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How To Master The 10-step Korean Skincare Routine | Feelunique

How To Master The 10-step Korean Skincare Routine

So we’ve all heard about the routine that gives you flawless, nourished skin but a.) what’s it all about? And b.) what exactly are these 10 mysterious steps? Let's break it down...

What’s the hype?

One thing you need to know about this trailblazing trend is though it may seem excessive, it’s your ticket to skin that’s more luminous than the average human. The 10-step Korean skincare routine has been South East Asia’s best-kept secret since the 60’s, but it was only a matter of time for their technologically-advanced and natural formulations became a hit with the rest of the world.

Shop all your Korean skincare essentials here.

Step One: Oil-based cleanser

For your evening cleanse, opt for an oil-based formula to melt away makeup and impurities from the skin, while keeping it hydrated.

TRY: bareMinerals OIL OBSESSED™ Oil Cleanser, Dear, Klairs Black Deep Cleansing Oil, Super Facialist Vitamin C + Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, Too Cool For School Deep Cleansing Oil

Step Two: Water-based cleanser

Once you’ve melted away makeup and grime, follow up with a water-based cleanser to gently remove oil build-up and any excess impurities from the day (which is a daily necessity if you’re a city dweller).

TRY: Shiseido Refreshing Cleansing Water, Village 11 Factory Real Fit Moisture Cleansing Foam, Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water, MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cleansing Foam

Step Three: Exfoliate

Once or twice a week, use a gentle exfoliator to buff away the dead skin cells that are making your skin look lacklustre. This step also helps to prep your skin to absorb the products that follow.

TRY: Holika Holika Smooth Egg Skin Peeling Gel, Oh K! SOS Exfoliating Cleansing Pads, Murad Age Reform Exfoliating Cleanser AHA/BHA

Holika Holika Smooth Egg Skin Peeling Gel 140ml

£ 10.95

Step Four: Toner

Drench a cotton pad and sweep over your complexion to balance the skin’s pH levels to avoid your skin going into freakout mode.

TRY: Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Toner, KEEP COOL Soothe Bamboo Toner, G9 Skin White In Milk Toner, Q+A Niacinamide Daily Toner, ELEMIS Balancing Lavender Toner

ELEMIS Balancing Lavender Toner 200ml

£ 28.00

Q+A Niacinamide Daily Toner 100ml

£ 6.00

Holika Holika Good Cera Super Ceramide Toner 180ml

£ 15.70

Step Five: Essence

An essential part of the Korean skincare routine to keep hydration levels topped up, essence is a lightweight, hydrating liquid designed to prep your skin for the rest of the routine. Add to a cotton pad, sweep over your complexion, and let the essence instantly balance your skin.

TRY: All Natural Blooming Lifting Essence, Lumene Nordic C Glow Boost Essence

Step Six: Ampoule

Like a super-charged version of your serum, this gives your skin the chance to easily absorb all the hydration it needs to get over a hard day’s work. Ampoules are basically super-charged serums that deliver a higher potency of nourishing ingredients to the skin. For best results warm up between your fingers and press into the skin for maximum absorption.

TRY: MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Ampoule, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules, TonyMoly Timeless Ferment Snail Essence Set

Step Seven: Serum

Unlike an ampoule, your serum can be more concern focused. So, a K-Beauty tip is to just work your serum into the areas of concern.

TRY: It’s Skin Power 10 GF Serum, Caudalie Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum, Farsali Liquid Glass

Step Eight: Sheet Mask

A Korean skincare staple, everyone can benefit from these saturated cloths. Perfect for all skin types, they can do anything (and everything) from turning back the clock on your skin to nourishing dehydrated complexions.

TRY: Holika Holika Prime Youth Black Snail Kit, Too Cool For School Coconut Oil Serum Mask, masqueBAR Anti-Wrinkle Sheet Mask

Step Nine: Eye Cream

Key for maintaining that fresh-faced finish that K-Beauty prides itself for, dap an eye cream along the contours of the delicate area to help protect and hydrate through the night.

TRY: Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, FILORGA Optim-Eyes, Shangpree Gold Solution Care Eye Cream, All Natural Blooming Lifting Eye Cream

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado 28ml

£ 44.82

FILORGA Optim-Eyes Intensive Revitalizing 3-in-1 Eye Contour Cream 15ml

£ 46.00

Step Ten: Moisturiser

And finally, opt for a rich moisturiser that will keep those skin-loving ingredients locked in, so you can wake up to the rejuvenated complexion you’ve been dreaming of (courtesy of the endless #GlassSkin posts on the gram).

TRY: Clinique Moisture Surge™ 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, MISSHA Time Revolution Immortal Youth Moisturizer, Emma Hardie Midas Touch Revitalising Cream