and BHA packed cleanser that’s also soothing and moisturizing (yes, it’s possible!) the Inward Agas ACue Cleansing Foam was made for you.

Lactic acid and salicylic acid work together in this dreamy foamy formula to exfoliate acne prone skin and clear out pores- preventing further breakouts while eliminating any current ones.

Moisturizing agastache, or Korean mint, is at the heart of this cleansing foam. Cica lives alongside the agastache in order to provide as little irritation to the skin barrier as possible! 

We love this product because not only is it effective, budget friendly, and fragrance free, but it’s formulated with a pH close to the skin’s natural acidity so it doesn’t disrupt the skin’s acid mantle.

Dewytree Hi Amino All Cleanser – $15.99

If acne prevention- and not elimination- is your focus you might want to get into amino acids. Amino acids help the skin reproduce its own antioxidants to provide protection from free radicals like pollution and UV rays. If you’re not aware, free radicals can damage the skin causing everything from fine lines to skin cancer.

Amino acids’ benefits don’t stop there- they also assist the skin in maintaining hydration and keeping healthy with a nourished skin barrier.

A healthy, nourished, and protected barrier means bacteria has a harder time finding a home on the skin’s surface. 

Try Dewytree’s Hi Amino All Cleanser facial cleanser In order to get in on amino acid’s benefits!

What’s your favorite budget acne treatment? Let us know below! 

The post 3 Acne Fighting Cleansers We Swear By- All Under $20 appeared first on The Klog.

Any true K-beauty fan is probably familiar with the double cleanse, and if you’re not, you should be. Double cleansing is the backbone of any good routine and is undoubtedly the most important step in the routine—if your skin isn’t totally clean, your other products just won’t work as well, and your skin won’t stay clear.

But even among people who are lovers of the double cleanse, there are a lot of myths that surround where, when, and how to use each of the two cleansers. It’s time to dispel these myths so you can have a clear understanding of the process and even clearer skin.

So, what is the double cleanse?

If you’re new here, don’t worry, the double cleanse is an easy-to-understand process. It’s a cleansing method that uses two types of cleansers: an oil based cleanser, and a water based cleanser. Basically, oil cleansers remove oil based impurities (makeup, sebum, etc.), and water cleansers remove water based impurities (sweat, dirt, etc.).

Cleansing in this way ensures that both types of impurities are removed from your skin, and your face gets the deepest, gentlest clean possible. However, this mix of cleansers is often misunderstood, and there are many myths about double cleansing that often aren’t true.

Myth 1: I shouldn’t use an oil cleanser if I have oily skin.

We put this as myth number one because it’s one of the most common misconceptions. The idea that oil on oily skin is a bad combo is one of the most inaccurate but widely spread skin care myths there out there. In reality, if you struggle with oily skin, using an oil cleanser is even more important. Oily skin produces more oil-based impurities than regular skin, and using an oil cleanser is the most effective way to clear those out.

If you’re still hesitant, you can pick out an oil-based cleanser that is especially good for oily skin, like Soko Glam’s Best of K-Beauty winner Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm. At the end of the day, using an oil-based cleanser on oily skin is one of the most effective ways to fight breakouts!

Myth 2: I don’t need to oil cleanse if I don’t wear makeup.

False! Although it’s true that oil cleansers are amazing makeup removers, they do so much more than just that. Makeup is just one type of oil based impurity. Some other oil based impurities include excess sebum (which everyone’s face secretes), and various other oil based pollutants that build up on your skin over the course of the day or night.

Oil cleansers also break down SPF, which you should always, always, always be wearing. It removes all the surface oil-based gunk so that when you go in with your water cleanser it can actually get deep into the pores and remove deep set impurities that are essential to clear out. So whether you wear makeup or not doesn’t really matter—there’s a whole lot more that oil cleansers do than clear off your foundation.

Myth 3: I don’t need to oil cleanse in the morning.

It may seem like you don’t need to oil cleanse in the morning because you haven’t applied SPF or makeup before bed, but in the same idea as myth two, those aren’t the only things oil cleansers remove!

