Looking for an easy Korean skin care routine that will save you time and won’t overwhelm you? Keep reading!
We all love the idea of the 10 step Korean routine, but if we’re being honest, even the most devoted skin care lovers don’t always have the time or energy for the full routine. Take it from me: I’m a college student with a packed schedule of classes, extracurriculars, and social events. My commitments don’t run from nine to five – they go around the clock. When I come home at 3AM from a late-night cram session before an exam or have to be up early for a breakfast meeting for work, going through my full 30-minute routine isn’t always in the cards.
That’s why I decided to build a regimen made up of entirely multitasking products that’s just six steps in the morning and five at night. Every product does more than one thing and pulls inspiration from the different steps of the full Korean routine. Basically, this routine contains all the benefits of a full routine but fits squarely into a quick, 10-minute regimen. Let’s dive in!
Cleanse
Double cleansing is a staple in the Korean routine and one of the keys to maintaining a good complexion. But sometimes cleansing just once can be a hassle, let alone having to do it twice.
However, there is a product that allows you to reap the benefits of a double cleanse in one go: the Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser. It transforms from an oil to a milk when mixed with water and rubbed into the face. It effectively removes impurities, without drying out your skin thanks to nourishing oat.
Toner
As its name implies, the Skin RX MadeCera Cream Double Essence Toner does it all – it acts as a toner AND essence, plus calms inflammation. Clearly, no multitasking routine would be complete without it.
The ingredient of note here is madecassoside which is soothing and helps keep skin hydrated and firm.
Exfoliator
Full on exfoliation is a step that only needs to be done a few times a week (hooray!). There are lots of exfoliators out there, but few do as much as the Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon. These pads make exfoliating quick and simple, with no mess to worry about. Just swipe one of the single-use pads across your face and you’re good to go.
As it sloughs away dead skin cells, the pad also releases lactic acid, which penetrates deep into the pores to clear out debris and impurities. Plus, lemon as an ingredient is loaded with vitamin C, which instantly brightens and clarifies skin, leaving you with a soft, radiant complexion. Thirty seconds to glowing skin? Yes, please!
Moisturize
Although the toner offers moisture, it’s likely not quite enough to keep skin thoroughly hydrated, unless you have very oily skin.
With the SkinRxLAB MadeCera Cream, you’ll get that extra dose of nourishment and so much more. Niacinamide works to brighten the complexion, while madecassoside fights inflammation and adenosine improves signs of aging.
Sheet mask… or not
When you’re short on time, the last thing you’re going to do is sit for twenty minutes with a sheet mask on your face before bed. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up all the benefits.
On nights when you feel like masking but just don’t have the time (or energy), swap your moisturizer with a sleeping pack. You put it on just like a lotion and the mask goes to work while you sleep.
When I use sheet masks, I love how deeply they hydrate and moisturize my skin, so I love to use the Enature Birch Juice Hydro Sleeping Pack. It’s enriched with 74% birch tree sap, which delivers a powerful dose of moisture to my skin. When you wake up, your skin will be rested, glowing, and dewy, as if you just removed a sheet mask.
Sun protection
There is one extra step for your morning routine: Sunscreen. As much as I would like to keep both the morning and evening routines at five steps, this sixth morning step is one you absolutely cannot cut out because SPF is essential for healthy skin.
But, of course, I like to use a sunscreen that offers more than SPF protection. The Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen.
Once this sunscreen is on, your skin is ready for whatever the world (or your makeup bag) has to bring.
Bottom line:
It’s always good to have products like these on hand in case you’re running short on time, to make sure your skin still gets the attention it needs. With this routine, you can cut down on time, without cutting down on benefits.
+ What are your go-to multitasking products? Share with us below!
