You may or may not have heard of this before. But for the last few years, the Korean skincare routine has taken the world by storm. If you haven’t tried it yet then 2021 is the year to get on it. Trust us your skin will love you for it.

Korean skincare is all about balance and working with your skin’s natural systems to produce the best results. Normally Korean skincare products are used and they’ve been created with the Korean philosophy of beauty in mind. The idea is the prevention and protection are better than trying to cure it with harsh chemicals and other things to get rid of the damage.

It really is a routine and something that you have to adopt as a part of your lifestyle. You’ll find yourself thinking of things like cleaning, hydrating, protecting, and nourishing the skin in a whole new light. It is also a form of self-care that may be of us can appreciate in these stressful times.

Your 2021 Skincare Routine

Korean skincare focuses on taking care of the skin you have rather than trying to fix it after it has been damaged. If the proof is in the pudding the Korean skin is some amazing proof. This routine is great for both men and women. These days men are taking much more interest in self-care routines, Rooftop Squad has a lot of great articles focused on helping men feel their best. We all want to look and feel our best and our skin is one of the biggest tells for when we’re less than our best. Let’s work to take care of it. Here are some things you should know about the Korean skincare routine.

The 10-step routine

The traditional version of the Korean skincare routine includes ten steps and quite a variety of products. The steps are listed below:

1. Oil-based cleanser

Oil-based cleansers are used to remove things like your makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based or cream products that liquid cleansers work hard to remove. They are very gentle and a great way to start your skincare routine. You can give yourself a starter massage with this product.

2. Water-based cleanser

Water-based cleansers are what you’re most likely used to. They are foaming liquids or bars that working to remove the oil and dirt from your skin. These are generally stronger than oil cleansers. They take care of everything that the oil cleanser doesn’t remove.

3. Exfoliant

You want to do this step once or twice a week. Exfoliants are scrubs, peels, pads, and liquids that remove the dead skin cells and oil buildup, helping to make way for healthy new skin. Be gentle with this and start off with once a week then gradually build up to two or three times depending on what your skin needs.

4. Toner

Toners are used to put your skin back in balance after all of the cleansings. It’s meant to restore your skin’s PH balance and return the moisture to your skin which can be stripped away by the cleansers. You want to be careful with these as some toners can be harsh and actually burn the skin.

5. Essence

One unique feature of Korean skincare is the use of an essence. An essence is somewhere between a toner and a serum. The ingredients are fermented and are used to hydrate and protect the skin. They also help to prep the skin for other products. Helping them to soak in better.

6. Treatment or Serum

In Korean skincare, a treatment or serum is anything that works to target specific skin issues. You may use one or more than one at any given time. These should be carefully researched to make sure that you’re getting the best product for your skin that you can. Some of these include vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.

face beauty mask

7. Sheet mask

Sheet masks don’t need to be used every day but they are an important step to the Korean skincare routine. They are serum-soaked sheets that stay on the face for 15-20 minutes. The serum is concentrated and packs a nourishing punch. You’ll love how much better your skin feels after using them.

8. Eye cream

Eye creams are meant to moisturize and keep the delicate thin skin under the eyes supple and bright. They also help with fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness. They come in the form of gels, cream, oils. What type you use is a matter of preference. However, it is important that you use one. The eyes can easily show signs of aging and lack of sleep or stress.

9. Moisturizer

You want to pick a moisturizer that you enjoy. It shouldn’t be too thick or too thin. You should feel comfortable with it on and it should soak into the skin rather than sit like a heavy layer on top. Moisturizers act as sealants and make sure everything is sealed in and has the chance to soak into the skin.

10. SPF

Sun damage is one of the things that quickly age the skin and take away its youthful glow. You also want to be cautious of skin cancer and other issues related to sun damage that can be hard to fix or cure. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of sunscreen and protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

It may seem like a lot but it really is just a form of self-love. There are also the 12 step, 5 step, and 7 step versions and can be adapted based on your needs. You want to target your specific skincare needs. Although the steps are a little long after a bit of time you’ll get used to and be breezing through your routine in no time. You also want to be attentive to how you’re applying your products as well as in what order. These two things will make sure that the products as being used to their best advantage and yield the best results. You’ll soon see a notable difference in the appearance and feel of your skin. Enjoy give yourself some extra love each day. Also, use the time to get your mind in the right state. You’ll find yourself being a lot calmer and happier.