Wondering how to start a K-beauty routine without feeling overwhelmed? Read on to find out our favorite tricks for getting even more K-beauty into our daily routine.
Let’s face it: the concept of the 10-step Korean beauty routine can seem pretty daunting at first! We’re all busy people, and while it’s important to use our free moments to regularly practice self care, finding the time to fit in all those steps can seem nearly impossible sometimes.
Thankfully, it’s easy to build up to the full process by making little changes here and there to your usual skin routine. Most of us have got the cleanse-tone-moisturize routine down (and SPF everyday, of course!), but adding in a new K-beauty product or treatment to your regimen can not only be an extra way to pamper yourself, but it can also help you to see fresher, glowier skin fast.
Here are our best suggestions for small changes you can make now to ease your way into the K-beauty world:
Start double-cleansing
Beginning a two-step cleansing routine is the essential gateway to a K-beauty routine, and the most surefire way to guarantee you have a deeply cleansed and refreshed base that is prepped for any other products you use after.
Start by massaging an oil-based cleanser into your skin to help break down makeup and other oil-based debris, like sebum, makeup, SPF and daily air pollutants. An oil-based cleanser is essential, since water based, foamy cleansers alone can’t break down much of the debris that our face comes into contact on a daily basis.
After you’ve massaged your oil cleanser in (you’ll probably look a bit like a raccoon!) rinse with lukewarm water. Then work a foam or cream cleanser into your damp skin in upward motions before rinsing with lukewarm water once more.
Check out our video tutorial here for the full breakdown.
To find the perfect cleansers for your two-step routine, check out our guide on finding the right double cleansing duo for your skin type.
Find your essence
Essences are considered one of the most integral parts of the K-beauty system, and for good reason. Applied after toner, essences have a light, refreshing texture that helps provide an extra layer of hydration to the skin and helps prep it to received heavier treatments, like serums and moisturizing creams. Essences also tend to feature ingredients that help fight fine lines and wrinkles and correct pigmentation issues by boosting cell turnover. In short, an essence could be the powerhouse your skin needs.
One of the most popular K-beauty essences on the market is the award-winning Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence Intensive. It contains 80% Fermented Yeast Concentrate which helps to repair and nourish skin, and niacinamide, which improves skin tone and texture.
Some of our favorite essences for cooler weather are featured here, based on skin type.
Make time to mask
Finding some quiet time to sit, chill out, and try a sheet mask is the perfect way to relax and introduce a bit of K-beauty into your routine. Sheet masks contain powerful cocktails of ingredients targeted to specific needs, like hydration, pigmentation, anti-aging, or fighting acne. They’re also a great way to refresh and hydrate skin, whether you’ve just taken a long flight, had a stressful week, or haven’t been treating your skin as great as you’d like to.
The Manefit Bling Bling Hydro Gel Mask Energizing Rose instantly cools and soothes irritated skin and leaves you with dewy, supple skin after 20 minutes. For an extra treat, try storing face masks in the fridge for a few minutes before applying for a refreshing treatment.
And don’t forget! After you mask, apply the remaining serum from the mask packet onto your neck, chest and hands for youthful skin all over.
Try a face mist
Face mists are the best way to refresh your skin throughout the day and help lock in moisture. Adding a face mist to your routine (or throwing one in your bag for an on-the-go skin treat) is a quick way to avoid fatigued, dry-looking skin.
E Nature Birch Juice Hydro Mist is a great option to try. Its birch tree sap and chamomile formula instantly hydrates skin and makes it look fresher and brighter, while also soothing irritation and helping skin to repair itself. Another favorite is the Goodal Moisture Barrier Mist. It uses milk lipids to infuse serious hydration without ruining makeup.
Visit a Korean spa
If you’re in need of some serious rejuvenation, a trip to a Korean spa could be just the fix you need. Korean spas, or jjimjilbangs (Korean for “bathhouse”) are a traditional oasis where you can soak your aching muscles, fill up on bibimbap, sweat away your stress in a steam room, and be exfoliated head-to toe for baby smooth skin. Many Korean spas are open 24 hours, meaning you can take the full day to experience pure relaxation. In fact, many Korean spas offer areas for napping if you find yourself feeling too chilled out.
Here’s our guide to the best Korean spas in New York and LA.
