This post was originally published in January 2019. Updated in April 2025.
Korean Skin Care routine, in other words, K-beauty, is more like a lifestyle that leads to the best results.
The Korean Skin Care Routine is all about using the right products frequently, and in return, you’ll get that flawless, clear skin you have always dreamt of.
Although 10 steps seem like a lot of work, I assure you the result is worth it.
Korean skincare brands focus on developing high-quality products with innovative technology to suit everyone, especially those with sensitive skin and other skin concerns. Check: Unveiling the Truth: Are Korean Skincare Products Better For Asians?
And this is why Koreans have glowing skin, and their faces have little to no fine lines and wrinkles.
Table of Contents
So, What Is The 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine?
1- Oil-Based Cleanser Or Makeup Remover
Korean women often go with the double-cleansing method, using a water-based cleanser and an oil-based cleanser/makeup remover.
They use the oil-based one to cleanse the face gently with natural oils and remove oil-based makeup, sebum, sunscreen, and other impurities.
Active ingredients to use: jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and macadamia oil.
When To Use? It should be part of your am and pm routine.
Note:
Using harsh makeup removers or oil-based cleansers can cause serious skin problems and damage your face.
Also, using unclean makeup brushes full of dirt, dust, bacteria, and dead skin can lead to collagen and elastin breakdown, and all of this causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear.
So you have to be always careful when choosing the products you’re going to apply to your face.
Related: 15 Best Makeup Removers For Sensitive Skin That Won’t Sting
2- Water-Based Cleanser
After using the oil-based cleanser, Koreans use a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities such as dirt, sweat, and any other residue that the oil-based cleanser didn’t pick up.
This also helps to prevent pores from clogging and keeps your face clean.
Active ingredients to use: green Tea or rice Extract.
When To Use? Wash your face with it twice a day.
Related: The 10 Best Facial Wash For Sensitive Skin With Acne
3- Exfoliant
Use a gentle exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin, refine pores, and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines.
How Many Times Should You Exfoliate? You should exfoliate regularly 1-3 times a week (depending on your skin type). This helps your skin absorb the products better and keeps your skin smooth and bright.
Active ingredients to use: Gommage Peels, which is a great gentle exfoliator for sensitive skin. Black Sugar and Lactic Acid
Just keep in mind not to over-exfoliate as this can lead to irritation, redness, and dryness. And to find the best exfoliant that suits your skin type.
Related: Best Exfoliator For Sensitive Skin: Top 15 Picks
4- Toner
Toner moisturizes, hydrates, and balances the skin’s PH. It also prepares the skin to absorb richer moisturizers that come later in the Korean Skin Care Routines.
Korean women prefer to use natural toners, so they use aloe Vera, rose water, or citric acid.
When To Use? In the morning and at night.
Related: Toner For Sensitive Skin: The Best 11 Non-Irritating Picks
5- Essence
Consider adding essence to your routine, It’s a water-like product that hydrates the skin and promotes cell turnover.
The main reason for using essence is to soften your skin before applying the serum on the face so your skin gets the most out of it.
Active ingredients to use: rice Extract, yeast, or birch Juice to fight aging signs.
When To Use? Twice a day.
Related: Ultimate Guide: 21 Best Korean Skin Care Products
6- Serums And Ampoules
Both serums and ampoules are just perfect for any skin type as they heal any skin problem.
They contain ingredients that treat skin problems, such as fine lines and acne. Plus, they help you get rid of hyperpigmentation and keep skin hydrated.
Active ingredients to use: tea tree, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or soybeans for the best results.
When To Use? Two times a day.
7- Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are super effective, they can hydrate the skin, reduce redness, dryness, and irritation, and keep skin smooth and radiant.
When To Use? Apply Sheet masks two times a week to your face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the skin to absorb the nutrients.
Always use a mask that targets your current skin concern, such as aging, Rosacea, acne, or dryness.
Active ingredients to use: Rose, cucumber, or green tea hydrate and tone your face.
Related: Best Sheet Mask For Sensitive Skin: Top 10 Picks
8- Eye Cream
The thin skin around the eye is the first area of the face that shows signs of aging; that’s why this area requires extra care.
You should use an effective eye cream to help smooth wrinkles and nourish and moisturize this area.
A study showed that anti-aging eye treatment can reduce the depth of large wrinkles and improve under-eye smoothness. Plus, it prevents dark circles and puffiness.
Active ingredients to use: Try a gentle, non-irritating formula that contains honey, lily, or ginseng.
When To Use? Twice a day, In the morning and at night.
9-Moisturizers
Moisturizers keep your skin healthy and clear and rebalance the skin’s pH. They can reduce the appearance of blemishes such as blackheads, dark spots, and textured skin.
Another great benefit of using moisturizers frequently is to fight fine lines and wrinkles.
You should use a moisturizer that suits your skin type to avoid any skin problems.
Active ingredients to use: green Tea, bamboo extracts, snail mucin, or hyaluronic acid.
When To Use? Moisturize your face regularly, two times a day.
Related: The 15 Best Korean Face Creams To Unlock Your Glow
10- Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the last and most essential step of the Korean Skin Care Routine as it protects the work you have put into your skin.
Sunscreen shelters your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays that lead to premature aging such as wrinkles and leathery skin. Also, sunscreen prevents skin discoloration and dark spots.
More importantly, sunscreen protects skin proteins such as keratin, collagen, and elastin, which keep the skin healthy and smooth.
When To Use? Apply each morning to avoid sunburn that weakens the skin barrier and leads to itchiness, swelling, and redness.
Also, wear sunscreen even when it’s not sunny to decrease the risk of developing skin cancer.
Don’t forget to apply it all over your face, chest, neck, and ears.
Active ingredients to use: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. They are gentle on all skin types especially those with sensitive skin.
FAQs:
What Are The 7 Steps Of Korean Skin Care?
The 7 essential steps of the best Korean skin care routine include:
1- Double cleansing method (oil-based cleanser and water-based cleanser).
2- Toner.
3- Essence.
4- Serum or face oil.
5- Eye Cream.
6- Moisturizers.
7- SPF.How To Get Korean Glass Skin?
To get Korean glass skin, try the following Korean 10-Step Skin Care Routine:
1- Oil-based cleanser.
2- Water-based cleanser.
3- Toner.
4- Exfoliant.
5- Essence.
6- Serum.
7- Face masks.
8- Eye cream.
9- Moisturizers.
10- SPF.How Is Korean Skin So Flawless?
They follow a skincare routine from a young age. Plus, they use natural, gentle ingredients like honey, aloe vera, bamboo extracts, green tea, or lily to guarantee the best results without irritating or weighing down the skin.
The Bottom Line
The best Korean Skin Care routine can literally transform your skin and keep it nourished and radiant. It has become widely known these days due to its huge benefits.
But keep in mind that eating clean, healthy meals along with following the Korean skincare routine steps will deliver the best results. This will improve your skin from the inside out.
Photos: Pexels.com