The 10 steps of Korean skin care explained

K-Beauty – Korean Beauty – is more than just a trend that spilled over from South Korea. Real beauty gurus have known about the phenomenon for a long time. Proper skin care is much more important than applying makeup. Consisting of 10 well-considered steps, the Korean beauty ritual ensures skin is deeply cleansed and glowing all day long. The Korean ideal of beauty differs from what we are used to here in Europe. Koreans put more emphasis on health, hydration and nourishment of the skin than covering it with as much makeup as possible. Below we explain everything step by step and how you can incorporate it into your own skin care routine.

 

Step 1: Cleansing Oil

The Korean 10-step routine is initiated with a cleansing oil.

For what reason? A cleansing oil is used to remove make-up, dirt and sebum from the skin. It contains ingredients that not only cleanse the skin’s surface but also moisturize it. The oil acts as a kind of solvent that the contaminants bind to. The oil is easily washed off with lukewarm water along with the make-up residue and excess sebum. Cleansing oil is also great for removing sunscreen from the skin.

As? Apply a small amount to dry skin and massage gently into skin. Then rinse off the oil with lukewarm water and gently pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. Afterwards cleaning gel is used. This method is also known as double cleansing.

 

The 10 steps of Korean skin care explained

 

Step 2: Cleansing Gel – Water-based facial cleanser

Cleansing gel is an important part of the famous Korean skin care. It forms the second step of the double purification.

For what reason? Water-based facial cleanser or cleansing gel deeply cleanses the skin of impurities such as make-up, dead skin cells and sebum. Many cleansing gels contain active ingredients that address a specific skin issue. In addition, the skin is hydrated, nourished and balanced.

Cleansing gel is suitable for normal to oily skin. If the skin is very dry, a different type of facial cleanser should be used.

As? Apply the cleanser to damp skin with your fingers and massage in gently. Rinse off the resulting foam with lukewarm water and gently pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. A peeling or scrub can then be applied if necessary.

Step 3: Remove Dead Skin Cells – Exfoliate and Scrub

When the skin starts to develop dry and rough patches, it’s time to remove the excess and dead skin cells. This can be done with a peeling or scrub. It is not advisable to do this step daily as it can irritate the skin. Exfoliation and scrubbing should not be done more than twice a week.

For what reason? Dead skin cells can be easily removed with a pelting or scrub. This is how the healthy, new skin comes to the fore. This process is a slightly more intensive treatment and is not recommended for sensitive skin. Not only does scrubbing remove dead skin cells, it also prevents pimples, blackheads and ingrown hairs.

As? Apply desired amount to skin and massage in circular motions. Avoid the eye and mouth area. Then rinse off the product with warm water.

Step 4: Toner or Face Mist

Toner and facial spray push the skin with an extra moisture boost.

For what reason? Residue is removed and skin is hydrated for a radiant glow. In addition, the toner and facial spray ensure that the following skin care products are better absorbed by the skin. They are also good as a base for make-up. Facial mist is also partially capable of setting makeup.

As? Apply a generous amount of toner to a cotton swab and wipe across face to remove impurities and tone skin. Work the toner into the skin for better absorption. Spray the facial spray onto the face from a distance of approx. 20 cm with your eyes closed. Gently dab the spray into the skin until fully absorbed.

Step 5: Essence

The essence is not very well known in Switzerland. However, it is an essential part of the K-Beauty routine. It is comparable to a serum, but has a lower concentration.

For what reason? Essences provide the skin with moisture and nutrients. Many of them contain antioxidants and minerals that nourish the skin. Essence can be used in both morning and evening routines. It should be applied after the toner so that the active ingredients can be effectively absorbed by the skin. What remains is an even and radiant foundation.

As? Apply desired amount to cleansed and toned skin. Then dab the skin until it is completely absorbed.

Step 6: Treatment – beauty treatment

Treatments are special treatments that can be applied in the form of a serum, an ampoule or a spot treatment.

For what reason? Each treatment addresses a specific skin problem. For example, some serums take care of dark spots and pimples. An ampoule has a higher concentration than a serum and is therefore much more intensive. The active ingredients help to compensate for the lack of moisture, scavenge free radicals, regenerate cells and supply additional oxygen to the skin. Since an ampoule has a stronger effect than a serum, it is not used daily over a longer period of time. Depending on the ampoule, it is either used daily for just a few days or only every few days over a longer period of time.

As? Apply the prescribed amount according to the product description and dab into the skin until it is completely absorbed.

 

Step 7: Mask Face

To pamper the skin or to provide it with extra care, there are different types of face masks with different modes of action.

For what reason?

Sheet masks are the most famous masks in the Korean beauty ritual. The masks have the shape of a face and are saturated with essences, serums or ampoules.
Night masks are applied before going to bed and nourish the skin overnight.
Peel-off masks remove dead skin cells and blackheads and ensure that clogged pores are cleared.
Wash-off masks nourish, rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. After a wash-off mask, the skin feels wonderfully supple.

As?

Sheet masks: Take the mask out of the packaging and carefully unfold it. Place the unfolded mask on the face and remove it again after 15-20 minutes. After removing, dab the remaining serum into the skin until fully absorbed.

Night Masks: Apply to dry and cleansed skin before bedtime. The mask can be massaged in gently for better absorption. Leave it on overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning.

Peel-off Masks: Apply an appropriate amount to the entire face or to specific areas of the face. Avoid the eye and mouth area. Let the mask dry completely for 20-30 minutes (drying time may vary depending on the amount applied). Then carefully peel off the dried mask.

Wash-off masks: Apply to dry and cleansed skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Step 8: Care of the eyes

The skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive. Therefore it needs special care.

For what reason? The skin around the eyes contains fewer glands, which means that the skin dries out faster and is more sensitive. In order to relieve them, it is important to care for the eye area on a daily basis. This prevents various problems such as bags under the eyes and crow’s feet.

As? Apply the desired amount to the area around the eyes in the morning and evening. Gently pat the product into the skin until fully absorbed.

 

Step 9: Face Cream

In the penultimate step, a face cream is applied, which is tailored to the needs of your skin.

For what reason? In skin care, it is extremely important to ensure sufficient moisture. If the skin is moisturized regularly, it feels wonderfully soft and cared for. If you have sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a face gel. These are free of fatty ingredients and are best at hydrating sensitive skin. Face creams are excellent for normal skin and provide silky smoothness.

As? Apply desired amount of cream to clean skin and gently massage into skin until fully absorbed.

 

Step 10: Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun is not only important in midsummer. The skin deserves adequate protection from harmful rays for the rest of the year.

For what reason? The information on sun protection products in Asia is regulated a little differently than in Europe: they use the PA system. This not only takes into account the UVB rays, as is the case with the sun protection factor SPF, but also the UVA radiation. In order to avoid problems such as skin aging, pigment spots and other skin diseases in the best possible way, UVA protection should also be available. Sunscreen is an efficient way to prevent the signs of premature aging and skin cancer. Protect your skin from the harmful rays with sunscreen so that it does not burn and is sufficiently moisturized.

As? Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Lubricate liberally as the last step in your morning skincare routine. For continued protection, sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours.

Most people are initially shocked by the large number of steps. But if you look closely, everything makes sense and the individual steps can be easily integrated into your own routine. Not every step needs to be done every day. It’s about adapting the routine and the products used in it to your own lifestyle, skin type, current skin problems and the time of year. Ultimately, Korean skincare is all about one thing: personalization. K Beauty Blog