Beginners alert!
If you are someone who is completely new to the Korean skincare routine and don’t know how to start and what to start with, this article is your destination.
Korean skin is our goal and why not! Koreans just have flawless skin that glows like glass. You cannot deny the fact you secretly wish if you could too achieve that glass skin with absolutely no imperfections!
But don’t know how to start the Korean skincare routine?
Don’t you worry as this post is just for you as this article is all about how to begin with the Korean skincare routine!
Table of Contents
- The 12 step Korean skincare routine
The 12 step Korean skincare routine
I have already mentioned beforehand that this post is going to be for you if you are a beginner to Korean skincare. I will detail all the steps and how to do it so that things get crystal clear for you.
Let’s delve into making your skin flawless and glass like:
1. Makeup remover:
Why is it necessary?
You just cannot cleanse your skin without removing the makeup. Using just a foaming face wash will leave behind most of the makeup residue on your skin and that can cause acne later.
How to use makeup remover?
Makeup remover can be a micellar water which is water based or oil based or it can be a makeup removing wipe. Pour some micellar water on the cotton pad or take the makeup removing wipe and wipe all your makeup with it (go easy on your face, you don’t need to rub hard on your skin). Do not forget the eyes and the lips as well.
2. Oil based cleanser:
Why is it necessary?
An oil based cleanser removes all traces of makeup (especially all the waterproof makeup and the mascara) that could not be taken out with the makeup wipes.
How to use oil based cleanser?
Take a few pumps of the oil based cleanser on your finger and massage in circular motions all over your face, around the eyes and on the lips as well. Wash off with Lukewarm water.
3. Water-based or foaming cleanser:
Why is it necessary?
Oil based cleanser will not be able to give you the fresh feeling and your skin might still be needing that wash to ensure everything is out of your face.
How to use a water-based or a foaming cleanser?
Take a few drops of the water-based cleanser on your palm and dilute with water. Now massage your face with it and wash off with normal water.
4. Exfoliater:
Why is it necessary?
An exfoliator is extremely crucial if you want smooth and soft skin. An exfoliator helps you to remove all the dead skin cells, remove whiteheads and blackheads and get a smooth skin.
How to use an exfoliator?
Now exfoliators are of 2 types:
- Physical exfoliators (scrubs)
- Chemical exfoliators (peel off masks or just serums)
How to use physical exfoliators or scrubs?
Physical exfoliators contain micro granules of walnut or apricot (mostly) or rice granules. Take a moderate amount of the product in your palms and dilute it with water.
Now massage very gently on your face concentrating on the areas where you have blackheads or whiteheads. Wash off with water.
How to use chemical exfoliators?
Note: Chemical exfoliators are for the ones who are into skincare for many years and know their skin well because chemical exfoliators contain high concentration of chemicals (acids) that helps to peel off the skin. So, if you are a beginner, it’s better that you stick to physical exfoliation.
Take a very small amount of the chemical exfoliator and apply it on your face leaving the eyes and the lips. Keep as is mentioned on the product and then wash off with water.
5. Toner:
Why is it necessary?
Toners help to tighten pores and make your skin firmer.
How to use a toner?
Take a cotton pad and pour a few drops of the toner on it. Dab the cotton pad all over your face (leaving the areas around your eyes and your lips). Wait for the toner to dry before you proceed to the next step.
6. Essence:
If you don’t know what an essence is and how it works, just have a look (What is Essence in Korean Skincare?).
Why is it necessary?
An essence will help your skin to become hydrated, supple and will allow the next products to work their ways perfectly into your skin.
How to use an essence?
Pour the essence on your fingers and softly apply on your face. You do not need to massage the essence on your skin as it’s watery.
7. Serum:
Why is it necessary?
A serum is used as a targeted treatment for the skin. Serums are used for different purposes like hydration, spot clearance, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, brightening, glow, etc.
How to use a serum?
Just like the essence, you just need to dab the serum on your face and do not massage it. Wait for at least 10 minutes before you apply your next product.
8. Eye cream:
Why is it necessary?
An eye cream will help you to get rid of puppy eyes, dark circles, crows feet, wrinkles an define lines and also help to moisturise the area around the eyes.
How to use an eye cream?
Apply the eye cream either with the applicator or a single finger going in circular motions around the eyes.
9. Lip mask:
Why is it necessary?
A lip mask will help to moisture chapped lips and make the lips soft, supple and juicy.
How to use a lip mask?
Apply the lip mask with your finger in thick quantity and leave overnight.
10. Moisturiser or your day cream/night cream:
Why is it necessary?
A moisturiser will help to hydrate the skin and make it soft and supple. A day cream or a night cream is for targeted problems of the skin like for brightening, acne, blemishes, pigmentation, anti-ageing, etc.
How to use a moisturiser or a night cream/day cream?
Apply a generous amount of the cream all over your face and neck with the help of your fingers in gentle circular motions.
11. Sheet mask/sleeping mask:
Why is it necessary?
A sheet mask will lock in all the products that you have used on your face and also will help to provide your skin with extra hydration or the concern you are using it for like brightening, anti-ageing, etc.
How to use a sheet mask?
Place the sheet mask on your face and wait for 15 minutes. Whatever serum or gel like thing is left on your face from the sheet mask, massage it gently to soak it up on your skin.
12. SPF:
Why is it necessary?
The most harmful damage done to your skin is by the UV rays. A SPF helps to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays and sunburn. It also helps to protect your face from tanning in the Sun.
How to use SPF?
Take a generous amount of the SPF cream on four of your fingers and apply it all over the face and neck. Massage teg cream until it has been absorbed into your skin.
Important tips to follow while doing the Korean skincare
- Scrub your lips as it will help to get rid of the dead skin cells and stop chapped lips. Also it will help to make your lips plump.
- Use disposable face towels to wipe your face or wash them regularly as dirty face towels can cause acne and pimples.
- Wash your face whenever it’s sweaty or you feel dirt or oil on your face and follow up with a moisturiser.
- Removing your blackheads and whiteheads is utmost crucial. You get different masks for that as well.
- Home remedies like rice flour mask, rice water rinse, honey, milk, etc help to maintain the health of your skin naturally.
See you soon!
Hope this post was helpful to you. Do stay tuned for more skincare tips and hair care hacks. Till then…….
Keep it simple, keep it fashionable!
