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[av_heading heading=’The 10-step Korean skin care routine ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY: ROEYNA MAY FAMISARAN
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EVER wondered why Koreans have too-good-to-be-true smooth skin? Aside from their clean surroundings and genetic blessedness, Koreans religiously take care of their skin. If you watch a lot of Korean dramas, you will consistently see that Korean women and even men – regardless of their financial status – spend a lot of money on beauty products. For them, skin care is an investment. It is worthy of their won and time.
The good news is: Koreans are generous enough to share the secret behind their beautiful skin – the 10-step skin care routine. It sounds crazy but too many people around the globe have tried this (read reviews on the Internet) and all they can say is that the results are amazing. So how does this work? Here are the details:
First step: Oil cleanser
Koreans believe in the power of double-cleansing. Thus, the first step of their routine is applying oil cleanser. This is to remove all traces of makeup and dirt on the face.
According to Charlotte Cho, author of The Little Book of Skin Care, oil “eliminates all impurities without drying out your skin.”
Products to try: The Faceshop Rice Water Cleansing Light Oil, Banila Clean It Zero Purity, Missha M Perfect BB Deep Cleansing Oil
Second Step: Foam Cleanser
The latter half part of the double-cleansing routine requires you – as what the name suggests – to cleanse your face again, this time with a mild foam cleanser.
“Believe it or not, after one cleanse, you’re still going to have stuff left over,” Cho explains.
Products to try: Tony Moly Clean Dew Lemon Foam Cleanser, Missha Near Skin Extra Renew Cleansing Foam
Third Step: Exfoliate
First note about this step: Do not do this every day. According to skin experts, exfoliating should be done twice or thrice a week. Doing it every day can dry out your skin.
Exfoliation is very important because it does not only clean clogged pores but also removes dead skin cells that make your skin look dull.
Products to try: Skinfood Black Sugar Mask, RE:P BioFresh Mask with Real Calming Herb
Fourth Step: Toner
Toner is a way to prep your skin for the next few steps of your routine. According to Cho, your skin is still in a “fragile state after cleansing it so many times.” That is why Korea-manufactured toners are made not just to cleanse but also to hydrate the skin.
Products to try: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner, Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin
Fifth Step: Essence
The Essence is considered the most important part of the Korean skincare routine. Elle.com describes it as a “nourishing liquid concentrate that effectively enhances skin’s cellular, renewal process, leading to an increase in elasticity and fitness, as well as a brighter complexion.”
Products to try: Missha First Treatment Essence Mist, Laneige Water Bank Essence
Sixth Step: Ampoule
Cho explains on Elle.com that an ampoule is “a condensed, vitamin-rich version of essence.” The product aims to address skin concerns such as aging, dullness, loss of collagen, and uneven tone, among others. It is also packed with antioxidants, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.
Products to try: Skinfood Yuja Water C Whitening Ampoule, Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule, Nature Republic Real Nature Ampoule
Seventh Step: Facial Sheet Masks
Even Korean men take time to put facial sheet masks on their faces. This just goes to show that skin care is already part of their culture. Cho recommends applying sheet masks twice a week for best results.
Products to try: Skinfood Hydro Fitting Snail Mask Sheet, Tony Moly I’m Real Face Mask Sheet, Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Sheet Mask
Eight Step: Eye Cream
Skin experts all over the world say people usually forget their eyes during their skin care routine. The skin under the eyes is thinner so it requires a lot of TLC to maintain its health. Fine lines can appear in your early 20s so it is best to keep it at bay with an eye cream.
The trick in applying eye cream is not to tug the skin but to tap. As the skin around the eyes is thinner, skin experts oblige you to be gentler.
Products to try: Laneige White Plus Renew Eye Cream, Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
Ninth Step: Emulsion
An emulsion works like a moisturizer. Koreans are really into hydrating their skin to keep it healthy and smooth.
Products to try: Etude House Collagen Moistfull Emulsion, Cosrx Natural BHA Skin Returning Emulsion
Tenth Step: SPF
Koreans are obsessed with SPF. Actually, we should all be. It is self-explanatory. But most women tend to forget its significance. Protection is a must.
Products to try: Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+, Innisfree Eco Safety Perfect Sunblock, The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Sebum Control Moisture SPF 40
That’s it. It takes a lot of work but people around the world claim the 10-step Korean skin care routine is worth every minute and penny. It miraculously transforms your skin. So if you have been dying to get that smooth and glowing skin, why not give this a try?/PN
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