Building Your Own Routine
Even a simplified version of a Korean skincare routine can be intimidating, but don’t worry! This guide will help you understand what you’re looking for and how to get there.
1. Identify your skincare goals
Do you want to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles? Shrink your pores? Get rid of blackheads? Something else? All of the above? That’s exactly what the K-beauty routine was designed for! The best part of a multi-step skincare routine is that you can address multiple issues at once.
2. Identify your skin type
Knowing that you’re oily/combo/normal/dry will help you narrow down product choices, but don’t feel limited by your skin type. If a product achieves the skincare goals you’re looking for, but wasn’t made for your skin type, use it anyway! Skincare is incredibly personal and at the end of the day should be something that makes you feel good about yourself.
3. Research the products you want to add to your routine
Where blogs like yours truly come in! There are quite a few places online (Soko Glam, Skin & Tonics, Snow White & the Asian Pear) that have suggested products for different skin types
4. Add one product at a time
Always add in one product at a time to make sure you’re not sensitive to any of the ingredients and that each product layers well with the rest of your steps. You may not hit VIB Rouge just adding one step at a time, but your bank account will thank you.
It can be tricky to tell the difference between essences/serums/ampoules/emulsions/moisturizers at times, so when in doubt, layer your skincare in this order:
watery/lightest product —–> creamy/heaviest (or oil-based) product
5. Patch test each product
Whenever you add a new product/step to your skincare routine, always always always patch test the product first. You’d be surprised what can cause a reaction, and it’s much better to deal with a small patch than trying to repair your whole face.
You can patch test different areas to find out different things
- Behind the ear to check for allergies
- Where you’re most sensitive to check for irritation
- Where you break out the most to check for acne/breakouts
Patch test until you’re sure you don’t react to a product. This takes anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, and depends on how long it normally takes your skin to react to something.
5. Try new things and don’t get discouraged!
It can take some trial and error to get a handle on the ingredients and techniques that work best with your skin, but the more products you try out, the better idea you’ll have of what works for you. Take notes on products you’re testing out to keep track of things you like and things you don’t. I have a weekly sheet you can print out and use to keep track of the products you’re using on a weekly basis.