A beginner’s guide to Korean skin care

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MANILA, Philippines — Aspiring for flawless Korean skin is one thing, but getting there is another. Have you scoured YouTube for tutorials, only to close the tab in confusion after you’re whisked through a 10-step skin care routine?

Facial wash, toner, moisturizer, and sunblock are the usual mainstays of beauty routines. But if you’re looking to strengthen your beauty arsenal, here are products to ease you into a Korean skin care routine.

Remember to patch test new products and start slow. If you apply a gazillion products all at once, you may just end up irritating your skin.

Oil cleanser

Koreans take cleansing pretty seriously. Prior to your foam-based facial wash, you also need an oil-based cleanser to thoroughly break your makeup down.

Try: Banila Co Clean It Zero

Exfoliator

After cleansing, use an AHA, which exfoliates the skin surface to reduce hyperpigmentation, or a BHA, which unclogs pores and reduces acne inflammation. Use 2-3 times a week, but reduce if your skin feels dry.

Try: Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Essence

Pat on your toner after exfoliating to balance the pH of the skin, then use essence. Essences promote cell turnover, skin regeneration, and hydration.

Try: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Sheet mask

Sheet masks contain ingredients targeting concerns such as brightening, acne reduction, and hydration. Use for 15-20 minutes. Don’t leave on for too long, otherwise it might cause irritation. Bonus: Sometimes these come in cute designs!

Try: Goodal Baby Perennis Radiance Mask

Eye cream

To provide extra hydration, tap in the product using your ring finger. Do it gently — don’t tug at the skin, because the area is very thin.

Try: Innisfree Green Tea Seed Eye Cream

After your eye cream, pat on your moisturizer, or sunblock if it’s morning. You still need SPF even if you won’t be going out of the house.

Which products are you looking forward to trying out? — Rappler.com