Day & Night Skin Care Routine With a Weekly Twist

After my Korean Noodle nightmare, I sourced out products that would target my skin problems and maintain the skin I desire. The routine I put together for my skin was after extensive research on each product and how it will compliment my routine while treating my skin concerns. Here is my brief introduction to each step in the my 10 (or less) Step Korean Skincare Routine for Day, Night and weekly.

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STEP 1: OIL CLEANSER

Double-cleansing is the core of the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine, the benefits of double-cleansing is undisputed. It dissolves oil-based products, like certain foundations, sunscreens, etc. as well as excess oil and sebum produced by your skin during the day, clearing these from your skin without stripping the moisture. I use coconut oil to cleanse my face, if I do a 'facebeat', but at times I skip this step if I'm lazy . Although I have not yet found an oil cleanser I am happy with, I'm still searching for one that suits my skin type and needs.

STEP 2: FOAM CLEANSER

Korean foam cleansers do not differ much to the Western ones, but they almost always offer added benefits over and above cleaning your skin. Often formulated with ingredients beneficial to your skin, like snail mucin, rice water, or Hyaluronic Acid. Another feature usually not found in Western cleansers is a lower pH, which allows you to keep your skin closer to its natural state.

I currently use the Justine Tissue Oil Cleansing Bar, for a nice rich foam cleanse, that does not dry out my skin and has not caused any irritation to my skin.

STEP 3: EXFOLIATOR

We are familiar with exfoliating, and the use of a grainy product to remove dead skin from the surface of skin on the face and neck. The Korean exfoliator is far gentler than we are probably used to and comes with a variety of options: The most common type of physical exfoliator in the Korean routine is a peeling gel, usually formulated with enzymes, which gently remove dead cells, and cellulose, which binds with old skin cells and excess oils and forms the “clumps” that are synonymous with this method. Its harsh-sounding name, chemical exfoliation is relatively gentle. Chemical exfoliators are usually formulated with acids (AHA, BHA, and PHA) all of which peel away old cells and reveal a brighter and clearer complexion. Over time they also minimize blackheads, whiteheads, and the appearance of pores. Chemical exfoliators can come in the form of cleansers, toners, serums or moisturizers, so they will not necessarily be used in this step.

I use the Justine A-Firm Time Reversal Overnight Renewal Peel as a part of my night time routine, I'm shit scared of getting wrinkles early in life. Then, I use Justine Tissue Oil moisture exfoliator for the weekly exfoliation before apply a deep pore cleansing mask, usually on a Sunday night, as my prep for the week ahead.

STEP 4: TONER

(sometimes referred to as Mist, Fresher, or Softener)

Toners are usually used to prepare the skin for the moisturizing steps of the routine. They work by lowering the skin’s pH closer to its natural state of 4.5–5.5, which allows it to absorb other products more effectively.

I prefer a toner that is a liquid consistency, compared to the creamier versions. I have combination skin with a very oily T-zone in summer, thus liquid toners work best for my skin type. Korean toners have a mild cleaning or exfoliating effect, are best used on a cotton pad, and, as you wipe the cotton pad over your face you will notice the excess oil / dirt being removed. I use the COSRX AHA, BHA and Vitamin C toner, followed by the SWIITCHBEAUTY Dewy superhero spray for my morning routine and the SWIITCHBEAUTY Glass Skin superhero spray as part of my night time routine.

STEP 5: ESSENCE

For those who are new to the K-Beauty , a famous step in the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine, is essences are still a bit of a mystery. The Western skincare has no equivalent, unless it was developed recently. Essences contain active ingredients to penetrate deep into your skin to nourish, repair, and hydrate it. A variety of essence exist containing fermented ingredients which are just as good for your skin as they are for your body! They come in a variety to suit your skin needs and concerns.

I use the Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Essence at the moment for my morning routine which targets my pigmentation, skin spots and the acne, it also keeps my skin plump and refreshed. (I forgot tot take a pic of the bottle while putting this blog together, I will upload an update soon)

STEP 6: SERUM (sometimes also referred to as ampoules or boosters)

Serums are definitely not a new concept to many people, people have probably used them at some stage in their normal routine. They contain high concentrations of active ingredients for various skincare concerns, such as anti-aging, pigmentation, dehydrated skin, etc.. Serums can be layered, but always remember that actives, for example Retinol and Vitamin C should not be mixed in the same session, please read up on the products you are about to use and their active ingredients and which ones can be used together and which are best for day time use and which are best for night time use. The correct use of these products makes a huge difference in the outcome, as they make your skin extra sensitive to sun damage, but you still need to wear sunscreen during the day.

STEP 7: SHEETS MASKS or FACE MASKS

This is by far the most well known, fun, and pampering part of the routine. Especially if you are like me with a busy schedule, although, this can be done twice or once a week. Mask sheets are amazing at hydrating because they essentially “force feed” your skin by creating a barrier and allowing it to absorb all the goodness inside. There are a few different types of mask sheets, the most common being essence and serum types. When using essence mask sheets you can apply them straight after your toner, and apply a serum after you have removed the mask and allowed all the remaining essence to absorb into your skin. Serum mask sheets can be applied after essence or serum, depending on the needs of your skin.

