K-Beauty Guide: The 10-step Korean skincare routine
K-Beauty is a way of caring for your skin that focuses on gentleness, hydration, and consistency rather than harsh products. This guide explains how to identify your skin type, build your Korean routine step-by-step, and choose the right ingredients, along with the products we recommend for each step.
⚡ The essentials in 30 seconds
- Start simple: a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen are enough to get started.
- From lightest to richest: liquid textures first, creams last.
- Sunscreen is for every morning, all year round, even in winter and on cloudy days.
- Exfoliate 1 to 2 times a week, no more, especially if your skin is sensitive.
- One new product at a time, for 1 to 2 weeks, to see how your skin reacts.
1. What is K-Beauty?
K-Beauty refers to skincare and beauty routines from South Korea. Its philosophy: prevention over correction, by hydrating the skin and protecting its barrier day after day, using light textures that are layered on.
What sets it apart are its ingredients, often inspired by tradition (centella asiatica, ginseng, rice, green tea) and combined with modern actives (niacinamide, peptides, PDRN) in formulas that are gentle and pleasant to use.
A tradition dating back over a thousand years
- Silla Kingdom: young Hwarang warriors were already renowned for the care they gave to their appearance.
- Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392): trade introduced new ingredients, such as vegetable oils to soften the skin and hair.
- Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897): ginseng, rice, and flowers were used in skincare. The brand Beauty of Joseon is directly inspired by this era.
- 1960s: Korea limited imports of foreign cosmetics, which pushed its industry to innovate.
- 2000s: BB cream, perfected in Korea, brought K-Beauty to the rest of the world, later propelled by the K-pop and K-drama wave.
2. Knowing your skin type
This is the first thing you need to know before choosing your products. Skincare that is perfect for oily skin might be too light for dry skin, and vice versa.
💦 Oily skin
Shiny all over the face, visible pores, tendency towards breakouts and blackheads. It needs light hydration and products that regulate sebum.
Oily skin care →☯️ Combination skin
Oily in the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), normal to dry on the cheeks. The challenge: balancing without drying out.
Combination skin care →🌵 Dry skin
Tightness, dull appearance, sometimes flaky. It lacks water and lipids: focus on rich textures and ceramides.
Dry skin care →🌿 Normal skin
Neither too oily nor too dry, few blemishes. The goal is to keep it that way: hydration and sun protection.
Normal skin care →🌸 Sensitive skin
This is not a skin type but a condition: redness, tingling, reactions to products. Few ingredients, soothing formulas, no fragrance.
Soothing care →🎯 Blemish-prone skin
Regular breakouts, blackheads, post-acne marks. You must cleanse gently and avoid stripping the skin, which would then produce even more sebum.
Blemish-prone skin care →3. The tissue test: find your skin type in one hour
- Remove your makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
- Pat dry, then wait 1 hour without applying any products.
- Press a tissue against your forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks.
| What you observe | Your skin type |
|---|---|
| The tissue remains dry, skin feels comfortable | 🌿 Normal skin |
| The tissue remains dry, but skin feels tight | 🌵 Dry skin |
| Traces of sebum on the T-zone only | ☯️ Combination skin |
| Traces of sebum on the T-zone and cheeks | 💦 Oily skin |
💬 Still unsure? Send us a photo on Instagram @coree.beauty: we’ll advise you for free.
4. The 10-step Korean routine
The principle: layering skincare, from the lightest texture to the richest. You don't have to do everything every day. Steps 1, 2, 4, 9, and 10 are the essentials; the others can be added according to your needs and available time.
| Step | Product | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🫧 Cleansing oil or balm | 🌙 Evening |
| 2 | 🧼 Foaming cleanser | ☀️ Morning & 🌙 Evening |
| 3 | ✨ Exfoliator | 1 to 2 times a week |
| 4 | 💧 Toner | ☀️ Morning & 🌙 Evening |
| 5 | 🌿 Essence | ☀️ Morning & 🌙 Evening |
| 6 | 💎 Serum or ampoule | ☀️ Morning and/or 🌙 Evening |
| 7 | 🧖♀️ Mask | 1 to 3 times a week |
| 8 | 👁️ Eye cream | ☀️ Morning & 🌙 Evening |
| 9 | 🧴 Moisturizer | ☀️ Morning & 🌙 Evening |
| 10 | ☀️ Sun protection | Every morning |
1 Cleansing oil or balm
The first half of the famous Korean double cleanse. An oil or balm dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum that water alone cannot remove. Apply to dry skin, massage for a minute, then emulsify with a little water before rinsing.
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SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Light and soothing, ideal for sensitive skin.
