New Year, renewed skin: winter skincare routine to renew, tone, + hydrate

​One of my New Years' resolutions is to spend more time caring for my skin. That means cleaner eating, drinking more water, allowing my skin to breathe with more makeup-free days, and spending more time each morning and night pampering and caring for my personal skin concerns.

​Here is the routine that has been helping me stay ultra-hydrated and blemish-free this winter...

​+ Step 1: cleanse
My current dreamy combo?
The Clarisonic Mia FIT Daily Facial Cleansing Device with Mizon's Snail Repairing Foam Cleanser.
(You heard that right, I use a snail mucus cleanser).
If you have yet to invest in a Clarisonic cleansing brush, you seriously need one. Though it can be a bit pricy, your skin will thank you. I use the Radiance Brush Head, which is super soft and gives your skin a sweet little massage as you gently glide it across your skin. My skin's texture has improved, creating the perfectly smooth canvas for makeup or no makeup days - and I have yet to feel any over-exfoliating "backlash" that many people seem to review about. Not to mention, the compact design and easy-to-use dock charger makes for easy travel and looks adorable displayed.
And what I love most about this Korean-beauty cleanser is how it feels like liquid cashmere, foaming and bubbling on skin with only a drop of product. After cleansing, my skin feels cleaner and fresher than I ever thought possible, and never drying on my recently-dry skin. This formula has diminished my blemishes and tightened my skin, blurring my complexion.

+ Step 2: pamper
Once or twice a week, I love to use another K-beauty fave of mine - Tony Moly's I'm Real Rice Mask Sheet. Of all the sheet masks I have tried (and that would be about 100), this one comes out on top. If you have yet to try one, at first it can feel a bit slimy, so I always rub any excess product into my neck and hands. The milky rice formula lightens and brightens my complexion, and completely clears up any dry patches or irritated blemishes if I have any.

+ Step 3: tone
Witch hazel is my little secret for even-toned skin and keeping little blemishes at bay - and Thayer's Original Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera is my absolute fave on the market. Not only is this stuff super cheap, it is alcohol-free, made with certified organic witch hazel, paraben/pthalate-free, and not tested on animals. Though it's best not to over-do it and use on skin more than once a day (as I have noticed in certain areas I can get a little dry), gently dabbing a bit all over your skin and eyes with a cotton pad lessens redness, refreshes, hydrates, cools, and even de-puffs sleepy eyes. The smell of witch hazel can be a bit strong for some, but the aloe vera softens the scent completely.

+ Step 4: hydrate
Year-round, I go for the luminous look - and during the colder months, that can sometimes be a bit difficult to achieve... but this luxe trio keeps me glowing all day long, even on those bitter mornings. First, I apply about 3 drops of Beauty Counter's Hydrating Face Oil, rubbing the product in my palms and gently pressing my hands across my face and neck. The jasmine is intoxicating, though quite floral - but the fragrance fades quite quickly on skin if you're not into that particular note. Next up, a pump or two of Honest Beauty's Younger Face Deep Hydration Cream (which I reviewed here). This thick cream has been my go-to for quite some time, and in unison with the jasmine oil, it smells simply divine. Lastly, I gently dab a bit of Honest Beauty's The Depuffed Eye Gel around my entire eye area, hydrating and cooling my (much too often) sleepless eyes. This combo is so rich, decadent, and deeply hydrating, keeping my skin looking radiant, glowing, and refreshed all day and all night long.

What are your resolutions this New Year?