Çisem Çakır on Skincare, Ingredients, and Why She Skips Facials

Beauty content on social media can feel overwhelming. There’s an endless stream of recommendations, trends, and opinions. Yet Çisem Çakır is one of the few creators who manages to cut through the noise. Her videos focus on what’s inside skincare formulas, examining ingredients with an almost scientific curiosity. People keep coming back because she explains things in a way that actually makes sense. We caught up with Çakır to talk about the routines and rituals that shape her daily approach to beauty.

Can you tell us a bit about your skincare and makeup routines?

Over the years, I’ve become much more intentional. I do all my treatments at home, both weekly and monthly, and I don’t get professional facials. My at-home routine works really well for my skin, and I’m happy with the results.
Since I stopped breastfeeding, I’ve started using retinal again. In the mornings, I always apply an antioxidant complex before sunscreen. Sunscreen is non-negotiable for me. I’ve tried so many over the years that my standards are pretty high now, and honestly, very few products meet them.

I’ve also always loved makeup. When I was in university, I used to follow runway shows and look at the work of famous makeup artists, then try to recreate their techniques. I’m thirty-eight now, and that passion hasn’t faded at all. I still love trying new products, experimenting with new techniques, and adapting trends in ways that fit my personal style. Recently, gaining a deeper understanding of color theory has transformed the way I approach makeup. I’m much more aware of how everything works together.

 

We know you like to dig into ingredients. Which ones have you discovered recently, and what combinations have been working especially well for you?

Retinal will probably always be my favorite. I love using it with peptides, and lately I’ve been reaching for that pairing three to four nights a week. I also added PDRN into my routine, but the quality really matters with that one.
In the mornings, I like using ascorbic acid, arbutin, and tranexamic acid together. It’s an excellent trio for addressing pigmentation. Once a week, I also use azelaic acid with peptides.

Another method I really like is the Fiddy method. I apply salicylic acid, then go straight in with a clay mask without rinsing. After that, I wash it off, apply an oil cleanser, and leave it on for about fifteen minutes. Then I massage my skin gently for a few minutes before finishing with a water-based cleanser. I try to do this treatment once a month. It’s one of the most effective ways I’ve found to really clean out pores.

What makeup products do you always carry in your bag?

I always carry a concealer pencil with me. The Peripera Concealer Pencil is great because you can apply it very precisely. I also love MAC Dry Shampoo Lash. It’s such an underrated product. Whenever I want to refresh my mascara during the day, I use it and my eye makeup instantly looks revived. I also bring along the lip liner, lipstick, and gloss from whatever lip combination I’m wearing that day so I can touch up. Since my skin is combination, blotting papers are always in my bag. They’re just much more practical than powder. And during the summer, I never leave home without my Shiseido BB Compact. It’s one of those products I keep repurchasing.

 

When you were in Korea last year, what stood out to you about the K-beauty scene? Were there any products or treatments you wish were available in Türkiye?

I’ve been traveling to Korea regularly since 2018, and I really love the culture. Since then, I’ve been keeping an eye on new products, ingredients, and trends coming out of the Korean beauty industry.

Lately, ingredients like PDRN, spicules, and exosomes have really caught my attention. Capsule creams, melting gel masks, and dissolving patches are also having a moment. In makeup, there’s a big focus on glossy textures that work on both lips and cheeks. Hybrid formulas that combine makeup with skincare benefits are very popular as well.

One of my favorite experiences was visiting a head spa, where they do a full twenty-step scalp and hair treatment. It was amazing. Now I make sure to book one every time I go. It also made me realize how important scalp care is.

Are there any cosmetic or skincare products you’ve been using for years?

Quite a few. I have sensitive skin, so when it gets irritated, I usually turn to French dermocosmetic brands. Avène Thermal Spring Water, Bioderma Sensibio serums and Matricium ampoules, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide, and Cicaplast Baume B5+ are my staples.

LED therapy is another essential for me. I have a very powerful LED panel, and I use it three to four times a week for about ten minutes.

 

What do you look for when adding a new product to your routine?

When I’m trying a product for the first time, I always begin with a patch test. If everything looks fine, I check the ingredients and think about how it fits into my routine.

For example, I wouldn’t use harsh actives alongside my retinoid routine. I also adjust how often I use something based on its strength.

You’ve mentioned on Instagram that your skin is in a much better place now than it was in your twenties. What do you think made the biggest difference?

I think it comes down to knowing my skin, choosing the right products, combining the right ingredients, and being consistent. And I’m extremely strict about sunscreen.

Lifestyle also played a big role. In my early twenties, I wasn’t taking good care of myself. I didn’t exercise, I smoked, and my diet wasn’t great. Toward the end of my twenties, I built a healthier lifestyle and started following a consistent skincare routine, and I’ve seen a big difference since then.

What does self-care mean to you?

I’ve always believed that happiness itself is the greatest form of self-care. Reading, spending time on my own, journaling at the end of the day, anything that lets me slow down and focus on myself.

Skincare is naturally a big part of that. Taking ten to fifteen minutes in the morning and evening for my routine feels grounding. I also like to do breathing exercises when I’m using my LED panel.

I do reformer Pilates a few times a week. Otherwise, I’m usually out walking by the sea.

 

Where do you usually shop for beauty and skincare?

For K-beauty, I usually shop from Korendy, Justin Beauty, and M-Club. On Trendyol, I stick to official distributors like K-Land, Vionine, and Yeppuda Korean Cosmetics. You can also find a lot more K-beauty products at Watsons and Gratis now.

For makeup, my go-to destinations are Sephora and Beymen Beauty Studio.
Do you get professional treatments?

I don’t get medical aesthetic treatments, and I don’t see myself going that route. I prefer to keep things as natural as possible. I don’t even get regular facials, since my at-home routine already works really well for my skin.

That said, if I ever were to go in for treatments, I’d probably choose Biologique Recherche. It’s something I’d consider later on, maybe in my forties.

 

What does beauty mean to you? Has your perspective changed over time?

I think there’s something very compelling about people who are genuinely happy. It shows in a way you can’t really fake. More than anything, it’s a person’s energy and the way they carry themselves that shapes how we see them.

My perspective has definitely changed over time. What we think of as flaws often end up being the things that make someone stand out. Those details are what give someone character.

Who are your favorite people and platforms to follow on social media?

I keep up with a wide range of people. On YouTube, I love Liah Yoo, Gothamista, and Lisa Eldridge. On TikTok, I really enjoy following Charlotte Palermino.

What’s your favorite flaw?

The bump on the bridge of my nose. I used to see it as something I needed to fix, but that’s completely changed over time. I’ve grown to really like it. It gives my face a bit more character, and now I can’t imagine looking any different.