Do you want to take care of your skin, but find it difficult to choose from the almost endless list of routine ideas? You have noticed that one term keeps coming up: layering. But what does it mean?
No worries! Today, we will teach you how to build a proven routine for facial care: the Korean skincare routine, also known as Korean layering. The goal is to have healthy and naturally beautiful skin.
So, are you ready to finally learn how to take care of your face, to gradually achieve healthier and more radiant skin in the long term?
Korean skincare has conquered the world with its unique approach to skin care. One of the key principles of Korean skincare is layering, also known as the " K-beauty" routine.
This technique involves applying several products in a specific order to achieve the best results for your skin.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of skincare layering and how to create your own Korean skincare routine.
THE HISTORY OF LAYERING?
Originating from Japan, layering is an extremely widespread beauty ritual in Asia. It is sometimes referred to as "Korean layering," sometimes as "Japanese layering." In reality, it is a traditional approach to beauty born from a philosophy of life common to several Asian countries. In France, its many virtues are gradually being discovered: smooth, plump, radiant skin...
In Asian countries, beauty is synonymous with purity. The skin must be clear, radiant, soft, and velvety.Over the centuries, women have adopted gestures and techniques that allow them to enhance their beauty and achieve a flawless complexion. To do this, they use several beauty products.
Layering consists of successively applying several layers of different skincare products to the face, preferably organic, after a double cleansing of the skin. For this technique of layering organic products to be effective, it is essential to know your skin well and target its needs.
WHAT IS THE KOREAN LAYERING ROUTINE?
The principle of the Korean routine or layering routine is to apply different layers of skincare from the lightest texture to the richest texture. This is the ultimate routine for perfectly hydrated, healthy, and radiant skin.This technique is based on the idea that different products work better when layered. For example, a serum is more effective when applied after a toner, and a moisturizer is more effective when applied after a serum. The Korean skincare routine generally consists of 10 steps, but not all steps are necessary for everyone.
The basic steps include:
- Makeup remover
- Cleansing
- Toning
- Serum or essence
- Eye contour
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
As a bonus, you can apply a hydrating mask and add an exfoliation step as needed.Yes, it may seem like a lot, but in reality, each step is essential to provide all the nutrients your skin needs.
THE 10 STEPS OF THE ZERO WASTE LAYERING ROUTINE?
The skincare routine from Korean or Japanese layering: 8+2 steps for glowing and healthy skin. Let's go through all the key steps together to achieve the perfect zero waste layering routine.
1/ MAKEUP REMOVAL
In the evening before going to bed, removing your makeup helps maintain the full health of your skin. It is recommended to remove your makeup every night, even if you are not wearing any (the oil will help you get rid of grease, pollution, etc.). Skipping this step can lead to severe dryness of your skin, promote the development of pimples, and does not unclog pores.
Using an oil-based cleanser is an option that can help preserve your skin.
To be done in the evening!
2/ THE CLEANSER
In the evening as in the morning, cleanse your skin. It helps to get rid of "dry" impurities lodged deep down (sweat, dust, etc.). Once oxygenated and detoxified, the skin is ready to receive other treatments!
Cleansers come in many forms: try until you find the one that suits your facial skin.
To be done in the evening and/or in the morning!
Focus on double cleansing!
When you remove makeup with oil and a cleanser, this is called double cleansing. This moment is crucial for Koreans and Japanese; it allows the skin to detox.
In the evening, it is important to rid the skin of all the impurities and makeup accumulated during the day. As mentioned, this will allow the skin to be oxygenated and ready to receive other treatments afterwards.
The double cleansing step involves using oil-based and then water-based products for clean and healthy skin. Our organic milky cleansing oil provides a pleasant makeup removal and cleansing experience with its milky effect. Indeed, the oil transforms into milk upon contact with water to deeply cleanse the skin. It gently dissolves all impurities.
Next comes the step of cleansing the skin with a foaming cleanser to remove excess oil and any remaining impurities.This step also allows for better oxygenation and regeneration of cellular tissue, which is most active during sleep. The allergen-free, neutral pH formula of our cleansing care transforms into a creamy foam to cleanse and purify your skin without drying it out.
Bonus #1: Exfoliation:
Once a week , performing a scrub helps to facilitate the removal of dead skin cells present on the skin. Exfoliation helps to even out the complexion and promote cell renewal by ridding the skin of dead cells. This process unclogs the pores of the skin and thus improves its oxygenation. In the long term, exfoliation is excellent for maintaining a youthful and radiant face.
Before incorporating exfoliation into your Korean skincare routine, however, make sure you do not have sensitive skin. If this is the case, skip this step or do it at most once a week, or even every two weeks.
To be done in the evening!
3/ TONER, HYDROSOL OR FLORAL WATER
Applying a toner, also called a tonic lotion, after double cleansing, makeup removal-cleansing, helps restore the skin's pH balance.
Toner is another essential step in the Korean skincare routine, as it is the first liquid layer of hydration, with liquids penetrating the skin more effectively than an emollient cream that sits on top of the skin.
