The Korean skincare routine is one of the world’s most well-known skincare methods. The K-beauty philosophy is based on gentle skincare, layering hydration, and prevention over correction.
Many know the famous 10-step Korean skincare routine, but in practice, the routine is flexible and can be adapted to your own skin type and life situation.
In this guide, we explain:
what the Korean skincare routine means
what the most important steps in skincare are
how to build a routine for your skin type
How many steps are there in the Korean skincare routine?
Although it has long been said that the Korean skincare routine has 10 steps it does not mean that all ten steps are done at once or even in one day.
For most, a 4–6 product routine is sufficient, and the remaining steps are additional care depending on the skin's needs. Each product has its own role: to cleanse, moisturize, enhance, or protect the skin.
Very few people, for example, are suited for daily skin exfoliation, and not everyone has the time or desire to use a sheet mask daily. Korean skincare is more of an attitude and lifestyle, adapted to current needs and life situations.
Next, we will go through these 10 steps and their role in regular skin care.
Steps and order in the Korean 10-step skincare routine
1. Makeup removal with an oil-based cleansing product
A thorough double cleansing is an important part of a genuine Korean skincare routine. Cleansing starts with an oil-based cleansing, that is, with a cleansing oil or balm, which effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and dirt accumulated on the skin during the day.
👉🏼 This step is done every night 🌙
2. Cleansing with a water-based cleansing product
The second step is cleansing the skin with a water-based cleansing product, such as cleansing gel, milk, or foam. Cleansing foam is especially popular in Korean skincare.Korean skincare includes the idea that there is no point in applying nourishing ingredients to the skin if the base is not clean. Therefore, the skin is thoroughly (but gently) cleansed every night. In the morning, most people only need to rinse their face with lukewarm water.
Is double cleansing a necessary part of your skincare routine? How do you use an oil-based cleanser? Read our articleYeppo Glow Guide: Cleansing the Korean way and get the best tips for gentle facial cleansing!
👉🏼 This step is done every night or both morning and evening 🌞🌙
3. Exfoliation
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and helps the skin look clearer.
All skin types benefit from exfoliation including dry or sensitive skin. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface, brightens the skin, and helps prevent clogged pores. Additionally, skincare products work more effectively when the skin is exfoliated regularly.
👉🏼 Exfoliation is generally recommended 1–2 times a week, but this varies depending on skin needs and product strength. Gentle exfoliating products can be used even daily, while stronger exfoliants are not recommended for daily use.
Exfoliation can be, for example: AHA exfoliation (brightening, smoothing skin texture), BHA exfoliation (best especially for impurities), and enzyme exfoliation (a gentle alternative).
Get more information on which type of exfoliation suits you best in ourExfoliation 101-article 📖
4. Toner
The first step in skin hydration is toner. Toner is not meant for wiping off makeup residue; instead, it delivers the first dose of hydration and nourishing ingredients to the face and prepares the skin for the next care steps.
There are many types of Korean toners, ranging from watery liquids to thicker emulsions.Toner pads which are popular in Korea, are also very convenient, and their selection has expanded even further! Toner pads can be used like regular toner or left on the face for a few minutes like a mini mask.
What is the 7-skin method?
You may have heard of the Korean method where toner is layered on the skin more than once. Although the method talks about seven layers, it is not literally about layering exactly seven layers of toner on the skin.
It is essential to apply toner in thin layers until your skin feels hydrated and elastic. This is especially beneficial for very dry skin, which may not easily absorb a large amount of product at once. Usually, 2-3 layers of toner are enough for this layering; rarely is it necessary to apply toner seven times, especially if your skincare routine includes other moisturizing products.
