Korean skin care has become hugely popular in recent years, with people all over the world wanting to achieve the glowing, flawless complexions of Korean men and women. At the heart of the Korean skin care routine is the 10 step regimen, which involves cleansing, toning, treating and moisturizing the skin through multiple steps both morning and night. While it may seem intensive at first, following the 10 steps ensures that your skin gets the nourishment and care it needs to stay healthy, hydrated and radiant.
What are the 10 Steps?
Here are the 10 essential steps that make up the Korean skin care routine:
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
The first step involves gently massaging an oil-based cleanser onto dry skin to dissolve makeup, SPF, sebum and other impurities. This ensures pores are cleared of debris.
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
After rinsing off the oil cleanser, a water-based or gel cleanser is used to wash away any remaining traces of dirt, oil or makeup. This leaves skin clean but not stripped.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Exfoliation can be done 2-3 times a week to slough off dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. Korean exfoliators often contain chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs rather than harsh scrubs.
Step 4: Toner
Toners add an extra layer of hydration while restoring the skin’s pH balance after cleansing. Look for gentle, non-drying formulas containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Step 5: Essence
Essences are concentrated serums that deliver a potent dose of nourishment to the skin. Many contain yeast ferments, botanical extracts and vitamins to revitalize the complexion.
Step 6: Serum
Serums are lightweight and fast-absorbing, targeting specific skin concerns like dark spots, fine lines, acne or dullness. This step ensures your major skin issues are treated.
Step 7: Sheet Mask
The ultra-hydrating sheet mask soaks skin with moisture and nutrients delivered through its fabric material. Sheet masks can be used a few times a week after essence/serum.
Step 8: Eye Cream
The delicate eye area deserves special attention. Using a rich eye cream morning and night combats fine lines, dark circles and puffiness.
Step 9: Moisturizer
Your skin type will determine whether you need a light gel-cream or richer cream. Look for moisturizers with ceramides, peptides and antioxidants tailored to your concerns.
Step 10: SPF
SPF is non-negotiable and must be worn during daytime to shield skin from UV damage. Korean sunscreens are lightweight and comfortable under makeup.
When to Use the 10 Step Routine
The full 10 step routine is best done at nighttime when you have time to let products absorb fully. In the morning, a condensed 5 step routine focusing on cleansing, treatment, moisture and SPF is recommended before makeup.
Here is what the AM and PM routines look like:
| AM Routine | PM Routine |
|---|---|
| Oil cleanser | Oil cleanser |
| Water cleanser | Water cleanser |
| Toner | Toner |
| Eye cream | Exfoliator |
| Moisturizer | Essence |
| Sunscreen | Serum |
| Sheet mask | |
| Eye cream | |
| Moisturizer |
As you can see, the core cleansing, toning and moisturizing steps are done twice daily while treatments like exfoliation and sheet masking are focused at night.
Benefits of the 10 Step Routine
When performed consistently, the intensive Korean 10 step skin care routine provides enormous benefits:
Deep cleansing
Removing impurities through double cleansing prevents clogged pores and allows treatments to absorb better.
Boosted hydration
Multiple liquids and creams infuse moisture into the skin, plumping up dryness and giving a dewy glow.
Calming and soothing
Sensitive skin types will find the layered, gentle approach less irritating than harsh western products.
Refined texture
Exfoliation whisks away dead cells to unveil smooth, soft skin while serums refine the look of pores.
Targeted treatment
Actives in serums and ampoules can tackle specific issues like acne, wrinkles and pigmentation.
Protection
Daily SPF shields skin from future damage and premature aging.
Prevention
Nourishing the skin keeps signs of aging like wrinkles and loss of elasticity at bay.
Tips for Starting the 10 Step Routine
For those new to multi-step Korean routines, here are some tips to help you ease into it:
Patch test all new products
To avoid reactions, test each new step on a small area of skin first before full application.
Introduce one product at a time
Add in one new step every 2-3 weeks so you can monitor results and see which products work for you.
