K-beauty routines

Step 1: Gentle cleanse, morning and night

Use a mild gel or foam with lukewarm water and your fingertips, without scrubbing. Wash again after sweating. Washing more than twice a day or using harsh cleansers can irritate the skin.

Step 2: Alcohol-free toner (optional)

In Korea, toner is usually hydrating rather than astringent. Pat on a thin layer with your hands. Skip strong astringents with a lot of alcohol, since they dry and irritate the skin.

Step 3: Light moisturizer

Oily skin still needs moisture. Choose a gel or lotion labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free”.

Step 4: Sunscreen in the morning

Broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, with a light texture. Look for “non-comedogenic” here too. It is the last step of your morning routine.

Step 5: At night, take it all off

Before bed, remove makeup and sunscreen. Even non-comedogenic makeup can cause breakouts if you sleep in it. Double cleansing helps on those days.

Step 1: Lukewarm, not hot water

Hot water strips the skin's natural oils. Use a small amount of a creamy or milky cleanser, without chasing a thick lather. Short showers of 5 to 10 minutes help too.

Step 2: Pat dry

Don't rub with the towel. Pat gently and leave the skin slightly damp for the next step.

Step 3: Thin layers of hydration

Korean style, pat on a hydrating toner or essence in thin layers with your hands, going from the lightest texture to the thickest.

Step 4: Cream on still-damp skin

Right after drying off, while your skin is still damp, apply a fragrance-free cream. Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides or shea butter. Creams and ointments hold in more moisture than lotions.

Step 5: Sunscreen by day

A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Cream textures usually feel more comfortable on dry skin.

Step 1: One gentle cleanser for the whole face

Use the same mild cleanser all over with lukewarm water. The T-zone doesn't need a harsh one.

Step 2: Hydrating toner

An alcohol-free toner all over. If your cheeks feel tight, add a second layer there.

Step 3: Moisturize by zone

A light gel on the T-zone and a slightly richer cream on the cheeks, so each area gets what it needs.

Step 4: Sunscreen

Broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, in a light texture that won't make the T-zone greasy. Cover the whole face, plus ears and neck.

Step 5: Sleeping mask only where needed

Some nights, use a sleeping mask only on the cheeks or other dry areas. It's optional.

Step 1: Fewer steps, fewer ingredients

A short routine is easier to tolerate: mild cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Choose “fragrance-free” products. “Unscented” is not the same thing, because it can contain ingredients that mask odors.

Step 2: Very gentle cleansing

Lukewarm water, a mild cleanser and your fingertips. Avoid grainy scrubs, brushes and rough wipes.

Step 3: Simple moisturizer

A cream with few ingredients that support the skin barrier, such as glycerin or ceramides. Once you find one that works, don't switch often.

Step 4: Mineral sunscreen

For sensitive skin, dermatologists often recommend mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. In Korea they're called 무기자차 (mugijacha). Some leave a white cast, and tinted versions help hide it.

Step 5: One new product at a time

Test each product on a small area, such as the inside of the elbow, twice a day for 7 to 10 days before using it on your face. If it stings, itches or turns red, stop.

Step 1: Choose well

Look for “broad spectrum” (protects against UVA and UVB rays) and SPF 30 or higher. In Korea you'll also see the PA scale, from PA+ to PA++++, which shows UVA protection.

Step 2: Use enough

For the face, at least a teaspoon, about the length of your index and middle fingers. For the whole body, about 30 ml (1 ounce), enough to fill a shot glass.

Step 3: 15 minutes before going out

Apply to dry skin about 15 minutes before heading outside, as the last step of your morning skin care and before makeup.

Step 4: Reapply

Outdoors, reapply about every 2 hours and always after swimming or sweating, even if it says “water resistant”.

Step 5: More than cream

Seek shade, wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses. In Korea you'll see sun parasols, 양산 (yangsan), and cooling arm sleeves, 쿨토시 (kultosi).

Step 1: Step 1: oil-based cleanser

With a dry face and dry hands, massage in a cleansing oil or balm for about 30 to 60 seconds. The oil dissolves sunscreen and makeup.

Step 2: Emulsify and rinse

Wet your hands a little and keep massaging until the oil turns milky. Rinse well with lukewarm water.

Step 3: Step 2: water-based cleanser

Use a mild gel or foam to remove leftover oil, sweat and dirt. Massage without scrubbing and rinse.

Step 4: Pat dry and continue

Pat dry and move on to your toner and moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.