You might have noticed the glowy, glass-like skin of K-pop idols or Korean actors, right? You’ve probably found yourself wondering how they do it. Well, it all starts with the famous 10-step Korean skincare routine. Don’t worry, it may sound a little daunting, but honestly, this is all easy. It’s just layer upon layer of hydrating, nourishing, and protective products. Alright, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Oil Cleanser: The Gentle First Cleanse
The oil cleanser is the hero of the first step. Using oil based cleanser to clean is essential. It’s very good at breaking down makeup, sunscreen, and all the dirt your skin picks up during the day. It melts everything down when rubbed into dry skin. You’ll be amazed at just how silky and fresh you are when you rinse with water.
That’s like a spa session without an overly priced facialist, just you and your trusty oil cleanser rubbing away the stress of the day.
2. Water-Based Cleanser: Double Cleanse Magic
Use a water-based cleanser to complete the cleaning procedure, it removes sweat and dirt that are left behind by your first cleanse. Foam it up, massage your face, and rinse. This preps your skin, making it squeaky clean without making it dry.
Koreans do the double cleanse because it ensures your skin is indeed ready to soak in all the good stuff coming next.
3. Exfoliation: The Smooth Operator
Exfoliation is the star of any skincare routine, but Koreans do it gently. Once or twice a week is enough to remove dead cells from skin without irritating your face. There are two kinds: a physical exfoliant, that is, a scrub; and the chemical exfoliant, an ingredient like AHAs or BHAs that dissolves dead cells.
Both exfoliate and give your skin a smooth surface, so the applied products blend even more effortlessly. And who doesn’t want a silky face?
4. Toner: Hydration Boost
Forget all the alcohol-heavy toners that make your face irritated. Korean toners are all about rehydrating and rebalancing the pH of your skin. Apply it on your face immediately after you clean your face, so your face gets hydrated. It’s like giving your face a splashing of cool water.
Pat it onto your skin, don’t rub! This gets your face ready to drink up the various layers of hydration and nourishment you’re going to be applying.
5. Essence: The Magic Potion
It is the soul of Korean skincare. It is lighter than a serum, yet still full of hydrating and anti-aging powers. Just imagine having a little booster for your skin that will help hydrate it better and take in nutrients.
When you pat just a few drops of it onto your face, you get plump, smooth, and radiant skin. And, with time, you will be seeing your skin evening out and becoming softer and more youthful.
6. Serum/Ampoule: Targeted Treatment
Serum is the over-achiever of any skincare routine. For some reason, whether it’s acne, dark spots or fine lines, you will find a serum that can deal with these issues. Serums are concentrated treatments which focus on specific skin issues. Ampoules are the same but more powerful.
Use just a little to apply it directly onto your problem areas. Serums work deeper in the skin for you to be able to see quicker results.
7. Sheet Mask: The Fun Stuff
Sheet masks are a great favorite in Korean skincare routine. These pre-soaked serum-infused masks become a mini spa treatment in your own home. Just pop it on your face and relax as it does its magic for 15-20 minutes.
Sheet masks are super hydrating and great for plumping up the skin to give you a dewy look. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want an excuse to chill out?
8. Eye Cream: The Secret to Bright Eyes
An eye cream must be included as the skin around the eyes is so sensitive and starts showing signs of aging early. One tiny drop under and around the eyes can help ease puffiness, dark circles, or very fine lines.
This is about giving love to that most sensitive part of your face, and it’d make you look more awake – even if you watch those K-dramas all night.
9. Moisturizer: Lock It All In
After you’ve applied all these hydrating products, it’s time to lock-it-all-in with a moisturizer. Don’t like rich and heavy moisturizers? That’s okay, get a light gel one that gives needed moisture and hydration to your skin for the day or night.
Moisturizer is your final barrier against water loss, leaving your skin looking plump and dewy.
10. Sunscreen: Golden Rule
If there’s one thing you should never forget before leaving your house every morning; it’s sunscreen. It is the most critical step to prevent sun damage, the leading cause of premature aging, dark spots, and wrinkles. UV rays can damage skin even on cloudy days, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen no matter how the weather is.
Korean sunscreens tend to be very light, non-greasy, and many have extra skin care benefits like hydration. Apply generously and reapply it every 4 hours throughout the day for optimal protection.
Final Thoughts
The 10-step Korean skincare routine seems a bit much at first, but once you get into it, you will discover that it is essentially a self-care ritual. You don’t need to do all of these 10 steps each day (as mentioned above). Skincare is all about being consistent with the process and enjoying the pampering. Brands like Beauty of Joseon make this journey even more special by giving traditional Korean ingredients like ginseng and rice into their products. So find the steps that work well for you, enjoy being on the journey to radiant, glowing Korean skin.