Korean beauty, also fondly known as K-beauty, refers to the flawless, velvety skin most, if not all, Koreans possess, particularly those who come on TV. If you are a fan of Korean media, you will know why K-beauty has gotten wildly popular. And for those who don’t know, suffice to say that Koreans have incredibly glowing skin, making non-Koreans a believer in the benefits of Korean skincare routines.
If you are also intrigued by said foreign cosmetological wonder, you have come to the right place because we will give you an in-depth overview of all that is Korean skincare.
Importance of Skincare in Korean Culture
Skincare holds tremendous importance in Korean culture. According to a study conducted by BBC News, all Koreans are taught to look after their skin from a young age. And that holds for people of all genders. Be it a man, woman, or non-binary individual, everyone in South Korea knows all about serums, moisturizers, toners, cleansers, and all other products necessary for a skincare regime.
Research shows that Korean women spend twice as much of their money on skincare products and procedures than American women. Unsurprisingly enough, Korean men spend more money on skincare than men in any other country.
These facts indicate the emphasis that is put on taking care of one’s skin in South Korea. That is why beauty products are so readily accessible to all, though of varying prices and quality. Due to the ferocious demand, Korean skincare products, such as the now-worldwide-famous sheet masks, are available at as little as £1 apiece.
Now that we have established how important skincare is for Koreans and how conveniently accessible beauty products are in Korea let’s move on to the thousand-step routine constructed from said products.
A Typical Korean Skincare Routine
While there isn’t a one size fits all kind of skincare regimen, and everyone can modify their technique as they please, there is a chronological order that’s followed in most Korean cosmetological routines. So, without further ado, here is a rundown of a typical Korean skincare regime.
Oil Cleansing
The most basic component in any Korean cosmetological routine is an oil cleanser used to clear the skin. As the name implies, in this step, you clean your skin using an oil cleanser and get rid of all the dust and debris sitting deep in your pores.
Foam Cleansing
Next up: foam cleanser
Once you’re done with the oil cleansing, you move on to foaming your face, also known as foam cleansing. A foam cleanser deep cleans the skin by removing all water-based dirt particles.
Exfoliating
Exfoliating scrubs away all the dead cells covering the skin, giving it an instant glow. However, one shouldn’t exfoliate their skin every day because that can lead to abrasions or rashes.
Toner
This magical elixir softens the skin and prepares it to absorb all the following products, serums, essences, and moisturizers that will make their way onto your face. Aside from that, a toner sets the skin’s ph. that is usually messed up because of the cleansers.
Essence
An essence contains active chemical compounds that boost cell production in the skin. The more a skin regenerates, the more radiant and youthful it will be.
Serum
A serum is similar to an essence, but it has a denser consistency and is more effective.
Moisturizer
The last step in most Korean skincare routines involves applying a moisturizer on the skin to lock all the treatments in while plumping up the tissue.
Final Verdict
The benefits of Korean skincare don’t come from the products used and steps involved; of course, they play some part. Instead, the main factor responsible for the lustrous skin Koreans have is the regularity with which they look after their skin. Korean people religiously follow their skincare routines to ensure having glowing skin. If you want to have it too, you need to put in the effort (and of course the products).
Become an Expert!
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