Above is the Barulab The Clean Vegan Mask in Green Tea, it has so much serum within the packaging, after using the mask I used the extra serum on my face as well. They come in a variety and are easy, non-messy and time saving. It was to stock up on a variety of sheet masks will allow you to always have one to suit for your skin’s every need! Tips: Keep your sheet masks flat so the essence is properly distributed. Alternatively, lay the one you’re going to use flat for an hour before using — this will prevent any dry spots on the mask sheet when it’s applied.

You can also use the clay , washable or peel off masks, as I have above. I tend to keep a few of these to cater to my skin's misbehavior, at times its oily and my pores are all clogged up and I have blackheads to deal with, or I need a brightening boost. These are best used just once a week, preferably at night followed up with a good dose of essence, serum and night moisturizer and/or sleeping mask, as they do tend to dry out the skin a lot more than sheet masks and using them at night will allow the skin to rejuvenate over night, leaving you with clearer glowing skin by morning.

STEP 8: EYE CREAM

The skin around your eyes is very thin and delicate, and therefore does not produce a lot of natural oils, and your eyes are usually the first to display signs of ageing. To keep the skin hydrated and looking youthful, eye creams are a must in every routine, day and night. The delicate skin is usually quite sensitive, you cannot always use the same products as you use on the rest of your face. Sometimes even light moisturizers are too heavy to use around the eye area. Korean eye creams are enriched with a number of plumping and firming ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen.

I have the ISNTREE TW-REAL Eye Cream, which I use as part of my day routine, its brightening, targets puffiness and plumps the areas, helps when you lack sleep from long hours of work or exhausted and do not want it showing. Then, I use the JUSTINE A-Firm Time Reversal Anti-Aging Eye Cream as part of my night routine, this targets wrinkles and premature aging signs. I am shit scared of wrinkles developing at my age and due to genetics, I do not want black rings around my eyes and pigmentations spots to forms. Lastly, I use the Hemish Hydrogel Eye Patch, on days I do a sheet mask or face mask to give extra hydration to my eye area. These are also great to reduce dark rings and puffiness around the eye area.

STEP 9: MOISTURISER

Moisturizer is an essential step which locks in all the goodness you’ve applied up to this step. Korean moisturizers are available for every skin type and concern and come in various forms, such as lotions, emulsions, gels, and creams. Particularly popular are moisturizers containing ingredients such as Snail Mucin, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C.

I use the JUSTINE Tissue Oil Gold Facial Rejuvenation Cream, with Vitamin C. This for me helps with evening my skin tone and reducing the pigmentation spots that may occur, lets hope they don't even though its genetic. This is a thick cream so a little goes along way. Even though it has SPF 15, being fair skinned, the SPF is too low for my skin, so I still top with an additional SPF.

STEP 10: SUNSCREEN (DAYTIME)

Sunscreens are essential for protecting your skin from premature ageing and pigmentation, not to mention serious diseases like skin cancer. But even people who understand the damage that UV rays do to your skin are often reluctant to wear sunscreen. The most common reason is that sunscreens (even the more expensive ones with better formulations) often feel like slathering oil on your face. Fortunately, because it is an essential step in the routine of so many Koreans, the formulations of Korean sunscreens are closer to moisturizers than the greasy sunblock we all remember from childhood. The non-use of sunscreen just undoes the previous 9 steps and their benefits, therefore its a step not to be missed.

I have 2 sunscreens, I use the AXIS-Y SPF 50 sunscreen mostly, although it s a very rich formula and can be too much for the skin on oily days. I then also have the JUSTINE SolarTech SPF50 sunscreen for days when my skin is clogged or oily, if I am not yet at my mask day of the week.

STEP 10 : SLEEPING MASK (NIGHTTIME)

A sleeping mask makes the most of your skin’s night-time ability to regenerate. This last step of the nighttime routine is great for many skin concerns, but it’s a life-saver for dehydrated skin. Sleeping masks can be used a few times a week after or instead of your moisturizer, depending on your individual concerns.

I use the J.ONE Black Jelly Pack, it helps with skin rejuvenation, glowing skin and restores the plum into the skin over night, again this helps with the anti-aging factor, as I mentioned my fears before, I tend to use products that aid in restoring the skin and preventing the problems.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Layering Products: When layering moisturising products, it is important to apply water-based products before oil-based products — i.e. if you are using an oil-based serum, then you should not apply a water-based cream on top, and a water-based sleeping mask should not be applied over an oil-based cream.

This is because water-based products are usually not absorbed well after oil.

Language: Of course, there are always going to be things that are lost in translation, so if you are unsure where in your routine to incorporate a product, you can always look it up online. Don’t be overwhelmed and discouraged however most brands have good websites with product information available in English, and it sometimes helps to read reviews left by others.

xoxo

Miss Wiss...