THE MINI 5-STEP KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE.

Well, everyone has heard of the 10-step Korean skincare routine that has taken the world by storm over the past few years, but not many have heard of the faster, more effective version – the MINI 5-step Korean skincare routine. All the goodness of the 10-step routine, in a simplified easy-to-follow adaptation, is just perfect for those with busy schedules who still want to take good care of their skin.

Korean skincare is notorious for only using gentle, natural ingredients. They avoid using skincare products with harmful chemicals that strip the skin of its natural oils. Instead, the products are used to gently remove dirt and debris from the skin and repair the skin’s barrier by balancing the skin’s natural oils and moisture. This leaves the skin nourished and hydrated.

What is the MINI 5-Step Korean Skincare Routine?

1. Oil Cleanser

Start with an oil-based cleanser to clean out oil-based impurities such as makeup, sunscreen and sebum. You may be tempted to skip this step if you don’t use sunscreen or wear makeup but do stick to it. You will be surprised at how much sebum your glands produce which can clog up your pores, leading to breakouts if you don’t cleanse well with an oil-based cleanser.

2. Water-based Cleanser

Water-based cleansers remove water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt. They come in three main forms: cleansing waters, foam cleansers, and gel cleansers. Foam cleansers foam up as you massage the product into the skin, whereas gel cleansers do not foam. They are simply massaged into the skin and rinsed off. Cleansing waters should be applied on a cotton pad and simply swept across the skin. All of the water-based cleansers remove impurities – be sure to find one that works well on your skin type.

3. Toner

As cleansers can lower your pH level, using a toner hydrates your skin, balancing your skin’s pH level to the ideal level of 5.5. In addition to hydrating your skin, toners remove leftover residue from cleansing and prep your skin so it can effectively absorb the skin products that follow in the Korean skincare routine. Be sure not to skip this crucial step!

4. Essence

The previous steps in the MINI 5-step Korean skincare routine have focused on cleansing the skin, but this step is where the magic happens. With their hydrating and complexion-enhancing ingredients, essences add nutrients back into the skin, tightening and brightening as it works its magic. Essences can vary in texture and consistency. If you struggle with sensitive skin, lightweight and fragrance-free essences formulated with aloe extract will be beneficial, whereas if you have dehydrated skin, an ultra-hydrating and multi-tasking essence will rehydrate the skin. Make sure to research the best essence to suit your skin type.

5. Moisturizer

The benefits of moisturizer are well-known worldwide, and it is no surprise that the product makes an appearance in the MINI 5-step Korean skincare routine. There are different types of moisturizers that work in different ways. For example, occlusive moisturizers work by coating the skin to create a physical barrier, preventing water loss via evaporation. Whereas emollient moisturizers penetrate the skin, softening and hydrating it. All moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin as well as improve skin texture.

So there you have it, the MINI 5-step Korean skincare routine is a great method if you would like to keep on top of your skincare but don’t always have the time for the full 10-step technique. Make sure to find products that work best on your skin type and complexion, and by following this method – you will have glowy, natural-looking skin in no time!