Korean skincare routine is adopted by every individual nowadays as koreans claim that they have the best skin in the world. Why is it so?
Since ancient times Koreans have only used natural, harsh-free ingredients for their skincare routine. Natural ingredients like green tea, snail slime, bamboo extract, honey etc are some of the ingredients that they have passed through generations. They understood that having clean and healthy skin is beneficial in the long run. Korean skincare is adopted by most other parts of the world and people are able to see visible results. Let’s have a look at their 10 steps routine where what all products need to be used and how to apply them. Also these steps are beginner friendly and can be followed by any one between the age 18-25.
Below are the 10 steps that will let you know korean skincare routine
Step 1 : Using Oil-Based Cleanser
As the first step of skincare, oil-based cleanser is recommended as it helps to remove all the oil-based inpurities from the skin like sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum. For cleansing we will follow 2 steps known as Double cleansing. Double cleansing is very important because the first oil-based cleansing step will not strip off your skin dry and will keep your skin healthy.
Application: Oil-based cleanser to be applied on dry face and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Products that can be used: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, The face shop rice water bright light cleansing oil
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
This is the second step in the double cleansing process. This step will eventually help to sweep away any residue left from the oil-based cleanser. This will also help to remove sweat or dirt from the skin and make your skin feel fresh. Use a foam/cream cleanser which is gentle, hydrating and has low pH value. These 2 steps combined thoroughly cleanse the skin.
Products that can be used: Forest Essentials Travel Size Delicate Facial Cleanser, The face shop rice water bright cleansing foam
Step 3: Exfoliators
If you want healthy looking skin, it will be recommended to add exfoliators to your skincare regimen. It helps to slough off dead skin cells, promote skin cell turnover and also repair damage from the sun, aging or skin discoloration.
Application: It is recommended to use exfoliators twice a week and it should be followed by any sun protection.
Products that can be used: Himalaya gentle exfoliating walnut scrub, The face shop jeju volcanic lava scrub foam
Step 4: Toners
After cleansing and exfoliating, your skin needs to be treated with toner. Toner helps to maintain the pH level and allows other products to be more easily absorbed into the skin. Also helps skin to be hydrated.
Application: Take 2-3 drops of toner on your palm or a cotton pad and then pat it on your skin.
Products that can be used: PIXI glow tonic exfoliating toner with glycolic acid, The face shop rice and ceramide mositurizing toner
Step 5: Essence
Essence is basically a lightweight, watery liquid that is used in skincare which will help to provide an extra layer of hydration to the skin. This is the most important or we can say the key ingredient in korean skincare routine. Essence get absorbs in the skin.
Application: 2-3 drops pour into your palm and pat gently on your face and neck.
Products recommended: COSRX Snail Essence, SK-II facial treatment essence
Step 6: Activators/ Serums
Serum or activators can be used according to your skin type. This activators are packed with active ingredients which directly targets your problematic areas like wrinkles, pigmentation, acne-spots etc.
Application: This need to be used twice a week more than that is not recommended. Put 2-3 drops into your palm and pat gently on your face or only can be applied to the problematic areas.
To know your skin type refer: https://paurnimadas.com/what-is-skincare-why-important/
Products recommended: Hyaluronic Acid by Loreal Paris, Niacinamide by Plum
Step 7: Sheet Masks
Sheet masks help your skin to get that extra hydration and make you feel fresh instantly. As it contains an excess amount of serum/essence which helps to make you feel relaxed.
There are different types of sheet masks with different properties according to your skin type and need you can choose your sheet mask.
Application: Apply mask on your full face and keep it for 15-20 mins then remove the mask. Excess serum can be massaged into the skin. There is no need to rinse your face after applying sheet mask, let the serum get absorbed into the skin.
Products recommended: Garnier Pure Charcoal black serum mask, Lakme blush and glow kiwi sheet mask
Step 8: Eye Cream
Eye cream usually helps to treat dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles around your eyes. Eye cream provides a soothing sensation under the eyes, hydrates and helps to nourish and replenish the sensitive eye area.
Application: Eye cream can be applied using your fingers then pat it on the area around your eyes. It can be applied before or after your moisturizer.
Products to be used: Pilgrim retinol+vitamin C eye cream, Dr.Seth’s caffeine eye cream
Step 9: Moisturizers
Moisturizer is very important in your skincare routine. Moisturizers help to lock all the previous layers of the skincare products and provide extra hydration and create a barrier for your skin.
Application: Apply a generous amount of moisturizer on your face and neck. Moisturizers need to be applied everyday morning as well as at night.
Products recommended: Ponds light moisturizers, Plum oil free moisturizer
Step 10: UV Protection
UV Protection or applying sunscreen is the final process in the korean skincare routine. Even if you are indoor it is essential to use sunscreen because there are other things like the light from your electronic devices like mobiles, laptops etc. can affect the skin. Sunscreen also helps slow down the skin aging process.
Application: Apply your sunscreen in the morning and then reapply it every 4 hours.
Products recommended: Aqualogica glow +dewy sunscreen, The Derma Co. 1% Acid aqua gel
Conclusion,
It is very important to have a good skincare routine so that when you grow older your skin still looks flawless. There are various skin problems that people have and if there is no proper treatment done then those problem will be seen for lifetime like hyper pigmentation, open pores, etc. So, if skincare routine is started at an early stage then your skin will be clear and flawless with less wrinkles even when you grow older. If the above steps are followed as instructed then your skin will thank you and your dream to achieve korean like skin will be fulfilled.
All these steps and the products suggested are tried and tested by me, so the products are safe to use and make sure you check your skincare type before proceeding with the steps.
Also refer : Korean skincare routine for morning and night