The most important thing is to apply the right amount of toner to your skin, and you get the best results when you apply it little by little! This way, you also avoid overloading your skin with moisture 💦
👉🏼 This step can be done both morning and evening 🌞🌙
5. Essence
Essence applied to the face after toner by patting it in with your hands. Essence usually has a consistency and effect that lies between toner and serum. Unlike serum essence is usually lighter and more fluid in texture. The active ingredient concentrations in essence are also not as high as in serums or ampoules. However, essence is often more nourishing than toner, as its name suggests. This varies greatly between brands, so you can choose toner, essence, or both as part of your routine.
👉🏼 This step can be done both morning and evening 🌞🌙
If you want to better understand the differences between toner and essence and how to get the most out of them, read theYeppo Glow Guide: toner and essence!
6. Face mask (spreadable or sheet mask)
You can choose a face mask according to preference, either a washable mask or a single-use sheet mask.A mask is an effective addition to your skincare routine, though not essential. However, if you dream of Korean glass skin, this mask adds great extra power to your skincare routine.
The place of a sheet mask in the routine varies a lot. If it’s a sheet mask, it can be used right after cleansing, before moisturizer, or as the last step in the evening routine. Always check the instructions on the product packaging.
👉🏼 This step is optional, for example once a week or occasionally when you want extra pampering or glow for your skin!
7. Serum or ampoule
Serums and ampoules are treatment products that target specific skin issues. Serums and ampoules are very similar, so you can choose whichever suits your skin’s needs better. Both target certain skin challenges, such as pigmentation spots, skin sagging, or blemishes.
If you want to address multiple skin concerns or aim for several benefits in your skincare routine, you can layer several different serums and ampoules. A good rule of thumb is to layer no more than two different serums or ampoules at once. You can ask for tips on which products and ingredients can be combined from our cosmetologist.
👉🏼 This step can be done both morning and evening 🌞🌙
Explore Yeppos' wide selection of serums and ampoules here!
8. Eye cream
The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of the face and often needs more hydration and targeted care. Especially as the skin ages, the need for a separate eye product increases.
Eye cream helps to hydrate, soften fine lines, and reduce puffiness.
👉🏼 This step can be done morning and evening 🌞🌙
Check out Yeppos eye creams here!
9. Moisturizer or emulsion
All skin types, also oily and acne-prone skin, eeds and benefits from using a moisturizer. Whatever your skin type, some kind of hydrating product is necessary, and often the easiest option is a moisturizer.
Moisturizer is an important final step in skin hydration and is always applied last after all other skincare products. Choose a product that suits your skin type, for example, a face cream contains for mature skin ingredients that improve skin elasticity and firmness and reduce fine lines.
The best moisturizer for oily skin is light, often gel-like, and does not clog pores.
Emulsion is often a confusing product because it cannot be directly categorized for one specific purpose. Mainly and simply put, an emulsion is (usually) a very light moisturizer. In texture, it is more fluid and lighter than a moisturizer but thicker than a serum. An emulsion can also be a good choice for oily skin instead of a moisturizer or as additional hydration for very dry skin.
👉🏼 This step can be done morning and evening 🌞🌙
10. Sunscreen
Sunscreen finishes the skincare routine and is one of the most important parts of Korean skincare. Whether you prefer chemical or physical protection, the most important thing is to use sunscreen regularly and in sufficient amounts.Sunscreen is recommended when the UV index is 3 or higher. In practice, this is from about March to September-October. Sunscreen is also necessary on cloudy days, as clouds do not block the sun's UV rays.
How much sunscreen should be applied? As a rule of thumb for the face and neck, you can apply an amount of sunscreen equivalent to three finger-lengths squeezed from the tube. The problem with this measurement method is, of course, that different tubes dispense different amounts of product. If in doubt, sunscreen should be applied to the face according to instructions in the amount of 0.25-0.5 teaspoons.
Should sunscreen be used in winter? Official guidelines on the necessity of sunscreen in winter vary between countries, but it is proven that sunlight causes a large part of the signs of skin aging, so using it in winter is definitely not harmful. For example, snow strongly reflects the sun's UV rays, so if you spend a lot of time outdoors or are skiing, sunscreen is a good addition to your morning routine.
