10-Step Korean Skincare Routine and Korean skincare has been a global trendsetter, renowned for its innovative and effective products that prioritize skin health, hydration, and a youthful glow. To achieve flawless skin, many skincare enthusiasts swear by the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine, which includes steps like exfoliation and the use of serums.
An in-depth look at each of the 10 step-by-step Korean skincare, updated with insights and product recommendations to help you achieve optimal skin health.
10-Step Korean Skincare Routine
- Oil Cleanser
The beauty rituals of the K-Beauty routine begin with an oil cleanser. The first step in the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine involves an oil-based formula that effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. This step hydrates the skin, making it an ideal starting point for your double cleanse. If you’re using waterproof or long-lasting makeup along with heavy SPF, double cleansing is essential. In the Korean skincare routine, double cleansing is primarily recommended for tackling stubborn products like waterproof makeup, sunscreen, or excess oil buildup.
For those wearing light makeup or minimal sunscreen, a single gentle cleanser in the evening is usually sufficient. A gentle cleanse can help prevent over-stripping the skin. Additionally, for individuals with a compromised skin barrier, it can be beneficial to skip the morning cleanse altogether. Instead of cleansing in the morning, using a hydrating mist or toner can be a gentler way to refresh the skin. Focus on barrier-strengthening ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or soothing elements such as Centella Asiatica to aid in repairing your skin barrier.
In Korean skincare, cleansers come in two popular forms: oil cleansers and cleansing balms. Both are effective, so it’s a good idea to try them out and see which one you prefer.
Product Recommendation: Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
2. Water-Based Cleanser
10-Step Korean Skincare routine a water-based cleanser clears any remaining residue. These cleansers come in gel or foam textures and help eliminate impurities left behind by the oil cleanser. From oil cleanser or Water-Based Cleanser, the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine covers every essential step for complete skin care.
A low-pH water-based cleanser of around 5.5 pH is recommended to balance your skin’s natural wall and maintain hydration.
Product Recommendation: rootree Phytoground Relief Cleansing Foam
3. Exfoliator
Exfoliating once or twice a week (depending on skin sensitivity) removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores. You can choose between physical or chemical exfoliants (like BHA, PHA, or AHA).
Exfoliation brightens the skin and allows other skincare products to absorb more effectively. If you use chemical exfoliants, remember to apply sunscreen afterward, as these can increase sensitivity to sunlight. In the 10-Step Korean Skincare routine you can skip exfoliating. If you have an active acne breakout and allergy, skip exfoliating until your skin clears up.
Exfoliants are increasingly combined with skin-soothing ingredients like centella asiatica and green tea to minimize irritation while maximizing results.
Product Recommendation: By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Prep Water
4. Toner
Korean toners are designed to be hydrating and help repair the skin’s barrier. They also remove any lingering impurities and prepare the skin to absorb the next products more effectively.
Unlike Western toners, which can be harsh and drying. Today’s toners are packed with antioxidants, humectants, and calming agents. In 2024, toners will increasingly function as a multi-step solution—hydrating toners that can act as essences, pre-serums, or even exfoliants. Expect toners to continue incorporating probiotics, adaptogens, and hyaluronic acid for a plumping in Korean face regimen.
Product Recommendation: Essence Toner
5. Essence
Essence is a secret weapon of the 10-step Korean Skincare routine. These lightweight, water-based products are packed with active ingredients that hydrate and improve the skin’s texture. It provides an extra layer of hydration between toning and moisturizing. Initially water-based with a focus on hydration, they have now become more diverse in their function, often packed with powerful active ingredients that target specific concerns.
The new generation of essences is focusing on bio-fermented ingredients, probiotics, and peptides to support the skin’s microbiome.
Product Recommendation: Ginseng Essence Water
6. Serum
Serums are focused treatments that target specific skin problems like wrinkles, dark spots, or acne. Serums are more viscous than essences and contain higher levels of active ingredients.
Serums are designed to manage particular skin needs. For even more potent results, you can opt for an ampoule, which is a supercharged version of a serum.
Product Recommendation: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Serum
7. Face Mask
Face masks are a self-care essential in Korean skincare. Korean skincare provides different forms of masks. Like sheet masks, wash-off masks, clay masks, bubble masks, and sleep masks, each delivering an extra boost of hydration and nutrients.