While you sleep, your face produces sebum and oil-based impurities accumulate on the skin. While it’s certainly not as much as at the end of the long day out in the elements of the real world, your skin still needs a double cleanse in the morning to completely remove those impurities. Trust us, you’ll feel fresher throughout your entire day after you double cleanse in the morning.

Myth 4: Water-based cleansers dry out my skin.

For some people, the idea of using a cleanser that’s not oil-based is daunting because they it will dry out or strip their skin. But as long as you’re using a foam cleanser that’s right for your skin type, this absolutely isn’t true.

If you struggle with dry and sensitive skin, the key is simply using a foaming cleanser that’s gentle, and with a neutral to low pH, like the Then I Met You Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel. This will ensure your skin gets the deep, thorough clean that it needs, without stripping or drying your face. The double cleanse is great for this, because using an oil cleanser first means there is less that your water cleanser needs to remove and allows you to use a cleanser that is gentler.

Myth 5: Double cleansing will over-clean my face.

It’s true that it is possible to over-cleanse the skin, so it’s easy to see where this misconception comes from, but this concept is false. Oil cleansers are formulated to be extremely gentle on the skin. Unlike other harsher cleansers, oil cleansers don’t strip your skin of lipids and ceramides that are essential to keeping your skin balanced and healthy. That unpleasant dry, tight feeling that occurs after cleansing with harsh cleansers happens because those lipids and ceramides are stripped away in order to remove oil based impurities.

Oil cleansers ensure those impurities are cleared away, but the lipids and ceramides stay in place. There are even oil cleansers that are extra gentle, like the Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [PHA], that are especially good for extra sensitive skin. And as we said above, as long as you’re choosing a water-based cleanser that suits your skin’s needs, you’ll leave your skin only cleaner—not stripped—after your double cleanse.

Bottom line:

At the end of the day, the rule of thumb is that everyone—regardless of your skin type or what products you use—should be double cleansing every day, morning and night! This will not only prevent blemishes and imperfections, it will ensure your skin is ready to receive all the other products you use, making them even more effective. So next time you’re wondering if you should be double cleansing, just remember the answer is almost always yes.

The post The Double Cleansing Myths You Need to Stop Believing appeared first on The Klog.

A cleanser is the backbone of any skin care routine and is the first step in keeping skin clear and healthy. That’s why it’s so important to use the right formula for your skin type and concerns. 

We’ve already shared our favorite oil cleansers for each skin type (the first step in the double cleanse method), so today we’re helping with which water-based cleanser (the second step in the double cleanse method) you should use based on your skin type.

Oily Skin: Mediheal Intensive Pore Clean Cleansing Foam 

Since oily skin types can accumulate even more oil throughout the day, it’s important to find a cleanser that can control excess oil and sebum and unclog any dirt or debris from pores. We recommend the Mediheal Intensive Pore Clean Cleansing Foam, which uses charcoal to detoxify and deep clean any oil and acne-causing bacteria. It also contains zinc to soothe the skin and mushroom extract, an antioxidant that nourishes the skin barrier to prevent skin from getting dehydrated and over-producing oil. Those with oily skin will also love that it leaves skin with a matte finish. 

Combination Skin: Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser

This best-selling foam cleanser works for all skin types, but it can be especially beneficial for those with combination skin. The star ingredient is fermented green tea extract, which is rich in antioxidants, hydrating, and soothes inflammation caused by breakouts. Unlike many foam cleansers out there, the formula is gentle and doesn’t strip skin, making it perfect for everyday use. 

Normal Skin: Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser

If you have normal skin, your main goal should be to find a cleanser that keeps your balanced skin from getting off kilter.  For this, we love the Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser, a creamy foam cleanser from Klairs. It contains tea tree leaf oil to clear away impurities while hydrating, and a blend of amino acids and hyaluronic acid that moisturizes and promotes skin renewal for a rejuvenated complexion. 

RELATED: Why Your Cleanser Isn’t Working

Dry Skin: Solved Skincare Coconut Water Cleansing Foam

Water-based cleansers can be especially tricky for those with dry skin, since many can be a little too drying in an effort to make the skin squeaky clean. Foam cleansers are usually the biggest culprit in this case, but the Solved Coconut Water Cleansing Foam is different. Formulated with 75% real coconut water, this foam-to-cream cleanser is able to deeply hydrate your skin while gently cleansing it. The ingredient is rich in amino acids and skin-benefitting proteins to replenish and refresh skin. The cleanser also has a mild pH of 5.5 and contains clean ingredients that are all EWG Green-verified, so it won’t irritate skin.

