Your Guide to the 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine for Glowy Glass Skin
The viral 10-step Korean beauty routine has emerged as one of the most popular skincare trends in recent years. Wondering how to achieve the perfect beauty routine? Here are simple steps to follow daily to start on your K-beauty skincare journey.
The Korean skincare beauty routine is known to be detailed and complex, aiming to achieve glowing, hydrated, and healthy skin with a special focus on hydration, wrinkle prevention, and treatment of specific skin problems. Characterized by a long series of steps, often ranging between 8-10 products, Korean skincare includes double cleansing procedures, layered essences and serums, moisturizers, and sun protection.
Each step is supported by products formulated to meet specific needs; from oily to dry, clear to blemish-prone, and young to mature skin. The Korean skincare routine is based on the use of targeted products in a very specific sequence of steps. When performed with attention and consistency, the Korean beauty routine can produce visible results in a short time. Although it may seem complex at first, the K-beauty skincare routine can become a truly enjoyable self-care activity once you get the hang of it.
1. Oil Cleansing
Korean skincare typically starts with thorough double cleansing. The first step is to remove makeup and impurities from the skin with a cleansing oil. For this step, simply massage the oil-based cleanser gently onto your dry face to remove makeup. Finally, rinse your face with warm water to remove the oil cleanser and any remaining makeup residue.
2. Deep Cleansing
For the second cleansing phase, the viral Korean skincare routine recommends use a foaming cleanser to remove any traces of the oil cleanser and the remaining makeup residue left over from the first cleansing. To achieve a deep cleanse, massage a delicate foam-based cleanser into your skin using circular movements for two to three minutes, and then rinse your face with warm water.
3. Exfoliation
Exfoliation doesn't need a spot in your daily K-beauty routine, but it's important to include it every so often to assist in obtaining fresh and healthy skin. Once or twice a week, you should gently exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin and promote cell turnover. First, begin by selecting the exfoliant that's right for you, whether it's a chemical exfoliant—with products that contain AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta-hydroxy acids)—a physical scrub, or an enzyme-based peel for deep, but delicate cleansing.
4. Toner
Whether you have dry skin or oily skin, don't forget to apply a hydrating toner to rebalance the skin's pH and provide preliminary moisture before applying heavier creams. Korean toners often contain hydrating and soothing ingredients to calm skin redness, diminish the visibility of sebaceous filaments, and lock in moisture.
5. Essence
In order to achieve perfect glass skin through Korean skincare, it's essential to layer your beauty routine, beginning with the lightest essences and working your way up to the thickest products. Typically, Korean serums are concentrated formulations of active ingredients that help improve skin texture and promote brightness. Many products also have multiple benefits, providing anti-aging or smoothing effects while also deeply hydrating the skin, but make sure to choose essences based on your personal skin needs. Distribute your product evenly by dabbing it on the surface of the face and gently patting it onto the skin, making sure not to pull on your skin or apply too roughly.
6. Serums
Among the most important steps in the Korean beauty routine is serum application. Serums are concentrated formulas of active ingredients that act on the surface of the skin to treat conditions such as hyperpigmentation, acne, imperfections, blemishes, and wrinkles. Serums also commonly have anti-aging effects, which can help improve the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Apply a serum with active ingredients targeted to your specific needs by gently dabbing the product onto the surface of your face after allowing your essences to set into the skin properly. Among the most used active ingredients on a daily basis are vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinol, snail mucin, salicylic acid, and peptides, among others. Recently, K-beauty products like Korean Vitamin C serums and snail mucin serums have become extremely popular skincare products abroad after going viral on social media.
7. Mask
8. Eye cream
It's never too early to start thinking about protecting your eyes. Apply a hydrating, anti-aging eye cream to the delicate area around the eyes. Korean eye creams often contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and peptides to reduce the visibility of wrinkles and the puffiness of the under-eye area.
9. Hydration
Hydration is another fundamental step in K-beauty skincare routines. Apply a layer of moisturizer over the entire surface of your face and décolleté, avoiding the eye area, to seal moisture into the skin and create a protective barrier against atmospheric agents and pollution. When choosing your moisturizer, choosing a product that suits your skin type and specific needs is essential, keeping active ingredients and any allergies or sensitivities in mind. Among the most popular K-beauty products on social media are Korean moisturizers, which often have simple, non-comedogenic formulas as opposed to many popular products in the United States.
10. Sun Protection/SPF
The tenth and final step of Korean skincare is the application of a broad-spectrum sun filter, mineral or synthetic, with SPF 30 or higher to protect the skin from damage caused by harmful UV rays. Sun protection is essential to prevent premature skin aging, as sun damage is responsible for 80% of cellular aging, dark skin spots, and the risk of skin cancer.
With these 10 steps, you can create a complete and personalized Korean skincare routine to achieve healthy, glowy skin. Listen to your skin and learn to set your beauty routine according to your personal needs and don't forget to be consistent to get the best results in a short time.
