5 Step Korean Skin Care Routine – Try This Easy K-Beauty Routine If You’re In A Hurry

What Are The 5 Steps Of Korean Skincare?

The essence of Korean “glass skin”routine can be reduced to only 5 steps. Now it’s time to learn more about this skin care routine and how to incorporate it into your own busy day.

1. Double Cleansing

The face wash – the skin cleanser – is the first step of Korean skincare routine. However, the cleansing is somewhat different than in other skincare routines, as it is not just cleansing, it’s double cleansing!

A double cleanse routine is super popular among Koreans. It involves a two-step process, beginning with an oil cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser.

It is not hard to guess that this routine is very effective when it comes to removing all the impurities, including makeup, dirt, and oils from your skin.

This step is especially beneficial for those who wear a lot of makeup or have oily skin (or combination skin type), as it helps to clean the facial skin thoroughly and remove all impurities and all types of dirt, including excess oil.

However, double cleansing is not reserved only for those with oily skin, acne-prone skin, combination skin, or those who put on a lot of makeup. Anyone can benefit from it!

Oil-based cleanser works by breaking down stubborn oil-based impurities on your skin. Besides this, it is also a great moisturizer.

If you have dry skin, you will definitely benefit from an oil-based cleanser, as it will clean your facial skin without drying it out.

The best part about oil cleanser? It will not cause you breakouts – even if you have acne-prone skin. Oil-based cleansers are non-comedogenic, meaning that they won’t clog pores.

On the other hand, water cleanser comes in the form of foams, creams, gels, or other forms.

These cleansers work by removing water-based dirt (e.g. sweat) from your skin. It comes after an oil cleanser.

2. Toner

A toner is aimed to balance the pH of your skin and restore any lost nutrients, and it actually prepares your skin for the absorption of serums and moisturizers.

There are different types of toners that work for different skin types. And the key to a successful skin care routine and glass skin is choosing the right Korean beauty products for your skin type.

So, for example, you may opt for an exfoliating toner that helps remove dead skin cells.

If you have oily skin, combination skin, or acne-prone skin, you will definitely need to exfoliate the dead skin cells layer.

Ingredients you should look out for are: AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid), BHA (salicylic acid). You can also try Korean toners with tea tree oil.

On the other side, if you have dry skin, you will opt for a hydrating toner, that will make your skin hydrated and nourished. Look for toners with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, propolis, and birch sap.

However, if you have sensitive skin, you need to be careful and always watch for ingredients and opt for mild toners with Centella Asiatica, mugwort, aloe vera.

If you have normal skin, you can try different toners and choose which one suits your skin best.

3. Skin Treatment

And, after you cleaned and toned your skin, it’s time for another important step – skin treatment.

Basically, skin treatments are aimed to treat specific skin concerns. In that way, you may choose different active ingredients for different skin types and for your (specific) skin concern.

For example, you may opt for vitamin C treatment (vitamin C serum) if you have dark spots and hyperpigmentation, or simply want to brighten your skin.

Or, you will probably choose hyaluronic acid serum if you have dry skin that cries for hydration. Hyaluronic acid represents a wonderful hydrating agent.

If you have acne, you will definitely benefit from spot treatments with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid, as you probably already know, is famous agent for treating acne.

For skin treatment you can choose between serum, essence and ampoule – depending on which concentration of active ingredients you look for, and what consistency you prefer.

4. Moisturizer

Firstly, you need to be aware that moisturizers are not reserved for those with dry skin, or sensitive skin. Even if you have combination or oily skin, you need to use moisturizer in your skin care. Period.

Moisturizing is one of the key steps of the Korean skin care routine. By moisturizing your skin, you also prevent its dryness and flakiness. Plus, it helps reduce fine lines and give you younger look.

Choosing the right moisturizing product, again, depends on several factors, including your skin type, as well as the season of the year! Yes, you’ve read that correctly!

