When followed correctly, the Korean beauty routine can give you the much-coveted flawless skin of your dreams.
Korean beauty products stand apart due to the unique skin-friendly ingredients, often present in high concentration.
What’s more, the Korean skincare routine focuses on prevention, especially signs of aging and protection from sun damage.
This is why Koreans often have such an amazing glass skin!
It might have you wondering what is the 10-step Korean skin care that people swear by.
Worry not, because I have done all the research for you, and enlisted below are the answers to all your questions.
The key lies in consistency and layering the products in the right order. If you get the steps wrong, it may not give you the glowy skin and all those results that attracted you in the first place.
What Is K-Beauty Regimen?
Basically, the K-beauty regimen is all about using nourishing and hydrating skincare products that lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier.
It prevents water loss and addresses main skin issues such as wrinkles and fine lines, thus helping to prevent premature aging.
The result? Smooth skin with a healthy glow.
K beauty skincare routine comprises 10 steps that involve a multitude of products ranging from cleansers, toners, hydrating essence and serums, sheet masks, moisturizers, creams and more.
When used correctly in thin layers, you can easily achieve the glass skin look.
Now let me quickly explain what is the 10-step routine and for more in-depth instructions just scroll down!
10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine In A Pinch
1. Oil-based cleanser
A stepping stone of the K beauty skincare routine is double cleansing method which includes using oil-based and water-based cleansers to ensure clean skin.
Korean skincare begins with using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and sunscreen and other oil-based impurities.
2. Water-based (foam) cleanser
Next, you wash your face with a water-based cleanser that removes excess sebum and residual impurities, including the oil residue from the cleansing oil.
Now your skin is squeaky clean and ready for the next skincare products.
3. Exfoliator
Then you exfoliate your face with an exfoliator, ranging from 1-3 times a week. This helps remove dead skin cells and also reduces blackheads. The result? Radiant skin with an improved complexion.
4. Toner
This skincare product is formulated in a way to balance the skin’s pH levels and enables it to better absorb the subsequent skincare products.
Since Korean beauty products are mostly made with nourishing and gentle ingredients, this can really improve your skin care regimen while protecting the skin barrier.
5. Essence
Next, you use essence to deeply hydrate and nourish the skin while fixing those wrinkles and fine lines.
6. Serum/Ampoule (Treatment)
After using essence, it’s time for treatment! Use an ampoule – which is basically a highly concentrated product that caters to specific skin concerns e.g. intensive hydration, skin brightening, acne scars, etc.
The other option is face serum. Serums are usually thicker and more concentrated as compared to essence.
Whether you have certain skin issues like acne-prone skin, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, or dullness, Korean skincare brands have curated the perfect serum out there for you.
7. Sheet mask
These single-use sheet masks are soaked in serum and packed with beneficial ingredients such as vitamins and hyaluronic acid that provide a hydration booster to the skin while calming and brightening it, accordingly to the active ingredients.
8. Eye cream
As the skin around your eye is really delicate, it deserves some extra attention. Use an eye cream daily to keep your under-eyes bright and hydrated and say goodbye to dark circles.
9. Moisturizer
Next, you need to lock in all this hydration by using a good moisturizer. Remember to use all products in thin layers to maximize product effectiveness and absorption.
10. Sunscreen: In the end, always follow up with sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging UV rays.
The Korean skin care steps are easy to follow and once you get used to them, it becomes second nature.
Also, if you don’t have a lot of free time, you can tweak the steps to suit your main skin concerns and time.
PRO TIP: There is also a shorter version of the Korean skincare routine which includes 5 steps. If you’re in a hurry this can be a good option for you. Read about the K-beauty 5 step skincare routine here.
Benefits of Korean Skincare Routine
Here are the main benefits of Korean skincare routine:
1. Safe And Gentle Ingredients
Most of the K beauty products are formulated with generally safe and less toxic ingredients. This makes them skin-friendly and a better choice than others.
Koreans believe in using natural ingredients instead of synthetic alternatives and it shows in their beauty regimen.
