Have you ever wondered how Koreans maintain such beautiful, radiant, and toned skin? If you’re a beauty fan, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of your skincare products come from Korea, or that your Instagram feed is full of Korean beauty hacks. But have you ever thought about why? It’s because, for obvious reasons, Korean beauty trends have taken the world by storm. It doesn’t matter how many or how expensive your products are to them; it’s all about layering them correctly.
The well-known Korean skin care routine promotes radiant, beautiful, and toned skin. Although doing this every day may be taxing, the results of this Korean skin care regimen will keep you motivated. Let’s go over each step of the Korean skin care routine and its benefits in depth:
1. Oil Cleanser
Koreans take a holistic approach to their skin, believing in gentle treatment, and double-cleansing is one method. Because we all know that oil and water repel each other, starting with a water-based cleanser is not a good idea because it will not remove oily impurities. You are ensuring that your skin is free of SPF, makeup, and the body’s natural sebum by using this oil cleanser. Gently rub it on your face in a circular motion for two to three minutes to increase blood flow and allow the cells to carry out their functions smoothly.
2. Foam Cleanser
Following the oil cleanser, use a foaming or waterproof cleanser to remove the accumulated dirt, sweat, and chemicals. The cleansers work together to thoroughly cleanse the skin, though foaming cleansers have a reputation for drying and stripping the skin due to their high pH and sulphate content. In your 10-step skin care routine, Koreans always recommend using a gentle, hydrating, low pH, water-based natural cleanser.
3. Exfoliant
The next step in this skincare regimen is exfoliation, which results in baby-soft, smooth skin right away. You should be aware of two types of exfoliators: physical and chemical. A physical exfoliator is a textured tool that removes the topmost layer of skin; examples include sugar scrubs, cleansing towels, and peeling gels, among others.
Chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, are primarily composed of acids like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs. The word ‘acid’ may sound intimidating, but we assure you that they are also very effective! A chemical exfoliator removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover and rejuvenation. A chemical exfoliator not only exfoliates the skin barrier but also penetrates the deeper layers of the skin.
4. Toner
Toners in the K-Beauty skin care routine are not the same as Western toners. They are gentler and milder, providing the first layer of hydration after cleaning and exfoliating. Korean toners are not astringent or alcohol-based, but rather designed to balance the pH of your skin. By drenching the skin in hydration, the ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. Simply put, these blissful products prepare your skin for the next steps in your 10-step routine.
5. Essence
Essence is a unique step found only in Korean skin care regimens that floods the skin with hydration. Consider the skin to be a sponge. It loses its ability to absorb when it is dry, but if you hydrate it by placing it in a bowl of water, it will work much more efficiently because it has been sufficiently hydrated. Similarly, prepping the skin with essence before applying the rest of your Korean beauty routine will maximize its ability to absorb all of the goodness.
6. Ampoule or Serum
Serums are high in active ingredients that target and treat skin issues like dark spots, wrinkles, pigmentation, and dullness. An ampoule is a concentrated form of a serum.
7. Sheet Mask
Sheet masks serve two purposes: they hydrate your skin and create a barrier to protect it while allowing other products to rejuvenate it. The sheet mask, which is usually soaked in essence, prevents the product from evaporating and allows it to penetrate your skin. Sheet masks hydrate the skin, clarify marks, and provide it with the necessary glow.
8. Eye Cream
Eye creams contain active ingredients that target a variety of issues related to the sensitive eye area, while also moisturizing and sealing the skin. Applying eye cream before moisturizer is recommended in the K-Beauty skin care routine to treat the delicate eye area first.
9. Moisturizer
Moisturizing is something Koreans swear by because it provides the skin with the water it requires to stay hydrated. Because many moisturizers contain occlusive, they should be applied to the skin almost last, after other products such as essences, serums, and oils. These are ingredients that form a thin layer of oil on the skin’s surface to form a hydrophobic film (seal) that prevents water from evaporating.
10. SPF
By day, whether you’re going out or not, sunscreen is a must. Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, are made up of two minerals: titanium dioxide and zinc dioxide. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, contains more minerals and works in different ways. Mineral sunscreens repel UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays, convert them to heat, and protect the skin from further damage.
