If actresses like Lee Syung Kyung and Song Hye Kyo are any indication, Koreans have the most beautiful skin on earth. And it’s mainly because they’re willing to invest in their skin care a little bit more than everyone else. The Korean skincare regimen is said to take between 30 minutes to an hour daily and many Koreans are willing to give that much time to be able to get the most out of their routines.
Here are the most common steps of most Korean skin care regimens and how you can follow it using some of our best-selling products on Calyxta!
Step 1: Cleanse with an oil-based cleanser
Calyxta recommends: BANILA CO. CLEAN IT ZERO SUPER SIZE PHP 1,250.00 — a cream-to-oil cleanser that melts makeup upon contact to remove even the toughest products with just one swipe.
Step 2: Cleanse with a foaming cleanser
Calyxta recommends: SHISEIDO SENKA PERFECT WHIP
PHP 300.00 — a unique cleansing foam that works like a cushion to gently cleanse and moisturize the skin.
Now that you’ve gotten most of your makeup off, make sure your skin is squeaky clean by using a foaming cleanser with water.
Step 3: Exfoliate the skin
Calyxta recommends: KANEBO SUISAI BEAUTY CLEAR POWDER PHP 1,250.00 — this unique powder from Japan exfoliates and conditions skin, making it ready for your treatments. Simply empty a pack into your hands and work into foam with a little bit of water. Leave on your face, but focus on areas more prone to breakouts.
This step isn’t required daily but is recommended at least once or twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells that build up.
Step 4: Swipe toner on the skin
Calyxta recommends: MISSHA SUPER AQUA PORE-KLING TONER 180ML PHP 450.00 — infused with Italian sparkling water, this refreshing toner contains apple and mint extracts to help keep pores clean.
Toner is used to restore the skin’s pH balance and make sure that no other makeup was left behind. It’s also a good way to keep skin moisturized.
Step 5: Use an essence liquid
Calyxta recommends: DR. WU REPAIRING SYSTEM INTENSIVE FIRMING ESSENCE PHP 995.00 — an intense repairing serum with a patented high concentrate of squalene that deeply treats damaged, dry and aged skin.
It may feel like an unnecessary step but essence liquids are considered one of the key steps in a Korean beauty regimen. This power liquid is said to promote cellular regrowth and is more highly absorbed into the skin because of its watery form.
Step 6: Treat skin with an ampoule
Calyxta recommends: IT’S SKIN POWER 10 FORMULA PO EFFECTOR 30ML PHP 599.00 — this powerful effector contains Houttyunia Cordata extracts that target large pores, making sure they stay invisible.
A thick serum to be used on the skin to deal with issues like fine lines and uneven skin texture.
Step 7: Use a sheet mask twice a week
Calyxta recommends: TONYMOLY PURENESS 100 SNAIL MASK SHEET SKIN DAMAGE CARE PHP 85.00 — a potent snail saliva formula made on unbleached 100% natural cotton. This wonder mask helps reverse skin damage.
Sheet masks might make you look like you’re part of a horror movie temporarily, but they do give your skin a boost of moisture and and a bout of age-defying ingredients. It’s recommended that you have this in your arsenal, and use once or twice a week.
Step 8: Don’t forget the eye cream
Calyxta recommends: MEISHOKU PLACENTA WHITENING EYE CREAM 30G PHP 1,050.00 — a medical grade whitening eye cream combined with specially concentrated placenta to help banish those dark under eye circles for good.
Eye cream is an important step to prevent crow’s feet and dark circles from forming. Be sure to place the eye cream gently by patting it around the eyes and on the brow bone with your ring finger.
Step 9: Pat on an emulsion fluid
Calyxta Recommends: MEISHOKU ROSE ORGANIC EMULSION PHP 780.00 — a moisture-filled emulsion that makes skin plump and soft.
To replenish the moisture you lost from the extensive cleansing earlier, use an emulsion. Emulsion fluids are lightweight moisturizers, and can be used on the neck and chest as well.
Step 10: Finish off with a night cream
Calyxta recommends: HUMAN NATURE RADIANT GRACE NIGHT CREAM 45G PHP 994.00 — a thick night cream that keeps skin firm and lightens the appearance of fine lines. You’ll wake up to younger-looking skin in no time!
It may seem like placing moisturizer over your emulsion is redundant, but your thick night cream is there to lock in all the treatments you’ve worked hard to place on your skin.
