🇰🇷 Hey, skincare lover! Ready to dive into the world of radiant skin and master the iconic 10-step routine everyone’s raving about? Let’s get glowing — dewy, fresh, and fabulous! 💧If there’s one beauty ritual that has truly transformed skincare across the globe, it’s the legendary 10-step Korean skincare routine. 🌍✨
From flawless K-pop idols to beauty lovers chasing that lit-from-within glow, the obsession with achieving glass-like skin is real. But what exactly makes this multi-step routine so special? And more importantly — how can you make it work for your lifestyle without getting overwhelmed or breaking the bank?
🌸Save for later:
💖 What Is the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine?
The 10-step Korean skincare routine isn’t just about products — it’s a mindful, intentional ritual rooted in the belief that skincare is a form of self-love 💆♀️✨. This philosophy goes beyond quick fixes or heavy creams and instead focuses on building skin health over time through hydration, layering, and consistency 💧🌿.
Unlike Western routines that often rely on one or two potent products, the Korean method breaks things down into gentle, targeted steps. Each product serves a specific purpose — whether it’s removing impurities, replenishing moisture, or boosting your natural glow ✨. By using multiple lightweight layers instead of a single rich formula, your skin absorbs each ingredient more effectively and stays balanced, fresh, and radiant.
The magic lies in the process: a slow, nourishing ritual that evolves with your skin’s needs. From cleansing to sealing in moisture, every step works harmoniously to promote long-term skin health — not just temporary results. Think of it as pampering with a purpose 🪞💖.
Whether you’re a skincare newbie or a self-care pro, embracing this routine can feel like pressing pause on a busy day and giving your skin (and soul) the attention it deserves 🌸🌙.
🌟 Why Does the Korean Skincare Routine Work?
The magic of the Korean skincare routine lies in its holistic, preventative approach. Instead of waiting for skin issues to appear and then treating them, this method is all about nurturing your skin daily to keep it healthy, balanced, and glowing. Here’s why it works so well:
💡 Prevention Over Correction
Rather than focusing solely on fixing damage, K-beauty is built on the idea of preventing problems before they start — think sun protection, gentle exfoliation, and maintaining a strong skin barrier.
💧 Hydration at Every Step
From toners to essences and serums, each layer adds hydration, helping to plump, soften, and support the skin’s natural glow. Moisture is the key to that dewy, glass-skin finish ✨.
🛡️ Barrier-Boosting Benefits
By nourishing and strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier, the routine helps protect against environmental stressors like pollution, dryness, and irritation.
🧘♀️ Mindful & Intentional Ritual
It’s not just skincare — it’s self-care. Taking a few moments each day to care for your skin creates a soothing routine that promotes both skin health and emotional wellness 🌿.
The 10 Steps Explained
1️⃣ Oil-Based Cleanser
✨ Purpose:
The first step in the 10-step routine, the oil-based cleanser is designed to melt away oil-based impurities — like makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and daily grime. Since oil attracts oil, this step ensures a thorough yet gentle cleanse without stripping your skin.
🧴 How to Use:
Apply a small amount of the cleanser to dry skin and gently massage in circular motions for about 30–60 seconds. Focus on areas with makeup or buildup. Then, rinse off with lukewarm water — no need for harsh scrubbing!
💗 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Banila Co Clean It Zero — a cult-favorite sherbet cleanser that melts on contact
- Heimish All Clean Balm — soothing and effective with a spa-like scent
2️⃣ Water-Based Cleanser
💧 Purpose:
The second step in the double cleanse, a water-based cleanser helps remove any leftover oil residue as well as water-based impurities like sweat, dirt, and environmental pollutants. This step ensures your skin is truly clean and prepped for the rest of your routine.
🫧 How to Use:
Apply the cleanser to damp skin, then gently massage into a lather using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and pat your face dry with a clean towel.
🌿 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser — gentle, non-stripping, and great for daily use
- Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser — enriched with green tea antioxidants for a refreshing cleanse
💡 Pro Tip:
Choose a gentle, non-stripping cleanser that supports your skin’s natural pH balance (ideally around 5.5). Over-cleansing can cause dryness and irritation, so keeping it mild is key!
3️⃣ Exfoliator (1–2x a Week)
🌟 Purpose:
Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. It also allows your skincare products to absorb more effectively — making it a powerful step when used in moderation.
🔬 How to Use:
After cleansing, apply your exfoliator of choice — either a gentle physical scrub or a chemical exfoliant like AHA/BHA. Avoid rubbing too harshly. Let chemical formulas sit for the recommended time, then rinse and continue with your routine.
🌸 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner — a cult favorite for gentle chemical exfoliation
- Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling — combines physical and chemical exfoliation with convenience and glow
✨ Pro Tip:
Stick to exfoliating just 1–2 times per week to avoid over-sensitizing the skin. Always follow with hydration and sunscreen during the day!
4️⃣ Toner
🌿 Purpose:
Toner helps to rebalance your skin’s pH after cleansing and preps it to better absorb serums, essences, and moisturizers. It adds a first layer of hydration, making it an essential bridge between cleansing and treatment steps.
👐 How to Use:
Pour a small amount into your hands or onto a cotton pad, then gently pat it onto your skin — no rubbing needed. This encourages absorption while being soothing and refreshing.
💧 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner — calming, hydrating, and perfect for sensitive skin
- Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner — lightweight but deeply hydrating with a minimalist ingredient list
✨ Pro Tip:
For extra hydration, try the 7-skin method — layering toner 3 to 7 times for that signature Korean glow!
