Demystifying the Korean 10 Step Routine

If you're still looking for the perfect Korean 10-step routine, fear not, your search is over! Discover the only products you need to transform your skin and reveal a fresh face.

Despite its global cult following, there’s still some mystery surrounding the Korean 10-step routine. It can be overwhelming to know all the steps to include — not to mention which products have the most benefits for your skincare needs. The beauty of this regimen is that you don’t need to do each step every day, you simply have to focus on the key steps that will reveal more radiant skin if followed religiously.

So here’s your masterclass in the famous Korean skincare routine designed to elevate your skin from dull to dewy.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin with an Oil Cleanser

Double cleansing is an important first step in any healthy Korean 10-step beauty routine, and the key is to start with an oil cleanser to remove impurities. Try Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm which is a hypoallergenic cleanser that transforms from a sherbet-like texture into smooth oil when massaged into your skin.

It contains a sumptuous blend of botanical extracts combined with vital vitamins to effectively purify while protecting the skin’s natural moisture balance. Sinking into the skin to remove dirt and even waterproof makeup, this won’t leave behind unwanted impurities. Instead, it will even out tone and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Step 2: Deep Cleanse with a Water-Based Cleanser

Phase two of the double cleanse is to deep clean the skin to wash off any remaining dirt, oil or residue after you’ve removed your makeup. This helps to optimise the skin's natural protection and prepare your face for the rest of your beauty ritual. 

Use the Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam, which is specially created for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin. This foaming cleanser is enriched with Jeju Volcanic Scoria, a sebum-absorbing ingredient that unclogs pores and removes blackheads for a radiant complexion.

Step 3: Remove Dead Skin Cells with an Exfoliant

The final stage of cleansing is to exfoliate dead skin cells to reveal brighter and smoother skin. Exfoliating regularly is vital to keep your skin radiant and blemish-free, but once or twice a week is frequent enough. Opt for the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, which helps to unblock pores and prevent blackheads. This gentle exfoliant sloughs away dull skin cells to clarify whilst gently eliminating impurities for renewed skin.

Step 4: Hydrate Your Skin with a Toner

Korean toners are a different breed to the more traditional toners you may be familiar with. They are designed to lovingly plump skin with lots of hydration and renew your skin’s texture. 

The SOME BY MI  AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner helps to revitalise dull, uneven skin with a blend of natural tea-tree extract and mild acids. It exfoliates and dislodges dead, dull skin cells, revealing a more even tone while minimising pore size, blackheads and breakouts.

Step 5: Revitalise and Brighten Skin with an Essence

A skincare category famously created in Korea, many consider the essence the most important step of their Korean 10-step routine. Essences target your skin all the way down to the cells and work to revitalise, brighten and hydrate your skin from the inside out. 

The Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence is a lightweight, watery essence featuring a potent combo of snail mucin and bee venom for intense hydration and to help fade dark spots and acne scars. 

Step 6: Aid Skin Recovery with Serums and Ampoules

Whether you’re trying to get rid of wrinkles, acne or discolouration, the best forms of treatments are usually a serum or ampoule. Start with the TONYMOLY Vita Vita 12 Brightening Ampoule to restore your skin’s moisture and keep it glowy and bright. 

Layer this with the Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Serum, a lightweight and hydrating face solution that revives skin with vital moisture and balances the complexion’s water-oil balance. This transparent, nourishing serum sinks deeply into the skin, leaving it replenished and works with Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture.

Step 7: Sheet Masks to Infuse Your Skin

Sheet masks are without a doubt the holy grail of Korean skincare, and with countless benefits, it’s little wonder why. Just like treatments, face masks target common skincare issues and pack in plenty of nutrients as they sit on your skin. 

Try the A'Pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Masks, which are carefully formulated to address specific skin concerns with remarkable brightening, plumping and hydrating effects in as little as 20 minutes. Opt for the “Watermelon” to tackle dull skin, the “Pineapple” for its anti-ageing properties, the “Melon” for skin nourishment or the “Hanrabong” to brighten. 

Step 8: Reduce Dark Lines and Circles with Eye Creams

The skin around the eyes is more delicate than the rest of your face, so it’s important to take extra special care of it. Use the Benton Fermentation Eye Cream to hydrate this often sensitive area and minimise wrinkles for brighter under eyes. The cream helps to diminish tell-tale signs of ageing and fatigue by plumping and smoothing the under-eye area for a radiant and youthful look. 

Step 9: Reveal Your Radiant Complexion with Moisturisers

One of the final parts of your Korean 10-step routine is a good moisturiser to use before bedtime for keeping the skin hydrated overnight. Go for the ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream, which is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to revitalise your skin and reveal a more rested, radiant complexion. Created to provide weightless hydration, this replenishing daily moisturiser will smooth lines and wrinkles, while increasing elasticity and refining texture.  

Step 10: Complete Your Korean 10-Step Routine with Sunscreen to Protect against UV Damage

Sunscreen isn’t just for holidays, it should be a vital part of your morning skin routine regardless of whether you’re out in the sun. Protecting your skin against UV damage is the most effective defence we have against uneven pigmentation, skin damage and wrinkles.

Korean sunscreen formulas are weightless enough to be reapplied throughout the day and make an excellent base for makeup. Try the Innisfree Intensive Anti Pollution Sunscreen SPF 50+/PA+++, which is formulated to protect skin from pollution and intense UV rays. It features powerful antioxidants and organic ingredients to nourish skin to help it stay supple, plump and healthy.

So now you have demystified the Korean 10-step routine, you can discover all the featured products that will leave your skin soft, dewy and glowing. Remember, the most effective skincare regimen is a consistent one, so do your best to stick to as many steps as possible!

Ready to kickstart your Korean 10-step routine? Find all the products to build the perfect regimen for your skincare needs when you check out the full range of featured skincare products on K-Beauty UK.