The Korean skincare routine needs no introduction. Almost all of us know the rage for it. But little do we know what makes it famous and desirable. This is a routine that was gradually formed by Koreans to hydrate their skin well. While the Korean skincare routine always reminds us of 10 steps that they follow, we’re here to tell you that the routine can also be 5, 7 or 12 steps. We’re curating a simple routine with Korean skincare products that will transform your skin. So start scrolling!
What is the Korean skincare routine?
Korean skincare routine is a routine that focuses on prevention and moisturisation. Korean skincare is formulated with the mantra ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ They prioritise prevention since undoing the damage can take a lot instead of taking care of your skin beforehand.
This routine also pushes one to respect your skin and have a little ‘me time’ while taking care of the skin every day. Korean skincare products focus on hydration, calming, soothing, and moisturisation. This helps them prevent any skin concerns and promote well-being.
Why is the Korean skincare routine so famous?
Korean skincare routine is famous because with consistent use, it can give you glass skin. Glass skin is the term used to refer to intensely moisturised, smooth, and clear skin. This quickly caught on around the world. That makes sense because who doesn’t want smooth, clear, and glowing skin?
Availability of Korean skincare products has been a hurdle but it has relatively improved now. Platforms like ours are constantly striving to curate brands that your skin needs. Let’s not forget, we list only cruelty-free products. Bunnies are doing a happy dance in some corner of the world!
One such brand that we are bringing to you is Sioris. It has ruled the hearts of many worldwide and now it is accessible to you. The name itself speaks a lot. The name is derived by adding ‘simple’ and ‘original’. They use natural ingredients that are picked only during the peak of its season to maintain the peak freshness and efficacy of the product. The only problem that you might face with Sioris is that it is so good that you might just get addicted to it!
How many steps does the Korean skincare routine have?
We ideally know the famous 10 steps when anybody talks about the Korean skincare routine. However, there is more. Korean skincare routine can also be 5-steps or 7-steps or 12-steps. But one must not be blinded by the numbers. What matters is tailoring a routine that suits you and your schedule. Also, because of the reign of multifunctional products, one can club two steps with just one product. We’re all for skin minimalism so we support such products.
Learn more about skin minimalism here.
What are the steps to follow in their 5-steps skincare routine?
To make a Korean routine that can fit all, we’ve curated a short routine that can be used as an AM or PM routine. The thought behind creating such a routine is to focus on soothing, calming, and hydrating your skin. With consistency, you must see the difference in the glow and texture of the skin. Let’s dive right in with this routine-
1. Double Cleansing
Double cleansing helps one thoroughly cleanse the skin. It is designed to not strip off the natural moisture from your skin but at the same time, remove all the gunk including sunscreen and makeup. This is to prevent clogging of your pores and also to wash off the particles that can dull your skin. There are two steps to this. Using an oil-based cleanser and then following it with a water-based cleanser.
Learn more about double cleansing here.
Sublime recommends Sioris Cleanse Me Softly Milk Cleanser. This is a very gentle, milky cleanser that can clean your pores by taking off the buildup, makeup, sunscreen, etc. It is a low pH cleanser so it soothes and nourishes your skin.
Follow this, with a gel-based cleanser like Sioris Day By Day Cleansing Gel. It has natural plant-based surfactants and it foams. It gently exfoliates dead skin and controls excess oil. Every skin type can do with this cleanser!
2. Mist
Mist helps you prep the skin by adding a thin layer of moisture to your skin. It can tone your dry skin and helps you balance your skin’s pH. While one may want to skip and just use a moisturiser, the Korean skincare routine will add moisture to your skin in layers. This helps your skin to absorb all the goodness easily. Mist can contain ingredients like Rosewater, Aloe, Sandalwood, Centella Asiatica, Fruit extracts, etc.
Sublime recommends Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist. This is such a multitasker. It works as toner, mist, and serum oil. This serum works on moisturising your skin. This is non-greasy in texture and works perfectly for those who travel frequently and want just a few products to keep their skin in place.
3. Essener
After applying the first layer of moisture, we must move to the essener. Essener is a combination of two products- essence and toner. This step will add another step of moisture. Essence is packed with hydrating, anti-ageing, and collagen promoting ingredients to improve the elasticity and firmness of your skin. You can get these properties from certain plants and fruit extracts.
Sublime recommends Sioris My First Essener. This intensely hydrates your skin since it has Polyglutamic acid that can hold 5000 times its own weight. It also has Green tea extracts, Mugwort leaf extracts that have Vitamin E and Antioxidants to moisturise and protect your skin.
4. Serum/Ampoule
Serum and Ampoule are the rich formulations that can helps to fasten the healing process of a particular skin concern.While ampoule is relatively new, it is nothing but a rich concoction and that has higher concentration than serums to address the skin concern. One must pick a soothing and firming serum or ampoule that will pay off in the long run. Pick ingredients that can firm, brighten, and provide aid in slowing down the natural ageing process.
Sublime recommends Sioris A Calming Day Ampoule. It has Magnolia Fruit extract, Marigold Flower extract that helps with elasticity and firmness. It also has Centella Asiatica to heal your skin’s barrier. We love how this ampoule feels on our skin!
5. Moisturiser
This would be the last layer of moisture to the skin. You can use a moisturiser that does not make you feel greasy at this point. But rather locks in all the ingredients to intensely nourish your skin. You can use Plant-based oils, Ceramides, Peptides, etc. Your skin barrier will love such ingredients. Moisturiser is a very common product but one must really pick the right formulation according to their skin type since it can make or break your skin.
Learn more about moisturisers here.
Sublime recommends Sioris Calm Me Down Cream for oil and combination skin. The botanical oils used in this formulation helps you spread the cream easily and is very lightweight. This cream works well for sensitive skin types too.
If you’re of dry skin type then you can try Sioris Enriched By Nature Cream. It has Ceramide-boosting oils to brighten, protect, and even tone your skin.
This routine fits well for AM and PM routine but if it is AM routine then you must end it with SPF. There is no skincare that can work its way in your skin in the presence of UV rays penetrating and damaging your skin. Wear and re-wear SPF, always!
Bottom line
Korean skincare routine is for the modern-day Queens who know that for clear, smooth skin, what actually matters is every day the needed love for your skin. Korean skincare can be simplified by using multifunctional products and focusing on hydration and calming. While there are 5, 7, 10, and even 12 steps in a Korean routine, with the help of Sioris products, we have simplified it. Remember, consistency is the key to glass skin with this routine!
-Divya Salvi
