If you ever saw some of those Korean celebrities or idols, it's clear that their skin is oftentimes flawless, powerless, and healthy. As frontrunners for skincare and beauty products, their secret is the 10-step beauty care routine:
Step 1: Oil cleanser
In order to take off your makeup, dirt or other pollutants that you gather throughout the day, it is very important to cleanse your face. Like how like substances attract, oil attracts oil because of the properties of chemistry. Therefore, if you put any oil cleanser on your face, it will attract other oil substances and take off makeup and clogging oils with dirt and other debris. In particular, oil cleansers are very good for removing makeup. And, if you are in the market for some more natural oil cleansers, some beauty bloggers use different oils like coconut oil, baby oil, or castor oil to cleanse their face. This method of removing makeup is less drying and better for individuals with dryer skin types.
NOTE: Many beauty bloggers usually do not recommend for individuals with more oily skin types. If one does not remove all of the oil off, this can lead to clogged pores.
Step 2: Foam/cream cleanser
Yes, Double Cleansing. To make sure all the bad stuff is taken off, it is important to make sure that face is squeaky clean. And, this will also remove any leftover oil or harmful material that covers the skin that can clog pores. These cleaners also can function to balance the natural pH of the skin and make sure it is healthy and protected. It is key to remember that the skin is also an organ that should be taken care of so it can be healthy and function its best. By guaranteeing its environment is the normal pH, it can best do its job.
Step 3: Toner
A toner is the last step of the cleansing steps and removes anything that either the foam or oil cleanser has left behind. In addition, toner can act as both a moisturizer and a way to balance the pH. It is watery like substance that can easily be applied to the face with sprays, hands or cotton pads. It minimizes pores and sometimes individuals apply toner before putting on makeup. However, for these k-beauty purposes, it will remain a cleanser. By removing all the dirt and grime, this makes a great foundation for products, moisturizers, and more to deeply enter the skin.
Step 4: Essence
The next series of steps are focused on moisturizing and hydrating the skin. Koreans believe that layer moisture and products are the smartest way to make sure the skin is hydrated and that multiple products can work deep within the skin. Essences are more watery like substances that feel more lightweight on the skin.
Step 5: Emulsion
This is less water like substance that again moisturizes. It helps your skin absorb other beauty products.
Step 6: Serum
MORE MOISTURE. Its ingredients also help the skin retain moisture and deeply penetrate the skin.
Step 7: Sheet mask
After all these products are in, this routine likes to lock in the look and products through a sheet mask. This includes placing a sheet mask on the skin for 15-20 minutes. By placing the sheet mask on, the product has more time to absorb into the skin because it is trapped under the mask. If the product cannot go out, it goes the only way it can go: into the skin. When placing on a sheet mask, make sure to spread out the mask completely. Do not leave on the mask for longer than around 20 minutes because when you take it off, it should still be slightly moist. If the mask is drying, this means that the product could be taken off your face and reabsorbed by the mask. Once removed, pat the product into your face, and you can use any excess liquid from the mask on your neck, body, and more.
NOTE: Using sheet masks every day is either very time consuming or expensive. Therefore, this step is sometimes skipped and only done for important occasions or to prevent breakouts.
Step 8: Eye cream
It is really important not to forget about the eyes. The eye area is very susceptible to wrinkles or other aging qualities. Therefore in order to prevent any excessive aging, it is a good idea to focus on the eyes, especially because it is a thinner layer of skin. Good eye creams can fully moisturize the area and maintain or create a more youthful look.
Step 9: Moisturizer
I know this is A LOT of moisturizers. However, this is the final step. With one more layer of thick moisturizer, it can act similarly to the face mask. If the product is locked into the face and cannot escape out of the final more maybe of moisturizer, it can go back to the skin and penetrate deeper. This is the final act of hydration to make sure the skin is fully submerged. If the skin is hydrated and healthy, it will look younger and fuller.
Step 10: Sunscreen/sleep mask
Sunscreen is crucial for going outside and encountering any UV light. Uv light is very damaging to the skin and can cause aging, wrinkles and skin cancer. Therefore, in order to protect your skin, make sure to put on that sunscreen especially this summer!
Sleeping masks are for the nighttime and are masks designed to work very well during the night time to hydrate the face. They work when you are sleeping and can be very effective at moisturizing. Because the body repairs itself during the night and during sleep, this is a great idea to make sure the right stuff is on your skin at the right time for the most radiant look.