10-Step Korean Skincare Routine for Radiant, Glass Skin

K-beauty is becoming more popular worldwide. You might have heard it many times, but what does it mean? Does it mean that you should only use Korean Skincare products? No, it is not like that. It means adopting the philosophy of Korean beauty in daily skincare routine. This routine is gaining popularity globally just because it has a scientific approach to achieving healthy, glowing skin. It mainly focuses on prevention of skin problems, hydration, and nourishment. With the use of products that are perfect for skin and consistent care, you can customize your skin care routine according to your needs.

What is a Korean skincare routine?

The Korean skincare routine follows the principles of Korean beauty, emphasizing hydration and nourishment. It focuses on natural and effective ingredients while using lightweight formulas suitable for different skin types. This routine helps support the skin’s natural barrier, improving texture and overall health. Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin a well-structured Korean skincare routine can enhance your skin’s health gradually.

Why is the Korean Skin Care Routine So Popular?

Here are some of the reasons for its popularity:

• It delivers visible and long-term results while keeping your skin hydrated and protected.

• It is customizable based on different types of skin concerns like acne, dryness, etc.

• This helps to encourage a self-care approach to skin, promoting relaxation and consistency.

The 10-Steps Korean Skin Care Routine

From cleansing to hydrating, toning to moisturizing, and nourishing to protecting your skin, this 10-steps Korean skincare routine will cover all the factors and steps that are essential for the skincare routine.

Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser

The first step in a Korean skincare routine is cleansing with an oil-based cleanser. This method is the first part of double cleansing, where the oil cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil from the skin. Throughout the day, our skin collects impurities like dirt, pollution, and oil-based debris, which can clog pores and result in skin breakouts. An oil-based cleanser dissolves these impurities without drying out the skin or removing its natural moisture. It makes skin soft, nourished, and ready for the next steps in your skincare routine.

Why is this step important?

Using an oil-based cleanser deeply cleanses the skin while maintaining its natural balance. It helps prevent clogged pores, reduces breakouts, and keeps skin hydrated. By gently removing makeup and impurities, this step prepares your skin to absorb the benefits of other skincare products more effectively.

Recommended Product

The Fuyuan Hydro Cleansing Oil gently removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil while nourishing the skin. Made with Korean hot spring water and botanical oils like argan, olive, and jojoba, it hydrates and refreshes your skin.

Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser

After using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and extra oil, the next step is a water-based cleanser. It helps to wash away sweat, dirt, and anything left behind after the first cleanse. While oil-based cleansers clean oily residue, they clean the skin’s surface, making it feel fresh and ready for the next skincare step.

Why Is This Step Important?

A water-based cleanser makes your skin fresh and clean before you apply other products. It removes dirt, sweat, and bacteria, keeping your skin healthy and preventing breakouts. This step also helps to stop pores clogging and reduces the chance of skin irritation. When your skin is properly cleaned, other products like serums and moisturizers work better and give you better results.

Recommended Product

Fuyuan Papaya Enzyme Powder Cleanser is a gentle face wash with Korean hot spring water, papain, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, grape ferment extract, and chamomile. It removes dead skin, hydrates, brightens, and helps fight signs of aging.

Step 3: Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an essential step in your skincare routine that removes dead skin cells, impurities, and unclog pores. It is not about scrubbing your skin but gently removing product buildup that can make your skin look dull. When dead skin cells occur, they create a barrier that prevents your skincare products from working effectively.

Why is this step important?

It helps to refresh your skin, making it look brighter, smoother, and healthier. Regular exfoliation can also help prevent breakouts by keeping pores clean and reducing excess oil. If you have dry or sensitive skin, exfoliate only once a week, but if your skin is oily, you can do it up to twice a week. Over-exfoliating can peel your skin, so always be gentle and choose a product that suits your skin type.

STEP 4: TONER

After you've cleaned your skin with an exfoliation, it’s time to use a toner. Even after cleansing, your skin can still feel tight or dry. This is where a toner comes in to restore balance. It helps to refresh and hydrate your skin, bringing back the moisture lost during cleansing. Additionally, toners help to close your pores, giving your skin a smoother texture.

