If you use a water-based cleanser after using an oil cleanser, you will have mastered the famous 'double cleansing'. This is a thorough but gentle way to cleanse the skin. This double cleansing routine will ensure that you get a clear and clean skin with less noticeable pores in the long run!

Why? A water cleanser, such as a foam and cleansing gel, will ensure that your skin is cleansed even deeper than when you only use a cleansing oil, as described in step 1. It will ensure that the residues of cleansing oil that can remain on the skin are cleaned. It will also help to calm your skin.

Cleansing gels and foaming cleansers are suitable for normal to oily skin. For sensitive or dry skin, a foaming cleanser is less suitable. For this, it is better to use a milder cleanser that is also available in our range.

How? Dampen your skin with water and apply the cleanser to your fingertips, gently massaging it over damp skin. It is important to take your time when cleansing, as this is one of the most important steps in your routine. Once you have finished washing, rinse your face with lukewarm water. Do not use extremely cold or hot water. Cold water closes your pores, while hot water causes damage to your skin and pores, making the following steps in your routine less effective. Finally, pat your skin dry with a soft and, most importantly, clean towel.

TIP: We use tissues to pat our skin dry between steps.

Step 3: Exfoliant

Are you struggling with flaking, dull skin, rough skin texture, pimples and/or blackheads? Exfoliating can be a great way to upgrade your skincare routine!

Why? An exfoliant removes dead skin cells from the skin that build up on the surface of the skin, can dull the complexion and even cause blackheads and pimples. Regular use of an exfoliant will reveal clear, healthy and smooth skin. You can use a chemical exfoliant use of which salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid are well-known examples. There is something for every skin. Also well-known are the physical exfoliants or scrubs , which use pieces of walnut shell or sugar, for example, to achieve smooth, soft skin.

How? You apply an exfoliating toner after cleansing. You also have wash-off products such as masks that you rinse off after a short time. A physical scrub is massaged over the skin with soft circular movements and also rinsed off with lukewarm water. Pay attention to the sensitive skin around your lips and around your eyes.

Step 4: Toner/Mist

We keep saying it: hydrated skin is healthy skin! To hydrate your skin extra, a toner or a mist is perfect!

Why? Toners give your skin an extra hydrating boost after cleansing, helping to achieve that coveted, even-toned look. Toners also help your skin absorb other skincare products better. Toners come in all shapes and sizes and for all skin types. Their main purpose is hydration, but many toners also contain antioxidants or soothing ingredients that help keep your skin in top condition.

How? So many people, so many wishes. Some people soak a cotton pad in toner and wipe it over their face, but there is also a group that applies a small amount of toner directly to the face with (clean) hands. Both ways are possible. A mist spray from about 20 cm away from the face (close your eyes!). Then gently pat the mist into the skin until it is absorbed.

Step 5: Essence

Essences are still relatively unknown in Europe. An essence is a bit more watery than a serum but more concentrated than a toner. A kind of happy medium! They are an essential part of your K-beauty routine because they hydrate and are rich in antioxidants or beneficial plant extracts.

Why? Essences are similar to toners, but they are generally more nourishing and a bit more powerful. They are the key to hydrated, nourished and radiant skin, fitting seamlessly into both your morning and evening routines, providing a rich layer of hydration. In a Korean skincare routine, an essence is essential to create a radiant foundation for healthy skin.

How? Apply desired amount to cleansed skin (after toning). Pat product into skin until completely absorbed.

Step 6: Treatment

This step in your skin care routine is where skin care gets really specific. You can use serums , spot treatments and ampoules use to address specific problems in a targeted manner.

Why? There’s a treatment for every problem. Are you struggling with dark spots? Use a brightening serum with vitamin C or licorice extract. Does your skin need some soothing care? Perhaps an ampoule with centella asiatica or panthenol is for you. Peptides and retinoids stimulate cell renewal and ensure firm, resilient skin. And if you want to get rid of an annoying pimple fast, reach for the pimple patch to speed up wound healing and protect the infection.

How? For serums and ampoules: apply a desired amount to the skin and pat until the product is fully absorbed by the skin. Spot treatments should only be applied to the affected area. If in doubt, always read the instructions on the packaging carefully.

Step 7: Face Mask

Ahhh.. The face mask. Here relaxation and skincare come together in a perfect way! There are different types of face masks, each with their own specific effects and applications.

What?

• Sheet masks are the most famous masks of the Korean skincare routine. These are masks made of a special sheet material that is soaked in an essence or ampoule.
• Night masks are applied before going to bed and nourish the skin while you sleep.
• Peel off masks are designed to remove dead skin cells and blackheads, keeping pores clean and clear.
• Wash off masks care, soften, rejuvenate or hydrate the skin. The name says it all: you rinse them off. After a wash off mask your skin feels wonderful and cared for!

How?

Sheet mask: Remove the sheet mask from the sachet and gently unfold it. Place the mask on the face and leave it on your face for 15-20 minutes. Remove the mask and pat the remaining serum with your fingertips until it is completely absorbed. Taking a selfie is optional.
Night mask: Apply the mask to dry, cleansed skin and massage gently into the skin for extra absorption. Leave it on overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Peel off mask: Apply a moderate amount to entire face (or part of it), except around eyes and lips. Let the mask dry completely for 20-30 minutes, then gently peel off the dried layer. Very. Very. Satisfying.
Wash off mask: apply the mask to dry, cleansed skin and leave on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Step 8: Eye Care

The skin around your eyes is thin and sensitive. This is where the first signs of skin aging often become visible (hello fine lines, bags and crow's feet).

Why? The skin around your eyes contains fewer sebaceous glands, which makes the skin dry out faster and extra vulnerable to wrinkles and fine lines. It is therefore not a bad idea to use a special eye cream for this delicate area that is aimed at caring for and firming the skin.

How? Apply the desired amount around the eyes in the morning and evening. Gently pat the product into the skin until it is completely absorbed.

Step 9: Moisturizer

A good moisturizer that suits your skin type is worth its weight in gold!

Why? A moisturizer is a skin care basic . But the fact that it is 'basic' does not make it less important: in addition to cleansing, moisturizing is the foundation for good skin care. In general, dry skin types benefit most from a face cream or face oil, and oilier skin benefits from a face gel or emulsion.

How? Apply a desired amount of cream, gel or oil to cleansed skin and gently pat into skin.

Step 10: Sunscreen

In Korea, sunscreen is sacred and the sun is the enemy! Can we learn something from that?

Why? The idea that you only need to wear sunscreen in the summer is long outdated. The UV index may be low in the colder months, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors or sit near a window, it is still advisable to wear sunscreen. There are two types of radiation that affect our skin: UVA and UVB. UVB causes sunburn and is therefore noticeable quickly, but UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and destroys collagen. The result is only visible after a longer period of time: pigment spots, wrinkles, sagging skin and even a risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen is an effective way to prevent skin aging (and skin cancer). It protects your skin against the harmful radiation of the sun.

How? Apply sunscreen approximately 30 minutes before sun exposure. Apply a layer to the skin as the last step of your (morning) skincare routine. A rule of thumb is about two fingers or half a teaspoon. Reapply every 2 hours for continued protection.

Hopefully this blog has cleared things up! Ten steps sounds like a lot, but once you know what each step entails, it becomes easier to apply to your own routine. Feel free to adjust this step-by-step plan to your own lifestyle, skin type, season, etc. This way you will end up with a skincare routine that works best for you.