All women want to be pretty. And looking at those korean actress in the TV made us think how lucky they are to be born with their flawless skin. It’s not only the genes that make them having poreless, bright, glowing skin but they have a secret that is their skincare routine!
Skincare is now really just a part of Korean culture. Their skincare routine is a somewhat exhaustive multi-step process, a fact which seems to have sparked a ton of intrigue in the beauty world as of late. They use 9-12 products EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT but well-known as 10-step skincare routine.
- Oil-based Cleansing
In Korea, most of woman use oil as their cleanser. Oil cleanser can help you to remove not only makeup but also eyes and lips makeup that’s usually waterproof. This oil cleanser won’t make your skin feel oily or greasy. You just massage the oil to your face, add water to emulsify and the oil will be change into milky texture, and wash your face with lukewarm water. You can replace this oil-based cleanser with milk cleanser or balm cleanser.
2. Water-based Cleansing
Yes, in Korea, cleansing a two-step process which sounds strange until you think back on all those times you washed your face, only to look in the mirror to find makeup residue in your pores or around your eyes. This cleansing process only need a facial foam. Only use gentle cleanser that can remove any residue from oil cleanser not the natural oil from your skin.
3. Exfoliating
Your skin regenerate itself every 28days. So exfoliating you skin can sloughing off dead skin cells and debris makes it a breeze for the rest of your skin care products to mingle with your pores and really get down to business. Do this step only twice a week or your face will over-exfoliate. There are two types of exfoliator; chemical and physical. The chemical one is for those who have sensitive skin and this is the kind of leave-on exfoliator (you don’t have to wash your face afterward). AHA and BHA are usually used as chemical exfoliator. For those who have oily and normal skin you can use physical exfoliator, such as face scrub or pads. Gently massage or tap in an exfoliant into skin for your smoothest and softest-feeling skin.
4. Toner
Toner is used as a preparation for the next step. Korean women believe that moist skin can absorb the following skincare products better. It is also balance your skin’s PH level that maybe stripped by the facial foam and exfoliator you used. Toner in western are also known as astringent which is drying out the skin. Otherwise, in Korea, toner is also known as “skin softener” and “skin refresher”. You can sprinkle into your hands and tap directly onto your skin or dispense onto a cotton round and gently swipe all around your face working outwards.
5. Essence
Essence has a special place in korean women’s heart. They see this step is the most important step because essence can give a plump to their skin. A bit dual purpose, essence is a kind of toner and serum hybrid made for hydrating and aiding skin repair and cell turnover. Just pour some drops to your hand, spread it around your face, and gently tap so the essence can fully absorb to the skin. The “tapping” is also make the blood circulation better and brightens up your skin.
6. Serum, Booster, Ampoule
The difference between serum, booster, and ampoule is the texture. This step is a targeted treatment for your skin. Choose what your skin need the most. It can be brightening, anti-wrinkle, pore-refining, or even acne!
7. Sheet masks
If essence is the heart of a Korean skin care routine, the sheet mask is its soul. In Korea, you can find sheet mask everywhere, literally. From usual convenience store to famous beauty store. Your typical mask will be a paper sheet that’s loaded with helpful ingredients – as always, just find the one that your skin needs. You can put the mask in the refrigerator before you use it so it will become cool and refreshing. Use the mask for about 15-20 minutes and after that tap the excess essence from the mask. The exciting fact about sheet mask is you can never overdoing this!
8. Eye Cream
People often forget about this step. The skin around the eyes are very delicate that they are the most problematic area! From wrinkle, dark-circles, and puffy eyes. Use your ring finger since it has the smallest energy eye cream to tap around the entire orbital bone, avoiding the water line. Remember to never rub your eyes because it will cause wrinkles transform quickly.
9. Moisturizer
This is the key of dewy glowing skin. Keeping the moisture level of your skin can prevent wrinkle. People with oily skin usually afraid to wear moisturizer because they think that this will make their skin get more oily. The fact is no matter how oily your skin, you must always apply moisturizer. A good moisturizer help the skin to reduce oil that your body produced as a skin barrier. There are some type of moisturizer such as emulsion, lotion, gel, and cream. Emulsion, lotion, and gel is best for oily skin while cream type is for dry skin. This step is to seal all the work from your other steps.
10. Sunscreen
Even when you’re staying at home, sunscreen is a must. Apply sunscreen every morning, and don’t forget to re-apply throughout the day. Sunscreen is very important because what sun can do to your skin is leaving dark spots, open pores, and premature aging.