Sensitive Skin: Commleaf Rice Purifying Foaming Cleanser

Sensitive skin can be easily aggravated, so it’s important to find a cleanser that’s gentle and non-irritating to balance and prep your skin for the rest of your routine. The Commleaf Rice Purifying Foaming Cleanser is lightweight and perfect for sensitive skin types, featuring all natural ingredients such as deep sea water to hydrate, rice water to soothe and brighten, and vegetable surfactants to gently cleanse the skin. This hypoallergenic and vegan formula is able to keep blemishes at bay and calm irritated or inflamed skin. 

The post The Best Water-Based Cleanser For Your Skin Type appeared first on The Klog.

If you have oily skin…

Oily and acne-prone skin types shouldn’t be afraid of oil-based cleansers. While it may seem daunting to apply oil to an already oily face, you need to remember that oil attracts oil, and cleansing balms like Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Purifying ($19) will help your skin look and feel cleaner than ever. The best part? It also contains vitamin C-rich acerola extract, which brightens skin.

RELATED: Glow Deeper Series: The Difference Between Cleansing Oils and Cleansing Balms – and Which Is Best For You

If you have dry skin…

With more of sherbet-like texture, E Nature Moringa Cleansing Balm ($23) was made for dry and sensitive skin. Formulated using only natural ingredients, it’s enriched with true rose of Jericho and iris extract to promote smoothness and softness, very gently cleansing the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. 

If you have combination skin…

Those with combination skin will know how important it is to research products for your skin type. But when it comes to cleansing balms, consider yourself sorted with the Hanskin Pore Cleansing Balm ($22). Formulated with gentle and effective PHAs (polyhydroxy acids), it gently exfoliates while hydrating and rebalancing the skin thanks to lightweight plant-derived oils like olive oil and evening primrose oil.

If you have normal skin…

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm ($38) is a cult favorite for a reason. On top of doing all the right things when it comes to cleansing, it’s packed with antioxidant and fatty acid-rich seaberry (sea buckthorn) oil, which softens and protects skin, plus persimmon extract, which fights the signs of aging.

RELATED: Why the Living Cleansing Balm is My Holy Grail Cleanser

The Bottom Line

Double cleansing forms the basis of the 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine. While the type of oil-based cleanser you choose to use is a matter of personal preference, cleansing balms have many pros and are ideal for those who wear make-up and sunscreen daily.

The post Kickstart Your Double Cleanse: How To Find The Right Cleansing Balm For Your Skin Type appeared first on The Klog.

Are you confused by the crazy amount of options there are when it comes to cleansing? Gel, cream, foaming—what? The skin care world is a vast, all-consuming beast, and while it’s great to have options, sometimes having so many makes it hard to decide what products will work for your skin.

This is especially true when it comes to cleansers. They come in so many different formulations which are geared towards specific skin types. Keep reading to find out what exactly is the difference between foaming, gel, and cream cleansers.

Foaming Cleansers:

Foam cleansers are just that: cleansers that have some sort of foaming, sudsy quality to them. They’re usually suggested for oily and acne-prone skin types since they are meant to deep clean the skin by getting rid of excess oil and sebum, as well as work to uproot any debris stuck in your pores, helping to keep your skin clean and refreshed.

These cleansers often get a bad rep because of a well known ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate which tends to cause irritation, but if your skin works well with SLS, by all means keep using one with that ingredient. Finding the right cleanser is about figuring out what works for your skin, so instead of sticking to so-called skin care rules, go with how your skin feels.

On the other hand, if your skin is irritated and left feeling dry and tight by rougher surfactants like SLS, then it might just be in your best interest to try out a different cleanser or formula that isn’t so harsh on the skin. If you usually avoid foaming cleansers, there are other surfactants that can be used to bring about that foaming texture in a gentler manner and avoid stripping the skin. For example, the Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser replaces SLS with a hydrating amino acid rich sudsing agent that help to keep your skin balanced and moisturized after use.

