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Sources: Elle.com, NBC News, Dermacare Direct, We Heart This
Essentially a name to categorise the Korean influence upon our own skincare routines and the epic product imports from the country itself, K-Beauty is the secret to looking as luminous as is humanly possible.
Korean women are notoriously obsessed with achieving a flawless finish and tend to view caring for their complexion as the ultimate investment. Presented in a fun and eye-catching packaging and affordably priced too; the skincare products have been around for a long time but only recently become better known as it was introduced to other parts of the world like Asia, UK and the USA plus it has become more easily accessible to get your hands on over the years.
K-Beauty involves simple skincare steps to focus on helping you achieve good health; hydration and brightening effects to then create a super youthful and gorgeous complexion with or without make-up - sometimes known as Glass Skin on social media. Here in the UK, we do love the magic of make-up and the instant results that it can give us, but when it comes to Korean Beauty it is all about taking the time to carve long-lasting results and a beautiful canvas with or without make-up.
While K-Beauty is no longer a new concept to us, its typically kitschy aesthetic kept it confined to teenage beauty cabinets for a few years. But now, Korean skincare has truly come of age, with the likes of Cult Beauty, Net-A-Porter and Selfridges now offering a selection of sophisticated Korean lines that will appeal to the skintellectual as well as the K-Beauty obsessive.
There are 10 steps when creating a full K-Beauty routine, which may seem a little excessive compared to our current skincare routines right now however you have the option to pick and choose the steps you want to incorporate into your routine and trust us when we say, this routine is the go-to for creating a complexion which continues to look better and better over time...
Step One - Oil-Based Cleanser:
The first step of the routine is to cleanse your skin and the delicate eye area with an oil cleanser. Oil has been proven to be very effective when it comes to easily break down oil-based impurities and all kinds of make-up (even waterproof!).
Step Two - Water-Based Cleanser:
Cleanse again! Double cleansing is a super important stage in any routine and even more so in a K-Beauty one. The second cleanse, using either water or foam-based cleanser, helps to remove sweat and general dirt. It is important to use a pH-balanced cleanser to avoid disputing your skin barrier too.
Step Three - Exfoliator:
Use an exfoliator a few times a week to slough away dead skin cells and reveal brighter, more radiant skin.
Step Four - Toner:
Toners have been around for many years, the majority of people still swear by the traditional cleanse, tone, moisturise but what does it actually do? Toners help to prepare the skin for the next steps in your routine, rebalance it and provides the complexion with a beautiful glow. Ultra sensitive skin should opt for unscented toners to prevent the chance of any irritation.
Step Five - Essence:
Halfway between a hydrating toner and a serum and of course originating from South Korea, essences are the new kid on the block but have risen in popularity within the past few years along with Korean Beauty. They are absolutely vital in a K-Beauty routine as they soothe the skin while also healing it at the same time.
Step Six - Serum:
Hydrate your skin further with the use of the ingredient Hyaluronic Acid within Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum - known for its ultra-hydrating properties and ability to retain over 1000 times its own weight in water - you can expect plump and youthful-looking skin immediately. It's like a drink of water for your skin.
Step Seven - Sheet Mask:
This next step has also taken the industry and social media by storm and again - it originates from South Korea! Sheet masks are soaked in serum to further lock in moisture and are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. They are brilliant for a quick boost of hydration. Depending on your skin's needs, you can use a sheet mask daily or a few times a week.
Step Eight - Eye Cream:
Eyecare is taken very seriously in K-Beauty routines. It is a step definitely not to be missed especially when the fragile eye contour is always the first area to show any signs of ageing. Due to the lack of sebaceous glands and constant movement, it requires special care.
Step Nine - Moisturiser:
Next, use a moisturizer to lock in all of the nutrients from the previous steps and keep your skin hydrated.
Step 10 - Sunscreen:
The final step! Korean women have always glorified fairer skin and so for centuries have without fail worn sunscreen daily and stayed out of the harsh sun to prevent skin damage. A perfectly even skin tone without pigmentation marks is highly prized in K-beauty.