Dry skin benefits most from creams, as they are deeply moisturizing your skin, as they contain nourishing ingredients.

Cream moisturizer is also recommended during winter, and on cooler temperatures.

Combination skin or oily skin will be better with using a gel moisturizer, as gels are easier to absorb into the skin, and they leave any greasy residue behind.

Gel moisturizers are also better for summer days, and hotter days when you need lightweight skincare products.

If you have normal skin, you can try different moisturizers and choose the one that suits you best.

And, in the end, of course, if your skin is sensitive, it is always better to choose fragrance-free products to avoid irritation.

5. Sun Protection

Taking care of your skin without protecting it from UV rays is practically useless. UV rays can cause so much damage to your skin.

So, this is a very, very important step. In K-beauty routine sunscreen is a must.

Sun protection, as its name implies, protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, but it also makes your skin look healthy.

Furthermore, if you use sunscreen regularly, you may prevent dark spots and reduce signs of aging.

All these steps are very important to achieve that flawless, glowing, “glass skin” in K-beauty.

This is the “essence” of beauty ritual, that is enough to make your skin look beautiful. If you have more time, you can try out the more “extended” version that consists of Korean 10 steps.

There is also a night version of this 5-step Korean skin care routine, and it involves cleansers (oil-based cleanser and water-based cleanser), toners, essence/serum, and night creams.

Extra Steps To Include In Your K-Beauty Routine From Time To Time

The above mentioned routine is excellent and will definitely give you positive results.

However, from time to time you should add two more steps to your routine (and make it 7-step-Korean routine)¹.

Sheet Mask

Sheet masks are thin sheets of fabric soaked in a serum or essence, that are applied onto the face and left on it for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week. Once you remove the mask, you should rinse the residue off with warm water.

What is important, sheet mask usually contains great ingredients, which hydrate, brighten, and calm your skin. You should choose a sheet mask according to your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you may want to try a green tea mask. If you have dry skin, you will find sheet masks based on honey and hyaluronic acid.

Another plus side of this extra step is that you may use this time to relax for a few minutes.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation of your skin is important and should be performed at least 2-3 times a week. Why you must not skip the exfoliation?

Using chemical or physical exfoliators helps you dissolve or slough off dead skin cells from your skin. This helps you brighten your complexion, unclog pores, and prevents acne breakouts.

Exfoliation may dry out your skin, so be careful. If you have sensitive skin, begin with one exfoliating session a week, and see how it goes. Koreans usually exfoliate 2-3 times per week, not everyday.

Is Korean Beauty Routine Worth The Hype?

Absolutely. Koreans are real pros when it comes to taking care of their skin.

They believe that proper skincare is the foundation of beauty – which is evident – when you see their skin, you’ll see that they really know what they’re doing.

In fact, this beauty ritual has traveled around the world and gained so much popularity – there is really a buzz around the K-beauty ritual.

This regimens is passed down through the generations and practiced from a young age in Korean culture. That says enough. Right?

Why You Should Try The 5-Step Korean Skin Care Routine

• Glass skin: Once you try it out, you will see it yourself – this 5-step Korean skin care routine is providing skin with all the care it needs.
• Wonderful ingredients: Korean skincare products, as already mentioned, have really unique ingredients, with a higher concentration of active ingredients, so you get the most benefit from it. Plus, they are mostly natural.
• Great for all skin types: Whichever skin type you have, you will benefit from the Korean skin care routine. You only need to choose products accordingly to your skin type and skin concerns.
• Prevents skin issues: Rather than just tackling existing skin concerns, the Korean skin care routine’s core principle is prevention. So, you rather prevent wrinkles, for example, than treat them.
• Self-care: It is not merely about the skin care. It goes beyond! Korean glass skin care routine makes a connection between self-care and healthy living. In that way, we can say it promotes wellness from within. And that feeling is priceless!

By the way, Koreans also follow a 5-step body routine – I explain it in this article.