10-Step Korean Skincare Routine| How to Get Flawless and Glass skin

Saba Qureshi
6 min readJan 7, 2021

You must’ve heard from the past few years of trending Korean culture such as famous K-pop bands, K-dramas, or K-beauty that has fascinated us in many ways. And, the one thing that struck us all is their flawless glowing skin. Like man, how they get such spotless and radiant skin? With that, two things come to mind: Genetics or healthy skincare practices from a very young age. And both are correct! Even, if you ain’t born Asian (not a lucky ticket for genes) there is still much room left for you.

Image by Bin Thiều on Unsplash

Koreans believe that dabbing layers of makeup to cover your skin is a betrayal to your skin. If you desire glowing-healthy skin you need to first create a clean canvas (surface of the skin) and then you can master it to paint (make-up) beautifully which will pull you out as a natural dewy glow from the pack of cakey faces.

So if you’re looking for building flawless and glass skin, you reach the right spot! This article will tell you the most famous 10-step Korean skincare routine that you need to follow up. However, if you ain’t in a mood for a “long-skincare routine” that takes just 10 minutes of your time to give your skin nourishment and love, then don’t complain about the next breakout or bumpy texture. You need to know spending more than 30 seconds on the sink is the main crux of a healthy skincare strategy to note down!

So without wasting time, let’s begin!

Image by lerablog

Step 1: Oil Cleanser

The first step is to always start with a cleanser. You need to clean your face twice a day daily. You can use a Micellar Water cleanser in the morning if you haven’t had makeup. However, in the evening go for an oil-based cleanser. It will not only remove water-proof makeup but also clean other oil-based impurities such as sebum, clogged pores (blackheads or whiteheads), sunscreen, and other pollutants from your face.

Step 2: Water Cleanser

After that, you clean your face again but this time choose water-cleansers (foaming or non-foaming) it depends on what suits your skin better. These cleansers will remove the water-based grimes such as dirt and sweat.

Note to know: Usage of oil-based cleansers and doubling cleansing is the main strategy in the cleanser process for k-skincare routine. Korean loves to use oil-based cleanser a lot. And they prefer to use two-steps in the cleanser. First oil-based cleansers than water cleansers. So make sure you are not skipping the double-cleansing strategy.

Check out Best k-cleansers (oil-based and water-based) here for all skin type.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Exfoliating/scrubbing is mostly used in facials at a spa or salons by pro staff. But you can also add up to your skincare regimen day or night. It will surely help to clean your clogged pores (whiteheads or blackheads) and also peel off the dead skin cells. That will reveal the brighter skin layer under it and gives your skin a fresh radiant look.

Note to know: This step must be done twice a time in a week. But if you have sensitive acne-prone-skin go once a week. Choose scrubs with natural ingredients that are not too harsh on your skin.

Step 4: Toner

Toners are the next step to keep your skin moist and balance your skin pH level. Toner will not only hydrate your skin but also helps to remove leftover gunk that has escape from your mighty cleanser.

Note know: Choose hydrated toners and scent-alcohol-free are the best to look out for.

Check out Best k-toner here for all skin type

Step 5: Essence

Essences are the secret ingredient in the Korean skincare routine. They are the light-weight watery texture that is used to apply before moisturizer. It will prep the skin to absorb the next skin products more efficiently. It helps to boost your skin to hydrate for a longer period and gives a shine to dull dry skin.

Note to know: It’s not a mandatory step to fill in between toners and serums. If you already used toner-serums it is well and good. However, if you have dehydrated skin essence will be a bonus.

Korean essence Snail Bee are very populous among Westerner

Step 6: Serums & Ampoules

To give your skin enriched-nourishment and intense moisture you need this step to add up must into your morning and evening routine. Serums and Ampoules are thicker texture than toners and essence. Blended with powerful ingredients to treat specific skin concerns like acne, acne marks, uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation or simply just brightening skin complexion.

There are numerous serums out there in the beauty line and each is tailored-made for specific skin-related problems. So before you picked up any of that you need to know your current skin state issue and look closely for active ingredients that would work wonders on your skin surface.

Check out best serums and ampoules here

Step 7: Sheet Mask

If you want to pack layers of hydration so you can get glow-glassy-skin, sheet masks are here for you. These masks will not only give intense moisture but let your previous skin product’s nutrients sit in deeper and lock them up in the skin so they don’t have a space to evaporate in the air.

Applying Sheet Mask by GIPHY

Note to know: If you want maximum glow then apply it for 10 to 15 minutes twice a week. You don’t have to apply sheet masks daily. If you had to go out for your big events, surely give a try to sheet masks before applying makeup. A few bucks spent on it will be worth it.

Step 8: Eye Cream

Eye creams are specifically designed for your thin and delicate eye areas. With the scientific advancement and blend of natural ingredients, eye cream usage is taking a hike in the market.

Note to know: It is better to use eye creams if certain eye skin concerns like dark circles, puffiness, under-eye bags, fine lines, or wrinkles are there. Otherwise, moisturizer can also work out instead of applying this step.

For best eye results, check out some famous Korean eye cream here

Step 9: Moisturizer

Moisturizer is like your meal. You can’t skip it. Either it’s day or night, summer or winters, rainy or sunny day. Apply moisturizer if you go out or not. You need to keep your skin hydrated. No matter what step you want to miss out. But don’t forget to miss moisturizer. It is an essential step in the daily skincare routine for healthy skin.

Note to know: Using the right kind of moisturizer will deal with your skin problem and won’t let your acne and breakout come frequently. It protects you from all kinds of environmental pollutants and keeps your skin hydrated.

Check out best k-moisturizer from here

Step 10: SPF

It is the last step in your morning skincare routine that will shield your skin from harmful sun rays as UVA/UVB. Applying sunscreen in the morning is a must before going out in daylight. It will repair and soothes sun-damaged skin.

Note to know: Choose the SPF factor higher than 30. And lookout for the active ingredient as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide that can absorb quickly and leave skin firm and healthy. At night time you can skip this step and end up your beauty diva skincare routine with night cream.

You can skip out some steps in your daily routine like exfoliating and sheet masks are only good to go for twice a week. It will lessen your steps and also you can look out your budget before buying the extra product. But basic essential steps must be in your bathroom cabinets and must be applied daily. However, Korean skincare will take time for its lasting effect so patience and consistency are key for every habit to develop.

Till then stay Too Glam to Give a Damn!

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Saba Qureshi

Hello there, I’m a Junior UI/UX designer. Welcome here! My daily mantra is "To be creative in design profession, you have to get your hands dirty in it."