Are you looking for the best day and night Korean skincare routine to help you achieve that radiant, glowy look?
Koreans are known for following skincare routines from a young age to slow down the aging process and prevent future skin problems. This gives them what we call nowadays “glass skin”. The term “glass skin” refers to poreless, smooth, and baby-like skin. So, are you dying to know what those steps are?
In this article, I included the best day and Night Korean skincare routine steps that will definitely help you get that flawless skin.
Let’s get started…
Day And Night Korean Skincare Routine Steps:

Day/AM Steps:
1- Cleansing
Why Is It Essential? When you wake in the morning, you will find your face accumulates oil, sweat, dead skin cells, and skincare products from your nighttime routine. So, it’s time to get rid of this with a mild cleanser that suits your skin type, to wash away all impurities from pores without stripping away the skin of its natural oils.
This step prepares your skin for the rest of your skincare routine, preventing pore clogging and acne.
Related: The Ultimate Guide To The Best Korean Skincare For Acne
2- Toner
Why Is It Essential? Using toner after cleansing your skin in the morning helps balance the skin’s pH, removes any last traces of debris, and prepares the skin for the next hydrating products.
3- Essence
Why Is It Essential? Essences are lightweight yet highly concentrated products that contain nourishing ingredients to boost hydration, tighten the skin, and give a firmer, glowy look.

4- Serum
Why Is It Essential? Serums are formulated with moisturizing and antioxidant-rich ingredients to target specific skin concerns like dehydration, breakouts, blackheads, aging signs, and free radical damage. They can provide extra moisture, reduce aging signs, heal tired skin, and plump fine lines.
5- Moisturizer
Why Is It Essential? This is one of the most important steps of the day and night Korean skincare routine you should never skip. After using a serum, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to drench your skin with nourishing ingredients and prevent dryness or irritation. It leaves the skin smooth and radiant.
Remember to use a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type. Not sure. Which one to try? If you have dry skin, check: Best Korean Moisturizer For Dry Skin: Top 13 Picks
For oily skin: Best Korean Moisturizer For Oily Skin: Most Praised 12 Picks
For acne-prone skin: Best Korean Moisturizer For Acne Prone Skin: 11 Loved Picks
6- Sunscreen
Why Is It Essential? Wear a good lightweight sunscreen to shield your skin from UV rays that cause serious skin problems, including blemishes, aging signs, irritation, dryness, and skin cancer.
Related: The Best AM and PM Skincare Routine For Sensitive Skin
Night/PM Steps:

1- Oil-Based Cleanser
Why Is It Essential? Start your night Korean skincare routine with an oil-based cleanser/Makeup remover to dissolve waterproof makeup, sunscreen, dust, oils, and other impurities from pores. This helps prevent pore clogging, breakouts, irritation, dryness, and aging signs (as sleeping with your makeup on can cause irritation, dryness, acne, and wrinkles).
Related: 47 Instagram Influencers Reviewed The Fleuri Clear Gel Cleanser, Here’s What They Think:
2- Water-Based Cleanser
Why Is It Essential? Follow with a water-based cleanser to wash away debris oil-based cleanser could not pick up from pores. This is an important step that helps refine pores and prevent future breakouts.
Related: The Best 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine To Follow
3- Exfoliant

Why Is It Essential? The Korean skincare routine focuses on using gentle formulas; they even create exfoliants that contain natural, powerful ingredients instead of chemical ingredients, unlike Western skincare products.
Using exfoliants 1-2 times a week (depending on your skin type), to slough off dead skin cells, boost cell turnover, reduce aging signs, clear pores, and prevent a dull & tired appearance, leaving the skin bright and smooth.
When you exfoliate regularly, you prepare your skin to absorb skincare products more effectively. Avoid over-exfoliating as this could cause irritation and dryness.
Related: The Top Rosacea Skincare Routine From A Real Rosacea Patient
4- Toner
Why Is It Essential? After cleansing your face, tone your skin with your favorite toner. It balances the skin’s pH level, removes any residue that might be left on your skin, soothes the skin, and prevents irritation.
5- Essence
Why Is It Essential? Night is the right time to repair skin, apply essence to increase hydration, and prepare your complexion for the next steps in your routine to maximize the benefits.
6- Serum or Ampoule (Treatment)
Why Is It Essential? A serum or ampoule addresses specific skin concerns, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, or dryness. They are formulated with active ingredients to address your skin needs and help you achieve that glowing look.
7- Eye Cream

Why Is It Essential? Use eye cream as part of your day and night Korean skincare routine to reduce fine lines, treat dark circles, and keep the area bright and hydrated. Look for a product that contains nourishing and antioxidant ingredients like aloe vera, ginseng, or honey.
8- Moisturizer
Why Is It Essential? After that, apply a moisturizer to provide extra hydration, repair damage, and rejuvenate and strengthen the skin barrier.
Related: The 15 Best Korean Face Creams To Unlock Your Glow
9- Mask
Why Is It Essential? An overnight nourishing mask hydrates the skin throughout the night, giving it a perfect, glowy look in the morning. Plus, this last step provides an extra layer of moisture, sealing in all the moisture from the previous steps.
FAQs:
Why Is Korean Skincare So Much Better?
Because the Korean skincare routine focuses on gentle, skin-friendly yet powerful formulations. Koreans avoid using harsh chemicals, instead, they use products with soothing and nourishing ingredients. This makes the routine ideal for all skin types, even the most sensitive types.
What Is The correct Order For Skincare In Korea?
The right order for a day and night Korean skincare routine is:
– Oil-based cleanser
– Water-based cleanser
– Exfoliation (1-2 times a week)
– Toner
– Essence
– Serum/ampoule
– Eye cream
– Moisturizer
– SPF (Day only)
– Sheet mask (Night routine)What Is The difference Between Serum And Essence?
Essences are made to nourish and hydrate the skin and prepare it for the following products, while serums are designed to target certain skin problems and are formulated with active, powerful ingredients to address the problem.
Can I Use The Same Products For Both Morning And Night?
No. Not all products can be used for both day and night routines. You can use oil-based cleansers, water-based cleansers, toners, and essences for your day and night routine. But other products that are used as overnight treatment are often different.
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