Breaking Down the 7-10 Step Korean Skincare Routine
The Korean Skincare philosophy and 7-10 step routine can be overwhelming and intimidating at first glance. I remember walking into a Korean skincare store in Seoul for the first time and I did not know where to begin because of the sheer abundance of products.
Nine months since discovering my first Korean Sheet mask I now have the confidence and enjoy the experience of studying new product trends, product ingredients, and delving into in-depth research about skincare types. We all have very unique skin conditions that go beyond oily or dry. At least 50% of women and men have a combination of skin conditions. For example, I have eczema, hormonal acne and as a 52 year old have seen changes in my skin texture (thinner) and an increase in sensitivity (allergic reactions) with products.
So where does one start? Let’s start by understanding the traditional philosophy and the holistic approach that Koreans have towards skincare.
- The Korean skincare routine is something that the Korean women looks forward to doing every night and every morning. It is like a mini-spa that is a relaxing and fun, spoil yourself session.
- Korean Brands are the world leaders in skincare technology, selling the most number of products and having the largest market in the world amoung women and men.
- The Korean skincare consumer is very knowledgeable about their own skin needs and wants. They are constantly looking for the “next big discovery”. It is not uncommon for a bathroom cabinet to contain over 20 different brands of products.
- Over 50% of the Korean population has very sensitive skin. This has lead skincare brands to up the ante in the quality of product ingredients; therefore eliminating the use of synthetic ingredients, perfumes, colorants or parabens that is so common in Western and European products.
- Not only are Korean products unique with ingredients like mushroom, white truffle, willow bark, volcano ash, bee venom, snail mucin, fermented tea and wine; the Korean consumer demands the cost to be affordable plus with over 500 Korean Brands on the market; prices are very competitive
- Korean Skincare products actually work. This is why the KBeauty market has exploded and is now hitting counties like India, Poland, Western Europe and now the U.S. with huge success.
The 7-10 step Korean Routine
It is to be noted that the 7-10 step routine is a guide. It is recommended that you add one step at a time to your existing routine to see what works best for you and your individual skin needs. When I first started I added the sheet mask, the double cleansing, a moisturizer and eye cream for six months to see what worked for my skin. (To learn more about any of the products mentioned below, just click on the brand name written in bold)
Let’s begin…
Double Cleansing:
One of the cornerstones of the Korean skincare method is double cleansing. Because we develop oil and water based impurities during the day which include excess sebum, makeup along with dust, bacteria, old skin cells and perspiration; our skin needs a thorough method of cleansing that will rid of both types.
Step 1. The oil-based cleanser which is available in the form of a cream, oil, or milk, depending on what texture you prefer.
For example: Heimish’s All Clean Balm is infused with Coconut, Shea Butter, Freesia and Iris extracts which dissolves makeup, sebum build-up, dust and dirt.
Another option is Aromatica Natural Coconut Cleansing Oil made from Organic Coconut oil and Lavender oil. Plant-derived cleansing ingredients leave skin feeling soft and supple without irritation by gently removing makeup and skin impurities without stripping the skin. Free of parabens and synthetic fragrances.
Step 2. The water based cleanser is the second step to rid your skin of the remaining residue left on your face which can cause breakouts. Completing this step allows the face to have a completely clean baseline that the skin will benefit from in the next steps of the routine.
For example, Innisfree ‘s Apple Seed Deep Cleansing Foam made of seeds of Apples, and fatty acids. This rich and bubbly cleanser lifts away dead skin cells. The other option is Benton’s Honest Cleansing Foam which contains bee venom, willow bark extract, aloe leaf juice and snail secretion filtrate.
Softening Toners:
Step 3. A softening toner is very important because after cleansing your face the PH balance becomes more alkaline and needs to be re-set to a 5.5 PH balance. The difference with Korean brands when it comes to toners is their philosophy for having toners that soften, and not strip or irritate the skin.
For example, Pyunkang Yul’s Mist Toner is formulated with 91.9% barberry root extract to soothe, nourish and hydrate. It prepares your skin for the nest step in the routine. It can also be used as a hydration boost during the day over makeup or directly on the skin.
The Essence:
Step 4. The Essence is another cornerstone to the Korean Skincare routine and is something that is completely unknown to Westerners. Essences are for all skin types and is kind of like a watery serum. They contain antioxidants and vitamins to help plump up the skin, reducing fine lines and optimizing skin cell renewal. They also target dull and uneven skin.
For All Skin Types, Pyunkang Yul’s Essence Toner gives excellent absorption and intense hydration. Contains 91.3% Milk Vetch Root Extract to re-energize and replenish your skin. Provides intense hydration.
