My Holy Grail Skincare Products /(Part 1)

Summer is here where I live.

You would think my skin would finally get a break from the dryness, but honestly, not really.

If anything, the AC makes it just as bad.

At work, in my car, at restaurants, and even at home, the air conditioning is almost always running. And if you have dry skin, you probably know exactly what I mean.

Today’s post is all about my holy grail skincare products for dry skin.

Some of these products have already been mentioned in previous posts, while others are making their first appearance on the blog.

One thing I should mention, though—just because I finish a product doesn’t necessarily mean I love it.

Sometimes I finish things simply because I don’t want to waste them.

Repurchasing is a completely different story.

These are products that I genuinely missed when I ran out, products I would happily buy again, and products that have survived years of trial and error.

I didn’t want this post to become ridiculously long, so this will be Part 1. 😊

And yes, there will definitely be a Part 2.

Laneige –
Cream Skin Toner

I have always struggled with dehydrated skin.

After washing my face, I usually have about two minutes before my skin starts feeling tight and uncomfortably dry.

This was actually the product that taught me how important toner can be.

Before this, I only used toner because it was considered the first step of a skincare routine. I never really thought it was doing much, but I used it anyway because I didn’t want to skip a step.

After using the Laneige Cream Skin Toner, I realized that toner could do much more than I thought.

It was one of the first products that helped me understand the difference between simply moisturizing my skin and actually hydrating it.

For me, this product was a game changer because it helped relieve the dryness underneath the surface, not just on top of it.

This is probably one of the skincare products I recommend the most to my friends and family.

Here is the link to the product:
https://www.sephora.com/product/cream-skin-refillable-toner-moisturizer-with-ceramides-peptides-P505897

Aestura –
Atobarrier 365 Cream

This is usually the last step of my skincare routine.

If I had to describe it in one sentence, it feels like putting another layer of protection over everything I applied beforehand.

After spending time applying toner, serum, and eye cream, this is the product that helps keep all that hydration from escaping too quickly.

The texture is definitely on the thicker side, so I can see how it might feel a little heavy for someone with oily skin.

For me, though, it works perfectly—especially because I have dry skin.

I have noticed that whenever I spend too much time in the sun or in air-conditioned environments, my skin barrier becomes more sensitive and easily irritated.

That is one of the reasons I keep coming back to this cream.

Not only does it help lock in moisture, but it also helps support and repair my skin barrier at the same time.

For someone with dry skin, that feels like getting two benefits from one product.

Here is the link to the product:
https://www.sephora.com/product/atobarrier365-cream-with-ceramides-niacinamide-for-skin-moisture-barrier-repair-P515494

Round Lab –
Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen

We all know how important sunscreen is, right?

Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature aging, and it can also weaken the skin barrier over time.

One misconception I hear quite often is that sunscreen is only necessary on sunny days.

In reality, UV rays are still present on cloudy days, and I personally wear sunscreen even when I know I’ll be spending most of my day indoors.

As someone with dry skin, my biggest challenge in the morning is finding the right balance between hydration and comfort.

Of course I want my skin to stay moisturized throughout the day, but if I apply too many products, my face ends up feeling greasy and sticky for hours.

And on the rare occasions when I do wear makeup, it can make everything pill and sit poorly on my skin.

That is one of the reasons I love this sunscreen so much.

It almost feels like a moisturizer and sunscreen combined into one product.

The sunscreen itself is incredibly hydrating, yet it never feels heavy or overwhelming on my skin.

It is lightweight, comfortable, and easily one of my favorite products to use as the final step of my morning skincare routine.

Before finding this product, applying sunscreen was honestly one of my least favorite parts of my morning routine.

Since switching to this one, I no longer think twice about it.

Here is the link to the product:
https://www.amazon.com/ROUND-LAB-Moisturizing-moisturizing-Friendly-Reef/dp/B0DJGWH3TC?th=1

Beauty of Joseon – Radiance Cleansing Balm

This was actually my very first Beauty of Joseon product – though this brand is pretty popular in Korea.

I discovered it completely by accident while browsing TJ Maxx one day.

Before this, I had already tried several cleansing balms and cleansing oils that people seemed to love. Some were good, but I kept running into the same problem.

Even after double cleansing, I would occasionally use a toner pad afterward and still see traces of makeup or sunscreen left behind on my skin.

That made me realize that not every cleansing balm was actually removing everything as well as I thought.

For a long time, I used a cleansing balm from Farmacy, and honestly, I loved it.

The only problem was the price.

As much as I enjoyed using it, I found myself looking for a more affordable alternative.

That was when I came across this cleansing balm.

Not only does it do an amazing job removing sunscreen and makeup, but it also leaves my skin feeling incredibly clean and refreshed afterward.

One thing I especially love is how it helps dissolve excess oil and buildup in my pores.

Whenever I use this product, my skin feels soft, smooth, and surprisingly fresh without feeling stripped or dry.

For someone with dry skin, that balance is not always easy to find.

Here is the link to the product:
https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Joseon-Radiance-Cleansing-100ml/dp/B0B3R661JP?th=1

Ole Henriksen –
Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide Lip Treatment

I originally decided to try this product because I already liked the brand.

For years, one of my biggest struggles has been dry lips.

One thing that caught my attention was that this product contains peptides.

Peptides help support healthier-looking skin and can help lips appear smoother and more conditioned over time.

The hydration is honestly incredible.

The texture is quite thick and glossy, which means it stays on the lips for a long time instead of disappearing after 30 minutes.

Personally, I love that because I don’t feel like I need to constantly reapply it.

That being said, if you dislike thicker or stickier lip products, this might not be the product for you.

As I have mentioned several times before, my skin does not do well with air conditioning.

And unfortunately, neither do my lips.

My lips get the driest when I’m at work, where the AC is constantly running all day long.

Because of that, this has become one of my favorite lip products to keep at my desk.

Whenever my lips start feeling tight or uncomfortable, I just reach for this without even thinking about it.

And can we talk about the scent for a second?

I have the Strawberry Sorbet version, and it smells SO good.

Honestly, the scent alone makes me want to keep using it.

The good news is that it comes in several different scents, so you can probably find one that matches your preference.

Here is the link for the product if you would like to know more about it:
https://www.sephora.com/product/pout-preserve-peptide-lip-treatment-P503878?skuId=2752483

Want to Read More?

If this is your first time visiting my blog, welcome! 😊

I’m Hazel, a Korean girl living in the U.S. who is probably a little too obsessed with skincare.

I have dry, dehydrated skin and have spent years trying different products, routines, and techniques to figure out what actually works.

If you’re also struggling with dryness, dehydration, or a damaged skin barrier, you might find some of my other posts helpful.

Here are a few places to start:

💧 Hydration vs. Moisturizing: What’s the Difference?
💧 My Current Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
💧My Pimple Treatment Routine

I hope something I learned along the way can help you too. 🤍

Final Thoughts

I have tried a lot of products over the years.

Some were great, some were okay, and some were honestly disappointing.

But these are the products I keep finding my way back to.

If you have dry skin like I do, hopefully some of these products end up becoming favorites for you too.

And because I still have quite a few products left to talk about, stay tuned for Part 2. 😊

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Hazel 🙂