There are a variety of different foam cleansers on the market and while these are usually toted as the perfect cleansers for oily and acne-prone skin, it might be worth it to give one a try as long as you choose a formula that will work for your skin.

Gel Cleansers:

Gel cleansers have a completely different texture from the light and airy one of a traditional foam cleanser. Instead, they have a thick gel consistency that provides a smaller amount of foam and a milder cleanse.

Although they provide a milder cleanser, don’t confuse that with an inefficient one! This just means they cleanse your skin without leaving it feeling stripped. Generally, these are recommended for those with combination or normal skin, but again, this is all relative dependent on how your skin reacts to different formulations.

Just like foam cleansers, gel cleansers come in all different shapes and formulas. The Acwell pH Balancing Bubble Free Cleansing Gel is a unique one in the arena of gel cleansers as this contains a completely bubble-free formula, AKA no sudsing.

Gel formulas revolutionize the idea that people tend to believe you need bubbles to cleanse your skin properly, but that’s not always the case. This cleanser uses centella asiatica, aloe leaf extract, along with witch hazel to hydrate, calm, and brighten skin with every wash. It also contains licorice to further brighten up dull skin. Much like Then I Met You’s Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel, this one is also low pH, which helps to balance the skin and leave it refreshed post-cleanse.

Cream/Milk Cleansers:

Cream and/or milk cleansers avoid the suds altogether and instead give you a creamy formula that mildly cleanses the skin. They’re meant for more sensitive, dry skin types and use natural oils and emulsifiers to cleanse the skin while helping to soothe any redness and inflammation. You’ll want to use these on dry skin, much like you would an oil cleanser, as this helps to increase its cleansing abilities, leaving you with fresh, hydrated skin.

Bottom line:

Trying to find the best cleanser can be a struggle given that there are so many options on the market but hopefully by understanding how each one works it will help you to narrow down your search! Don’t feel limited by one particular cleanser category either as the formula is also extremely important. At the end of the day, it’s all about ingredient lists and personal preference so you can choose what works for you.

The post The Difference Between Foaming, Gel, and Cream Cleansers appeared first on The Klog.

Being a beauty writer means I get to sample a lot of great products, but only a handful end up in my regular rotation. This is why Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm is my holy grail cleanser, and why I’ll cry real tears if it’s ever discontinued.

There are a few skin care products out there that, should they ever stop being produced, would make my eyes go wide in a surge of panic. Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm is one of those products.

I can honestly tell you that it’s transformed my hormonal acne-prone skin, that it makes me excited to dive into my skincare regimen every night, and that I use every single drop and then hit repurchase when I’m almost out. It’s that good. I can also tell you that I see a difference in the quality of my skin when I don’t use the product, and that I love it so much I actually transfer some into a small container to bring with me when I travel. (FYI, I always use the Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel in conjunction with the balm).        

RELATED: Seven Holy Grail K-Beauty Products That Never Leave Our Skin Care Routines.

Love at First Cleanse

The first time I used the Living Cleansing Balm was shortly after it launched. I was enamored by the packaging, and really touched by the “feeling of jeong” – a deep, emotional connection you build over time – Charlotte wanted to put into the world, but at the end of the day I had to like the product itself, right?

I could tell the second I took that little periwinkle blue spatula and spread the bright orange balm across my face that I was going to be in for a good experience. It smelled amazing, the formulation was silky, and as I gently massaged the product into my skin I could feel the day’s grime breaking down.

There are three things that surprised me in those early days of using the product, and that keep me coming back for more:

The consistency of the formulation. It’s not like other balms which feel ultra-heavy or sticky. It’s hearty, but it doesn’t suffocate your skin.
How easily the balm rinses away. Unlike many cleansing balms or oils I’ve tried, it doesn’t take forever to rinse the product off and it never leaves a film. And confession: to this day I relish in watching the milky-gray water go down the sink because it’s a visual representation of just how clean my skin is.

How clean, soft, and — most importantly — balanced my skin feels after cleansing. My skin never feels stripped, tight, dry, or otherwise compromised. I can tell that it’s a healthy experience for my skin, which is a testament to all the time Charlotte put into the formulation.

