Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine


It’s no secret that Korean women have found the key to amazingly gorgeous skin. The real secret is in the famous “million step” skincare regime they religiously follow. Wholesome and skin-nourishing, this near-mythical routine can have anywhere between 10-17 steps, and (with constant use) improves your skin tone, colour and texture, leaving you with an almost translucent, luminous, youthful glow. While this approach might seem excessive to some, it follows a very simple core idea of what your skin needs: hydration, hydration and hydration! This ensures that it stays plump, bright and radiant, reminiscent of your favorite K-pop stars and actors alike.


Step 1: Makeup Removal/ Oil Cleansers
To make sure that your products stick to your face and work effectively, you gotta get all that makeup, dirt and sebum off your skin. Using makeup remover on a cotton pad should do the trick to gently remove waterproof eye and lip makeup, while an oil cleanser melts away any face makeup you might have on (sunscreen / BB cream included). Make sure you don’t tug too hard on your skin as this could lead to wrinkles showing earlier than they should!

We love: Calmia Oatmeal Therapy Cleansing Oil



Step 2: Cleanser

Now that you’ve melted away your makeup and potentially look like a panda in disguise, double cleansing really is the way to go to keep your skin as clean as possible! Using a gentle cleanser is great for clearing oil, dirt and other residue left on the skin. If your skin requires a little more elbow grease to really get into those pores, investing in a pore brush or cleansing device may be a good idea.

We love: Althea Collection Contour Cleanser & Coringco Peach Facial Clear Brush

Step 3: Exfoliator
Korean skincare has come up with innovative ways to exfoliate away dead skin, ranging from skin peeling gels to sugar scrubs to cotton pads laced with enzyme solutions. Whisking away dead skin gives your pores a chance to get up close and personal with your skin care products, allowing them to mingle and get down to business. It’s recommended to exfoliate twice a week for softer, smoother and brighter looking skin.

We love: A'Pieu Goblin Blackhead Peeling Pad

Step 4: Toners
Toners have a variety of names in the Korean beauty market including “softener”, “refiner”, “refresher” or simply “skin”. Compared to the conventional western toners, Korean ones are infused with interesting ingredients like a variety of plant and fruit extracts as well as some more famous ingredients like snail mucus that hydrate and benefit your skin instead of just being an astringent. They aid in balancing your skin’s pH level and prepares it for absorption of the next skin care products that follows. Choose to apply it on by soaking a cotton pad and applying it onto the face, or simply patting it onto your skin with your hands.

We love: Althea Collection Primer Water

Step 5: Essence
Essences are an intriguing but vital part of a Korean skin care routine. A cross between a watery toner and a concentrated serum, essences treat skin on a cellular level, containing active ingredients that have a range of benefits including anti-aging, brightening, evening skin tone and ultimately, hydration for that “chok chok” (plump and moist) complexion. Gently pat onto freshly cleansed and toned skin, and you’re ready for the next step!

We love: Nacific Glow Intensive Bubble Essence


Step 6: Serums / Ampoules
Once your skin is prepped, it’s ready to take in serums or ampoules: concentrates with active ingredients which treat your skin and give it an extra boost. They can address just about any skin issue depending on the product, and is truly the cherry on top for skin-perfecting. Korea’s favorite way to use this isn’t to rub it into the skin, but to apply onto the skin and gently tap for better absorption.

We love: Skin & Lab Red Serum


Step 7: Sheet Masks
Ah, our favorite step! Sheet masks are the superhero (in our opinion, anyway) of the Korean skincare routine. Infused with concentrated treatments that target specific skin needs, this pampering step nourishes the skin and does all the hard work while you chill out for 15-30 minutes, depending on the mask you’re using. While most brands recommend using this once or twice a week, we say there’s no such thing as overdoing them (we try to do them 3-4 times a week!).

We love: A'bloom Sheet Masks

Step 8: Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is super delicate and should be treated with utmost care. Using an eye cream not only helps to protect the area, but also hydrate it to prevent wrinkles. Whether you have puffy eyes (eye bags), undereye circles or wrinkles, the right eye cream will be able to aid in improving your eye area concerns. By gently tapping the product into the skin instead of rubbing, this allows the product to better penetrate the skin as well as avoid making signs of aging popping up on your face.

