THE KOREAN 10-STEP ROUTINE
Koreans are known for their radiant skin, which many believe is due to genetics. But it's a unique skincare routine with up to 10 steps.
We simplify the process for you by breaking it down into steps, so you can more easily adapt it to your own skin. The number of steps can vary depending on the season, with more steps for dry winter skin and fewer in summer. The result is radiant skin all year round, and it's worth investing a little extra time.
As a rule of thumb, always start with lighter consistencies and progress to thicker ones to lock in moisture and nourishment.
Scroll down to read our 10-step routine guide!
The Korean 10 Step Routine
Koreans are known for their glowing skin, which many seem to think is due to genes. However, this is a completely unique skincare process that involves up to 10 steps, which may seem a little daunting! We'll help you demystify this and have broken it all down into steps to make it easy to understand.
The idea is that everyone can adapt the steps to their own skin and how it feels. In winter (when skin is often very dry) you may need several steps and in summer fewer may be enough. In the end, it will help you to have radiant skin all year round. It's worth spending a little extra time and when you see the results you'll understand why! A rule of thumb is to always start with the lightest/wateriest consistency and continue with thicker and thicker consistencies to lock moisture and nourishment into the skin.
To remove all oil-based makeup, sunscreen and impurities, start with an oil-based wash. It's a good place to start because water repels oil. Pump out some oil and massage your face in gentle, upward circular motions. Then add water to your face and massage again (if the oil now looks milky, you're doing it right). Rinse with lukewarm water.
To remove any water-based dirt that may remain, use a foam or cream wash. After you've rinsed off all the oil, put the foam or cleanser on your face and massage in gentle upward circular motions. Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat every morning and evening! A common skin care myth is that oil washes cause breakouts. They actually do the opposite, they are very mild and help to get rid of acne.
Use a gentle, non-irritating exfoliator 2-3 times a week to promote cell renewal, unclog pores and allow the products you use to absorb more easily.
Toner is the foundation for your other skincare products. You don't need cotton pads, just pour some toner into your hands and pat it into your skin with your palms all over your face until it's all absorbed. Traditionally, here in the Western world, toner is for removing residual dirt. In Korea, it is used both to restore pH balance, a little to cleanse, but most of all to provide nutrients (such as antioxidants) and soften the skin. It prepares the skin for the remaining steps and locks in moisture so that the skin does not become dry after washing.
These tend to be a little more liquid and less concentrated than serums. Their main purpose is to moisturize the skin further and to prepare the skin for the serum.
These are formulated with active ingredients that target specific needs according to skin type, such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dehydration. So this step is important to adapt to your specific skin type.
Disposable sheet masks are infused with the same active ingredients found in serums and essences, but are more of an "a la carte" version that you can use as needed when you feel you need, for example, extra hydration. It's therefore a good idea to have a few masks with different focuses. After putting the sheet over your face and leaving it on for between 10-20 minutes, just take it off and let it all sink into your skin.
STEP 8 - EYE CREAM
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more easily dehydrated, so it should be treated with a cream specially formulated to protect and nourish.
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more easily dehydrated, so it should be treated with a cream specially formulated to protect and nourish.
STEP 9 - MOISTURISER/NIGHT MASK
A moisturiser designed for your skin type will create a barrier that will lock in any products you've already used, rather than evaporating from the skin.
A moisturiser designed for your skin type will create a barrier that will lock in any products you've already used, rather than evaporating from the skin.
Don't forget to always put on sunscreen and bb-cream in the morning before going out. The sun is the biggest culprit when it comes to wrinkles and pigmentation spots so make sure you protect your skin!
Here Sofia shows you the Korean 10-step routine step by step!