If you are interested in beauty hacks and trends around the world, you’ve likely heard all about Korean beauty, popularly referred to as K-beauty. In fact, the 10-step Korean skincare routine has captured our collective attention, and for good reason! Renowned for delivering flawless, porcelain-like skin, this 10-step Korean skin regimen is considered more than just a routine; it’s a combination of tried-and-tested skincare habits that give you a plump and glowing complexion, or as they call it “choc-choc” in Korean.
While the elaborate 10-step Korean skincare routine can sound time-consuming and expensive, once you start implementing these skincare habits, you will realise just how good they are, and understand why Korean skin regimens are taking over the global beauty markets.
Interested to know all about the 10-step Korean skincare routine and how to incorporate these steps into your skincare regimen using potent skincare products? Then keep reading, as we have you covered with all the details!
What Is The Korean Skincare Routine
Before we get into the Korean face care routine steps, let’s first understand how it benefits your skin.
Rooted in centuries-old beauty traditions and innovation, the Korean skincare routine is a multi-step process designed to achieve radiant and flawless skin. At the heart of this fundamental skincare regimen, lies a fundamental philosophy—prioritise skincare over makeup.
Rather than concealing imperfections, the emphasis of the Korean skin regime is on achieving healthy and radiant skin through consistent and nurturing care. Additionally, it focuses on moisturising your skin, maintaining hydration, and offering essential skincare ingredients the right way, so you can achieve glass skin, and flaunt your natural complexion without putting on any makeup.
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10-Step Korean Skincare Routine
The Korean skincare routine is focused on nourishing and hydrating your skin / Image credit: Freepik
Start With An Oil Cleanser
The first step of the Korean skincare routine involves using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and impurities.
Unlike conventional cleansers, which often contain surfactants that can be harsh and strip the skin of its natural oils, the Korean beauty routine emphasises using oil-based cleansers that are crafted to be gentle, preserving your skin’s pH balance and preventing excessive dryness.
Oil cleansers are rich in natural antioxidants and their purpose is to serve as a protective shield for your skin’s natural lipid layer and the microbiome—the good bacteria residing on your skin. This not only safeguards your skin but also acts as a barrier against potential pathogens, fortifying your largest organ from external threats.
Additionally, these cleansers are known to attract and bind to oils, making them an ideal choice for those who wear heavy, oil-based face makeup.
Go For A Foam Cleanser
A foam cleanser is a staple in the Korean skincare routine and is characterised by its water-based formulation, which transforms into a foamy lather when activated with water. The surfactants in the cleanser create a rich foam that effectively dissolves grime and dirt, providing a thorough and refreshing cleansing experience.
When used singularly, a foam cleanser serves as a comprehensive skin cleanser. However, in a 10-step Korean skincare routine, its role expands to eliminate any lingering traces of makeup or un-emulsified oil, ensuring a clear canvas for the subsequent steps in the regimen.
While double cleansing is considered an essential step in the Korean beauty routine, if you have dry or sensitive skin, you can opt for a gentle foam cleanser that doesn’t strip the natural oils of your skin or trigger acne.
For best results, consider trying The Moms Co.’s Natural Vita-Rich Face Wash, which is formulated with antioxidant boosters like vitamin C, witch hazel extracts, and hyaluronic acid that gently cleanse your complexion while maintaining hydration and ease inflammation caused by acne breakouts.
The face wash also contains niacinamide, a skin-restoring agent, which strengthens your skin barrier and repairs damage caused by environmental stressors, such as pollutants and UV rays.
Exfoliate For Skin Renewal
The third step of the Korean face care routine involves exfoliating with a face scrub, tailored to your skin type and needs. The main goal of this skincare step is to stimulate the removal of dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin and eliminate build-up in your pores to reveal a fresher, smoother complexion underneath.
Additionally, exfoliation enhances both the function and appearance of your skin, as a lack of skin cell turnover can cause dull, saggy-looking skin, and exacerbate pigmentation issues and fine lines.
In the Korean skincare routine, a lot of emphasis is placed on choosing an exfoliator based on your skin type. For instance, if you have dry or normal skin, you should opt for an antioxidant-rich exfoliator, such as The Moms Co.’s Coffee And Cranberry Face Scrub. As the name suggests, the scrub is blended with coffee, cranberry, and antioxidants like vitamin C that gently exfoliate your skin, remove tan, and prevent damage.
If you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, you can opt for The Moms Co.’s Natural Green Tea Face Scrub, which is formulated with acne-fighting ingredients like tagua nuts, green tea extracts, and plant-based AHAs. These ingredients fight bacteria, regulate sebum production, and reduce breakouts to reveal a smooth, blemish-free complexion.
Apply A Hydrating Toner
In conventional beauty routines, toner is used as an astringent. However, in the Korean face care routine, toners are designed to hydrate, nourish, and soothe your complexion. It is used as a skin conditioner that restores your skin’s pH balance after cleansing. Rather than stripping, these toners aim to enhance and prepare your skin for subsequent steps in your skincare regimen.
For optimal results, you can opt for a lightweight toner, which helps strengthen your skin barrier, such as The Moms Co.’s Natural Daily Face Toner. This toner is blended with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin C, aloe vera, niacinamide, and green tea that restore hydration, tighten pores, and promote an even skin tone.
Layer In An Essence
An essence might appear as an unnecessary step to non-K-beauty followers, but its purpose in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is to prime your skin for the optimal absorption of the serum.
