Korean skincare has become increasingly popular over the last few years and there is no surprise why. In Korean culture, skincare is highly valued; parents teach their children about the importance of skincare very early on. Traditionally, Koreans only use harsh-free, natural ingredients to create glowy, natural-looking skin. They focus on putting the good nutrients back into the skin.
Unlike Western skincare that focuses on exfoliating to reveal new skin, Koreans adopt a more gentle approach by focusing less on scrubs and harsh acids that are known to strip the skin’s natural barrier. Whereas many think more is better and focus on the number of skincare products, Koreans focus on making sure each skincare product serves a specific purpose and is applied in the correct order. They aim to prevent skin impurities and sun damage rather than treating dull skin, acne or fine lines.
What is the 10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine?
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Oil Cleanser
Oil cleansing is the foundation of Korean skincare and is the initial step of the double cleansing technique. They gently remove impurities and grime from the skin and maintain its natural pH balance. They are a great alternative to make up removers as unlike makeup remover, oil cleansers go deep into the pores to remove makeup, sunscreen, and debris; the formulated antioxidants remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and sebum from the skin’s surface which helps to expose a brighter complexion. Oil cleansers do not contain any harsh chemicals, so the skin is kept nourished and hydrated without being stripped of its natural oils.
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Water-Based Cleanser
Applying a water-based cleanser is the second part of the double cleanse. Water-based cleansers remove water-based impurities including sweat and dirt as well as sweep away residue from the oil cleanser. Water-based cleansers are known to be stripping and drying due to the formulated sulfates and high pH, thus using a low pH water-based cleanser in the 10 step Korean skincare routine is recommended.
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Exfoliator
Both chemical and physical exfoliators remove debris and dead skin cells from the skin, improving the appearance of the skin by making it smoother and visibly brighter. Physical exfoliators work on the surface of the skin to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells. Physical exfoliators work best on normal to oily skin and are recommended to be avoided on dry or sensitive skin.
On the other hand, chemical exfoliators do not just work on the surface of the skin like physical exfoliators, instead, they sink deeper into the skin and exfoliate from deep within. Chemical exfoliators are formulated with AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs which remove dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover. As well as removing dead skin cells and impurities, exfoliation also helps other skincare products absorb better.
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Toner
Toners remove leftover residue from cleansing and prep the skin for the next steps that follow in the Korean skincare routine. Unlike Western toners, Korean toners are more gentle and mild to hydrate the skin and balance moisture and pH levels. By repairing the skin’s barrier in this way, the skin can effectively absorb the skin products that follow.
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Essence
Essences, with their blend of anti-aging, hydrating and complexion-enhancing ingredients saturate the skin with hydration. The skin becomes visibly brighter and plumper when it has been sufficiently hydrated. When dehydrated, the skin becomes dry and is prone to irritation.
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Ampoule or Serum
Skin treatments like ampoules and serums are packed with heavy-hitting ingredients to target and treat skin concerns including fine lines, hyperpigmentation, dullness and wrinkles.
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Sheet Mask or Sleeping Mask
Sheet masks saturate the skin with hydration and other beneficial ingredients. The sheet mask itself acts as a barrier where the beneficial ingredients soak into the skin and do not evaporate into the air. The sheet mask makes sure that all of the nutrients or moisture goes nowhere but into the skin.
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Eye Cream
Unlike other creams, eye creams specifically target the delicate eye area by hydrating and moisturizing the skin to prevent puffiness and dark circles. They are particularly formulated to be non-irritating and very gentle.
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Moisturizer
Moisturizers flood the skin with hydration. They create a seal by forming a thin layer to maintain moisture and prevent water from evaporating out of the skin. This seal helps smooth fine lines and plump up the skin.
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Sun Protection
