Korean Skincare has revolutionized skincare like none other. It cannot be traced back to a certain person or a company, rather it gradually started to take over the world of beauty with its effective ways of taking care of the skin. Korean skincare refers to a skincare routine that is based on prevention than cure. It is formulated as such that the well-curated skincare hacks leave one with glowing glass skin and take care of skin problems before they even appear.
10 Steps of Korean Skincare
Let’s take a look at the 10 step skincare routine which can also be used as hacks for beautiful skin.
Steam massage
A steam massage helps to circulate blood within the skin. The heat from the steam opens up pores and allows the skin to breathe. Using their own hands, one can massage the skin in repetitive circular motions starting from the forehead to the cheeks and jaw. A jade roller can also be used to enhance blood circulation and soothe the skin. Massaging the skin can tighten the skin, decrease any sort of inflammation and also provide a natural dewy finish to it.
Cleansing (Oil-based)
After a long day outside, one needs to get rid of all impurities that have been collecting on the skin, especially when one has got makeup on. Since makeup, sunscreen and the skin’s natural sebum are oil-based, it requires an oil-based cleanser to remove all the dirt from the face. Besides, using an oil-based cleanser along with a steam massage can actively hydrate the skin. These cleansers also help to protect the skin’s moisture without stripping it away.
Cleansing (Water-based)
Using the second round of cleansers is a good idea as it removes any residual impurities from the skin. Water-based cleansers foaming face washes are used to remove excessive oil from the skin. This step will also ensure that the face is not polluted by any sort of filth or sweat.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a method of deep cleansing the skin to eliminate any sort of dead skin cells. This can include using a scrub or a peel. But since these are extreme forms of cleansing, these should be started slowly by just doing it once a week and then gradually increasing it by exfoliating twice or thrice per week. This can also be done with the help of a soft and warm face cloth to prevent premature aging.
Toning
After all these steps of cleansing the skin, it might need some pH adjustment. To restore the skin’s natural pH and to hydrate the skin, different toners should be used at this stage. Instead of smearing the toner on the skin, tapping the skin with the toner on the hand can be an effective way of letting the toner enter into the pores of the skin, allowing it to work its magic properly and efficiently.
Essence
Facial essence is a lightweight water-based skincare product consisting of some active ingredients that are used after cleansing and toning the skin as a preparation to absorb moisturizer in future steps. Using it after a toner will help to preserve the hydration of the skin and will thus improve the overall quality of the skin.
Serum
This step is called the treatment step of skincare which utilizes a variety of face serums to help protect the skin. Each serum has a specific function and works to combat a certain skincare problem. For instance, anti-aging serums contain hyaluronic acids, retinol, or dashes of vitamin C which protects the skin from premature aging. On the other hand, anti-acne serums contain salicylic acids, AHA, BHA, glycolic acids, etc to help fight any form of stubborn face acne.
Sheet mask
With the myriads of sheet masks available in the market, it is easy to get confused as to what to get. Korean skincare also brings a variety of sheet masks to the customers, which are basically, papers soaked in serum which is placed on the face for approximately 20 minutes. The result is glowing, soothing, and naturally beautiful skin. The products in these sheet masks vary from charcoal to oatmeal and each one serves a different function. So one should choose a sheet mask according to one’s skin needs.
Moisturizing
This step is the most important part of any skincare routine. Korean skincare also focuses on moisturizing the skin properly to seal all the good ingredients to the skin. Moisturizers should be chosen according to the demands of the skin. If the skin is oily, moisturizers suitable for oily skin should be used which are generally lightweight non-sticky moisturizers to prevent the production of further sebum on the skin. For dry skin, moisturizers with glycerin and other moisturizing ingredients should be used. There is also a different set of moisturizers for combination skin to fight both the oiliness and dryness of the skin.
SPF
Sun rays can be really damaging for the skin. Hence, SPFs should be a constant part of any skincare routine. Korean skincare also acknowledges its importance and thus includes it in the basics. Most products now come with built-in SPFs, but it still should be given special attention to whether or not someone is going out. SPFs help in slowing down the aging process by blocking the harmful UV rays that might be responsible for the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Although these steps of Korean skincare might seem overwhelming, including some of these steps every day, especially the most essential steps in a skincare routine will not only prevent unwanted skin problems from arising but also leave behind healthy-looking skin.
Source: United News of Bangladesh