Korean skincare routine is an intensive regular routine that many women (and men) stick to in order to maintain a stunningly plump and healthy skin. With most Koreans having such beautiful skin, you wonder what they do to keep it nicely smooth.
Korean Night Treatment
Why is night skincare routine important?
After a very long day, we often feel tired and want to hit the bed as soon as we can. It makes it easy for us to just do a little wash on our face or just skip it altogether. But without a proper skincare routine, we carry whatever dirt and other debris our face gathered during the day right into our pillows. This is often the cause of many skin problems.
Our nighttime skincare is just as important as a daytime skincare routine. While daytime skincare focuses on protecting our skin from dirt and UV rays that we could encounter as we start the day, nighttime skin care focuses more on what happens to our skin after the day. Here are some of the importance of a nighttime skincare routine.
- Your Skin Regenerates at Night
Our skin cells regenerate the fastest during the night because of increased blood flow. If we couple that with at least a 7-hour sleep, we give our skin its best opportunity of healing our skin. And by having a proper skincare routine, not only are we assisting our skin’s natural rejuvenation, but we also rid our skin of any dirt and oils that could do damage at such time.
- Skin Moisture and Temperature are Different at Night
Sebum, the oily substance produced by our sebaceous gland for lubrication and protection, is produced significantly less at night. In addition, the temperature of our skin is higher and our skin also becomes a little more acidic at night. Both these factors make your skin drier and rid of moisture. A good skincare routine gives the needed moisture to keep your skin healthy.
- Your Skin Absorbs Skincare Products Better
Our skin barrier is also down at night. Which means that whatever is in our skin is more readily absorbed. A skincare routine would prevent any dirt and residue from damaging the skin. In addition, whatever skincare products we use also become more effective at night.
How is Korean Skincare different from a typical skincare routine?
Korean skincare routine is far more extensive than a typical routine. This is because their routine focuses on keeping the skin healthy by giving it nutrients that it needs to look radiant and positively glowing. The term that’s always brought out is the 10-step Korean skincare routine, and below are the steps for the complete routine.
Makeup Remover & Oil Cleanser
Oil Cleansers break down any oil-based impurities like makeup and is the base of the Korean skincare routine. To apply, gently massage into the skin and add lukewarm water, then rinse. Do this in the morning and night.
Water-Based Cleanser/ Foam Cleanser
These Cleansers clean up any water-based impurities like sweat and dirt that the oil cleanser didn’t clean. Apply the right amount to the face and neck and massage into a circular manner, then rinse with lukewarm water.
Together with the first step, this is known as the ‘Double Cleansing’.
Exfoliator
An Exfoliator’s job is to remove any dead skin cells and clean your pores. When you exfoliate, remember to be gentle, but focus on your nose and visible pores on your cheeks.
Exfoliate only 1-2 times a week.
Toner
Toners balance your moisture and pH levels and also prepares your skin to absorb the products that will follow. To apply, dampen a cotton bud and gently swipe across your skin or use your hands to pat gently around the skin.
Essence
Essences are like a second layer of moisture from the toner. They’re generally thinner but are packed with ingredients that penetrate deeper into the skin. To apply, drizzle some into your hands and gently pat your face and neck.
Serum/ Ampoule Treatments
Boosters, serums, and ampoules are concentrated products that treat specific skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. Gently apply these products to affected areas,
Sheet Mask
The most known product in the routine, they infuse your skin with concentrated essence. To use, apply the product and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
Eye Cream
Eye Creams are made to moisturize the super-thin skin around your eyes. To use, apply a small amount to your pinky or ring finger to gently tap around your eyes and avoid the waterline.
Moisturizer
Moisturizers can come in different forms, but their essential job is to lock in moisture and the other layers applied. Apply the product gently by tapping all around your face and neck. Apply in the morning and at night, every day.
Sunscreen
The last step in the morning routine is to apply sunscreen, this is the easiest way to prevent premature aging and skin cancer. Gently apply all around your face and neck and reapply throughout the day.
At first, it may seem intimidating, but experts have said that it isn’t necessary to do all 10 steps in the routine every time. What is important is to keep your skin healthy and build a skincare routine that works best for you. That perfect skincare routine can depend on a lot of factors like skin type, daily activities, and the environment. And building that routine may take time and a lot of effort, but that is where the fun is, besides this all to keep your skin smooth and healthy.
Sleeping mask vs Night cream: Are they the same?
With a lot of different products advertised in your skincare, it can sometimes be confusing to know different products and how to use them. Today we will look at sleeping masks and night cream, are they the same product? Short answer: NO.
- Sleeping masks are similar to a face mask, except that they are made for overnight use. They contain ingredients that can vary for different uses and skin types but be assured that they are mildly formulated to be able to be applied overnight. They are used as a final step in nightly routines in order to lock in the layers applied in your skincare and give it an extra boost of active ingredients. Use them about 1-2 times a week.
- Night creams are moisturizers that have hydrating ingredients that can soothe irritating skin. They are often thicker than daytime creams and have ingredients that can’t be used during the day, like retinol. Night creams can be used every night, depending on the product.
Best Korean Night Cream
Elizavecca Milky Piggy Wrinkle Care Revitalize EGF Retinol Cream
Finish your nighttime routine with Elizavecca Retinol Cream. This contains pure retinol and swiftlet nest extract, ingredients that are helpful in minimizing the appearance of wrinkles to give your skin a bouncy skin texture and even skin tone.
