Korea has become the global epicenter of beauty as our Asian neighbors have seemingly unlocked the secrets to skin. It turns out that the fountain of youth isn’t made up of one magical potion but 10 – the that are part of the famous 10-step .
The Korean Skincare Routine – but Easier
Korean skincare routines typically consist of the following: 1) oil cleanser, 2) water-based cleanser, 3) exfoliator, 4) toner, 5) essence, 6) treatment, 7) sheet mask, 8) eye cream, 9) moisturizer, 10) sunscreen. Whew!
We know you’ve got things to do and places to go, so we’ve pared this routine down for you with some multi-tasking Korean skincare products. Below, find out how you can get the of your dream with less time and effort.
1. Start with an oil-based cleanser.
This step remains the same: Use an oil-based cleanser to , sebum, sunscreen, and pollution that your skin accumulated throughout the day.
Your skin savior: POND’S Cleansing Balm, an award-winning product for all skin types that transforms into a silky oil when massaged into the skin, melting away oil-based impurities. Here’s a tip if you’re wearing waterproof eyeliner or mascara: leave it on for a few seconds to let the product melt the waterproof formulation before washing off gently.
2. Cleanse and exfoliate at the same time.
In the traditional 10-step routine, the second step is a – you follow your oil-based cleanser with a water-based cleanser to wash away any residue that the first one may have missed. After that, you use a physical and chemical exfoliator to scrub away dead skin cells and unclog pores. Our suggestion? Put the two steps together and use a facial wash that also gently exfoliates the skin.
Your skin savior: POND’S Clear Solutions Facial Foam, which has a combination of Brightening Essence and a salicylic formula that cleanses skin and sloughs away pimple-causing germs in one go.
3. Use toner, essence, and treatment in one.
The next three steps are , to restore your skin’s and prep it to absorb your hydrating products; essence, a lightweight product that’s a heavyweight when it comes to hydration; and treatment, which may be a serum or ampoule that targets skin concerns like and dark spots. Our pro tip: Use one multi-tasking product to cover all three steps!
Your skin savior: POND'S Perfect Potion Essence, which is a toner, essence, and serum all rolled into one! It contains hyaluronic acid for major hydration as well as niacinamide to brighten your complexion and enhance skin texture. The result? Soft, smooth, and super moisturized skin. You can apply this in two ways: with a cotton ball or pad, or simply pouring a few drops on your hands and patting it gently on your face.
4. Mask up.
Follow your three-in-one treatment with a sheet mask, a cloth saturated in hydrating ingredients. Sheet masks are rich in serums and can provide different benefits such as brightening or moisturizing the skin. Leave it on for the prescribed time so your skin can soak up all the goodness.
Your skin savior: POND'S Pineapple Mask, a pore-minimizing, glow-boosting sheet mask, which has Vitaboosters that give it 50x more brightening power! Here’s a tip if you have leftover serum from the mask: apply it on your neck, decolletage, elbows, and hands! For best results, use a sheet mask twice or thrice a week. You can even store it in the refrigerator before using it to cool your skin.
5. Dab on the eye cream.
Give the delicate skin around your eyes some extra attention with an . This product has a gentler formulation to prevent irritation and targets dark circles, puffiness, and crow’s feet. Remember to tap, not rub, the cream around your eye area to prevent fine lines.
Your skin savior: POND'S Age Miracle Youthful Glow Eye Cream, which contains fine line-fighting Retinol-C Complex. It helps increase the production of collagen, fades age spots, and even softens rough skin.
6. Moisturize and protect.
In case you haven’t noticed, proper K skincare is all about hydration, hydration, hydration. The ninth step in the 10-step routine is moisturizer, which can come in a cream, emulsion, or gel form. You then end the regimen with the tenth step, sunscreen, which goes on last to keep it from getting diluted. Hit two birds with one skin-nourishing stone by using a moisturizer that contains SPF.
Your skin savior: POND'S Bright Serum Day Cream. This day cream hydrates while targeting to even out skin tone, and comes with SPF30 to protect your skin from the sun.
The main takeaway of the Korean skincare routine using these alternative skincare products: Cleansing, hydration, sun protection, and self-care go a long way! Refresh your Korean skincare kit. If you commit to these steps daily, it will definitely help you achieve the skin of your dreams.
After learning about Korean skincare products, read about .