Additionally, when rinsing your skin, a thin layer of limescale forms on the surface, which can dry out the skin; the toner helps eliminate this limescale.
Thus, the toner prepares your skin to absorb the other products in your Korean skincare routine applied afterwards. It is the first liquid layer of hydration, as liquids penetrate the skin more effectively than an emollient cream that sits on top of the skin.
Furthermore, depending on its composition, a toner can have a moisturizing, gentle exfoliating, antioxidant, or even repairing effect.
To be done in the evening and morning!
4/ THE APPLICATION OF AN ESSENCE, AN AMPOULE OR A SERUM
Still little known in Western routines, essence is a concentrated formula full of moisturizing and anti-aging ingredients to improve the complexion, hydrate, help cell renewal, target wrinkles, fine lines, and dull or uneven skin tone. It also helps to boost the effects of the serum.
Serums and ampoules are skin-perfecting treatments. Rich in powerful active ingredients, they work deeper to address specific skin concerns such as acne, wrinkles, fine lines, or hyperpigmentation, and help to boost the action of the moisturizer.
Applying one of these three products addresses the specific needs of your skin, especially in the deeper layers. They all have the same goal; their different names come from their concentrations of active ingredients.
In increasing order of concentration, it goes: essence, serum, ampoule.
Once again, your choice should depend on your own needs. You can use more than one. If that is your choice, just remember to start with the most liquid and finish with the thickest.
Our serums help address targeted skin concerns such as blemishes or signs of aging. Enriched with palmarosa and tea tree essential oils, our anti-blemish serum has anti-infectious, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties to purify the skin.Finally, our anti-aging moisturizing face serum is highly concentrated in hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth the skin.
To be done in the evening and morning!
Bonus #2: The sheet moisturizing mask:
One to five times a week, you can incorporate the use of a sheet mask filled with active ingredients and soaked in serum into your Korean routine.
These are very popular in Korea for the many benefits they provide, including deep skin hydration and their soothing effect against irritation. They come in a variety of shapes and colors with different actions (anti-aging, moisturizing, soothing, brightening, etc...).Each mask is infused with the equivalent of a week's worth of lotion or essence, acting as a true hydration booster.
In addition to being highly beneficial for your skin, using a Korean sheet mask allows you to deeply relax: it's a way to take care of yourself both mentally and physically, while also caring for your skin.
For optimal use, place the mask in the refrigerator for about fifteen minutes and apply it for around twenty minutes. Once removed, gently massage your face to help any remaining serum fully absorb.
Of course, if you feel good and want to extend this special moment of relaxation, don't hesitate! Korean women and men sometimes apply it daily. If you have the time and desire, you can do the same.
To be done in the evening or in the morning!
5/ THE EYE CONTOUR
With more than 10,000 blinks per day and skin that is twice as thin as the rest of the face, the eye contour area is particularly fragile and delicate. Often put to the test with concealers and makeup, it is important to treat it to avoid damaging it. Neglected, the skin around the eyes needs special attention.
The application of an eye contour takes only a few seconds, but will have a fundamental impact on the appearance of your face. Its increased fragility compared to the rest of the face makes it particularly sensitive to the appearance of wrinkles.
An eye contour cream can also help reduce dark circles and puffiness, although sleep remains the most important factor for this goal.
Do not use your regular moisturizer to care for this area of your face: it is not designed for the sensitivity of this skin and has a higher risk of causing discomfort if you accidentally get it in your eyes.
To be done in the evening and in the morning!
6/ MOISTURIZING CREAM
Hydration is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. The Korean skincare routine is no exception.
Its objective? To allow water to remain in the epidermis and to strengthen the hydrolipidic film, which provides the following benefits:
- protection against external aggressions;
- prevention of skin dryness;
- prevention of skin aging.
If you have particularly dry skin, choose a suitable product. You can choose from many types of moisturizing products: creams, night masks, gels, lotions, emulsions, or even oils.
You can even apply it in the middle of the day to use it up to 3 times a day if needed!
To be done in the evening and in the morning!
7/ SUN PROTECTION
When the skin is regularly exposed to the sun, its aging is greatly accelerated. Whether in winter or summer, applying sunscreen every day helps reduce the signs of skin aging such as the appearance of wrinkles, maintaining firm skin, and significantly reducing the risk of skin cancer.
To be done in the morning!
You now know how to set up your Korean skincare routine!
As always, remember to choose products suited to your skin and to test different products until you find the right ones. You can also choose from our organic and artisanal products.
It's up to you to create your own facial layering routine according to your needs. Creating your own Korean skincare routine is easy and customizable. The key is to understand your skin type and concerns, and to choose products designed to target those concerns.
The goal of layering is to have beautiful, healthy, and youthful skin for as long as possible. It's much more than a routine; it's a way of life.However, do not do it immediately or overnight; the skin takes 21 days to renew itself, so you must be patient.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.