10-STEP KOREAN SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Chances are, if you've spent any time browsing skincare content online, you've encountered the K-beauty phenomenon. Korean skincare has surged in popularity over recent years, and there's a compelling reason why. These products feature beautifully crafted formulations that are remarkably lightweight, work harmoniously with diverse skin tones, and deliver exceptional hydration—qualities that have earned them devoted followings worldwide.

Of particular interest is the famous 10-step Korean beauty routine. Although taxing to do every day, the results of this Korean skincare regimen are enough to keep you motivated. These steps leave no aspect of skin care unturned. If you have been wondering where to start, here are the steps, with detailed instructions on how to do them. We have also included some of our glow-secret family-favorite skin care products that we swear by.

1. Oil Cleanser

The oil cleanser serves as your first line of defense in purifying the skin. This step is crucial because makeup and sunscreen are often formulated to resist water, requiring an oil-based solution to dissolve them effectively. By harnessing the principle that oil dissolves oil, this cleanser gently breaks down stubborn products while maintaining your skin's natural softness and suppleness. Many formulations include surfactants that allow the oil to seamlessly blend with water, making the final rinse simple and thorough.

2. Foam Cleanser

These types of cleansers are water-based with surfactants as the star of the show. They bind to oil dirt and debris and break them down to remove them from the face. Most of the products in this category are what we commonly reach out for when we think of cleansers. A good lather is also a great plus to begin your day or night Korean skincare routine.

3. Exfoliant

This group includes scrubs, peels, and actives. Their main purpose is to remove dead skin and deep-seated debris from the skin. It’s a step that should be approached with caution; always start small like 1-2 times a week.

4. Toner

They primarily serve to rebalance the skin’s pH, but can also provide additional benefits like hydration and sometimes carry treatments.

5. Essence

The consistency of these products lies between a toner and a serum. They are primarily in the routine to add more hydration and form a crucial part of achieving the coveted “Korean glass skin” effect.

6. Ampoule or Serum

Serums usually have treatments. They contain highly concentrated ingredients meant to target specific skin concerns and issues, such as wrinkles, brightening or acne.

7. Sheet Mask

Not only do they make cute Instagram photos, but these little sheets are packed with treatments and a lot of hydrating ingredients that soothe and hydrate the skin. The glow afterwards is always amazing. This step doesn’t need to be done every day, but every so often.

8. Eye Cream

Eye patches, creams, or masks are made to target the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes while helping with dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.

9. Moisturizer

Moisturizers beautifully bring the routine together. These products have hydrating ingredients like water and combine them with occlusives and oils to seal in the hydration that we have worked so hard to impart on the skin.

10. SPF

Arguably the most important step in this whole routine. The sun tends to be one of the leading cause of the damage that we experience on our skin and all the aging that we experience. Preventing the damage will always be better than trying to treat it. Applying and reapplying sunscreen throughout the day is a crucial and beneficial step.

You can purchase the products online from www.glowsecret.co.ke at affordable prices in Nairobi, within Kenya, and internationally. (tap the images to purchase)

Have you tried the 10-step Korean skincare routine? Or variations of it like the 5-step or 7-step routine? What are your favorite parts of the routine?