22 September 2025 By beuty_space 0

The 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine That Could Transform Your Skin

She continues to highlight Korea’s strong social connectivity online, noting platforms like Cyworld preceding Facebook and the country’s exceptionally fast internet connections. This connectivity fosters a massive online community where skincare information is constantly shared. Yoon mentions Hwahwae, an app with millions of subscribers reviewing skincare formulas and tracking ingredient safety and profiles.

“For brands to excel and stand out among demanding and highly discerning Korean consumers, they must exceed expectations in efficacy, ease of use, delightfulness, and value,” says Yoon. This intense competition drives continuous innovation in the industry.

See Vogue’s top picks below

Step 1: Oil-based or balm cleanser

According to Yoon, the first step in any 10-step Korean skincare routine is an oil cleanser. Oil-based impurities like excess sebum, make-up, and SPF are best removed with oil because like attracts like.

Medik8

This cleanser effortlessly removes stubborn make-up and SPF and rinses off easily without any residue or greasiness. It’s enhanced with antioxidant moringa extract, which helps to pull out impurities.

Sulwhasoo

If you decided to experiment with a waterproof cat eye or went for a full-coverage foundation look, you’re going to need something that removes everything easily and thoroughly. This product melts everything off and leaves your skin fresh and hydrated in the process.

Step 2: Water-based cleanser

The second step is, you guessed it, another cleanser! Double-cleansing is a key hallmark of K-beauty routines, though its since been adopted in skincare routines all over, including Victoria Beckham’s. By following up with a water-based cleanser, you can properly remove water-based impurities like dirt, sweat and grime. Yoon suggests opting for a low pH, sulphate-free, calming cleanser to give skin a gentle kickstart. Alternatively, choose a treatment cleanser suited to your skin concern. If you have acne, she suggests using an acne-specific cleanser to deep cleanse down to the pores. Epley recommends this step for the evening only, not as part of your morning routine.

Cosrx

Low PH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

This gel cleanser is safe for all skin types to use, helping maintain the barrier rather than stripping it. It’s pH-balanced and contains tea tree oil and BHA to soothe the skin and banish breakouts.

Primera

Perfect Oil To Foam Cleanser

Epley loves using this oil-to-foam cleanser as it effectively cleanses the skin. Simply rub it on dry skin, then wet your hands to start the foaming process. It leaves a squeaky clean finish.

Step 3: Exfoliator

Depending on your skin type and exfoliator, this might be a daily or weekly step – make sure to read the instructions on the label. On the days you’re exfoliating, you should do so after cleansing.

Mediheal

You may be committed to a ten-step routine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t simplify the process. These exfoliating pads are easy to use and help remove dead skin cells, reduce sebum, blackheads, whiteheads and breakouts, and minimise pores.

Sioris

This exfoliator is made from 86 per cent oatmeal sourced from organic farming. The unique formula leaves the skin noticeably cleaner and smoother.

Step 4: Toner

While toners may have negative connotations, nowadays there are many that aren’t harsh, stripping or astringent, especially if you choose a K-beauty option. “Korean toners are incredibly hydrating, and their main job is to focus on balancing the skin, including the skin’s pH level,” says Yoon.

Innisfree

Green Tea Enzyme PHA Toner

A favourite of Epley, this toner comes at a great price point and is suitable for all skin types. Sensitive skin types, in particular, will love it as it’s non-irritating.

Be The Skin

Botanical Nutrition Power Toner

Yoon recommends this toner because it drenches the skin with hydration through a cocktail of herbal ingredients (cucumber and thyme extract, and witch hazel) that nourish and soothe.

Step 5: Essence

Toners and essences may offer similar benefits, but they’re not exactly interchangeable. Yoon explains that the main difference lies in their primary functions: a toner helps balance the skin, while an essence floods it with hydration. If your toner is deeply hydrating, it can double as an essence. Depending on the essence, they may also contain more concentrated ingredients and benefits compared to toners. “Think of essences as hydrating elixirs that can also deliver lightweight treatment benefits,” says Yoon.

Then I Met You

Enriched with naturally fermented ingredients and 5 per cent niacinamide, this excellent essence is your ticket to hydrated, bright and glowy skin.

