How to Nail the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine

The 10-step Korean skin care routine is the global phenomenon that’s taken over the beauty industry.

A far cry from our traditional ‘cleanse, tone, moisturise’ mantra, the K-beauty regime is renowned for its ‘more is more’ philosophy and ability to supply us with stupidly clear skin. That's right, no matter what your skin type, whether it be oily, dry or mature, you can expect these 10 steps to put you on track to a glass-like complexion.

With that being said, we understand that adding seven extra products to your routine can be a little overwhelming. And, in this case, there’s not much room for error; mess up the order and your entire skin care routine can be compromised, eek.

So, in a bid to help you nail the 10-step Korean skin care routine, we’ve laid out every step and even suggested products to start with.

1. Oil cleanser

Ditch the makeup wipes: the 10-step routine starts right here with an oil-based skin cleanser. Not only are they better for the environment, but oil cleansers gently and efficiently remove all traces of makeup.

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2. Double cleanse

The next step is to go in with a double cleanse, but with water or gel-based formulas. This stage is essential if you’re serious about removing the impurities, dirt, sweat and oil that build up on your skin throughout the day.

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3. Exfoliate

It's time to really dig deep and remove the gunk from your pores. A chemical or physical exfoliator is your one-stop shop to skin that’s visibly brighter and smoother. Look for the likes of black sugar, salicylic or lactic acid as these ingredients ensure your skin reaps the beauty benefits.

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4. Toner

Dubbed as the holy grail of your skin care routine, toner is the product you should never skip. It works to wipe away impurities the cleansing stage may have missed, as well as balance your pH level, control sebum and soothe skin.

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5. Essence

This may be the most important step in Korean skincare regimes. An essence is a lightweight formula of smoothing and brightening ingredients that speed up the cell turnover rate and give you radiant, smooth skin.

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6. Treatments

This is where you can really personalise your skin care routine to suit your needs. Whether it be serums, ampoules or boosters, skin treatments are packed with high-performing ingredients that can improve the appearance of everything from acne, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

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7. Sheet mask

Sheet masks are only needed once or twice a week but nonetheless, are a great way for you to kick back and relax for 5-10 minutes. Acting as the soul of the routine, sheet masks inject much-needed nutrients and moisture into your skin.

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8. Moisturiser

A lightweight and hydrating moisturiser is the key to achieving a smooth, youthful and radiant complexion. Not only does it deliver extra moisture but it also locks in all the goodness from the products you've already applied to skin.

9. Eye Cream

Your eyes go through a lot, such as rubbing, squinting and constant blinking – all of which could lead to an increase in fine lines. An eye cream will plump up your eye area and stop fine lines in their tracks.

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10. SPF

Don’t think that your skin type or complexion exempts you from needing to wear SPF. You should always wear face SPF to protect from harmful UV rays and keep your skin looking youthful. If you have any hyper-pigmentation, the sun not only darkens your skin but these dark spots too – so avoid unnecessary scarring with some SPF.

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Now that you're up to date with everything you need to know about the Korean skin care routine, it's time to start putting it into practice. While the routine is nothing but essential for the beauty-obsessed in Korea, it's always good to remember that every individual skin type reacts differently.

In the meantime, and as that all-important sheet mask works its magic, why not browse the 12 Iconic French Pharmacy Products?