Korean skincare
Learn in our article what Korean skin care means and the steps involved in it, how your skin benefits from using each product and especially what the 10-step Korean Skin Care Routine really mean. We also tell you how to create an easy 3-step skin care routine.
A Korean skincare routine includes:
- Makeup removal with an oil-based cleansing product
- Skin cleansing with a water-based cleansing product
- Peeling
- Mask (wash-off or sheet mask)
- Toner
- Serum, ampoule and essence
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
- Night masks and lip masks
- Sunscreen
Step 1 and 2.
Double cleansing
Double cleansing is an distinctive part of the Korean skin care routine. In the evening, make-up, dirt, sebum and sunscreen are first cleaned from the face with an oil-based cleansing product or micellar water.
After this, the skin is washed with a water-based cleansing product suitable for the skin type.
In the morning, you can wash your face with just water or, if necessary, with a water-based cleanser.
Step 3 and 4.
Peeling and face masks
Exfoliation is important for every skin type. Exfoliating products remove dead skin cells from the skin, allowing care products to be better absorbed into the skin. Learn more about peeling.
Face masks are an excellent addition to your skin care routine and are a very important part of Korean skin care. A face mask can bring an extra dose of hydration to the skin, deep clean the skin pores or, for example, soothe irritated skin.
Step 5 and 6.
Toner, essence, serum and ampoule
Toner is the first moisturizing step after cleansing. The purpose of toner is to balance the pH of the skin after washing, so that the skin barrier remains strong and the skin is able to fight against bacteria and impurities. Toner protects the skin from the tightening dry feeling after washing and helps other skin care products to be absorbed better.
Essences, serums and ampoules contain active ingredients that treat skin problems.
Essence is added after toner, before ampoule or serum. An essence does not contain as many active ingredients as serums or ampoules.
Serum and ampoule are added after toner or essence, always before moisturizer. They contain active ingredients in higher concentrations.
The products are added from a more liquid consistency towards thicker ones.
Step 7, 8 and 9.
Eye cream, face cream, face oil, night and lip mask
Eye cream treats the delicate skin around the eyes and problems typical of the area, such as dark circles or fine lines.
Eye masks , i.e. under-eye patches, give effective help to the eye area, just like face masks to facial skin.
Face cream , i.e. moisturizer for the face, is added after the serum, before sunscreen or possible face oil.
Prefer compositions suitable for your skin type and skin concerns, for example for aging skin we recommend more moisturizing creams with anti-aging properties. For oily skin, on the other hand, a light, gel-like composition is usually the best.
Korean face creams are not usually divided into morning and night creams, but almost all products are suitable for either use. A good rule of thumb is to prefer more nourishing and thicker formulas in your evening routine.
The night mask and lip mask are added as the last step of the evening routine. A facial oil is usually only necessary for very dry skin types, and is also added as the last step of the routine.
