Nowadays famous Korean skincare routine looked like a trend when it first showed up in United States. Now that the products have earned their own angle in retailers like Ulta, Sephora or even drugstores like CVS, they’re here to stay. And as a self-identifying K-beauty addict.
Despite the frenzy of Korean products, there is one aspect of this skincare style that either turns people off or lights them up like a Christmas tree. This is called the 10-step Korean skincare routine, and refers to the way products are layered onto the skin. It’s inspired intense devotion in some, and the Korean Beauty sub on Reddit was lit up with discussions about which products rank the “holy grail” status. In other camps, you have publications like the Wall Street Journal calling skincare routines “tiring.”
Regardless of which camp you’re in, a 10-step routine is a hallmark of Korean beauty, but many don’t know that the number of steps is incredibly flexible — and it will change not only depending on your skin type but also the season. I’ll walk you through each step in this feature, explaining what they do, why they’re important, and whether they’ll improve your skin.
While there are some variations, the 10-step routine follows this order:
- oil-based cleanser
- foaming or water-based cleanser
- exfoliator (only 1 or 2 times a week)
- toner
- essence
- serum or ampoule
- sheet mask
- eye cream
- moisturizer
- sun protection, if it’s daytime
The main risk is that people will use products that do not suit their needs. Many vendors sell manufacturer skincare routine kits, claiming that they have created the perfect routine for various skin types or problems, but it’s not that simple or one-size-fits-all. Again, it is best for people to organize their routines step by step. That way they can stop at the right point for their own skin.
