Step 1: Core Routine (Baseline)
Right now you’re using the Hatomugi gel, milk, and skin conditioner. That’s already hydrating
and soothing, so it’s a good foundation.
👉 Keep this as your base while you slowly add actives.
Step 2: Introduce Products One by One (Patch Test Each for 3–5 Days)
1. Snail 92 All in One Cream (gentle, barrier-friendly, hydrating)
○ Can be used AM or PM, after your Hatomugi milk/skin conditioner, and before
sealing with the gel.
○ Super safe, unlikely to irritate. You can start with this first.
2. 6 Peptide Skin Booster / Serum (HA + NAG + Amino Acids)
○ Hydrating + barrier-supporting = low risk.
○ Add this second. Use after your Hatomugi conditioner, before milk/gel, and before
snail if you want.
3. Niacinamide 15% (with NAG + Zinc PCA)
○ ⚠️ This is potent. Most people do fine up to 5–10%, but 15% can be irritating.
○ I’d recommend starting only 2–3x a week, at night. If irritation occurs, buffer with
your snail cream on top.
○ Once your skin adjusts, you can increase frequency — but it may always be
better as a "few times a week" product instead of daily.
4. Retinol (COSRX 0.5% or 1%)
○ Since you’re new to retinol, I’d strongly recommend starting with 0.5% first.
○ Use only 2 nights per week at first, on clean dry skin, and buffer with your snail
cream after.
○ NEVER use retinol + niacinamide 15% on the same night (too irritating).
Alternate them.
Step 3: Safe Routine Structure (PM Example)
● Cleanse (gentle, non-stripping)
● Skin conditioner (Hatomugi)
● Peptide serum (optional, most nights)
● Niacinamide 15% OR Retinol (alternate nights, never together)
● Snail cream (locks everything in)
● Gel moisturizer (Hatomugi)
Step 4: Golden Rules ⚠️
● Patch test every product on your jaw or behind ear before full face.
● Wait 2 weeks between introducing new products so you know what’s causing what.
● Sunscreen daily (SPF 30+ minimum) — especially with niacinamide and retinol.
● If irritation happens: scale back, add more snail/hatomugi, and let barrier rest.
✨ Suggested Timeline:
● Week 1: Add snail cream.
● Week 2: Add peptide booster.
● Week 4: Add niacinamide 15% (2x/week).
● Week 6+: Add retinol 0.5% (2x/week).
● Reassess before ever moving up to 1% retinol.
🌙 Night Routine Calendar (for when you have all
products in rotation)
Mon → Niacinamide 15% (after Hatomugi + peptide, before snail/gel)
Tue → Retinol 0.5% (after Hatomugi + peptide, buffer with snail after)
Wed → Rest / Just hydration (Hatomugi + peptide + snail + gel)
Thu → Niacinamide 15%
Fri → Rest / Hydration
Sat → Retinol 0.5%
Sun → Rest / Hydration
✨ This keeps things spread out so your skin has recovery days in between.
☀️ Daytime Routine (daily)
● Hatomugi skin conditioner → Peptide serum → Snail cream → Gel moisturizer →
Sunscreen SPF 30–50
⚠️ About Sunscreen Indoors
YES — even if you don’t leave the house.
Here’s why:
● UVA rays (the ones that cause premature aging and mess with retinol/niacinamide
results) pass through windows and even cloudy weather.
● Blue light from screens has a much smaller impact but can contribute a little to
hyperpigmentation.
So if you’re near a window during the day, or using actives like retinol/niacinamide,
sunscreen is non-negotiable.
If you live in a darker room with no direct sunlight, it’s less critical, but still a good habit
to apply in the morning.