The Korean skincare routine has gained global attention for its thorough, methodical approach to achieving glowing, youthful skin. Unlike Western skincare regimes, which frequently promote speed and minimalism, the Korean method emphasizes a more deliberate and caring approach. The “10-step” framework is not about using ten products every single day, but rather about understanding the skin’s needs and tailoring care accordingly. In this article, we’ll explore each step of the Korean skincare routine in detail what it does, how it works, and why it matters.
Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser Dissolving the Day
Purpose: Remove oil-based impurities such as sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum.
How It Works: Oil attracts oil. An oil-based cleanser binds with oily substances on your face (like makeup and sebum), dissolving them gently without disrupting the skin barrier.
Application: Use dry hands to massage the cleanser onto dry skin in circular motions, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Why It Matters: This step prevents clogged pores and preps your skin for deeper cleansing. Even if you don’t wear makeup, using sunscreen or living in a polluted area justifies this step.
Popular Ingredients: Olive oil, coconut oil, rice bran oil, and green tea seed oil
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser The Double Cleanse
Purpose: Remove water-based impurities like sweat and dirt left after the oil cleanse.
How It Works: Foaming or gel-based cleansers lift off residue the oil cleanser may have missed, providing a deeper clean.
Application: Apply to damp skin, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly.
Why It Matters: Double cleansing is the cornerstone of the Korean skincare philosophy. It ensures that your skin is clean but not stripped, reducing breakouts and improving absorption of the next steps.
Popular Ingredients: Green tea, rice extract, centella asiatica, and charcoal.
Step 3: Exfoliator Renewing the Skin
Purpose: Remove dead skin cells and unclog pores for smoother, brighter skin.
How It Works: Exfoliants come in two forms:
- Physical exfoliants: Scrubs or brushes that manually slough off dead cells.
- Chemical exfoliants: Include AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, which dissolve the connections between dead cells and the skin.
Application: Apply once or twice a week, depending on your skin type. Overuse can lead to irritation.
Why It Matters: Exfoliation enhances cell turnover, improves skin tone, and allows better product penetration.
Popular Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, sugar, and walnut powder.
Step 4: Toner Hydration and pH Balance
Purpose: Rehydrate the skin post-cleansing and prep it for deeper absorption.
How It Works: Korean toners are not astringents like Western ones. They’re water-like or gel-like liquids that soothe and hydrate the skin.
Application: Gently pat into the skin using your palms or a cotton pad.
Why It Matters: Cleansing can disrupt the skin’s natural pH. Toners rebalance the skin and lay the groundwork for subsequent products.
Popular Ingredients: The ingredients include rice extract, rose water, chamomile, and hyaluronic acid
Step 5: Essence is an essential component of Korean skincare
Purpose: Hydrate, heal, and enhance skin regeneration.
How It Works: Essences are fluids that are considered to be lightweight and rich in active substances. They combine hydration with specific treatment.
Application: Gently press into skin using palms.
Why It Matters: Essences, which are exclusive to Korean beauty, provide a treatment phase that is both powerful and mild, and they increase the levels of elasticity, brightness, and moisture in the skin.
Popular Ingredients: Mucin from snails, yeast that has been fermented, rice extract, and ginseng.
Step 6: Serum/Ampoule Targeted Treatment
Purpose: Address specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, pigmentation, acne, or dullness.
How It Works: These are concentrated formulas containing active ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin.
Application: Apply a few drops to trouble spots or to the entire face. Layering more than one is common but should be done thoughtfully.
Why It Matters: This step delivers the most potent ingredients in your regimen to where they’re needed most.
Popular Ingredients: Vitamin C, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, tea tree, and retinol.
Step 7: Sheet Mask An Intensive Soak
Purpose: Provide a concentrated dose of hydration and nutrients.
How It Works: Sheet masks are soaked in serum or essence and work by occlusion preventing evaporation while allowing ingredients to deeply absorb.
Application: Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then pat in the remaining essence.
Why It Matters: Used 2–3 times per week or as needed, sheet masks give a glow boost before events or when skin feels dull.
Popular Ingredients: Aloe vera, propolis, snail mucin, green tea, collagen.
Step 8: Eye Cream Delicate Area Care
Purpose: Treat and prevent issues like dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eyes.
How It Works: Eye creams are formulated to be gentler and more hydrating than regular moisturizers, targeting the sensitive eye area without irritation.
Application: Tap gently with the ring finger (the weakest finger) around the orbital bone.
Why It Matters: The skin around the eyes is thinner and more prone to aging. Hydration and protection here can delay wrinkles and improve appearance.
Popular Ingredients: Caffeine, peptides, ceramides, ginseng, and retinol (in gentle formulas).
Step 9: Moisturizer Locking It All In
Purpose: Seal in previous layers and provide lasting hydration.
How It Works: Moisturizers are thicker in consistency and act as a barrier to prevent moisture loss.
Application: Apply a pea-sized amount and massage gently across face and neck.
Why It Matters: Without this final hydration step, water from other products can evaporate, diminishing their effectiveness.
Popular Ingredients: Squalane, shea butter, ceramides, green tea, and cica.
Step 10: Sunscreen (AM) / Sleeping Pack (PM) Final Defense or Repair
Sunscreen (Morning Routine)
Purpose: Protect skin from UV damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation.
How It Works: Sunscreens either absorb (chemical) or reflect (physical/mineral) UV rays.
Application: Apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. If exposed to direct sunlight, reapply every two hours.
Why It Matters: Sun exposure is the #1 cause of premature aging and skin cancer. No skincare routine is complete without daily SPF.
Popular Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, octinoxate, aloe, and green tea.
Sleeping Pack (Night Routine)
Purpose: Provide deep hydration and help skin repair overnight.
How It Works: Overnight masks or sleeping packs seal in all previous steps and deliver intensive nourishment while you sleep.
Application: Apply a small layer as the final step before bed.
Why It Matters: Skin regenerates while you sleep. Overnight treatments enhance this natural process.
Popular Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, honey, centella asiatica, and peptides.
Customization: Not Every Step, Every Day
One common misconception is that all 10 steps must be followed daily. In reality, the Korean skincare philosophy is about listening to your skin. Here’s how you might modify it:
- Daily (AM): Oil cleanser, water cleanser, toner, essence, moisturizer, and sunscreen
- Daily (PM): Oil cleanser, water cleanser, toner, essence, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer
- 2–3x per Week: Exfoliator, sheet mask, sleeping pack
The Philosophy Behind the Routine
The Korean skincare routine isn’t just about applying products it’s about self-care, prevention, and respect for the skin. It emphasizes:
- Hydration over harsh treatment
- Layering light products instead of using heavy, occlusive ones
- Consistent care rather than aggressive fixes
This holistic and preventive approach explains why many people see long-term benefits like smoother texture, brighter complexion, and fewer breakouts.
Conclusion: Is the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine Suitable for You?
While it may appear time-consuming at first, the 10-step process can be adapted to your specific lifestyle and skin demands. Whether you adopt all 10 steps or only a few, the key takeaway is intentional skincare choosing products that work in harmony and committing to consistency.
If you struggle with dryness, dullness, or sensitivity, this method may be a game-changer. But remember: skincare is personal. What works for one person may not work for another, so experiment and adapt.
Ultimately, the Korean skincare routine isn’t about perfection it’s about cultivating healthy skin and a healthy mindset toward self-care.