As anyone who has ever dealt with frequent breakouts can attest to, your skin can sometimes be a big source of insecurity. Instagram influencer Sally Ho knows that feeling all too well, as her firsthand experience with acne led to problems with her self-esteem. Rather than let her skin get her down, she took matters into her own hands to educate herself about skin care and the proper way to control for her problem skin. This quest for knowledge quickly turned into a love affair with all things skin and led her to create her Instagram, @actually.skin. What started as a place to share her skin musings and product reviews has since evolved into a more personal space to talk wellness, life changes, and mental health and how it correlates to skin care. Keep reading to learn Sally’s biggest skin secrets, plus the products she can’t live without.

Can you take us through your beauty bag?

I currently have a bunch of random products in my bag but it’s usually what I left in my bag from the last couple times I rushed out of the house. Currently, I’ve been in love with the Gucci Sheer Lip Colour! It’s been my go-to everyday lip since it feels like a balm but provides the perfect amount of color. The cuticle oil is kinda random but my nails have been brittle from removing polish so I always keep my cuticle pen handy so that my nails are nice and strong! I use Lip Pop to prep my lips for lipstick and throughout the day for color and moisture. It also gives me a great base for how I want the rest of my makeup to look.

Beauty Bag: Holika Holika Sun Cushion, Glossier Boy Brow, Gucci Sheer Lip Colour (Mildred Rosewood), Missha Glow Lip Blush (Dare Me), Dear Dahlia Lip Mousse (October), Cirque Colors Cuticle Pen, Lanolips 101 Ointment, Jao Refresher Sanitizer, Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Lip Pop

Describe your daily beauty routine to us!

I have two places where I do my routine! In the morning, I am standing in front of the mirror doing my skincare and makeup. I’ll usually have a YouTube video posted up in the background that I can listen to, a show that I am currently watching on Netflix, or music if I’m in a rush. It usually takes about 30-40 minutes since I like to take my time putting on a full face!

At night, I wash my face in the bathroom then I migrate back and forth from the bathroom to my bedroom to pick out my routine. Usually, I apply one product, see how my skin is feeling about it, then either continue with what I picked out or choose another product. With the Blueberry Cleanser, I like leaving it on for a minute or two, like a mask, before washing off since it’s pretty hydrating.

Normally I have a Netflix show playing in the background since this is usually my down-time. This takes about 20 minutes since I like to let my products absorb between steps!

Do you have a signature beauty look?

I always have to have eyeliner on! I think it was back when Michelle Phan was big on YouTube (before her hiatus), where she mentioned that her desert island beauty product has to be eyeliner. That really resonated with me so I used to practice eyeliner after my classes in high school. I started wearing eyeliner every day after graduation and since then, I never feel “complete” until I have it on. I also wore a red/purple smokey eye for about 5 years but have toned it down to a subtle pink smokey eye to get with the times haha.

What’s on your beauty routine playlist right now?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Doja Cat recently, specifically her songs “Juicy” and “Say So”. BROCKHAMPTON’s Ginger album has also been on repeat since it puts me in a good mood! SUGAR has been my current anthem for the past couple weeks ♥️