Korean Skincare: Routine and Tips

Hello, friends!

So, recently I have had a huge interest in Korean and Japanese skincare, since it is light years ahead of Western skincare! There skin always looks so perfect for a good reason~

I tried to to write this post in a simple way and break it down as much as I can since this skincare routine is quite extensive. Obviously, I am no skin care expert but I'm trying to learn more and more!

1. Remove Make-up

Well, I guess everyone would know it's important to remove your makeup. You don't want that on your skin all day, and definitely not when you sleep! When you're asleep, your skin repairs itself and you don't want it breathing through makeup that has most likely absorbed dirt throughout the day.

Benefits:

• It'll let your skin breathe and regenerate.
• Your make up absorbs a lot of pollution and dirt - which is what your skin is absorbing the longer it stays on your skin.
• It'll make your pillowcase dirty (or anything else you come in contact with) and it can cause bacteria to grow.

2. Cleansing

I'm sure everyone knows the importance of cleansing the skin as well - it's common in Korean skincare to "double-cleanse" (using oil to remove make up, and then further cleaning the skin with a cleanser) to make sure your skin is free from all makeup and residue. After all, if your skin isn't clean, how will it absorb the products you are about to put on it? It's like feeding a stomach that is already full - and your skin needs food!

Benefits:

• It removes dead skin cells, dirt, dust, makeup residue etc from the skin, allowing it to breathe freely and preventing the dirt from clogging your skin.
• It allows your skin to become a clean canvas for you to apply products onto

Remember to cleanse properly and gently, you don't want to irritate your skin and completely strip it off all it's natural oils!


3: Exfoliate

Exfoliation should be done sometimes, not frequently, as the purpose of exfoliation is to remove the dead skin cells from the surface and promotes blood circulation. 


Benefits:

• Promotes blood circulation.
• Removes dead skin cells, buffering your skin and making it smooth.
• Helps your products to penetrate the skin better.

4. Toning

Toners play an important role in a skin routine as they balance the pH of the skin, making it less prone to oiliness and infection, and prepares it for moisturizing.


Benefits:

• Helps remove the toxins in the skin, detoxifying it.
• It shrinks and tightens pores.
• Reduces acne
• Hydrates and nourishes

Remember to pick a good toner according to your skin tone, an alcohol based toner could dry out your skin!

5. Essence

This is where the skincare routine really get long and meticulous. Also known as lotions, essences help nourish the skin, with it's watery texture that the skin absorbs quickly.

Different essences have different benefits, which is what makes them so great as you can pick and choose according to what your skin needs.


6. Serums

Serums are similar to essences, but the watery content is next to none, allowing it to be a concentrate of active ingredients for your skin.

Benefits:

• Anti-aging effects
• Adds antioxidants to the skin
• Brightens skin

7. Mask

After putting on these products, a mask helps seal the nutrients into your skin.

Benefits: 

• Draws impurities from the skin
• Removes dead skin cells
• Tightens and tones the skin
• Moisturizes the skin
• Brightens the skin

8. Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is more sensitive and thinner, making it more prone to problems like dullness, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. An eye cream can target these problems, especially since it's a cream designed specifically for that area.

Benefits: 

• Reduces puffiness
• Reduces dark circles
• Reduces fine lines (putting it on before concealer allows it to go more smoothly)

9. Moisturizer

Everyone knows about moisturizing, right? It keeps your skin hydrated, promotes elasticity, keeps your skin and much more! If you're cleaning and toning your skin, you need to bring back into the skin that was taken away when it was cleansed.

Benefits:

• Increases skin elasticity
• Keeps skin hydrated
• Keeps skin soft
• Anti-aging benefits

Make sure you use the right moisturizer for your skin type!

10. Night Cream

Night creams help to increase the anti-aging benefits of your skin care routine and adds that little bit extra to your routine. After all, at night your skin is regenerating and resting, so it's the perfect time to give it an extra boost.

Benefits:

• Deeply moisturizes
• Anti-aging effects
• Hydrates skin
• Repairs skin

Extras:

Mist

One thing I see commonly used in Korea, is a spray on moisturizing mist that you quickly spray on your face during the day if your skin needs a bit of a pick-me-up.

Suncare

Prevention is better than curing. Always remember to apply sunscreen, even if it feels like you don't need it! Sun rays can be damaging no matter what.

What do you think of the routine?

Has anyone tried Korea/Japanese skin care products or followed through some of the routine before? Any recommendations? How did it go? Let me know, I want to learn more!

Enjoy life!

Nina