Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mandrews1985]

I've never really suffered from dry skin before, but since it's started getting cold and dry here my face is getting really dry and sore and I don't really know what to do about.

I live an average kinda healthy life and drink a normal amount of water a day, so what's causing this problem? Is it simply down to the weather as my friend says?

What is a good moisturizer to use? Normal washing habits generally consist or not using any type of soap or shower gel on my face when I shower, if that information is needed... i dont know lol.

Anyway, any advice would be well welcomed!

Mark.

[Swampfox10mm]

Dry skin happens with age, and the weather is dry in the winter here.

One thing you need is to start running a humifier in your house. Get one of the ones that boils the water to steam. They are best (not cold ultrasonics). Hanil used to make one, among other brands, and you can find them in E-marts and Lotte Marts.

Here is the one I found is awesome. Much cheaper online. Comes in different colors, but same basic design:

http://item.gmarket.co.kr/DetailView/Item.asp?goodscode=104072841&GoodsSale=Y&jaehuid=200002673

DO NOT use any of the liquids that you add to the water, or the little tablets, either (for killing mold inside the water tank). There were found by the gov't to cause serious lung distress but are still being sold-off by retailers to avoid losses. We think using this almost killed my wife (seriously). There was an article about it in the newspapers recently because so many people were getting seriously sick for no reason. Just make sure you rinse-out the humidifier well between uses.

Remember, though, this is Korea. You should also be opening your windows and airing-out your apartment at least two to three times per day for about 5 to 15 mins. They don't have central air here, and a buildup of carbon monoxide is both unhealthy and greatly quickens mold growth in your apartment. Clean air is important for health, so don't skimp on this.

Also for your skin, you may need face, as well as body lotion. For body, we find Vaseline Intensive Care lotion is really great. It's everywhere for about 9,000 won a bottle, and it will last you much of the winter. Cheaper face lotions can also be found at "The Face Shop" which will be good enough, most likely. Better ones purchased from finer make-up stores in Hyundai and Lotte Department stores. Another one to consider is baby lotion for the face from a good Korean company like "0 to 7", sold at Homeplus. It's in a white bottle with a blue cap, and comes in different sizes. The Korean name is 궁중비책, and says "Face Soothing Lotion" in English.

Oh, and don't wash your face with regular soap. Use something made for your face that's of decent quality. By far the best thing to wash your face with is made by Shiseido, a Japanese make-up company. It's called White Lucent, and can be purchased in the Shiseido make-up stores in Lotte or Hyundai Dept. stores.

http://shopping.naver.com/search/all_search.nhn?where=all&query=shiseido%20white%20lucent&cat_id=20060007&nv_mid=5624523869&frm=nv_product


You only need a tiny amount to lather-up to wash your face.

[Draz]

I just use cheap lotion from Skin Food and it's good enough for my face, but my legs get impossibly dry in winter here. Baby oil + lotion helps enough that I don't scratch till they bleed, but they still itch and flake.

My apartment is wet and disgusting already (clothes are always damp when I put them on) so I don't think a humidifier would help.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I use Kiehl's "Ultra Facial" cream on my face. It's about 70k for a tub, but the thing lasts me about 5 months, so I start using it in the fall and finish up as winter is winding down. It works REALLY well, and I only have to put it on once a day, rather than the several times that I have to apply other ointments or creams.

[Alicebtkl]

I'm using something really nice and not expensive, it is "pure argan face oil", by "The Face Shop". Good luck.

[Swampfox10mm]

[mmstyle]

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