Korean Skincare Routine Decoded

According to a study , university students spend their money at least 3 times a month on Korean cosmetics. The high value of purchasing Korean products is because K-beauty brings innovation to formulations such as BB cream, eye masks, and cushion compacts. All thanks to the philosophy that beauty begins with healthy skin, enlightened folks in Korea believe in getting to the root of the problem, making Korean beauty products the most sought-after. It goes without saying that Korean skincare has taken over the world, and how.

Essentially, Korean skincare is built on the philosophy that you must respect your skin’s ecosystem; cleansing, hydrating, nourishing, and protecting it for a smooth and flawless complexion. Korean beauty regimes are built for the long haul; they are no quick fix, rather, they demand consistency and commitment.

With a keen focus on prevention and protection rather than cure; Korean skincare compels one to cater to their skin needs to reduce the likelihood of damage. As per research , bioactive ingredients in Korean cosmeceutical products are increasingly undergoing scientific validation and are shown to provide dermatologic benefits with potential applications for skin rejuvenation, photoprotection, wound healing, and more.

Well, before we delve deeper into the best-kept Korean skincare tips, let’s explore what’s so special about Korean beauty products and how their routine differs from ours.

What Is Korean Skincare?

A Korean skincare routine involves multiple steps – most commonly 10 – often beginning with double cleansing. Korean beauty is centred around the principle of skin resilience. Aiming to fortify the skin for long-lasting benefits, this beauty practice is no quick fix but requires time and patience.

The traditional 10-step routine includes the following steps:

1. Oil-based Cleanser
2. Water-based Cleanser
3. Exfoliant
4. Toner
5. Essence
6. Treatment
7. Sheet Mask
8. Eye Cream
9. Moisturiser
10. Sunscreen

You may also find shorter five or seven-step versions of the conventional 10-step Korean skincare routine. A standout feature of the K-beauty routine is double cleansing. Double cleansing refers to a thorough cleanse, first with an oil-based cleanser that eliminates deep-seated impurities and then with a water-based variant to wash away dirt and grime.

What Is Glass Skin?

As the name suggests, glass skin refers to seemingly poreless, even-toned and textured skin that mimics the reflective properties of clear glass. Such crystal-clear, translucent skin is a beauty benchmark in South Korea, which can be achieved by following the multi-step Korean skincare regimen. As mentioned previously, you must begin with double cleansing, followed by an exfoliant, toner, essence, treatment, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturiser, and lastly, SPF.

The Difference Between Korean & Indian Skincare Routines

• One of the biggest differentiators of Korean beauty is that they begin preventive skincare when they’re young, instead of waiting until issues pop up, unlike Indian skincare regimens that focus on repairment. We use an eye cream only when we spot the first wrinkle.
• Most Korean skincare products are milder and can be used by women with sensitive skin. In India, many cosmetic products contain artificial colours, fragrances, harsh chemicals or parabens.
• Compared to India, there is greater awareness about the damage UV rays inflict on the skin every day among Koreans, which is why sunscreen is so popular in Korea.
• Doesn’t matter how tired they are, Korean women never go to bed without removing every trace of dirt and makeup from their skin. We’re talking about an intensive two-step double-cleansing routine. However, on most nights, we are tempted to crash in no time.
• A Korean skincare routine is more exhaustive than our typical quick cleanse and smear of night cream. An average regime includes at least five skin steps, and at most, ten.
• One-of-a-kind ingredients are the USP of Korean skincare products. Ground-breaking ingredients such as snail mucin, snail mucus, donkey milk, and bee venom are the hero elements of Korean skincare products.

Here are the top concerns tackled by the Korean skincare routine for healthy, glowing skin.

Korean Skincare Products Based On Your Skin Concerns

1. Korean Skincare For Fine Lines And Wrinkles

As per Korean skincare, the key to flawless skin in your 30s is a good skincare routine in your 20s. Hence, an anti-ageing skincare routine starts young. Secret tip: Load up on Collagen to keep your face looking young, bouncy, and plump. Collagen-boosting BB creams, nutrition-infused sleep masks, moisturising face masks and superior face mists are a few Korean skincare products you need to stock up on to feel forever young.

Nykaa recommends:

2. Korean Skincare For Dull, Dry Skin

Hydration is the building block of air-brushed-like translucent, smooth skin. However, in Korean skincare, the focus is on moisture from water, as opposed to oils. It’s a well-known fact that well-moisturised skin functions better. In the long run, hydrated skin is more resistant to environmental factors, while in the short term, benefits include a dewy, luminous and firm texture.