However, you must always check the label for harsh ingredients. Just because a product is made in Korea does not ensure that it is free of harsh chemicals such as alcohol, PEG-100, tetrasodium EDTA, disodium EDTA, parfum, SLS, SLE and fragrance.
2. Affordability
One of the reasons Korean skincare’s popularity is spreading like wildfire is its affordability. Usually in the West, good skincare products cost an arm and a leg.
But since Koreans believe that everyone should have access to good skin, their products are easy on the pocket without compromising on quality.
Another reason for this is that the Korean beauty industry has fierce competition within. The companies turn out affordable quality products to compete in the marketplace.
3. Naturally Derived Beneficial Ingredients
Koreans do skincare products like no other. Their products include active ingredients that are brimming with nature’s goodness, such as green tea, chamomile, fermented rice water, rose water, Centella Asiatica, mugwort and many more!
These natural ingredients help Koreans get that beautiful healthy skin without the harsh side effects of toxic chemicals.
4. Innovation
Korean skin care industries are always innovating and experimenting with new products.
They even brought exotic ingredients such as snail mucin/slime in skin care and they are all the rage these days for moisturizing the skin, healing wounds, delaying premature aging, and even helping treat skin cancer.
5. Focus On Prevention
The philosophy of Korean skin care is to heal within, instead of covering up the flaws with makeup or superficial treatments.
They focus on working on the skin from the inside out. By starting early on, a good skin care routine can have lasting effects and prevent premature aging.
6. Suitability
Korean skin care routine works wonders for all types of skin. Whether you’re looking for a deeply hydrating serum or a sheet mask with brightening ingredients, you will always find a product curated especially for your specific skin concerns among the HUGE variety.
People with sensitive skin types often have trouble finding the perfect product, but that changes now.
Korean skin care products are game changers for all skin types, including sensitive and dehydrated skin types.
7. Self-care
The 10-step Korean skin care routine instills a sense of self-care. Taking out time for yourself in your busy schedule is bound to have a great boost on your mental health.
And since it is accompanied by flawless healthy skin, what a win-win situation!
What Are The 10 Steps Of Korean Skincare?
Here is more detailed description of all the steps in Korean beauty regimen and how to do them properly1.
The 10-step Korean skincare is as follows:
1. Oil Cleanser (Part 1 Of Double Cleanse Method)
The best way to reap results from the 10-step Korean skincare routine, or any good skincare routine for that matter, is to have a clean slate, to begin with. The double cleansing method is a sure-shot way of doing that.
It takes two different kinds of cleansers (oil-based cleansers and water-based cleansers) that work together to remove makeup, dead skin cells, oil-based impurities, dirt, excess oil, and other residue that has accumulated on the face.
This helps you get a squeaky clean face that is ready to absorb the subsequent skincare products better.
Firstly, gently massage an oil-based cleanser (it can be an oil cleanser or a cleansing balm) on your dry skin, removing makeup, dirt, and other residue.
Since an oil cleanser attracts oil, it helps break down the excess sebum and draws out oil-based impurities. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and move on to the second part of the double cleanse method – washing the face with a water-based cleanser.
2. Water-Based Cleanser (Part 2 Of Double Cleanse Method)
Using a non-comedogenic water-based cleanser after an oil-based cleanser ensures that you effectively remove the residual gunk left behind.
It also helps clean clogged pores, something you cannot achieve by using only oil-based cleansers. Wash off the cleanser and proceed to the next step.
If you’re wondering what kind of cleanser to choose for your specific skin type, here’s a little outline for you:
- Oily skin: Foaming cleansers, gel cleansers
- Acne-prone skin: Clarifying and foaming cleansers, especially with acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil.
- Dry skin: Cream cleanser, gel cleanser
- Combination skin: Gel cleanser
- Sensitive skin: Cleansing milk, cream cleanser
3. Exfoliator
Once your face is all clean, you can choose between physical exfoliators or chemical exfoliators, based on your skin type.
