A Guide to 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine

2/15/2018 03:09:00 AM


A Guide to 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine by The Shapeshifting Cat


10-Step Korean Skincare Routine

Koreans are known for youthful and glowing skin so why wouldn't I want to achieve that, right? They focus on layering moisturizing creams, essences, ampoules, and serums. For a girl with dry skin, this may be the answer to my skin concerns. Of course, I'd like to focus on anti-aging products as well because having dry skin is more prone to premature aging.

After watching and reading several skincare product reviews, I decided that I want to try the famous 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine. I have always been curious about it and at first, I felt that it was too time-consuming and overwhelming. I mean to use 10 products on your face? That's quite a lot. My daily skincare routine includes facial cleansing, toning, moisturizing (1 cream and 1 serum), and the occasional face mask. So if I am going to try this, I'd be adding 5 more products to put on my face.

The products I am listing here are what I have gathered from different reviews that match my dry skin type. Now, I haven't tried all of them yet and most are still part of my shopping list this year. Most of the products I have were purchased at Althea Korea. By the way, if you decided to sign up for their membership program, by using this code we'd both get a 200php discount on our next purchase. :)

10-Step Korean Skincare Routine, by The Shapeshifting Cat


Step 1: Balm Cleanser

This one's new to me since I do not double cleanse as my skin tends to dry out easily but I learned that using a balm cleanser will not (hopefully) do that. One product I found that claims to effortlessly removes makeup, residue, and impurities without stripping off your natural oils is the Heimish All Clean Balm. Since I do not regularly use makeup I am still deciding if I'll purchase this but based on reviews it does the job well. I suggest skipping this cleanser in the morning since you'll wake up with a bare face.


Heimish All Clean Balm by The Shapeshifting Cat
ph.althea.kr


Step 2: Foam Cleanser

After using a balm cleanser, next step is to use a regular cleanser to wash away leftover make-up thoroughly. Make sure to use non-drying cleanser to help your skin keep its natural moisture. COSRx Good Morning Gel Cleanser has a low pH level of 5, which makes it perfect for any skin type. It's also infused with BHA and Tea Tree Oil, a magical mix of ingredients that rids of dead skin cells, dissolves impurities deep within pores, and controls sebum, leaving skin glowing. This cleanser is very popular with beauty bloggers and I plan to buy this one on my next shopping.


CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser by The Shapeshifting Cat
beautymnl.com


Step 3: Wash-off Scrub

The key to achieving clear smooth skin is to exfoliate dead skin cells. Use this 1-2 times a week to help clear out clogged pores and reveal a brighter complexion. My choice of product is Skinfood Black Sugar Honey Mask Wash Off. Its main ingredient is black sugar extract which is full of minerals to provides skin with nutrients and moisture.


Skin food Black Sugar Mask by The Shapeshifting Cat
beautymnl.com

Step 4: Toner


I always prefer alcohol-free toners because it's gentle to the skin. My current toner is a local brand, V&M Naturals Happy Pores Witch Hazel, it is alcohol-free so it prevents my skin from drying any further plus the witch hazel extracts helps to heal the skin and fade acne blemishes. It's gentle enough to use every day. For Korean brand, I recommend COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. It helps prevent blackheads and whiteheads to give you a  clear complexion.


CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner by The Shapeshifting Cat
ph.althea.kr


Step 5: Serums and Ampoules

Ampoules are super-charged serums and best used at night since it is more concentrated than essence and serums. Ampoules with anti-aging properties are a good way to keep your skin looking youthful, use a product that contains propolis (the ingredient honey is made from) like W-Lab Propolis Vital Energy Ampoule, it has super moisturizing properties to relieve the skin of dryness. For serums, choose a product that targets your concern. If you have really dry skin and premature aging is your concern, you'll definitely want to use products with Coenzyme-Q10 like It's Skin Power 10 Formula Q10 Effector. It promotes regeneration of skin cells so that you have a supple, radiant complexion while preventing skin dryness. Or if you aim for brighter complexion use products with Vitamin C like It's Skin Power 10 Formula VC Effect because it enhances collagen synthesis which promotes a fair complexion.

It's Skin Vitamin C Serum by The Shapeshifting Cat
beautymnl.com


Step 6: Essences

Layer another moisturizing product with whitening properties onto your skin and use Skinfood Premium Tomato Whitening Essence. Tomato contains a large amount of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene prevents skin aging by removing free radicals that accumulate in the body, along with its buddies, Vitamins A, C, and E. I really love Skinfood Tomato Line because it's effective in lightening up my pimple marks. 

Skinfood Premium Tomato Whitening Essence by The Shapeshifting Cat
theskinfood.us



Step 7: Sheet Mask

This is my favorite among the skincare routine because there a lot of masks available in the market depending on the needs of your skin. I buy multiple sheets in different variants and use them as needed. Just like the wash-off mask, it is advisable to use mask 1-2 times a week. My favorite is Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Aloe Mask. Because it contains aloe, it gives a cooling effect that I need after a long day. Not to mention the hydration it provides my skin.

Innisfree It's Real Aloe Vera Mask by The Shapeshifting Cat
beautymnl.com

Step 8: Eye Cream

Don't neglect your eyes! The skin around the eyes is the most sensitive part of the face. It is the most prone to skin aging so don't forget to moisturize it with eye cream like Laneige Perfect Renew Firming Eye Cream. Delay the first signs of aging with eye cream and regularly apply it day and night. Make sure to use your ring finger when applying the product to lessen the pressure onto your skin.

Laneige Perfect Renew Eye Cream by The Shapeshifting Cat
ph.althea.kr



Step 9: Face Cream

When you thought you had enough moisturizers on your face but nope! Use a lighter moisturizer if you feel that you already have too much on your face. Since I like to maintain my youthful skin I prefer Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion. It's light and gets absorbed by the skin easily.

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion by The Shapeshifting Cat
etudehouse.com


Step 10: Sun Cream (AM) / Sleeping Mask (PM)

The last step differs on day and night. For daytime, use a sun cream like It's My Sun Cream to protect your face from sun damage. At night, apply a sleeping mask like COSRX Aloe Vera Oil-Free Moisture Cream. It's in gel formula making it light on your skin but also provides intense moisture because of Aloe Vera.

CosRX Aloe Vera Oil-free Moisture Cream by The Shapeshifting Cat
beautymnl.com

And we're done! Phew. Now that the list is complete, I just need to fill my shopping cart and try this routine. Once I get my hands on these products, I'll create a before and after comparison here on my blog.



Until next time!
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A Guide To Korean Skincare Routine By The Shapeshifting Cat



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1 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your tip about skincare routine and many beauty influencer sharing how effective cosrx toner, now I know what to buy cosrx in the philippines.

    ReplyDelete

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