Some call it a Korean skin care guide, others call it a 10-step routine. Either way, there’s one thing we can all agree on: K-beauty is a surefire way to get dewy, plump and crystal clear skin.
While a lot of skin care routines focus on reversing ageing, correcting scarring and undoing sun damage, K-beauty focuses on prevention. Each step is effective, considered and serves a purpose as they work to protect, prevent and maintain the health of our skin.
And one of the best parts? K-beauty products are largely affordable. In fact, you’ll find some of their star products on the shelves of your local Woolies.
A complete Korean skin care routine…
Step 1: Oil-based cleanser
A first step in any nighttime K-beauty regimen, oil cleansers are used to melt away makeup, dirt and other impurities. For a gentle cleanse, we love the Amore Pacific ($75, MECCA).
Step 2: Foam cleanser
Typically infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and balanced with gentle florals, this step will ensure your skin is prepped and ready to absorb the ingredients to come. Our pick? The innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser ($15, Adore Beauty). Each application leaves the skin thoroughly clean without stripping it of its natural oils.
“My face instantly felt clean and refreshed with a nice scent which was not too strong. I did not feel any tightness or dryness and my skin was ready for my moisturiser. It is also affordable.” – Samsy, read more reviews here….
Step 3: Exfoliant
Up to twice a week, exfoliation is incorporated into the skin care routine to gently ensure there is no build-up of dead skin or impurities blocking the pores.
Our favourite? The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ($24, Lila Beauty).
Step 4: Toner
If there’s one thing K-beauty will teach you, it’s that toners don’t have to be harsh, alcohol-scented liquids. Applying a formula like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner ($51, MECCA) to the skin helps to add moisture, dissolve dead skin cells, and unclog pores.
Step 5: Essence
You won’t find a Korean-inspired skin care routine without an essence. Sitting between a toner and a serum, an essence works to hydrate the skin, enabling it to effectively absorb the products that follow. One of the most popular K-beauty essences is the COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($27.40, Lila Beauty). Made from 96 per cent snail secretion filtrate, this cult-favourite essence is famed for its ability to repair and prevent just about anything, from dry patches to acne breakouts to hyperpigmentation. This is not a step to sleep on, and like most K-beauty products, it’s incredibly affordable.
Step 6: Ampoule
Consider ampoules a double dosing of your serum. Though they look exactly as your serum would, ampoules act as an intensified version that works as a booster shot for things like targeting acne and fine lines. In addition to having a higher concentration of antioxidants and enzymes, ampoules often have a smaller molecule size than serums, allowing them to penetrate more deeply.
Ampoules are designed to be used in short sharp bursts when your skin is in need of some extra TLC. A favourite of ours? The Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule ($26.20, Lila Beauty).
Step 7: Serum
A step that needs little explanation. As with any skin care regimen, serums act as concentrated formulas of active ingredients that work to hydrate, fade pigmentation, plump fine lines or reverse acne flare-ups. As far as serums we reach for to restore hydration and keep our complexions radiant and clear, the innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum ($39, Adore Beauty) is an all-star.
Step 8: Sheet mask
After applying your ampoule and serums, apply the cloth mask that’s been saturated in hydrated skin care ingredients to further lock in the goodness that’s already been applied, while adding another dose of moisture.
Our favourite? The Dr.Jart+ Dermask Face Mask Sheets ($6, Lila Beauty).
Step 9: Moisturiser
If you hadn’t already picked this up, Korean skin care routines are all about hydration. So a nourishing moisturiser is a treasured step. The best place to start? Dr.Jart+’s Cicapair Cream ($64.95, Woolworths).
Step 10: SPF (AM routine)
Even if it’s the middle of winter and you’ve got no plans to leave the house, SPF remains a crucial step in any K-beauty routine. For a skin care philosophy rooted in prevention and protection, applying sunscreen every single day is non-negotiable. K-beauty sunscreens are typically transparent and feature ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide that you’d find in your serums.
Unfortunately due to our TGA regulations in Australia, Korean-formulated sunscreens aren’t readily available to us. But here’s hoping one day they’ll meet our stricter regulations and we’ll get to try these popular lightweight formulations ourselves.
In the meantime here are some Aussie-approved SPFs we think do a pretty neat job.
Main image credit: @innisfreeaustralia
Have you ever tried following a Korean skin care routine before? If not, would you like to?
So many products! I use about half that number haha.