DORÉ

I am a self-proclaimed skincare aficionado — the “skin first, makeup second” philosophy…I live it, I breathe it — but it’s not just any skincare that I obsess over, it’s specifically Korean skincare. So when I heard that Charlotte Cho, the founder of famed K-beauty site Soko Glam, was releasing her own skincare line, I knew I had to get on-board.

I even attended the launch event at Then I Met You’s NYC pop-up shop where I got to meet Ms. Cho herself, live and in person! (Here’s a photo for proof because you know, “pic or it didn’t happen” right?) We chatted about Soko Glam, I got to try out the products, and even had some complimentary mango sorbet — a double scoop and a double cleanse, the only way to have it really.

Now, for what you’re really here for: my thoughts!

First rule of skincare: cleanse, cleanse, cleanse! If you don’t have a skincare routine, 1) what are you doing?, 2) if anything, you should at least have a cleanser. Now, if you want to elevate your skincare regime or go one step ahead, a double cleanse is the way to go. A double cleanse will usually consist of an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser. The reason that you want to double cleanse is because our skin traps a lot of impurities throughout the day, and you want to get rid of that gunk at the end of the night to avoid acne and clogged pores — keeping your skin looking “so fresh and so clean”. An oil-based cleanser, like a balm, will help to remove makeup, sunscreen, and oil, while a water-based cleanser, such as a gel cleanser, will help get rid of sweat, impurities, and other grime.

Most skincare brands don’t sell both an oil and water-based cleanser, and if they do they’re sold separately and are not intended to be used together; however, TIMY streamlined the cleansing process for us by creating a cleansing duo (yay convenience!)…although you can buy each product separately if you’d prefer.

What makes a skincare product good, you ask? The ingredients, of course! TIMY products are cruelty-free and vegan; they’re also free of parabens, artificial coloring, and synthetic fragrances. The cleaning balm has a bunch of yummy oils in it to clean and soothe the skin — sea buckthorn oil, which gives it its orange hue, is rich in fatty acids, olive oil is an antioxidant with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, and grapeseed oil nourishes the skin while removing oil-based impurities — as well as vitamin E! The main ingredient in the gel cleanser is licorice root, which is an antioxidant and natural skin brightener that helps even out your skin tone while also removing impurities.

I’ve been using the cleansing duo for a week now, and may I say that my face has never looked brighter, clearer, and fresh! The balm effectively removes my sunscreen and makeup, while also hydrating my dull, summer skin. The gel cleanser is the cherry on the top, removing sweat and all other impurities while brightening and evening my sensitive, acne-prone skin.

Charlotte developed TIMY with the concept of jeong in mind. “Jeong, a concept I learned while living in Korea, is a deep emotional bond to the people, places and things that matter most, that is only cultivated by taking time to develop those connections. The notion of jeong influenced each aspect of Then I Met You — from distribution to ingredients.” Not only did Charlotte work to create an amazing skincare product, but she also wanted to foster community with her products.

At the end of the day, skincare isn’t only about correcting a skin concern, it’s about ritual, routine, and community… and striving to be the best version of yourself.

My skin was dull and my circle was a bit smaller, until Then I Met You…ah, that’s where the name comes from! ;)

If you want better skin days ahead, get your own cleansing duo here!