Korean Facial Skincare – 10 Step Korean Skincare Routine

Korean culture is not only on everyone's lips with wacky Netflix series and hyped K-pop – Korean facial care now also has many ardent followers and brings a breath of fresh air to classic beauty routines with with now-famous brands such as Cosrx or Missha.

The K-Beauty trend is not intended to impose a set programme, but rather a skincare routine that is designed to systematically help you achieve a better complexion.

We have taken a closer look at the 10 Step Korean Skincare and summarised the most important steps for you in this article.

What is so special about Korean facial care?

Korean facial care is more than just a trend with products such as beauty of joseon. It is a proper beauty culture that has grown for generations and focuses on nourishing the skin and maintaining a natural, youthful appearance.

Many people who use Korean facial care regularly report amazing results – tremendously softer and smoother skin, improved radiance and even a younger appearance.

Koreans use the 10 Step Korean Skincare up to twice a day and have developed a real beauty system as a result. They have also spent many years developing the best ingredients and methods to provide their skin with the very best care.

A system for better skin

There is a range of finely tuned products that have been specially developed for the Korean beauty routine. These include moisturisers, exfoliating gels, tonics and serums as well as special masks and scrubs.

All of these beauty products help to keep the complexion looking fresh and reduce impurities. The facial care products are often enriched with natural ingredients so that they are gentle enough for sensitive skin types.

Korean skincare products complement each other to achieve their greatest effect for the skin – and all this in a rush, as Korean facial care is particularly time-effective. Everything is always in motion – just as you might expect from an Asian routine.

Who is Korean facial care suitable for?

Korean skincare is suitable for anyone who values healthy and radiant skin. However, it is particularly recommended for people with extremely dry or sensitive skin, or even combination skin, as the products are often very moisturising and gentle.

People with acne, blackheads, excess sebum, blemished skin, pigmentation spots or other skin concerns can also benefit from Korean facial care, as many products contain anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Usually, Korean facial care is suitable for all skin types and needs, as there is a wide range of products that can be customised to the skin's individual needs.

The 10 steps of Korean facial care

Although the K-beauty routine takes a little time, it also enables you to integrate a relaxing self-care ritual into your day. We have summarised the individual steps and the care products you need.

1. Remove make-up

There are two steps in Korean facial care that focus on thoroughly cleansing the face. This first step consists of gently massaging in a cleansing oil or oil-based cleansing balm to remove all traces of make-up.

This first step of cleansing is particularly important, as only by completely removing make-up is it possible to deeply cleanse and moisturise the face.

2. Cleansing the face

A mild cleanser is now applied and washed off with gentle, circular movements, which also stimulates circulation and improves blood flow to the skin. These products may contain aloe vera, ginseng or green tea extracts.

3. Exfoliation

For people with oily skin or clogged pores, gentle exfoliation can be a sensible skincare option. However, not too often – once a week is completely sufficient. If you have particularly sensitive or dry skin, you should skip this step altogether.

4. Toner

An essential component of Korean facial care: the refreshing toner. It has a refreshing effect on the skin, and if it contains active ingredients such as AHA, BHA or PHA, it has a pore-refining effect.

It effectively prepares the skin for the subsequent skincare steps and has a gentler effect than conventional toners, which can often cause the skin to become very dry. The toner is simply lightly patted into the skin and leaves it feeling pleasantly fresh.

5. Essence

Korean skincare relies on the essence or emulsion as an indispensable element. This light texture provides plenty of moisture and effectively prepares the skin for the next steps.

It also accelerates cell renewal and is gently massaged in to be completely absorbed. Formulations with vitamin C ensure more radiant and dewy skin.

6. Sheet mask

More commonly known in our part of the world as a fabric mask, in this step it is applied to the face for 15-20 minutes, allowing it to absorb. It is saturated with valuable ingredients for the skin and differs from a regular face mask due to its lightness.

There are now numerous product variants for different skin types and needs, which you can use daily or several times a week. Important: massage the valuable residue into your skin and décolleté instead of rinsing it off.

7. Serum

The serum has a richer consistency than the essence and provides additional care for various skin problems. This skin care product is also known as an ampoule or booster.

In the evening, a retinol serum can be used at this point to support cell renewal overnight and slow down skin ageing. During daytime, we recommend you use a niacinamide serum which is a good anti-aging and safe use to during sun exposure.

Also, if you want to support your skin barrier, products with snail mucin are suitable.

8. Eye cream

The eye area has the thinnest skin of the entire body – which is why it is so important to combat annoying wrinkles there.

A particularly nourishing eye cream is recommended for this. Creams with special ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and other anti-ageing skin care products (peptides, collagen) can also be useful here.

9. Face cream

A particularly rich moisturising cream or lotion rounds off the skincare routine and seals the active ingredients deep into the skin. It also provides sufficient moisture during the night to promote skin regeneration, prevent skin problems and ensure a clear and fresh complexion the next morning.

You can pick a cream with special ingredient use in K-beauty such as centella asiatica an active antioxydant, ceramides to help moisturize or propolis to strengthen the skin's natural barrier function.

10. Sun protection

In Korea, a pale complexion is considered a beauty ideal – in contrast to Western societies.

However, in order to reduce the ageing processes of the skin caused by sun exposure, it is also advisable to apply sunscreen. These are now also available as anti-ageing variants to prevent further wrinkling or as variants that only contain natural ingredients.

Conclusion – Korean facial care, more than just a beauty hype

Korean facial care is more than just the next beauty hype from Asia. It is a finely balanced system that has been perfected over decades for a continuously fine and healthy complexion – and it brings structure to your daily beauty routine.

You do not have to follow every single step of a Korean facial care routine – but the individual steps provide you with a programme that you can use to put together your own personal beauty ritual.

In the HAIR & SKIN blog articles, you will read numerous other helpful tips for a better complexion and skincare options as well as help with a wide range of skin problems.

If you would like to perfect your skincare routine with a medical needling treatment for a firming skin, our experts will be happy to advise and treat you at one of our clinics.