A note before continuing:  The photos below need to be updated, but the descriptions are up to date.

Be gentle with your skin when you take care of it.  I like to pretend that my skin is a soft tomato - just hear me out.  I always use a soft touch when washing or applying everything.  If I find myself rubbing my cleanser too vigorously then I think to myself "Will this damage the skin of a soft tomato?" It causes me to instantly check myself and be more gentle.  Also - chill out (literally) with that hot water!  It's not doing your skin any good.  Be gentle and pamper yourself!  Your skin will love you for it.

All of the products below have achieved HG Status!

2.  VITAMIN C

DIY Vitamin C Serum 15% 
Purpose:  Brightens, Firms, Evens Out Skintone

This is probably the most important step in my morning routine!  Vitamin C serum brightens, firms and evens out skin tone.  It also stimulates collagen production (yes, please!).  I DIY my own Vitamin C Serum using LotionCrafter's recipe.  The best part about DIY is that I am always sure to have a fresh batch, but the downside is it is expensive if you don't already have a lot of the ingredients (kind of like cooking). 

Mario Badescu - Amazon, Nordstrom

Skinceuticals - Amazon, LovelySkin

3.  TONER

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water 
Purpose:  Hydrate, Soothe, Evens Out Skintone

Where to Buy:  Amazon, Beautytap, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

I loooove this stuff.  It played a huge part in saving my damaged moisture barrier.  I wrote a review about it here.  Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is a hydrating toner that includes many goodies such as Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Licorice Root Extract, and more.  This is my favorite part of my routine as I love the light herbal scent and my skin feels so pampered and hydrated after applying.

4.  EMULSION

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion 
Purpose:  Seal in Hydrating Toner, Hydrate, Soothe, Evens Out Skintone

Where to Buy:  Amazon, Beautytap, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

Another favorite which I have been using for years.  Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion is basically a thinner moisturizer.  Some emulsions, like Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Emulsion, are formulated to be applied after a hydrating toner or serum to lock in the goodies.  I also really enjoy this step because of the scent and soothing feeling it provides.  I use an emulsion only and not a moisturizer because of my oiliness.

5.  SUNSCREEN

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
Purpose:  Sun Protection, No Residue

Where to Buy:  Amazon, DokoDemo, YesStyle

What can I say?  It's great.  After application, I don't feel it anymore.  No residue, nothing.  It protects me from the sun and it doesn't break me out.  It contains alcohol but I it hasn't bothered me.  There are other formulations for dry skin like the Perfect Milk, but I think that would leave me greasy.  I love it.  The only downside is that it is not waterproof.

Evening Routine

Get on my face!

1.  OIL CLEANSE

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
Purpose:  Removes Dirt, Makeup, and Sunscreen

Where to Buy:  Amazon, DokoDemo, YesStyle

I used to use plain 'ol food grade mineral oil for this step, but it can be kind of annoying to get it to wipe off completely.  I tried Kose on a whim and it did everything that Mineral Oil does, but emulsifies and rinses away easily with water.  It is very affordable and only slightly more expensive than Mineral Oil; plus it doesn't break me out!

The main ingredient in Kose Softymo is - big surprise - Mineral Oil!  Mineral Oil is a carrier oil which many have found to be least likely to cause break outs.  The main ingredient in baby oil is actually mineral oil, but I do not use baby oil because of the added fragrance (break outs ahoy).  

2.  CLEANSER

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser 
Purpose:  Cleanse, Low PH

Where to Buy:  Amazon

Same as A.M. routine except I use a bit more to get that super foaming action.

3.  ACIDS

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid / Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 (alternated)
Purpose:  Exfoliate

Where to Buy COSRX:  Amazon, ULTA

Where to Buy Biologique Recherche:  Vicki Morav

I updated this one because I have since stopped using Paula's Choice BHA Liquid.  I used it for several months and it did not make any difference on my skin at all.  I have since switched to COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, but the clincher is that it is a lot stronger and my skin can only tolerate four drops every Sunday on damp skin.  Even with such a small amount it has been extremely effective.  My skin was already pretty clear but it took care of the random zits and definitely helped with fine tuning my routine.

I use Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 every Tuesday and Thursday.  I have had great results from the Biologique Recherche Lotion P50.  It does a great job evening out skintone and reducing redness.  I wake up and my skin looks so bright and smooth.

A note on acids:  I always apply just a few drops on DAMP skin.  My skin is too sensitive for direct contact.  I also don't apply daily because it is easy to accidentally over exfoliate.  I use a thin layer of a cotton square to apply Biologique, but I don't for COSRX.

4.  SERUM

DIY Green Tea & Licorice Root Extract
Purpose:  Hyperpigmentation, Hydrate, Soothing

I whipped this up in my little makeshift lab and it is just a basic serum with Licorice Root Extract, Green Tea Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and more.  These ingredients are in a lot of serums that you can buy online, such as Shark Sauce (which the AsianBeauty community loves).  Shark Sauce also includes Niacinamide which is Vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid.  Studies have shown that this ingredient improves hyperpigmentation, skin elasticity, blotchiness, and even reduces fine line and wrinkles.  

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% - Amazon

5.  MOISTURIZER

Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer
Purpose:  Heal, Moisturize, Softens

Where to Buy:  Amazon, Perricone MD

When I started using Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer the first thing I noticed is that it made my skin feel very soft, happy, and firm the next morning.  It is full of great ingredients such as Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil which soothes and heals the skin, as well as DMAE which is known for it's anti-aging properties.  

6.  OCCLUSIVE

Vaseline / Petroleum Jelly
Purpose:  Lock in the Treatments Above - Used in Cold Months

Where to Buy:  Amazon

It's not pictured above yet, but Vaseline is a tried and true occlusive that is also very affordable.  I usually shy away from sleeping packs because there are so many factors that I have to worry about due to of all of the different ingredients.  Vaseline is simple, cheap, and effective.  After going through all of the above steps, I apply a THIN layer of vaseline over my skin to seal it all in.  I wash it off in the morning with a small amount of cleanser and my skin is oh so soft.  It makes your products so much more effective!