It was some five years back when Korean beauty became a rage and invaded our vanity kits. Today, the global trend is apparent in the confusing variety of Korean beauty products that dominate our malls, and purses. 

Welcome to the world of endless product trials, beauty myths, and routine recommendations. As a beginner, this overload of information can be overwhelming. So, what is the ultimate Korean beauty guide according to Skinbae experts? 

From AM to PM

The Korean beauty guide is a 10-step routine that lays down the skin rituals one can follow for healthy, radiant skin. The routine makes use of a Korean technique, called Layering. Nope, it's not a complicated medical procedure. Layering, simply, refers to the application of skincare products, one over the other, in a set sequence. The outcome? Better product results and more nourished skin. 

The Korean beauty guide relies on the four traditional concepts of the skincare ritual: Cleanse, prep, nourish, and protect; in that particular order.

Cleanse

Cleansing is the foremost and the most essential part of your skincare routine. Here’s the usual product line-up.

1. Makeup remover/ oil-based cleanser

Skinbae recommends starting your cleansing process with a gentle massage from an oil-based cleanser. Oil-based cleansers help you draw out the oil-based dirt and makeup from your skin. Since oil dissolves oil, this method works like magic to enhance your skin complexion.

How to buy one?

Look for organic ingredients that love your skin: Macadamia oil, Jojoba, and Grape-seed oil. Oil-based cleansers are usually gentle and suit all the skin types.

 2. Water-based cleanser

Double cleanse is an important aspect of the Korean beauty guide. Water-based cleansers help remove the remaining water-soluble impurities(like sweat, dirt) from the skin.

How to buy one?

Go for products with green-tea extracts and rice extracts that help soothe the skin. Clay-based and foam-based cleansers work best for the oily skin. For the dry skin, opt for a hydrating cleanser.

 3. Exfoliant

The benefits of exfoliation are three-fold: it helps clean pores, wash off dead skin cells, and brighten up your skin complexion.

How to buy one?

While buying, look for active ingredients like black sugar and Salicylic acid that draw out the skin debris, gently. Opt for moisturizing, cream-based scrubs if you have dry, flaky skin. Oil-free, clay-based scrubs work well for the oily-skin type, as they help absorb all the excess oil.

Prep 

Think of this step as a preliminary process. It helps prepare the skin to better absorb the active nutrients from the nourishing products that follow.

1. Toner

A daily dollop of a toner hydrates the skin balances the skin’s pH levels and helps to maintain the skin’s natural barrier.

How to buy one?

Alcohol-free toners with low concentrations of salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acids are perfect for oily-skin. If you have dry skin, instead, go for soothing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E, chamomile, and antioxidants like green tea.

Nourish

Like your body, your skin requires is a daily dose of nutrients, too. The following steps deep-nourish the skin by targeting specific problem areas.  

1. Essence

Essences are watery, light-weight concentrates of hydrating ingredients that aid skin restoration, and complexion enhancement. 

How to buy one?

Buy an essence that is alcohol-free and enriched with rice extracts, Hyaluronic acid, Birch juice, and yeast.

2. Serums and Ampoules

Serums and ampoules come after the essence and target specific skin concerns like acne, pigmentation, and oil control. Think of these as a little booster to fix-up those bad-skin phases.

How to buy one?

Look for oil-based products, if you have dry skin. Water-based serums rich in Vitamin B3 make a great choice for oily skin. 

3. Sheet masks

 A key component of the Korean skincare routine, sheet masks are as easy as a beauty routine can get. Apply, unwind, and relax. Sheet masks come loaded with antioxidants which enrich the skin and keeps it healthy.

How to buy one?

Go for a soothing composition to cool off the skin irritation after a long day at work. For dry skin, opt for moisturizing ingredients like avocado, shea butter, aloe vera, and honey. Lemon, milk, turmeric, Vitamin C, and rose extracts work best for dull skin while tea tree, neem, green tea, and aloe vera extracts make a great choice if your skin is acne-prone.

Eye-creams help to nourish the sensitive skin around your eyes. These keep the thinnest part of your skin free from dark circles, crow’s feet and puffiness.

How to buy one?

Invest in a thick-textured moisturizing eye-cream if you suffer from dry, flaky skin. To battle out those dark circles and fine lines, opt for a Vitamin C rich composition.  

Protect

Have a great skin to flaunt? Better protect it from outside dirt and pollution. The last two steps of the Korean Skincare routine make sure that your skin’s health is long-lasting and easy to maintain.

1. Moisturiser

The role of a moisturizer is essential to seal in all the applied active ingredients and maintain the skin’s moisture. Moisturiser, further, helps you to even out the skin complexion and repair skin damage.

How to buy one?

If you have dry skin, buy a thick textured moisturizer that hydrates and nourishes the skin. Water-based lotions and light-weight creams make a good match for an oily-skin. 

Read : Best Korean Moisturizers for Oily Skin

2. Sunscreen

Sunscreens are your skin essentials, from dawn to dusk, even if you are inside the house. Sunscreen protects your skin from all kinds of skin troubles caused by the sun’s UV rays. Count the end of premature ageing, pigmentation, skin darkening, and even cancer. 

How to buy one?

Choose a sunscreen that’s oil-free, water-resistant, and has an SPF of at least 30. Go for light-weight products that claim to protect your skin from UV+UA radiations. 

The many skincare struggles of a beginner are real. While our method is efficient, consistency is the key. Contrary to the mass popularity of the term, ‘10-step routine’, your skincare routine can have any number of steps, and your decision should depend upon what works best for your skin. Start the hustle; your next stop will be a glowing, healthy skin.