We love: Secret Key Starting Treatment Eye Cream


Step 9: Moisturizers
Moisturizers ensure that all that goodness you’ve put on your skin is sealed in with a final, thicker layer of hydration, giving you the red carpet to dewy, glowing skin. With a selection of different moisturisers in the market (emulsion, gels, lotions, creams, etc.), you’ll be sure to find one that suits your skin type and needs. Apply this with gentle strokes and pat into the skin so it truly gets into the skin, keeping your skin moisturized and protected.

We love:
 Althea Collection Skin Relief Calming Cream

Step 10: Sun Protection
Talking about protection, the sun is one of your skin’s biggest enemy! From anti-aging to darkening to making cancerous cells, sunscreen is really the way to go to ensure your skin stays protected from the evil sun. Make sure you slather some onto your face before you step out into the warm rays, and reapply as needed throughout the day. Using it as the last step of your skincare routine keeps your sunscreen from being diluted by the other products so you get the most protection out of it.

We love:
 Althea Collection Petal Velvet Sunaway

Phew! That was quite a bit of information, wasn’t it? We’re all for trying out the Korean 10-step skincare routine if it means it paves the way to clearer, brighter skin that would make even a light bulb jealous! Do you follow this Korean beauty regime on a daily basis? If you do, what are some of your favorite products? If not, would you try this for yourself? Let us know in the comments below!

Have a magical day!


xx
Syd
Althea’s Mermaid 

42 comments

  1. Hi! I would just like to ask about the skincare routine. If you put on face mask do you still need to do step 8-10 after? Or is it till step 7 only

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    Replies
    1. Hey there! This method has been used by Korean beauties and adopted by people across the world to make the best out of your skin. However this routine isn't set in stone and you can cater it to best suit your skin type and/or your time constraints as well as what you're confortable with putting on your skin. :) Hope this helps!

      xx
      Althea's Mermaid

      Delete
  2. Hi! Regarding the mask, can we use wash-off type kind of mask instead of sheet mask? �� Because I'm afraid if i wash the mask off then the stuff I've put out on before will be wash away too �� thanks in advance!

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    Replies
    1. Hello! It would be best to use sheet masks for this routine as it further hydrates and preps your skin for the next step. You're right: using a wash-off mask may wash away the products you've put on prior to the mask, so wash-off masks are best used once or twice a week straight after cleansing the skin for intensive treatment. Hope this helps! :)

      xx
      Althea's Mermaid

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  3. Hi ! Just want to ask for how long should I have to wait for the face product to absorb through my skin before moving to the next step ? Because it takes time to wait for the product to really absorb through my skin. Or just apply it straight away ? For example, I apply my moisturizer right after I wear my face mask.

    Thanks !

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  4. Is it apply at morning only or can be apply at night too???

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    Replies
    1. Hi! This routine would best be done for both morning and night. If you'd like to follow this routine for night time, change up the SPF in Step 10 for a sleeping mask or a night cream for best results. :)

      xx
      Althea's Mermaid

      Delete
  5. Hi, just want to ask, do you use the recommendation in this post for your daily skincare? and for how long?
    My skin is suffering right now because my previous skincare is always sold out and i'm still searching for the perfect skincare that will fit my skin..
    my skin is kinda "choosy", it's hard to find the right one :(
    thanks in advance ^^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there!

      The products selected here are suitable for all skin types. Everyone's skin is different and results don't have a definite time: it can start showing results as soon as a week or as late as a month.

      As a general rule of thumb, go for hydrating products which have water properties as those soothe and give your skin the moisture it needs. It's great for those with sensitive skin as there generally aren't too many active ingredients for hydrating products. Just make sure you stay away from heavy oils as those might irritate your sensitive skin.

      Hope this helps! <3

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  6. hi! when you use sheet masks, you don't need to wash your face after? :)

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    Replies
    1. Hey there! You don't have to wash your face after, but if you feel that your skin is too sticky after patting it in, you can lightly rinse it with water and pat dry. That should do the trick. :)

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    2. I have used toner to just wipe of the excess after 30 min to 1 hr , it works wonderfully without stripping the oils.