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3. Korean Skincare For Clogged Pores

Cleansing is the first step to the final goal. Korean skin care tips advocate the use of not just one but two products in their daily cleansing routine. A squeaky-clean face is the result of a double cleanse, which means a first round with an oil-based cleanser, then a second with a water-based, foaming cleanser. No wonder pollution, dust and grime don’t stand a chance against deep-cleansing exfoliation.

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4. Korean Skincare For Acne Treatment

In addition to an oil-free beauty regime, Korean skincare is all about using peels. The most popular ones are a type of Glycolic Acid Peel, an Aqua Peel (using both AHA and BHA to clear away blackheads and residue), the FCR Peel (using a special coral extract formulation), and the Aladdin Peel (in which micro-needles are used to deposit seaweed extract and other natural ingredients deep inside the dermis) to banish bacteria and prevent new ones.

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5. Korean Skincare For Sun Protection

Unlike most parts of the world, sun tan is viewed as skin-damaging in Korea, upping the risk of premature ageing. The best Korean skincare brands spend a great deal of time and effort producing highly effective, cosmetically elegant sunscreens in a broad selection of formulas including creams, mists, gels, and essences. Besides, sun protection is a sacrosanct step in the much-touted Korean skincare routine.

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Korean Skin Care Products for Combination Skin

Cleansing is basically the holy grail of any Korean skincare routine, and The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam Lemon is here to banish grime and impurities like a pro. It has been infused with zesty lemon and herbs, bracing war against clogged pores and pesky blackheads while beating dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Once your canvas is clean, hydrate as a skincare enthusiast with It's Skin V7 Hyaluronic Toner – infused with 7 types of vitamin complex with hyaluronic acid. LANEIGE Water Bank Moisture Cream seals the wet deal: hyaluronic acid forms a sheer protective layer with Moisturising Biogene tech, hydrating all day for a smooth, velvety glow. Who's ready to nail their Korean face care routine? Let this Korean skin care regimen do the magic!

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Korean Skin Care Products for Oily Skin

Ready for a flawless glow? Dive into the ultimate Korean skincare routine starting with the TONYMOLY Wonder Apricot Seed Deep Cleansing Oil, which provides for a deep clean while apricot oil works its magic on dead skin and clogged pores. Pair it with the By Wishtrend Propolis Energy Balancing Cream, a gentle yet effective moisturiser. For a hydration boost, the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner locks in moisture and elasticity – a Korean face care routine dream. Fresh, balanced skin? Yes, please.

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Korean Skincare Routine For The Morning

Step 1: Double Cleanse with a Foaming Cleanser

Begin your day by washing away overnight sweat, oil, and impurities with a gentle, water-based foaming cleanser. A fresh face is the perfect canvas for the rest of your routine!

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Step 2: Exfoliate (Twice a Week)

A very important but not-so-frequent step, exfoliation removes dead skin cells to reveal smoother, brighter skin. Korean exfoliators are gentle enough to keep your skin glowing without irritation.

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Step 3: Toner

Hydration is the heart of the Korean skincare regimen. Swap those harsh alcohol-based toners for a hydrating one that balances your skin's pH and preps it for the layers ahead.

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Step 4: Essence

Consider essence the MVP of the Korean face care routine. This concentrated liquid boosts hydration, aids cell turnover, and improves skin elasticity for that coveted youthful glow.

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Step 5: Serum

Niche your skin care with ampoules or serums that will aim at specific concerns, such as dryness, dullness, or pigmentation. Think of them as problem-solvers for your skin!

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Step 6: Sheet Mask - Once or Twice a Week

Bring the spa home with a hydrating sheet mask! Packed with serums, they give your skin an instant boost of nourishment and radiance. Perfect for lazy Sundays or pre-event prep.

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Step 7: Eye Cream

The delicate under-eye area deserves extra TLC. Gently dab an eye cream to hydrate and brighten while keeping fine lines and puffiness at bay.

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Step 8: Emulsion

Lock it all in with a lightweight emulsion. This moisturiser will not make your skin feel heavy but keep it plump and smooth due to its ability to lock hydration into the skin.

