A particular skincare routine has been a rage worldwide the past 3-4 years and many people have been opting for it over their normal CTM routine. Why so? One should see Korean skin to find it out! It is beautiful, glowing and healthy looking skin and why? It is all because of how they take care of it on a day to day basis. The main thing about Korean Skincare routine is to hydrate your skin very well externally through the process of layering systematically moving from lighter products to heavier skincare products. The lighter the product, the quicker it absorbs and vice versa. Remember, skin comprises majorly of water so it is vital to keep it hydrated and rejuvenated. Every skincare routine should be done twice a day, both in the morning and at night.

An elaborate Korean Skincare daily routine generally involves 10 steps which can be a bit tedious for a lot of women, especially those who are starting off with skincare. To simplify, it is easier to start off with a 5 step routine which is easier for many to follow.

1. Oil Cleanse: Cleansing your skin is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine, majorly because it helps to get rid of dirt, grime, and pollution from the skin. Majority of skin issues rise because of wrong cleansing routine. However, also remember, cleansing can also strip off natural oils from the skin and therefore it is important to always use gentle cleansers. In Korean skincare routine, they recommend to always opt for Cleansing oil or a Cleansing Balm instead of a regular face wash first. The most important thing about these is that, they are moisturising in consistency and does not strip the natural oils in the skin. The balm or oil will help to break down dirt / sunscreen / makeup from the skin and then when contacted with water, it will emulsify slightly and can be rinsed off well. Many brands out there do Cleansing Balms and Oils these days that are readily available for consumers to purchase.

2. Double Cleanse: This step is to done only at night especially to remove makeup and excess oil and dirt from the skin. Contrary to popular belief that people with oily skin need to use heavy face washes, it is always important for people with every skin type to use face washes that are lighter and moisturising that it is always mild on the skin rather than stripping off the natural oil production which can rather make your skin go for a toss and release excess sebum. Once the oil cleansing part is done, follow up using a face wash which is mild and lighter on the skin and pat dry using a clean towel. Try and avoid face washes that contain too many sulphates which can strip the natural oil production balance in the skin.

3. Toner / Essence: For a simplified Korean routine, either one can be used. Apply a toner or an essence after cleansing and when the skin is slightly damp. This will help the toner or essence absorb better. What is a toner / essence? A toner has very small molecules and is lighter in consistency that can quickly absorb into your skin to provide that initial layer of hydration. An essence is basically a hybrid between a toner and a serum. You can use either a toner or an essence. Preferably, people with dry skin can use an essence and people with oily skin can use a toner. There are several varieties available in the market which can be sprayed directly / used on a cotton pad / splashed on a hand and tapped into the skin. The key point here is to use it sparingly, little at a time and let the skin absorb it completely by giving your skin 5-10 mins gap before pushing to the next step.

4. Serum / Oil: People with oily skin can very well use a Serum and those with drier skin can go for 3-4 drops of a cold-pressed facial oil. Serum has slightly larger molecules than a toner and an essence and takes a bit more time to absorb into the skin. Oils have much larger molecules than a serum and it takes even longer time for absorption. Any oils such as Grapeseed oil, Jojoba oil or Rosehip oil can be used for the skin.

5. Eye cream: One should never shy away from using an eye cream. The skin under the eyes are very dry since there are no oil glands present there so it is vital to apply the necessary amount of moisture to keep under eyes hydrated.

In the morning, oil can be skipped from the 4th step unless and until one has very dry skin and if so, take just 1-2 drops and dot it all over the face and use patting motion to let it absorb into the skin. Follow this with a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen for Sun Protection and in case of any queries, do come to facepalette studio where we can address your queries. Few things to keep in mind when it comes to Skincare:

1. Nothing will happen in a day or two. Skin takes around 3-6 months to show visible changes

2. Consistency and Patience is the key

3. Never shy away from investing into the right skincare products over other materialistic things

4. Skin is the largest organ in the body so always take care of it

5. Skincare is taking care of yourself so do it without any hesitation because you deserve it.