Have you heard of the infamous 10 step Korean skin care routine? When it came up for the first time in the United States of America, the routine gained quite a popularity. If you visit beauty retailers such as Sephora, Ulta and merchandises like CVS, you can easily grab Korean routine products. If you are already a Korean beauty addict, then there is no point in waiting for the amaze to happen.
In spite of having such a cumulative demand for Korean beauty products, the reception of skin care varies. The results either can make you flabbergasted with joy, or can completely bring down your energy. It’s on you whether you want to scintillate like a Christmas tree with 10 step Korean skin care or not.
Did you ever wonder why the skin care routine is a ten-stepped process? Why not one less or one more? Is the routine scientifically correct or not? To understand the importance of 10 step Korean skin care, you need to be well acquainted with your skin layers. The ten steps are exactly in rhythm with the underlying layers of your skin. Some beauty journals describe 10 step Korean skin care routine as Holy Grail, while others call it a wearying procedure.
Now everything is upon you to judge whether the routine is beneficial enough to undergo. For reference, this article will guide you step-by-step on how to follow 10 step Korean skin care for maximum benefits. You can say that 10 step Korean skin care is a trending milestone in the history of Korean beauty techniques. Apparently, the steps are quite flexible to administer and you can adjust them depending on your skin texture and seasons.
Variations in the seasons can also bring out changes on your skin tone-dry, rough or oily. Based on your skin type during that time, you can modify 10 step Korean skin care as per your convenience.
Table of Contents
10 step Korean skin care routine
Here you will learn about 10 step Korean skin care in detail, with reasons behind the importance of each step. You will also get to know on why the steps are chronological adjusted in this particular way. It will make you get assurance about whether it will benefit your skin health or not.
To administer 10 step Korean skin care with full perseverance, you need to spend around 10 to 15 minutes. If you are able to spare this much time for self-care, you are going to get wonderful results. Now is the time to know 10 step Korean skin care that any beauty influencer or retailer will recommend you. The Korean skin care steps are as follows:
- Oil cleanser- to remove your makeup
- Cleanser- it must be water based
- Exfoliator- chemical or physical
- Toner- to remove traces of dirt
- Essence- for hydration and other benefits
- Treatment- with emulsions and ampoules
- Sheet masks- for moisture and nutrient absorption
- Eye creams- for removal of dark circles and puffiness
- Moisturizer- to gift you smooth and soft fine lines
- Sunscreen lotion- to block harmful sunrays (UV rays) and prevent wrinkles and skin aging
Why is step 1 of double cleansing with oil
The primary thing to do while following 10 step Korean skin care routine, is to wash your face two times. This is the most basic step that will eventually guide you to a better, radiant skin tone. Now, both the washes cannot be with just water, oil or foaming cleanser. You need to initially wash your face with oil, and then shift to a foaming cleanser for the second time.
Different types of cleansers pull out different types of dirt from your oil. The work of an oil-based cleanser will not be the same as a foam based cleanser. If you have an oily skin, instinctively you might balk at the notion of washing your face with oil. However, that is not how it works. Oil-based cleansers work against impurities containing oil, such as pollutants, sebum, and SPF (sun protection factor).
However, cleansers containing oil do not work quite effectively against dirt and sweat. This is the reason why you should switch your second wash to a foam based cleanser. Water based or foam-containing cleansers can easily pick up sweat and gunk off your face that oil ones cannot. To effectively remove dust and sweat from your face, cleanse it with a foamy solution. There is one thing you need to take care of while buying foam cleansers. Remember to check the level of pH in the cleanser bottle. Always go for cleansing products that have a lower pH.
How to cleanse your face?
You should cleanse your face every morning and before going to bed. Add a little water to your cleanser and gently massage your face, and finally rinse with lukewarm water.
- Ingredients to look for in an ideal oil-based cleanser: jojoba oil, macadamia oil and grape seed oil.
- You should look for rice extract, green tea and pearl extract in water based or foam-based cleansers.
Why do you think it is so important that your cleanser have a low pH?
How would you understand that the product has low pH when you accidentally forget to check the pH balance? If your cleanser is too foamy- then be assured that it has lower pH, which means your product is acidic. The pH of your skin normally falls in the range of 4.2 to 5.6 in the acidic range.
If you go beyond 5.6, it will become more alkaline. While you travel to the left side of the pH scale (below 4.2), it becomes more acidic. If the pH of your cleanser is higher, you will feel an unusual tightness. It is not a very good sign. The adverse effects of an acidic pH cleanser can cause acne, redness and irritation on your face.
Gently massaging your face is also very important to drain dirt out of lymphatic glands, which can otherwise cause puffiness. Go for lukewarm water in order to wash off cleanser from your face, than patting it dry with a towel. Your skin is the most sensitive exterior body part, thus it needs utmost care.
What is the work of an exfoliator?
Exfoliation is the process of cleaning pores of your skin, in order to make it look smoother and brighter. During exfoliation, dead cells on the outer layer of skin falls off. In other words, you can say that chemical and physical exfoliators help in removing debris from your skin pores. If you can prevent clogging of pores, you can also get rid of associated skin problems like acne and puffiness.
Do exfoliators help in better absorption of other skin products? If your skin pores are free of clogging with dirt and grease, the cells can absorb moisturizers and toners efficiently.
How should you use exfoliators?
You need to exfoliate your face approximately twice a week, in order to get better and distinctive results. Focus mainly in the areas surrounding the nose, and pores that are well noticeable on your cheeks. Ingredients to look for in ideal exfoliators- salicylic acid, black sugar and lactic acid.