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  8. Hi Can I use sleeping pack ex. tomato sleeping pack in the morning? Everyday?

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    Replies
    1. Hey Leah,

      Sleeping packs are best applied on before you go to bed so it has enough time to work while you rest. Depending on how your skin reacts to it, the amount of times you can use may vary. We recommend 2-3 times a week. Using it too often may result in it being too rich for your skin or your skin becoming immune to it's effects, so please note on how your skin reacts to it before you proceed. Hope this helps! :)

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    2. Is it ok to skip moisturiser when using sleeping mask?

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. Hi! Please make an Althea Box with all of the products needed in the 10 step skin routine!!!

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    Replies
    1. can't wait for this! Please make an Althea Box contains these products :)

      Delete
  11. can we do this routine everyday?? & should we do evoliate everyday??

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    Replies
    1. Hi Salsabila,

      You can choose to skip certain steps if you want. Too much exfoliation will do more harm than good so maybe you can just do it 2-3 times a week instead. ^^ -Pixie Anis

      Delete
  12. hi althea... i wanna know, can we use 2 or 3 essence in one go? thanks alot..

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    Replies
    1. Hello mixmix, you can use multiple essence in one go if you like but do make sure that your skin can take it and to use the thinnest concentration first and move on to a more thicker one ^^ -Pixie Anis

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  13. This article is very informative. It takes time but I guess we'll reap what we sow. :)

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    Replies
    1. Agree! There is no beauty without a little pain and perseverance -Pixie Anis

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  14. Hi Althea Can We Use the althea product variety of brand my daily routine it would be effective?

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    Replies
    1. Hello, yes there is no problem if you want to incorporate products from different brands into your skincare routine. ^^ After all, it's all about finding the perfect match for your skin. -Pixie Anis

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  15. Thank you for sharing this article with a picture of the method of 10 step korean skincare

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  16. I wish you will make a box with all the 10 steps skin care routine products in it. I would love to have it like a set all together in one box!

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    Replies
    1. That's a fantastic idea! We'll definitely let the team know ;) thanks for dropping by!

      xx
      Mermaid

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  17. Hi! Can I ask what can you recommend for skin freckles? Thank you in advance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nonski,

      Here are some Mermaid recommendations for you:
      https://us.althea.kr/fresh-herb-origin-serum
      https://us.althea.kr/power-10-formula-wh-effector
      https://us.althea.kr/freshly-juiced-vitamin-drop

      These all help to lighten the spots, as well as even out the skintone. :) If you need any more help, please do get in touch with our Pixies on Facebook and we'll be able to assist you there. Hope this helps, happy shopping!

      xx
      Mermaid

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  18. Hi, I wonder, what the estimated time to wait from one step to another step for its truly absorb into skin ? minimum 3 minute or less ? Hope I get a respond ! Thanks in advance

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    Replies
    1. Annyeong! It takes around 30 mins for skincare to get fully absorbed however, there's no harm in layering your skincare one on top the other. 😘 xx

      Delete
  19. hi, just want to ask for skincare routine for pregnant woman like me. your reply would be a great help as I have breakouts. thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annyeong!

      We suggest asking you doctor as they are better equipped to give you advice regarding this. Hope this help!

      xx

      Delete
  20. hi can you give skincare routine for pregnant woman like me. thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annyeong!

      We would suggest getting the advice of your doctor as they would know what is best for a pregnant mother.❤

      xx

      Delete
  21. Hi, it says here that step 7 is the mask, but however it says to wash your face after putting a sheet mask.
    Would that be washing off step 4, 5 and 6?
    Or would putting a sheet mask before starting steps 1 be doable?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there!

      The sheet masks we're referring to here are the ones that nourish and hydrate the skin, not the ones that need to be rinsed away like bubbling masks or clay masks. After using the sheet mask, all you have to do is pat in any remaining essence, then you can continue with the other steps! Hope this helps <3

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