Koreans are known to take their skincare routine very seriously. They slather on face masks to keep their skin looking youthful and even if they have a full-on makeup look, they don’t forget about the neck.
The first step to flawless skin is cleansing. They double cleanse day and night to remove any dirt, oil or theoretical pollution that could clog their pores.
1. Double Cleansing
Korean skincare has captured the hearts of beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Its innovative ingredients, customization, holistic approach, advanced formulations and traditional beauty wisdom have made it a cult favorite.
One key step of the renowned K-beauty regimen is double cleansing. The method involves washing your face with an oil-based cleanser followed by a gentle water-based wash to eliminate sebum, makeup, sweat and other impurities. This leaves your skin hydrated, smooth and soft.
The practice is gaining popularity around the world and has been praised by politicians and celebrities alike. It’s even a go-to for Son Ye-jin, Queen of Melodrama, who prefers to stick with a simple routine to hydrate her naturally oily skin. Among the latest cleansers incorporating the Korean tradition are Drunk Elephant’s balm cleanser formulated with shea butter and coix lacryma-jojoba seed, as well as Tatcha’s camellia cleansing oil that dissolves makeup and dirt.
2. Humidity
Whether you’re working towards glass skin or honey skin, a thorough skincare routine is essential to keep your complexion in check. Embrace the famous Korean 10-step regimen and watch your skin transform with these must-have products:
Opt for clean beauty, a movement that supports ethical and environmentally-friendly ingredients. Opt for best Korean skincare products formulated with Hanbang ingredients, such as black rice, nelumbo nucifera flower water and licorice root extract to help balance your complexion and brighten your skin. These natural, medicinal ingredients also support a stronger immune system to fight against signs of aging.
3. Essence
The heart of K-beauty is essence, a watery liquid that penetrates deep into skin to hydrate and boost the absorption of other products. Unlike toners, essences have concentrated formulas that work on a cellular level to optimize skin’s natural cell turnover rate, thereby reducing fine lines and dullness.
Cho recommends pouring a few drops onto the palms of your hands and patting (as opposed to rubbing) them over your face. She also suggests applying more to the neck, where wrinkles often appear. The formulas vary, but many contain nourishing ingredients like snail mucin, rice, birch juice, green tea, and ginseng. After applying the essence, follow up with a face cream or moisturizer to lock in the goodness. Then, you’re ready for your day or night routine!
4. Sleeping Packs
The K-beauty craze has taken off, and for good reason. From celebrities to the girl next door, people seem to be enchanted by what may seem like an excessively time-consuming and costly routine, but it’s actually much more manageable than you might think.
In fact, a Korean beauty store routine products is the most efficient way to get glowing skin! It’s all about knowing what your specific skincare needs are and using products that address those concerns.
A sleep-inducing mask, such as Laneige’s Water Sleeping Pack, will intensely hydrate the complexion and nix dullness. Another option is Enature’s Birch Juice Hydro Sleeping Mask, which contains soothing chamomile and plantain seed extracts to improve texture and reduce dryness. This one is also free of pore-clogging ingredients and fragrances.
5. Vitamin C
Discover the power of vitamin C to reduce redness, brighten your skin tone and boost radiance. It’s an important part of the Korean skincare regimen and is often combined with other natural ingredients to deliver dramatic results.
Learn about exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, as well as the importance of toning to balance the skin’s pH level, hydrate and prepare it for product absorption. Plus, uncover the secrets of essences and serums, which help provide hydration and nourishment while targeting specific skin concerns.
Finally, discover the benefits of sheet masks to boost radiance and achieve that coveted glass skin glow. And don’t forget to finish your routine with a light moisturizer and SPF. (You’re still getting sun exposure, even on cloudy days!) It’s the most crucial step for a glowing complexion.