Wie wende ich koreanische Kosmetik richtig an?
How do I use Korean cosmetics correctly?
K-Beauty – Korean Beauty – is more than just a trend that spilled over from South Korea. Real beauty gurus have long known about the phenomenon. Proper skin care is far more important than applying makeup. The Korean beauty ritual consists of 10 well thought-out steps and ensures that the skin is deeply cleansed and can shine throughout the day. The Korean ideal of beauty differs from what we are used to here in Europe. Koreans place more emphasis on health, hydration, and nourishing the skin than covering it with as much makeup as possible. In the following we explain everything step by step and how you can incorporate it into your own skin care routine.
Step 1: cleaning oil
The Korean 10-step routine is initiated with a cleansing oil.
What for? Make-up, dirt and sebum are removed from the skin with a cleansing oil. It contains ingredients that not only cleanse the surface of the skin, but also provide moisture. The oil acts as a kind of solvent that the contaminants attach to. The oil, along with the make-up residue and excess sebum, is easily washed off with lukewarm water. Cleansing oil is also great for removing sunscreen from your skin.
How? Apply a small amount to dry skin and massage gently into the skin. Then rinse off the oil with lukewarm water and gently pat the face dry with a soft and clean towel. Cleansing gel is then used. This method is also known as double cleansing
Step 2: cleansing gel – water-based facial cleanser
Cleansing gel is an important part of the famous Korean skin care routine. It is the second step in the double cleaning. What for? Water-based facial cleansers or cleansing gel cleanse the skin more thoroughly of impurities such as make-up, dead skin cells and sebum. Many cleansing gels contain active ingredients that address a specific skin problem. In addition, the skin is hydrated, nourished and balanced. Cleansing gel is suitable for normal to oily skin. A different type of facial cleanser should be used for very dry skin. How? Apply the cleanser to damp skin with your fingers and massage in gently. Rinse the resulting foam with lukewarm water and carefully pat the face dry with a soft and clean towel. After this, a peeling or scrub can be used if necessary.
Step 3: remove dead skin cells – exfoliate and scrub
When the skin begins to develop dry and rough spots, it is time to remove the excess and dead skin cells. This can be done with an exfoliator or scrub. It is not advisable to do this step on a daily basis as it can irritate the skin. Exfoliation and scrub shouldn’t be done more than twice a week. What for? Dead skin cells can be easily removed with a pelling or scrub. This is how healthy, new skin comes out. This process is a somewhat more intensive treatment and is not recommended for sensitive skin. Scrubbing not only removes dead skin cells, but also prevents pimples, blackheads and ingrown hairs. How? Apply the desired amount to the skin and massage in with circular movements. Leave out the eye and mouth region. Then rinse the product with warm water.
Step 4: toner or facial spray
Toner and facial spray give the skin an extra moisture boost.
What for? Residues are removed and the skin is moisturized so that it gets a radiant shine. In addition, toner and facial spray ensure that the following skin care products are more easily absorbed by the skin. They are also a good base for make-up. Face spray can also be used to set make-up.
How? Put a generous amount of toner on a cotton pad and wipe it over your face to remove dirt and tone the skin. Work the toner into the skin for better absorption. Spray the facial spray onto the face from a distance of approx. 20 cm with your eyes closed. Gently dab the spray into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Step 5: Essence
The essence is not yet very well known in Switzerland. However, it is an essential part of the K-Beauty routine. It is comparable to a serum, but has a lower concentration.
What for? Essences provide the skin with moisture and nutrients. Many of them contain antioxidants and minerals that nourish the skin. Essence can be used in both the morning and evening routine. It should be applied after the toner so that the active ingredients can be effectively absorbed by the skin. What remains is an even and radiant foundation.
How? Apply the desired amount to cleansed and toned skin. Then dab the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Step 6: Treatment – Beauty Treatment
Treatments are special treatments that can be used in the form of a serum, an ampoule or a spot treatment.
What for? Each treatment addresses a specific skin problem. For example, some serums take care of dark spots and pimples. An ampoule has a higher concentration than a serum and therefore has a much more intense effect. The active ingredients help to compensate for the lack of moisture, scavenge free radicals, renew cells and deliver additional oxygen to the skin. Since an ampoule is more effective than a serum, it is not used every day for long periods of time. Depending on the ampoule, it is either used daily for just a few days or only every few days over a longer period of time.
How? Depending on the product description, apply the prescribed amount and dab it into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Step 7: mask
To pamper the skin or to provide it with extra care, there are different types of face masks with different effects.
What for?
Sheet masks are the most famous masks in the Korean beauty ritual. The masks have the shape of a face and are saturated with essences, serums or ampoules.
Night masks are applied before going to bed and care for the skin overnight.
Peel-off masks remove dead skin cells and blackheads and ensure that clogged pores are cleaned.
Wash-off masks nourish, rejuvenate and moisturize the skin. After a wash-off mask, the skin feels wonderfully supple.
How?
Sheet masks: Take the mask out of the packaging and carefully unfold it. Place the unfolded mask on the face and remove it after 15-20 minutes of exposure. After removing, dab the remaining serum into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Night masks: apply to dry and cleansed skin before going to bed. The mask can be gently massaged in for better absorption. Leave on overnight and rinse off with lukewarm water in the morning.
Peel-off masks: Apply an appropriate amount all over the face or specific areas of the face. Avoid the eye and mouth area. Let the mask dry completely for 20-30 minutes (drying time may vary depending on the amount applied). Then carefully peel off the dried mask.
Wash-off masks: Apply to dry and clean skin, leaving out the area around the eyes. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
Step 8: taking care of the eyes
The skin around the eyes is very thin and sensitive. Therefore, it needs special care.
What for? The skin around the eyes contains fewer glands, which means that the skin dries out faster and is more sensitive. In order to relieve them, it is important to take care of the area around the eyes on a daily basis. This prevents various problems such as bags under the eyes and crow’s feet.
How? Apply the desired amount to the area around the eyes in the morning and evening. Gently dab the product into the skin until it is completely absorbed.
Step 9: face cream
In the penultimate step, a face cream is applied that is tailored to the needs of your skin.
What for? In skin care, it is extremely important to maintain sufficient moisture. If the skin is moisturized regularly, it feels wonderfully soft and cared for. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to use a face gel. These are free from fatty ingredients and do the best to hydrate sensitive skin. Face creams are ideal for normal skin and ensure silky suppleness.
How? Apply the desired amount of cream to clean skin and gently work it into the skin until the cream is completely absorbed.
Step 10: sun protection
It is not only important in midsummer to protect the skin from the sun. The skin deserves to be adequately protected from harmful rays throughout the rest of the year.
What for? The information on sun protection products in Asia is regulated somewhat differently than in Europe: You use the PA system. This not only takes into account UVB rays, as is the case with the SPF sun protection factor, but also UVA radiation. In order to avoid problems such as skin aging, pigment spots and other skin diseases as best as possible, UVA protection should also be available. Sunscreen is an effective way to prevent the signs of premature aging and skin cancer. Protect your skin from the harmful rays with sunscreen so that it does not burn and is adequately hydrated.
How? Use the sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun. As the last step in your morning skin care routine, rub your skin generously. For continued protection, the sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours.
Most people are initially shocked by the large number of steps. But if you look closely, everything makes sense and the individual steps can be easily integrated into your own routine. Not every step needs to be done every day. It’s about adapting the routine and the products used in it to your own lifestyle, skin type, current skin problems and the time of year. Ultimately, Korean skincare is all about one thing: personalization. K Beauty Blog…