10 steps Korean skincare routine & The benefits of each step

By: :Anh Nguyen 0 comments

10 steps Korean skincare routine & The benefits of each step

The 10-Step is more than a routine—it's a lifestyle that has become a global phenomenon, grounded in Korea's cultural obsession with healthy skin and backed by decades of scientific advancement.

Double cleansing

The first step of the Korean skincare routine is to wash your face twice: once with oil, once with a foaming cleanser. Why? Because each type of cleanser gets a different type of crud off your face. While it may sound balking at the idea of washing oily skin with oil, it’s actually extremely effective against oil-based impurities like SPF, sebum, and pollutants. It’s not as good against sweat and dirt, though, which is where the second cleanse comes in.

It’s best to splash your cleansers off with lukewarm water rather than hot as the surface of the skin is sensitive and hot water can dry it out. Treat it with the utmost care, and you’ll notice it makes a difference.

When you get to your second cleanser, another rule you may not have heard of before now applies: check out low pH products. How can you tell if a cleanser is low pH? Well, if it’s super foamy, it probably isn’t. The result of high pH level includes skin irritation, acne, blotches and more. If your face feels too tight after you wash it, that is not a clean feeling––that means your cleanser’s pH is too high.

Key points

Double cleansing: first time with oil/balm cleanser (or micellar water, second time with foaming cleanser.
Foaming cleanser should not be too foamy as it indicates that the cleanser pH levels are too high.
Water should not be too hot or too cold, lukewarm water is best (36 – 40 degrees).
Massage your face while cleansing is encouraging to strengthen the face muscle.

Purpose of this step

First cleanser will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day and clean your skin.
The second cleanser will address your particular skin type or concern and should have ingredients to hydrate, smooth or exfoliate and treat acne.

Korean skincare step 2: Toner

Korean toners are unlike western toners because they are not designed to be another step of cleansing; they are the first of the treatment steps, so they tend to be much more hydrating and less astringent.

They are designed to press reset on your skin after cleansing and balance your skin's pH levels.

Key points

Pick the right ingredients according to your skin types
Acne-Prone Skin: Salicylic Acid.
Combination Skin: Lactic Acid.
Dry Skin: Glycerin or Essential Oils.
Mature Skin: Aloe Vera or Vitamin C.
Normal Skin: Coenzyme Q10 or Hyaluronic Acid.
Alcohol-free products are recommended for all skin types.
Right after your second cleanser, dampen a cotton ball with toner and gently wipe over your face.
Allow it to dry out before your next steps.

Purpose of this step

Toner removes any last traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores after you wash your face.

Korean skincare step 3: Essence

One of the keys to the glowing results of a regular Korean skincare routine is layering products. Rather than relying on one thick cream to do all the work, the Korean skincare approach advocates layering products to allow the skin to breathe and avoid clogging the pores.

If you think of your toner as the first layer of moisture, think of an essence as the second. These products are typically also thinner in texture, and some even feel watery.

Key points

Use your essence morning and night.
After your toning mist and before your serum.
Pour a couple of drops into the palm of your hands (don't use a cotton pad; it will waste the product and your hands are much more effective)
Pick essence with appropriate ingredients that your skin needs.

Purpose of this step

It hydrates and conditions the skin to prepare it for the serums, oils, and moisturizers to follow.
Not only that but essences balance and nourish the skin after cleansing and toning.

Step 4: Emulsion

Another layer of moisture, you say? Yes. If you want “glass skin,” you have to work for it. That means drinking tons of H2O, exercising and eating well, and spending more than 30 seconds on your skincare routine.

However, some skin types may need more moisture than others. If you are an oily skin type, for instance, doing an emulsion layer might make you feel greasy. For super dry types, we can never get enough layers! The best way to decide if this step will work for you is to get to know your own skin.

Purpose of this step

Emulsions are perfect for adding an extra layer of hydration to your routine just use a face cream on top

Korean skincare step 5: Serum/ampoule

Typically, serums and ampoules come next in the lineup, but if you feel your skin has had enough, feel free to skip them. What we are telling you may be blasphemous to some converts of Korean beauty, but as I said before, only you know what works best for your face.

That said, both serums and ampoules are highly concentrated products. Ampoules are presented as a souped-up version of a serum by some companies.

Purpose of this step

Special treatments for your skin concerns, Face serums are lightweight moisturizers that penetrate deeper to deliver faster and more effective result.

Korean skincare step 6: Sheet mask (3 times per week is recommended routine)

These usually take 15-20 minutes and can be done as frequently or infrequently as you like. My favorite times to use them are before and after plane rides (as the pressurized air in the cabin dries the heck out of your skin), after a long day in the sun, or before a special event.

Sheet masks are typically soaked in serum, so yep … another layer. The juicer ones have so much that it’ll be all pooled up at the bottom of the package.

Purpose of this step

Basically, sheet masks are inexpensive compared to going to a spa, convenient, easy to apply, and brings a glowing effect on your skin.

Korean skincare step 7: Eye cream

Eye cream is not unique to the Korean skincare routine, but it is one of the hardest products to consistently use because it’s more a preventative product if you’re under the age of 40. Eye cream is designed to moisturize the ultra-thin skin around your eyes where crow’s feet and fine lines are bound to appear. However, if you use eye cream regularly before they show up, you’ll see a marked difference in how old you look

Also, most people that apply eye cream are doing it wrong. Using the ring finger and gently tapping is the best way as it uses the correct amount of pressure rather than your index finger, which is bound to push harder since it’s used more often.

Purpose of this step

They help fight puffiness and brighten eyes, the most sensitive skin area on your face. They also soften fine lines and make the skin under your eyes look youthful.

Korean skincare step 8: Moisturizer

In the traditional Korean beauty 10-step routine, you use a cream (also known as an occlusive layer) to seal in all the layers before it. Think of it as making a fragrant stew and putting the lid on the pot. Moisturizers hydrate and protect skin from the stressors caused by the external environment.

Purpose of this step

The basic function of moisturizers is to help treat your skin when it's dry and prevent it from drying out again. Moisturizers do this by holding water in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin

Korean skincare step 9: sunscreen (AM step)

This step should go without saying for Aussies as well as Koreans. We need to be wearing SPF every day (rain, hail or shine), and ideally SPF 50+ (even if you aren't spending time outdoors).

Basically, if you have windows in your house, sunscreen is a must.

Purpose of this step

It's important to protect your skin from both types: UVB rays cause sunburn and play a key role in developing skin cancer. A sunscreen's SPF number refers mainly to the amount of UVB protection it provides. UVA rays cause skin damage that leads to tanning as well as skin aging and wrinkles.

Korean skincare 10: sleeping masks (PM step)

Think of it like a night cream, or a special treatment. It’s simply an extra layer of moisture, but often sleeping masks are designed to work while your body is at rest.

Purpose of this step

Sleeping masks are used to seal in your facial serums, creams and oils.

We hope that you will have a better understanding about the 10 steps Korean skincare routine after reading this post. Speak to our team if you need any help choosing your products and routine - more me-time, more self-love, more glowing confidence.