Famed for their meticulous skincare regimes, women in Korea use up to 12 products every morning and night. Katie Wright takes a peak inside their beauty cabinets
There’s a quote (often attributed to late make-up mogul Helena Rubinstein) that’s rumoured to be very popular in Korea: there are no ugly women, only lazy ones.
This could explain why it’s often also alleged that Korean women spend an hour every morning and night on their skin, using up to 12 products at a time. But that can that really be true?
“Absolutely, especially the older generations,” says Katalin Berenyi, co-founder of Erborian, the brand that blends Korean and French skincare expertise. “Korean women use lighter and less concentrated galenics textures, so that the total intake of actives is better balanced.”
“The nightly skincare regime can range anywhere from eight to 17 steps,” confirms Britta Brauer, Founder of Asian cosmetics online shop BestBBCreams.co.uk. “In Korea, and in most parts of Asia, it’s not very common for women to wear heavy make-up, so the emphasis lies in having naturally clear and even skin.”
And who wouldn’t want that?
Plenty of Korea’s most famous skincare brands are now available over here – so all you need to do is put aside those two hours to use them (good luck!).
To help, I’ve narrowed the process down to a (slightly) more manageable 10 essential Korean steps, plus the kit to match…
1. MAKE-UP REMOVAL
“The first step of the nightly routine is to use a make-up remover, ideally an oil-based one, because it’s more effective at removing waterproof make-up, especially mascara, without irritating skin,” says Brauer.
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil, £13.99 (BestBBCreams.co.uk)
2. CLEANSING
“Wash the face with a cleansing foam to get rid of all the leftover make-up residue, as well as dead skin cells. It’s important that every little bit of make-up is removed so there is nothing to clog pores, and to leave a clean canvas for all the following steps.”
3W Clinic Brown Rice Foam Cleanser, £5.99 (BestBBCreams.co.uk)
3. EXFOLIATION
“Daily exfoliation is done in the evening, with very gentle products,” says Berenyi. “Our Western products are often considered too aggressive.” A major craze in South Korea, Silk Finger Balls – made from real silk cocoons – are soaked in warm water and massaged over skin to exfoliate, also sealing in moisture thanks to silk’s super-strength amino acids.
CosRx Blackhead Silk Finger Balls, £10 for 12 (CultBeauty.co.uk)
4. REFRESHING
It sounds like our equivalent of toning, but “this is the really hydrating step”, insists Berenyi. “Don’t use your usual tonic, as it will dry up the skin, choose instead a truly moisturising lotion.”
Erborian Herbal Energy Lotion Mist, £30 (www.selfridges.com)
5. BOOSTER
“Boosters and ’ampoules’ represent relatively new steps in Korean skincare,” Berenyi says. Used as a sort of pre-serum, they “prepare skin to open up and receive more of the precious actives”.
Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule, £27.90 (Amazon.co.uk)
6. ESSENCE
Similar to serum, the ’essence’ step delivers the most actives to your skin. “You use your hands, which is always best for face care,” advises Berenyi. “Clean them thoroughly first, then apply a few drops of essence on your face and neck and tap the skin to help penetration.”
Erborian Dongbaek Camelia Essence, £65 (www.selfridges.com)
7. MASK
“The sheet mask is used once or twice a week,” says Brauer, of the slightly scary looking white face-shaped patch. “It’s soaked in a serum that provides intensive care for your skin. Once you take off the mask, you gently pat the serum into your skin until it has been fully absorbed.”
Skin Food Avocado Rich Essence Mask Sheet, £2.49 (BestBBCreams.co.uk)
8. EYE CREAM
“Since the eye area is delicate and prone to being dry more easily, it’s important to keep skin under the eyes extra hydrated by using an eye cream,” says Brauer. Erborian eye cream contains energising ginseng and herbs to reduce puffiness.“
Erborian Ginseng Infusion Total Eye Cream, £36 (www.selfridges.com)
9. DAY CREAM
For daytime, you should switch your moisturiser according to your skin condition and the season, so you’ll need at least three types, says Berenyi: “A light gel type that’s not too rich for summer, a milky lotion or fluid type for spring and autumn, and a more creamy formula for winter, when skin is in need of nurturing.” And if you’re looking to calm redness, try a bee venom cream, an innovation that originates in Korea.
Mizon Bee Venom Calming Fresh Cream, £32 (CultBeauty.co.uk)
10. NIGHT CREAM
“The final step of the day is the night cream, which tends to have a thicker consistency,” Brauer says. “It adds extra moisture and also acts as a barrier, leaving skin really soft and hydrated in the morning.” Plus, if acne is an issue for you, you’ll want to finish by covering any burgeoning blemishes with another genius Korean invention, the pimple patch, which uses wound-healing technology to stop spots in their tracks.
Mizon Hyaluronic Ultra Suboon Cream, £7.99 (BestBBCreams.co.uk)
CosRx Pimple Master Patch, £10 for 24 (CultBeauty.co.uk)