It seems that Korean skin care products found a wide audience overnight. Nobody can remember the exact moment they appeared at their local drugstore, but everyone knows how popular they are. Beauty bloggers talk about them, and glossy magazines feature them in their articles about must-have products. But, the reason behind their efficiency remains a secret.
The hype that has been built up around the Korean beauty routine is not in vain. That much is certain. However, it does not represent a revolutionary discovery, but merely a combination of several steps that can do wonders to your skin. You will be glad to know that incorporating these tricks into your routine is neither time- nor money-consuming.
Korean skin secrets are not secret at all — they just have not been fully explored. However, you can rest assured that every method you will read about has been dermatologically tested. If you have ever wondered how to get Korean skin, read on because we are about to answer that question.
Face Steam Massage in the Shower
You are probably already familiar with the benefits of steam for your face. A thorough skin cleansing requires steaming, as it helps you remove all the built-up dirt from your pores. If you have ever had a facial done, you know that steaming is an integral part of it.
What if we told you that you could combine steaming with a facial massage for the best results? What if we added that you could do it while in the shower? You would save time and still be able to treat yourself with a facial that has proved to be one of the main reasons Koreans have such a beautiful complexion. In South Korea, there are face clinics around every corner. Getting an affordable face steam massage in Korea is just as simple as getting your nails done in the west.
However, you do not have to visit South Korea to incorporate a face steam massage in your skin care routine. You can just as easily do it yourself. It does not require any special tools — all you need to do is dedicate a few minutes to your face when showering.
Using your fingertips, massage your face in tapping and circular motions. Start at your forehead and slowly work your way down to your cheeks, jawbone, and chin. Not only will this practice open up your pores and facilitate a deep cleanse, but it will also improve your blood circulation. As a result, you will have tighter skin. If you do not have an oily skin type, you can enhance your massage by using an oil cleanser.
Warm Washcloth Facial Massage
Another way you can benefit from a facial massage is to use a warm washcloth instead of your fingers. When it comes to a thorough cleansing, exfoliation goes hand in hand with steaming. You can combine the two methods and do a facial peeling immediately after a steam massage.
However, you do not have to choose from a wide range of peeling gels that exist on the market. You do not need to have a chemical peel done either. Instead of wasting your money on different procedures and wondering whether they will work or cause skin irritation, you can exfoliate yourself.
Have you noticed that Koreans stay youthful well into their old age? It is not just about their genetics — they routinely exfoliate their skin using a washcloth. What you need to do to prevent fine lines and wrinkles is soak a soft towel in hot water and use it to massage your face in circular motions gently. In addition to improving your blood circulation, a warm washcloth facial massage will also clear away dead skin cells from the epidermis, leaving you with soft and wrinkle-free skin.
When it comes to the frequency of mechanical peels, it depends on your skin type. If your skin is oily and prone to acne and blemishes, you can exfoliate as often as once a week. However, in case your skin is dry and sensitive, you should not do it more than once a month. That is why a warm washcloth facial massage is so popular among Koreans — it is so gentle that you can do it every day. You may also view this Loreal article about exfoliation, so you can conveniently do it at home.
Charcoal Sheet Masks
If you have never heard of the benefits of charcoal for your skin, you do not really have a skin care routine. Although it may seem unusual in the context of beauty products, charcoal is a great detoxifier. That is why Koreans have made it one of the primary ingredients of their cleansing gels, masks, and soaps.
Sheet masks must be among the best beauty products people have invented so far. Koreans seem to have one for every skin type, condition, and purpose. Whether you want to smoothen your wrinkles or lighten your complexion, you can do it with a sheet mask.
Affordable charcoal sheet masks of high quality are available at every drugstore. They act as detoxifiers, thoroughly cleansing your pores and reducing acne and blackheads. However, the best thing about them is that they do all the work while you relax. All you need to do is sit back and leave your mask on for about 15 minutes, depending on the instructions.
You may be wondering: how is it possible that something so simple can be so effective? The key is in serums and essential oils that target particular skin conditions. A charcoal sheet mask will facilitate the renewal of your skin thanks to its concentrated ingredients. You will attain the best results if you use it regularly because your skin accumulates impurities from the environment on a daily basis.
Sunscreen as a Part of the Daily Routine
You may think that you should only use sunscreen when you are sunbathing, as many people do. However, to have healthy skin and avoid premature wrinkles, you need to protect your skin against the damaging effects of UV rays.
Sun exposure is healthy, no, necessary, because it is the only natural way to accumulate vitamin D. Nevertheless, you should not disregard the side effects. The most severe one is skin cancer. But, there are others, such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, as well. No matter how many beauty products you use, if you do not protect your skin from the sun, it will all be in vain.
The truth is, you ought to apply sunscreen whenever you are about to go outside. Its benefits are obvious — it is one of the reasons Koreans have healthy skin with no blemishes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of products you can choose from depending on your skin tone. If you have a light complexion, you should use one with a high sun protection factor (SPF). In case your skin is naturally darker, you can choose a sunscreen with a lower SPF.
Moreover, the market offers sunscreens designed especially for your face. Instead of using the remainder of the sunscreen body lotion you bought last summer, treat yourself a new product. Your face will be grateful to you, and you will be able to see that.
Keeping the Skin Hydrated
Finally, you must not disregard the importance of hydration. Moisturizing has to be a crucial part of your daily routine. You ought to do it twice a day — in the morning after you wake up, and in the evening before you go to sleep. Moreover, you should never apply any make-up if you have not moisturized your face first.
Koreans take skin hydration rather seriously. The secret is in facial essences — they use it right after cleansing, but before a moisturizer. Facial essence is a nutrient-filled solution that is very gentle to the skin, yet quite powerful. After your skin absorbs it, you should add a serum and a layer of moisturizer. In case your skin necessitates quick hydration, you can use an ampoule before essence, as it contains the highest concentration of active ingredients. Additionally, you can include a booster in your routine — it acts as a base for other products and enhances their effectiveness.
You should keep in mind that hydrating your body has an impact on your skin as well. Do not wait until you are thirsty – you have to drink 2 liters of water a day. You probably already know that, but what you do not know is a hydrating secret that has come straight from Korea – barley tea. Not only does it help you remain hydrated, but it also has antioxidant effects, improves circulation, increases skin tone, and even promotes weight loss.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see, simplicity is the key to perfect skin, according to Koreans. You must have noticed that none of the secrets we revealed concerns make-up. That is because Korean skin care routine focuses on promoting natural beauty. Instead of hiding your blemishes, acne, or wrinkles, you can prevent or even erase them.
Lastly, whichever method you choose to incorporate in your routine, remember to cleanse your skin regularly. Depending on your skin type, you can choose from a broad selection of oil-based and water-based cleansers.