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Korean Beauty

Here you will find all my posts related to Korean skin care, hair care and makeup.

Korean Skincare UK

What are the Steps of the Korean Skincare Routine?

Understanding the Double Cleansing Method

Asian women believe double cleansing is vital to ensure the skin is thoroughly clean. Double cleansing means using both and oil and water based cleanser. The oil based cleanser removes your makeup and sunscreen whilst the water based cleanser removes water based impurities like dirt and sweat.

The oil based cleanser is used first and this is followed by the water based cleanser. There are many different types of oil based cleansers including liquid oils and balms. Water based cleansers come in the form of soaps or foam.

1. Oil Cleanser

Oil cleansers are the first step in the Korean skincare routine. They help to break down makeup and draw out oil based impurities such as SPF, sebum and pollution. Oil cleansers can either come in the form of facial oils that you massage into the skin, or as a balm that turns to a soft oil when applied to the skin.

The top brands available in the UK that produce excellent oil cleansers include Banila Co, Etude House and The Face Shop.

2. Foam Cleanser

Cleansing a second time with a water based cleanser is recommended to remove any water based impurities like dirt and sweat that your oil based cleanser didn’t pick up. The double cleanse method, using both an oil based and water based cleanser ensures that your skin is thoroughly cleaned and less likely to breakout.

When it comes to the best Korean water based cleansers available in the UK, COSRX, Neogen and Nature Republic are all Korean brands with good cleansers available to buy on Amazon UK.

3. Exfoliation

Exfoliating is one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. It removes dead skin cells, dirt, and anything else that has built up on the surface of your face. Exfoliation also helps to clear away blackheads as well as reduce acne breakouts.

The most common exfoliant is physical, meaning it uses things like sugar or crushed walnut shells to scrub away the top layer of your skin. Chemical exfoliants use ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that break down the bonds between cells for more efficient removal of dead skin cells and impurities from pores.

You should exfoliate once a week or once a fortnight depending on your skin type. Make sure not to over do it though or you’ll irritate your skin. When it comes to Korean exfoliants available in the UK there are some good ones by Neogen, Skin Food and Secret Key.

4. Toner

Toners are often seen as an unnecessary step in the skin care routine but they actually have a number of benefits, including removing excess dirt from the skin. They are not meant to be a replacement for cleanser, but rather an additional step to make sure your skin is completely clean of any dirt or oil that was missed during cleansing.

Toners also help to prepare your pores for the next step in your skincare routine. There are many different types of toner: astringent toners which help tighten up pores; pH balancing toners which help balance the acidity on your skin; and hydrating or soothing toners which add moisture back into the skin.

In Korean skincare there are a variety of different toners for various skin concerns. Toners are also essential for achieving “glass skin”. Glass skin is when your skin appears poreless, luminous, and translucent.

5. Essence

Essences acts as a primer in your skincare routine. It makes the active ingredients in your other products more effective as well as provides moisture to the skin.

They are usually lightweight and packed with hydrating and anti-aging ingredients for the skin.

When looking for good Korean essences available in the UK some brands that are widely available include Neogen, Etude House and Laneige.

  • best korean essence for oily skin

6. Serum

Serums are packed with active ingredients and used to target a specific skin concern such as fine lines, dehydration, dark spots or hyperpigmentation.

Serums are much more concentrated compared with your other skincare products and one of the most important steps in your routine. If you were going to skip any step it should not be this one!

Glow Recipe have a best selling Vitamin C serum that has become one of my favourite Korean serums. It brightens, smooths, and hydrates the skin whilst visibly fading dark spots, and acne scars. It’s enriched with Vitamin C which evens out skin tone and hyaluronic acid which deeply hydrates the skin.

7. Sheet Mask

Sheet masks are a type of mask that is usually made from either cotton or cellulose fiber and soaked in a serum solution. They can be used to hydrate the skin, moisturize it, relieve stress and redness caused by acne breakouts, improve uneven skin tone, remove excess sebum oil from oily skin and more.

Sheet masks are applied to the face for 10-20 minutes to allow the concentrated serum to be absorbed. They come in many different shapes, sizes and materials. They aim to provide skin with nourishment, brightening up the complexion and giving it back its glow.

There is a large variety of Korean face masks available to buy on Amazon UK for different skin types and concerns. Korean’s best selling mask is the MEDIHEAL Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Mask. This mask is excellent for calming acne prone skin and reducing redness.

Another popular sheet mask in Korea is the Leaders Aquaringer Treatment Mask. It is specifically formulated for dehydrated skin and is packed with hyaluronic acid. It is one of the best products to add to your routine if you have dry skin.

8. Eye Cream

Eye creams are important because they help to protect the delicate skin around the eyes. A good eye cream will help you to combat crow’s feet, and dark circles and puffiness as well as protecting the skin from environmental damage and dehydration.

Korean brands available in the UK that produce excellent eye creams include Saturday Skin, AHC and Mizon. You can also buy eye patches from Korean brands like Etude House which are available in the United Kingdom at very affordable prices.

9. Moisturiser

Moisturisers are a vital part of your skincare routine. They provide hydration to the skin, and soothe dryness caused by environmental factors such as wind, sunburns, or winter weather. Moisturisers are especially helpful for people with sensitive skin who experience red patches, itchiness, acne breakouts from irritation or clogged pores due to excess oil production.

There are moisturisers available for every skin type. If you have oily skin or acne prone skin, you might want to look for an oil-free formula that will prevent further breakouts and shine. If you’re looking for something more natural, products with aloe vera gel are a great option as they help to hydrate the skin whilst removing excess oils without stripping it of its natural moisture barrier.

Korean skincare brands that have excellent moisturisers available in the UK include Etude House, Dr Jart and Nature Republic.

10. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an essential part of your skincare routine. The sun’s ultraviolet radiation is linked to skin cancer, and premature ageing. There are many different types of sunscreen on the market including lotions, creams, gels, sprays and sticks, as well as different formulas. Whether you choose a chemical or physical sunscreen may depend on your skin type.

Good skin care products with SPF from Korea include Neogen Dermalogy Daylight Protection Sun Screen SPF50/Pa+++, Etude House SoonJung Mild Defence Sun Cream SPF49 PA++ and Waterproof Sun Milk SPF50+ PA+++. These products are all popular with Korean women.

Related: 6 Korean Beauty Trends Guaranteed To Give You Glowing Skin

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Korean Skincare UK