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Step 9: Moisturiser

Add an extra layer of hydration with a moisturiser suited to your skin type. It keeps your skin barrier strong and your complexion looking fresh all day.

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Step 10: Sunscreen

The golden rule of the Korean beauty skincare routine – NEVER skip sunscreen. Whether it's sunny or cloudy, SPF is your shield against UV damage and premature ageing.

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Korean Skincare Routine For The Morning

Korean Skincare Routine Step 1: Foaming Cleanser

The first of the daytime Korean skincare steps is using a gentle water-based foam cleanser. Start the day by removing any traces of sweat, dirt, or impurities.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 2: Toner

Since Korean toners are not alcohol-based, they essentially hydrate and balance your skin’s pH levels to further prepare it for the next steps in the Korean skincare routine.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 3: Essence

This ultra-concentrated nourishing liquid helps with cell turnover and hence, is known as the heart of Korean skincare regimens. With a high concentration of active ingredients, it revitalises skin cells, making it firmer and more elastic.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 4: Serum

Among all Korean skincare products, serums could be termed as most important because they target specific needs by skin type. You can customise your Korean skincare routine here by adding multiple serums based on your current skin concerns.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 5: Eye Cream

Korean skincare tips also tout eye care to be extremely important as the skin around your eyes is thinner and more easily dehydrated. Remember to dab the nourishment in instead of rubbing it.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 6: Emulsion

No wonder the emulsion, or the moisturiser as we call it, is one of the bestselling Korean skincare products. An emulsion designed for your skin type creates a barrier that will lock in all the beneficial ingredients you’ve just applied, instead of letting them evaporate out of your skin.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 7: Sunscreen

Trust the Koreans to not skip this step even when it’s not sunny outside. Easily one of the most important Korean skincare steps, all those tedious previous steps won’t be effective if your skin is exposed to harmful UV rays.

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Korean Skincare Routine For The Night

Korean Skincare Routine Step 1: Oil cleanser

Start your Korean nighttime skincare routine with an oil-based cleanser that removes oil-based makeup, SPF, and other impurities. This allows for effortless cleansing rather than tugging at your skin to remove that last bit of mascara.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 2: Exfoliator

This Korean skincare step involves sloughing away dead skin cells with the help of a gentle enzyme or bead-based exfoliator. However, don’t buff your entire face every night. Instead, just focus on the main areas like your cheeks and nose.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 3: Sheet Mask

Here’s where Koreans are most dedicated. As per Korean skincare, a mask sheet a night keeps skin problems away for good. The best Korean skincare products include a huge range of sheet masks, segregated by either ingredient or skin concerns.

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Korean Skincare Routine Step 4: Sleeping Mask

Did you know that as the last Korean skincare step, Korean women slather on a sleeping mask that acts as a second layer of moisture? Think of it as a cream mask that locks in the emulsion so you wake up with a rejuvenated complexion.

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5 Step Korean Skincare Routine

Step 1: Cleanse Like a Pro

The foundation of any great Korean skin care regimen is cleansing. Use a gentle foaming cleanser to sweep away dirt, oil, and sweat from your skin. This leaves your face squeaky clean and prepped for the magic ahead.

Step 2: Tone It Up

Toners in the Korean beauty skincare routine are the hydration heroes that will restore the pH balance to your skin. At the same time, they can deliver a refreshing dose of moisture, allowing your complexion to be plumped and ready for a glow.

Step 3: Treat with Essence

The essence is the heart of the Korean face care routine. They are that lightweight, nutrient-rich liquid, which hydrates and revitalises the skin, hence giving a cell renewal, that fantastic glass-skin glow.

Step 4: Lock It with Moisturiser

Seal in all the goodness with a nourishing moisturiser. This step ensures your skin stays hydrated and soft throughout the day, no matter the weather.

Step 5: Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable

No Korean skin care regimen is complete without sunscreen. Rain or shine, applying SPF protects your skin from harmful UV rays and keeps premature ageing at bay.

12-Step Korean Skincare Routine

1. Oil Cleanser

Begin the journey with an oil-based cleanser, which melts away makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities off your face.

2. Foam Cleanser

Use a water-based cleanser as a double cleanse like a pro!

3. Exfoliator

Exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and create a smoother canvas.

4. Toner

Hydrate and balance your skin's pH to prepare it for the magic layers that are yet to come.

5. Essence

The heart of the Korean skin care regimen, essence boosts hydration and cell turnover for that youthful glow.

