While for many in the UK skincare is simply face wipes and a bit of a moisturiser, in Korea, taking care of your skin is a way of life and embedded in their culture. Skincare routines are drilled into young girls (and boys) from a young age and glowing skin is a sign of health and something worth investing significant time and money in. In fact, according to the BBC, South Korean women spend twice as much of their income on beauty products and make-up than their American counterparts.
Unsurprisingly, South Korea is the market-leader when it comes to creating new game-changing ingredients, formulas and products, and by always being a few years ahead of the West, big skincare companies around the world look to Korea for inspiration when dreaming up new lotions and potions. BB creams, double-cleansers, sheet masks are all K-Beauty trends that have made their way into the mainstream beauty market. And thanks to selection of Korean products available online here in the UK (try Cult Beauty, Beauty Mart, Beauty and Seoul, and The Silk Rose), you can get a slice of the real deal at the click of the mouse.
So how do you go about investing in a new Korean inspired skincare-routine. We've broken it down for you…
The daily Korean skincare-routine
7-step? 10-step? 15-step? The jury is out on how many steps are actually in a Korean skincare routine, however, one thing is for sure, there is a lot more than the classic cleanse, tone and moisturise we're sold here in the UK. While it may sound intimidating at first, it's important to point out that not every step is needed every morning or night, and some are only once or twice a week. Plus, it goes without saying that choosing to embark on such a routine is a time commitment (in the evenings it can be up to fifteen minutes), however Korean women see this is as a positive - they view skincare as a ritual to treasure and look forward to at the end of a busy day. These are the key steps to try...
Double Cleanse
Cleansing is possibly the most important stage of the process - without properly cleansed skin none of your other products will be able to work to their full potential. First up, you need to remove makeup, daily grime and SPF with an oil-based cleanser - massage into skin and wash off with warm water. Then go in with a water-based cleanser (foaming, milky or creamy cleansers all work a treat), for a deeper cleanse of the skin. FYI: double cleansing is only needed in the evening, in the morning you can just do the second step.
Essence
Next up it's an essence - not a word we are too familiar with in the Western world but surely one we are likely to see more of. Used post-cleanse, essences are all about giving your skin a hit of hydration and providing a helping hand for the layers that come after. Spritz over damp skin before going in with your serum of choice.
Serum
ICYMI: moisturisers don't actually moisturise your skin (they can't go deep enough) but simply act as a final protection layer. To target skin issues - whether that's dryness, redness, oiliness or more - you need a super-concentrated serum. Choose the product based on your skin type and apply sparingly by pressing into the skin after spritzing your essence. Mix and match depending on how your skin feels that day, and don't be afraid to layer more than one serum at a time just like the Koreans do.
Eye cream
According to the Korean school of thought, the delicate eye area needs a separate cream. Apply by gently tapping using your smallest finger below the eyebrow and under the eye.
Moisturiser
The penultimate layer before your SPF/makeup is moisturiser. You can use the same product for day and night or a different one if you fancy - you might prefer a more lightweight option under makeup, and a richer formula for evening.
Superior SPF
While a whole myriad of products claim to either prevent signs of ageing, the only thing guaranteed to slow down the aesthetic ageing process is wearing a wide spectrum SPF every single day. Yep, even here in grey England. While suncreams of the past were white, thick and greasy, the formulas have come on leaps and bounds, in particular in Korea where people have a religious like attitude to SPF. Apply every morning to your face, neck and decolletage.
Sheet Masks
One of Korea's most successful beauty exports, you've probably seen a sheet mask selfie on Instagram. Essentially a cotton mask infused with a cocktail of skin boosting ingredients, leaving the mask on your face for up to half an hour helps to penetrate the ingredients deep into the skin. They are not the easiest to apply (and you may scare your housemates), but they work a dream when it comes to hydrating the skin. Some Korean women would apply a face mask daily but realistically it's probably better to aim to do one once or twice a week.
Sleep Masks
Make the most of those precious hours of kip with a mask that will work while you get your shut eye. In Korea, the phenomenon that is sleep masks (or sleep packs) are super popular. Rich and reparative overnight treatments, they deeply hydrate whilst also protecting your face from the dehydrating atmosphere.
Exfoliation
Once or twice a week, Koreans exfoliate their skin post-cleanser to buff away dead skin cells and increase the skin renewal process. Not only will it leave your complexion both clearer and brighter, it will maximise the potential of the products you put on after.
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