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Philosophy
The Korean skin care philosophy is based on a holistic approach to self-care, with an emphasis on care rather than skin correction. Unlike many Western beauty routines that focus on quick results, Korean skincare is about achieving healthy, glowing skin over time. This means respecting the skin's natural cycles and treating the skin with tenderness and consistency.
At the heart of this philosophy is the idea of “chok-chok”—the Korean term for glowing, dewy and hydrated skin. Achieving this glow isn't about covering up imperfections; it's about emphasizing the natural glow of the skin through regular care and hydration. The process is not fast or forced. Each step is designed to nourish, cleanse, protect and hydrate, providing the skin with what it needs in accordance with its natural renewal processes.
This approach also emphasizes prevention. Korean skin care routines often include multiple gentle layers, each layer providing targeted benefits to keep skin resilient and youthful for years to come. Through this careful routine, skin care becomes more than a task—it becomes a ritual of self-care and self-respect that nurtures both body and soul.
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Makeup removal
Removing makeup is the first and most crucial step in a Korean skin care routine. This process allows the skin to breathe, removing traces of makeup, dirt and excess sebum that accumulates during the day.
Micellar water
Provides a gentle, slightly acidic cleansing of make-up from the skin. It does not damage the skin's protective barrier and does not cause irritation or peeling. Suitable even for sensitive skin.
Instructions for use:
Apply a small amount to a cotton pad, place the pad on closed eyes or lips for a few seconds, giving the product time to dissolve makeup, then gently wipe off the skin.
Hydrophilic oil
Ideally cleans the skin from BB cream, primer, sunscreen and even the most stubborn makeup. It consists of oil and emulsifier, in contact with water it turns into a white emulsion. The product protects the lipid barrier of the skin from destruction, protects and moisturizes the skin, leaving behind a feeling of cleanliness and freshness.
IMPORTANT: Only hydrophilic oil can completely remove BB cream and deeply clean pores of excess sebum!
Instructions for use:
Squeeze the required amount of oil into a dry palm and massage into dry facial skin, dissolving make-up. Then wash your face with warm water.
Cleansing balm
It works on the principle of hydrophilic oil, however, it has a solid form. It spreads easily on the skin and turns into a white emulsion in contact with water. It effectively absorbs and removes even the most persistent makeup, easily copes with any powder, dissolves greasy plugs and thoroughly cleans, penetrates deep into pores and narrows them.
Instructions for use:
After foaming, do not rinse the product immediately, but wait for about 3 minutes so that the foam bubbles penetrate deeper into the pores and show their cleaning ability better. It can be used as an oxygen mask 2-3 times a week, or as a foam for daily washing.
Most popular products:
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Cleaning
Cleansing is the second step in a Korean skin care routine, which comes after removing makeup. This step ensures that all remaining traces of dirt, oil and sweat are removed from the leather, leaving it completely clean and ready for the next steps.
Proper cleansing reduces the risk of clogged pores, irritation and pimples, which is key to achieving smooth and glowing skin. A mild water cleanser is massaged into the skin in circular motions and then rinsed thoroughly with warm water. This process removes all remaining impurities and makes the skin clean and prepared to absorb all the benefits of the following care products.
Foam
Intensively, but at the same time gently, it cleanses the skin of excess sebum, dust, makeup residues and other impurities that accumulate on the skin during the day.
Instructions for use:
Apply the product to wet hands and lather. Gently massage the resulting foam on the face for a few minutes, cleaning the skin. Wash your face with room temperature water.
Foam scrub
In addition to removing residual impurities, the exfoliating foam is saturated with many scrubbing particles that exfoliate dead cells. Suitable for mixed and oily skin.
Instructions for use:
Apply the product to wet hands and lather. Gently massage the resulting foam on the face for a few minutes, cleaning the skin. Pay special attention to the T-zone. Wash your face with room temperature water.
Most popular products:
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3
Toning
Toning is a subtle but crucial step that contributes to the overall health of the skin. By maintaining hydration and restoring balance, the tonic prepares the skin for all the products that come after it and helps them work even more effectively. In this way, toning becomes an indispensable part of the daily routine, which nourishes the skin and restores its natural glow.
Tonic or toner
The tonic has the consistency of water. It completes the skin cleansing phase, stimulates its renewal, soothes, softens and relieves inflammation.
The toner has a thicker consistency. The hydration phase begins. Removes the feeling of skin tightening after washing, normalizes the acid-base balance, strengthens and regenerates.
Instructions for use:
With a cotton pad: Apply a small amount of toner to a cotton pad and gently wipe your face, avoiding the eye area. This method is especially good if you are using toner to cleanse your skin and tighten your pores.
With your palms: Pour a small amount of toner into your palms, rub them together, then apply to your face with light patting movements. This gives a softer, more moisturizing effect.
Leave the toner on your face to fully absorb before applying other skincare products. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.
Most popular products:
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Treatment
The treatment is dedicated to solving the specific needs of the skin, such as hydration, regeneration, or treating problems such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and acne. In this step, serums, essences, ampoules and other products rich in active ingredients are used that target certain skin problems.
Essence
Enriched with many active components in high concentration. It has a complex effect on the skin: it moisturizes, evens out the complexion, increases tissue elasticity.
Instructions for use:
Apply a small amount of the product all over your face by tapping with your fingertips until it is completely absorbed.
Serum
Highly concentrated special action product. Aimed at solving a specific target problem: treating acne, narrowing pores, smoothing wrinkles, lightening pigmentation, etc.
Instructions for use:
Apply 2-3 drops of the product to your fingertips, then spread evenly over the entire face with light massaging movements until it is completely absorbed.
Ampoules
Ampoules are often used in periods when the skin needs additional care or when we want a more intensive treatment. These formulas contain a high concentration of active ingredients andprovide quick results.
Instructions for use:
Apply 2-3 drops of the product to your fingertips, then spread evenly over the entire face with light massaging movements until it is completely absorbed.
Most popular essences:
The most popular serums and ampoules:
Step
5
Hydration
Hydration is the final step in a Korean skin care routine, which focuses on locking in the moisture and nutrients the skin has absorbed during the previous steps. This step provides long-lasting hydration and makes the skin soft, smooth and radiant. In the Korean skin care routine, hydration is not just adding moisture, but creating a protective barrier that protects the skin from external factors.
Oil
Deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin, removes the feeling of dryness, rejuvenates and slows down the processes of age changes on the face. It can be used as an addition to the cream or even replace it.
Instructions for use:
Apply a small amount of the product to the entire face with light massaging movements until it is completely absorbed.
Face cream
Strengthens the effect of essence or serum, and has additional effects: moisturizes, nourishes, smoothes wrinkles, soothes irritated skin, relieves inflammation. Cream-gel is recommended for oily and mixed skin.
Instructions for use:
Apply a small amount of the product to the entire face with light massaging movements until it is completely absorbed.
Eye cream
Carefully cares for the delicate skin around the eyes: moisturizes, has a lifting effect, protects against premature fading, reduces the depth of wrinkles.
Instructions for use:
Apply a small amount of cream along the lower orbital bone with light smoothing movements from the inner corners of the eyes to the outer ones.
Sleep masks
They provide additional hydration and renew the skin while you sleep. These masks act as a layer of protection that locks in all the active ingredients, allowing the skin to regenerate and rest during the night.
The most popular creams: