I’ve been thinking of creating a skincare routine for a while but kept procrastinating. I researched online and each time i searched articles and reviews, about 5 – 7 out of 10 results were on Korean skin care routine, so i became more interested in it and searched for all i could find on the routine. After reading lots of reviews, i jumped on the Korean skin care bandwagon. Though the reviews were generally positive, I still have to find the right products for my skin.
You don’t have to use Korean skincare products for the routine, if you already have products that are working for you, all you need to do is to add them to the routine provided you follow the same steps of a Korean skin care routine. For me, i started with only Korean skin care products because at the moment i don’t have a particular product i’m using and the ones i used in the past, only worked for a short time.
Since the weather is getting colder and it’s becoming really difficult to take outfit photos, i will be posting about my routine results and doing reviews of some of this products in addition to my outfit posts. The routine is generally seen as a 10-step process but the number of steps really depends on skin problems targeted , it could be more than 10. The Korean women believe in investing time and money to achieve flawless skin, if you must spend time and money trying to look good with fashion and makeup, you should spend the same caring for your skin. Do you agree with this?
These are the products I’m currently using and how they are used….
1. Pre-Cleanse: This is the first step of the popular “double cleanse” method to remove all make up and impurities. I use Innisfree Olive Real Cleansing Tissue to clean makeup and after that i use The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil and warm water to remove impurities. They believe oil melts away makeup and draws out bacteria, sebum and removes impurities without drying the skin.
2. Cleanse: the second part of the double cleanse method. I got a free sample of Etude House Ac Clinic Acne Foam Cleanser, so i started with it because i had a fresh pimple when i received my package. Majority of the reviews said it over-dried the face so i didn’t want to get a full-size yet. it dried the pimple within 12 hours though but i can’t give a complete review yet. The other foam cleanser is Skinfood Aloe Vera Foaming Cleanser. Wash off and continue…
3. Exfoliate: This isn’t done every day so you can skip when not needed. You can use the gel or powder versions up to 3 times per week or the gritty versions made of sugar etc, It’s advisable to exfoliate with the gritty types 1-2 times a month to avoid skin irritation. I’m currently using Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off (gritty). I’ve only used it once but i’m already loving the results!
4. Tone/Refresh: Toners are called Refreshers/Freshners in Korea. These refreshers are different from the popular alcohol-full toners found in other parts of the world. It’s believed to remove any residual product from the previous steps and balances your skin’s pH while prepping your skin to better absorb the remaining products to be used. I use Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner.
5. Essence: To the Korean women. this is the next most important step after double-cleansing. It nourishes and enhances skin’s cellular renewal rate making the skin smoother and brighter and increases elasticity and firmness too. I’m currently using Laneige Original Essence White Plus Renew (part of a trial kit) while waiting to receive my Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence.
6. Ampoule: I don’t have one yet, so i skip this step. Ampoules are highly-concentrated versions of essence targeted at specific skin problems; anti-ageing, wrinkling, uneven tone, etc
7. Sheet Masks: They are used 2- 3 times a week. They help the skin to absorb the products used above and moisture. There are a lot of them to choose from with variety of ingredients. They also have ones targeted at different parts of the face or different skin problems. Massage for about 5 minutes and leave on the face for about 15-20 minutes for better absorption. I use Neru Biotech Collagen Essence Full Face Mask.
8. Eye Cream: They believe its never too early to use them to avoid fine lines, puffiness, etc because prevention is better than cure.They apply eye creams by gently tapping around the eye area instead of rubbing. I’m yet to get one.
9. Moisturize/ Emulsify: Because Korean women are all about layering, they add this step to replenish the skin’s hydration levels. Their emulsion is our facial moisturizer. Currently using Laneige White Plus Renew Emulsion and Cream (part of the trial kit). I also have a sample of Etude House Collagen Moistfull Emulsion that i’m yet to use.
10. Sleeping Pack/Night Cream: This is the final step for night. It’s a second layer of moistuire, ultra-rich in ingredients, that keeps the face hydrated and renewed over night. I use Mizon Special Solution Good Night white Sleeping mask. I also have samples of Tony Moly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack and Laneige White Plus Renew Capsule Sleeping Pack that i’m yet to use. For morning, this is where you begin your make up routine.
I know this feels like too much but it’s definitely worth it! it takes an average of 15-20 minutes for the regulars because it’s advisable to leave each product on for about 1-2 minutes, after your first few days, you will begin to ease into the process better.
I will be reviewing the products individually subsequently after longer use, hopefully they will all turn out great for me like they did for a lot of people. I bought these products from Amazon, Ebay and W2beauty. To get $5 off your orders above $30 from W2beauty, you can enter my sponsor code “055355010” or my email address during registration and 5% off your next order when you review the purchased products following the link in the email received asking you to review the product .
So what do you think? any personal experience with any of these products or other korean skincare products?
Till my next post
Stay flawless!
xx.
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