The Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine
During last months I’ve completely changed my skincare regimen, slowly going towards the Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine.
Before, I thought that with a minimal skincare routine, using a few products, I could achieve a clear, flawless skin. Also, I was caught in a hectic, chaotic way of life, somewhat typical in this Western part of the world. Then I started reading a lot about Oriental mindset and their concept of beauty. I learned how to take it slow, especially when it comes to beauty, skincare and make-up since this is my special moment when I can really relax.
So I came in contact with the infamous Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine. Korean women are well-known for their flawless, dewy complexion and the care – in terms of money and time – they put in their skincare regimen. Furthermore, Korean cosmetic industry is avant-garde.
The Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine is a complex series of cleansing, treatments and moisturizing steps you have to do each day and night. But I swear, once you try it you can’t go back.
There are a couple of essential guidelines:
- be gentle with your skin, always
- pat and massage using your fingertips
- don’t rub, ever
- take your time and enjoy the care of yourself
The Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine
1. Cleanse
You all have heard about the Korean double cleansing, right? It consists in a two-steps cleanse system that will get rid of all your make-up and impurities. In this first step, you have to use a facial oil cleanser emulsified with lukewarm water in order to remove all stubborn bacteria, sunscreen, make-up and so on.
2. Cleanse again
It’s time to complete the double cleansing: use your favourite gel, cream or foaming cleanser to get an extra clear and clean skin and to remove all residual oil. This is the key for a radiant and imperfection-free skin. Remember: soft circular motion with your fingertips.
3. Exfoliate
There two kinds of exfoliation: chemical and mechanical. If you have a sensitive skin do this step twice or once a week. I like to alternate chemical and mechanical exoliation. As for a chemical exoliation I like AHA, glycolic acid during winter, otherwise you can go mechanical with a traditional scrub or Clarisonic combined with the foaming cleanser.
4. Toner
It’s time to re-balance your skin in order to restore your PH and tighten-up your cleansed pores with a toner of your choice. There are a lot of clarifying, AHA based toners but I like a more gentle product, like a hydrating, ceramides based ones.
5. Essence
This is a kind of mysterious product. Somewhat in-between a toner and a facial serum. Each Korean brand has various kind of essence: it is a liquid concentrate product which can help your skin’s cellular renewal process. It helps to increase elasticity, firmness and brightness.
6. Ampoule
Basically, in Oriental beauty concept ampoule is a facial serum. Thicker than the essence but with the same high concentration of active ingredients. It nourishes deeply your skin bringing all you need againts your ageing issues, dullness, uneven tone and so on.
7. Patch & mask
You can do this treatment twice a week. Enjoy 20 minutes of pure relax by applying eye and/or lip patches and facial masks. Oriental sheet masks are a big trend right now and I can’t live without them anymore: they are packed with a lot of pure concentrate active ingredients which completely restore your skin condition.
8. Eye Cream
Poor, neglected eye contour, with its extremely sensitive, thin skin which is so prone to fine lines. Never skip your eye cream, ever. Dry eye area causes fine lines and then wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.
9. Moisturize
You can choose an lightweight emulsion or a rich cream but keep your skin always moisturized. Moisturizer helps to keep your skin’s hydration adequate, giving a replenished, youthful look to your complexion. Don’t forget your neck!
10. Sleeping pack
Another Oriental invention: sleeping pack is a night facial cream mask. It locks the hydration into your skin throughout the night where there is a complete cellular renewal process.
I can see you are exhauted. But with the Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine results won’t disappoint you, believe me. If you are a bit confused, you can take a look at my next post, where I show you my Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine so you can see which are the products I love. Obviously you don’t have to use Korean brands: you can mix and match with Western, traditional brands and adjust this regimen to your own necessities. Nevertheless, I’ll give to you some advices on how to get top-notch Korean products. Stay tuned.
