And we're back for Part 2. I really hope that you found Part 1 helpful and helped you on your way into Korean Skincare.
Next, we're going to dive into serums, moisturisers and sheet masks so let's go!
Step 6 - Serum
A serum is usually packaged in a little bottle with a pipette and has a much higher concentration of key ingredients than the essence. The serum is definitely a key step in customising your skincare and homing in on exactly what areas you wish to work on. There are serums for just about everything e.g. dark spots, brightening, acne, pores, anti-wrinkle. It all depends on what areas your skin need a little help with. For me, I focus on restoring the balance due to my oily/combination skin. I use the Innisfree (are you sensing a theme - I just bloody love this brand so much) green tea seed serum and to be honest, if I could only pick one product, it would be this one! This serum helps to control and balance my oil levels throughout the day, evens out my skin tone and keeps my skin looking hydrated.
To use: squeeze a drop or two onto your fingers and apply gently to the face, covering all areas that require attention.
Step 7 - Moisturiser
We are getting towards the end of our skincare routine now! At the very heart of Korean skincare, is hydration. Hydration is key to keeping the skin looking young, fresh and supple and this is exactly what you want your moisturiser to do. You want a cream that's going to help you lock in your skin's moisture all day, something not too heavy and something that works with your skin type. A lighter moisturiser might be better during the Summer whereas a heavier one may be best over the Winter months if you have dry skin. I use the Innisfree balancing cream and I've found this to be best for my skin.
To use: apply small amounts on your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead, then gently massage into the skin, avoiding the eyes.
Step 8 - Eye Cream
Yes, avoiding the eyes because we have a separate cream for that! Ok, now I must confess, I don't always do this step. Not because I don't like it but I'm still on the hunt for the perfect eye cream. The skin around your eyes can be very thin and very sensitive so you should try to avoid any heavy creams in this area. Most people will choose an eye cream that focuses on brightening dark circles or preventing wrinkles.
To use: apply a small amount onto your little finger and gently pat around the orbital bone.
Step 9 - Sunscreen
This step is incredibly important in Korean skincare and something that most BB and CC creams will have in them. There are many, many Korean makeup and skincare brands that sell sunscreen specifically for your face. These creams are much lighter than the ones you apply to your body and are often a much higher SPF. The idea of this is to help prevent the formation of dark spots, to protect your skin from damage and to reduce the darkening of acne scars. It can also work really well as a base for makeup.
To use: the same as a moisturiser. apply little dabs on your cheeks, chin, nose and forehead, then gently massage into the skin, avoiding the eyes.
Step 10 - Sheet Masks, Sleeping Packs and Face Masks
Ok, so this isn't technically the final stage but I wanted to put it here because realistically you can apply a mask at many different stages and however many times you want throughout a week. For most people, a good time to apply a sheet mask would be after your toner and before your essence. For Sleeping packs, you apply your skincare routine up until your moisturiser and apply your sleep pack instead. This is to be worn overnight (it's just like a more heavy duty moisturiser) and then wash it off in the morning. For face masks, I like to apply these just after my double cleanse and then take a shower and wash it off there. I think I will do an entirely separate post about masks just because there's a lot of them and I just really love them.
OK, we made it and if you managed to get through both of these posts, THANK YOU, I really appreciate it! I hope this sheds some light into the wonderful world of Korean Skincare. Like I mentioned in Part 1, I'm no expert, just someone who has used this routine for the last couple of years and really enjoys learning about Korean Skincare. I hope that you are able to pull some information out of it to help you on your way and if you have any questions, please write them in the comments below and I'll do my best to help.
Have a beautiful day!
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