Morning Lazziness product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
The 10-step Korean skincare routine is all the trend in today’s fashion and beauty industry. It advocates for the “glass skin”, which has a healthy, radiant, dewy, poreless skin quality. Korea-originated beauty products and skincare regimens are focused primarily on consistent dedication to achieve long-term results.
Here is a stepwise recommendation for the top products that can help you achieve healthy and glowing glass skin.
1. First Soldier: Oil-Based Cleanser
Oil-based cleansers are part of the double-cleansing regimen followed in Korean skincare. It removes oil-based impurities such as sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, without drying the skin and keeps the oil-secretion levels balanced.
Top Oil-Based Cleansers
- Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
This is a Tea-tree essential oil-based cleanser with a mildly acidic pH that leaves the skin soft and naturally glowing.
- The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil
This is a triple oil-based cleanser with Rice bran, Kukuinut, and Moringa oils that nourishes the skin to the core. It also has a rich oil version.
2. Second Cleansing: Water-Based
The second part of the Double Cleansing regimen is using a water-based cream or foam cleanser, which removes any residual dirt and sweat from the skin, and from the oil-based cleanser. A low-pH, hydrating, and gentle water-based cleanser is best.
Top Water-Based Cleansers
- Innisfree Green Tea Foam Cleanser
With Jeju green tea extract, it is the perfect foaming boost for the skin.
- Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam 170ml
This interesting concoction of Baking Powder, rice bran extract, and silica powder deeply cleanses the pores to leave you with soft skin.
3. Exfoliator: Scrub It Like That
The secret to glowing skin is periodic exfoliation. Once or twice a week it aids in removing dead skin cells, repairing sun damage, reversing aging or hyperpigmentation and discoloration, and promoting new skin cell formation. Never forget to end your regimen with SPF, especially on exfoliation days.
Top Exfoliators
- SKINFOOD Black Sugar Perfect Scrub Foam
This Black Sugar exfoliating scrub helps to remove blackheads and cleanses the pores.
- Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
This Clay Mask Exfoliator from Jeju Volcanic Cluster Sphere removes sebum, minimizes pores and improves overall skin texture.
4. Toner: The Balance Refresher
This step is a treat to your skin, and helps restore hydration, and pH balance, and promotes optimum absorption of further products.
Top Toners
- Etude House Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner
This Toner balances your skin pH and helps to keep it hydrated.
- Innisfree Blueberry Rebalancing Skin- Toner
Hydrating product with the goodness of blueberries that rebalance oil-water levels in skin.
5. Essence: The Secret Elixir
The elixir of Korean skincare, essences are packed with hydrating and protecting, fermented ingredients that boost overall skin quality.
Top Essences
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A gentle and easily absorbed essence with active ingredients of 96.3% Snail Mucin filtrate that nourishes the skin, making it bouncy.
- ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Essence
A super hydrating essence that promotes skin elasticity and slows down ageing.
6. Serum: The Superspecialty Team
Serums are more concentrated versions of the essence with active ingredients, designed to curb specific issues such as acne, redness, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, blackheads, etc. in the skin.
Top Serums
- Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum
Formulated from Tea-tree essence with Tri-biotics that rejuvenates dehydrated skin, improves complexion, and nourishes for a smooth texture.
- COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
A unique amalgam of Triple Hyaluronic Acids for instant and deep hydration, reduces oiliness and redness on the skin.
7. Sheet Mask: Just Relax
Sheet masks are soaked in serum, and like an exfoliator, not a regular regimen member. However, they are extremely hydrating and supremely relaxing.
Top Sheet Masks
- Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask-Rice
A rich cream-type sheet Mask with Rice extract for brightening of skin complexion, hydration, and nourishment.
- MIRABELLE COSMETICS KOREA Fairness Sheet Facial Mask
Anti-acne sheet Masks with fruit extracts to give the skin a vitamin-C boost and tighten the pores.
8. Eye Cream: The Sensitive Healer
Eye creams, oils, and gels work with delicate, thin skin near the eyes to reduce dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness.
Top Eye Creams
- Innisfree Jeju Orchid Eye Cream
Early action, anti-angeing eye cream with Orchidelixir 2.0 that smoothen the skin around eyes and prevents wrinkles.
- [Etude House] Moistfull collagen eye cream
This Collagen infused eye cream helps to hydrate the skin around the eyes and prevents dark circles.
9. Moisturizer: To Lock It All In
Called the occlusive layer, moisturizer locks in all the nourishment and hydration from the previous products into your skin.
Top Moisturisers
- The Face Shop Pomegranate and Collagen Volume Lifting Cream
An anti-ageing, volume lifting cream with collagen and pomegranate extracts that brightens and tightens the skin.
- Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Jelly Cream
A Gel cream with Cherry Blossom extract that provides ample moisture lock and keeps the skin hydrated and supple.
10. SPF/ Night Mask: The Final Shield
Sunscreen is the most important step that slows the aging of the skin, by preventing harmful UV rays from damaging it. You should use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or more. The nighttime alternative is a night mask which prevents the products from getting removed from your skin and keeps it hydrated through the night.
Top Sunscreens
- Cosrx AloeVera Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 + PA ++50ml
A powerful sunscreen with SPF 50 and Aloe Vera extracts that revitalizes the skin while preventing UV damage.
- LANEIGE RADIAN-C SUN CREAM SPF 50+ PA++++
A Vitamin- E rich sunscreen with SPF 50 that protects from UVA and UVB rays, with brightening effect and no residue.
Top Night Masks
- LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask_25ml
Intensive moisturizing night mask that makes the skin look bright and fresh in the morning.
- Innisfree Aloe Revital Sleeping Pack
The leave-on, overnight Mask consists of Jeju Aloe extracts which rejuvenate the skin and make it smooth and glowing.
Why Is Korean Skincare So Popular?
Korean skincare is about finding comfort in your skin’s natural texture, systems, and facets and growing its quality based on its unique needs. Rather than stripping off the natural skin barrier to give a temporary clean look, using harsh, dermatologically-questionable products, the routine philosophy features cleansing, hydration, nourishment, and protection of the skin’s natural ecosystem. Thus it thrives.
The gentle nature of the regimens are akin to clean eating and detox that bear long-term benefits and fit naturally into our lifestyles, rather than crash dieting, which bears more harm than good. Hence, the Korean skincare regimen is highly popular and dermatologically beneficial.