Our ultimate guide to the 10-step Korean skincare routine
Korean skincare has taken the beauty world by storm with its innovative ingredients and focus on maintaining healthy, glowing skin. The 10-step Korean skincare routine is more than just a trend—it’s a comprehensive regimen designed to nourish, protect and rejuvenate your skin. Whether you’re new to K-beauty or looking to perfect your routine, here’s our ultimate guide to the 10-step Korean skincare routine, featuring some of the best products in the industry!
Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser
An oil-based cleanser such as a cleansing balm or a cleansing oil is the first essential step to remove makeup, sunscreen and excess oil from your skin but they differ slightly in texture and usage.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil: This cleansing oil is lightweight and formulated with heartleaf extract, which has anti-inflammatory and pore-clearing properties. It’s perfect for removing blackheads, controlling excess sebum and reducing breakouts, making it ideal for those with oily or combination skin. This cleansing oil emulsifies easily when mixed with water, leaving the skin feeling clean, refreshed, and non-greasy.
Heimish All Clean Balm: A solid balm that melts into a silky oil when applied to the skin. It’s rich in botanical ingredients like shea butter which nourish the skin while deeply cleansing. The balm’s thicker, sherbet-like texture is ideal for dry or sensitive skin, providing a luxurious cleansing experience that removes makeup, impurities and sebaceous filaments without stripping the skin of moisture.
Why use an oil cleanser?
Korean skincare emphasises double cleansing to ensure every trace of impurities, residue and makeup is removed. Oil-based cleansers target oil-based impurities like sunscreen and makeup, which water-based cleansers may miss.
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
Next, a water-based cleanser such as a cleansing gel or cleansing foam removes any remaining residue from the oil cleanse and refreshes your skin. There are two main types of cleansers to choose from in this step: cleansing foams and cleansing gels. Let’s compare the two using COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser and Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam.
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: This gel cleanser has a gentle, low pH formula that maintains the skin's natural balance while effectively cleansing. It is lightweight and refreshing, perfect for sensitive, oily or acne-prone skin. Its tea tree oil content helps control excess sebum and reduce acne, making it ideal for daily use without stripping the skin of moisture.
Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam: This foam cleanser is rich and lathers up to deeply cleanse pores. It is designed to remove impurities and excess oil while soothing the skin with heartleaf extract, which has anti-inflammatory properties. This foam provides a more intensive cleanse, which is great for those with combination to oily skin who want to address enlarged pores and oil buildup.
Why double cleanse?
The combination of oil and water cleansers in the Korean skincare routine ensures your skin is thoroughly cleansed without drying it out. This double cleansing step is key to preparing your skin for the absorption of skincare products.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, unclog pores and improve skin texture. A mild, non-abrasive exfoliator like Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel is perfect for this step. Infused with apricot blossom and naturally derived exfoliating ingredients, it gently sloughs off dead skin cells, leaving your complexion smooth and bright.
How often should you exfoliate?
Exfoliate 1-2 times, depending on your skin type. Sensitive skin types may want to stick to once a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
Step 4: Toner
Toners in Korean skincare hydrate the skin and prep it for better absorption of the following products in your skincare routine. Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner is a highly soothing option, containing 77% heartleaf extract to calm irritation and redness. It’s particularly good for sensitive or acne-prone skin, delivering anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits.
Why Heartleaf?
Heartleaf (houttuynia cordata) extract is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties making it a perfect ingredient for toners that aim to soothe and hydrate the skin after cleansing.
Step: 5 Essence
Essences are a skincare step originating in Korea and they are a signature part of the Korean skincare routine, delivering concentrated hydration and nutrients. The viral COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which took social media by storm is packed with 96% snail mucin, which helps repair skin damage, lock in moisture and improve skin texture. This lightweight essence absorbs quickly, leaving your skin plump and radiant.
What is a skincare essence?
An essence in skincare is a lightweight, hydrating liquid that is typically applied after cleansing and toning and before heavier treatments like serums or moisturisers. It's a key step in Korean skincare routines, designed to provide an extra layer of hydration and help prepare the skin for the absorption of subsequent products. Essences are often compared to sponges. By adding this layer of hydration, essences create a plumped, well-moisturised base that allows other skincare products to absorb more effectively, much like a sponge that has been pre-soaked can absorb more liquid. Essences help prepare your skin for the rest of your skincare products so that they can penetrate deeper and in turn improving the overall effectiveness of your products.
Step 6: Serum / Ampoule
What is the difference between serums and ampoules?
Serums and ampoules provide targeted treatment for specific skin concerns. The difference between serum and ampoules lies primarily in their concentration of active ingredients, purpose and how they are used in skincare routines. While both deliver targeted treatments, they serve slightly different roles in addressing specific skin concerns. Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing products that contain a high concentration of active ingredients designed to address specific skin concerns like wrinkles, dark spots, dehydration or acne. They are part of the regular skincare routine and are used daily.