The Long-Term Results

I mentioned above that I have hormonal, acne-prone skin. This is something that I dealt with a lot in high school and college, and that came back in full force around my mid/late 20s. Early on, I learned that excessive cleansing — and aggressive ingredients — only made my acne problem worse. I stopped using any and all cleansers in the morning, which helped tremendously. I still do not use cleansers in the morning, but as a makeup wearer (and human roaming the earth exposing myself to daily dirt and grime) I obviously have to use a cleanser in the evening.

I’ve tried them all — “dermatologist recommended” brands, all-natural cleansers, acne-busting cleansers, oil-based cleansers, extremely expensive cleansers. Many were sufficient, but none left me truly floored, and none tackled my acne — hormonal and otherwise — the way that the Living Cleansing Balm has. A huge part of that is the award-winning formulation, and the fact that the ingredients genuinely work for me and balance my skin versus compromise it. Also, as I mentioned above, I’ve been way more consistent about completing my entire skincare regimen because I look forward to it so much.

So yeah… if you feel like you’ve tried every cleansing balm out there and meh-ed them all, or if you’re completely new to the double cleanse game and don’t know where to start, look no further, this is the best cleansing balm on the market. You really ought to give this one a try. I’m so glad I did.

The post Why The Living Cleansing Balm Is My Holy Grail Cleanser appeared first on The Klog.

If you’re worried about the condition of your skin and want to treat it like the precious gift it is, the first thing you’ve got to do is cleanse it properly. Get on board with double-cleansing, and then follow with a good point makeup remover.

As a makeup artist, I always need to have something on hand to erase little accidents, and the big messes that might crop up on set. I’ve done entire looks to completion and had art directors saunter over and tell me, “Yeah! Exactly like that, but make it purple!” You may not face situations that extreme in your day to day life, but you still need good quality products to remove your point makeup.

Point makeup is lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, and blush. Since point makeup usually has some rich pigments, it’s a little more difficult to remove than, say, your BB cream or powder. It requires a little extra something to ensure that it’s completely removed. Today I’d like to explore some of the many options available for the removal of point makeup, how to best use them, and let you know some of my favs!

Liquid remover

Great for: Waterproof makeup

Let’s start with the kind of point makeup remover we’re probably all familiar with: the traditional “shake-up-the-bottle-to-mix-the-oil-and-water” type. This is the kind of makeup remover your mother probably used.

However, unlike your mother’s Clinique Take The Day Off, or Lancome Bi-Facil, we now have products like Missha Green Tea Lip & Eye Makeup Remover that has added skin care benefits because of ingredients like camellia sinensis leaf extract — green tea extract!

Green tea has natural antimicrobial, antioxidant, astringent, and emollient properties. It keeps skin clean, protects it, and hydrates it — always a welcome addition to anything we’re going to put on our most delicate, thinnest, sensitive areas of skin.

To use this type of product, shake the bottle to mix the two layers, dispense onto a cotton pad, and gently wipe away your lip and eye makeup as the name suggests. It does a really nice job of removing even your darkest shadow, liner, and lipstick with no harshness. Even waterproof formulas are no match for this stuff.

Use it at the end of the night when taking your makeup off, or whenever you’re planning on re-washing your face completely and starting over with fresh makeup.

It does leave a slight film behind that’s not friendly to putting makeup on right over it, but if you’re in search of something that functions as well as this product for cleaning up makeup application mishaps, boy, do I have just the thing for you…

Cotton swab remover

Great for: Precision makeup

This is one of those products you never want to be without because of its insanely handy and portable delivery system. Really it’s genius, and frankly, I’m mad I didn’t think of it first

These ingenious little cotton swabs (or magic Q-tips as I call them) are self-contained “oops” erasers. You know when you’re having an off day and you just can’t get that other eyeliner to wing out properly, or you’ve gone overboard on that bottom liner and don’t have time to start all over? This is where your new best friend comes in! The Skinfood Eggplant Eye Make-up Remover Bar is essentially a cotton swab with makeup remover housed inside.

