The Ultimate Skin Care Routine: Korean Edition

Photo of Ji-ah Park

Ji-ah Park

the ultimate korean skin care routine

A skin care routine should consist of products that target your specific needs. There is no need to follow a 10-step routine. A simple 4-step routine consisting of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sunscreen is all you need. If you have time, then add an additional step like exfoliating or masking.

The easiest way to get started with your first skin care routine would be to focus on just five products:

  1. First Cleanser
  2. Second Cleanser
  3. Hydrating Toner
  4. Moisturizer
  5. Sunscreen

We recommend starting with 5 products. If you get a bad reaction, you'll know what caused it. Don't try to rush through the process. Introduce each step one at a time for at least a week before moving on to the next. You can introduce a variety of products at a later time including masks, gels, essences, and serums.

First Cleanser

The first thing you should cleanse your skin with is water. Water is a polar molecule and therefore it bonds to other polar molecules. Oil is non-polar and does not bond to anything. Therefore, if you wash your face with water, you will remove the oil-based products that you applied before.

Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) is a natural alternative to soap. OCM is a simple, effective, and inexpensive method of cleaning your body. OCM is made up of two parts: a base oil and an emulsifying agent. The base oil is usually either olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. The emulsifying agent is usually polysorbate 20, which is found in many shampoos. When you apply the base oil to your skin, it will absorb into the top layer of dead cells. Then, when you rinse it off, the emulsifying agent will help break down the oil and allow it to be washed away.

Types of first cleansers

  • Oil
  • Micellar Water (a good alternative if traditional oil cleanser are too stripping)
  • Cream
  • Milk
  • Balm
  • Stick (hard balm)

Second Cleanser

The second cleansing step is a water-based formula that helps keep your skin healthy. Water-based formulas tend to have a lower pH than oil-based formulas, meaning that they are less irritating to the skin. However, because water-based formulas are not as effective at removing makeup and sunscreen as oil-based formulas, you may need to use both oil and water cleanser to get rid of all reamining residue.

Most Korean cleansers are formulated to have a pH close to that found in our skin. A high pH can disrupt the acid mantle of our skin, leading to less-than optimal flora, which often leads skin issues like acne and irritation.

Types of second cleanser

  • Foaming
  • Gel

Not everybody requires a second cleanser. It will depend on what products you've used throughout the day and your skin type.

Hydrating Toner

Toning is a very popular practice among those who follow the Asian beauty routine. Korean women apply toner after cleansing their faces, followed by moisturizer. They repeat this process until they reach the desired level of hydration.

This means that you can layer your toner just as many times as you'd like. You can even change it up every single day if you like.

Just remember to wash your face first. This step is essential to ensure that you're removing all traces of makeup and dirt from your pores.

And while you're washing your face, you can add a the hydrating toner right after to your regimen. The key here is to find a toner that works well for your skin type. Some people prefer a lighter toner, whereas others prefer something heavier.

Some people also like to alternate between different types of toner depending on the weather. For example, you might use a light toner during the summer months and a heavy toner during winter.

There are tons of ways to layer your toner, so experiment and find what works best for you.

Moisturizers

There are many different types of products that fall under the category of moisturizer. Some moisturizers are heavy, while other moisturizers are light.

Moisturizers are typically made up of two parts; water and oil. Water is what keeps your skin moisturized, while oil is what holds in moisture.

When selecting a moisturizer, consider the weight of the product. Heavy moisturizers tend to be thicker and weigh more. Light moisturizers are thinner and weigh less.

Another consideration is the ingredients used in the product. Some moisturizers contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. Other moisturizers contain natural oils that are beneficial to your skin.

To select a moisturizer, think about the purpose of the product. Is it meant to prevent dryness or treat dryness? What kind of skin does the product target? Does it contain chemicals or natural oils?

Once you've selected a moisturizer, check the label to see if it contains parabens. Parabens are chemicals that mimic estrogen in the body. They can disrupt hormone function and increase cancer risks.

Parabens are found in many personal care products including moisturizers. To avoid them, look for products without parabens.

Types of moisturizers

  • Emulsions (light, watery)
  • Creams (typical moisturizer)
  • Some sleeping packs (heavy moisturizer)

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an essential part of your daily routine and Koreans are obsessed with them.

When you're outside, you need to wear sunscreen. It protects your skin against the damaging rays of the sun.

Unfortunately, most Americans don't use enough sunscreen. According to the CDC, only 30% of adults use sunscreen regularly. That means 70% of us aren't protecting our skin properly.

Majority of American sunscreens leave a greasy feel and leave a whitecast. Luckily, Korean sunscreens are different. They're non-greasy and easy to apply. Plus, they contain ingredients that actually improve your skin.

So if you're thinking about buying some sunscreen, check out the ones from Korea first. You might be surprised at how affordable they are compared to other brands.

Quick Introduction to Asian Sunscreen PPD and PA ratings

WHAT IS PPD?

Persistent pigment darkening (PPD) is a measurement used to determine how effective a sunscreen is against UVA rays. The higher the number, the better the protection.

Sunscreens containing PPD measure how long it takes for the skin tanned after exposure to sunlight. This means that the stronger the protection, the slower the skin will tan.

For example, a sunscreen with a PPD15 means that it protects against UVA rays for 15x longer before you start to tan.

True PPD is dependent on an individual’s melanin levels. On average, people with more melanin tend not to burn but will tan easily, those with less melanin may burn easily but find it difficult to tan.

Here are the PA and PPD ratings for asian sunscreens:

  • PA+ 2-4 PPD
  • PA++ 4-8 PPD
  • PA+++ 8-16 PPD
  • PA++++ 16+ PPD

What is PA?

PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. This is an important distinction since SPF (sun protection factors) measure UVB rays while the PA rating only covers UVA rays.

Both forms of radiation are bad for our skin. But UVB rays are responsible mainly for burning and reddening our skin, whereas UVA rays are responsible for much of the damage to our DNA.

For a long time, it wasn't clear just how dangerous UVA rays could be. In fact, most people thought they weren't very harmful at all.

Turns out, they're the main reason we see wrinkles and age spots. And they're also the main culprit behind skin cancers like melanoma.

The PA rating system:

  • PA+ = Some UVA protection
  • PA++ = Moderate UVA protection
  • PA+++ = High UVA protection
  • PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection

SPF vs. PA Ratings:

The PA rating system is not widely used in the United States and Europe. The PA ratings are mostly use for Korean and Japanese products and many people prefer the clarity of the PA label over the broad spectrum label.

Sunscreen Types

Sunscreen works by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and converting it to heat. Sunscreens are available in many forms including lotions, creams, gels, sticks, powders, sprays, and liquids.

There are two types of filters: inorganic and organic.

Inorganic filters are made of minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Organic filters are made of chemicals like benzophenone and oxybenzone. Both types of filters are effective at blocking out UVA and UVB rays.

Inorganic (Physical/Mineral) Filters

Inorganic filters are the only ones that are safe for sensitive skin. They are also usually more expensive than organic filters in America. However, they leave a white cast on your face and feel dry when applied. 2 of the most popular ingredient in physichal sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Organic (Chemical)

Chemical sunscreens are often more easier to apply and leaves less of a whitecast. They are also less likely to cause skin irritation for people with sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens can also irritate the eyes if they get into them.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a quick and effective skin care routine, look no further than Korean skin care products. They have products that includes everything from cleansing to moisturizing and amazing sunscreens, and it will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and smooth. Best of all, it doesn't require any expensive products. So if you haven't already, now's the perfect time to give them a shot!