Ampoules are even more concentrated than serums and are often referred to as "supercharged" versions of serums. They are designed for short-term or intensive treatment when your skin needs extra care. However, some ampoules are also designed for daily use. In essence, you can think of serums as part of your daily routine and ampoules as a skincare "booster" for when your skin needs something extra. For your serum/ampoule step two excellent options are Numbuzin No. 3 Skin Softening Serum for improving skin texture and SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule for calming inflammation. These lightweight formulas help brighten dull skin and reduce irritation, leaving your complexion looking smooth and even.
Step 7: Sheet Mask
Sheet masks in South Korea has become one of the most iconic and popular beauty rituals, not only in the country but around the world. The "one sheet mask a day" is extremely popular in Korea particularly among K-pop idols and celebrities who are known for their flawless, glowing skin.
Why are sheet masks so popular?
Sheet masks are soaked in serums that contain a high concentration of active ingredients. When applied to the face, the mask forms a barrier that prevents the serum from evaporating, allowing the skin to absorb more moisture and nutrients than traditional creams or serums.
While daily sheet masking is beneficial for many, it may not be necessary for everyone. People with sensitive or acne-prone skin may need to choose masks carefully, ensuring they don’t over-hydrate or irritate the skin. Opting for gentle, soothing masks like those with heartleaf such as the Abib Gummy Sheet Mask Heartleaf Sticker works to calm and moisturise your skin. The "gummy" texture of the mask ensures close adhesion to the skin, allowing for better absorption of its soothing ingredients.
Step 8: Eye Cream
In a comprehensive skincare routine, especially within the Korean 10-step regimen, eye creams and under eye patches play a crucial role in addressing specific concerns related to the delicate skin around the eyes. This area is particularly sensitive and prone to signs of ageing, dark circles and puffiness, making targeted treatments essential.
For a potent treatment, try SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream, which contains Niacinamide, 01.% Retinol and Tranexamic Acid to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while brightening the under-eye area.
If you prefer a gentler option, the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream is a great alternative, especially for those with sensitive skin. It combines Centella Asiatica extract from Madagascar, known for its soothing and healing properties, with Bakuchiol, a natural, skin-friendly alternative to retinol. This combination helps boost collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and reduce signs of ageing without irritation.
After applying your serum or ampoule in your skincare routine, gently pat a small amount of eye cream around the orbital bone (the bone surrounding your eye) using your ring finger, which applies the least amount of pressure.
Under-eye hydrogel patches small, sheet-like products designed to fit the under-eye area, delivering targeted treatment to address concerns like puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and dehydration.
Abib Collagen Eye Patch Jericho Rose Jelly are infused with collagen and Jericho rose extract, which helps to hydrate and plump the skin around the eyes. They provide intense moisture and improve elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The jelly texture adheres closely to the skin, allowing for maximum absorption of the beneficial ingredients. They are ideal for use before special events or as part of a pampering routine. These hydrogel eye patches serve as a great pick-me-up if you're eyes are tired or feeling a little dry.
Step 9: Moisturiser
Lock in all the hydration and nutrients with a rich moisturiser. The Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream is a deeply nourishing option that strengthens the skin barrier and keeps moisture locked in for hours. Formulated with Azulene, Ceramide complex and 7 types of Hyaluronic Acid, its gentle formula deeply nourishes and calms the skin is perfect for dry or sensitive skin.
Even if you have oily skin, moisturising is crucial. The Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel is an excellent choice for those with oily or combination skin looking for a lightweight, hydrating, and oil-controlling moisturiser. Enriched with Haenam red bean extract, known for its sebum-controlling properties it helps balance oil production, preventing the skin from becoming overly oily during the day. Additionally, red bean is packed with antioxidants, which help protect the skin from free radical damage, contributing to a healthier, clearer complexion.
Step 10: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare routine to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a popular choice for its lightweight texture and broad-spectrum protection. Enriched with 30% rice extract and grain probiotics complex to brighten, calm and nourish the skin.
For those with oily or sensitive skin, the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen offers a non-greasy, hydrating formula that won’t clog pores. Featuring the star ingredient Birch Tree Sap, this Round Lab Sunscreen nourishes and purifies the skin with its extensive minerals, enzymes, proteins and antioxidants.
Why is sunscreen essential?
Sunscreen is crucial to prevent premature ageing and protect against skin damage. Use it daily, even on cloudy days or when you're indoors.
Conclusion
The 10-step Korean skincare routine may seem like a lot, but each step is designed to nourish, protect, and enhance your skin's health. By using high-quality products like the ones mentioned above, you can achieve glowing, youthful skin. Whether you're looking to hydrate, exfoliate, or protect, K-beauty has a solution for every skin concern.