6. Ampoule

Target specific concerns with this super-concentrated booster. Think of it as a serum on steroids.

7. Serum

Customise your routine with serums that address hydration, dullness, or fine lines.

8. Sheet Mask

Your weekly spa-in-a-packet. Deeply hydrate while binge-watching your favourite K-drama!

9. Eye Cream

Hydrate and smooth out the delicate under-eye area.

10. Moisturiser

Lock it all in with a cream that's right for your skin type.

11. Sunscreen

Your best friend, rain or shine, protects you from sun damage.

12. Sleeping Mask (Optional)

Wake up to baby-soft skin with this overnight hydrating treat.

Different Skin Types

The beauty of a Korean skincare routine lies in its adaptability. With a little tweak here and there, it works wonders for every skin type, whether oily, dry, combination, or acne-prone. Here’s how to tailor your Korean beauty skincare routine to suit your skin’s unique needs:

For Oily Skin

Think oil-based cleanser is a no-go for oily skin? Think again! The science-backed philosophy of "like attracts like" makes double cleansing a game-changer. Begin with an oil cleanser to melt away sebum and grime, then follow up with a water-based cleanser for that squeaky-clean finish. For toner, forget the heavy, emollient options and instead opt for lightweight, hydrating formulas that refresh without clogging pores.

For Dry Skin

Dry skin can take up the Korean skincare regimen like a fish taking to water. Use an oil cleanser as rich and as nourishing to eliminate all dryness from your skin; then use the water-based version to wash and clean. All toners infused with humectants such as hyaluronic acid have your backside, pulling water into your pores and making them look plumpy and dewy. Don't forget to load up on moisture-rich essences, serums, and emulsions, which are vital in achieving glass-skin texture.

For Combination Skin

Combination skin loves balance. Seek out products that balance the oily and dry areas without overloading one or neglecting the other. Lightweight hydrating cleansers, soothing toners, and serums that address specific concerns such as dryness or dullness are key. Multi-masking, applying different masks to different areas of your face, can also help tackle combination concerns.

Breakouts don't mean you need to ditch your Korean face care routine. Keep it gentle and avoid harsh exfoliants during active breakouts. Double cleansing can remove makeup and excess oil without irritating inflamed skin. Look for soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica in your toner and serum to calm redness and speed up healing.

Parting Thoughts

The Korean skincare routine is touted as one of the most popular beauty regimens, one which has stood the test of time. While a 10-step regime may seem daunting, it needn’t be with the correct curation of products. Ensure you pick formulas that target your specific skin needs and concerns. Keep it simple and maintain consistency to see the desired results!

FAQs On Korean Skincare Routine

1. Do I always need to follow all the steps of the Korean skincare routine?

   A. The legendary regularity is what makes Korean skincare steps so effective. However, on a rushed day, you can leave out either the essence or the serum. You can also skip the eye cream in the daytime routine. As for a night when you can’t keep your eyes open any longer, you can skip the exfoliator and the sheet mask, provided you’re still sticking to them for the rest of the week.

2. I don’t use too much makeup. Do I still need to double-cleanse at night?

   A. Yes, because both the cleansing steps do two very different things. Oil cleansers can break down oil-based debris including the excess oil on your skin. Water cleansers can’t do this because water and oil don’t mix. What they can do is take care of water-based impurities like sweat and dirt, which is essential in keeping skin clear.

3. How long do I have to wait in between the steps of my Korean skincare routine?

   A. You can apply most Korean skincare products back to back. It’s typically best to apply them on damp skin, which acts like a sponge and thus helps them absorb. However, sunscreen should be applied on dry skin and should be allowed to get absorbed before moving on to makeup.

4. Will layering so many products on my skin clog the pores?

   A. Slathering up to ten products on your face may sound like a recipe for suffocated pores, but each step has a unique role in keeping your skin healthy and happy. In fact, a handful of them, including cleansing, toning, and exfoliating, directly targets clogged pores and breakouts.

5. Is the Korean skincare routine ideal for all skin types?

   A. While the multi-step routine can be practised by any skin type, it all boils down to picking the correct formulation for your skin. For instance, those with oily skin should pick a foaming cleanser, while dry skin types would benefit from a creamier variant. Similarly, sensitive skin types should opt for non-comedogenic, chemical-free formulas that are gentle on the skin, reducing the likelihood of an adverse reaction.