Why This Step is Important

Toning is an essential step in your skincare routine because it helps balance your skin’s natural pH after cleansing. Cleansing can sometimes leave the skin slightly acidic or dry, which can react with the rest of your skincare products. A toner rehydrates your skin, making it feel soft and refreshed. It also helps your skin better absorb moisturizers, serums, or treatments, enhancing their effectiveness. When used regularly, toners can help maintain clear and healthy skin, giving it a glowing and youthful look.

Recommended Product:

Try Ongoong Total Solution Toner! Made with Korean hot spring water, it deeply hydrates, soothes, and nourishes your skin. Ingredients like polyglutamic acid, lavender water, and dandelion extract help keep your skin soft and calm, while niacinamide and adenosine brighten your face for a natural, healthy glow.

STEP 5: ESSENCE

Essence is a key product of Korean skincare, known for their lightweight, water-like formulas that are different from serums. They are designed to provide deep hydration and nourishment to the skin. Essences are easily absorbed into the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed and hydrated. They often contain active ingredients that help with skin regeneration, making them perfect for promoting a healthy, glowing complexion. Some of the best ingredients found in essences include snail mucin and Syn-ake peptide, both of them provide intense moisture and improve skin elasticity.

Why This Step is Important

It helps your skin absorb moisture more effectively. After cleansing, the skin may feel a bit dry, and applying an essence helps to restore its natural hydration levels. Essences are lightweight, so they don’t feel heavy on the skin, but they work wonders for maintaining a smooth, soft texture while enhancing skin health.

Recommended Product:

You can use any of the face essences from our wide range of essences.

STEP 6: TREATMENTS (SERUMS OR AMPOULES)

Serums or ampoules target specific skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines. These products are packed with active ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, niacinamide, retinol, etc. that work deeply within the skin to provide anti-aging and anti-wrinkle benefits. Unlike moisturizers, serums have a lightweight formula, allowing them to easily absorb into the skin. They help address skin issues more effectively that can help brighten, hydrate, and even out the skin tone.

Why is this step important?

It focuses on the root causes of specific skin concerns. Whether you're looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, lighten hyperpigmentation, or minimize fine lines, this step targets those issues directly. These products are designed to provide the required treatment and deliver fast, noticeable results.

STEP 7: SHEET MASK

Sheet masks are a simple way to give your skin nutrient-rich hydration. It comes soaked in a serum-like liquid that your skin absorbs deeply. When you use a sheet mask, it helps your skin feel refreshed and nourished. It’s like giving your skin a treat that makes it look and feel better in just a short time. Sheet masks are easy to use and can help your skin look glowing and healthy.

Why is this step important?

Sheet masks provide quick hydration and nourishment. They help to hydrate your skin, making your skin soft and smooth. Using them regularly can also help even out your skin tone and improve skin elasticity. If your skin feels dry or dull, a sheet mask can give it the extra care.

Recommended Products:

1. Fuyuan Elastic Face Mask: It is made with hyaluronic acid, green tea, and aloe vera. It hydrates, soothes, and brightens your skin.
2. Fuyuan Enzyme Shining Light Mask: It is made with papain, galactomyces ferment filtrate, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. It gently exfoliates, hydrates, and brightens your skin for a glowing look.

STEP 8: EYE CREAM

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your face. It is more prone to dryness, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. This area needs extra care because it doesn’t have as many oil glands to naturally hydrate itself. An eye cream helps provide much-needed hydration and nourishment. By adding this step to your skincare routine, you can target specific concerns like dark circles, puffiness, and early signs of aging. It provides a boost of moisture and improves the overall look of your under-eye area, leaving you with smoother, brighter skin.

Why This Step Is Important

Using an eye cream is essential because the skin around your eyes is more sensitive and vulnerable. It gets affected by environmental factors, lack of sleep, or stress, showing signs like puffiness or dark circles. Regularly applying eye cream helps to replenish moisture, soothe tired skin, and combat the visible effects of aging. It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, making your eyes look refreshed and youthful.

