I’m a Beauty Writer, Here’s What I’d Buy if I Had to Rebuild My Skincare Routine From Scratch
Juna Xu is a freelance writer and journalist with over 11 years of experience covering beauty, fashion, lifestyle, interiors and health. Her work has appeared in publications including Adore Beauty, Body+Soul, Mamamia, News.com.au, Who, marie claire and ELLE Australia. Alongside running her own e-commerce interiors business, Juna has a not-so-secret obsession with skincare (especially K-beauty, which she proudly admits is her ultimate addiction).
Confused about skincare? A beauty writer shares a step-by-step guide to the products she actually buys and uses on repeat.
I get asked all the time what my skincare routine looks like, especially as a beauty writer who receives hundreds of products each year to trial.
People tend to assume it’s complicated, constantly changing or filled with only high-end products. But the funny thing is, it’s quite the opposite.
If anything, my routine is simple and surprisingly affordable (thanks, K-beauty). After years of trying everything from viral launches to luxury formulas, I’ve become a lot more selective about what actually stays in my lineup.
You see, I have very reactive, hyper-sensitive skin, so I can’t afford to overdo it.
My focus has always been on maintaining a healthy skin barrier first, and then slowly supporting things like tone, texture and the occasional breakout. If a product is too harsh or overly complicated, my skin lets me know immediately (RIP), so everything I use has to earn its place.
Over time, I’ve realised that consistency beats complexity every single time, and a handful of well-chosen, gentle but effective products will always outperform an overcrowded routine. Yes, quality over quantity really applies to skincare.
So, if I had to buy refills of everything in my routine right, this is exactly what I’d add to cart right away.
Cleanser
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, $28
For a long time, I used the same cleanser morning and night, but my skin never quite felt balanced.
I’m not someone who can skip cleansing in the morning, so finding something gentle enough for twice-daily use made a huge difference.
This one is exactly that. It’s lightweight, refreshing and never leaves my skin feeling stripped. Instead, my skin feels soft, calm and properly clean.
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser reviews from AB customers:
"This cleanser feels incredibly gentle on the skin while still doing a great job of removing impurities. It leaves my face feeling fresh, clean, and soft without any dryness or tightness. Perfect for everyday use, especially if you have sensitive skin." - Hakan.
"I love using the Green Plum refreshing cleanser as my daily go to cleanser. My skin always looks clean, refreshed and my skin tone always looks more even and brighter like it's been woken up!" - Bianca.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $112
On days when my skin needs a bit of extra help — whether it’s congestion, texture, or just looking a little dull — this is what I reach for.
It’s exfoliating, yet gentle, so I still feel comfortable using it regularly without triggering sensitivity.
For an even gentler option, I’d recommend trying the Anua Rice Cleansing Powder, which is pretty much the same thing as the Dermalogica product, but it feels even softer.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant reviews from AB customers:
"This literally gives me an at home facial. It is super duper high-quality and makes my skin feel refreshed." - Paige.
"Gently exfoliates without irritation My skin feels smoother and brighter."- Tia.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%, $55
This is my once-a-week reset. It’s definitely more active, so I don’t overdo it, but it makes such a noticeable difference to texture and congestion, especially around my nose.
I also love using it on my body (hello, elbows and knees) to smooth rough areas.Just make sure you follow with plenty of hydration afterwards.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% reviews from AB customers:
"Fan for years. Hands down the best product to polish my skin, head to toe, to perfection. As a friend put it once - "it makes my skin feel like a baby seal". Perfect base for ultra rich hydrating creams. - Sarah.
"Love this! I had some textured skin and black heads for the first time in my life and this absolutely saved it! It's now in my weekly routine and would purchase again." - CJ.
Toner
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum, $119
While this has always been a highly regarded product, it’s just recently been named Korea’s No.1 Anti-Ageing Serum, which says a lot in a highly competitive market.
It boosts the effectiveness of all the other skincare products you apply afterwards, so you reap max skin results.
Yes, it’s a little on the dearer side, but every drop is worth its weight in gold.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum reviews from AB customers:
"This is hands down the nicest product I've ever used and I'm sad I didn't find it years earlier, smells great glides on and leaves no feeling of product on skin, the perfect preparation serum." - AB customer
"This is the best serum I've ever come across, I tried it out in a sample size and fell in love so bought a bigger bottle. It's very refreshing and light and soaks into the skin almost instantly and leaves no sticky residue just soft pillowy skin. I see why this is a cult favourite." - Jessica.
Anua Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Pad, $55
I love these because they’re pre-soaked, gentle on the skin, and help keep my complexion looking more even over time.
Each pad is drenched in a brightening cocktail of 5% niacinamide, 5% tranexamic acid (TXA), peptides, PHA and vitamin B12, designed to fade dark spots, even skin tone, smooth dry patches and boost overall radiance.
I’ll often swipe one across my face when I want a quick refresh, or leave it on certain areas for a few minutes like a mini treatment.
They also come in Azelaic Acid and PDRN versions, which are just as impressive, simply tailored to different skin concerns.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment, $76.95
I don’t use this every day because my skin wouldn’t tolerate that, but every few days it helps keep everything clear, smooth and glowing.
