The 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine
Taking care of one's appearance has been part of the Korean culture, and with the "glass skin" appearance of Kpop idols and Kdrama stars, people worldwide are looking into their age-defying Korean skincare routine.
South Korea's beauty market releases skincare products for various skin types. Each product has its uses and solves multiple skin problems, resulting in the famous 10 step Korean skincare routine!
What is the 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine?
The 10-step Korean skincare routine is a skincare regimen done in the morning and night. The Korean skincare routine requires multiple skincare products to achieve flawless skin.
Would you be able to remember the Korean routine skincare steps? It can be tough to remember a 5-step skincare routine order, so here is a simplified explanation to ensure you have done everything correctly.
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
Starting off this 10 step Korean skincare routine set is a double-facial cleanse. Oil cleansing is essential in the morning and night to remove the excess oils, dust particles, germs, and sebum clogging your pores. It even helps remove makeup thoroughly like the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil! Unlike the typical oil cleanser, SKIN1004’s cleanser feels as light as water.
It is also used to remove makeup, sunscreen, and other facial products applied throughout the day. Apply the oil cleanser to your dry skin, massage your face, and then wash the cleanser off with water.
Step 2: Water-based Cleanser
While the oil cleanser removes oil, sebum, and sunscreen, the water-based cleanser is more effective in removing dirt and sweat. This cleanser also reassures the removal of excess residue not cleaned from the first step. A water-based cleanser can be either non-foaming or foaming that is applied on a wet face and rinsed off.
For a non-foaming formula, you can use micellar water cleansers or the Healing Tea Garden Green Tea Cleansing Waterr promoted by SEVENTEEN. It also works as an additional removing agent for makeup.
You can also go for the trusted and popular brand like SULWHASOO’s Gentle Cleansing Foam. For an affordable and light option, the P.CALM UnderPore Foam Cleanser is just for you! It’s one of the vegan cleansers available in Olive Young and The Daebak Company!
Step 3: Exfoliant
After the double-cleanse, the next step would be to exfoliate. There are two types of exfoliants: mechanical and chemical. While the mechanical exfoliant is more abrasive, the chemical exfoliant contains chemicals such as lactic acid.
Exfoliant removes dead skin cells and unclogs your pores, leaving you with brighter, softer skin like the COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad, which also works like a toner. Another Olive Young favorite is the Peelosoft Tone Up Milk Pads, which moisturize and remove dead skin cells.
Another budget-friendly option is getting the I'm Sorry for My Skin Peeling Pad & Moisture Mask set! The peeling pad offers a mild exfoliation perfect for people with sensitive skin. With the free masks, your step 7 in the 10 step Korean skincare routine is covered!
However, this step should be done only once or twice a week despite how clean, and fresh exfoliation leaves your skin. Exfoliating too often can become harmful to your skin.
Step 4: Toner
Toner is a cosmetic wash or lotion to bring back moisture into your face. It balances your skin’s pH and prepares it for later steps in the 10 step Korean skincare routine.
Toner has many additional pros to your skin, like making it radiant and resilient to bacteria. You can also get a matte complexion after applying INNISFREE’s Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner. But if you prefer a mild product, go for NATURE REPUBLIC’s Green Derma Mild Cica Big Toner, advertised by Kpop idols like NCT!
An affordable toner would be I'm Sorry for My Skin Relaxing Calming Toner! You can even choose a smaller option for this one under $10 at The Daebak Company. If you don’t like products with strong fragrances, you are in luck, as the calming toner is fragrance-free!
Toner can be applied by massaging it into your face using a cotton pad or your hands. Unlike the cleansers and the exfoliant, you do not wash it off.
Also read:
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Step 5: Essence
Essence is essential in the 10 step Korean skincare routine set as it helps further hydrate your skin and helps with cell turnover and skin regeneration. It is a concentrated formula that helps rejuvenate skin with flaws like wrinkles and uneven skin tones.
[isoi] Blemish Care Serum reduces spots and lightens skin on your face and neck. It also helps soothe and moisturize the skin. For an all-natural option, choose the Jeju Camellia Pure Essential Face Oil.
Step 6: Face Serums
Face serums are products that penetrate deeply into the skin. In this Korean skincare routine, they are used with the intent to deliver potent nourishing ingredients back into the skin.
Serums contain a concentrated formula of small molecules that will help to deliver the desired result. Whether you are acne-prone, have dry skin, or appear to have a dull skin tone, serums have different ingredients that will counter these impurities.