To use, hold the cotton swab with the tube side pointing towards the sky, then gently twist the tube off. From there you can hold it while the bottom swab soaks up the remover from the tube. You use the end soaked with the remover to quickly resolve any mistakes, and the dry end to wipe up anything remaining. It’s genius!

The remover doesn’t leave a residue, so you’re free to immediately re-apply makeup to the area you’ve just used the swab on.

I always keep one with me to deal with any eyeshadow fallout that might happen while out and about, and one next to my makeup mirror to contain any gel liner or mascara related disasters that might arise.

Cleansing tissues

Great for: On-the-go. Best for non-waterproof makeup.

Here’s another handy little product that is a hybrid between a liquid remover and spot remover. Tissues are perfect for one-time use makeup removal. They’re especially good on the run or when you’re too lazy to deal with more than one tool to get your makeup off because it’s a remover and applicator in one.

Enter Manefit Avocado Lip & Eye Remover. This product is self-contained and includes 100% cotton sheets soaked in just the right amount of makeup remover that is great for removing non-waterproof point makeup.

I love the cute little size of these things. They’re about a quarter of the size of a typical makeup remover sheet, which actually makes them a lot easier to handle when working with the small, delicate areas of the eyes and mouth.

Make a mistake in your makeup application? No worries! Because of the tissues’ wide surface area, these are awesome for removing an entire eyeshadow look from your eye if you need to start over again. (Bonus: No need to wash your whole face again with these guys.)

Also a plus: Its avocado oil is wonderfully moisturizing.

Oil cleanser

Great for: Cleansing every day (maybe even twice!).

Okay, so this isn’t exactly point makeup remover, but it is essential. If you are rocking the most tenacious of waterproof cosmetics, fear not because oil cleanser will make short work of that.

I love a good sherbet cleanser. Truth be told I always have three or four in rotation at all times.

Tony Moly Aquaporin Sherbet Cleanser is a cleanser you absolutely need as part of your double cleansing routine. Unlike messier liquid oil cleansers, this comes in a solid oil form. You simply scoop out the desired amount and massage it onto a dry face as you would your foam cleanser. It then melts with your body’s temperature and sweeps away your makeup — all of it. I repeat: ALL of your makeup. Trust me, nothing is getting by this champion. Once you’re done with your annihilation of the day’s gunk and buildup, rinse with water.

You might think from the looks of it that it would be hard to completely wash away, but au contraire mon frère! As it comes into contact with water it emulsifies (gets milky as it breaks down gunk), and rinses away easily.

Tony Moly Aquaporin Sherbet Cleanser also has something that I’m a sucker for: a gorgeous scent! It has a very light, non-cloying, heavenly light floral smell that makes my oil cleansing step a treat. It’s a great way to end a stressful day.

Solid formulas are my personal preference over the liquid oil cleansers and they’re especially great for travel as you don’t have to worry about them leaking. Most importantly, the only way to completely remove the sunblock that I’m going to assume you’re wearing (and you better be wearing it!) is a thorough oil cleansing. For all of their benefits, point makeup removers just can’t provide that. But they have their place in your makeup bag too. another sherbet type cleanser I’m a huge fan of is Banila Co. Clean It Zero. It works exactly like that Tony Moly Aquaporin, but has little to no scent and is great for sensitive skin.

SU:M37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick is another product I personally love that can also function as a cleanser to help remove makeup. It has a divine rose smell and feels so luxurious on the skin. It’s probably the most glamourous product for overall makeup and sunblock removal. I feel like a QUEEN every time I use it.

Think of these products as a team, if you wear makeup, there’s a place for all of them in your current skincare routine, they work beautifully in conjunction with one another in different situations, and with teamwork lead you on a path to your best skin ever!

Coco Park, a.k.a. The Beauty Wolf, is on the prowl for beauty in all its forms including, but not limited to, makeup, art, and hip-hop. She’s a city slicker from the South living in Montreal with her family. Catch @thebeautywolf on Instagram.

The post The Best Ways to Remove Different Kinds of Makeup appeared first on The Klog.

Coconut oil serves as an effective makeup remover because it’s able to break down even waterproof makeup while being gentle and nourishing. But if you’ve ever tried to apply raw coconut oil from a jar on your face, you know it can be a messy endeavor. Plus, you have to use your hands, which can spread bacteria, essentially canceling out your cleanse. And then there’s the fact that the oil is considered comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores.