The Moisturizer:
Step 5. The abundance of Korean skin creams from Korean companies is unbelievable. I mean they have a cream to treat every type of skin ailment one might have. The sensitive, hormonal acne, acne scars, wrinkles, sun spots, allergic prone, Rosacea prone etc. The most coveted and best kept beauty ingredient is the snail mucin. Ladies, snail mucin is your friend and let’s clarify, no snails are harmed. It’s what the snail produces that is taken. This ingredient is used to treat acne, wrinkles, dryness and can be used on all skin types. Judging from the flawless skin I saw on the women everywhere in Seoul; I am hooked.
Some examples of moisturizers to choose from:
Two examples of anti-aging creams are Heimish Bulgarian Satin Cream which is infused with 63% of Bulgarian rose water and d’Alba Ampoule Balm White Truffle Anti-Wrinkle Cream is an advanced wrinkle-care product that brightens, nourishes and promises to plump and tighten sagging areas.
For acne-prone skin:
Pyunkang Yul Moisture Cream is for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Contains no perfumes and is hypo-allergenic. A rich formulation to nourish and hydrate the skin.
The Eye Cream:
Step 6. Who doesn’t love a great eye cream. Eye creams are very important for treating dryness, wrinkles and dark circles and the earlier one can start using eye creams, the better to delay the aging process. I suffer from dark circles and puffiness and have tried a lot of different eye creams. With my eczema, I have to be especially careful in what I use. Examples of great Korean skincare brands for Eye Creams are:
Benton’s Fermentation Eye Cream which is a high concentration of fermented ingredients + Ceramide+EGF+Hyaluronic acid and the best choice for wrinkle improvement around the eyes.
d”Alba White Truffle Muli-Treatment Eye Cream is a gentle anti-aging eye cream packed with Italian White Truffle Extract to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
The Sunscreen:
Step 7. The last of the basic routine that should be done every day is the use of sunscreens to protect the skin from UVA and UVB ray damage. The Koreans take sunscreen very seriously and also wear hats, umbrella’s in summer months to protect their skin from developing sunspots and pre-mature aging over time.
MISSHA ALL AROUND SAFE BLOCK ESSENCE SUN SPF45/PA+++ is a 50ml Moisturizing Daily Sunscreen that is both Water & Sweat Resistant. Full Spectrum UVA & UVB Protection formulated for normal to dry skin types.
Benton Papaya Sport Sun Cream SPF5/PA++++ offers protection and Skincare at the same time. This is a physical and chemical sunscreen for effective sun protection and is resistant to water and sweat, ideal for outdoor activities.
The Face Sheet Mask:
Step 8. The Korean Sheet Mask is an addition to the routine that can be done once a week or daily depending on your skin’s needs and how much time you can carve out for your home mini-spa. The best time is in the evening while watching T.V., having a glass of wine or lounging in a bubble bath. It is no surprise that the Sheet Mask was invented by a Korean Skincare Company 10 years ago. It is the most popular part of the Korean skincare routine and there are thousands of Face Sheet Masks to choose from.
Innisfree Real Source Face Sheet Masks are triple layered 100% cotton masks soaked in treatment essence designed to give the skin a hydration boost. They come in Shea Butter, Strawberry, Blackberry, Aloe, TeeTree, Rose, Manuka Honey, Kiwi just to name a few.
The Exfoliator:
Step 9. This step should be done once a week for Dry/Normal skin types and two to three times a week for Combination/Oily skin. Korean Brands stress the importance of a gentle exfoliator that can be used on the most sensitive skin without irritating or scratching the skin’s barrier. There are a number of soft gel exfoliators available as well as exfoliating cotton pads infused with Vitamin C or fermented wine.
Neogen’s Bio Peel Pads in Lemon and Fermented Wine.
Thank You Farmer’s Back to Iceland Peeling Cream containing 40% Iceland Moss.
Huxley Sweet Therapy Scrub Mask sloughs away dead skin cells and impurities leaving skin clear and smooth. Made with natural exfoliating ingredients, such as Sahara Prickly Pear Cactus, Walnut shell powder, Luffa fruit (loofah), and Sucrose.
The Serum and Ampoule:
Step 10: Serums and Ampoules are another added option that has become quite popular in Seoul, Korea. Their serums are used to add an extra layer to the moisturizing routine; they are highly concentrated and used in very small amounts. They contain ingredients such as propolis, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are used to target specific skin problems such as acne scars, aging spots, sunspots, wrinkles and promises to smooth fine lines and add radiance to the skin.
D’Alba White Truffke Mist Serum is good for all skin types and is an added moisture boost to leave skin radiant.
Pyunkang Yul’s Ampoule is a highly concentrated and formulated with 90% Coptis Jabonica Root Extract. Only a small amount (2 drops) is recommended to continuously hydrate the skin adding a radiant glow.
