Here’s Your 10-Step Korean
Skincare Guide

How to get Korean beauty-worthy skin

Wash off that daily grime with oil cleansers

Think a quick splash of water at the end of a long day is sufficient? Think again. While dousing your face with lukewarm water is certainly beneficial, the daily build-up of oil and grime can’t just magically be removed. Use a oil-based cleanser to fully melt away makeup, sebum, and all the other traces of the day.

What is it?

Melt away sebum, SPF, and pollutants

How to use

Massage into Skin. Gently massage the oil cleanser into your skin in a circular motion for about 30 seconds to a minute, then rinse

Obliterate all traces of grime with water-based cleansers

While double cleansing may seem unnecessary, oil-based cleansers alone cannot completely clear of your facial of impurities. To be on the safe side, gently scrub your face with a water-based cleanser to really get rid of all that icky residue.

What is it?

Removes water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt

How to use

Simply saturate a cotton pad with the cleanser. Swipe across your face then simply press the pad gently to your eyelid and hold it in place for a few seconds, before softly wiping away.

Exfoliate!

You don’t need to exfoliate everyday, but that doesn’t mean you can cheat on the step. If you’re particularly prone to inflammations and outbreaks, you can limit exfoliation to twice a week. Thanks to this arduous yet effective step, you’ll be rewarded with glowing skin.

What is it?

Help prevent clogged pores, resulting in fewer breakouts.

How to use

Apply gently to the skin with a finger. Rub in small, circular motions focusing on your nose and the visible pores on your cheeks. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Toners, because your face needs its skin juice

While the previous steps are crucial to ridding your face of all its impurities, your skin can be left feeling a little scratchy after so many rounds of intense treatment. Gently dab your face with toner to restore its suppleness (and your skin’s pH level).

What is it?

Correct and balance the pH of your skin, removes leftover residue from cleansers, repairs the skin's natural barrier, and helps prep the skin to better absorb the following moisturizers.

How to use

Soak a cotton pad with toner, then swipe it over your entire face, neck.

The most important ingredient on this list: essence

The cornerstone of every Korean skin-care routine, essences are chock-full of nutritional goodies. This magical hybrid of toner and serum will leave your face feeling smooth and ready to conquer the day.

What is it?

Adds an extra layer of hydration and preps your skin before a more intense moisturiser.

How to use

Put a few drops of essence into the palms of your hands apply with your fingers to press or pat it into your skin. This is a great step to incorporate a facial massage with as you can use gentle circular motions to increase circulation.

Extra goodies: boosters, serums and ampoules

While essences do most of the heavy lifting, it doesn’t hurt to give your skin an extra boost with serums and ampoules which specifically target problem areas such as dull skin, acne marks and pores.

What is it?

Directly treat specific skin concerns like acne, fine lines,hyperpigmentation and etc.

How to use

Put into your entire face and neck and then lightly tap, pat, and smooth the serum out.

Mask On

Unlike the other steps in this routine where you have to put in some effort, putting on a face mask requires little to no effort. All you have to do is unfold the mask, place it strategically over your face, and relax for 20 minutes. Let the serums soak into your skin and work their magic while you chill out on the couch.

What is it?

It allows the skin to 'rest' while it is saturated in hydrating, brightening, or anti-aging ingredients and giving an extra boost to your current skin routine

How to use

Apply it on a clean face, leave for 20-30 minutes, take it off.

Eye Love Cream

Scrubbing and tugging the skin around your eyes will lead to fine lines and wrinkles, so protect the petal-soft skin around your eyes by gently dabbing your eyelids with eye-cream. If you have dark circles or crow’s feet, the daily usage of eye cream will combat their appearance.

What is it?

Target concerns specific to the under-eye area, e.g. dark circles and puffiness

How to use

Apply a pea-size amount on your finger, use your ring finger since it naturally has the lightest touch. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the skin.Gently tap in that semi-circle pattern to stimulate circulation until the product is fully absorbed. Be sure not to pull or stretch the skin while you’re doing this.

Face cream, night and day

Who doesn’t want to maintain a healthy glow throughout the day? These exist in a variety of forms and shapes — lotions, gels, creams and mists — so grab a bottle of your fancy and apply whenever you feel your face is begging for some skin food.

What is it?

Prevent and treat dry skin. They can also protect sensitive skin, improve skin texture and mask imperfections

How to use

Morning and night apply to cheeks using gentle circular motions

Keep the sun at bay

While the office-going crowd can claim they don’t need sunscreen because they hardly step out of their offices except to go for lunch, what they don’t know is that even a few minutes of exposure to the sun can be harmful if they’re not wearing sun screen. Daily application of sun screen prevents premature aging and protects against skin cancer, so don’t be afraid to generously lather your skin with sunscreen.

What is it?

Help to prevent sunburn and premature aging.Protects the skin from damaging UV rays.

How to use

Gently pat into your face and neck as the last step in your morning routine. Apply sunscreen before you go into the sun.

Skin Care for
Different Skin Types

Not sure which products to buy?

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