5️⃣ Essence
💖 Purpose:
Essences are often called the heart of Korean skincare — and for good reason! These lightweight, hydrating treatments work deep within the skin to boost hydration, support cell turnover, and enhance overall radiance. Think of them as the glow-boosting bridge between toner and serum ✨.
💧 How to Use:
After toner, pour a few drops of essence into your palms and gently press it into your skin. Focus on full-face coverage, using light tapping motions to help it absorb fully.
🌸 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence — deeply hydrating and skin-repairing with a cult following
- Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence — a fermented favorite known for improving skin tone and texture
🪄 Pro Tip:
Apply your essence while your skin is still slightly damp from toner — it helps lock in even more moisture for that plump, glass-skin effect!
6️⃣ Serum / Ampoule
🎯 Purpose:
Serums and ampoules are concentrated treatments that target specific skin concerns — like pigmentation, fine lines, acne, dullness, or dehydration. This is your opportunity to personalize the routine based on what your skin truly needs.
💧 How to Use:
Apply a few drops directly onto your skin and gently press or pat it in using your fingertips. Focus on areas that need extra care, but be sure to spread evenly across the face.
🌟 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum — packed with propolis and niacinamide for brightening and calming
- Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum — a luxurious first-step serum that boosts overall skin vitality
✨ Pro Tip:
Layer serums from thinnest to thickest texture, and don’t be afraid to cocktail (combine) two compatible formulas for customized results!
7️⃣ Sheet Mask (2–3x a Week)
🧖♀️ Purpose:
Sheet masks deliver a powerful boost of hydration and nutrients, helping your skin look plump, dewy, and refreshed. They act like a mini facial, sealing in all the goodness from your previous steps while giving your skin a moment to rest and soak it all in.
🕒 How to Use:
After applying your serum, gently unfold the sheet mask and place it evenly over your face, adjusting it to fit around your eyes and mouth. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes, then remove and gently pat in the excess essence — no need to rinse!
💧 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Mediheal NMF Aquaring Ampoule Mask — intensely hydrating and loved by Korean celebs
- Dr.Jart+ Dermask Water Jet Vital Hydra Solution — soothing, plumping, and great for dry or tired skin
🌿 Pro Tip:
Store your sheet masks in the fridge for a cooling, de-puffing treat — perfect for morning routines or post-travel recovery!
8️⃣ Eye Cream
👁️ Purpose:
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate, making it prone to fine lines, puffiness, and dryness. Eye cream helps hydrate, protect, and smooth this sensitive area — keeping you looking bright and refreshed.
🪄 How to Use:
Take a pea-sized amount and gently tap (don’t rub!) it around the orbital bone using your ring finger — it has the lightest touch, perfect for this fragile zone.
🌿 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream — known for its hydrating and anti-aging snail mucin formula
- Innisfree Green Tea Seed Eye Cream — refreshing and antioxidant-rich, ideal for daily moisture
✨ Pro Tip:
For an extra soothing effect, chill your eye cream in the fridge and apply it in the morning to reduce puffiness and wake up tired eyes!
9️⃣ Moisturizer
💧 Purpose:
Moisturizer is the step that seals in all your previous layers, helping to lock in hydration and prevent moisture loss throughout the day (or night). It creates a protective barrier and keeps your skin soft, plump, and glowing.
🤲 How to Use:
Scoop a small amount and gently massage it into your face and neck using upward motions. Take a moment to enjoy it — this step is both nourishing and calming.
🌸 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Laneige Water Bank Cream — lightweight yet deeply hydrating, perfect for all skin types
- Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream — rich in collagen and baobab water to support elasticity and bounce
🪞 Pro Tip:
If you have dry skin, try layering a gel moisturizer with a cream at night for extra hydration. For oily skin, stick with a lightweight formula that won’t clog pores.
🔟 Sunscreen (Daytime Only)
☀️ Purpose:
Sunscreen is your most powerful anti-aging product — seriously! It protects your skin from harmful UV rays, helping to prevent premature aging, sunspots, and hyperpigmentation. No matter how perfect your routine is, without SPF, your skin is vulnerable.
🧴 How to Use:
Apply generously as the final step in your morning routine, after moisturizer. Don’t forget often-missed areas like the neck, ears, and hairline. Reapply every 2–3 hours when outdoors!
🌿 Popular K-Beauty Picks:
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics — lightweight, creamy, and leaves no white cast
- COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream — calming, hydrating, and great for sensitive skin
✨ Pro Tip:
Even on cloudy days or indoors near windows, UV rays are still present — so make sunscreen your daily, non-negotiable skincare hero!
FAQ: Korean Skincare Routine
How often should I do the 10 step Korean skincare routine?
While the complete 10 steps can be done daily, many people adapt it based on their skin’s needs. Some steps, like exfoliating and sheet masking, are best done 2-3 times a week.
Is the 10 step Korean skincare routine good for oily skin?
Absolutely! The layering technique emphasizes hydration without heaviness, helping to balance oil production. Choosing lightweight, non-comedogenic products is key.
Can I skip steps in the Korean skincare routine?
Yes, you can tailor the routine to your lifestyle and skin needs. Focus on the essentials: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection — and add steps when you have extra time.
Explore More Beauty and Wellness Guides
- Clean Girl Aesthetic: The Ultimate Guide to Radiant Minimalism
- Glowing Skin Tips: Your Ultimate Guide to Radiant, Healthy Skin
- 10 Self-Care Practices for Busy Professionals: How to Recharge Without Losing Time
- Manifestation 101: How to Attract What You Want
For expert product recommendations and in-depth reviews, explore Wirecutter’s guide to the best Korean skincare products.
🌸🇰🇷 Thank you for joining the K-beauty adventure — happy glowing! 🧴✨
✨Pin it to your board:
