September is Skin Care Awareness Month and as skincare aficionados, we had to give it its time in the spotlight! As the body’s largest organ, it’s important to listen to your skin’s needs. Be it protection, recovery or nourishment, taking good care of your skin is beneficial for looking and feeling your best. We’ve scoured the ‘net and your feedback to pick out the top 5 skincare concerns that we’ll break down and get into. If your concerns tick any of the following boxes, use this as a guide on how to treat your skin with the most suitable ingredients and products. Let’s begin!

1. Sun Care

SPF is something we’ll preach year-round: the sun doesn’t completely disappear in the later half of the year and so shouldn’t your sunscreen stash! While UVB rays are stronger when it’s sunny out, UVA rays are always present and can even shine through clouds and glass. Continuing daily application will protect you from UV damage, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and if we’re talking about more serious extents, skin cancer. Long-term sunscreen upkeep helps protect the skin’s collagen and maintain a youthful complexion. As the weather starts to cool off this month, don’t be so quick to bid adieu to your sun creams, serums and sticks.

Isntree - Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Isntree

If the fall and winter aggravate your dry skin, I implore you to stock up on the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel. One of our steady sellers and overall fan-favorite, this sun gel combines 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid⁠ with Ceramide NP, Glycerin and more to fortify and deeply hydrate the skin. Fans love this SPF for its watery texture, dewy finish and ability to be absorbed by the skin without leaving a white cast. It’s also alcohol-free, fragrance-free and eczema-safe, meaning it’s suitable for anybody with sensitive skin.

Benton - Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Benton

An option that goes hand-in-hand with oily skin is the Benton Air Fit UV Defense Sun Cream SPF50+. A chemical sunscreen, it boosts a triplet of functions: brightening, wrinkle care and UV protection. Its creamy texture contains Centella Asiatica and Panthenol to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, and as an SPF fanatic myself I’m happy to report it doesn’t leave a white cast! Given its more nourishing formula, this can definitely be used as a 2-in-1 moisturizer and sunscreen, saving you a step in the mornings.

2. Large Pores

Let’s first set the record straight: your pores are up to genetics and there’s no getting rid of them. But before you throw in the towel, know that enlarged pores are a result of excess sebum production and trapped dirt and debris. These create clogged pores, which emphasize the size and noticeability of them. Luckily these can be taken care of with products that clean out and tighten the pores, resulting in the appearance of smoother looking skin.

innisfree - Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - innisfree

Incorporating a clay mask into your routine will greatly improve the appearance of your pores. These serve to unclog pores by removing dirt, debris and dead skin cells. The innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask 2X features an impressive 10 functions in 1 product, including exfoliation, sebum control, and deep cleansing. It uses Jeju volcanic clusters to soak up excess sebum and rid the skin of impurities, leaving a clean, fresh canvas once it’s washed off. Fans love this mask for its immediate results, as well as the cooling effect upon application that elevates the whole experience.

Cos De BAHA - Niacinamide Serum (N)

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Cos De BAHA

Ahhh, Niacinamide, the gold-star ingredient that wears many hats and addresses various concerns. In the case of large pores, Niacinamide can help regulate sebum production and kickstart the skin’s repair processes to shrink pores. Check out Cos de BAHA’s Niacinamide Serum (N), a no-nonsense serum for anyone looking to address large pores, skin irritation, breakouts and hyperpigmentation. The cruelty-free formula is also free of parabens, fragrance, gluten, alcohol and artificial coloring.

3. Exfoliation

When it comes to exfoliation, most people tend to over-exfoliate or not at all. Exfoliation is meant to remove dead skin cells from the surface and boost cell turnover. This is an important step because dead skin cells prevent your skincare from properly absorbing into the skin. No matter how effective your products are, your skin won’t be able to reap any of the benefits if they can’t reach the deeper layers of the skin. Moreover, exfoliating evens the skin tone and reveals a fresh, radiant complexion underneath.

Over-exfoliation, on the other hand, is exactly that: exfoliating too much. More often than not, the result is irritated, flaking, or peeling skin. As a rough guide, once a week for people with dry skin tends to be sufficient, while those with oilier complexions can go up to 2-3 times a week. If your skin is suffering from irritation, put down the exfoliator and focus on repairing the breached skin barrier instead.