So how can you reap the cleansing and makeup-removing benefits of coconut oil without the cons mentioned above? Meet the Solved Skincare Coconut Oil Cleansing Pads.

The round, double-sided pads are drenched in 100% virgin coconut oil and are equipped with a pocket for your fingers so you can cleanse more efficiently and don’t have to touch your face. In addition to the coconut oil, the formula contains an emulsifier to help ensure the oil rinses off with water so you’re not left with a greasy, pore-clogging film on your skin.

Sure, that all sounds great, but how well do these pads work? To find out, I put them to the ultimate test.

The Experiment

Recently, I had the opportunity to check out Blushington, a makeup and beauty lounge in New York City (there are locations in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Philadelphia too!), where you can enlist the skills of professional makeup artists to glam you up for big events like weddings or of course, just for fun.

Being that it was humid outside and I wanted to see what the Coconut Oil Cleansing Pads were made of, I asked my makeup artist Jenifer to pile on the most hardcore, smudge- and waterproof products she had to create a full face of makeup. The result was a gorgeous natural, yet far from understated look created with 16 products:

• Erborian CC Creme Red Correct
• Becca Ultimate Coverage 24 Hour Foundation
• Stila Eyes are the Window Shadow Palette
• Kevyn Aucoin The Neo-Bronzer
• Stila Convertible Color Cream Blush
• Jouer Blush Bouquet
• RMS Beauty Un Powder-Translucent
• Brow Gal Skinny Eyebrow Pencil and Eyebrow Gel
• Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Supernatural Concealer
• Jouer  Slim Creme Eyeliner
• Julie Hewett Omit Concealer Pencil
• Eyeko Beach Waterproof Mascara
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery
• Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face & Body
• Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist

Shop them all on blushington.com.

The Removal Process  

For reference, I typically use three products to cleanse my skin at night: Baby oil (just around the eyes) to remove my waterproof mascara, an oil cleanser (all over the face), and then a water-based cleanser (I like the Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water) to top it off. If the Solved Skincare pads could consolidate my cleansing routine from three to two steps, that would be a win in my book.

Though I didn’t want to ever take off my Blushington-created look, I went in with a pad in the name of science…or you know, for this article.

I started with the smaller side around my eyes and in a couple swipes the shadow, eyeliner, and waterproof mascara was gone – all without irritating or pulling at my eyes. A few swipes with the larger side over the face and the primer, foundation, blush, bronzer, and highlighter were but a memory. Finally, back to the smaller side, the bright red pigment on my lips jumped right onto the pad in an instant with no residue left over. I followed with a splash of water and the Solved Skincare Coconut Water Cleansing Foam to finish the job.

Bottom Line 

If you’ve struggled to find a makeup remover that can tackle waterproof mascara, liquid matte lipstick, and other hard-to-remove formulas, the Solved Skincare Coconut Oil Cleansing Pads are about to be your BFF. I loved that they removed all traces of my 16-product look and that I didn’t have scrub and tug at my face to do so. And even if you don’t wear tons of makeup, coconut oil is great for removing sunscreen and excess oil, plus a host of other things you can read about here.

The post These Coconut Oil Pads Successfully Removed 16 Products Worth of Smudge-Proof Makeup Off My Face Like It Was Nothing appeared first on The Klog.

This tip is from Samm C.:

For the longest time, I’d just scrub my face and use a really stripping astringent toner, because I thought that putting moisturizer on my face would cause my oily skin to break out even more than it already did. I finally learned that replenishing the oils your skin has lost, and being gentle with your skin, treating it like a delicate flower rather than, say, a dirty pan, is much better in treating issues, and the path to beautiful skin  I use a several-step skincare routine now, and my skin has never looked or felt better. – Samm C.

Samm, I agree! Treating your skin like a delicate flower as opposed to a dirty pan is great advice. Thank you for sharing. As the largest organ skin works so hard for us, protecting us from pollution, providing a line of defense against infection and disease, letting us sense the world through feeling, and much more. It deserves some serious TLC.

