As the year changes, many people take a look at their daily lives and personal goals. One of the most commonly repeated New Year’s resolutions is to start a skincare routine. Nowadays, there is so much information available about skincare and cosmetics that it can be difficult to know where to begin. The idea that a skincare routine takes a lot of time can also make getting started feel more challenging. That is why we have compiled helpful tips in this article on what to consider when starting skincare and how to build a Korean skincare routine that suits you – simply and without emptying your wallet
Skincare does not have to be complicated; it can become part of a relaxing daily routine.
What is Korean skincare today?
Many think of Korean skincare as long and complicated routines using several different products. The 10-step routine is often misunderstood, and today we are further away from it than ever. Nowadays, Korean skincare focuses on preventing skin problems, keeping the skin strong and moisturized, and utilizing multifunctional products. The most important thing is that skincare is regular. When the skincare routine is kept simple and started with a minimalist routine, it is more likely to be maintained.
Starting skincare – the basics
The basic elements of skincare are simple: cleansing, moisturizing, and protection.
Everything else beyond this is a bonus, but everyone manages excellently with these. If you want clearer changes in your skin, it may be good to add a serum suitable for your skin type and goal.
Cleansing – gentleness above all
Double cleansing is typical and popular in Korean skincare, but beginners do well with just one cleanser! We tell more about the benefits of double cleansing, for example, in this article, which explains the origin of the 10-step skincare routine.
You can choose a suitable cleansing product depending on your preference, skin type, and how strong cleansing power you need.
👇🏽 From the list below, you can choose either one or several product types depending on your needs.
Cleansing oils and balms:
Oil-based cleansing products are one of the best options for cleansing. Their combination of cleansing and oil-based ingredients helps remove dirt and makeup effectively without stressing the skin. Most oil-based cleansing products are suitable for simple cleansing and rinse off easily with warm water. For simple cleansing, try for example hwarang's peony grinding cleansing balm or SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Oily skin does not need to fear oil cleansing: it does not leave the skin greasy but only soft and clean. We recommend oil-based cleansing for every skin type because it is both effective and gentle, and does not easily damage the skin's protective barrier.
Cleansing gels and foams
Cleansing gels and foams, familiar to many, are popular in Korea! They work well as part of double cleansing since their ability to remove makeup is lower compared to oil-based products. Cleansing gels and foams are therefore an excellent option for those who do not wear makeup or wear very little.
Micellar waters and cleansing wipes
Cleansing wipes and micellar water intended for quick cleansing are convenient for travel and trips, but we do not recommend these for daily use. Why? They are rarely as effective as oil-based cleansing products intended for daily makeup removal, and often the rubbing required can irritate the skin and eyes. However, they are a suitable emergency option for extra tired evenings and very handy when traveling!
Moisturizing and targeted treatment
Healthy skin is balanced and moisturized. Climate, age, skin type, medications, hormones, and many other factors affect how much additional moisture the skin needs. Oily and impurity-prone skin also needs moisture, but for this skin type, light, gel-like products that balance the skin work best.
The skin's moisture balance consists of many factors and substances. Our skin contains natural moisturizing factors (NMF), which are water-soluble ingredients that maintain healthy and strong skin. Whether your skin is oily or dry, your skin's moisture balance is then off, and a properly chosen cleanser and moisturizer help the skin achieve a better balance. When active ingredients, i.e., the ingredients that most affect the visible condition of the skin, are combined with a moisturizing product, you get a very versatile product for your routine that both moisturizes and enhances the skin. For example, vitamin C has long been a popular ingredient for brightening and evening out the skin, so Medicube moisturizer, which contains vitamin C capsules, is a perfect solution for a simple and modern skincare routine. For oily and acne-prone skin, a light moisturizer containing niacinamide and centella, like moisturizer, is a good option to bring balance to the skin. You also get real multi-effect from Some By Mi's moisturizer containing retinol, which combines the best parts of serum and moisturizer into one product.
Sunscreen – the most important preventive step
Sunscreen is the most important step in the skincare routine because it is the best way to prevent every skin problem from wrinkles to sunspots and to minimize the risk of skin cancer. The benefit of sunscreen is an undisputed fact, and no serum can achieve what the use of sunscreen can prevent. Korean skincare is based precisely on prevention, and protecting the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun is therefore the most important part of the Korean routine.
