Korean Skincare Routine: The Ultimate 10 Steps To Follow

The K-Beauty, or Korean skincare routine, has gained much popularity in the beauty world, and for a pretty good reason, too! This multi-step skincare routine majorly focuses on getting dewy, radiant, healthy & obviously glass-like skin. Need to be made aware of this routine? Don't worry. We've got you covered with a simple 10-step Korean skincare regimen and how each step benefits your skin.

Step 1: Oil Based Cleansers

Start your skincare routine with a good oil-based cleanser, which contains ingredients designed to dissolve makeup, dirt & impurities. Oil-based cleansers are gentle on the skin and prepare your skin for the next step.

Why it's important: Oil cleaners prevent clogging of pores and remove makeup & dirt without stripping skin's natural oils.

Options to consider:

  1. Dear Klairs, Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

  2. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

  3. Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil

Step 2: Water Based Cleansers

Korean skincare strictly requires the technique of "double cleansing, which means one has to use a water-based cleanser after an oil-based one. This step removes any remaining dirt, sweat, or impurities that the oil cleanser might have missed.

Why it's great: This one cleans all the impurities and sets it up for the rest of the skincare procedures.

What to look for:

  1. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

  2. COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser

  3. Dear Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser

  4. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam

Step 3: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is one of the most critical steps of any skincare. It removes dead skin cells, which eventually goes to help brighten up the complexion and clear pores. But do not do it daily; once or twice a week is really okay.

Why: It removes dead skin cells to reveal a smoother and brighter surface.

Product options:

  1. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

  2. Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum

  3. SkinFood Black Sugar Strawberry Wash-Off Face Mask

  4. The SkinFood Pineapple Peeling Gel

  5. Mother-Made Exfoliating Aqua Peel Gel

Step 4: Toner

Toner is one of the most imperative skin care steps as it maintains the skin's pH balance and lets subsequent products penetrate better—Pat the toner onto your skin rather than rub it to prevent irritation.

Why it's significant: It is significant because it neutralizes the pH level of the skin and prepares the skin to receive moisture.

Options:

  1. Ma: no Panthetoin Essence Toner

  2. Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

  3. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner

  4. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

  5. The Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk

Step 5: Essence

Essence is one of the must-haves in the Korean skincare regimen, with its light, hydrating properties. This water-based essence would penetrate very deep into the skin and deliver essential nutrients and moisture for a soft, supple and radiant complexion.

Why it's essential: Hydrates and nourishes for better cell turnover.

Options to consider:

  1. COSRX Galaxtomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

  2. MISSHA – Time Revolution First Treatment Essence

  3. Mizon Water Volume EX First Essence

  4. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Step 6: Serum

Serums and ampoules are concentrated formulas that address a specific concern, including hyperpigmentation and fine lines. For hyperpigmentation, select a vitamin C serum; for fine lines, select a serum with peptides. A few drops can supply the needed booster to your skin.

Why it's excellent: Specializes in addressing issues such as dark spots, fine lines, or pimples

Options to consider:

  1. Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop Serum

  2. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

  3. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Serum

  4. The Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

Step 7: Sheet mask

In Korea, face masks, particularly sheet masks, have become a popular SKINCARE staple. They are drenched in serums that will give your skin a hydration boost and an instant radiance.

Why it's important: It provides intense hydration and nourishes with concentrated ingredients.

Options to consider:

  1. Dr Jart+ Cryo Rubber Mask

  2. Soon, Skincare Micro-Hole Hydrogel Collagen Face Mask

  3. The Face Shop Real Nature Daily Glow Mask Sheet

Step 8: Eye creams

The delicate skin around the eyes requires special care, making eye cream an essential step in the Korean skincare routine. An eye cream helps keep this area hydrated and lessens the appearance of fine lines. Dab the product gently with your ring finger to avoid tugging at the skin.

Why it's essential: Hydrates and brightens the delicate eye area, reducing puffiness and fine lines.

Options to consider:

  1. Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Cream Ginseng + Retinal

  2. Dr. Different Vitalift-A Eye & Neck

  3. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream

  4. Medicube Deep Reviving Peptide Eye Cream

  5. Shaishaishai Banana Conceal Eye Cream

Step 9: Moisturizer

Moisturizer is a must in any skincare routine, helping to lock in all the previous steps. In the Korean skincare routine, moisturizers come in a variety of textures, including light gels, rich creams, lotions, emulsions and facial oils, to suit different skin types and preferences.

Why it's essential: Locks in moisture, keeping skin soft and plump.

Options to consider:

  1. Daydream Rice Cream

  2. Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Firming Cream

  3. CosRX Advanced Snail 92 All-In-One Cream

  4. Neogen Dermalogy Real Heartleaf Soothing Cream

  5. Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream

Step 10: Sunscreen

Whether rainy or sunny, sunscreen is the final step. It's an absolute necessity to have a piece of work done on the harmful UV rays affecting your skin. The two types are chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens filter out UV rays using chemicals, whereas mineral active ingredients reflect sunlight. To ensure the best protection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher must protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Why it matters: It offers protection against damage caused to skin from UV and prevents premature ageing and dark spots.

Available Options:

  1. Aestura Derma UV365 Barrier Hydro Mineral Sunscreen

  2. The beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++

  3. Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen

  4. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen

  5. CosRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+

Conclusion:

Ten steps to skin care seems like an awful lot, but every step here does contribute to that glass skin glow. The beauty of this Korean skincare routine lies in its flexibility; you can, as with most routines, tailor it according to your skin's requirements, and even if you're not inclined to all of them, you will still benefit from this better, layered approach.

Whether you are preparing for a big event or want to treat yourself, this regimen can make your skincare experience turn from ordinary to super-relaxing self-care. Stick to it, and you'll be able to enjoy a smoother, healthier, and more radiant skin glow that will have everyone asking for your skincare secrets!