Korean women are renowned for their healthy, beautiful and young-looking skins. So what’s their beauty secret? Well, they invest more time and effort compared to average skincare regimes with some involving an 8-10 step daily routine. Here is one guide for evening skincare to get close to the women who take pride in boasting some of the best skins in the world.

Vicky Lee, Korean beauty and lifestyle blogger of Sorabelle.com and founder of a software company in Silicon Valley, explains that “Korean skincare is all about layering. Toner, essence, serum, ampoule, moisturizer… each one has its own important job to do to keep skin young, healthy, and glowing.”

Step 1: Oil-based cleanser

The first step for the evening, is to start with an oil-based cleanser which will eradicate oil- based makeup and impurities from the skin.

Step 2: Double-cleansing

After the cleanser, use a water-based cleanser to gently remove the oil residue as well as the water-based impurities that have built up during the day.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Korean women religiously scrub their bodies and faces to open pores and optimize treatment results. It is also common practice to get rid of dead skin cells and impurities using exfoliating mitts. Apply a bead-based or gentle enzyme exfoliator twice a week to remove dead skin cells that can make the complexion appear dull and block pores preventing the absorption of key cleansing ingredients. Don’t forget to use both cold and warm towels to open and close the pores before exfoliating and applying products.  

Step 4: Toner

Next, in order to balance the skin’s pH levels, it is essential to apply toner. This avoids the skin becoming dehydrated and dry. Toner also helps absorb the next products you apply.

Step 5: Essence

Now apply your essence. Essence is a fusion of a toner and a serum. It works seamlessly to hydrate the complexion, aiding cellular rejuvenation for a young-looking appearance.

Step 6: Ampoule

Similar to serums, ampoules are like super charged serums that comprise an even higher amount of active ingredients to target specific skin care concerns. They are used for a limited amount of time as a booster when one’s skin really needs extra help. By applying ampoule at night, skin can absorb all the hydration needed for the following day.

Step 7: Serum

Serums are concentrated formulas with an exceptional amount of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns — from wrinkles, to dark spots, to dehydration. Work the serum into specific areas of concern.

Step 8: Sheet mask

The Korean beauty favourite is the sheet mask, which delivers a deeply hydrating and anti-ageing treatment. Using a cloth soaked with skin loving ingredients, the mask is perfect for all skin types and beneficial to one and all. Some Korean women even use a facial sheet mask more than once a day no matter how busy they are.

Step 9: Eye cream

After the skin has absorbed the ingredients from the sheet mask, apply an eye cream to hydrate and protect the delicate areas around the eyes.

Step 10: Moisturizer       

Last, but not least, choose an evening moisturizer to keep all the wonderful ingredients locked into your skin and to make sure you wake with a stunningly revitalized complexion.

Bottom line, hydration is the key to flawless, radiant skin as is layering hydrating products. Korean women often carry water-based mist sprays in their bags to make sure their skin stays well moisturized throughout the day. Another tip is to use a cushion foundation. Cushion applicators allow for tremendously even and natural-looking coverage and, since cushion foundations are very watery, they don’t dehydrate the face as do traditional foundations. While it’s not part of one’s nighttime skincare regime, protect your skin during the day by applying an SPF of 50 or higher every three hours — even if it’s raining outside. Lastly, Korean women believe that the key to a beautiful skin also requires eating healthily and getting proper sleep!