Complete guide: the 7-step Korean skincare routine

The Korean routine is not product hoarding: it is a layering logic, from the lightest texture to the richest, where each step prepares the next. Here are the 7 essential steps — to adapt to your skin, because nobody needs all 7 every day.

1. Oil cleanser

In the evening, an oil or balm dissolves sebum, SPF and makeup without stripping. This is the first half of the famous double cleanse.

2. Foam cleanser

The foam removes what the oil lifted plus water-soluble impurities. Pick a gentle pH (5.5) to protect the skin barrier.

3. Toner

Forget astringent toners: the Korean toner rehydrates and rebalances pH right after cleansing, on still-damp skin.

4. Essence or serum

The heart of the routine. Vitamin C in the morning for glow, niacinamide for pores, hyaluronic acid for deep hydration — one active at a time.

5. Sheet mask

Two or three times a week, 15 to 20 minutes. The sheet forces actives into the skin and delivers an instant hydration shot.

6. Eye cream and moisturiser

A suitable cream seals in everything that came before. The thinner eye area deserves its dedicated formula.

7. SPF in the morning

The non-negotiable step. Sun exposure is the first cause of skin ageing; Korean SPFs are light, invisible and pleasant to reapply.

Want a routine built for your actual skin rather than in theory? Get your skin analysed for free by our AI or browse the catalogue organised by step.

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