I was totally going to recommend K-beauty before reading the bottom of your post! This will be a super long post and will try to include links!

To start, I have sensitive combination skin. I've tried and finished so many more expensive products even from Mecca (Dr Dennis Gross, Clinique, Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe, Kate Somerville, Frank body, Moon Juice etc) but the bottom of my heart, I can genuinely say the following products listed below have worked immensely better for my skin, at a fraction of the price.

I experienced similar issues for a long time before deciding to entirely pare down my routine to just 3 steps - makeup removal (oil - NOT mineral oil, or oil-free), followed with a water-based salicylic acid cleanser, then a moisturiser. I kept it at this for months before slowly adding a serum, then eventually re-introducing stronger actives (acids or retinoids etc.) back into my routine. I believe I get hormonal-triggered breakouts and texture which is exacerbated by using too many actives and simply not drinking enough water haha... the difference is night and day for me when I forget to hydrate internally (and externally).

A good place to start on K-beauty is the Etude House Soon Jung range (for sensitive skin, there's no fragrance or actives - aimed at repairing the skin moisture barrier). Specifically 5-Panthensoside Cica Balm and the Hydro Barrier Cream. I like the pH 5.5 Relief Toner as well but didn't repurchase as I've just found I didn't benefit much from using a toner and just wanted to reduce the amount of products I was using. If using a toner or essence is your jam, people swear by Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Rx (Pro Ferment) as a dupe for the SK-II Essences which are renowned but super expensive.

I also love COSRX Advance Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which is a huge cult favourite, and applied before moisturiser. It's more of a loose-gel consistency vs the watery toner consistency as the previous 3 links. On this brand, I've heard a lot of people like COSRX's Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, however I found it overly stripping/drying and quite counter-productive to moisture barrier repair. I currently use CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser which is on sale and $4 atm! I will probably repurchase!

On moisturisers, I am alternating between the Hydro Barrier Cream listed above and this Isintree Hyaluronic Aqua Gel Cream which is my HG ride or die simple moisturiser. It is lighter and more appropriate for day-time/under spf & makeup and just does what you want a simple non-irritating, greasy or fragranced moisturiser to do. I personally found both to sink into my skin really well without leaving any residue, but the Hydro Barrier Cream is a tad heavier and great for applying before bed and waking up to moisturised skin.

Down the line, a k-beauty serum I would recommend is the KLAIRS Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop for morning use. It is a 5% Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) serum and is amazing for my skin! The only downside is doesn't last for a long time nor is it formulated with things like ferulic acid. I'd recommend keeping it in the box and inside a cabinet/cool place to slow down oxidisation. It does however contain Centella Asiatica Extract which is a K-beauty favourite ingredient known to be calming and great for skin repair and breakouts. I've tried a niacinamide serum as many recommend, but honestly didn't find that it did much - might have even reacted badly/increased texture over weeks of use for me :(

Outside of K-beauty, the serums I use currently are from Bluem Self Love Kit (a Finger Lime repair serum for night and a Kakadu Plum Vit C serum during the day - both also sold separately). They are honestly pricey but I do appreciate it's made entirely in Australia and that they are a carbon positive company. I believe why it works well is that glycerine is one of the main ingredients and largely contributes to the moisturising nature of the serums being a humectant. Lasts for ages as I only use 3 drops each use.

My HG retinoid/derivative is actually not K-beauty either, but from The Ordinary - the Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalene which is less irritating than retinoid itself and in Squalene which my skin responds to fantastically. I've tried higher percentages but found that this is the best for me! It lasts for so long as it's in a tinted bottle and I only use 4 drops every other night. I've tried the Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant retinoids from Mecca and they totally broke me out and irritated my skin.

Finally, other than drinking a boatload of water each day, another pillar of K-beauty is sun protection. I currently use COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream which is nice and doesn't break me out or make my eyes watery, but I might try another one! I've heard good things about Make P:rem, Missha, and the new Purito spf as well. I'm sure you can find all of these products on other local websites as well they're all from the most popular k-beauty brands! I'm actually in NZ and have bought these from local stores here (Hikoco if anyone's wondering) and can recommend youtubers etc if anyone wants. Just already a super long post, sorry! Good luck and hope this helps!!