Have you ever wondered how Koreans always look so fresh and radiant? What exactly is the secret behind their glass skin? Well, aside from good quality products, a lot of patience, consistency, and time goes into their skin. The central aim of most Korean skincare routines is hydration, which is why people who follow them have well-toned and glowing skin.
A traditional Korean skincare routine has a total of ten steps that are to be followed every single day. It can be quite taxing and expensive to do so, but the results speak for themselves. For best product recommendations, visit a Dermatologist in Karachi as they can guide you according to your skin type.
Here are the ten steps of a classic Korean skincare regimen:
1. Oil-based Cleanser
Korean skincare routines begin with a double-cleanse system, which comprises of an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based face wash. Oil-based cleansers are gentle on the skin and do a better job than water-based cleansers in removing oil-based impurities such as makeup, SPF and your body’s natural sebum. They are quite relaxing to use and work effectively without stripping your face from its natural healthy oils. They are to be used morning and night.
2. Water-based Cleanser
This is the second step of your double-cleansing routine, and is focused on removing water-based impurities such as sweat and dirt from your skin. Dermatologists recommend using your cleanser twice every day. Water based cleansers remove any excess impurities left behind, and are supposed to prevent breakouts.
3. Exfoliator
Exfoliants are products such as scrubs and peels. They are focused on removing dead skin cells and other build-up from your skin. There are different exfoliants for different skin types, so for an accurate recommendation, visit a Skin doctor in Lahore. Moreover, if you are new to exfoliants, start slowly by using your product once or twice a week. Once your skin is used to it, you can incorporate it in your routine more often.
4. Toner
After using an exfoliant, your skin’s pH can get a little out of balance, which is where toners come in. They restore your skin’s pH levels, and are the perfect way to increase the hydration levels of your face. They also help strengthen your skin barrier and bring moisture back to your skin
5. Essence
Essences are unique to Korean skincare routines and are typically formulated with fermented ingredients. Their main focus is to restore hydration in the skin and protect it from potential issues such as premature aging and breakouts. Their texture is usually sticky, somewhere between a toner and a serum’s. They soothe and heal the skin and are also known to speed up cell turnover.
6. Treatment
At this stage, your skin is properly prepped for your treatment. In Korean skincare, a treatment can be anything that is focused on combating a specific skin problem such as aging, wrinkles, acne or hyperpigmentation. Treatments are mostly highly concentrated ingredients meant to target particular issues and their aim is to treat problematic areas.
7. Sheet Mask
Sheet masks are another go-to product in Korean skincare routines. They hydrate the skin, making it look supple and radiant. The key to using your sheet mask correctly is to let it sit on your face for at least 10-15 minutes, allowing your skin to absorb the nutrients and moisture completely. Moreover, after treatment this step brings balance to your skin and strengthens its barrier.
8. Eye Cream
Korean skincare is all about prevention of future skin problems. The skin surrounding your eyes is the thinnest and most delicate part of your face. Using a good quality eye cream regularly can keep puffiness, crow’s feet, wrinkles, and dark circles at bay. And they do so in a gentle, hydrating manner.
9. Moisturizer
A moisturizer is meant to lock in all the products used previously, acting as a protective layer. It also acts as a sealant to make sure everything soaks into your skin. Moisturizers also focus on strengthening your skin’s barrier and prevent it from being wrecked.
10. SPF
Used only during the day, as the last step, SPF is a highly essential part of the Korean skincare world. It helps prevent a number of problems such as skin cancer, premature aging, and sunburn. Experts also recommend reapplying it throughout the day if you are working under the sun throughout the day.