It’s strong, but effective, so I always make sure the rest of my routine is focused on hydration and repair.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment reviews from AB customers:
"This product is transformative. My skin looks clearer, smoother, and visibly more refined. It gives that fresh, luminous glow I absolutely adore. I genuinely feel like my skin has been elevated to another level." - Samira.
"Whenever my skin feels dull, I reach for this gentle exfoliating treatment. It smooths rough texture without causing irritation, which is something my sensitive skin deeply appreciates. my face looks brighter and feels incredibly soft, almost polished. Makeup glides on more evenly the next day." - Matilda.
Hydrating Serum
Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum, $33
This is a serum I’ve been relying on for many years, and I’m not the only one because it's retained its reputation as one of the top skincare products in South Korea for over seven years.
In a highly competitive market, that is no easy feat. I love it because it hydrates deeply, layers beautifully with the rest of my skincare, and feels incredibly comfortable on my very sensitive skin.
Plus, it’s only $33, which is surprisingly affordable for a formula this good. You can read my full review here.
Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviews from AB customers:
"Love this serum so much! I've used 10 plus bottles already, I do try other ones but always find myself coming back to this as it's so simple but does the most with my skin." - S
"Wow! no wonder its all over tiktok, sinks on the skin, hydrating, smoothens and plumps skin." - AB customer.
Supplementing Serum
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100, $84
I’ve tried a few PDRN products over the past year, but this is the one that really stood out.
What I love most is how it supports my skin when it’s feeling stressed or run down, and I find it helps everything bounce back faster.
It’s lightweight, calming and makes my skin feel noticeably more resilient over time.
Eye Cream
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal, $36
I’m quite particular with buying new eye products because I've been loyal to this Beauty of Joseon one for over a decade. It’s that good!
I absolutely adore it because it feels gentle enough for AM and PM use, absorbs quickly, has never irritated, sits beautifully under makeup, and I'm pretty sure it's slowed down the ageing process around my eye area. You can read my full review here.
BEAUTY OF JOSEON Revive Eye Serum reviews from AB customers:
"Gentle but effective for fine lines. Doesn't irritate the under-eye area and feels hydrating. Results are gradual but noticeable." - Alia.
"One of the best eye creams I've used. Great texture, moisturising without heaviness or greasiness. I noticed a clear improvement in softening fine lines & firmness. I would rate it almost as effective as the La Prairie eye cream (only difference is La Prairie has the luxurious texture). It improved my under eye darkness slightly but not noticeable. Great value for this price point." - Elle.
PM Cream
Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream, $60
My skin has reacted to so many vitamin C products over the years, so I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this.
It feels gentle but still delivers that brighter, more even look over time. Under its luxe golden lid sits a jar filled with tiny, pearl-like capsules suspended in a clear hydrating gel. Each capsule holds a potent mix of 50% Sea Buckthorn Extract, stabilised vitamin C and 5% Niacinamide.
When you blend it into the gel, the capsule bursts, releasing a fresh dose of antioxidants and glow-boosting ingredients. Meanwhile, the gel itself is laced with Ferulic Acid and vitamins E, Q and P to enhance stability, calm skin, and lock in moisture.
I mainly use it at night because it works beautifully as an evening treatment, but I find it doesn’t always sit as well under makeup, so I tend to avoid it in my morning routine.
AM Cream
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream, $57
This is my ideal daytime moisturiser. It’s hydrating but lightweight, sits beautifully under makeup, and never feels greasy.
My skin feels comfortable and breathable all day, which is exactly what I look for in a good daytime moisturiser.
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream reviews from AB customer:
"This moisturiser is fantastic and one of my first recommendations to friends wanting to try products from my routine. It applies beautifully to the skin feeling like silky skin, absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a film on the skin. I can tell the difference in my skin in the morning if I have applied this cream the night before. Will continue to purchase!" - Bree.
"Feels so luxurious on the skin, light weight formula but delivers deep hydration without breaking me out!" - Megan
Sunscreen
Avène Sunsitive® Sunscreen Fluid Spf 50+, $38.99
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll understand how hard it is to find a sunscreen that doesn’t sting, pill, clog or feel heavy. This one ticks every box. It’s lightweight, calming and layers perfectly over skincare.
Lip Care
Torriden Solid-In Ceramide Lip Essence, $10
I’m very picky with lip products, and this is one I always come back to.
It’s super hydrating and gives a nice natural sheen without feeling sticky or heavy. I usually have a few of these on rotation (one at my bedside, one in every single handbag, another on my desk) because it’s just such an easy, reliable and affordable product that actually keeps my lips in good condition all year-round.
Supplement
Vida Glow Daily Essentials: Collagen Liquid Advance Mixed Berry, $75
I’ve been taking collagen supplements consistently for over 12 years, and about four years ago, I switched to this one from Vida Glow.
It’s easily the most enjoyable I’ve tried because it tastes (insanely) good, so it feels more like a daily treat than a chore, and fits seamlessly into my routine, whether I’m on the go or travelling (no water required!).
While supplements are never a quick fix, I do feel like it’s contributed to my overall skin health over time.
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