The popularity of Korean sunscreens is based on the high standards set for sunscreens in Korea and the fact that they must be comfortable and easy to use as part of a daily skincare routine. Therefore, their formulations are often more elegant and lighter than Western sunscreens, and their price-quality ratio is exceptionally good. Korea has long developed modern sunscreens that combine high and broad-spectrum protection (SPF 50+ or PA++++) with skin-nurturing ingredients. For example, the super popular Beauty Of Joseon sunscreen containing ginseng, rice, and skin-strengthening ceramides is both moisturizing and evens and brightens skin tone.
How to use sunscreen correctly? Sunscreen is always the last step in the skincare routine before applying makeup. To achieve the sun protection factor stated on the packaging, the product must be applied in a sufficient amount. For the face, this means about 1/4–1/2 teaspoon of sunscreen, which corresponds to the official recommendation of 2 mg/cm². Since measuring the amount for the face can feel challenging, an easier rule of thumb is to use about half a teaspoon or apply sunscreen along 2–3 finger lengths. However, the finger measurement is only indicative, as finger size and the product's texture can affect the actual amount.
The last and very important point is to wait for the sunscreen to absorb into the skin. The effectiveness of sunscreen is based both on the ingredients it contains and its ability to form a "film" on the skin's surface so that the protection is even and does not wipe off easily. Therefore, it is good to let it settle calmly on the skin before starting to apply makeup.
Explore our carefully selected sun protection range here, and find a pleasant option for daily use! 🌞
How many products does a skincare routine really need?
This depends on many factors, but we would not skip these routine steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. With three products, you can already go a long way! However, if you want a bit more from your skincare, a serum and/or essence can be an excellent addition to the daily routine. For many, 4-5 products work well, while others enjoy a more multi-step skincare routine. Often, however, less is more. When several products are used simultaneously, it can be difficult to assess what effects each of them produces. In addition, skin reactions are possible, and if there are many products, it can be difficult to identify which one is causing the reaction.
If you feel that your skin still suffers from dryness in addition to the above steps, try adding a moisturizing essence to your routine. Look towards milky, versatile moisturizing essences instead of exfoliating products. Ingredients such as ceramides, panthenol, PCA, PHA, collagen, and hyaluronic acid are excellent skin moisturizers and also help strengthen the skin's protective barrier so that moisture does not evaporate so quickly.
If your skin suffers from impurities or you want a product that prevents signs of aging, choose a serum that contains, for example, retinol or retinaldehyde, which belong to vitamin A. These are ingredients that work on both impurities and signs of aging. A beginner-friendly vitamin A serum is, for example, K-Secret's retinal serum.
Skincare routine for beginners by skin type
Once we know which products to add to the skincare routine, the only thing left is to find the products that suit you best. To make this as effortless as possible, we have compiled ready-made skincare routine recommendations based on skin type and concerns! Explore the starter packs through the links below:
*hanbang is traditional Korean medicine, whose ingredients are also used in cosmetics. These are part of traditional Korean skincare and you will find them in every modern Korean product.
The most common mistakes when starting skincare
What if the products don’t work? What if I’m allergic? What can you really expect from skincare and how can you avoid the most common pitfalls of a skincare routine?
🤹🏻 Too many new products at once: This is very common when you get excited about skincare and cosmetics – and therefore a familiar challenge for us as well. The risk of skin reactions increases if several new products are introduced at the same time. It also becomes difficult to evaluate the effects of the products, as it’s hard to distinguish which product affects the skin and how. So start with a simple routine and add only 1–2 new products at a time. Especially sensitive skin should always do a sensitivity test before introducing a new product. Try the product, for example, on the neck or jawline and wait 24 hours to see if it causes a skin reaction.
🏃🏽➡️ Expecting results too quickly: It’s completely natural to hope for results from skincare, but sometimes the skin needs time to get used to new products. With regular use, changes often start to appear only after weeks or even months.
🌞 Skipping sunscreen: This must not be skipped! If you do everything else but don’t use sunscreen, it’s time to make a change ☝🏼
Summary: an effective Korean skincare routine is simple
No matter what kind of skincare routine you choose, an effective skincare routine is one that works specifically for you and remains a regular part of your daily life. Whether you want a routine with as few steps as possible or are curious to try many products, we have something for everyone 💜
Sources:
Understanding the Role of Natural Moisturizing Factor in Skin Hydration Read the article
The Science Behind Sunscreen: A Guide to Applying an Effective Amount of Protection Read the article
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