I'm sure you've heard the buzz of Korean skincare products the last few years. Watching the Olympics this winter motivated me to take the plunge and see what the hype is all about. Women of Korea are known for their dewy, flawless, wrinkle-free skin. While I know genetics has a huge part of it, it's not crazy to think that their skincare routines help as well.
These are the 10 basic steps.
1. Oil Based Cleanser
2. Foam Cleanser
3. Exfoliator
4. Toner
5. Essence
6. Serum
7. Sheet Mask
8. Eye Cream
9. Moisturizer
10. Sunscreen
I had been accustomed to steps 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 daily before starting this routine so I didn't have to add much. I've stuck with all of the steps nightly for the last three months with the following exceptions. For the sheet masks step I used one sheet mask per week and reused the leftover serum a different day that week. I have some gel masks from past Sephora samples that I used once per week as well. For the exfoliation step, I alternated between exfoliating pads and the application of Retin-A (but used this after the sheet mask step).
When I first started I thought it was time consuming, but that was because I had to remember the right order of everything. Now it takes me less than three minutes to do everything (unless I use a sheet mask). I saw great results within a few weeks. My skin was brighter, tighter, and dewy. I had much less redness, and my forehead wrinkle drastically decreased.
I will be continuing with this 10 step routine because I think it works really well.
The "double cleansing method" is wonderful because the oil takes off debris/makeup/leftover moisturizer, while the foam cleanser takes off the rest and really cleans the skin. The exfoliation pads aren't an absolute must, as long as you have something you exfoliate with. Exfoliators contain acids, so balancing the skin pH with a toner seems reasonable for better absorption of serums.
The essence is the most strange step, it is sworn by in K-Beauty. You may have even seen your favorite bloggers on instagram using the hashtag #onebottleaway . I can't explain it, and there's not any science behind it, but what everyone says is true - it works well. I introduced an essence to my routine a year ago, long before starting this 10 step program, and it visibly tightened and brightened my skin. The redness decreased and I felt more moisturized and looked less dull. Supposedly essences tighten, brighten, moisturize, and most importantly, help your fancy moisturizers and serums penetrate your skin and work. I'm a fan.
The sheet masks - I could stand to lose this step. It works temporarily, so it's great before a big outing. It's great for stress relief as well. But you could invest that money in higher quality daily skincare, and would see better results. I've tried the cheap and the pricier masks, but they seem to have similar results that last less than 24 hours.
Your serum is your anti-aging key. You should have a serum with potent and stable antioxidants. The most common antioxidants you should look for include Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone), and Green Tea (camellia oleifera). This is the most important place to spend your money. Your serum should not be in a clear container, and ideally it will have a pump to ensure the ingredients are not destabilized. This one is the best as far as proven ingredients and quality control goes (sales often here). More affordable options here and here .
Products I used and recommend:
Foam Cleanser (won't repurchase, because this version is fine)
Exfoliating Pads (won't repurchase but they smell amazing! There are a billion more affordable options in cream/gel/pad forms)
Retin-A (it's prescription, but another good retinol option here)
Serum (usually sales at this website, wait for one)
Moisturizer (would also recommend this one)