#WeTried The 10-Step Korean Skincare Regime For A Week—Chelsea
I mean, if I want to get eviable glowing skin like Koreans, I should start by following their skincare routine, yes?
I’ve long known about Koreans and their famously tedious skincare regimes, with steps that supposedly yield amazing results. Thing is… who has the time (and patience) every day (and night) to tend to their skin? Certainly not me. But since we’ve gotten multiple requests to look into a typical Korean skincare routine, we decided to pick the most well-known—one with 10 steps.
Skincare Profile
Skin Type: Normal-Oily combination
Makeup wearer: Yes
Skincare regimen: Cleanse, Tone, Treat, Moisturise
Day 1
11.30 p.m. — I was determined to not procrastinate since it’s the start of the 10-step skincare regime journey, but no surprise there… I did laze around just a little. I managed to complete the first two steps of the routine in the shower; oil and water cleanse. I usually take my makeup off with a makeup remover wipe and then cleanse again with facial gel, but since the steps called for an oil-based cleanser, I stuck to it.
11.45 p.m. — Slathered on my (current) favourite exfoliating Magnaminty mask from Lush and got to doing some work. Step three down.
12.30 a.m — After washing the mask off I hustled on with the rest of the steps. Toner, check. Essence — I dug something out from my mom’s skincare stash since I didn’t have one, but check on that too. For treatment, I went ahead with my usual nightly dose of salicylic acid to keep the acne at bay… check that as well.
1.00 a.m. — I didn’t have an eye cream, but I do have a caffeine-based eye serum that I always skip out on (because of pure laziness) so I dug that out and used that in place. Followed up with a gel moisturiser — my favourite step. I only use oil-free moisturisers because I hate the greasy feeling on my skin when I finally get to bed.
1.15 a.m. — Gave my skin some time to absorb the moisturiser while sipping on green tea. Soko Glam recommended using sunscreen on the skin, but since this is a night-time routine I’m replacing it with rosehip oil instead.
Steps completed: 9
Day Two
10.45 p.m. — Finally got out of the shower after 45 minutes, with a good 10 spent on ridding my full-face of makeup with the oil cleanser. I still prefer my makeup wipes.
11 p.m. — Decided to skip the exfoliating step today because I’ve had a long day out and I simply couldn’t bring myself to walk over to the bathroom to wash the mask off. I was also too lazy to crack open a sheet mask pack, so that will be saved for another day.
11.20 p.m. — Managed to complete the remaining steps in record time (advisable or not, we’ll know in a week, hopefully). I’m nursing a couple of angry pimples so the treatment step of salicylic acid is particularly important these couple of days.
Steps completed: 7
Day Three
11 p.m. — I caved in today and went back to my makeup remover wipes before bath, but I’m counting that as a step too (since it took off my entire face of product in five minutes flat). Didn’t want to do the exfoliating mask today either, so I switched the gel cleanser out for something that has exfoliating bits for a two-in-one step.
11.23 p.m. — Feeling pretty chirpy about skincare today so I decided to pop open a sheet mask. Had it on for 20 minutes while I packed my bag for class the next day.
11.42 p.m — I love how supple my skin feels in the morning after incorporating rosehip oil after my moisturiser step, so I’ll keep up with that.
Steps completed: Perfect 10!
Day Four
10.30 p.m. — Thursdays are always my longest days (sorry Prof Kai); I’ve been out of the house since 8 a.m. And when trying days are coupled with atrocious weather (32°C?!), you can bet that the only thing I wanted to do when I got home was to have a good bath and go straight to bed.
11.30 p.m — So I guess I lied about keeping up with the rosehip oil… I was so exhausted the only product I used after bath was an overnight mask (read: heavy duty moisturiser) to make up for all the skipped steps. Will do better tomorrow, promise.
Steps completed: 3 *shame*
Day Five
9.10 p.m. — I stayed home the entire day today, so I have ample time (and energy) to hop back on board the 10-step routine. Left the oil cleanser out today since I didn’t have any makeup on.
9.30 p.m. — You know that feeling when the first sip of coffee in the morning touches your soul? That’s exactly how I feel when applying the first dollop of the cool exfoliating mask on my face at night. If only it didn’t take that much time and effort, I’d be happy to get on board with it every other day.
10 p.m. — Still nursing angry hormonal pimples, but I’m rather pleased that there aren’t any on my cheeks. Usually happens during ~this~ time of the month. Saved the sheet mask for the weekend.
Steps completed: 8
Day Six
8.30 p.m. — It’s Saturday, and I was determined to really enjoy my skincare pamper session today so I started early. Used an exfoliating mask yesterday so I decided to switch over to my exfoliating cleanser today.
9.00 p.m. — I’m gonna let you guys in on a secret… I’m actually a sheet mask hoarder. I’ll buy and keep them, and end up being too busy (or lazy) to use them. Embarking on this skincare journey actually saw me digging up unopened boxes of masks. I decided to go ahead with a zinc gluconate and tea tree oil-infused one by For Beloved Girl to combat the dreaded pimples.
9.53 p.m. — Ending the day with rosehip oil and a cup of camomile tea.
Steps completed: Perfect 10!
Day Seven
10.17 p.m. — Just like that, I’ve successfully reached the last day the most rigourous skin care routine trial, ever. The mask from yesterday worked well in ridding the redness from my pimples, so I’m using it again today. To commemorate our week-long effort, I’m going to make sure I complete every single step, just to end things on a perfect note.
Steps completed: Perfect 10!
Final thoughts
My skin does feel smoother and more supple to the touch, and I fully credit that to the regular exfoliating step. The rosehip oil also served as an extra boost of hydration so that my skin doesn’t dry out during the night in an air-conditioned room. The results of the 10-step skin care routine are satisfactory, no lying there, but boy — this takes so. much. effort.
I do have a newfound respect for anyone who religiously sticks to the routine on the daily. Before this I often wonder, how is it that Koreans all have flawless, translucent skin — and I finally got my answer. Some may be born with it, but for the rest, it’s a deserving reward for their amazing tenacity. It’s as they say, you reap what you sow. This journey did put things into perspective as well; I’m actually not as busy as I make myself out to be… I’m really just lazy (laughs).
Will I continue on with the routine? For sure, yes, but probably not all 10 steps. Just the ones that worked out well for me. And I guess that’s what beauty is all about; nothing’s ever a one-size-fits-all.
This is a two-part skincare diary series, click here for Fabian’s journey.
