You’ve come to the correct place if you’re curious about Korean skincare but don’t know where to begin. Here you can find your guide to k-beauty.
We can almost certainly predict that a sizable portion of the beauty content you’ll find on Instagram or TikTok will be devoted to, or at the very least inspired by, Korean skincare trends.
The term “Korean beauty,” or simply “k-beauty,” describes skincare items, fads, or regimens that were established predominantly in South Korea.
Even though that may sound arcane, over the past ten or so years, Korean beauty has essentially influenced every facet of the American skincare market. Sheet masks, double cleaning, and the well-known 5-step Korean skincare regimen are all k-beauty techniques.
Of course, you don’t need a shelf stocked with imported Asian skincare items and tools to enjoy the advantages of a k beauty supply.
Here, we’ll go through the specific components of the procedures for the traditional 5-step korean skincare regimen.
We’ll also show you how to use your favorite kiehl’s products to develop a face-care routine that is influenced by Korean culture. To begin, continue reading.
The 5-step Korean skincare routine: what is it?
We thought it would be good to go over the fundamentals of Korean beauty and the 5-step Korean skincare regimen before getting into the specifics. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when Korean beauty first gained popularity in the united states, although it happened sometime in the middle of the decade.
The American k-beauty market expanded by 300% between 2016 and 2018. A google search for “korean skincare routine” returns more than 15 million results. The sector is currently valued at more than $10.2 billion internationally. Let’s just say that k-beauty is fairly well-known.
Cleaning, exfoliating, moisturizing, and covering your skin with a lot of broad-spectrum sunscreens are all essential elements in Korean skincare routines. Additionally related to Korean skincare are sheet masks, essences, and nightly skincare regimens.
However, since every routine is different (there aren’t always exactly 5 stages), it’s crucial to choose products designed specifically for your skin type. For instance, if you have dry skin, you should concentrate on hydration; if you frequently get pimples, you should adhere to non-comedogenic substances.
Your top 5-step process
We’ve put out a 5-step program that is easily adaptable to your skin type and personal preferences to help you decide which steps to do (and when). Learn how to develop your own k-beauty routine for luminous, healthy-looking skin by reading on.
Step 1: Oil cleanse to get rid of surface grease and oil
Oil for botanical cleansing at midnight
A hallmark of a traditional Korean skincare regimen is double cleansing. Pick up an oil-based cleanser, such as midnight recovery botanical cleansing oil, to start.
A few drops of the sumptuous, lavender-scented washing oil should be applied to your palms before massaging it over your dry face.
The smooth solution emulsifies with the addition of water to produce a thin foam that melts away grime, extra oil, and makeup while leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. It can be used to remove both waterproof eye makeup and facial makeup and is non-comedogenic.
Step 2: Finish your double cleansing regimen
Cleanse your face once more, this time with a mild, foamy face cleanser, after rinsing off your cleaning oil.
Try the calendula deep cleansing foaming face wash, which has calming calendula extract and moisturizing glycerin. Your skin will feel renewed and invigorated because to the gentle formula’s ability to eliminate pollutants without removing the skin’s protective moisture barrier.
Use cool or lukewarm water to wash your face (hot water might overdry your skin), and make sure to properly rinse afterward to remove any traces of cleanser.
Step 3: immediately use your preferred toner
Toner comes next in your k-beauty routine. Choose a formula that is gentle and non-drying, like rare earth pore refining tonic.
This milky toner, which contains allantoin and the mineral-rich amazonian white clay, helps restore the natural moisture balance of the face while mattifying glossy, oily-prone areas like the t-zone.
The consistent application also aids in reducing the visibility of enlarged pores, revealing smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Step 4: Apply an essence rich in antioxidants.
Essences are a staple of Korean beauty and an absolute must in your 5-step regimen (at least, if you want to follow tradition).
A skin-friendly antioxidant-infused essence, like ferulic brew rejuvenating facial essence, is what we advise choosing. Fast-absorbing composition with ferulic acid and squalane extracted from olives brightens and removes dry, flaky skin.
Additionally, it aids in preventing harmful free radicals, which can hasten the onset of early ageing symptoms. Simply put a tiny amount of the liquid into your palms and rub it onto your skin without using a cotton pad or towel to apply it.
Step 5: use a mask to address problem areas
You would likely continue with applying your serum at this point in your typical routine. However, the best korean skincare regimens often incorporate masking—more precisely, using a sheet mask—as a third step in between toner and serum. If you don’t feel like wearing a full sheet mask every night, try using line-minimizing targeted triangle patch masks three times a week to target-treat just your problem areas.
These distinctive triangle-shaped patches are easy to apply to the skin and aid in noticeably plumping and smoothing aged skin.
Crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, and intractable forehead wrinkles are just a few of the many facial lines and wrinkles that they have been clinically shown to aid with.
After toning, apply the little masks to trouble spots and keep them on for around 30 minutes. When the allotted time has passed, pat the remaining serum onto your face and neck before continuing with the rest of your regimen.
