Guide
Korean skincare routines follow a multi-step approach focused on hydration, gentle exfoliation, and targeted treatments to achieve a glowing complexion. Renowned for its detailed and holistic method, this regimen promotes radiant, healthy skin.
Before starting a multi-step K-beauty routine, it’s essential to understand your skin type well. Korean skincare emphasizes deeply hydrating ingredients that nourish the skin barrier making it ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, due to its gentle yet effective nature.
Step 1. Deep Cleansing with Oil Cleanser (Nightly Use)
This first step of the Korean skincare routine is done once a day, usually at night, to melt away stubborn sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil. The oil cleanser works deep within pores to lift impurities while keeping the skin barrier intact and nourished.
Step 2. Refresh with Water-Based Cleanser (Twice Daily)
Used morning and night, this cleanser targets water-based impurities like sweat, dirt, and environmental pollutants. Unlike oil cleansers, it focuses on dissolving hydrophilic substances, leaving your skin feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced.
Step 3. Polish with Exfoliant (Use as Needed)
Exfoliants help remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, revealing a smoother and brighter complexion. You can choose between physical or chemical exfoliation based on your skin type and sensitivity. The method, strength, and frequency should match your skin’s unique needs for best results.
Step 4. Rebalance with Toner (Twice Daily)
Toners are lightweight liquid hydrators that replenish moisture lost during cleansing and prep the skin for better absorption of following products. They also target specific concerns minimizing pores and oil for oily skin, or soothing dryness and redness for sensitive or dry types.
Step 5/6. Treat with Essence & Serum (Up to Twice Daily)
Essence, with its watery texture, is applied after toner to hydrate, smooth, and prep the skin for deeper absorption. It’s slightly thicker than toner but lighter than serum.
Next comes the serum—richer in active ingredients and designed to target specific skin concerns like wrinkles, dark spots, or dehydration. Together, essence and serum form a powerful duo for intensive skin treatment.
Step 7. Lock in Hydration with Moisturizer (Twice Daily)
Moisturizing is essential to keep your skin hydrated, nourished, and balanced. Apply it morning and night to maintain moisture levels and don’t forget sunscreen during the day.
Korean moisturizers come in various textures, from lightweight gels for oily or combination skin to rich creams for dry skin, offering comfort without heaviness.
Step 8. Revive the Eyes with Eye Cream (Twice Daily)
Eye moisturizers target common concerns like puffiness, dark circles, and dryness around the delicate eye area.
Korean eye creams are known for their advanced formulas often enriched with peptides, retinoids, niacinamide, and ceramides. These powerful ingredients visibly brighten, smooth, and hydrate without irritating sensitive skin.
Step 9. Shield with SPF (Daytime Only)
Sunscreen is a vital step that protects your skin from harmful UV rays and environmental damage even on cloudy days. Daily use helps prevent premature aging, dark spots, and other sun-related concerns.
Step 10. Boost with Masks (Use as Needed)
Masks add an extra layer of care to your routine whether it's sheet masks, wash-off treatments, lip masks, or overnight sleeping packs. They deliver intense hydration and radiance for soft, glowing skin.
Use sheet and wash-off masks after cleansing, then continue with your routine. Overnight masks are applied last to seal in moisture and nourish while you sleep.