Haruharu WONDER - Black Rice Soft Peeling Gel

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Haruharu WONDER

Physical exfoliators, those with small granules, can sometimes be too rough for some complexions. A peeling gel lies in the same category but has a gentler touch. Haruharu WONDER’s Black Rice Soft Peeling Gel utilizes 100% fermented Korean Black Rice extract to dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores. The signature Black Rice component also provides antioxidant benefits, offering protection from free radicals and pollution.

make p:rem - Rice Biome Bubble Peeling

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - make p:rem

Another Rice-based exfoliator making exfoliating easy is the make p:rem Rice Biome Bubble Peeling. With a texture resembling whipped meringue, this cloud-like exfoliator is packed with Lactic Acid-based Rice Biome and LHA to mildly exfoliate impurities and moisturize the skin. It’s recommended this for anyone with sensitive skin, due to the all-natural ingredients list and lack of artificial fragrance and coloring.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THIS: What is Exfoliation & How to Exfoliate Face?

4. Weak Skin Barrier

Maybe it’s the seasons changing, or perhaps you tried out a new skincare product that didn’t quite work out for you. Either way, the red, inflamed skin you’re experiencing can only mean one thing: a compromised skin barrier. Flaky or peeling skin also points towards this, and while it’s less than ideal, your skin can and will recover. What you’ll be seeking are products and ingredients to calm the skin, then to recover the barrier to a healthier state.

SCINIC - Skin Relief+ Panthenol 30 Ampoule

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SCINIC

Panthenol is a model ingredient for soothing inflammation, which you can find in SCINIC Skin Relief+ Panthenol 30 Ampoule. As the name suggests, it provides ample relief to irritated skin and strengthens the barrier to aid its repair process. Containing 30.7% Panthenol, this potent ampoule fortifies the skin barrier and battles signs of aging.

Sur.Medic - Super Ceramide 100 Renewal Cream

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - Sur.Medic

As far as skin barrier recovery goes, Ceramide is the go-to ingredient for many. It’s a lipid naturally found in the skin, and so applying it topically assists in barrier repair. The Sur.Medic Super Ceramide 100 Renewal Cream is the perfect moisturizer to fit the bill, as it includes 5 types of Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid and Centella Asiatica extract to soothe and replenish damaged skin. Its lightweight formula soaks into the skin effortlessly without greasiness, earning it 5-star ratings from users of all skin types.

5. Acne Scarring

One of the most frequent skincare questions I receive is how to treat acne scarring. If a breakout isn’t bad enough, the scars acne can leave behind are just as discouraging. These range from the rolling, ice-pick or boxcar scars, to the more serious keloid scars. The healing process will take time and the right ingredients, but acne scarring isn’t a lost cause and can be treated.

SOME BY MI - Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - SOME BY MI

Enter the SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum. This serum, packed with Yuja and Niacinamide, works to banish blemishes, lighten hyperpigmentation, and fend off future hyperpigmentation. The key for treating acne scars here is the 5% Niacinamide. We’ve discussed it a little in regards to treating enlarged pores, but the benefits don’t stop there. Niacinamide boosts collagen production and soothes inflammation, useful for plumping up the skin to smooth out texture and preventing future acne scars.

LANEIGE - Cica Sleeping Mask

Courtesy of Korean Skincare Brand - LANEIGE

Cica, also known as Centella Asiatica or Tiger Grass, is an anti-inflammatory and healing godsend. We love the LANEIGE Cica Sleeping Mask for its wound healing and soothing properties that effectively treat existing acne scars. Its formulation also includes Tea Tree Leaf Oil, beneficial for preventing acne that may leave behind scarring. With a lightweight, watery texture, this mask does the work for you while you get your beauty sleep… no wonder it was handpicked as the Best Sleeping Mask in our Mid-Year VANA Award 2022!

Treat your skin right with the best ingredients and products to address your concerns, and don’t forget to celebrate your skin this Skin Care Awareness Month! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get more instant product updates and skincare tips!