2025 Empties

Intro: From age 15-30ish, I had a basic routine.
AM: water wash face, moisturizer, make up
PM: 2-step cleanse, moisturizer
Then my skin changed, became more dry and started having seasonal acne. So in 2025, I started looking into new products/routine. I think I’ll make a separate post in a few days for my current routine + my 2026 skincare supplies stock. I tried out more products than shown in picture but threw some out before I started to collect empties. So the following list will include some products not shown in the pic.

Skin Type: sensitive, dry, dehydrated. hormonal/seasonal acne

Climate: tropical hot humid

❌=WNR= would not repurchase

☑️=G= good, would repurchase if on sale

✅=AR= Already Repurchased

CLEANSERS

Banila Co Cleansing Balms – previously used Clinique’s take the day off balm and switched to this one a few years ago. loved it. cheaper and has a nice soft scent. highly recommend ✅

Biore Cleansing Milk – wanted to use this as a single step cleanse but it somehow stings my eyes ❌

Matsukiyo Cleansing Oil – amazing find! i saw an influencer mention this is very similar to the shuuemura cleansing oil but much cheaper. tried it and loved it. i probably finished 4 bottles already. ✅

Biore 2in1 MakeUp Remover Foaming Face wash – i’ve used this for over a decade. tried and true. does not dry me out. ✅

Biore makeup remover Wipes – physically and chemically abrasive. i used this back in the day and still had the box so figured i should add here. ❌

TONERS

Naturie Hatomugi Lotion – tried and true. on my second bottle. i like to layer this one or two times before moisturizer. then if i feel dry during the day, spritz some on my face ✅

Sana wrinkle lotion – i heard the retinol content is nowhere near effective so…. ❌

d Program Moist Care lotion – this is super hydrating. one layer is equiv to 3 layers of the naturie lotion. it’s expensive though but for the right price, i’d buy again. ☑️

Cosrx propolis toner – hydrating but left a sticky finish which i didn’t like ❌

Sana wrinkle/brightening lotion – this broke me out and made me discover later on that i’m probably allergic to niacinamide❌

Exfoliating Toner – if anyone has any recs for a Japanese/Korean exfoliating toner, please let me know. I’m currently using a non-AB 0.5% salicylic acid toner and want to switch to an Asian one. 

EMULSIONS

Naturie Hatomugi Milk – inexpensive simple basic emulsion ✅

d Program Moist Care Milk – my holy grail emulsion. ✅

illiyoon ato lotion – it was okay but felt like it didn’t really absorb into my skin❌

Sana wrinkle emulsion – i heard the retinol content is nowhere near effective so…. ❌

MOISTURIZERS

Care Cera face/body cream – thick in texture but lightweight on application  ☑️

Torriden Solid In Cream – thick cream as last step moisturizer ☑️

Pyunkang Yul Ato Cream Blue Label – ‘no fragrance’ but it has a plastic-y smell that i don’t like. i’m trying to use it up as hand cream ❌

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream – same as above. weird plastic smell so i’m using as hand cream ❌
Hada Labo premium (blue) – apparently the one i have (thailand) has niacinamide and it broke me out too. ❌

illiyoon ato cream – wasn’t hydrating enough for face though i might repurchase to give it another try for body ❌

SUNSCREENS

Hada Labo UV Perfect Gel – i thought i could use this as a single step moisturizer + UV. but it was nowhere near hydrating enough. after 1hr, my skin was dry. might be good for oily/combo skin but not for me ❌

Biore UV Aqua Rich Essence – i like using under makeup ✅

Biore UV Aqua Rich TONE UP Essence – stay-at-home days, i wash face, apply emulsion, and use this sunscreen. i don’t reapply. it’s not sticky yet i don’t feel dry or tight during the day. people seem to have had pilling issues with tone up sunscreens but i didn't have an issue with this one. felt like natural skin ✅

Biore UV Body Care Serum Age Defense – feels heavy on my skin ❌

tinted sunscreens – if anyone has recs for tinted sunscreens or BB creams with SPF, light to medium coverage, please let me know.

OTHER

Melty Cream Lip – too ‘fluid/melty/oily’ for me. maybe because i’m in hot climate. if you’re in a cooler climate, it might glide on well and not be too slippy, slidey ❌

Donki Goat’s Milk Hand Cream – fragrance was too pungent. felt like my nostrils were being assaulted ❌

UHA Iron/collagen gummies – not soft gummies, more like stiffer gummies. tastes good ✅