Adding an essence to your Korean skincare routine allows you to apply an extra layer of active ingredients to your skin without the heaviness of using two serums. It’s an effective way to address specific skin concerns while keeping your routine simple.
Moreover, beyond nourishment, an essence helps fortify your skin barrier by minimising water loss and contributing to a healthier and more vibrant complexion.
Treat Your Skin Concerns With A Serum
Serums are a staple product in the Korean skincare regime \as they help address more than two skin concerns / Image credit: Freepik
Serums are the gold standard of the Korean skincare routine, no matter your skin texture and type. Serums stand out as potent and concentrated skin treatments, loaded with active ingredients crafted to enhance skin health.
These skincare products are designed to address specific concerns and have targeted formulations that often focus on one or two skincare issues at a time. With serums, again your approach should be to supercharge your skin barrier and restore hydration.
You can opt for The Moms Co.’s Natural Ceramide Face Serum, which is enriched with barrier-strengthening ingredients like rice water, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that re-build your skin’s protective barrier and repair damage to reveal a firm and more youthful complexion.
Additionally, the face serum has vitamin E, which offers intense moisturisation and prevents dryness and ageing signs.
Boost Hydration With A Face Mask
Besides nurturing your skin, the 10-step Korean skincare routine is also focused on soothing, ritual-like elements that enhance self-care. And this skincare step is a testament to that philosophy!
Even today, despite their hectic schedules, many Koreans love indulging in face masks, and follow this skincare step diligently, almost every night of the week. So if you want instant deep hydration, do not skip this skincare step. There are lots of sheet masks available in the market today, and you can purchase them based on your skin concerns.
If you are looking for traditional face masks, you can try The Moms Co.’s Natural Clay Face Mask, which is formulated with detoxifying ingredients like charcoal, lava clay, and plant-based AHAs that deep-cleanse your skin, tighten pores, and even-tone your complexion.
Apply Eye Cream
The addition of an eye cream in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is specifically to combat wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and diminish dark circles.
When selecting an eye cream, opt for a lightweight, unscented formula that spreads easily. Look for products containing niacinamide and coffee, as these ingredients effectively tackle the signs of ageing around the eye area.
You can opt for The Natural Vita Rich Under-Eye Cream, which is blended with chia seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and coffee oil that target fine lines and dark circles and reduce pigmentation around your eyes.
Moisturise Your Skin
Another staple of the Korean skincare routine, a moisturiser serves as a protective barrier, shielding your skin from environmental stressors. To protect your complexion and enhance radiance, you can try using The Moms Co.’s Natural Vita-Rich Face Cream, which is packed with hydration boosters, such as hyaluronic acid and chia seed oil.
In addition to these star ingredients, the face cream also contains arbutin, which exhibits skin-lightening properties and tackles pigmentation and dark spots.
End With SPF Or A Night Gel
The final step of the Korean skincare routine involves using sunscreen or a night gel, depending on the time of the day. This step ensures that your skin is adequately nourished and protected, whether you’re preparing for a restorative night’s sleep or safeguarding against daytime sun exposure.
Sunscreen is the cornerstone of the Korean skincare routine and shouldn’t be skipped, regardless of the weather. You can opt for a lightweight sunscreen, such as The Moms Co.’s Natural Daily Sunscreen, which is formulated with zinc oxide that offers broad-spectrum protection against UV rays.
Additionally, the sunscreen contains soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula extracts that provide relief from inflammation and sunburns and prevent sun-tanned skin.
If you are following the Korean face care routine at night, then end your regimen with a restorative face cream, such as The Moms Co.’s Natural Green Tea Night Gel, which has an ultra-light formula, enriched with antioxidants like green tea, niacinamide, and oats that strengthen your skin barrier and prevent breakouts.
In addition to these ingredients, the night gel contains squalane, a renowned hydration booster that nourishes your complexion and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The Korean skincare routine is a holistic and nurturing approach to skincare that emphasises consistency and quality products. Rooted in the belief that healthy skin is the key to beauty, this regimen has transcended cultural boundaries to become a global phenomenon. Embracing the meticulous steps of the 10-step Korean skincare routine is not just a beauty ritual; it’s a commitment to self-care and the pursuit of radiant, healthy skin.
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FAQs
- What should my Korean skincare routine be?
A Korean skincare routine typically involves cleansing, toning, exfoliating, applying essence, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, and SPF (daytime) or night cream (nighttime). You can adapt it based on your needs.
- How can I get Korean skin naturally?
Achieve Korean-inspired skin naturally by adopting a thorough skincare routine: cleanse, tone, exfoliate, apply essence, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, and SPF. Stay hydrated, protect from the sun, and nourish with antioxidants.
- How can I get Korean glass skin?
To achieve Korean glass skin, prioritize hydration with a meticulous skincare routine. Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, use hydrating products like essences and serums, moisturise, and apply sunscreen. Stay consistent for a luminous complexion.
- Can Indians get Korean glass skin?
Yes, individuals of any ethnicity, including Indians, can work towards achieving Korean glass skin. The key is maintaining a consistent skincare routine focused on hydration, gentle exfoliation, and protection from the sun. Adapt the routine to suit your skin’s specific needs.
- Does Korean skincare really work?
Yes, Korean skincare has proven effective for many individuals. The emphasis on a multi-step routine, quality ingredients, and targeted treatments has yielded positive results, promoting healthier and more radiant skin for those who follow the regimen consistently.
Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com