K-Beauty Guide
(for newbies)
Are you new in the K-beauty game?
Here’s a simple step-by-step skincare routine guide to help you start your K-beauty journey.
STEP 1:
Oil-Based Cleanser
Start by clearing away oil-based impurities such as makeup and sunscreen. This first cleanse gently melts away what water alone cannot remove.
Our recommendation: Anua’s Pore Control Cleansing Oil and Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm — both loved by our customers for their smooth, non-greasy finish.
STEP 2:
Water-Based Cleanser
Why double cleanse? Because your skin still needs a deeper refresh after the oil cleanser. A water-based cleanser helps remove sweat, dirt, and leftover residue, leaving your skin clean but not tight.
Try: Round Lab’s 1025 Dokdo Cleanser —one of our most trusted daily cleansers.
STEP 3:
Exfoliator
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and improves how well your skin absorbs the next steps. This doesn’t have to be done every day — 2 to 3 times a week is enough, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Recommended: SOME BY MI’s AHA.BHA.PHA 30 Days Miracle Truecica Clear Pad — quick, easy, and gentle enough for regular use.
STEP 4:
Toner
Toner helps balance your skin after cleansing and prepares it to absorb hydration better. Korean toners are usually light, calming, and full of nourishing ingredients.
Our picks: Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk or Anua’s Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner for a smooth, radiant finish.
STEP 5:
Essence / Serum / Ampoule
This is the step where your skin gets its main treatment — hydration, calming, brightening, or firming. Choose what your skin needs most.
Recommended: SKIN1004’s Madagascar Centella Ampoule for soothing and hydration, or VT’s Reedle Shot 100 Serum for improving skin texture and elasticity.
STEP 6:
Eye Cream
The area around the eyes is thin and delicate, so it needs extra care. Eye creams help reduce dryness, puffiness, and fine lines.
Try: Retinol eye cream is everyone's favorite. Try Beauty of Joseon’s Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinol or SOME BY MI’s Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream for a smoother, brighter eye area.
STEP 7:
Moisturiser
Finish your routine with a cream that locks in all the hydration and strengthens your skin barrier.
Our favourites: Dr. Althea’s 345 Relief Cream for calm and balanced skin, and Beauty of Joseon’s Dynasty Cream for long-lasting moisture and glow.
STEP 7:
SPF / Mask
In the morning, never skip sunscreen—even during Nordic winters. At night, you can replace SPF with a sleeping mask to keep your skin hydrated while you rest.
We recommend: Round Lab’s Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream or Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics for daily protection, and Biodance’s REAL DEEP MASK for overnight care.
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And that's it!
Tip: You don’t need to follow all eight steps every day. The idea of K-beauty is to understand what your skin needs and build a routine that works for you. Some days, three steps are enough — other days, you might want the full ritual.