Enjoyed your insight about astringent toners, too. These types of toners usually use ingredients such as alcohol and witch hazel. They are very popular in the western world but can be too drying and even weaken your skin’s barrier function.

Same goes for cleansers: People are left with a “squeaky clean” feeling after using a product that is too alkaline, or drying. Clean is great, but squeaky is bad. It means your skin has been stripped of its natural oils that keep it soft.

It sounds weird, but having some natural oil and using a well-formulated moisturizer product with humectants (that help bind moisture to the skin like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and honey) are good for oily skin — otherwise your skin goes into over drive with oil production as it tries to overcompensate.

Korean toner formulas tend to be more hydrating and provide different kinds of ingredients for different skin types. That’s why you often see them labeled as “skin,” “refreshers” and “softeners.” They still clean effectively, but are often kinder and gentler to your face.

It’s about choosing products (and ingredients) that work for your skin. I’m so thrilled that you’ve found some that work for you, Samm!

The post Skin Tip: Don’t Get Squeaky Clean appeared first on The Klog.

Then I Met You is officially one! On this anniversary month, there are so many things to reflect on related to the rollercoaster journey of launching our first two products, The Cleansing Duo. It has been a true labor of love, and thankfully we were rewarded for it! Within a year, we won over six industry awards, we met you in real life in NY and LA (TIMYs mango ice cream FTW!), and received rave reviews and photos from many of you detailing your journey with the double cleanse! 

Most importantly, we have started to build a community of fellow skin care lovers that connect with our concept of jeong, and who want to go deeper with their friends, family, city and skin. Our favorite moments with you: sharing #TIMYblue sunsets and manicures, seeing your first scoop of the Living Cleansing Balm, and hearing how you practice the concept of jeong in your life.

Now we’re ready to unveil the next chapter of Then I Met You. It’s an understatement to say that we’re SO excited to introduce you to our next act: The Skin Balancing Duo ($78). It includes the Birch Milk Refining Toner ($32) and The Giving Essence ($50), available as a set or individually.

After a decade of living and breathing skin care, my biggest takeaway is that you need to strike the right balance of time, energy, and ingredients to go deeper and see positive, life-changing results. This philosophy not only applies to what you put on your skin and in your body, but also in life, as I strive to achieve a healthy work-life balance and I know many around me struggle with it, too.

That’s why for the next phase of Then I Met You, my mission was to create a balanced duo, marrying Western and Korean skin philosophies, from which you can reap the skin-benefiting results with consistent use.

My hope is that the duo will seamlessly fit into your skin care routine so that you can achieve the most optimal, healthy complexion and skin that looks and feels firmer, brighter, and softer than ever before.

What Ingredients You’ll Find in the Birch Milk Refining Toner

I decided that for Then I Met You’s toner, I would marry the concept of a traditional Korean toner and a Western acid treatment to create a gentle and hydrating formula that preps the skin with the perfect blend of chemical exfoliants so that it can be used daily.

The milky base contains over 70% birch juice, squalane, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and retain moisture in the skin, with an optimal 1% balance of AHAs and PHA (glycolic, lactic acid, and gluconolactone) to refine pores to prevent breakouts and improve skin texture and the appearance of fine lines.

Why 1%? There are so many products on the Western market that have such a high blend of acids that can exfoliate your skin faster in one sitting, but is faster necessarily better? If used incorrectly, it can be damaging to your skin to the point that it is so dry that it starts flaking and is red and irritated.

You will see that with the Birch Milk Refining Toner, you can use it every day, without worrying about over-exfoliation. With consistent daily use, your pores and breakouts will also be minimized, and your skin will feel smooth and soft to the touch.

I have personally struggled with hormonal acne for the past four years. I didn’t intend the Birch Milk Refining Toner to “fix” the issue because I know hormonal acne is also an internal imbalance and can be affected by stress, diet, and genetics. But within four weeks of daily use (and without any other changes to my diet), I’m excited to report that I have seen my hormonal acne disappear while using this acid toner.

What Sets The Giving Essence Apart From Other Essences You’ve Tried

The post Glow Deeper™ Series: The Inside Scoop on Then I Met You’s Exciting New Product Launches, Straight From Charlotte Cho appeared first on The Klog.