It goes a bit like this: a balm or oil cleanser (1), a foaming cleanser (2), an exfoliant (3), a toner (4), an essence (5), an ampoule or serum (6), a sheet mask (7), an eye cream (8), a moisturizer (9), and then either a thicker night cream or sleeping mask or an SPF (10).
The 10 step Korean Skincare process is overkill, and, though probably not harmful, a major time and money waster. Don't get sucked into the hype. A good skincare routine for most of us with healthy skin primarily consists of sunscreen, generously applied every morning.
The typical Korean skincare routine consists of 8 to 10 steps that women perform daily to keep their skin looking healthy and radiant. This may seem like a lot compared to your usual skincare routine, but once you learn more about the steps, they may not appear so daunting.
While the 10 steps are very thorough, a lot of them are unnecessary. It's basically a “do everything every day” approach that doesn't account for a variety of skin types and needs. So you end up doing more than you need to and potentially overdoing it in other areas.
Deep cleansing is the key to getting Korean glass skin. Double cleanse your face with micellar cleansing water and choose a lemon-infused facewash for brighter skin. This process will prepare your face for the next steps in skin care. Boost your deep-cleansing Korean skincare routine with a unique exfoliating process.
Most Korean beauty skin care products use organic ingredients like herbs, aloe vera, snail slime, plant oils, and other natural substances found in nature. On top of these having natural reactions to a user's body, the risk of irritation is lower compared to products that use artificial ingredients.
In particular, people are showing before and after videos to show that Korean skincare products have helped clear up their troubled skin. TikTok creator @livingberryslife showed in a video how her skin was inflamed when using Western skincare, but clear and rid of red spots after switching to Korean skincare products.
The skin needs consistency, as do powerful ingredients like Vitamin C, to work their magic.” As a rule of thumb, Dr Christin advises following through diligently on your chosen skincare routine for at least four weeks for the products to offer tangible results.
Double dosed skincare
This is why Korean women live by the rule of double cleansing, double eye mask and double hydration in their skincare regimen. The step cleansing method includes a foaming face wash followed by an oil-based cleanser. This clears the skin of every last bit of makeup and dirt from face.
The Korean approach to skin care is a lot gentler and there is a distinct difference in ingredients lists compared to Western products, which can be harsh. You could argue that the main intent of skin care everywhere is to promote healthy, happy skin.
Another Korean skin care classic is exfoliation and, even though this step can be performed every day *unless you want to tear and dry out your skin*, it's a crucial time-to-time step that you shouldn't skip. Koreans typically exfoliate their skin 2-3 times per week using either a physical or chemical exfoliator.
Korean women wash their faces in at least 2~3 steps. They especially care more about washing face in evening before going to bed. The skin can rest and regenerate while you sleep only if you sleep in a state of clean skin.
Japanese skincare ingredients are so powerful that you can do less, but they're also extremely gentle. In contrast to Korean skincare, Japanese skincare prioritizes nourishing, gentle products that promote skin care and prevention.
Steroids like hydrocortisone and triamcinolone, which can cause redness, skin thinning and breakouts. Products with too high a concentration of retinol. Korean skincare products often contain more retinol than US products, which can dry skin and worsen pigmentation issues.
More Gentle Actives
Highly concentrated active ingredients are essential for preventing skin concerns, but Korean skincare prefers to use more gentle active ingredients without potential irritating side effects.
Innisfree, Amorepacific and Dr. Jart+ are just a few of the brands we recommend adding to your skincare routine. New to the world of K-Beauty? Get ready for a skincare journey like no other. In Korean skincare, natural ingredients are blended with powerful actives to give you a healthy, hydrated and dewy complexion.
Laneige, Primera Son & Park Beauty, SkinRx Lab, Etude House, Moonshot, Peripera, Son & Park, IOPE, Too Cool for School, Sulwhasoo, Neogen, Klairs, and Missha are some of the most popular Korean skincare brands.
“According to my hair stylist, Korean women use a hair essence or oil every single day, which is why they have such silky, soft, and shiny strands.” A personal favorite for Cho is British M's Organics Annatto Hair Oil, while Lee is a fan of the Mise en Scene Pearl Shining Hair Essence.
It's the result of an extensive skincare routine and naturally sourced hydrating extracts present in almost all Korean skincare ranges. For people who don't know, glass skin is flawless skin that is pore-less and translucent.
Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of Turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of Lemon Juice and 1 drop of Honey. Step 2: Directly apply this paste on skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Step 3: Wash off with lukewarm water and layer it with a hydrating moisturizer.