The 10-Step Korean Beauty Routine is a very popular skin care method originating from South Korea. Known for its rigorous 10-step face care routine, people outside South Korea have been riding this craze because of its dramatic results and offering a fresh perspective on skin care routines. They have developed products like Skinfood that are gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
“Known for its rigorous
10-step face care routine, the
Korean Beauty Routine is a very
popular skin care method
originating from South Korea.”
Here’s what the 10-Step Korean Beauty Routine is all about, and the right way of doing this beauty routine:
The Basics (AM and PM Routine)
The first six steps in this routine must be done twice daily, once in the morning and at night. The first six basics involve daily cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and applying essences, serums, or ampoules. The products you want to use in this routine will depend on your budget and preferences.
In general, Korean beauty regimens focus more on having the discipline to take care of one’s skin with the right method than worrying about which product to use. Korean beauty culture is centered on applying ‘layers’ onto one’s skin and let various products work together, rather than on relying on one or a few products to do all the work. Koreans also believe in changing products according to the season.
- Double cleanse. Double-cleansing clears various impurities off your face that may not be effectively removed with just a single cleanse. For the first cleanse, use an oil cleanser to remove oil-based impurities like sebum and makeup. Add a few drops of cleansing oil onto your face, and massage all over to stimulate circulation and loosen up pores. Wipe clean with a tissue or dry towel.
Follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove remaining impurities like sweat. Wet your face with water, lather up the cleanser on your skin, and rinse. Choose a cleanser with lower pH levels to prevent excess drying. If your skin feels tight after water-cleansing, then it means the cleanser’s pH level is too high for your skin.
- Toner. Toners serve various functions in this routine. It cleans remaining impurities from double-cleansing, hydrates your skin, balances pH levels, and primes your skin for absorbing nutrients from the next products in this routine. Apply toner like Skinfood’s Premium Avocado Rich Toner all over your face after double-cleansing.
- Essence. The essence is the first ‘layer’ you’ll be applying on your skin to achieve that ‘glass skin’ look. Essences like Skinfood’s Premium Tomato Whitening Essence are designed to hydrate and prime your skin for serums/ampoules.
- Serum or ampoule. Ampoules and serums are highly concentrated formulations containing high amounts of actives (e.g. antioxidants) to correct skin care problems like pigmentation, dark spots, pimple marks, and fine lines. Serums like Skinfood’s Royal Honey Essential Queen’s Serum are more viscous than ampoules and more suitable for dryer skin types or colder months, while ampoules may be more suitable to oily skin types and during the warmer months.
- Emulsion. Emulsions are viscous formulations that help you achieve that ‘glass skin’ look and give your face a glossy sheen. It also adds an extra layer of moisture for your skin.
- Moisturizer. A moisturizer is designed to lock in all the hydration and nourishment from the previous layering products and strengthen your skin’s natural barrier. Evenly apply a moisturizer all over your face to seal in all the products previously applied on your skin.
AM Routine
- Sunscreen. After the first six basics have been done, the last step you’ll do for the AM routine is applying sunscreen. Koreans emphasize sun protection and never going out without applying sunblock first. Apply sunblock after moisturizing and leave on for 30 minutes before going out. Choose sunblock that has at least 35 SPF (sun protection factor) and protects against both UVA and UVB rays (broad spectrum protection).
PM Routine
- Eye cream. The skin around our eyes is very sensitive and most vulnerable to stressors and skin aging since it doesn’t have oil glands and produce sebum. Using eye creams like Skinfood Black Raspberry Firming Eye Cream is very important in maintaining youthful skin. After doing the six basics, apply eye cream using your ring finger because it exerts the least pressure, perfect for the delicate skin around the eye areas.
- Sleep mask. The skin heals itself during sleep. Sleep mask helps the renewal process by delivering hydration and nourishment onto our skin overnight as we sleep. Apply sleep mask after doing the six basics and applying eye cream, and remove the mask in the morning and wake up to a refreshed, glowing skin.
Weekly Treatment
- Sheet mask. Sheet masks are like serums and ampoules that contain high amounts of skin care actives. However, sheet masks are something you don’t need to use daily and may only use if you want extra skin love and relaxation. Apply sheet masks 1-4x a week, especially when you have an upcoming occasion and want to look more radiant and glowing.
The 10-Step Beauty Routine may be daunting, but such a rigorous routine is surely going to pay off and give your skin a smooth, clear, and glowing complexion.
Have you tried this Korean Beauty Routine?
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