Written by: Maine Dela Cruz
K-drama fever is on! Korean drama has been a hot topic now more than ever, especially with Crash Landing On You’s Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin’s recent wedding. We’ve watched our favorite Korean celebs on-screen using numerous cosmetic products and beauty care tools and wished we had their skin and beauty. However, did you know that you can achieve the Korean skincare routine of these celebrities right in the comfort of your home?
Binge-watching K-dramas is one thing, trying out Korean beauty brands is another. Thanks to unlimited WiFi, you can now watch till you drop and shop Korean beauty products online!
Here are some related articles you might want to check out:
- Here’s a List of the Best Korean Drama Websites Last 2021
- K-Pop Stans Continue to Seize the Country
- Brace Your K-pop Heart as the BTS Meal will be Available
What is Korean Skin Care Anyway?
Korean skin care is renowned for its ability to produce glass skin—flawless, baby-soft, healthy, smooth skin that sparkles from the inside. It is the market leader because of its proprietary components such as rice water, Centella Asiatica, mugwort, snail mucus, and ginseng, as well as fermented substances.
Since the introduction of Korean skin care to Americans in 2011, the trend has become so large and successful that it has spread like wildfire to other nations.
10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine
Women in South Korea take great care of their skin by using products that they know work best for them. To begin with, the 10-step Korean skincare regimen may appear overwhelming due to its lengthy process. They don’t necessarily repeat all 10 steps twice a day, though. The use of some products depends on the time of day or night, the weather, your skin type, or a pressing skin condition.
1. Oil-based Cleanser: Removes Makeup
Oil-based cleaners, also known as the first phase in the double washing procedure, may remove makeup and break down excess oil, silicone, and sunscreen without drying out the skin. A cotton pad with your toner would take up less dirt or none at all if you used an oil cleanser first because the oil cleanser previously removed most of the dirt from your face. Apply it to a clean, dry face making circular motions with your fingertips.
2. Water-based Cleanser: Removes Water-based Impurities
In addition to being a Korean tradition, it is also suggested by physicians and aestheticians to wash your face twice every day. Impurities and gunk on your face that were missed by the oil cleanse can be removed using this method.
3. Exfoliator: Removes Dead Skin Cells
Use this once or twice a week to help unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and brighten your skin. It will also aid in the absorption and effectiveness of other beauty care products. On rare occasions, your skin may feel extremely dull and rough, necessitating the use of physical exfoliation. You may have oily or acne-prone skin that requires manual exfoliation on a regular basis.
4. Toner: Preps Skin for Better Absorption
It repairs and preps the skin barrier for greater absorption of products following this phase.
5. Essence: Hydrates Dry Skin
Essences are regarded as the lifeblood of the Korean skincare routine. It aids in hydrating the skin and increasing cell turnover, resulting in radiant skin! Simply pat the essence over your face until the goodness is absorbed by your skin, resulting in radiant skin.
6. Ampoules and Serums: Treat Specific Problems
Generally more viscous and concentrated than essences, ampoules, and serums are used to target and cure highly specific ailments. They can aid in the brightening of the skin, the fading of sunspots, and the smoothing of fine wrinkles.
7. Sheet Masks: Helps Achieve Dewy Skin
A sheet mask, one of the most popular cosmetic products in Korea, is the go-to product for achieving dewy (or chok chok in Korean) skin. It may quickly make your skin brighter, softer, and perfectly moisturized in only 15 to 20 minutes, with a wide variety of options.
8. Eye Cream: Removes Impurities Around Eyes
We frequently hear the expression “your eyes are the windows to your soul,” but in retrospect, it typically indicates your chronological age! Fine wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes tend to age you, as the skin surrounding the eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on the face. Utilize your eye cream consistently to keep dark circles, puffiness, and fine wrinkles at bay.
9. Moisturizer: Hydrates and Heals Skin
Hydration is the most critical component of your evening skincare regimen. Moisturizers are available in a variety of formats — creams, lotions, and gels — and the optimal one to use is determined by your skin type. Typically the heaviest ingredient in the process, it is applied last to capitalize on your skin’s healing hours.
10. Sunscreen: Protects Against Damaging UV Rays
If a moisturizer is necessary at night, sunscreen is very necessary for the morning, when you are continually exposed to the sun. Even if you’re only sitting near a window or stepping outside for a few minutes, this is your first line of defense against sun-induced skin damage. A step that is sometimes overlooked or disregarded entirely, but anytime you feel the want to do so, remember this: prevention is always preferable compared to treatment.
Must-Have Korean Skin Care Products
Korean brands have officially raised the bar for the global skin-care market — and, if we’re being really honest, our own personal expectations, too. Prepare your clicker finger and your fiber internet for home to add all of these products to your kart, because we’ve compiled the most cutting-edge, inventive, and cost-effective Korean skin care products!
1. Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
There are few skin-care products that feel as calming and effective as the 2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. Because Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm genuinely melts away all traces of makeup, sunscreen, and grime on your face. Its star ingredient is seaberry (or sea buckthorn) oil, which is high in antioxidants and fatty acids and is known for softening the skin. Persimmon extract brightens, while olive oil and vitamin E hydrate the skin, preventing it from feeling tight following cleaning. Follow up with a water-based cleanser for a guaranteed double cleanse, and prepare to say hello to cleaner, less congested skin.
2. Cle Cosmetics Oxygen Foam Cleanser
Cle Cosmetics’ Oxygen Foam Cleanser has an interactive, self-bubbling product formulated with soothing ingredients such as camellia leaf extract, and sodium hyaluronate (a water-soluble salt form of hyaluronic acid), and tea tree leaf extract to effectively remove makeup and cleanse the face. Additionally, you may leave it on for a few minutes longer as a mask.
3. Tony Moly I’m Rice Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser
One of the secrets to clearer, brighter skin is using Tony Moly’s I’m Rice Exfoliating Enzyme Cleanser. This 2021 Best of Beauty Award-winning powder-to-paste cleanser activates when it comes into touch with water. Likewise, it effectively removes pore-clogging dead skin cells. A strong combination of rice powder, rice extract, and papaya enzymes promotes cell turnover and soothes irritated regions.
4. Son & Park Beauty Water
This mild cleaning water has developed a cult following—and not just for its sleek, simple packaging. It contains papaya extract and witch hazel water, both of which work to brighten and smooth the skin. Utilize it throughout the day for a quick refresh of your skin.
5. Primera Miracle Seed Essence
After cleansing, swipe on this ultra-concentrated solution to prepare your skin and allow serums and creams to absorb more easily. According to reviewers, it is instantly moisturizing and gradually brightens.
6. Mamonde Rose Flower Lab Essence Sheet Mask
It’s unsurprising that Mamonde’s Rose Flower Lab Essence Sheet Mask was after the name of a 2019 Allure Best of Beauty nominee. This transparent eucalyptus pulp mask helps contour your face, while rose extract, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin sink into your skin, leaving you with an attractive plump, dewy finish.
7. Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask
Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask is formulated with ultrafine sugar grains to gently buff away dead skin cells and is filled with moisturizing nutrients such as shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and grapefruit extract to keep skin feeling soft and supple. And how about that enchanted soft pink hue? Calamine’s calming action accomplishes this. Cho Yun Joo, a dermatologist based in Seoul, frequently follows her double cleansing with a light mask similar to this one to ensure her skin is clear of small dust particles.
8. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
The Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum’s formula is with skin-loving components that will assist you in achieving “glass skin”. In fact, its founder, Alicia Yoon, defined it as “skin that is so healthy and moisturized that it appears poreless, bright, and transparent”. The peach extract has loads of vitamins, minerals, and vital fatty acids that help maintain the elasticity and resilience of the skin. Combine that with a slew of moisturizing, soothing, and brightening ingredients including niacinamide, Asian mountain yam extract, and peptides, and it’s easy to understand why this serum is a popular favorite.
9. Sulwhasoo Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
This solution, which contains the star tightening ingredient red ginseng, strengthens and firms the delicate skin around the eyes while minimizing puffiness. Pro tip: Refrigerate your eye cream overnight for maximum de-puffing effect.
10. Blithe Pressed Serum Crystal Iceplant
Serum, Purely Pressed Crystal Iceplant is a combination moisturizer-serum with an irresistible pudding-like texture that melts into the skin nicely. In fact, it contains 58 percent ice plant (crystallinum) extract from the Sahara and a slew of other plant oils (soybean ferment extract and allantoin) that work together to increase collagen formation, relax stressed skin, offer long-lasting hydration, and help prevent skin cancer.
11. Suntique I’m Pure Cica Suncream
It is a mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. But despite that, Suntique’s I’m Pure Cica Suncream is not at all difficult to mix in. It also doesn’t leave a white cast or appear chalky. Additionally, to provide SPF 50 protection, the fast-absorbing product contains soothing centella asiatica. Likewuse, it has hydrating galactomyces ferment filtrate that will not irritate even the most sensitive skin types.
12. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Parched lips have no chance against the winner of the 2021 Readers’ Choice Award. Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask protects and moisturizes chapped lips with shea butter, vitamin C, and glycerin. While you sleep, the moisturizing concoction softens the skin, so you wake up with smooth, supple lips.
13. Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
What begins as a balm rapidly transforms into an oil as it is massaged into the skin. The thick and potent mixture dissolves makeup and dirt. It contains vitamin E and olive oil. Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and oil. Its frequent use is as a topical or moisturizing anti-oxidant blends. Additionally, it aids in soothing of the skin and protects the lipid barrier. Emulsify the product with warm water and rinse well.
Shop Your Korean Skin Care Products Online with Streamtech Internet!
Excited to start your own Korean skincare routine? The best thing about these products is that they’re accessible online. And when online shopping from the tip of your fingertips, you need fast, reliable fiber internet for home.
Streamtech is one of the Philippines’ newest internet service providers, delivering limitless, high-speed internet to households (which may be combined with cable TV services from Planet Cable) and businesses throughout the country. Certainly, with its affordable home internet plans, you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank just to enjoy unlimited WiFi for seamless streaming, playing, shopping, working, and more!
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