The beauty industry’s newest craze was the introduction of the Korean 10 step skincare routine early last year. Although the trend seems to have died down, sites such as SokoGlam and Peach and Lily are still gaining ground for making Korean skincare products available to the U.S. Korea is known for having the most potent products in the beauty world for skin health. A laborious routine like this is less for the lazy at heart and more for those with a little more willingness to commit.
- Makeup removal.
The first step is to remove all the makeup from your face. You can use makeup wipes or liquid makeup remover. For those who don’t wear makeup then skip this step.
- Oil cleanser.
This is the second step as well as part two of the infamous “double cleanse” in the world of Korean beauty. To thoroughly clean what the makeup wipes or remover didn’t take care of, use an oil cleanser because it strips your skin of dirt and product without drying it out like traditional cleansers.
- Exfoliate.
To truly have a glowing complexion, one must always fit exfoliation in their skin routine whether daily or at least weekly. As the third step in this routine, find a gentle exfoliator that isn’t too harsh on your skin everyday or every other day. By buffing away dead skin cells, it makes for smoother and brighter toned skin.
- Toners/refreshers
Toners or “refreshers,” as they are called in Korean beauty, are used to remove any leftover toxins, if possible, and prepare the skin for further beauty treatments. In America, toners are usually more acidic and harsh, whereas “refreshers” are light and moisturizing.
- Essence
Now that you are halfway through the routine, apply an “essence” or liquid concentrate of vitamins and other things that help skin stay youthful and firm.
- Ampoule
Ampoules are what Americans would call serums. They are concentrated of certain vitamin cocktails used to address any and everything that could be wrong with skin. From dullness and dryness to acne and anti-aging, there are ampoules for them all.
- Sheet mask
The sheet mask is a better version of the masks we put on at slumber parties or at the spa. Sheets masks are soaked in skin-treating ingredients that soak into your skin. There are full-face sheet masks as well as masks for more isolated problems such as lips or eyes. They are usually worn once or twice a week for no longer than 15 minutes. It’s great for when you want a quick laugh because let’s face it—everyone looks silly in them.
- Eye cream
If anyone is like me, I have dark circles the size of stadiums so this step is very important. Eye cream usually addresses the look of tiredness such as darkness or puffiness, as well as anti-aging like wrinkles and discoloration.
- Emulsion/facial moisturizer
In America, what we refer to as a facial moisturizer is called “emulsion” in the world of Korean beauty. Emulsion is a lightweight facial moisturizer to keep skin smooth and hydrated. Opting for one with a high SPF is recommended to avoid sun damage and premature aging.
- Night cream/sleeping pack
Finally, this step is for the night time cleansing routine. Our body is most active at night while we sleep to repair and restore ourselves for the day ahead. The same goes for skincare. Lathering on an intensive nighttime skin cream or a “sleeping pack” will keep skin moisturized while tackling hardcore skin issues as we sleep.
After all the work, hopefully you will notice a difference in your skin and build up a routine. Whether your current routine isn’t working or you just want to try something new, this 10 step routine may be the answer to your skincare problems.
