The Korean Skincare Routine

If you are into anything Korean, you've probably heard about their unique skincare routine. This routine is very intensive and requires some dedication, but sticking to it will lead to amazing results. There are typically 8-10 steps to follow, and it includes a morning routine and a nightly routine. Want to learn more? See what you'll need to follow the routine and get started to see the changes for yourself.

Morning Routine

Step 1: The Cleanse

The first step of the morning routine is to wash your face so you start fresh. In the morning, you only need to cleanse once. You can use a cream cleanser or a foaming cleanser. This is a great way to wake up your skin. Try massaging your skin a little bit to refresh yourself! Peppy scents like grapefruit, peppermint, and citrus are great for your morning cleanse.

Step 2: The Toner

After the cleanse, it's time to use a toner. The toner removes any leftover cleanser on your face, and it also prepares your skin to receive the benefits of the other skincare steps to come. Toners are easy to use - you can use a cotton pad to apply it to your face or gently pat it in with your hands. Toners don't get rinsed off.

Step 3: Essence

The essence is the first step of skin renewal and treatment. This step will start allowing you to target certain skin issues you may have, like blemishes, wrinkles, or dull skin. You can apply this product with a cotton pad, your hand, or even a misting bottle - it's very watery. Use a gentle tapping motion to tap the essence into your skin.

Step 4: Serum

Serums are like thicker, more powerful essences. They work to treat skin issues as well. Serums are one of the most important steps in the Korean skincare routine. At this step, you can use more than one serum if you have multiple issues you want to treat. Just wait 1-2 minutes between each serum so that they have time to soak into the skin. It is easiest to use your hand for applying it. Gently tap the product into your skin.

Step 5: Eye Cream/Spot Treatments

Now you can get into more specialized skincare. At this point, you can use eye cream, spot treatments, and even lip care. Here, you can use special treatments for wrinkles, acne, blemishes, and more. Use as many products as you need for the areas you want to address.

Step 6: Day Moisturizer/Emulsion

Finally, you want to use a moisturizer to end your morning routine. Your daytime moisturizer should be light and should include some SPF for sun protection. Remember to think about your skin's needs here - if you have dry skin, go with something a little thicker and heavier. If you are oily skin, a very light emulsion might be best for you.

Night Routine

Step 1: The Pre-Cleanse

At night, the first step is the pre-cleanse. This first cleanse will remove the makeup that you wore during the day. In this step, you can use a makeup removing cleansing towelette or tissue, or you can use a cleansing oil. Some people use both. Just remember that cleansing oil is best for the heavy duty makeup, like mascara and eyeliner. Cleansing oil is also great for helping with breakouts and excess oil, although it may make the problem appear worse before it starts clearing up.

Step 2: The Cleanse

The double cleanse is probably the trademark of the Korean skincare routine. At night, after you do the first cleanse with tissues or oil, you'll wash your face with your foam or cream cleanser. This will remove any lingering makeup and the cleansing oil that you used. This second cleanse prepares the skin to receive all the benefits of the remaining products.

Step 3: Exfoliate or Mask

At night, you can exfoliate your skin or use a skin mask every so often. If you like, you can do this as your second cleanse. For exfoliating, you don't want to do this every day, as it could irritate your skin. Doing it at least once a week will help to remove dead skin to keep your face looking bright and feeling soft. Wash-off masks can be used as you please - these masks are left on for 15-20 minutes before you wash them off, and can help with different skin issues like redness, acne, and more.

Step 4: Toner

Now it's time for the important toner again. At night, this step is especially important since it will help your skin get ready to receive all the great benefits you are about to give it through sheet masks, essences, serums, and night creams. Consider using one with a soothing scent or ingredient to help you get ready for sleep!

Step 5: Essence

After the toner, it's time to use an essence. At night, your skin will have an even better chance to get the benefits from this step. It will also have the chance to stay on longer while you sleep. Use an essence to help you treat any specific areas you worry about, like brightening, firming, or pore tightening.

Step 6: Sheet Masks

Sheet masks at night are a great little luxury. These masks are packed with ingredients that give your skin a great boost. Sheet masks get left on your face for about 15-20 minutes, and then you tap the remaining product into your skin. The mask gets thrown away when you are done. This step doesn't need to be done every day, but you can if you want to. It's a nice way to relax before bed. If you like, this can be done instead of an essence and serum, or you can use it in conjunction with those other steps.

Step 7: Serum

At night, you'll use serums again. Layering on serums makes more sense at night, since your skin has more time to absorb all the beneficial ingredients. Remember to let the serum soak in for a few minutes before applying the next one. A light massage is a great way to help the serum really get absorbed.

Step 8: Eye Cream/Spot Treatments

Time for eye creams and spot treatments again! At night, it's best to use stronger creams to help your skin. If you feel a pimple coming on, use an acne spot treatment to zap it overnight. If you are worried about wrinkles, an anti-aging cream for under the eyes is a great option. It can also be nice to pick out a soothing lip balm to smooth your lips while you sleep too!

Step 9: Night Moisturizer/Emulsion/Sleeping Pack

Finally, the last step of the nightly routine. Once again, it's time to moisturize. At night, you can use your standard moisturizer or you can use a sleeping pack or night cream. These are thicker moisturizers that have more benefits for your skin as you sleep. Depending on how dry your skin is, you can use a sleeping pack every night, a couple times a week, or just as you need!