A skincare routine that involves more than the obligatory cleanse, tone and moisturise steps at the end of a long day seems a little…OTT, doesn’t it? Well, it turns out that the saying that was drummed in to us all at an early age, ‘going the extra mile will always pay off’, really does apply to the Korean-curated ten step skincare routine. High maintenance? Maybe. But worth the effort? Definitely. Keep scrolling for the low-down on each of the 10 steps and exactly what their purpose is…
Step 1 (aka makeup removal): As the brainchild of Korean skincare gurus, double cleansing is obvs the first stage of every skincare routine, and so before going in with a second cleanse, it’s important to first remove any makeup. If you’re wearing natural makeup, a micellar water should work just fine, but if you’re sporting a waterproof mascara and liquid lipstick combination, you may need to pull out the big guns and use a cleansing oil to break down the makeup effectively.
Step 2 (aka the 2nd stage of the double cleanse): Now that your makeup is removed for the most part, cleansing to rid your skin of any impurities, sebum and pollution is a must. Cleansing balms, milks and creams are perfect for this stage.
Step 3: (toning/exfoliating): Toning with a liquid/chemical exfoliant helps to break down dead skin cells, and can also help to even out the skin tone and fade acne scars and pigmentation.
Step 4: (essence): The beauty-sphere in the West still seems to be fairly mystified by essences, but in short, they work to deliver potent active ingredients, and balances the PH of your skin after you’ve cleansed away its natural oils.
Step 5: (masks): To target particular skin concerns, facial masks are fantastic. The Koreans favour sheet masks for their ability to prevent the evaporation of beneficial ingredients, and for the fact that they’re soaked in collagen-rich serums to hydrate and treat the skin.
Step 6: (treatment/serums): Serums are able to penetrate the skin much further than other skincare ‘genres’ because of their smaller molecular weight, and so choosing a serum targeted towards particular skin concerns is really effective.
Step 7: (eye cream): Eye cream should always be applied before moisturiser to ensure full absorption! Remember to pat the cream gently; the eye area is delicate so patting will prevent any tugging or pulling at the skin.
Step 8: (moisturiser): To seal in your serum and essence, use a light layer of a hydrating moisturiser.
Step 9: (SPF): This step only applies for your morning routine, but sunscreen should always be the last layer of your facial skincare routine. Ensure that you’re using the correct amount (around a teaspoon’s worth) and are using a broad-spectrum SPF.
Step 10: (lip balm): It’s easy to forget about the lips, but they need all the moisture they can get; particularly at this time of the year! For your morning skincare routine, opt for a lip balm formulated with SPF, too.
And you’re done! Phew. Does your skincare routine look a lil’ something like this, or are you a little lazier with yours? Let us know!
Stay glam!
Jess Hall