True skin-care enthusiasts will tell you that the secret to achieving smooth, even-toned, dewy skin lies in a 10-step Korean skin-care routine. A leader in beauty innovation, Korea continuously pushes the standard with new ingredients, formulas, and techniques. The K-beauty influence on the U.S. is not new, but recently, more consumers are turning to Korea for best-in-class tips and tricks. According to licensed esthetician Natalia Barzotti, a 10-step Korean skin-care routine emphasizes hydration and mild exfoliation, resulting in the coveted glass skin.
Our Top Picks:
In This Story:
The 10-Step Korean Skin Care Essentials
The steps themselves are pretty easy; there’s no need for using LED face masks every night to achieve results. They’re straightforward in the best way and can be easily incorporated into an existing routine if you trade a bit of your doom-scrolling time for some skin-appreciating time.
Remember that a 10-step skin-care routine requires something money can’t buy—patience and consistency. After all, these products will only collect dust in your medicine cabinet if you don’t stick to using them daily. While ten steps may sound overwhelming, especially if you prefer to keep things minimal, you don’t have to do all ten steps every night. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you and your skin type.
Similar to your morning routine, you’ll want to go through all the steps again to remove the dirt and grime accumulated throughout the day. Whether you spent hours at the office, endured a long commute, or hit a fitness class, your skin is ready for a reset. By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up to wake up with healthy, hydrated skin in the morning (and the cycle continues…)
AM Step 1: Oil-Based or Balm Cleanser
According to celebrity esthetician and founder of Peach & Lily, Alicia Yoon, the first step in any 10-step Korean skincare routine is an oil cleanser. Oil-based impurities like excess sebum, makeup, and SPF are best removed with oil because like attracts like, a principle familiar to those who can remember their high school science class.
PM Step 1: Oil Cleanser
No matter how much, or how little, you did during the day, an oil-based cleanser is essential. These cleansers effectively dissolve and draw out oil-based impurities, including SPF, makeup, and excess sebum. According to Epley, “During the day, oil residue and dead skin cells accumulate on your skin. The first step in a Korean skin-care routine is to remove this buildup. With clean skin, you create a blank canvas for the following steps to be most effective.”
AM Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
The second step is, you guessed it, another cleanser! Double-cleansing is essential in K-beauty routines, though its since been adopted in skin care routines all over, including Victoria Beckham’s. By following up with a water-based cleanser, you can properly remove water-based impurities like dirt, sweat, and grime. Yoon suggests opting for a low pH, sulfate-free, calming cleanser to give skin a gentle kickstart or choosing a treatment cleanser suited to your skin concern. However, if you have acne, she suggests using an acne-specific cleanser to deep cleanse down to the pores. Esthetician Mandy Epley recommends this step for the evening only, not as part of your morning routine.
PM Step 2: Water-based Cleanser
Double cleansing is a cornerstone of K-beauty. As Yoon explains, “A gentle, hydrating water-based cleanser as the second step removes all water-based impurities like dirt, grime, and sweat, without being harsh on the skin.”
AM Step 3: Exfoliator
Depending on your skin type and exfoliator, this might be a daily or weekly step—make sure to read the instructions on the label. Yoon explains that on the days you’re exfoliating, you should do so after cleansing.
PM Step 3: Exfoliation
On exfoliation days, Yoon says you should do so after cleansing. She emphasizes that balanced exfoliation is key, as overdoing it can cause more harm than good. There are different types of exfoliants—chemical, physical, and enzymatic—so choose one based on your skin’s tolerance. “Most people only need to exfoliate two or three times a week,” Epley advises.
AM Step 4: Toner
Next come the toners. While toners may have a negative connotation in your mind, nowadays there are many that aren’t harsh, stripping, or astringent, especially if you choose a K-beauty option. “Korean toners are incredibly hydrating, and their main job is to focus on balancing the skin, including the skin’s pH level,” says Yoon.
PM Step 4: Toner
Many Korean toners are hydrating, and many essences are pH-balanced—a combo of the two can be especially beneficial at night if you’re looking to boost hydration before bedtime. But rememeber, toners and essences are separate steps. For example, Yoon explains that if you’re using an exfoliating toner and not getting hydration from this step, incorporating a deeply hydrating essence can be a great way to replenish moisture, since it serves a different purpose than your toner.
AM Step 5: Essence
Toners and essences may offer similar benefits, but they’re not exactly interchangeable. Yoon explains that the main difference lies in their primary functions: a toner helps balance the skin, while an essence floods it with hydration. If your toner is deeply hydrating, it can double as an essence. Depending on the essence, they may also contain more concentrated ingredients and benefits compared to toners. “Think of essences as hydrating elixirs that can also deliver lightweight treatment benefits,” says Yoon.
PM Step 5: Essence
“Essences are meant to hydrate and are packed with antioxidants and vitamins to enhance overall skin health,” says Epley. They’re especially helpful in the winter when radiators blast heat as you sleep or when dry air depletes moisture from the skin.