Recommended Product:

For this step, try the Dr. Libeaute Quick Wrinkle Remover. Made with Korean hot spring water and Argireline, it helps reduce wrinkles and provides deep hydration to the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Step 9: Moisturizer

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. After cleansing and exfoliating, it’s essential to lock in hydration and maintain the moisture levels in your skin. Moisturizers work by sealing the skin with a thin protective barrier, preventing water loss throughout the day. This helps your skin stay soft, smooth, and hydrated, making it look fresh and glowing. They also create a shield that protects your skin from environmental damage like pollution and weather changes. Moisturizers come in different textures and formulas, allowing you to choose the one that suits your skin type.

Why This Step is Important

Moisturizing keeps your skin nourished, hydrated, and balanced. When your skin is properly moisturized, it looks plump, smooth, and healthy. This step strengthens your skin’s natural barrier, reducing dryness and irritation. Without moisturizing, your skin can become dry, dull, and subjected to fine lines and wrinkles.

Recommended Product

For this step, we recommend Fuyuan Oriental All-in-One Moisturizer, which hydrates and nourishes the skin. Its formula with galactomyces ferment filtrate, Dong Quai extract, and aloe vera is suitable for all skin types.

Step 10: Sunscreen

After completing your skincare routine, applying sunscreen is one of the most important steps. It protects your skin from the harmful effects of the UV rays. UV rays can cause damage that leads to premature aging, wrinkles, sunburn, and dark spots. Over time, exposure to the sun without protection can also cause skin cancer. 

Why This Step is Important

Sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause a lot of problems, including skin cancer. Regular exposure to the sun without sunscreen can speed up the aging process, causing wrinkles and fine lines. It also increases the chances of developing dark spots or hyperpigmentation. The best part is, sunscreen isn’t just about protecting from sunburn. It also protects your skin’s overall health and beauty. Whether you’re indoors or outside, sunscreen is a must to make your skin healthy for years to come.

By following these 10 steps, you’re not just loving your skin, you're investing in its long-term health and beauty. Whether you follow the full routine or customize it according to your needs, the results are the best.

Adapting the Routine for Different Skin Types

Different skin types need different skincare routines:

Korean Skincare Routine for Oily Skin

For oily skin, one should choose lightweight and non-comedogenic products. Non-comedogenic means not clogging pores on the skin. However, they should use products like essences, sheet masks, face packs, aloe vera gels, serums, etc.

Korean Skincare Routine for Dry Skin

For those with dry skin, they should go for the hydrating products like toners, essences, serums, creams, moisturizers, etc. Also, they should look for hydrating and nourishing ingredients like snail mucin, aloe vera gel, syn-ake peptide, etc.

Korean Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin

For those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin, go for gentle, natural, and non-irritating products like those of Korean skincare routine.

Korean Skincare Routine for Combination Skin

For the combination skin, you have to use both dry skin and oily skin recommendations. Balance hydration with lightweight products in oily areas and richer textures in dry areas.

Morning vs. Night Routine

Morning and night routines need adjustments.

• Morning Routine: Focus on protection with cleansing, hydration, and sunscreen.

• Night Routine: Focus on repair and hydration with double cleansing, treatments, and moisturization.

Common Myths About Korean Skincare

Myth 1: You must do all 10 steps every day.

Reality: The routine is flexible. You can skip steps based on your skin's needs.

Myth 2: More products mean better skin.

Reality: Quality and consistency matter more than the number of products used.

Myth 3: It’s only for women.

Reality: Skincare is for everyone, regardless of gender.

Conclusion

However, the 10-step Korean skincare routine is more than just a trend. It is a science-backed method to maintain healthy, glowing skin. The key is consistency and customization. You do not have to follow all steps daily. Instead, listen to your skin and adjust the routine based on its needs.

Are you ready to experience radiant, youthful skin? So, start today with the best Korean skincare products from Stylerule.