A tinted tone-up cream with SPF protection and light coverage like a BB cream, makes stressful mornings much faster! Many BB creams and foundations also contain SPF, but the challenge with these is that they are often not applied in sufficient amounts to get the protection stated on the packaging. That’s why it’s best to rely on a product you can use enough of to get the protection.
More information about sunscreens and answers to the most common questions can be found in our article here.☀️
👉🏼 This step is done every morning 🌞
+ Extra: night masks and lip masks
Don’t forget the skin on your lips! The skin on the lips is thin, and to get soft lips, a lip mask is a must in everyone’s routine! Try, for example, hwarang' Yuja and Omija the lip masks that went viral in Korea.
👉🏼 This step can be done both morning and evening 🌞🌙
Can a Korean skincare routine be done with just three steps?
As we mentioned at the beginning, not all of these 10 steps are typically done in one routine, nor is it necessarily recommended. So choose only the ones you feel are most important to you! If you want the simplest possible skincare routine, choose one product from each category: cleansing, moisturizing, protection.This could be, for example, an oil-based cleansing product, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. As a plus, you can add a essence that suits your skin type and combines the benefits of both toner and serum in one product.
Oil-based cleansing: If you only pick one cleansing product, an oil-based cleansing product superior. It easily removes makeup, sunscreen, and dirt accumulated on the skin.
Hydration: If you only pick one hydrating product, choose a moisturizer. If you want to invest a bit more in your skincare routine, we recommend choosing a toner, a serum and a moisturizer that suits your skin type.
Sun protection: Remember to protect your skin with sunscreen, as it is the best anti-aging product on the market! Sunscreen is also the only cosmetic product that can help protect against skin cancer.
With this set, you’re already well on your way to radiant skin ✨
In what order should skincare products be applied?
Contrary to what is often said, the order of skincare products does not matter a great deal. But the easiest way is to apply products from thin and watery to thicker consistencies. The most important thing is that sunscreen is always applied last as part of the skincare routine, before makeup.
Create your own Korean skincare routine
Next, our tips for the best products by skin type! We have summarized the basic skincare routine steps here, which is a good place to start. You can also initially choose the three most important from these options: one cleansing product, one moisturizing product, and one sunscreen product.
👉🏼 However, please remember that no product is guaranteed to suit everyone, even if the skin type is the same. If you want tips and personalized advice related to your skincare, visit one of our expert Yeppo&Soonsoo stores or ask for advice from our cosmetologist.
For all skin types:
- oil-based cleanser: [h[hwarang'] Bellflower Cleansing Balm
- water-based cleanser: [Anua] 8 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
- essence/serum: [VT Cosmetics] Mild Reedle Shot 50
- moisturizer: [hwarang'] Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream
For acne-prone and oily skin:
- oil-based cleanser: [VT Cosmetics] AZ Care Cleansing Oil
- water-based cleanser: [VT Cosmetics] Cica Mild Foam Cleanser
- serum: [Axis-Y] Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
- moisturizer: [HEVEBLUE] Phyton Squa Hyal Blue Gel Cream
For dry skin:
- oil-based cleanser: [hwarang'] Peony Grinding Cleansing Balm
- water-based cleanser: [SKIN1004] Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Gentle Cleansing Milk
- hydrating toner: [hwarang'] Extreme Glow Ogok Latte Creamy Toner
- moisturizer: [ETUDE] SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
- skin-strengthening sunscreen: [espoir] Water Splash Sun Cream Ceramide
For mature skin:
- oil-based cleanser: [hwarang'] Peony Grinding Cleansing Balm
- water-based cleanser: [Ma:nyo] Bifida Complex Ampoule Gel Cleanser
- essence: [VT Cosmetics] PDRN Essence 100
- moisturecream: [Centellian24] Madeca Cream Time Reverse
- sunscreen: [Beauty of Joseon] Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
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