Beauty Buzz: The Korean Skin Care Routine

September 22, 2016

Beauty trends come and go and one that is really popular right now is what's known as the Korean Skin Care Routine. Just what is the Korean Skin Care Routine and how does it differ from other facial skin care regimens? Let's learn more!

Interesting Facts About the Korean Skin Care Routine

Korean skincare routine explained by Seed

 

There is a great emphasis on prevention versus correction.

  • At a young age, women in Korea are taught to take good care of their skin, often heading to bathhouses with their mothers. It is cultural to invest time and energy into the art of a skin care routine in order to keep skin looking younger longer.
  • By contrast, in the United States, women are generally a bit more relaxed about their skin care products until they begin to notice subtle signs of aging.

The Korean Skin Care Routine involves many steps.

  • There are ten steps, to be exact. Ten. It is truly a ritual.
  • The idea is that a lengthy (typically 30 minutes) routine helps pamper and nurture your skin.
  • Says esthetician and Korean beauty expert Charlotte Cho: "It’s the lifestyle and mindset behind skin that’s really getting people interested in Korean skin care rituals."

The traditional 10 steps

  1. Cleansing oil to remove all traces of eye makeup
  2. Foaming cleanser
  3. Scrub/exfoliant
  4. Toner
  5. Essence -- a lightweight, less concentrated product used before a serum
  6. Serum (known as ampoule in Korea)
  7. Sheet mask (a wet, paper-like mask)
  8. Eye cream
  9. Moisturizer (usually with SPF)
  10. Night cream

Are ten steps really necessary?

Here's my take: I have been in the skin care industry now for more than half of my life. I believe that taking preventive measures -- beginning a solid skin care routine with potent vitamins and active ingredients -- is really important. I believe that as a culture, we are always busy and in a hurry. This aspect of our lives tends to carry over to our skin care.

We rush. We skip steps. We opt for fast over thorough. Sometimes we "forget" or our too tired to take off our makeup at the end of the day. Other times, we go a couple weeks without exfoliating, thinking "What's the big deal?"

In that regard, I really think that the aspect of taking a break to sit back, relax, and truly pamper ourselves is really important.This "me time" is quite essential to our sense of relaxation and overall self-care.

From a practical standpoint, ten steps is just not realistic, nor is it cost effective. I also worry that there are many negatives to layering 10 different products on the skin in one evening -- allergies, a too-high concentration of certain ingredients, and the greater likelihood of clogging the pores being among my key concerns.

Seed Advanced Botanicals Facial care

Cleanse, toner, moisturize. Do these faithfully. Exfoliate a couple days a week minimum. Wear sunscreen. Take off your makeup before bed. These are my must-do skin care steps. Use facial skin care products with natural and healthy ingredients like Seed Advanced Botanicals facial care.

Have you tried the Korean skin care routine? Thoughts? Share with us!

 

 





Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Lately I've been paying more attention

5 Skin Care Benefits of Black Cumin Seed Oil
5 Skin Care Benefits of Black Cumin Seed Oil

September 14, 2020

Black Cumin Seed Oil is an ingredient used in skin care that is unfamiliar to many. We like to think of it as an unsung hero. Just what is Black Cumin Seed Oil and why is it so beneficial for the skin?

Let's learn more:

Black Cumin Seed Oil, or Nigella sativa, is rich in history. Used in skin care for thousands of years, it is believed that both Cleopatra and Nefertiti used the seeds in their bath water. In fact, it is said that this ingredient has been used by royalty as a natural skin care remedy for over 4000 years!

Black Cumin Seed Oil is an elixir for red and irritated skin. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, Black Cumin Seed Oil is a magical skin care oil that can be used on every skin type.

View full article →

5 Back to School Skin Care Tips for College Students
5 Back to School Skin Care Tips for College Students

September 08, 2020

College students, let us help you establish a healthy skin care and wellness routine.

....

We've all heard about the "Freshman 15." I gained about 7 pounds freshman year. I can tell you that I had many choices in the dining hall, but my mom wasn't there to make sure I ate my fruits and veggies. I loaded up on macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. I drank soda pop instead of water. I made Pop Tarts in my dorm room and ordered pizza regularly. Eat as many fresh, whole foods as you can and drink lots of water. Your skin will benefit from this. I recommend eating lots of 

View full article →

10 Skin Care Benefits of Niacinamide
10 Skin Care Benefits of Niacinamide

September 01, 2020

If you are on the quest for healthy looking skin, this ingredient needs to be in your skin care arsenal. 

Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3 (also called Nicotinic Acid) offers multiple benefits to the skin. It can help to visibly diminish the appearance of large pores, fine lines, skin dullness, and also helps to even out skin tone.

There is solid research supporting the benefits of Niacinamide.This skin vitamin is one that truly benefits nearly every skin type. Other recent research published by the editors of the Melanoma Letter suggests that niacinamide "can significantly reduce recurrences of actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in patients with a history of these lesions."

View full article →

Sign up for our Seed Newsletter Now

Seed offers the Gold Stanard in 5 Star Natural Face and Body Care

Sign up for the latest on new Seed products, healthy beauty, and lots of other perks (including 20% off your first order)