Beauty Of Joseon

Beauty of Joseon’s hydrating essence is composed of 80 per cent moisturising ginseng water, niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier, and a small dose of BHA to mildly exfoliate the skin. This product will keep your skin moisturised all summer long.

Step 6: Prescription topicals

“If you are using any prescription topicals, you would typically apply them directly onto dry skin once everything is patted in, either right after cleansing or right after your toner and essence,” explains Yoon. Every prescription has its nuances, so check in with your doctor on where exactly this would fit into your routine.

Step 7: Treatments

The next step is your treatments: serums and ampoules. “Depending on the formula, the order might differ, but the general rule of thumb is light to heavy in texture to optimise absorbency,” says Yoon. You’ll want to choose a serum that either hydrates, brightens, firms, and/or calms to achieve luminous, smooth, clear skin. Ensure it can be easily paired with other treatments without concern.

Peach & Lily

Per Yoon, this serum is loved by A-listers in Korea for the hydrolysed sponge in the formula, which has a microneedle-like effect on the skin to help visibly fade stubborn scars.

Skin1004

Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule Facial Serum

This lightweight ampoule absorbs into the skin easily and isn’t sticky, so you don’t have to wait too long before moving on to the next step. Gentle and hydrating, even those with the most sensitive skin types or eczema can use it without worry – it is soothing and calming instead.

Step 8: Eye cream

Don’t forget your eye cream! Yoon advises choosing one that suits your eye area and addresses specific concerns you have. The eye area is sensitive and prone to milia, so always make sure to patch test. “Remember to dab on the product rather than tugging and pulling,” she adds.

Haruharu Wonder

Haruharu’s Wonder black rice eye cream is infused with bakuchiol, which is a natural alternative to retinol. Apply daily for a more radiant look.

Laneige

Retinol Firming Cream Treatment

If you’re using retinol all over your face at night, it’d be a real shame if you let the under-eyes fend for themselves. This pure retinol eye cream is creamy yet lightweight – just remember, a little goes a long way!

Step 9: Moisturiser

It’d be a crime to skip moisturiser, which is why this step comes last to seal it all in. According to Yoon, Korean skincare offers incredible textures and exceeds expectations with sensorial experiences. This is particularly true for Korean moisturisers, as the final step not only provides skincare benefits, but also significantly affects how your skin looks and feels after application.

DR.JART+ Cicapair

Redness doesn’t stand a chance against this soothing repair gel cream. Unlike many moisturisers that feel heavy on the skin, this one absorbs immediately and leaves behind a soft, selfie-ready finish.

Peach & Lily

According to Yoon, this cream is often credited as the OG Korean brand that truly focused on being clean for both skin and the earth. “This cream has a delightful and unique lightweight, custard-like texture that instantly refreshes and soothes.”

Step 10 (PM): Masks

This is a bonus step for evening or when you have extra time and want to treat yourself. Masks are an incredibly diverse and fun category in Korean skincare. “Depending on the mask, its application may vary, but typically they are used after cleansing and toning. What comes next is up to you: some prefer to complete their entire skincare routine after masking, while others may simply want to lock in the benefits with a moisturiser,” says Yoon. Her motto: Have fun with your skincare, pay attention to your skin, and see what it needs.

Laneige

An ultra-hydrating mask that brightens, softens, and strengthens the skin till you wash it off in the morning — pair it with the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask to supercharge your beauty sleep. It’s jam-packed with amazing ingredients like glycerin for hydration, dimethicone for preventing water loss, and zinc sulphate, which can be effective for mild acne.

Glow Recipe

Sleep soundly knowing your skin is being taken care of with Glow Recipe’s Mini Watermelon Mask. As you slumber, this mask slowly sinks into the skin, revealing an otherworldly glow when removed.

Step 10 (AM): SPF

And in the mornings, the final step is SPF, rain or shine. “With the diverse and modern sun filters that are now used, Korean sunscreens are typically weightless, invisible, and feel more like a light moisturiser or soothing serum than the sunscreens we might be familiar with in the West,” says Yoon.

Lagom

One of Yoon’s favourites, this sun gel is effortless to wear and reapply, never causing breakouts or irritation to sensitive skin.