A Korean skincare routine layers lightweight, hydrating products from thinnest to thickest: cleanse, tone, essence, serum, moisturize and, in the morning, sunscreen. The aim is the dewy, healthy "glass skin" look.
The K-beauty routine in order
- Cleanse. An oil cleanser at night, then a gentle water-based cleanser such as the Gentle Deep Cleanser.
- Tone. Rebalance and prep, e.g. the PDRN & Copper Peptide Toner Serum.
- Essence. The signature K-beauty step: our Snail Mucin Essence.
- Serum. Target one concern, e.g. the Vitamin C Serum.
- Eye care. A cooling eye gel.
- Moisturize. Seal everything in.
- SPF (AM). Finish with sunscreen.
Weekly extras
- A clay mask once or twice a week: Dead Sea Mud Mask.
- A gua sha massage for a sculpted look: read our gua sha guide.
K-beauty ingredients to know
- Snail mucin: hydration and bounce.
- PDRN: see the PDRN guide.
- Peptides and cica: smoothing and soothing.
- Reedle Shot (micro-spicules): helps absorption.
Do I need all the steps?
No. A minimal K-beauty routine is cleanser, essence or serum, moisturizer and SPF. Add steps as your skin needs them. Shop Korean skincare.
FAQ
What is glass skin?
A K-beauty term for skin so hydrated and smooth it looks almost translucent and reflective.
How many steps does a Korean skincare routine have?
The famous version has 10, but 4–7 steps is plenty for most people.
Essence or serum: what's the difference?
An essence is thinner and mainly hydrating; a serum is more concentrated and targeted.
This article is for general information about cosmetic products and is not medical advice.