Routine

You might have come across the Korean 10-steps routine while you were researching on Korean trends, Korean beauty secrets, etc. It probably have shocked you, and when you looked at the steps it probably confused you even more. But we think that once you get the idea behind all these steps, you will find it much more logic and thus more easier to apply it to your own routine.

By the end of the day, the Korean skincare routine is all about personalizing. It's about adapting your routine to your lifestyle, skin type, concerns, weather and such. Because after all, isn't that what we do with our diet and clothings? +Take the routine test here.

Q: What is important and should be absolutely not skipped?
A: Cleanser, toner, moisturizer (+ sun protection in the morning).

Q: Why these steps?
A: See explanation in video or read more in details below.

KOREAN 10 STEP ROUTINE	HARU DECODED
*1. Oil-based cleanser* *2. Water based cleanser* *3. Exfoliator*	*1. Cleansing*
To remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, blackheads and dead skin cells.
*4. Toner*	*2. Preparing*
Balances pH-level, triple cleanses leftover dirt + face wash, hydrates + prepares your skin for the steps to follow.
*5. Eye serum / cream*	*3. Eye care*
Thinner than regular face creams, to target gentle areas around your eyes, reduces dark circles and wrinkles.
*6. Essence* *7. Serum, Ampoule* *8. Sheet mask*	*4. Treatment / Boost*
High concentration products to target & treat different concerns such as acne, dehydration, dull, pigmentation, fine lines, etc.
*9. Moisturizer*	*5. Moisturizing*
To seal in all the good stuff that you have just put on your face.
*10. SPF, spot treatment, sleeping mask*	6. Special care - day - night
DAY - sun protection: Most effective step in the morning since it helps your skin to defense against all the harms from the sun NIGHT - spot treatment + sleeping packs: The cells in your body repairs themselves at night during your sleep, hence makes this the best moment to see maximum benefit of your (hydrating) products.

Important to notice!

* Apply products in sequence of the lightest to heaviest. This way you will be ensured that the thinner layers of skin care products will be absorbed fully beneath the heavier, thicker layers.

* If a brand recommends a particular order of use for their products (although it might differ from the usual Korean routine), please follow the brand /line recommendation as it often have taken the texture and ingredients into account. -- After all, brands usually know what works best together with their products.

* If you use low pH products (such as low pH-toners, AHA, BHA or vitamin C serum), it is best to use these at the beginning of the routine. These work best in combination with a clean skin, without any other products. -- Allow the pH products absorb well into the skin before putting on other skin care products, this usually requires 10-15 minute waiting time for best results.

* Always end your morning routine with proper sun protection so that all your effort is not lost!

Here below you can find a few example routines. Of course it is posible that your routine if different from the examples. Just experiment a little and have patience before you find your own routine that works for you.

Morning
Simple Step 1: Cleanser Step 2: Hydrating toner Step 3: Essence Step 4: Emulsion or face oil Step 5: Sun protection	Medium Step 1: Cleanser Step 2: Hydrating toner Step 3: Essence Step 4: Serum Step 4: Emulsion or face oil Step 6: Sun protection
Advanced normal / dry Step 1: Cleanser Step 2: Low pH toner Step 3: Vitamin C* Step 4: Hydrating toner Step 5: Essence Step 6: Emulsion or face oil Step 7: Moisturizing cream Step 8: Sun protection	Advanced oily / combination Step 1: Cleanser Step 2: Low pH toner Step 3: BHA serum* Step 4: Vitamin C* Step 5: Hydrating toner Step 6: Essence Step 7: Emulsion or face oil Step 8: Sun protection

Evening
Simple Step 1: Makeup remover Step 2: Cleanser Step 3: Hydrating toner Step 4: Essence Step 5: Emulsion or face oil	Medium Step 1: Makeup remover Step 2: Cleanser Step 3: Hydrating toner Step 4: Sheet mask Step 5: Serum Step 6: Emulsion or face oil Step 7: Sleeping pack
Advanced normal / dry Step 1: Makeup remover Step 2: Cleanser Step 3: Low pH toner Step 4: AHA or BHA serum* Step 5: Hydrating toner Step 6: Sheet mask Step 7: Ampoule / serum Step 8: Moisturizing cream Step 9: Sleeping pack Step 10: Spot treatment	Advanced oily / combination Step 1: Makeup remover Step 2: Cleanser Step 3: Low pH toner Step 4: AHA or BHA serum* Step 5: Hydrating toner Step 6: Sheet mask Step 7: Ampoule / serum Step 8: Emulsion or face oil Step 9: Sleeping pack Step 10: Spot treatment