People with acne and oily skin types can benefit from physical exfoliants (especially around the T zone) as they remove dead skin cells and open clogged pores.
On the other hand, chemical exfoliants are exfoliating acids or enzymes, that work on the deeper layers of your skin.
Don’t be scared of the word ‘acid’ because these acid exfoliants are curated to amp up the cell turnover and improve the skin complexion.
The most loved acid exfoliators in Korean skincare routine are AHA (e.g. glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid), BHA (salicylic acid), and PHA (gluconolactone, lactobionic acid).
According to your skin type, here is a little cheat sheet for choosing the right exfoliator for your skin:
- Acne-prone and oily skin: BHA
- Dry skin: AHA (especially lactic acid which is more gentle)
- Sensitive skin: PHA
You don’t need to exfoliate daily. Exfoliating once or twice a week is good enough and will yield skin with a healthy glow and radiance.
I have prepared a list of the best Korean exfoliators, that includes cleansers, peeling gels, facial scrubs and toners for gentle daily exfoliation.
4. Toner
The next step is using an alcohol-free toner. A toner helps to balance the skin’s pH level and prep the skin to absorb the upcoming products in the 10-step Korean skincare routine.
Based on the skin type and concerns, toners used in K beauty routine have hydrating, nourishing, and soothing active ingredients that can treat skin issues, without stripping the natural oils.
- Acne-prone/oily skin: These skin types benefit the most from refreshing and exfoliative toners containing AHA, BHA, tea tree oil, niacinamide, etc that keep sebum production in check.
- Combination/normal skin: Opt for an exfoliating toner with AHA like glycolic acid or mandelic acid, which keeps the skin refreshed, glowing and healthy.
- Dry skin: Choose a hydrating toner that is packed with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, green tea, glycerin, aloe vera, etc.
- Sensitive skin: Opt for a toner with soothing ingredients such as rose water, chamomile, oats, and jojoba oil to calm down irritated skin and redness.
Use a cotton pad or your hands to tone your face and neck.
5. Essence
The next step in the Korean skin care routine is using an essence.
Essence is a liquid skincare product that is packed with soothing, hydrating, anti-aging, and nourishing elements.
It can make your skin soft, hydrated, and glowy while increasing radiance and cell turnover. It is almost like a primer for your moisturizer.
Pat it gently on your face and neck until absorbed.
6. Serum/ Ampoule
Depending on the type of your skin, you can use a treatment to address your skin concerns: you can choose between ampoule or serum.
For instance, you can use a brightening serum with vitamin C for a glowing complexion, or you can opt for a moisturizing hyaluronic acid serum to protect the skin’s barrier and improve dry patches, or you could use a caffeine-boosted serum for your dark circles.
Ampoules are pretty similar. They are super-concentrated actives, designed especially as treatments for specific skin concerns such as aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars to name a few (here you can find my fav Korean ampoules for different skin types).
Apply it just like essence and wait for them to be absorbed before you move on to the next step.
Here is a list of a few ingredients well suited to different skin conditions:
- Acne-prone/oily skin: Evening primrose oil, AHA, BHA etc.
- Dry skin: Hyaluronic acid, Peptides, Glycerin etc.
- Sensitive skin: Green tea, Aloe vera, Niacinamide etc.
- Hyperpigmentation: Glycolic acid, Niacinamide, kojic acid etc.
- Signs of aging: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Coffee, Retinol, etc.
7. Sheet Mask
Sheet masks have been making it BIG in beauty stores. And rightly so. You can use sheet masks that are soaked in hydrating and nourishing ingredients to add extra hydration.
If you have dry skin, sheet masks can really do wonders for your skin. As you cover your skin, you ensure the skin soaks up all the goodness.
Added bonus: You get to relax for a while, so might as well put on some spa music and meditate as you let your skin absorb the nutrients in the mask.
8. Eye Cream
For me, one of the most important things in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is the attention to the delicate eye area, in the form of eye creams.
Eye creams are formulated keeping the sensitive eye area in mind, and they contain moisturizing and sealing (hydrophobic film) ingredients.
Using an eye cream can reduce puffiness, premature wrinkles, and dark circles while providing maximal hydration. Remember to use eye cream in a very small amount and dab it gently around the eye area.
9. Moisturizer
The real MVP of any skincare regimen is a good moisturizer that seals in all the hydration from the previous skincare steps.
Moisturizers come in various formulations such as lotion, cream, emollient, sleeping mask, and more. A moisturizer helps prevent premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles and keeps the skin plump by locking in hydration.
Choose a moisturizer that keeps your skin non-greasy and light. Mostly, people prefer to choose a lightweight moisturizer in the morning skincare routine and a night cream in the evening routine.
Look for moisturizer with niacinamide or vit. C if you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation.
Choose cream with birch sap or HA for dry skin, and Centella Asiatica for sensitive skin type or blemishes and acne breakouts.
Mugwort is a great ingredient in moisturizers for anti-aging effects.
10. Sunscreen / Sleeping Pack
One of the most important steps in any good skincare routine is the use of sunscreen. Sun damage is the leading cause of aging.
Our skin needs sun protection and you can choose between chemical sunscreens or mineral sunscreens (also known as physical sunscreens) to do that.
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that repels harmful UV rays away.
On the contrary, a chemical sunscreen converts the UV rays into heat and renders them harmless on the skin.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to use sunscreen. Korean beauty brands even add SPF to other skin products for sun protection.
In short, never forget your sunscreen, even if you are indoors.
What’s important, sunscreen is the last step in morning routine, but your Korean night skincare routine should be finished with a sleeping pack (or sleeping mask), not with a sunscreen!
Remember to always wash the sunscreen off, otherwise you’re on a highway to clogged pores and breakouts.
The main benefits of wrapping up your night beauty regimen with sleep mask is that it will lock in moisture and help to rejuvenate your skin over the night.
Does 10 Step Korean Skincare Work?
Given the popularity of the Korean skincare routine, yes, the 10-step Korean skincare definitely works.
So many steps can seem challenging in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, it really delivers what it promises.
Since the K beauty regimen works on delivering optimal hydration and preventing the signs of aging, it gets the job done.
Always remember to choose products according to your skin type and concerns. The Korean skincare steps give you an idea of all the options available to pamper your skin.
It is entirely up to you how you tweak it as per your skin concerns.
For instance, you do not need to use an exfoliant or sheet mask daily; once or twice a week is fine. Use oil-based cleansers in the evening.
Tailor your skincare regimen according to what your skin likes.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From Korean Skincare?
As a general rule of thumb, it usually takes 1-3 months to see results from a Korean skincare routine. Some active ingredients can yield results earlier than the said time2.
Korean Skin Care Steps – FAQ
I hope you have learned a thing or two about Korean skincare steps.
Don’t be intimidated by the number of steps, just customize it according to your skin needs.
Here are a few more questions answered about the 10-step Korean skin care routine.
How Often Should I Use Korean 10 Step Skin Care?
Since you do not need to do all the steps daily (such as exfoliation and sheet masks), it pans down to your preference and your skin needs.
Some steps such as cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection are essential and should never be skipped. If you have enough time on your hands, you can reap the benefits of the Korean beauty regimen as frequently as you’d like.
Is The 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine Expensive?
Since it contains so many products, the 10-step Korean skincare routine can be somewhat expensive.
However, if you customize it according to your skin needs, you can reduce the number of steps and hence products.
Plus, there are always alternative products available that are easier on the pocket (for example COSRX brand offers lots of truly safe and effective products at affordable prices).
Do Koreans Exfoliate Every Day?
No, Koreans exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
How Long Does Korean Skin Care Take?
Usually doing all 10 steps takes about 30 minutes. If you’re pressed for time, adjust the steps according to your preference and skin needs.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
Source of pictures: All pictures in this article belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All images are copyright-protected.
Resources
- https://www.peachandlily.com/
- https://greatist.com/
