THIS WEEK’S EDIT:
MEN’S SKINCARE, SIMPLIFIED
I shared a quick version of this recently, but wanted to break it down properly — because most men are either using nothing or the same 2-in-1 they’ve had since high school.
These are the products that are actually simple, effective, and worth using.
Most men don’t need a complicated routine — in fact, using too many products (especially layering things like Vitamin C, retinol, and random actives all at once) can actually irritate your skin and make it worse.
A simple routine done consistently will always beat a 10-step routine you don’t understand — start with the basics, then add in 1–2 targeted products if you need them.
IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START
Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (great all-around, super safe)
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (K-beauty fave, gentle)
Moisturizer
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (lightweight, no fuss)
Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (K-beauty, super calming)
SPF
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 (invisible, no white cast)
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF 50 (K-beauty cult favorite)
FOR DRY SKIN
Hydrating Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Thicker Moisturizer
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
Add:
Vitamin C (AM) → helps brighten + bring life back into skin
Retinol (PM) → helps with texture + long-term skin health
Optional Serum
COSRX Snail Mucin Essence (hydration glow)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
FOR OILY / ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Lightweight Cleanser
CeraVe SA Cleanser (great for breakouts)
Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser
Oil-Free Moisturizer
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Add:
Vitamin C (AM) → helps with dark spots + uneven tone
Retinol (PM) → helps reduce breakouts + smooth skin
Treatment
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc
THE ONLY “EXTRAS” THAT ACTUALLY MATTER
If you’re adding anything beyond the basics, make it these two:
Vitamin C (AM)
→ Helps brighten skin, even tone, and make you look more awake
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum
Retinol (PM)
→ Helps with texture, breakouts, and overall skin quality over time
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
EXTRAS (IF YOU WANT TO GET FANCY)
Lip Balm
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Aquaphor Lip Repair
Hand Cream
L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Body Wash Upgrade
Nécessaire The Body Wash
Method Body Wash Pure Peace
SO NOW YOU’RE LIKE…WAIT…DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED ALL OF THIS?
Short answer: No — but a few things make a big difference.
Think of skincare like this:
Cleanser = washes your face (gets rid of oil, sweat, etc.)
Moisturizer = keeps your skin from getting dry / irritated
SPF = protects your skin (this is the most important one)
Everything else is just extra credit depending on your skin.
WHAT I WORE
Should we do a night out in LA itinerary next? 👀
Extras This Week
A couple things I wore that didn’t make it to Instagram (but honestly should have):
What I Wore to Church
What I Wore to the Padres Game
Night Out
Easy outfits, good company, and one of those nights you wish you could replay.
Lace top, denim, heels, and a mini bag — simple but always works.
NYC Look
Wore this in NYC and didn’t want to take it off — one of those outfits that just always hits.
Everyday / Casual
One of those throw-on outfits that somehow still looks put together.
Should we do a night out in LA itinerary next? 👀
SAN DIEGO WITH THE GIRLS
San Diego with the girls just hits different — reunited 🤍
Padres game, bar hopping, good convos, and picking up where we left off like we never skipped a beat.
We ended up at a mix of our go-to spots and a few new ones — sharing all my recs below.
⚾ Padres Game
Honestly one of my favorite ways to spend a day in SD — good energy, drinks flowing, and just walking around with your friends.
Animae (Dinner)
I should put a little pork tocino emoji if they had one. Elevated Filipino is what we love ok! One of the best dinners of the weekend — a little more elevated but still fun. Perfect for a girls night where you want to actually sit, order a few things, and catch up.
MORE DINNER SPOTS
Callie — trendy, Mediterranean, always a hit
Juniper & Ivy — elevated but still fun
Born & Raised — steakhouse, rooftop vibes
Cesarina — cozy Italian, great pasta
Fortunate Son — chic Chinese, super vibey🎤 Bar Hopping In Gaslamp
Stops we hit:
Gaslamplighter (karaoke chaos in the best way)
Sidebar (major throwback…had to)
Happy Does (new spot!)
Very much a “go wherever the night takes you” type of night.
BREAKFAST / BAKERY (DOWNTOWN + NORTH PARK)
Asa Bakery — lowkey one of the coolest finds…thanks to my besties. Bakery by day, and I’ve heard it turns into more of a speakeasy/sushi situation at night 👀
Communal Coffee — cutest aesthetic café, perfect for a slow morning
Morning Glory — iconic brunch spot, expect a wait but worth it
The Mission — classic, always good, easy go-to
James Coffee Co. — simple coffee stop, great before walking around
🍸 The Vibe
Equal parts chaotic and wholesome — exactly what you want from a girls weekend.
👉 Save this for your next San Diego trip
WHERE I WENT
Equal Parts, San Francisco
Low lights, good cocktails, and one of those menus where everything sounds good.
What we ordered:
Pull My Daisy
Manhattan
Kampachi
Fried Chicken
Bone Marrow
Panna Cotta
A Few More Spots To Add To Your List
SF / Bay Area
Happy Crane — everyone’s talking about it right now
Ernest — modern Asian tasting menu, super hyped
Penny Roma — pasta spot that’s still trending
Bodega SF — casual but very cool crowd
NYC
Corner Bar — downtown energy, always packed
Jean’s — very “you go here to be seen”
Sailor — cozy but impossible reservations
LA (next trip!)
Bar Lis — rooftop, sunset drinks
La Dolce Vita — classic but having a moment
Gigi’s — dinner that turns into a night out
Night Out Itinerary (SF)
If you’re planning a night out, this is the exact route we did:
Amélie
Harper & Rye
PCH
Peacekeeper
The Felix
HIS EDIT
PAAK’S PICKS
A few looks from him lately — simple, intentional, and always put together.
He’s very much a “keep it clean, fit matters, and don’t overdo it” type of dresser…which honestly makes everything look better.
The Formula
Structured top, relaxed pants, good shoes — and suddenly it’s an outfit.
Night Out / Date Night
One of my favorite looks on him also because it was my bridal shower — elevated but still effortless.
Off-White Arthur Sunglasses in Black
Kith Rugby Polo
Zara Relaxed Fit Pleated Pants
Duke + Dexter Wilde Penny Loafers
Tissot Gentleman Brown Leather Strap Watch
