The Korean Skin Care Routine
Koreans are known for their glowing skin, which is achieved through a unique regimen. It’s a bit more extensive than what you’re probably used to (involving up to 10 steps or more), which can seem daunting at first. But we’re here to break it down for you, helping you understand the steps so you can customize them to fit your needs. It’s all about achieving healthy radiance from within, and while it may take a little longer, the results are worth it in the long run. Trust Us!
Step by Step
OIL-BASED CLEANSER - Korean women typically use two cleansers, starting with an oil-based cleanser to remove oil-based makeup, SPF and other impurities (since water repels oil). This allows for effortless cleansing rather than tugging at your skin to remove that last bit of mascara.
WATER-BASED CLEANSER - Following with a water- based cleanser removes any remaining residue and leaves skin supple. The key is to find a gentle formula that won’t strip or dry out your skin.
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Korean beauty heritage is steeped in natural ingredients passed down from generation to generation. This tradition continues today with formulations that tend to shun harsh chemicals and draw from the Earth instead.
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Though formulated with varying viscosities, essences tend to be a bit more fluid and less concentrated than serums. Their main purpose is to moisturize the skin and make the most of the serums that follow. Think of your skin as a sponge: once it’s plumped up with water, everything else absorbs more easily.
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These products are formulated with active ingredients that target specific needs by skin type, such as fine lines, loss of firmness, hyperpigmentation and dehydration. You can customize your regimen here, adding or removing products as you see fit. You can use them in any order, but generally thicker, more viscous products go on later.
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EYE CREAM - The skin around your eyes is thinner and more easily dehydrated, so it should be treated with a cream specifically formulated to protect, nourish, brighten or de-puff.
View our Eye Creams >MOISTURIZER - A moisturizer designed for your skin type creates a barrier that will lock in all the beneficial ingredients you’ve just applied, instead of letting them evaporate out of your skin.
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SPF (A.M. ONLY) Sunscreen is huge in Korea, and rightly so. Every morning, finish off your skincare regimen with either a dedicated sunscreen or a BB cream or cushion compact that includes SPF.
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Extras
These are optional items that don’t have to be part of your daily routine, but can be done a few times a week or whenever you need an extra skincare boost.
Use a gentle, non-irritating exfoliator 2-3 times per week to promote cell turnover, unclog pores, allow for better product absorption and keep skin looking youthful. Koreans often use gommage peels that allow dead skin to simply roll off with a mix of botanical and fruit extracts.
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Single-use sheet masks are formulated with the same active ingredients as serums, but are more of an “a la carte” version that you can use as necessary. A good arsenal of sheet masks enables you to customize your routine depending on how your skin is feeling.
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Skin regeneration goes into overtime while you sleep, and no- rinse sleeping masks make the most of this process. Packed with active ingredients, they feel like creams and stay on your skin all night. Use them 2-3 times per week in lieu of your regular moisturizer to get your beauty sleep (literally).
View our sleeping masks >Korean Skin Care Kits
Korean women work hard for their flawless skin, following a multi-step beauty regimen that has garnered a ton of beauty industry buzz. Too intimidated to put together your own Korean skincare routine? Choose from these pre-bundled kits and get ready to reap the rewards.
New to K-beauty? Learn about the products in the Korean Skin Care Routine.