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For the One-Year Anniversary of My Skin-Care Google Doc, I Updated It

If you’re reading this, then chances are that one year ago you read about my Google doc. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s what happened: After going through a spell in which my skin was stressed out and irritated, I started extensively researching beauty products, K-beauty, and 12-step routines online. Once I nailed down my routine (and once my skin had dramatically improved), some curious friends asked if I’d share it, so I put the whole insane regimen into a Google doc.

It got into the hands of a friend of a friend, someone’s boss started looking at it, and then it made its way here, to the Strategist. The rest is history — or at least recent history, since it’s only been one year.

But a lot has changed in the past year. I had to quit SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and Tatcha Indigo Recovery Cream to save my finances. My eczema has worsened (I now have it on the bottom of my feet, which I guess is a conversation for another time). And I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that, 85 percent of the time, dairy makes me break out in cystic acne. So while my old routine was good to me — and I well up every time someone else tells me it was good to them — my increasingly dry, flaky skin and my refusal to give up soft serve have forced me to try many more products. After deep dives into skin-care blogs, subreddit threads, and YouTube videos (and, you know, 12 months of testing and writing about products for you guys), I thought the Google doc could use a refresh for 2018.

One note: Navigating the vast world of skin care can be really confusing. And proper product application is vital if you want to see results. So I’m sharing this incredibly helpful and thorough guide to layering skin-care products, from K-beauty blogger Tracy “Fanserviced” Robey. This guide describes every step of the K-beauty process in greater detail than I can, along with helpful visuals. And you’ll need it: One year in, and I’ve found and fallen for many new products, and the “Google doc” now contains more gems than before.

Charcoal Chai Tea Pore Refining Glow Pad

For days when I want less intense exfoliating, I sub in these Glow Pads for the Whitehead Power Liquid. If you have ultrasensitive skin, these pads are a great way to get a nicely exfoliated, clean glow without applying anything that’s too abrasive. The standard wait time for an exfoliant to really sink into your skin is 20 to 30 minutes, and I do try, but realistically I usually just wait until the product doesn’t feel wet on my skin before moving on to the next step (essences, coming up next).

Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask

I also love this moisture-boosting mask from Glow Recipe, especially to prep skin for makeup. It gives the perfect kick of moisture, and your makeup will glide on beautifully afterward.