How does using a toner brighten your skin?
The next step to your 10 step Korean skin care routine post exfoliation is using a proper toner. Choose your toner wisely that will suit your face the best. You can ideally define toner as an astringent that helps in wiping off smallest traces of dirt from your face. The impurities may include dust particles, air pollutants or even residues of makeup.
When your exfoliators and cleansers fail to remove small leftovers of dirt and makeup, toners come into play. Apart from this role, toners help in repairing barriers of your skin to retain moisture within it. When you go out of the house, the surrounding pollutants often tend to take off moisture from your skin. How are you going to prevent that? Toners are your rescue.
To understand this concept more clearly, imagine your skin as a sponge. How does a sponge work? It absorbs whatever you expose it to, right? It is exactly how your skin works. When you expose your skin to dirt and other contaminants, it absorbs everything. In this process, your skin tends to lose out moisture if the surrounding environment is dry. Only a toner or a moisturizer can help you cover up the void of lost moisture from your skin layers.
What happens when a sponge gets completely dry? It becomes hard and tight. The epidermal or outer layer of your skin becomes extremely tight and stiff when there is deficit of moisture. Do not make it difficult for yourself in rehydrating your skin. Thus, avoid making your face too dry. Toner will balance the pH level of your skin and moisten it.
How to use a toner?
Put a little amount of toner on a cotton pad and rub it gently all over your face. You may also use your hands. Ingredients to look for in an ideal toner- citric acid, aloe vera and licorice.
What does essence do to your skin?
When you are following the 10 step Korean skin care routine, never forget about the essences to hydrate your skin. Essences usually weigh quite low on your skin, but are extremely rich in hydrating substances. You can also get anti-aging and skin tone enhancing effects on using essences.
For cell turnover and proper balance of water within skin, essences are an important part of Korean skin care steps.
How should you use essence?
You usually get essence in spray bottles, so just sprinkle a little amount on your fingers or hands. Rub gently over your face and the neck region. Ingredients to look for in essence bottles- birch juice, yeast, rice extract and hyaluronic acid.
What skin treatments should you undergo?
To make your skin look perfect, include ampoules, boosters and serums in your 10 step Korean skin care daily routine. These ingredients are heavily loaded with benefits, to make your skin look younger and livelier. Skin treatments aids in fighting skin issues such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and acne. The only advantage here is that you can directly treat the problematic areas on your face.
How to undergo the ideal skin treatment?
Firstly, locate the areas where you feel your skin needs treatment. Next, gently tap on the concerned areas with ingredients like tea tree oil, vitamin C and soybeans.
How are sheet masks helpful?
If you consider essence as the heart of 10 step Korean skin care routine, then the soul is sheet mask. While you are buying readymade sheet masks from beauty retailers, remember to check the quality of sheet. This is the most important point to focus on in this beauty care routine. The sheet should be able to have a prolonged effect on skin, to absorb nutrients and moisture to the maximum.
Ideal sheet masks will make you reach a level of tranquility, once you put them on your face. Sheet masks permeates into your skin cells, and aids in better absorption of essence and moisture.
How to use sheet masks?
On your clean skin after treatment, pat your face with sheets infused with deep essence. Now lie on your back and relax. Ingredients to look for in sheet masks- cucumber, rose and green tea.
What does eye cream do?
Eye cream helps in removing dark circles, puffiness and fine lines below your eyes. The part of the skin beneath your eyes is the most sensitive and delicate region. You need to moisturize that part to make your eyes look brighter, and overall face younger. Eye creams usually contain components that are ultra-gentle, preventing any sort of irritation to your eyes and surrounding areas. Apart from dark circles, eye creams also aids in preventing crow’s feet.
How to use eye creams for effective results?
Use your little finger to rub eye cream in a circular motion around the orbital area. Ingredients to find in eye creams- honey, lily and ginseng.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q1: What is the 10-step Korean skincare routine?
Ans: The 10-step Korean skincare routine is a comprehensive skincare regimen that involves ten steps, including cleansing, exfoliating, toning, using essences, applying serums, using sheet masks, moisturizing, applying eye cream, using sunscreen, and occasionally using sleeping masks or night creams.
Q2: Is the 10-step Korean skincare routine suitable for all skin types?
Ans: Yes, the 10-step Korean skincare routine can be customized to suit different skin types, including oily, dry, combination, and sensitive skin. You can adjust the products and steps based on your specific needs.
Q3: How long does it take to complete the 10-step Korean skincare routine?
Ans: The time required to complete the routine may vary depending on individual preferences and the specific products used. On average, it can take around 15 to 30 minutes, but it can be shortened or extended as desired.
Q4: Can I skip some steps in the 10-step routine?
Ans: Yes, the 10-step routine is highly customizable, and you can adjust it according to your needs. Some steps like exfoliating or using sheet masks can be done less frequently, while others like cleansing, moisturizing, and using sunscreen should be done daily.
Q5: When should I do the 10-step Korean skincare routine?
Ans: The 10-step routine is typically done in the morning and evening. However, you can adjust the routine to suit your schedule and preferences. It is crucial to cleanse, moisturize, and use sunscreen during the daytime, while the evening routine can include additional steps like using serums and night creams.
Writing allows me to pour my heart out in words. So, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 6 years. I strive to bring in a change in the world by taking tiny steps of curating the right message that needs to be conveyed.
