The K-beauty scene is booming at the moment, and for good reason.
Korean skincare products not only boast a variety of skincare ingredients that we don’t see that often outside of Asia, but they also tend to have a high concentration of active ingredients that focus on treatment and prevention instead of just masking the skin problems.
And their skin care products are not the only thing flooding the beauty scene – the Korean skincare routine is too.
Often involving multiple steps such as using exfoliators, cleansers, essences, serums, as well as applying moisturizers, and sunscreens – K-beauty routines are meticulous and effective.
But have you ever thought about what their body skin care routine entails?
Most Korean women have a 5-step body care routine that is considered to be a non-negotiable part of their daily routines (just like their 5-step facial skin care routines).
From head to toe, these routines encompass nurturing, pampering, and maintaining the skin’s natural balance.
So whether you’re seeking to rejuvenate your body skin or simply curious about the secrets behind Korean skin care success, this article has all the knowledge you need in order to level up your body skin care game.
What Is The Korean Skin Care Routine For The Body?
The 5-step Korean skin care routine for the body follows a similar philosophy to the facial skincare routine, focusing on hydration, exfoliation, nourishment, and protection1. Ready to start?
This is the body skincare routine that most Korean women follow:
1. Cleanse
Just like any good facial skincare routine, the first step in the Korean body care routine is cleansing. It is essential to start with a clean canvas, and Koreans seem to understand this very well.
They choose gentle cleansers specifically formulated for the body and avoid harsh soaps that can strip away the skin’s natural moisture and leave it feeling itchy and dry.
These pH-balanced cleansers effectively remove dirt, sweat, and impurities, leaving the skin refreshed and ready for further treatment.
They also tend to take the time to massage the body wash into their skin, ensuring a thorough cleanse.
This step sets the foundation for the rest of the routine, allowing the subsequent products to penetrate deeply and work as effectively as possible.
2. Exfoliate
Body exfoliation plays a vital role in the Korean body skincare routine, helping to remove dead skin cells and improve the absorption and penetration of any subsequent products applied to the skin.
K-beauty uses various methods and products for effective body exfoliation, including body scrubs, viscose towels, and chemical exfoliants.
One of the reasons for using salt or sugar body scrubs is that they help to deal with ingrown hairs.
Popular ingredients that are commonly found in Korean body exfoliant products include sugar or salt granules, green tea extract, charcoal, or aloe vera.
Make sure not to over-exfoliate, however! Two or three times a week should be enough for most people, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Never exfoliate so often or hard that the skin becomes red, raw, or irritated.
3. Toning
After cleansing and exfoliating, Koreans use toners to rebalance the skin’s pH levels and provide additional hydration.
Toners are lightweight and often contain nourishing ingredients such as rice extract, hyaluronic acid, or chamomile extract.
They help to refine the pores, tighten the skin, and prepare it for better absorption of the next step of the routine – the treatment products.
Koreans either apply the toner with a cotton pad or directly onto the skin, patting it in gently with their fingers.
This step ensures that the skin is primed and ready to receive the maximum benefits from subsequent treatments.
4. Treatment
The treatment step in the Korean body care routine is often the step that is skipped over by the rest of the world – why waste money and time on skin that isn’t as important as the face and often hidden under clothes?
Koreans tend to disagree. They believe that the body skin is just as important as the facial skin, and thus deserving of the same kind of treatment.
Body serums, oils, or essences are popular choices. These Korean skin care products provide targeted care, promoting overall skin health and radiance.
- If you have acne-prone skin:
Consider treatment products containing tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has both antibacterial properties that help to combat acne-causing bacteria in oily skin, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that help to calm redness and irritation.
- If you have hyperpigmentation:
Opt for a vitamin C or niacinamide serum. Both active ingredients are known for their brightening effects, and they can even be used in combination for a more radiant and even complexion!
- If you have dry skin:
Consider using treatment products containing hyaluronic acid or ceramides.
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrating ingredient that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, while ceramides help to strengthen your natural skin barrier.
- If you have sensitive or inflamed body skin:
Opt for body treatment products containing Centella Asiatica or propolis extract.
Centella Asiatica is a calming ingredient that can help to soothe troubled skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
Propolis is a natural ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- If you have prematurely aging skin:
Consider more intense body serums containing retinol or snail mucin.
Retinol is a powerful ingredient for anti-aging that helps to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If retinol is too harsh for you, try out its plant-derived alternative: bakuchiol.