Masks help deeply nourish your skin and can be tailored to your specific needs—whether it’s hydration, anti-aging, or brightening. Brands are moving away from single-use plastics, opting for biodegradable or reusable materials.
Product Recommendation: innisfree Energy Mask
8. Eye Care
The skin around the eyes remains delicate, and in 2024, Korean eye care continues to prioritize advanced formulations for targeting puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. New ingredients like peptides and cica are increasingly popular in eye creams for boosting skin elasticity and soothing the under-eye area. Eye patches infused with niacinamide and ceramides offer a quick fix for hydration and brightening, making them essential for busy routines.
Eye care should still be a part of both morning and evening regimens, but now multi-functional eye creams that not only hydrate but also target anti-aging and puffiness in one step. Eye masks and patches are now being used more frequently, especially with formulations that include hyaluronic acid and probiotics to refresh and revive tired skin.
Eye care should be a part of both your morning and evening routine.
Product Recommendation: Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal Korean Eye Serum
9. Moisturizer
Moisturizers are a rising trend toward hybrid formulas combining hydration with ingredients like SPF for daytime use and retinol for night care. Lightweight, water-gel moisturizers with ingredients like birch juice or green tea are preferred for daytime hydration without a greasy finish, while at night, sleeping packs enriched with probiotics and fermented ingredients provide deep nourishment and skin barrier repair. The key function of a moisturizer is to lock in hydration and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
In 2024, the focus is increasingly on customizing moisturizers to suit day and night needs, with formulations now more specific to skin types and concerns such as anti-pollution protection during the day and skin-repairing ceramides at night.
Product Recommendation: The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
10. Sun Protection
One of the most important steps in your morning routine is applying sunscreen. Opt for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays (check for SPF and PA ratings). Sunscreen is important for safeguarding your skin from sun damage, premature aging, and even skin cancer.
You can choose between chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays, or mineral sunscreens, which physically block them. In the past, many mineral sunscreens were known for leaving a white cast or having an unpleasant, chemical-like smell. However, modern formulations are much more skin-friendly. Contemporary Korean sunscreens no longer leave a white residue and come in fragrance-free options.
They are also enriched with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, making them more enjoyable and suitable for daily use.
Product Recommendation: Beauty of Joseon Matte sun stick Mugwort+Camelia
Whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine can be customized to fit your needs. Here’s a table comparing the 5-Step, 10-Step, and 12-Step Korean Skincare routines:
| Step | 5-Step Korean Skincare | 10-Step Korean Skincare | 12-Step Korean Skincare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleanser | Oil Cleanser | Oil Cleanser |
| 2 | Toner | Water-Based Cleanser | Water-Based Cleanser |
| 3 | Serum | Exfoliator | Exfoliator |
| 4 | Moisturizer | Toner | Toner |
| 5 | Sunscreen | Essence | Essence |
| 6 | Serum/Ampoule | Serum/Ampoule | |
| 7 | Sheet Mask | Sheet Mask | |
| 8 | Eye Cream | Eye Cream | |
| 9 | Moisturizer | Moisturizer | |
| 10 | Sunscreen | Sunscreen | |
| 11 | Spot Treatment | ||
| 12 | Sleeping Mask |
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Choosing Between Them:
- The 5-step routine simplifies things by focusing on essential steps for those who prefer a quicker routine.This 5 steps is called facial steps Korean at home or Asian skincare routine.
- The 10-step routine is the most popular and well-known for its comprehensive approach.
- The 12-step routine adds a couple of additional steps for extra focus on treatments like spot care and overnight hydration.
Why is it so buzzworthy?
Korean skincare continues to lead global beauty trends in 2024, driven by innovation and expanding into new markets. South Korea remains a top cosmetics exporter, shifting focus from China to Southeast Asia and Europe to maintain its influence. The launch of CJ Olive Young’s Luxe Edit highlights the growth in the premium beauty sector, featuring luxury brands like Hera and Estee Lauder to meet increasing demand. Additionally, there’s a surge in natural skincare and fragrances, with brands like Florihana embracing sustainability and natural ingredients, reflecting a global post-pandemic shift toward cleaner beauty products.
Conclusion:
Get Korean glass skin with a 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine. The 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine is very easy to add to your routine. There’s no need to use LED face masks or other skincare for Korean glass skin. Following these 10-step Korean Skincare Routine, you can build a skincare routine tailored to your needs that will leave your skin more nourishing and brighter.
