Korean Skincare Routine: 10-Steps For Korean Beauty Routine

Korean skincare routine is all about paying attention to the quality formulation, well-practised skincare regime and inner health of the body. Korean skincare brands focus on the effectiveness of the ingredients, which is why they're so popular amongst beauty and skincare enthusiasts. Some can find it expensive, but it works on the quality and not on the quantity of the product, which makes it worth buying as just a little amount of product can do wonders and last long more than others, rest you're wise enough to do that math.

It is believed that Koreans were the first ones to use face serums to target skincare concerns, and deeply hydrate it. Korean skincare routine is all about deep cleansing, ultra-moisturising and intensively protecting the skin which not just helps to improve the overall health of the skin barrier but also bring back the glow from within by combating skin dullness. This makes the interest and obsession around the Korean skincare routine worth the hype.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the 10-step Korean skincare routine, which you can practise to reverse skin concerns and achieve flawless skin.

10 Steps Korean Skincare Routine

Korean Skincare Step 1: Oil Cleansing

The first step is to use an oil cleanser to clean your face, which is also a primary step of double cleansing. Using an oil cleanser breaks down the oil-based products from the skin and helps in removing the traces of makeup and sunscreen. It can be done during both morning and night but double cleansing is mostly recommended to be done in the night-time skincare routine.

Korean Skincare Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser

The second step is to clean the face with the help of a water-based cleanser, which is also the second step of double cleansing. It helps remove the dirt and remaining traces of makeup from the pores of the skin. It efficiently removes impurities that can cause acne or breakouts.

Korean Skincare Step 3: Exfoliation

This third step of the Korean skincare beauty routine is to exfoliate the skin using a chemical or physical exfoliator. This helps to get rid of all the dirt, dead skin cells and gunk from the deeper layers of the skin. It helps to deeply clean the pores by pulling out all the debris and making your skin smoother and brighter for better absorption of the skincare products. If exfoliation is done regularly, the skincare products used tend to absorb in the skin more efficiently.

Note: People with oily/acne-prone skin type can exfoliate two-three times a week (physical exfoliation) or once a week (chemical exfoliation). People with dry/sensitive skin types can perform chemical/physical exfoliation once in eight-ten days. Normal and combination skin need exfoliation once a week.

Korean Skincare Step 4: Toner

The fourth step in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is using a toner on damp skin. Toner helps to remove any residue or impurities that the cleansers miss. A toner also repairs the skin barrier so that the products following such as a toner, serum and moisturiser absorb into the skin efficiently. Using the right type of toner not only hydrates the skin but also helps in maintaining the correct pH balance.

Korean Skincare Step 5: Essence

The fifth step in the Korean skincare routine is using an essence on the face, which is also considered to be the heart of the Korean skincare routine. An essence is a hydrating, lightweight, concentrated liquid that has anti-ageing ingredients that not just deeply hydrate and nourish but also help in enhancing the skin texture. It also helps in cell turnover and in prepping up the skin for better absorption of other skincare products.

Korean Skincare Step 6: Serum

The sixth step in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is using a serum on the face. Serums are highly concentrated and they help in targeting specific skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, acne, hyper-pigmentation, dullness, etc. They are more effective and work on the skin efficiently compared to any other product as they are higher in concentration level.

Korean Skincare Step 7: Sheet Mask

Using a sheet mask which is also known to be the soul of the Korean skincare routine can be surprisingly beneficial and refreshing. Sheet masks let the skin to rest while making it absorb all the ingredients from the sheet masks that give an extra boost of hydration to the skin. Sheet masks not only help in nourishing and brightening the skin but also help to deeply moisturise the skin.

Korean Skincare Step 8: Eye Cream

People often ignore the skin under the eyes and do not opt to invest in under-eye cream. But you know what, your eyes can reflect your overall health in and out. Eye creams are specially formulated for the skin around the eyes as this area is the most delicate and has the thinnest skin on the face. An eye cream gently nourishes the skin around the eyes, and its regular usage can help combat skin problems like puffiness, dark circles and crow's feet from under the eyes. And it's never too late to start using an under eye cream; so if you haven't been using one yet, go ahead now. 

Korean Skincare Step 9: Moisturiser

The ninth step in the Korean skincare routine is moisturising, which is also one of the most important steps in any skincare routine because it helps to bring back life to the skin. Using the right kind of moisturiser, that best suits your skin type and skin concern doubles the benefit and proves to be wondrous for the skin. It also helps in making the skin plump by sealing-in moisturise and leaving your skin smooth, bright, and supple.

Korean Skincare Step 10: Sunscreen/Night Cream

For AM regime, the tenth step is to use sunscreen, whether it is a physical sunscreen or a chemical sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen is the most important part of any skincare routine as it helps to prevent and protect the skin from against sun damage, and also from other environmental damages that can harm the skin barrier. Therefore, UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection helps achieve younger-looking skin.

For the PM regime, the last step can be using a nourishing night cream. Night creams are formulated with the best ingredients that benefit the skin most while you're enjoying your beauty sleep. Night creams not only to moisturise the skin but also neutralis the damaging free radicals, improve the texture of the skin, combat sagginess, reduce dark spots and minimise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Night creams can make a visible difference, and make you wake up to plump and radiant skin.

Benefits Of Korean-Skincare Routine

• Korean-skincare routine aims at hydration, exfoliation, and sun care
• It deeply cleanses the pores for better absorption of skincare products
• It helps to eradicate the dead skin cells
• It helps to revive the texture of the skin
• It proves very beneficial for dehydrated skin and hyperpigmentation
• It contributes to the regeneration of skin cells
• It deeply nourishes the skin and boosts the natural radiance of the skin

Things To Keep in Mind When Starting With Korean-Skincare Routine

• You need to be extremely patient with the process.
• Do not go overboard to reap the goodness of products; add them to your skincare slowly and then gradually build their usage.
• Don't just splurge onto the popular products, check the ingredients and invest in the suitable one that will help combat your skincare concerns.
• It's ok if you can't shop them all, in that case, stick to the basics, CTM and sunscreen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Korean-Skincare Routine