The Korean skincare hype is real and it is here to stay. Over the past few months, more and more stores have been hopping on the Korean skincare bandwagon. Now you can even find some products at Ulta, Sephora, and Urban Outfitters. My favorite place to shop for Korean skincare products has to be Amazon though because: 1. You can find the most reviews and 2. Amazon’s prices are usually lower than the stores listed above who are using the current trends to make some extra money (because they can).

First, let’s lay out the basics of a Korean skincare routine. You have probably heard about the 10-Step Skincare Routine associated with these Korean products. And you might be thinking, 10 steps?! I can hardly do two! Yes, that’s what I thought as well, but it’s really not as bad as it sounds! Some of the steps you don’t do every day and some you can skip depending on if its morning or night. My everyday routine usually comes to about 7 steps. If you are a beginner, you might want to start out small with just a few of the steps and work your way up. Just recently, I added in step 5 to my routine and to be honest, I sometimes skip steps 4 and 6 too. I am not a skincare expert by any means, but I am really loving the effects of the products I have been using! Over the last 4 months, I have been trying out these products and have found some favorites that I would love to share! 

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Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser

This is probably the most important step and the one that differs the most from Western routines. Apply this onto a dry face and gently rub the product over your face to remove any makeup, dirt, and oil. My favorite is the Heimish All Clean Cleansing Balm. This thing is amazing!! I used to use harsh makeup wipes to remove my makeup before washing but this product was a life changer. It seriously breaks down and removes every ounce of makeup, even my waterproof mascaras! I am almost out of mine and I just ordered a new one. Also, it comes with a little spatula so you don’t have to dig your hands in the tub! Adorable.

Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser

Yes, the second cleanse is necessary. This step ensures that there is absolutely no makeup or grime left on your face. If you have a fresh face, the following products will be able to get deep into the skin. For this step, I use CeraVe Facial Cleanser. This is not a Korean product, but my skin reacts well to this cleanser so for now, it is staying. If you’re looking for something different here are some other cleansers that have great reviews: Cosrx Low Ph Morning Cleanser, The Face Shop Rice Water Cleanser, Neogen Green Tea Foam Cleanser, Mizon Snail Foam Cleanser.

 

Step 3: Toner

This step helps to balance the skin, get rid of any leftover impurities, and prepare it for the following products to really sink in and work. Korean toners are different than Western toners because they are more focused on rehydrating the skin with natural ingredients, where as Western ones are usually alcohol-based and filled with more harsh chemicals. I use the Klairs Supple Preparation Toner. They just reformulated this product to make it unscented, which is great for those with sensitive skin. It is very lightweight on the skin and has a consistency that is a little thicker than water. This product can be applied with your hands or a cotton pad.

Step 4: Essence

The heart of Korean skincare. An essence is kind of a mix between a toner and a serum. It is lightweight, natural, and hydrating, but it also contains some key ingredients that help your skin glow! Essences can sometimes be interchangeable with toners. The only real difference with essences is that they tend to be little bit thicker in consistency but it really depends on the product. They also contain more ingredients to hydrate and replenish your skin compared to toners that are more about neutralizing. I have been using the Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence. This is best applied with your hands by gently patting the product into your skin. It is great for giving a natural glow! More recently, I have purchased this Benton Snail Bee Essence, which is 90% snail extract and bee venom. Not sure if that is gross or badass, but I like it! Snail mucin is great for cell regeneration and bee venom helps to heal acne, fade scars, and hydrate. A few others that I want to try are the Etude House Moistfull Collagen Essence and the Skin Food Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essense.

 

Step 5: Serum/Ampoule

Also known as the treatment product. This is the product that contains the most active ingredients to target specific skin concerns. I use the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum in the morning to help clear up any acne spots, brighten, and hydrate. This product is gentle enough for all skin types! A good serum for nighttime is the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair, which helps restore and repair the skin’s elasticity while also treating wrinkles and dark spots.

Step 6: Eye Cream

Most Korean eye creams are all about hydration. By hydrating and plumping the skin, fine lines and wrinkles become less visible. Two of my favorites are the Skinfood Royal Honey Eye Cream and the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Eye Cream.

Step 7: Moisturizer

If you haven’t noticed already, K-Beauty is all about moisture and hydration, so a great moisturizer is a necessity. It locks in all your layers and seals all that good moisture in. I have been using the Wonjin Water Bomb Cream and it is intense but still feels light and refreshing! If you have super oily skin, I would recommend using this only at night and an even lighter lotion like, The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Moisturizer, in the morning.

 

Extras:

Sunscreen

The best way to protect your skin from wrinkles, spots, and damage, is to apply sunscreen every morning before going outside. Some great Korean sunscreens to try out are Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, Etude House Sunprise Sunscreen, or the Neogen Day-Light Sunscreen.

 

Exfoliator

To be used once or twice a week to get rid of any dead skin cells and give you clearer and smoother skin. Try the Neogen Gauze Peel Pads. They are so easy to use! I have the Wine scent (who knew my favorite beverage could be good for my face??), but they also come in Lemon and Green Tea.

 

Sheet Masks

This type of mask is becoming very popular. I love them because they are easy to use and easy to take off. There is no need for a skink or washcloth, just peel off the sheet and allow the ingredients to soak in. This product can be used every day but honestly, who has time for that? Usually, I will throw one on once a week while hanging out on my couch watching Netflix. I have yet to find my holy grail sheet mask so if you have one let me know! I do really enjoy these Organic Hydrogel Masks by Whamisa. Plus, since they are clear they look really creepy on and are great for scaring your loved ones around the house.

Lip Mask

These are basically chapsticks on steroids. They are usually in the form of a thick, creamy gel and meant to be applied overnight. My all-time favorite is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. At Sephora, they sell this for $20 and Amazon has it for $15! This product is highly raved about on social media and after hearing so much about this product I finally gave in. Not going to lie, this stuff is a little gooey and sticky, but you are supposed to apply at night so the texture isn’t really an issue. This stuff really helps my dry, dehydrated lips. Nooni’s AppleButter Lip Mask is highly talked about as well. Although I have yet to try it, once I run out of my Lineage Lip Mask I will definitely be trying the Nooni one.

Eye Patches

Another extra bonus, similar to the sheet mask, are eye gel patches. I have the Heimish Bulgarian Rose Hydrogel Eye Patches. These make me feel so fancy when I use them! They help to hydrate, brighten, and improve wrinkles. They look beautiful in the container and they feel amazing on the skin. You can even place these around your smile lines or on your forehead!

Just look at how beautiful these are!

 

Although, sticking with a skincare routine is a great habit to get into, just remember to listen to your skin. What I mean by that is, if you think your skin needs some extra attention, add another layer of toner/essence or do a sheet mask. If you think your skin is doing just fine and doesn’t need all of the layers today, skip the essence or serum and just stick to the basics! Korean skincare routines are really about finding the right balance for giving your skin what it needs.

 

Have you tried out any of these products? Have a different favorite product? Let me know in the comments!