*This is an updated post with all of the products I’m currently using.
Today I want to share with you the latest in skincare treatment. Widely known as the Korean Skincare Routine, it’s a daily morning and night skincare routine that involves multiple products layered for maximum absorption. At first glance I thought it was a bit ridiculous since I’ve never used that many products at any one time. Who has the time to do all of this pampering on the daily? Having said that, I decided to dig a little deeper, watch more videos and try it out for myself. Today I’ll give you the heads up on it.
The Basics Behind The Korean Skincare Routine
A traditional Korean Skincare Routine consists of: double cleansing, exfoliating, sheet masking, applying toners (7 of them!), essence, serums, eye cream, face cream and sunscreen. Do this every single day and night. Sounds like a lot? That’s because it is. At first, I found it a bit overwhelming. I mean seriously, how many toners do you really need before you can get adequate hydration for your skin? And when can you pin-point which one is actually working for you?
But I didn’t want to completely write off this skincare method. I felt like there must be some benefits to it since it’s very popular and Koreans swear by it. Today I’m sharing my personal take on the Korean Skincare method. I’ve managed to modify the amount of products for morning and night, and because my skin is on the dry end, I must admit, the benefits have been far more beneficial than I initially thought.
MY MORNING KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE
CLEANSE I use Anua’s Double Cleansing Duo. It’s the easiest way to achieve my double cleanse in one shot. For stubborn makeup I use DIME Beauty Cleansing Balm. This does a fantastic job in removing all impurities without further drying out the skin. After cleansing I pat my face dry with a soft towel.
TONERS The first toner I apply is the Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner. I LOVE this toner! It is designed to soothe, tone, hydrate, and balance the skin’s pH level. It’s the perfect toner to apply immediately after washing your face, and it’s great for sensitive skin. Next is Hyaluron Skin Essence Toner. This delivers hyaluronic acid that penetrates deep into the skin boosting hydration levels. Next is LANEIGE’s Cream Skin Milky Toner with Ceramides and Peptides. This has become my #1 toner. It instantly hydrates and is enriched with nourishing ceramides and peptides for radiant, glass skin. I make sure to apply all these products on my face, neck and down to my décolletage.
SERUMS Since learning about the Korean Skincare method I’ve begun using serums for day and night. I start with Cosmedica Hyaluronic Acid Serum. It’s a hydrating facial serum with 100% pure hyaluronic acid in a water-like formula. Next I layer on ANUA Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum. I absolutely love this product! It targets uneven skin tone, while also hydrating and strengthening the skin barrier with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. It helps improve skin clarity and radiance. Finally, I follow with COSRX Snail Mucin Repairing Serum. This serum repairs and rejuvenates the skin from dryness and aging. It improves skin vitality by reducing dullness and soothing dehydrated skin.
EYE CREAM For the eye area I start with Biossance Squalane + Marine Agae Eye Cream. It helps firm, hydrate, smooth and moisturize the delicate eye area. I follow up with LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Eye Cream. This is a hydrating eye treatment with Niacinamide & Caffeine to help brighten, nourish, & reduce puffiness.
FACE CREAM For day I start with Biossance Omega Repair Moisturizer. It’s a rich, barrier-restoring moisturizer that visibly plumps fine lines and wrinkles with ceramides and multi-hyaluronic acid. During the winter months I follow with a layer of LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Intensive Moisturizer. This is truly a godsend for those of us with dry skin. It is a rich, replenishing moisturizer that comforts sensitive and extra dry skin and nourishes the skin’s moisture barrier. This is an essential Korean skincare step for lasting hydration!
One last thing I have to mention is that I started doing gua sha in the morning. This is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) healing technique where you use a smooth-edged tool (like jade or stone) to firmly stroke lubricated skin. It helps in boosting blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and reducing inflammation. Before applying my toners, I first apply Biossance Vitamin C Rose Face Oil. While this lightweight face oil with vitamin C brightens, firms, and hydrates, I use it mostly to help glide my gua sha tool and also before dermaplaning.
The Riki Sculptress Electric Gua Sha is fantastic! The rechargeable electric gua sha is an advanced facial sculpting device that uses heat, cold, vibration, and red/blue/purple LED light into one sleek tool. It helps to rejuvenate, tone, and soothe the skin.
SIDE NOTE: After doing a lot of my own research, I have decided to stop using sunscreen. The cons are far worse than any sun damage they claim to prevent. While I still use makeup products that contain SPF, I no longer use sunblock of any kind on its own.
Korean Skincare Routine
@rmdiana6 GRWM as I prep my skin for makeup. This is just part of my everyday Korean skincare routine. My skin is dry so I use lots of toners day and night along with anti aging products. #4upage #skincareroutine #grwmroutine #antiagingskincare #over50women @laneige_us @BIOSSANCE
MY NIGHT KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE
CLEANSE Same as my morning cleanse, I do the double cleanse with ANUA’s cleansing duo. It does a fantastic job at cleansing and removing dirt, sweat and all of my makeup. If you use a cleanser that already does a good job then there’s no need to double cleanse. If I’m in a hurry I’ll use these cleansing wipes and they do a pretty good job too.
EXFOLIATOR St. Ives Gentle Smoothing Facial Scrubs has been a go-to skincare product that I’ve used for many years. I love this new scent and with aloe vera it is gentle enough for daily use. I exfoliate a couple times a week or when I feel my skin needs it. I like to exfoliate during a hot steam shower because it helps open up pores which in turn helps to clear out better.
TONER I follow the same regimen with the same products that I use in the morning plus a layer of Good Light Moon Glow Milky Toner. This toner is fantastic at night because it gently exfoliates while hydrating the skin.
SERUM I use the same products as in the morning.
EYE CREAM I use the same products as in the morning.
FACE CREAM For night I use the exact same products as in the morning plus a couple extras. After applying my face creams I apply a small amount of my Prescription Tretinoin Cream .1%. I spread a pea-size amount all over my face and neck area. I started with 0.25% almost three years ago and now I’m on the full strength nightly. Over time I’ve also built a tolerance for using it on damp skin (not recommended for newbies!) Because tretinoin can further dry out your skin, I make sure to apply an extra layer of hydration at night. I sandwich it with a nice layer of LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask for Moisture Barrier Support with Niacinamide & Squalane. This Korean gel-cream mask with hyaluronic acids helps to intensely moisturize, and strengthen the moisture barrier overnight. During the winter months when my skin tends to be extra dry I also follow up with La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. This is a new-to-me cream and so far I absolutely love it! It is formulated with shea butter & niacinamide to restore the skin’s protective barrier and provides relief for dry, sensitive skin. I appreciate that you can use it on the face, body & hands and it’s suitable for use on babies.
What is the verdict on the Korean Skincare Routine?
I can only describe it in one word, extensive. Having said that, I’m used to it now. I’m basically layering my skin specific treatments every morning and night. I’ve organized my products in such a way that it’s become easy for me to reach for and use.
Does it work? Well, that’s for you to find out. Personally, I like the way my skin feels and looks! It’s definitely much more subtle, much more hydrated than it’s ever been and with fewer visible lines. My skin is always glowing and it also helps my makeup look better.
Is this a trend? I don’t know, maybe, but I like it and I stand by it. It’s an interesting way of pampering oneself but also a great way of building good skincare habits. I’ve taught my daughter to do the same and she has already built her own routine with products made specifically for her young skin. After all, prevention is the best way to fight off early signs of aging.
Chances are you already have most, or similar skincare products in your drawer. Why not give this method a try? Adjust it to your personal needs. It can’t possibly hurt. 😉
SHOP SKINCARE
