If we know anything about Korean skin care we know their
beautiful porcelain, glass-like complexion is unmistakable. So how can a sun worshiping country like us,
be suckered into a world of skin care that’s main goal is to avoid UV damage at
all costs? That means absolutely NO TANS, not to mention the extensive 10-step
system both morning and night, when we can barely find time to drink our
morning coffee or remove our makeup at night, let alone apply essence? And what on earth is – essence?
We have already dabbled into a little world of K-beauty with
out even knowing it, most likely. When bb and cc creams started to replace your
foundation and concealer and you started to bare more of your skin then
probably ever before, incorporating nutrient and vitamin enhanced bb and cc
creams to your everyday regimen. The
main goal of K-beauty is to look beautiful without makeup. Prevention is the
key to their very involved beauty routine, but all for a good cause. We are
used to treating a problem once it has already risen, which is why spot
treatment acne solutions are one of the most purchased skin care items on the
market. K-beauty’s goal is healthy, vibrant, hydrated skin that is free of
pigment from sun damage. Pale=Beauty. This goes against the soul of our existence.
We escape to “paradise” on beach getaways to literally bask in the sun for
hours on end, some even wearing little to no sunscreen at all. (Which is why my
biggest clientele are hyperpigmented sun worshipers). So why would I make this change you may ask?
Because it is the key to product absorption and YOUTHFUL looking skin, BEFORE
your skin begins to age.
Although this system is very involved and seems nearly
impossible for the average person to consider, please note that all 10 steps of
Korean skincare do not have to be done daily. And I specifically want to state
that if you barely even wash your face as it is, please do not go from 0-100
overnight. Your skin will go into shock and will react. I can promise you that.
Start out slow. Less is more. And READ ingredients. Below will not be a list of
products that you should incorporate into your regimen. Instead it will be a
guideline to follow as far as how this system works and the order that it
should be done in. The order is very important. Layering skin care products
correctly is a huge necessity for the products to do their job properly and
penetrate into the layers of skin that they need to penetrate into. So if you
are starting from 0, I suggest you start out by using a very good oil cleanser,
cleanser (or water cleanser) and moisturizer and then the key role in all of
this sunscreen, in that order. I will
provide a description as to why all of these are important below. So lets get
to it…
10 step K-Beauty Routine
1. Oil Cleanser- This is actually a step I have
incorporated not only in my own routine but in my clients facial routine as
well, a few years ago. Mainly because oil is a magnet to dirt and oil and will
provide a great first cleanse to remove any makeup or residue prior to your
next step.
2. Cleanser- For a second cleanse it is crucial you
follow up your oil cleanse with a second cleanse, now that your skin is rid of
dirt, oil and makeup, your cleanser can actually do its job, which is cleanse
your skin. I like to use a gel cleanser with lactic acid for hydration which is
perfect for combo skin but you can also use a foam cleanser or anything
specific to your skin needs.
3. Exfoliate – When it comes to Korean or American
beauty when it comes to exfoliating less is more. Some people can get carried
away with this step because the grainy feeling of a scrub feels like it’s doing
more then you’re used to but over exfoliating causes redness and irritation.
That is not going to give you porcelain skin.
4. Tone – Toning has truly become my favorite skin
care step. Some people never include toning into their routine but it is
refreshing and also rids the skin of any residue left over from the previous
steps and resets the PH of your skin so it’s ready for the next steps.
5. Essence – Here’s that word again. What on earth
is essence? Essence is considered a
treatment, sort of between a toner and a serum but provides a necessary step
for better absorption of a serum while also providing cellular turnover which
keeps your skin youthful.
6. Serum – A serum is crucial for skin change! Serums
can target a number of issues and they usually are geared toward certain skin
concerns. They are super concentrated active ingredients that provide a
delivery system to deeply penetrate into the layers of the skin. They can target
pigmentation, repair the barrier layer of the skin, aging etc…
7. Sheet Masks – If you haven’t heard of K-Beauty
before now you would have to be living under a rock if you haven’t seen at
least one of these sheet masks in either the store or on your insta feed in the
past few months. These sheet masks do way more then scare your roommate. But
there are so many on the market it is extremely important that you do your
research when it comes to these masks. Some are not only drenched in beneficial
serums but also a ton of harmful and scary chemicals and parabens that are not
healthy for your skin or your health. These masks are not a daily step, they
can be used up to 3 times a week.
8. Eye Cream – It is very important in Korean skin
care to very carefully treat the eyes using delicate motion, eye cream and eye
makeup remover prior to the first step. Your eye area needs a lot of attention
and should definitely be incorporated to avoid aging.
9. Moisturizer – This step ties all the other steps
together by supercharging the other 8 steps into the deeper layers of the skin
and helping them all work properly and together. Sleep packs are also used in
place of this step nightly a few times a week. Sleep packs are an overnight
mask that is not washed off until the following morning when you begin your
morning routine.
10. SPF
– The MOST important step which I know may sound redundant because I said that
about a lot of these steps but the sole purpose of these steps is to achieve perfect,
porcelain skin. Porcelain meaning pale and free of pigmentation. To avoid aging
and retain youth you must avoid the sun and sun damage. Which means wearing
sunscreen every single day.
This may sound extremely time consuming and it definitely
can be in the beginning but skin care should be a lifestyle, just as exercise,
diet and hair care. Make it a priority now and you will avoid a lifetime of
fixing skin care conditions you could have avoided throughout the years.
(Photo courtesy of ASCP)
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