The Clean Start: My Journey from St. Ives to ROUND LAB
You know that feeling when you look in the mirror and wonder, what am I doing wrong? Yeah, that was me. Maybe it’s a breakout before a big day, or that dull, tired look that no filter can fix. I’ve been there — in fact, I practically lived there for years. Back then, I thought washing my face harder meant cleaner skin. Spoiler: it didn’t.
The Teenage Battle — Scrub It Till It’s Gone
If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember that St. Ives Apricot Scrub — the one every YouTuber swore by. It smelled amazing, felt gritty in a good way, and made your skin squeaky clean. At least, that’s what I thought.
Every night, I’d scrub like I was polishing a gemstone, convinced that smoothness meant health. But instead of glow, I got redness, dry patches, and breakouts that showed up right when I didn’t need them. Looking back, it’s kind of wild how we all thought exfoliating daily with crushed walnuts was self-care. We were just trying to fix our skin the only way we knew how.
Most dermatologists now agree it’s a bit too harsh for daily use. The crushed walnut shells can cause micro-tears in the skin barrier, especially if you’re scrubbing like you’re polishing a car bumper (guilty). Still, for a lot of us, that was our first real skincare “ritual.” It taught us the satisfaction of taking care — even if it was a little misguided.
The Gentle Middle Ground — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and a Little Growing Up
By my early 20s, life got busier and my face couldn’t handle the teenage abuse anymore. Every ad and Reddit thread screamed “CeraVe!” so I grabbed the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, a product that everyone and their dermatologist seemed to love, expecting magic. And they weren’t wrong.
It didn’t tingle, didn’t foam much, didn’t even smell fancy. But after a week, I noticed something strange: no redness. No post-wash tightness. My skin felt like skin again. It’s basic in the best way: fragrance-free, packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, both of which help repair your skin barrier instead of tearing it down. Most reviewers describe it as “boring but reliable.” And honestly, that’s what I needed. My skin stopped flaring up, and I learned that “clean” doesn’t have to sting.
Still, if I’m being honest, CeraVe isn’t a luxurious experience. There’s no scent, no foamy texture — it’s a “get the job done” kind of product. Perfect for maintenance, not so much for enjoyment.
The Korean Revolution — ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
Then came the turning point, the late-night YouTube spiral that introduced me to K-beauty. Everything about it fascinated me: the emphasis on hydration, gentle acids, layering care like soft fabric instead of armor. That’s when I met the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser, and honestly, it changed how I thought about “clean.”
The first time I tried it, I remember the foam — light, creamy, like whipped milk. It didn’t squeak; it hugged. My skin felt balanced afterward, not stripped. I actually smiled in the mirror, which hadn’t happened in a while.
🌊 What’s Inside the Bottle
The star ingredient is the Deep Sea Water from Ulleungdo, sounds fancy and is, sourced from Korea’s East Sea; rich in magnesium, calcium, and other trace minerals that help soothe inflammation and rebalance pH. It also contains panthenol (vitamin B5) and allantoin, two powerhouse ingredients known for calming redness and supporting the skin barrier.
You also get glycerin, which locks in hydration, and amino acids that cleanse without being harsh. It’s free from artificial fragrance, parabens, and alcohol a huge plus for sensitive skin users.
The catch? It’s not a makeup remover. Most users (and I agree) recommend pairing it with a cleansing oil first if you wear SPF or foundation daily (the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil is a nice touch). On its own, it’s more like a soft reset button, best for mornings or after oil cleansing.
💬 What People Are Saying
I went down the review rabbit hole: over 3,000 ratings across different sites, and here’s the gist:
⭐ 5-star reviews (~70%): people love how bouncy and hydrated their skin feels.
⚖️ Neutral (~20%): some say it’s “too mild,” great for sensitive or dry skin but not strong enough for oily types.
❗ Critical (~10%): mostly complaints from heavy-makeup users who felt it didn’t remove residue well enough.
The average rating hovers around 4.6/5, and honestly, that matches my experience. It’s not dramatic; it’s dependable.
Different Ages, Different Skin Stories
I’ve learned that your skin changes the way your playlists do. What worked at 16 won’t always hit the same at 36.
For teens, it’s about learning gentleness early. Skip the punishment phase. Your skin’s not your enemy.
In your 30s, your skin’s just trying to stay balanced. Stress, sleep, and city air start showing up on your skin. Over-cleansing steals more than it gives.
At 50 and beyond, it’s all about comfort and hydration — think soothing textures, not foam parties.
Every decade brings new stories, new hormones, new stress. But the one rule that never changes? Be kind to your skin. It remembers.
The Clean Start — One Wash at a Time
Looking back, every cleanser I used tells a story.
St. Ives was ambition and overcorrection.
CeraVe was calm and recovery.
ROUND LAB is contentment — the quiet confidence of knowing what my skin needs.
Now, when I wash my face, I don’t rush. I take a breath, let the foam sit for a second, and remind myself that taking care doesn’t have to hurt.
A cleanser can’t fix everything, but it can set the tone, literally and emotionally. Maybe your clean start begins there too. One gentle wash at a time.
