Have you heard of the Korean Skincare Routine
10 – Steps to perfect complexion?
This is a multi-step process which has sparked a lot of interest within the beauty world. The golden rule is, if you’re going to spend 30 minutes applying make up on your face, then you should spend equal amount of time cleansing it off!
Step 1: The Eye Makeup Removal
Remove your eye makeup with a cleanser specially for the eyes (I like Ren’s Express makeup remover -a silky milk formula that contains flower water for gentle but thorough cleansing including waterproof mascara). It is important not to pull or drag the skin around your eyes.
Step 2: The Cleanse
This is want we now call a ‘double cleanse’. First step is a pre-cleanse. Start by removing all make up using an oil cleanser (try Caudalie’s oil cleanser which contains almond oil) use gentle, circular motions with your fingers to massage and clean off that foundation or BB cream. Koreans firmly maintain that massaging the face increases circulation, which equals brighter skin. (We think so too- see my Face Yoga posts). This is followed up with a further cleanse using a cream/foam/gel cleanser.
Step 3: The Exfoliator
Exfoliating with a natural scrub like suki’s exfoliate foaming cleanser to restore your skins glow. Twice a month is plenty, and concentrate on the t-zone. When it comes to facial exfoliation, Korean women often believe less is more.
Step 4: The Refresher (we call this Toner)
Toning is an essential step. It’s believed to help remove pollutants along with any residue from your cleansers, while also restoring your skin’s pH balance. It soothes and preps your skin to absorb the next step—(the essence). For a toner with more interesting ingredients try Aloree Cleansing Water which contains chlorophyll and Barley shoots extracts or suki toners which are highly concentrated botanical tinctures. Dispense the toner onto a cotton pad and wipe your face and neck—and don’t be surprised at the residue left on the pad.
Step 5: The Essence
Considered the most important step to Korean women. Apply Suki’s Radical Youth Serum a multi-vitamin complex or try a shot of hyaluronic acid using Ren’s Instant Firming Beauty Shot for a skin plumping boost. It affects skin on a cellular level, speeding your cell turnover rate which makes skin more plump, smooth and luminous.
Step 6: The Ampoule (or in our case Serum)
These are super-concentrated formulas and are often referred to as boosters. Try Neals Yard Wild Rose Beauty Elixir a luxurious Wild Rose Beauty Elixir formulated with wild rosehip oil, hyaluronic acid, brightening turmeric, a smoothing peptide and the pure essential oils of frankincense and geranium.
Step 7: The Mask
For skin that glows with renewed health and radiance masks must become a twice a week ritual. Try Antipodes Aura Honey Mask – a luscious face mask that deeply cleanses the skin and leaves it soothed and intensely hydrated. It contains 100% pure Avocado oil, Pohutukawa and Vanilla pod. The manuka honey draws moisture to the skin, while the ruby red pohutukawa bloom contains one of nature’s finest antioxidants. Or if you are time poor (like me) try Ren’s One Minute Mask for a transforming treatment that instantly rejuvenates the skin. This is formulated with potent water-activated Vitamin C and will reduce the signs of fatigue, photo-ageing and skin imperfections.
Step 8: The Eye Cream
Gently apply (using the ring finger) Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream around the eye area. This has been SCIENTIFICALLY SHOWN TO STIMULATE SYNTHESIS OF COLLAGEN PRODUCTION IN HUMAN SKIN CELLS BY UP TO 82%. Containing carrot seed oil, aloe gel and 100% pure avocado oil as well as ultra-rich Vitamin C which helps rescue damaged tissue. Take note of the technique as this leads to better absorption of the product, and of course eliminates any of that tugging and pulling.
Step 9: The Moisturiser
Yes, Korean women are all about layering. Again, generously massage your moisturiser with gentle strokes so that it really, truly, penetrates into your skin. Don’t forget to incorporate the yoga moves I previously showed you.
Step 10: The Night Cream
After cleansing this is the most important step in achieving that dewy, moist glow. When and recharge overnight our body enters a healing cycle. Try Antipodes Avocado Pear Night cream as this contains 100% pure avocado pear oil, calendula, sandalwood oils plus antioxidants and is packed with Vitamins E, A, B1, B2, C and D for superior restorative qualities.
If it’s morning time, skip this and go straight to applying a BB cream or a sunscreen for the face.
This entire routine can be done in approximately 15 minutes (masks and exfoliating are not done on a daily basis). The key is to incorporate it as part of your daily routine and remember it is all about nurturing the skin. Sleeping in your makeup is a universal no-no!
Ps. Did I mention there is a process to double cleansing too known as the 424 method – 4 minutes oil, rinse off, 2 minutes foaming and cleanser, and then 4 minutes rinsing off graduating from warm to cold water in order to close your pores!
Will you make time to give this a try?
Naturally yours,
Michaela x