A guide to the 10-step Korean skincare routine

You’ve probs already heard of it, but just in case you haven’t… the 10-step Korean skincare routine is what skinfluencers (and professionals) swear by for flawless, nourished skin. And who wouldn’t want that? Formally South East Asia’s best-kept beauty secret – it’s been a thing since the 60s! – the 10-step Korean skincare regime has officially become a hit across the world. And, as your BFF for all things beauty, we’re gonna tell you all you need to know about this trailblazing trend…


Breaking down the 10-step Korean skincare routine

We get that it may seem *a little* excessive (yep, there really are 10 steps), but the famous Korean skincare routine is pretty simple to follow, and it doesn’t take as long as you might think. You don’t need to do every single step every single night (feel free to find what’s best for you and your skin type), but what it does require is consistency. You’ve gotta do it daily to feel the benefits… and, let’s face it, you’ll only have lots of big ole beauty heroes collecting dust on your shelves if you don’t. Our advice? Swap out some doom-scrolling for some skin-appreciating and you’ll be glowing in no time!

So, where do you start? Below we break down each part of the 10-step Korean skincare regime and the different Korean skincare essentials you’ll need. Smooth, even-toned, dewy skin is just a short read (and shop) away!

Step 1: Oil-based cleanser

The 10-step Korean skincare routine begins with a double cleanse. The first step is to remove oil-based impurities like make-up, sunscreen and excess sebum with an oil-based cleanser.
How to use: Gently massage the oil-based cleanser into dry skin using circular motions. Make sure to pay extra attention to areas with heavy make-up or sunscreen build-up before rinsing it off with warm water
Why it’s important: Oil dissolves oil, so this step effectively removes stubborn products and pollutants from the skin without stripping away any natural oils
Look out for: You’ll find loads of Korean skincare products here at TK Maxx, including oil-based cleansers – and with savings of up to 60%*, no less – but in our opinion, some of the best Korean skincare features Antibacterial tea tree oil

Step 2: Water-based cleanser

You guessed it... part two of the Korean skincare regime calls for another cleanser. The purpose of the second cleanse is to remove any water-based impurities like sweat and dirt.
How to use: Apply the water-based cleanser onto damp skin before lathering it up, massaging it gently into the face and rinsing it off with lukewarm water
Why it’s important: This step ensures your skin is thoroughly clean, preventing breakouts and improving product absorption
Look out for: We recommend choosing a water-based cleanser with a gentle, non-drying formula that's suitable for your skin type

Step 3: Exfoliator

The next step of the Korean skincare routine is exfoliation, which removes dead skin cells, smoothens texture and helps to unclog pores. Both physical exfoliators (scrubs) and chemical exfoliators (like AHAs and BHAs) can achieve the coveted Korean glass-skin look.
How to use: Gently massage the exfoliator onto clean, damp skin, avoiding the eyes and focusing on problem areas before rinsing thoroughly. We recommend exfoliating one to three times a week, depending on skin type and sensitivity
Why it’s important: Regular exfoliation gives skin a smoother, more radiant look and it will help your other Korean skincare products penetrate deeper
Look out for: If you plan to exfoliate two or three times a week, we recommend picking one of our chemical exfoliators as they’re gentler on the skin and more effective for regular use

Step 4: Toner


Now it’s time to set the tone (quite literally). Toners balance the skin's pH after cleansing and exfoliating, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. They also prepare the skin for the rest of the Korean skincare routine. How to use: Apply the toner using a cotton pad or by patting it directly onto the skin with your hands
Why it’s important: This step helps hydrate and refresh the skin while making it more receptive to treatment products
Look out for: There are lots of different types of toner, including hydrating toners, pore-reducing toners and clarifying toners. When it comes to following the Korean skincare steps, we always opt for a clarifying toner

Step 5: Essence

The halfway point in the 10-step Korean skincare regime calls for essence. Celebrated for its lightweight hydration properties, the water-based product can help with collagen and elastin production, and minimising dullness and imperfections.
How to use: Gently pat the essence onto your face with your fingertips, pressing it into the skin until it’s fully absorbed
Why it’s important: This step focuses on deep hydration and boosting skin cell renewal, leading to a glowing complexion
Look out for: The best Korean skincare essence depends on your skin type. If you have dry or flaky skin, look for a deeply hydrating essence. For sensitive skin, try a lightweight essence with soothing ingredients like squalane, argan oil and vitamin E

Step 6: Serum

Once you’ve applied essence to your face, the next Korean skincare step is serum. Serums are concentrated treatments designed to address specific skin issues (like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne).
How to use: Apply a small amount to targeted areas or all over the face and let it absorb
Why it’s important: This treatment is packed with active ingredients to address and treat specific skin issues
Look out for: Hyaluronic acid serum is perfect for those wanting to reduce fine lines and wrinkles as it naturally plumps fine lines on the face. If you have dull-looking skin, look for vitamin C serum – it helps brighten the skin to achieve a radiant glow

Step 7: Sheet mask

Possibly the most popular Korean skincare products of all, sheet masks provide an intensive hydration boost and are infused with serums or essences that deliver targeted treatments to the skin. They offer a moment of relaxation and self-care while deeply nourishing the skin.
How to use: Apply the sheet mask to your face, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, then remove and gently pat any remaining essence into the skin. While sheet masks can be used daily, two to three times a week is generally sufficient
Why it’s important: A sheet mask delivers a concentrated dose of hydration, helping to plump and refresh the skin
Look out for: You’ll find lots of shiny sheet-mask deals in our selection of Korean skincare products, but keep your eyes peeled for multipacks – you’re likely to spend even less per sheet!

Step 8: Eye cream

Skin around the eyes is delicate and requires special care. Eye cream, the eighth stage of the 10-step Korean skincare regime, is formulated to hydrate this sensitive area and prevent puffiness, dark circles and fine lines.
How to use: Apply a small amount of eye cream to your ring finger – this finger applies the least pressure – and gently tap it around the orbital bone, avoiding direct contact with the eyes
Why it’s important: The skin around the eyes is delicate and prone to showing signs of ageing, so a targeted product is essential
Look out for: Again, the best Korean skincare for your eye area depends on your skin concerns. If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free eye cream. Hydrating eye creams are more suited to dry skin

Step 9: Moisturiser

The penultimate Korean skincare step, moisturiser locks in hydration and seals all the layers of skincare underneath. Both gel (water-based) and cream (oil-based) moisturisers help to soften and smooth the skin’s texture.
How to use: Apply moisturiser evenly across your face and neck, massaging it gently into the skin
Why it’s important: Moisturiser provides a barrier that helps keep the skin hydrated throughout the day or night
Look out for: If your skin is on the dry side, consider choosing a heavy, creamy formula as it’s more likely to lock in moisture. Otherwise, look to lighter, non-greasy textures

Step 10: Sunscreen

Last but definitely not least... the final product in the 10-step Korean skincare routine is sunscreen. Crucial even on cloudy days and days spent indoors, sunscreen comes in two key forms: mineral and chemical. Each type uses a different mechanism for filtering UV rays and protecting the skin from damage.
How to use: Apply sunscreen generously to your face and neck as the final step in the morning. Reapply every two to three hours if you’re exposed to direct sunlight
Why it’s important: Sunscreen protects skin from harmful UV rays, which can cause premature ageing and skin cancer
Look out for: We suggest choosing a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. When used correctly, sunscreen with an SPF between 30 and 50 will offer suitable protection from the sun's UV rays


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