Laneige 2019 Renewal- Water Sleeping Mask
A product that will surely keep your skin hydrated overnight. This product has a light formulation to leave your skin soft and supple without leaving any greasiness when you wake up.
The Crème Shop Korean Skincare Overnight Gel Mask
The Crème Shop Gel Mask is a great product that gives a cool and soothing feel. Without an overpowering formula, this product easily absorbs in your skin and gives overnight hydration that leaves a light watermelon scent.
NEOGEN x Joan Kim Vita Duo Night Cream
Wake up with a bright and energized skin with this night cream. Made with Green Tea and Vitamin C that are active ingredients to revitalize your skin and give all-day moisture. It is fast-absorbing and has no added scent.
SKIN & LAB Newest Korean Skin Care All in One Best Anti Aging Vitamin C Night Cream
Bring back your skin’s youthful look with this Night Cream. Made with the Damascus rose stem cells, this unique ingredient hydrates dry, sun-damaged, and discolored skin, a perfect product to use after a long day exposed from the sun.
KLAIRS Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Sleep in peace and wake up with a healthy skin using this Calming Cream. Made with Centella Asiatica Extract, also known as ‘tiger grass’, this plant native from Madagascar is great at repairing damaged skin and is good at preventing skin scars. This product is also great at calming and enforcing the skin barrier of sensitive skin and soothes irritated skin.
Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Probio Ampoule Cream
Pair your good night’s rest with the Missha Time Ampoule Cream. Made with a hydrating formula that gives a smooth and moist skin when you wake up. It also has a smooth and beautiful texture that is comfortable to apply.
TONYMOLY Panda’s Dream White Sleeping Pack
Fulfill your dream of having bright and radiant skin with this sleeping pack. Made with the ingredients Bamboo Sap and Bamboo shoot extract and calms your skin, Lavender extract that soothes inflamed skin and reduces blotchiness.
Nature Republic Deep Moisture Sleeping Pack
Overcome skin dryness with this product made with ingredients from mineral-rich ocean water. This product will give your skin the proper moisture and rich nutrients to make it hydrated and leave a smooth and refreshing feeling in the morning.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
Wake up to a fresh and glowing skin with this sleeping mask. Formulated with a powerful combination of watermelon that deeply hydrates your skin, hyaluronic acid that fights any free radicals, and AHA’s that cleans dead skin cells to leave your skin soft and smooth.
SOME BY MI Niacin 30Days Miracle Brightening Sleeping Mask
Light up your complexion using and keep it smooth and soft with this Brightening Sleeping Mask. Formulated with Niacinamide, an ingredient that is sure to brighten up your skin. In addition, it also contains Goheung Yuja(citron) extract, which is full of nutrients and gives your skin a healthy amount of hydration.
Advanced Clinicals Rosewater Mask
Combat your skin irritation with this powerful sleeping mask. This product is made with Bulgarian rose that prevents inflammation and contains antioxidants to deal with redness. It also contains aloe vera and natural extracts to give an even skin tone while fighting off free radicals.
BANILA CO Dear Hydration Sleeping Mask
Have a good night’s rest accompanied by the BANILA CO Sleeping Mask. This product is formulated with peppermint extract, an ingredient that purifies and controls acne, holy basil, which boosts skin immunity and fights off free radicals, and neem leaf extract, which evens skin tone and gets rid of scars and pigmentation. With all of these powerful ingredients and more, you are sure to wake up with plump and fresh-looking skin.
SKIN79 Rose Waterful Sleeping Mask
With powerful extracts from oriental fruits, this product is sure to keep your skin pure and revitalized. Its main ingredients include pomegranate, mulberry, fig, and ginkgo, along with Damascus rose water. This rose water soothes irritated skin and keeps your skin tone bright and hydrated.
Mizon Good Night White Sleeping Mask
Have a safe slumber and not worry about any irritation with this hypoallergenic and skin protect mask. It is also great at soothing and hydrating your skin while feeling light on the application and leaving a beautiful lavender fragrance.
HOLIKA HOLIKA Watermelon Mask Sheet
By maximizing the power of watermelon, this mask sheet is effective for soothing and calming heated and irritated skin. Using Watermelon Complex, this product protects and gives your skin nutrients from a whole watermelon and keeps your skin moisturized.
Innisfree Orchid Intense Cream
Nurtured by the vitality of Jeju island orchids, this night cream is sure to treat wrinkles, blemishes, and severe dryness. It’s a powerful anti-aging cream that gives your skin elasticity along with giving much-needed nutrients.
SpaLife Anti Aging Bedtime Overnight Sleeping Egg
Have a full skincare experience with this 4-in-1 full face and neck treatment mask. This product is effective in reducing fine line and wrinkles, minimizing acne and small breakouts, all while making your skin look young again.
Baviphat Lemon Whitening Sleeping Pack
Go to bed in a joyful mood accompanied with this Lemon Whitening Sleeping Pack. An effective product that whitens the skin and keeps it moisturized and has a faint aroma of fresh lemon.
Ohui Extreme White Sleeping Mask
Rid yourself dark spots and create an even skin tone using this White Sleeping Mask. This product contains a concentrated snow-white vitamin complex that results in a uniform skin tone and a radiant glow.
The Verdict
We highly recommend you pick the Elizavecca Revitalize EGF Retinol Cream. This product really does a great job of keeping your skin moisturized and making your skin look young and soft. We also highly recommend you to try the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask as it is a great product at keeping your skin hydrated.