Korean skincare routine is the most searched skincare routine on the internet. Korean skincare is known for using natural ingredients to improve skin health. Korean skincare routine is also beneficial for Indian skin despite higher content of melanin in the skin. In this blog we will discuss what is Koren skin? What is Korean skincare routine and how to choose the right Korean Skincare products.
Koreans have always had very high beauty standards, even back thousands of years a very prominent phrase was coined that proceeded to set a precedent for the industry that goes œWithin a beautiful body, rests a beautiful soul.
In Korea, skincare is for everyone regardless of gender, status or wealth. There isn't a stigma attached to skincare as much as it is in some places around the world.
Their skin care products are highly in demand globally and here are some of the reasons why:
â— The Korean skincare focuses on eliminating the problem instead of minimizing it.
â— Prioritises the health of the skin.
â— Affordable and effective at the same time
â— Works for all skin types
â— All natural and organic ingredients
Korean skincare dabbles in natural ingredients such as snail slime (popular as snail mucin), bee venom and volcanic ash. While Western cosmetics focus on the use of Vitamin C, retinol and acids, they can cause inflammation if overused despite their great results, however, Korean skincare is specifically developed for long-term use (1).
Korean skincare comes with its 10-step routine which may seem excessive to a beginner, but it has shown definitive results that have caused it to become the focus of the entire world.
If you have never tried cleansing oil before, you are probably under the impression that it is only for removing makeup or that oil cleansers cause breakouts in oily skin types. But oil cleansers can efficiently remove makeup and effectively remove blackheads as well. Yes! Tweezers and nose strips are an old-fashioned and painful way to go about getting rid of your blackheads.
Oil-based cleansers are extremely important in Korean skincare routine and contribute greatly to the hydration of your skin. And remember oil-based cleansers go before water-based cleansers.
Water-based cleansers are the most common type of cleansers that primarily remove dust, sweat and impurities that are left behind by the initial oil-based cleanse. Water-based cleansers fall into two types: gel-based and foam-based. People with dry and sensitive skin should opt for gel-based cleansers, and for oily and combination skin types a foam-based cleanser is a better option (2).
When choosing a water-based cleaner look for the active ingredients like low pH cleanser this will help maintain the skin's barrier without drying it out. Double cleansing is vital to start the Korean skincare routine so do not skip over oil & water-based cleansing.
While this step isn't supposed to be taken every day, it is an essential step. Our skin is protected by a barrier to prevent any external irritants. It is made up of corneum and stratum which goes through a constant process of shedding which is then replaced by new skin cells or as well like to say œbarrier.
When this process happens organically without any disruptions your skin will be good and radiant, however, if the cycle goes a little bit off for example your skin replaces cells faster than it can shed you end up with extra dead skin cells. If they pile up the skin starts to become dull and flaky, which will prevent any cream from fully absorbing. Hence, exfoliating is done to remove these excess dead skin cells to make space for newer ones creating healthier skin.
There are two types of exfoliants
¢ Physical exfoliators- Sugar-like substance that can be rubbed onto skin to remove the cells and dirt.
¢ Chemical exfoliators- a liquid substance that peels off the dead cells right off the skin.
Preferredly exfoliating once or twice a week should help prevent accumulation of dead skin cells.
Generally, once you have cleansed and exfoliated, toner helps in restoring the skin's pH levels. However, in the K-beauty skincare routine, toners are focused on hydrating skin and replenishing what was lost in the process of the first two steps. Toners that you need for this routine need to be able to provide the base layer of hydration the Korean skincare demands, hence toners that have ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and sodium hyaluronate should be preferred. These ingredients are ultra-hydrating and moisturize the skin while providing additional benefits like healing and anti-aging (3).
Unique to Korean skincare, Essence comes in two formulas:
The first type is highly concentrated with fermented ingredients and needs to be applied right after cleansing, as the watery formula is perfect to prep the skin for better absorption of other products.
The second essence type is like a hybrid of toner and serum, it is targeted at providing functions that are similar to both while keeping the skin hydrated.
Essence contains ingredients like saccharomyces ferment filtration or galactomyces, which are yeast-based filtrations that deal with several skin conditions such as acne, uneven texture, oiliness and aging. This is an unmissable step in a K-beauty skincare routine that addresses every skin type from oily to dry.
Face serums contain higher concentrations of active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, etc) that manage skin conditions such as acne, dry skin, wrinkles and dullness. They bring brightness and hydrate the skin while providing several benefits (based on the serum you use) Serums come in two formulas, gel and oil. While serums do provide moisturization to the skin they are not moisturisers or a replacement for one.
Undoubtedly one of the most popular K-beauty skincare products is sheet masks. Without a sheet mask, there is no Korean skincare routine, they are extremely hydrating and have anti-aging benefits. These sheets are single-use and are made of thin, cotton-like material that is soaked in serums or essence. The formulas vary based on your needs but there is a vast variety to choose from like botanical extracts, vitamin C and several other beneficial acids.
Notice how our under eyes tend to get darker than others? It is because the skin around it is thinner than our face which tends to dry out quicker and is very vulnerable to external irritants like UV rays, or constant blinking and facial expressions that lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
The under-eye also lacks sebum, a natural moisturizer which is why under-eye creams are specifically formulated to be thicker and tend to contain more conditioning agents and emollients than facial lotion. These creams also come in under-eye masks that go hand in hand with the sheet masks and can be used simultaneously in the routine step. They reduce puffiness, and dark circles and protect against UV rays.
There is no such thing as too much moisturization when it comes to a K-beauty routine. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and a formula that aids your skin condition. Despite being the simplest step, it is crucial to achieve the œKorean glass skin look.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to wear your sunscreen!
All the steps were a process to remove damage caused by UV rays and if you end up leaving home without wearing one all of that skincare means nothing. Sunscreens act as a defense against UV rays by forming a barrier on the skin's surface. It absorbs, scatters or reflects the rays and prevents them from penetrating the skin causing harm.
Koreans are extremely particular about their skin being exposed to the sun along with sunscreens. They also put on all the necessary gear to redirect the rays off their body.
While all of these steps may seem intimidating to a beginner, we assure you that with time and patience, you will adapt to it like it's always been a part of your routine.
The Korean skincare routine is tried & tested worldwide by individuals with every skin color and type and is a foolproof method to ensure healthy and hydrated skin.
FAQs
1. Does Korean skin care work for Indian skin?
Yes, Korean skin care does work for Indian Skin.
2. How to do Korean skin care routine at home?
Follow the below mentioned steps to get Korean beauty
¢ Double cleanse
¢ Exfoliate
¢ Apply a clay mask
¢ Use serum
¢ Use toner
¢ Use sunscreen
¢ Apply Moisturizer
3. How can I get Korean glass skin naturally?
Use natural ingredients in your Korean skincare routine, eat healthy and stay hydrated.
4. What is the secret behind Korean skin?
Deep cleansing and hydration are the key behind the Korean glowing skin.
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