Whether you’ve been scouring Korean beauty routine blogs for a while now or you’ve never heard of the trend, there’s no denying that the obsession with the Korean skincare routine has been getting pretty serious.

After all, just check out the Google search trends. The number of searches for “Korean skincare routine” has skyrocketed since the beginning of 2015.

But does an obsession with a beauty trend make it something you *need* to incorporate into your skincare regimen? Let’s find out. 

First things first. What is the Korean skincare routine?

Though each beauty blog’s Korean beauty routine slightly differs, most regimens include 8-10 steps. (Yes, really.) Here’s a quick rundown of what a typical routine looks like. For a detailed look at the entire regimen, check this out.

Morning routine:

• Wash your face with water only
• Apply toner, essence (a concentrated liquid—like using a sheet mask without the mask), ampoule (it’s like a serum with more active ingredients), serum (it targets specific areas like wrinkles or dark spots), eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen (a daily must!)

Evening routine:

• Wash your face with an oil-based cleanser, then a water-based cleanser to remove oil residue
• Exfoliate (as often as is best for your skin, perhaps once a week or twice a month)
• Apply toner, essence, ampoule, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer
• Use a sheet mask (a few times a week, not daily)

Phew. If that sounds exhausting to you, you’re not alone. Not only does the Korean skincare routine sound monotonous, but it can get pricey quick. Just think of all those products!

How you can incorporate key elements of the Korean skincare routine in your skincare regimen

Of course, you can trim down the lengthy process to find a routine that best suits your skin’s needs. Still, the method can take up extra time (and money!) that you don’t have to spare.

But that doesn’t mean you should write it off entirely. There are some key takeaways from the Korean beauty routine.

3 lessons

1. It’s all about prevention

Adherents to the Korean skincare routine typically start early and keep the good habits going for a long, long time. The idea that taking good care of your skin *every single day* is oh-so-important.

With its emphasis on meticulous morning and evening skincare regimens, the Korean beauty routine makes it pretty clear that simply wiping off your mascara isn’t enough. After all, the best skincare routine usually doesn’t entail realizing that you should probably apply some SPF once you hit your 30’s.

A careful skincare routine (complete with daily sunscreen!) truly makes a difference in the long run. This doesn’t mean that you must spend an hour every day over the sink.

Instead, let this be your first lesson from the Korean beauty routine. It’s worth it to spend time thinking about and taking care of your skin every day. Find a process that works for your schedule and make it a consistent habit. Your future self will thank you.

2. Invest in quality products

The extensive routine isn’t long for no reason. It’s intended to get the user to incorporate quality skincare products into their daily life. After all, that face scrub you’ve been using since high school probably isn’t cutting it anymore.

Of course, you don’t need to get essence from South Korea shipped to you overnight. The takeaway here is that what you put on your face matters.

Invest in quality skincare products that feature hardworking, natural botanicals—not cheap filler ingredients.

Try our Revitalize Face Oil. Its powerful blend of antioxidants and natural oils restores elasticity, protects against the sun, and makes your skin glow.

Looking for a quality daily moisturizer? Check out our new and improved Daily Face Repair formula. It uses ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and rosehip to moisturize and soothe your skin. Plus, it’s perfect for sensitive and mature skin.

3. Hydration is key

So many of the Korean skincare routine steps are meant to hydrate the skin and give it a luminous, dewy appearance. Remember the essences, ampoules, serums, and sheet masks?

However, you don’t need a shelf full of products to make sure that you hydrate your skin properly.

A daily moisturizer like Daily Face Repair and a night cream like the Overnight Recovery Cream will work like a charm. This antioxidant-rich night cream helps your skin retain moisture, improves firmness, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.

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You don’t have to get caught up in the Korean skincare craze. Simply incorporate what makes the routine so beneficial into your own regimen.

Looking for quality products that’ll give you glowing skin? Shop Buckler’s.