My Current Skincare Heroes Feat. su:m 37, Kiehl’s, Beyond & More

I was just chatting to my bae Sigute the other day, and mentioned how much beauty stuff I brought with me to Malaysia. As a slightly OCD obsessive who gains great joy in the smallest of triumphs, I’m very proud at how much of my beauty stash I’ve worked through. From boxes on boxes and bags of bags, to a gradually more streamlined and space-leaving collection on my bathroom counter, I’ve come a long way, baby!

And so, it’s only right that I share with you the current skincare bits and bobs which have tickled my fancy of late. A lot of these may be familiar to you; others are slightly new additions. Keep your eyes peeled and let’s get into the good stuff!

su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick

This one is an oldie AND a goodie — and for great reason. This cleansing stick is the easiest cleanser for travelling, as it doesn’t leak and/or explode in your bag (which has unfortunately happened to me) and it smells like a rose garden. I believe that’s what you call a “double whammy”!

I feel like I should elaborate further on the product’s actual properties: it’s a gently foaming, non-stripping cleanser which doesn’t remove all the oils from my skin, nor does it irritate it. It has actual rose petals contained in it, which also help to gently exfoliate your skin to an extent. And yep, it smells like perfection.

Banila Co. Clean It Zero

I obtained this little cutie as a gift from my friend Drew, when he visited Korea last year, and kindly brought me back TWO bottles of Banila Co.’s Miss Flower & Mr. Honey Essence Oil. This was just when it had come out and Fiddy had raved about it on her blog/Insta/Snapchat etc. Anyway, Korea being Korea, both bottles came with a miniature travel-sized Clean It Zero, and wrapped up with a ribbon on top. Seriously.

So I finally whipped this out when we were overseas, and really enjoyed how it worked. Being a cleansing balm, it’s not quite as lightweight as the su:m37 cleansing stick, and it does require some specific washing off in trickier places (like the bridge of my nose). But it’s great for double cleansing, cleans my skin while simultaneously keeping it moisturised — and I’m glad I finally know what all the hype is about!

Beyond Aqua Bloom Moisture Toner

Gav bought me this for Christmas while we were still in Korea, and it was part of a picture-perfect gift set (of course — it’s Korea). I had always been intrigued by the Beyond brand, and was lucky enough to have a store in the Guri train station, as there weren’t many around. Although I often stomped through the station in a flurry to catch a train, I would always slow my pace and crane my neck when passing the Beyond store. Containing the prerequesite cutesy and innovative K-beauty products, combined with the eco-friendly aesthetic, and you’ve got a winning combination.

As for the actual product, this toner is slightly thicker than an average toner, which I love. It really does add a lot of moisture to my skin, and it hasn’t caused any irritation whatsoever. I’d actually say this was more a mix between a toner and an ampoule. If you have dehydrated and/or dry skin (check, check), I would recommend giving this a whirl. It also smells like a cocktail, which can only be a good thing.

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I purchased this a little while ago now, but this baby just keeps on giving. It’s a slightly drier oil (yes, such things exist), in that it doesn’t leave my face feeling slick and greasy. Instead, it feels light and moisturising without weighing me down. This serum also has a lot of natural oils in it (lavender oil and evening primrose oil, for example) — so you just know it’s doing some good.

I like to use this in the evenings — as the name suggests — and when my skin isn’t too dry or dehydrated. I also love the packaging — a midnight blue glass bottle looks so purrdy amongst my beauty collection.

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum

I’ve also written about this previously — I first purchased it when I arrived in Malaysia and had been lusting after it since my days in Korea. Aesop is one of those iconic brands: something you instantly recognise, and one which I’m proud to call Australian. Their packaging is minimalism porn — the apothecary-style dark brown bottles, simple labels, and consistency across lines is the stuff of my dreams.

This serum is a tad sticky but not heavy — I find it light enough to use during the day, although I do have perpetually dehydrated and drier skin these days. If you want to apply a thicker layer, I’d recommend doing so before bed, so it can really sink and do its work. But overall, this is a simple, non-irritating, hydrating serum which definitely gives my skin a boost when it needs it most.

Hera Sun Mate Daily SPF35 PA++

I received this as a gift from a student’s mum, back when I was teaching in Korea. I’ve also raved about this in a previous post, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. The reason I love this product is as follows: 1) because it’s high-end and looks great in my bathroom; 2) it’s a beautiful shade of orange (lol); 3) it’s a lightweight sunscreen that’s combined with a face cream, which protects my skin from the sun and also leaves it hydrated and without a white caste.

I honestly just love owning something from Hera, and am reeeeally looking forward to buying up more Hera products when we visit Korea in October (yay!!!).

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream

Okay, so this baby has been raved about on this blog before, and I don’t think I need to hammer the point home any further. BUT I will say this: when I recently rediscovered one extra jar, tucked at the back of the cupboard under my bathroom sink, I almost cried genuine tears of happiness. It’s my boo.

So that’s it for now! I am so excited about heading to Korea next month, so I will be sure to top up my rapidly diminishing collection once more. Any recommendations? I’d love to hear your skincare faves in the comments!

Steph x