Step 6: Prescription Topicals
“If you are using any prescription topicals, you would typically apply them directly onto dry skin once everything is patted in, either right after cleansing or right after your toner and essence,” explains Yoon. Every prescription has its nuances, so check in with your doctor on where exactly this would fit into your routine.
AM Step 7: Treatments
The next step is your treatments: serums and ampoules. “Depending on the formula, the order might differ, but the general rule of thumb is light to heavy in texture to optimize absorbency,” says Yoon. You’ll want to choose a serum that either hydrates, brightens, firms, and/or calms to achieve luminous, smooth, clear skin. Ensure it can be easily paired with other treatments without concern.
PM Step 7: Treatments
This step is all about addressing your unique skin concerns with targeted treatments, explains Yoon. There are many options, including ampoules and serums. “The difference is that ampoules are typically considered more concentrated than serums, but it really depends on the formula as some serums can also have very high concentrations of active ingredients,” says Yoon.
AM Step 8: Eye Cream
Don’t forget eye creams! Yoon advises choosing one that suits your eye area and addresses specific concerns you’re targeting. The eye area is sensitive and prone to milia, so always make sure to patch test. “Remember to dab on the product rather than tugging and pulling,” she adds.
PM Step 8: Eye Cream
To put the beauty in beauty sleep, applying an eye cream before bed, especially a thicker, nighttime formula can make a marked difference. Many Korean eye creams now include retinol, which can complement your retinol serum or moisturizer.
AM Step 9: Moisturizer
It’d be a crime to skip moisturizer, which is why this step comes last to seal it all in. According to Yoon, Korean skincare offers incredible textures and exceeds expectations with sensorial experiences. This is particularly true for Korean moisturizers, as the final step not only provides skin-care benefits but also significantly affects how your skin looks and feels after application.
PM Step 9: Moisturizer
No matter your skin type or the climate you’re in, a good moisturizer is essential to lock in all the previous steps and protect your skin barrier. There are many different types of moisturizers with various formats, benefits, and ingredients that can either target specific concerns or provide multiple benefits at once. “Finding the right one depends on your skin’s needs and the results you’re looking for,” adds Epley.
Step 10 AM: SPF
And in the mornings, the final step is SPF, rain or shine. “With the diverse and modern sun filters that can be used, Korean sunscreens are typically weightless, invisible, and feel more like a light moisturizer or soothing serum than the sunscreens we might be familiar with stateside,” says Yoon.
PM Step 10: Masks
This is a bonus step for nights when you have extra time or want to treat yourself. Masks are an incredibly diverse and fun category in Korean skincare. “Depending on the mask, its application might vary, but typically, they are used after cleansing and toning. What comes next is up to you: some prefer to complete their entire skin-care routine after masking, while others may simply want to lock in the benefits with a moisturizer,” says Yoon. Her motto: Have fun with your skincare, pay attention to your skin, and see what it needs.
Everything You Need to Know
What is the 10-step Korean skincare routine?
A 10-step Korean skincare routine is a multi-step regimen that emphasizes hydration, gentle exfoliation, and targeted treatments to achieve its results. Known for its meticulous and holistic approach, per Yoon, the result of this regimen is a glowing complexion.
However, one important thing to understand before starting a 10-step K-beauty skincare routine is to fully know your skin type, warns Epley. For instance, you may want to skip the exfoliating scrub step if you have sensitive skin, rosacea, or active acne as it may cause further irritation.
Why is Korean skincare so good?
Korean skincare is also part of an incredibly competitive industry, driven by the demands of Korean consumers who are among the most discerning globally when it comes to skincare. “Korean patients are deeply informed and extraordinarily exacting when it comes to their skin goals,” says Yoon. She attributes this demand to the cultural perspective that skincare is not just cosmetic but a form of healthcare and self-care. “Growing up, I was taught to brush my teeth as a toddler and how to properly apply moisturizer and sunscreen,” she explains.
She continues to highlight Korea’s strong social connectivity online, noting platforms like Cyworld preceding Facebook and the country’s exceptionally fast internet connections. This connectivity fosters a massive online community where skincare information is constantly shared. Yoon mentions Hwahwae, an app with millions of subscribers reviewing skincare formulas and tracking ingredient safety and profiles.
“For brands to excel and stand out among demanding and highly discerning Korean consumers, they must exceed expectations in efficacy, ease of use, delightfulness, and value,” says Yoon. This intense competition drives continuous innovation in the industry.
TL;DR: Korean skincare’s excellence is driven by its competitive dynamic shaped by consumer demand for high efficacy and innovation.
What is the ideal Korean nighttime routine?
According to Yoon, personalization is key—you can tailor the routine to fit your needs. She explains that some people might prefer a condensed routine and still see great benefits without every step. But for those seeking a more comprehensive regimen, she suggests the foundational steps. Epley adds that using Korean skin-care products at nighttime makes “taking care of your skin less of a chore and more of a ritual.”
