I Tried The Korean Beauty Skincare Routine, And I'm Never Going Back
By Lily Scott (Guest Contributor from ThoseGraces.com )
K-beauty is making a big splash in the American beauty industry. The 10- step skincare routine is practically everywhere, but it’s a misconception that we have to do all the 10 steps every single day to get results. If you’ve always wanted to try it out but the sheer number of steps deterred you, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can achieve amazing results just by following the first 6-7 steps.
That said, for my starter week, I did all the 10-steps, here’s a breakdown of those:
My Skin Type & Concerns: Dry skin with slight acne and pigmentation problems on hairline and forehead. The main concerns are dehydrated skin and acne scars.
Step 1: Oil Cleansing - This step dissolves all oil-based impurities like sebum, SPF, makeup, pollutants, etc. I used either apricot kernel oil or The Face Shop Rice Water Cleansing oil for this step. But you can use any oil that goes with your skin type.
Step 2: Foam Cleansing - Believe it or not, the crud on your face needs the Korean double-cleansing. (Check this article for further details). I thought I would slack on this two-step process, but the squeaky clean feel made me do this process every night. Due to my dry skin, I preferred a gel-based cleanser for this step, and my pick was Cosrx Low pH gel cleanser.
Step 3: Exfoliation - You don’t have to do this daily. 1-3 times a week depending on the skin’s sensitivity works well. For my parched skin, I used Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze in Wine three times a week.
Step 4: Toner - After hearing many good things about the Etude House Moistfull Collagen toner, I knew I had to give it a try! A toner basically preps your skin and balances its pH for all the layering that’s to come next.
Laneige Water Bank Hydro Essence, $39
Step 5: Essence - The step that’s at the heart of the Korean beauty regimen. Essences impart the juicy hydration K-beauty promises to deliver. I LOVED using Laneige Water Bank Essence for this step.
Step 6: Serums and Ampoule Treatments - Choose one depending on your skincare concern. I’m struggling with pigmentation scars, so Cosrx Blemish Spot Clearing Serum worked like a charm.
Step 7: Sheet Mask - The idea behind sheet masking is the ingredients getting pushed into your skin rather than getting evaporated. You can use your favorite one here! I decided to have a little fun, and put on different masks on each day, you know just to make the process a little exciting!
Step 8: Eye Cream - Replete with anti-aging and skin lightening pigments, a Korean beauty eye cream nourishes the thin skin around the eyes well. I applied Klairs Nourishing Eye Butter in a gentle patting motion every night.
Step 9: Moisturizers - This step is just to seal in the moisture and all the goody-goody ingredients you just applied. I used the Belif Moisturizing Bomb here, and it did the job well.
Step 10: Sun Protection - Sunscreens are a must! K-beauty knows it too. Settle on an SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin well.
Results:
I am NEVER going back to my old skincare ritual. My skin felt hydrated and smooth after using the Korean beauty method. As someone with dry skin, this feeling is hard to come by. The pigmentation scars around my hairline lightened and the mini self-care routine everyday gave the much-needed boost to my mental health. I felt so confident with my skin and myself, in general, I didn’t wear any makeup for a while.
For the burning question, you all want me to answer, no it didn’t feel as much of a task to do and more like a meditative, self-indulgent routine to follow. This is what the Korean beauty mindset is all about - pampering and taking care of yourself rather than an everyday chore. Will I do all 10-steps every day? Probably not. Instead of serum and essence, I will stick to just one trusty product that delivers results and do a mask just twice a week. But double cleansing is the way forward, barring days when I don’t go out at all.
Were the results better than the regular skincare routine we follow?
Definitely a YES! I have followed the CTM routine and added the serums and masks to this routine, but none benefited me as much as the K-beauty routine. The careful layering of the products, natural ingredients passed down from generations and beautiful formulation are the attributes Western beauty lacks. And if it has failed to give you the skin of your dreams, I’d recommend giving an honest try to Korean products sooner than later.
What skincare type or concern can benefit the best?
All your skincare concerns can be tackled with K-beauty. You just have to choose the right products. For instance, I align more towards hydrating, pigmentation-lightening ingredients like Centella, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, niacinamide, etc. If your major concern is active acne, choose acid-based exfoliators, propolis-doused essence, and ceramide-containing moisturizers for a gentle, non-irritating, deeply hydrating routine.
Just Google ‘Korean beauty for (skin concern)’ and you’ll have a customized skincare routine all ready for you.
Conclusion:
K-beauty has certainly got the latest and greatest in skincare. Think of a beauty problem, and their skincare range already has the solution ready. With products that deliver well beyond expectations and innovations that tackle every skin issue, K-beauty is definitely a must-try for all women. It’s easy too! Just stick to the 6 to 7 step skincare, and do more on days when you just need some extra care.