Don’t repeat ingredients
Study the ingredients lists to ensure products complement each other, not overlap. For example, don’t use multiple products with BHA.
Work within your schedule
If 10 steps is too time-consuming, start with a condensed routine and work your way up over time.
Adjust for skin type
Dry skin may require richer moisturizers while oily skin benefits more from clay masks and oil control steps.
Know when to exfoliate
Limit exfoliation to 2-3 times a week max to avoid over-exfoliation which can damage skin.
Customizing Your Routine
One of the best things about the 10 step routine is that it can be customized to suit your individual skin goals and type:
Dry/dehydrated skin
Focus on hydrating toners, essences, ampoules and sheet masks. Look for hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, honey and centella asiatica.
Oily/acne-prone skin
Choose oil-free, mattifying steps like clay masks, BHAs and tea tree products. Avoid heavy creams that may clog pores.
Dull/uneven skin tone
Vitamin C, niacinamide, AHAs, retinol and ginseng help brighten, even out skin tone and increase radiance.
Sensitive skin
Stick to gentle formulas free of fragrance, essential oils and harsh acids. Oat, green tea and aloe vera calm irritation.
Mature/anti-aging
Collagen-boosting, firming and plumping ingredients like retinol, peptides and CoQ10 target wrinkles and loss of elasticity.
The Right Order to Layer Products
To maximize results, products should be layered from lightest to richest consistencies:
| Layer | Consistency | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thinnest | Toner, essence |
| 2 | Light | Serum, ampoule |
| 3 | Medium | Emulsion, lotion |
| 4 | Heavy | Cream, sleeping mask |
This allows thinner products to penetrate rapidly while thicker creams seal everything in. Generally:
– Toner first after cleansing
– Treatment serums/essences in order of thickness
– Sheet mask after serum/essences
– Eye cream before face moisturizer
– Facial oil last to lock in moisture
AM vs PM Routines
Since the skin’s needs change throughout the day, the AM and PM routines also differ:
AM
The morning focuses on cleansing away sweat, hydrating and protecting with SPF:
– Gentle cleanser
– Refreshing toner
– Vitamin C serum
– Moisturizer
– Eye cream
– SPF 50
PM
At bedtime, the priority is removing makeup/SPF, treating issues and replenishing moisture:
– Oil cleanser
– Water cleanser
– Exfoliating toner
– Treatments – serums, ampoules
– Sheet mask 2-3x a week
– Eye cream
– Night cream/sleeping mask
Korean Skincare Products to Try
Here are some of the most popular Korean skincare products to incorporate into your routine:
Cleansers
– SU:M37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
– Innisfree Blueberry Rebalancing 5.5 Cleanser
– COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Toners
– BENTON Deep Green Tea Toner
– Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
-SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Essences
– COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
– SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
– Hanskin Hyaluron Skin Essence
Serums
– LANEIGE Water Bank Hydro Essence
– I Dew Care GinGin15 Serum
– Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule
Sheet Masks
– Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask
– My Beauty Diary Sheet Masks (various)
– Etude House 0.2 Air Therapy Masks (various)
Eye Creams
– Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
– BENTON Fermentation Eye Cream
– Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
Moisturizers
– BELIF The True Cream – Moisturizing Bomb
– Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream
– Mizon Snail Repair Cream
Sunscreens
– PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+
– Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sun Milk SPF50+
– Make P:rem Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF50+
How Long to See Results
While some basic hydration and brightening results may appear within a few weeks, the Korean skincare routine takes time to work its magic. For moderate to severe skin concerns, consistent use for 2-3 months is recommended before visible improvements emerge. Don’t give up too quickly!
Conclusion
At first glance, the 10 step Korean skincare routine may seem daunting. But when broken down, it is designed to gently but effectively cleanse, treat and moisturize the skin. The multitude of toners, essences and serums work together to boost absorption and target specific issues for radiant, healthy skin. When customized to your skin type and lifestyle, the Korean skincare ritual can be life-changing – revealing a complexion that glows with health, hydration and luminosity!