The 10-step Korean skincare routine has become a trend worldwide. It’s not only a routine, but it’s also a complete lifestyle based on Korea’s unique obsession with a healthy body and skin. The routine is not something that has coined incidentally. It is even backed by the decades of scientific advancements.
The routine is not about using a lot of skin products, rather it is about using the right products with the correct understanding of what product is used for what, and more importantly, using them at the right time and in the right order.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to follow the wonderful Korean skincare routine.
1. Makeup Remover and Oil Cleanser:
Oil cleansers are used as the base of this skincare technique. Oil cleansers are not only easy to use, but they can also perfectly remove almost any kind of makeup you’ve used previously. If you want to remove the makeup or even oil-based impurities, makeup remover is the best option.
What it does:
It removes the oil-based debris easily
Preferred ingredients options:
- Jojoba oil
- Grape seed oil
- Macadamia oil
What to follow:
Apply the makeup remover and massage your skin gently, use lukewarm water for emulsification, then wash off.
2. Water-Based Cleanser:
A water-based cleanser is the second step of a double cleanse. Aestheticians and dermatologists recommend for double cleansing because it can completely remove all types of impurities that can cause skin breakouts. Water-based cleaner can easily dissolve the water-based impurities and sweat that can be skipped by the oil-based cleanser.
How it works:
Water-based cleanser can effectively remove the water-based impurities and sweat.
Preferred Ingredients:
- Green tea
- Pearl extract
- Rice extract
Steps to follow:
Apply the water-based cleanser on your damp face and neck, massage thoroughly in the circular motion, and wash off with lukewarm water.
3.Exfoliator:
Exfoliation is an important step in any kind of skincare routine. It can remove dead cells from the skin pores and can make your skin visibly brighter. Exfoliation also ensures the proper absorption of other makeup products.
What exfoliator does:
Exfoliation can remove the dead cells, debris and other impurities from the skin layers.
Ingredients to prefer:
- Lactic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Black sugar
What to follow:
You should exfoliate your skin gently once or twice in a week. Give proper attention to the nose and visible pores on the cheeks.
4. Toner:
Toner is an extremely important part of this Korean makeup technique. It doesn’t only remove the leftover residue from the cleansers, it repairs your skin barrier so that your skin can effectively absorb the moisturizers.
What toner does:
Balances your skin’s pH and moisture.
Ingredients to love:
- Aloe Vera
- Citric Acid
- Licorice
Steps to follow:
Take your favorite skin toner on a little cotton pad. Swipe the cotton all over your face and then pat gently with your hands.
5. Essence:
Essences are very good for your skin. They are not only soft, supple and lightweight, but they are also packed with combined quality of anti-aging, complexion-enhancing and hydrating.
How it works:
It works even better for dry skin, aids in cell turnover, and hydrates the skin
Ingredients to look:
- Birch juice
- Hyaluronic acid
- Rice extract
- Yeast
What to do:
Sprinkle the essence of your choice on your hands and gently pat on the face and neck.
6. Treatments:
When it comes to the ingredients for skin treatment, boosters, serums, and ampoules are the ultimate options. They’re packed with very powerful ingredients and can fight some common skin problems including acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines etc.
What treatment does:
Treatment directly works on the problem areas.
Ingredients to prefer:
- Tea Tree
- Soybeans
- Vitamin C
How to treat:
Apply the ingredient of your choice on the skin, targeting the problem area
7. Sheet Mask:
If essences are the heart of the Korean skincare technique, you can say that sheet masks are the soul. The sheet is the key to this step. The proper contact of these sheets ensures that your skin can correctly absorb the moisture and nutrients. In addition, they promote the meditative and quiet ritual of relaxation.
Why Sheet mask is important:
Sheet mask ensures the perfect infusion of concentrated essence.
Ingredients suitable as sheet mask:
- Cucumber
- Rose
- Green tea
Steps to follow:
Apply gently on your clean skin, and leave for 15-20 minutes, and then apply the excess essence.
8. Eye Cream:
The skin around your eyes is very soft as well as sensitive, and proper usage of a suitable eye cream can keep problems like puffiness, crow’s feet and dark circles etc. at bay. Eye creams are gentle and non-irritating, and are packed with beneficial ingredients.
What eye cream does:
Eye cream ensures the hydration of the skin around eyes, and improves the conditions like dark circles, crow’s feet and puffiness etc.
Preferred Ingredients:
- Honey
- Lily
- Ginseng
Steps to follow:
Gently tap the eye cream around your eyes ensuring you don’t rub it.
9. Moisturizer:
You can get moisturizers in a lot of different forms i.e. gel, lotion, emulsion, and sleeping mask etc. They can improve the moisture of your skin, and can fight the annoying and harmful dryness.
What moisturizer does:
Moisturizer seals in the moisture, and makes your skin smooth and supple.
Suitable ingredients:
- Hydraulic acid
- Centella Asiatica (cica)
- Green tea
- Bamboo
- Snail mucin
How to:
Pat the ingredient gently on your face. Follow it daily in the morning and night.
10. Sunscreen:
If you want to take care of your skin, you should make sunscreen a must. Use it even if you remain mostly inside. Sunscreen prevents premature ageing and can even protect you from the skin cancer. You should use sunscreen as a shield at the end of this Korean skincare routine.
What sunscreen does:
It gives your skin the much-needed protection from harmful UV rays
Ingredients you can use as sunscreen:
- Titanium dioxide
- Zinc oxide
How to:
Once you’re done with all other steps, finish your routine with sunscreen. Gently pat the sunscreen on face and the neck and re-apply throughout the day.
There are plenty of benefits to the Korean skincare routine. It is themed mostly around the natural ingredients and is very easy to follow as well. If you’re annoyed with numerous other skincare techniques, you should at least give it a try. You will surely feel the difference