Korean skincare

Learn in our article what Korean skin care means and the steps involved in it, how your skin benefits from using each product and especially what the 10-step Korean Skin Care Routine really mean. We also tell you how to create an easy 3-step skin care routine.

A Korean skincare routine includes:

Makeup removal with an oil-based cleansing product
Skin cleansing with a water-based cleansing product
Peeling
Mask (wash-off or sheet mask)
Toner
Serum, ampoule and essence
Eye cream
Moisturizer
Night masks and lip masks
Sunscreen

Step 1 and 2 – Double cleansing

Double cleansing is an essential part of the Korean skincare routine. In the evening, makeup, impurities, sebum, and sunscreen are first removed from the face with an oil-based cleanser or micellar water.

After that, the skin is cleansed with a water-based cleanser suitable for your skin type.

In the mornings, the face can be cleansed with water alone, or with a water-based cleanser if needed.

Step 3 and 4 – Exfoliation and face masks

Exfoliation is important for all skin types. Exfoliating products remove dead skin cells from the skin, allowing skincare products to absorb more effectively. Learn more about exfoliation.

Face masks are an excellent addition to your skincare routine and an essential part of Korean skincare. A face mask can provide an extra boost of hydration, deeply cleanse pores, or help soothe irritated skin.

Step 5 and 6 – Toner and essence, serum, and ampoule

Toner is the first moisturizing step after cleansing. The purpose of toner is to balance the skin's pH after washing, so that the skin's protective layer (skin barrier) remains strong and the skin can fight bacteria and impurities. Toner protects the skin from the tight, dry feeling after cleansing and allows other skincare products to absorb more effectively.

Essences, serums, and ampoules contain active ingredients that treat skin problems.

Essence is applied after toner, before ampoules or serums. Essence does not contain as many active ingredients as serums or ampoules.

Serum and ampoule are applied after toner or essence, always before moisturizer. They contain active ingredients in higher concentrations.

Products should be applied from the lightest to the richest texture.

Steps 7, 8, and 9 – Eye cream, face cream, and facial oil, night and lip mask

Eye cream cares for the delicate skin around the eyes and specifically targets common issues in that area, such as dark circles or fine lines.

Eye masks, also known as eye patches, provide intensive care for the eye area, similar to how face masks work for the facial skin.

Face cream, or moisturizer for the face, is applied after serum, before sunscreen or any facial oil.

Choose formulations suitable for your skin type and concerns; for example, we recommend more moisturizing creams with anti-aging properties for aging skin. For oily skin, a lightweight, gel-like texture is usually best.

Korean face creams are rarely categorized into day and night creams, as almost all products are suitable for either use. A good rule of thumb is to choose richer and more nourishing textures for your evening routine.

Night masks and lip masks are applied as the last step of the routine to work overnight. Facial oil is usually only necessary for very dry skin types and is also applied as the final step of the routine.