For instance, vitamin C increases collagen production and reduces inflammation, like the Nature Republic's VITAPAIR C Dark Spot Serum! Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid helps to retain moisture. You can find one from our Deep Aqua Collagen Gift Set,
There are different serums with specific ingredients that will help retrieve nourishment. One suggested example is INNISFREE’s Green Tea Seed Serum.
While most serums soothe and moisturize skin, other variants work to fix particular problems like acne. COSRX created the AC Collection to take care of your skin and prevent acne from showing up. Part of that collection is the Blemish Spot Clearing Serum.
However, it is also essential to remember that because a serum is very potent, a lot is not needed to be used. If you have sensitive skin, choose a lighter serum like Nature Republic’s Green Derma Mild Cica Serum, modeled by Mark & Taeyong from NCT!
Step 7: Sheet Masks
The next step in the Korean skincare routine order is sheet masks. The choice of your face mask depends solely on what your skin needs: moisture, firmness, brightness, rejuvenation, oil control, etc.
Scented choices include rose, aloe, cucumber, avocado, orange, lemon, açaí, snail serum, and bee venom. But you can always choose a fragrance-free option like the P.CALM UnderPore Mask Pack.
These sheet masks attack a particular impurity that needs refining on your skin. The SWEETEEN Tartcherry Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Mask strengthens your skin immunity, keeps your skin moist, and keeps your skin tone even!
This step, like the exfoliant, is not a daily step. However, some may choose to use a sheet mask daily. Once applied to the face, it is generally left on the face for 15-25 minutes. Keeping it on longer would let the mask retract moisture from your skin. But you can also find a jelly face mask like I'm Sorry for My Skin Jelly Mask - Brightening, which is perfect for dull and crusty skin.
Step 8: Eye Creams
The skin around your eyes is more delicate and thinner than the rest of your face. Therefore, this area needs its care and moisture. Apply the cream under or around your eyes to avoid early aging or signs of aging, so pick one with collagen like TENZERO’s Wrinkle Collagen Eye Cream!
It is better to slowly apply the cream using the ring finger to prevent pulling or stretching skin. For better results, use SULWHASOO’s Essential Rejuvenating Eye Cream for firmer skin.
Step 9: Moisturizer
This is the last step if it is the night Korean skincare routine order. Using a moisturizer is considered one of the most critical steps, as it also locks in all the steps before.
Moisturizers keep your skin locked with moisture, and everyone needs this. Whether you use a cream, gel, or oil, the final step of the nighttime routine is making sure your skin absorbs it. For sensitive skin, you can use Nature Republic’s Green Derma Mild Cica Cream, advertised by Doyoung & Jaehyun of NCT!
Massaging the face with your fingers will help your skin absorb the moisturizer and improve its elasticity. Though you often see moisturizers sold separately day and night, you can get just one product for both routines. SWEETEEN’s Tartcherry CICA Calming Cream is a money-saving and vegan option!
Step 10: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential in this morning 10 step Korean skincare routine set, especially among Koreans. Not only does sunscreen protect you from UV rays, which can cause skin cancer and other diseases, but it can also help prevent early aging and dull skin. Get a sunscreen with anti-inflammatory ingredients like TENZERO Heartleaf Mild Soothing Sun SPF 50+ PA++++.
You can also choose a sunscreen with multiple healing properties! A perfect option for that is another product from TENZERO: the Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Sun SPF 50+ PA++++.
You can choose a sunscreen suitable for your skin’s needs like hydration, mattifying, or if your skin is sensitive or acne-prone. If you wear makeup daily at work, apply Espoir's Water Splash Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ first!
Asian sunscreen is different from American sunscreen because they are made specifically for your face and neck in a lighter, less oily formula. Use TENZERO Daily Tone-Up Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ for that less sticky feeling.
THE DAEBAK COMPANY SET
The Daebak Skincare Kit features a DEOPROCE Mask Pack, ZENIBELL Sunscreen, and LEBELAGE Aloe Gel to keep your skin moisturized and silky! With sunscreen, you can prevent your skin from aging fast.
Are you interested in this Korean culture for beauty and the 10 step Korean skincare routine? Create a list and hang it on your mirror to ensure you remember every step. Comment your favorite product or kbeauty hacks below.
If you are interested in more skincare and kbeauty products, head to The Daebak Company’s Kbeauty section. It has everything you need to take care of your skin and is filled with items for makeup!
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