Snail mucin is rich in nutrients and peptides that promote skin regeneration and repair.
5. Moisturize & Protect
The final step in the Korean body skincare routine, and arguably the most important, is moisturizing and protecting the skin.
This step ensures that the skin remains supple, smooth, and protected from environmental stressors.
Koreans really seem to understand the importance of hydration and moisture retention for maintaining healthy-looking skin.
After treating, they apply body lotions, creams, or moisturizers to lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated throughout the day.
These products are often formulated with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, or botanical extracts.
In addition to moisturizing, Koreans always prioritize sun protection as part of their daily body skincare routine.
They apply sunscreen on exposed body parts to shield the skin from harmful UV rays that may cause signs of agin, skin cancer and other issues.
Choosing broad-spectrum sunscreens with high SPF is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and preventing sun damage.
By following this 5-step Korean skin care routine consistently, you can promote healthier, more radiant body skin.
Remember to adapt the routine to suit your skin’s specific needs and make adjustments as necessary. The goal is to nourish, hydrate, and protect your body skin, just as you would with your facial skin!
How Do Koreans Take Care Of Their Body Skin?
As you could probably tell from the extensive and all-encompassing body care routine that most Korean women follow, Koreans are very serious when it comes to taking care of their body skin.
For them it isn’t a one-time thing or a luxury spa treatment, it is a daily ritual that is done to prevent and protect the body’s skin from all kinds of damage.
Hydration is at the core of Korean body skincare. After cleansing and exfoliating, Koreans will apply a hydrating body lotion or cream to replenish moisture and nourish the skin.
Their focus is on restoring and maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier, thereby keeping the skin plump, supple, and youthful.
Koreans also understand, more so than the rest of the world, that each body has its own set of specific skin concerns.
To address specific issues and different skin types, they incorporate targeted treatments into their body skincare routines.
These treatments can range from body serums with active ingredients to oils enriched with vitamins and antioxidants that address dry skin, uneven tone, or signs of aging.
Sun protection, for Koreans in particular, is vitally important and not to be overstated.
Not only do Koreans prioritize shielding their bodies from harmful UV rays, but applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF is a vital step in their body skincare routine, especially when spending time outdoors.
By safeguarding their skin from sun damage, Koreans hope to preserve its youthful appearance and promote long-term skin health.
How Do Koreans Wash Their Bodies?
At this point, I think we can all agree that the truth is simple – Koreans do it best when it comes to all things skincare and body care. And their body washing methods and habits are no exception.
For body washing, Koreans tend to opt for pH-balanced cleansers that won’t over strip the skin. These cleansers are mild yet effective in cleansing away dirt, sweat, and oils.
Some women use double cleansing method not only for face washing, but also for washing their bodies. So, first they use oil-based cleanser and follow it with a water-based cleanser to ensure all impurities are washed away.
The most popular ingredients in Korean body washes include:
- Green tea: Known for its soothing and antioxidant properties, green tea is a popular ingredient found in Korean body washes. It helps to calm and rejuvenate, while also providing a gentle yet effective cleanse.
- Rice extract: This extract is used in a wide variety of Korean skincare products, including body washes. It contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that may help to brighten the skin and promote a healthier overall skin tone.
- Centella Asiatica: Sometimes referred to as “cica”, this ingredient is renowned for its healing and soothing properties. It is often included in body washes to alleviate skin irritation and promote skin recovery2.
Exfoliation is the next vital step after cleansing, as it removes dead skin cells and promotes a glowing complexion. Koreans use various methods and products to achieve effective exfoliation:
- Body scrubs: Koreans often utilize body scrubs to exfoliate their skin. These scrubs typically contain fine granules that gently slough away dead skin cells, revealing fresh and renewed skin.
- Exfoliating mitts: Exfoliating mitts or towels are another popular tool Koreans use to achieve smooth skin. The textured surface helps to buff away dead skin cells, leaving the skin soft and polished.
- Chemical Exfoliants: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants that are often found in Korean body exfoliating products. AHAs, such as glycolic acid, help to remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal, while BHAs, such as salicylic acid, penetrate deep into the pores to unclog and tighten them3.
Koreans have mastered the art of body washing, focusing on gentle cleansing and effective exfoliation to achieve clean, healthy, and radiant skin.
Are you ready to try out Korean way of body washing and exfoliation? I’m sure it will make your body feel refreshed and rejuvenated!
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.
Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://theklog.co/
