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Skin Cupid’s 10-step Korean Skincare Routine
Korean Skincare Philosophy
Originating in Korea, the 10-step skincare routine is the secret to maintaining glowing skin, loved by many Korean celebrities and K-pop idols. With 10 steps offering various benefits and nutrients, it helps address your skin concerns and achieve a flawless complexion.
Why is Korean skincare so good?
Korean Skincare aims to heal and strengthen your natural skin barrier, giving your skin a healthy glow. To accomplish this, the skincare tends to be more gentle to nourish the skin, with natural ingredients often featured prominently in formulas. Additionally, Korean skincare really emphasises the importance of layering, this allows different product types to penetrate deeper into the skin, target different concerns, as well as effectively cleanse, prep the skin, and ensure better absorption of the product. The term “quick-fix” doesn’t exist in a Korean skincare routine – it’s all about consistency, dedication, and maintaining long-term skin health.
On the other hand, Western Skincare focuses on the overall appearance of the skin, with a preference towards more active chemical ingredients that deliver results. Layering skincare is less popular, with some products aiming to substitute quite a few steps at once for faster application. While innovation in Western skincare is present, Korea’s ultra-competitive skincare industry contains thousands of companies that are constantly competing with one another, resulting in greater innovation and affordability.
Where to start with Korean Skincare?
If you are a K-Beauty beginner, we recommend starting with a simple 4-step routine that includes a cleanser, a serum, a moisturiser, and a sunscreen. We recommend starting small because if your skin is not used to many actives and layering, the sudden introduction of a 10-step routine that contains powerful products may overwhelm your skin, or cause it to break out. Slowly increasing the number of products in your routine will also make it easier for you to determine if a product is not suitable for your skin.
What are the 10 steps in Korean Skincare?
The 10 steps in Korean skincare are as follows:
- Oil-based cleanser
- Water-based cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Toner
- Essence
- Serum
- Ampoule
- Eye Cream
- Moisturiser
- Sunscreen.
Does Korean skincare work for everyone?
Yes! Korean skincare covers the full spectrum of skin types and concerns, making it easy to put together a routine that suits your skin. However, we recommend you introduce new products into your routine gradually, so as not to overwhelm your skin and cause a negative reaction.
Step 01
Oil Cleanser
Oil cleansers are the perfect first step in your skincare routine. They effectively remove oil-based impurities like excess sebum, makeup, SPF, and environmental pollutants, without stripping your skin’s natural oils.
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How to Use: Dispense 2-3 pumps of product onto your hands and massage into dry skin for at least 2 minutes, focusing on areas with a concentration of clogged pores. Remove thoroughly with lukewarm water, using a flannel if desired.
Step 02
Water-Based Cleanser
Water-based cleansers remove water-based impurities like sweat, grime, and dirt that oil cleansers can’t reach. As the second step in double cleansing, it leaves your skin fresh and clean, ready to absorb the active ingredients in your skincare routine.
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How to Use: Squeeze a moderate amount of product onto your hands, add water, and rub hands together to create a foam. Carefully massage into wet skin, avoiding delicate areas such as around the eyes and mouth. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 03
Exfoliator
For clogged pores and dead skin cells, a good exfoliator is just what you need. Reveal bright smooth skin by regularly exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores helping you achieve a more even-looking complexion with ease.
Choose your perfect exfoliator by type
How to Use: ★Chemical Exfoliator: Gently wipe the soaked pad across the face, concentrating on areas where the skin is congested. Leave for 5-10 minutes before patting in any residual moisture. ★Facial Scrub: Scoop a generous amount of product into your hands and apply evenly to skin, avoiding the eye- and mouth areas. Add a little lukewarm water, and gently massage the product into your skin to encourage exfoliation. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Step 04
Toner
Toners are essential for balancing skin pH levels and preparing skin to absorb the active ingredients in your routine. Depending on your skin type, there are toners designed to address specific concerns, such as controlling excess sebum, providing extra hydration, or offering gentle exfoliation.
Choose your perfect exfoliator by benefit
How to Use: Squeeze a small amount of product into your hands, or onto cotton pads.If using your hands, pat the toner softly onto the skin on your face and neck. If using cotton pads, gently wipe your face with them.
Step 05
Essence
An essence is a lightweight liquid, packed with antioxidants, that absorbs quickly into the skin. It is applied after cleansing and toning, helping to hydrate the skin and optimises the absorption of serums and moisturisers applied afterward. As essences treat the skin on a cellular level, it ensures your skin looks dewy and revitalised!
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How to Use: Dispense a few drops of product onto your fingers. Spread gently over skin, ensuring you cover the whole face. Pat gently with your fingertips to aid absorption.
Step 06
Serum & Ampoule
Serums/ampoules are highly concentrated liquids designed to address specific skin concerns like brightening, acne, pigmentation, wrinkles. Applied after toning, exfoliating and using an essence, they provide targeted nourishment to ensure healthy and balanced skin.
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How to Use: Dispense a few drops of product into your hands. Gently spread across skin and allow it to absorb.
Step 07
Mask
Masks are an accessible way to give your skin a boost in nutrients. They offer multiple benefits, including exfoliation and soothing irritation, while also providing deep hydration. By locking moisture into the skin barrier, masks help rejuvenate dry, dull skin. Using a mask before your moisturiser can leave your skin looking plump, smooth, and refreshed.
Choose your perfect mask by type
How to Use: ★Sheet Mask: Apply after serum and ampoule. Wear for up to 20 minutes, then remove and gently pat in any excess essence. ★Clay Mask: Apply to dry skin after cleansing, avoiding the eye and mouth areas. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water. ★Peel-Off Mask: Apply to dry skin after cleansing. Leave on for 20 to 25 minutes and peel off once completely dry. ★Overnight Mask: Use as the final step in your night routine and leave on overnight.
Step 08
Eye Care
Eye creams and serums can help reduce dark circles and fine lines. Packed with ingredients that target hyperpigmentation and have anti-aging benefits, they work to brighten and rejuvenate the under-eye area, leaving it looking more radiant!
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How to Use: Apply a small amount of cream to the undereye area. Gently massage cream into the skin. Tap with your fingertips to aid absorption.
Step 09
Moisturiser
Moisturisers are a crucial final step in your evening routine and the second-to-last step in your morning routine. They help lock in all the active ingredients applied to your skin and provide hydration throughout the day and night. Moisturisers also strengthen the skin’s delicate barrier, protecting it from environmental aggressors and impurities.
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How to Use: Dispense a small amount of product into your hands. Spread across your face, massaging lightly, until fully absorbed. Apply another layer as required, in winter or when skin is feeling dryer than usual.
Step 10
Suncream
Suncreams are an essential part of your daytime skincare routine. They protect your skin from harmful UVA, UVB, and blue light that can accelerate aging, deepen wrinkles, and cause sunburns. Make sure you wear your sun cream daily, even when you are indoors or it is not sunny outside, as the rays still penetrate through clouds and windows!
Choose your perfect suncream by type
How to Use: Dispense an appropriate amount of product onto your hands, depending on the level of protection you want to achieve. Spread cream over your face and massage into skin until fully absorbed. Make sure to reapply every two hours if you will be outdoors for an extended period of time. Apply makeup on top, if desired.