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medicubeZero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil
With niacinamide and LHA, for blackheads.
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2 Foaming cleanser
It eliminates what is left after the oil: sweat, pollution, residue. Choose a gentle cleanser with a pH close to that of the skin: your face should feel clean, never tight. If your skin is sensitive, in the morning, a simple rinse with water may be enough.
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Beauty of JoseonGreen Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Very gentle low-pH gel, ideal for sensitive skin.
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3 The exfoliant
It removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and brightens the complexion. There are three categories:
- Chemical exfoliant (AHA, BHA, PHA): acids that "loosen" dead skin cells. BHA is suitable for oily skin, PHA for sensitive skin.
- Enzymatic exfoliant: fruit or rice enzymes, the gentlest solution.
- Mechanical scrub: grains or textured pads, to be used without rubbing.
⚠️ No more than twice a week, never on the same night as a retinol, and always use sunscreen the next day.
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Beauty of JoseonApricot Blossom Peeling Gel
Very gentle peeling gel, for a smooth complexion.
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AnuaRice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Rice enzymatic powder, the gentlest option.
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COSRXAHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Gentle exfoliating lotion for combination to oily skin.
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4 The toner
Unlike Western lotions that are often alcohol-based, Korean toners hydrate and prepare the skin to receive subsequent treatments. Apply with your hands by patting, or with a cotton pad. Korean tip: layer 2-3 thin coats on days when your skin is thirsty.
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SKIN1004Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
Centella and gentle PHA: soothes and refines skin texture.
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AnuaNiacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Pad
Brightening pads for dark spots and uneven skin tone.
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5 The essence
The most "Korean" step in the routine. More concentrated than a toner and lighter than a serum, the essence provides a layer of hydration and active ingredients. It is perfect for adding radiance, especially to dull or tired skin.
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Beauty of JoseonGinseng Essence Water
Ginseng and niacinamide, for radiance and firmness.
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6 The serum or ampoule
This is the most personalized step: choose your serum based on your goal (dark spots, blemishes, wrinkles, hydration). A few drops are enough for the whole face. You can use one in the morning and another in the evening.
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Beauty of JoseonGlow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide
Radiance and clear skin, for combination skin.
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KSECRETSeoul 1988 Serum : Retinal 2% + Black Ginseng
For wrinkles and skin texture, evening only.
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7 The Mask
The cocooning moment of your routine. A sheet or gel mask provides a concentrated dose of hydration and active ingredients. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, remove, and pat in the remaining serum. Sleeping masks replace your evening cream.
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BiodanceBio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
The viral hydrogel mask, designed to be worn for several hours.
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medicubeCollagen Night Wrapping Mask
A night mask to be used as the final step of your evening routine.
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8 Eye Care
The skin around the eyes is much thinner than the rest of the face. Apply a small amount by patting gently with your ring finger, moving from the inner corner outwards. Patches are perfect in the morning to de-puff the eyes.
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AbibCollagen Eye Patch Jericho Rose Jelly
Our best-selling patches, for a rested look.
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9 Moisturizer
It "seals" the skincare applied beforehand and protects the skin barrier. Even oily skin needs it: opt for a gel texture in that case. Dry skin will prefer a richer cream containing ceramides or plant butters.
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AnuaPDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
PDRN and hyaluronic acid, for plump skin.
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10 Sun Protection
The most effective anti-aging step in any routine. UV rays pass through clouds and windows: apply SPF 50 every morning, in winter as in summer, and reapply if you are outdoors. Korean sunscreens are renowned for their lightweight textures, with no white cast.
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Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun : Rice + Probiotics
The most famous Korean sunscreen, natural finish.
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SKIN1004Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+
Ultra-fluid serum texture, ideal under makeup.
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Beauty of JoseonRelief Sun Aqua Fresh : Rice + B5
A fresher, lighter version for combination skin.
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Beauty of JoseonMatte Sun Stick : Mugwort + Camellia
The matte-finish stick, perfect for touch-ups throughout the day.
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5. No time? The 4-step express routine
Ten steps are not mandatory. These four steps cover the essentials and take less than 5 minutes.
| ☀️ Morning | 🌙 Evening | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gentle cleanser (or water) | Cleansing oil + cleanser |
| 2 | Toner | Toner |
| 3 | Moisturizer | Targeted serum + moisturizer |
| 4 | SPF 50 sun protection | Mask 1 to 3 times a week |
6. Key K-Beauty ingredients
Knowing how to read ingredients means choosing the right product the first time. Here are the stars of Korean cosmetics and who they are for.
| Ingredient | Benefits | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| 🌿 Centella asiatica (cica) | Soothes, helps repair the skin barrier | Sensitive skin, redness, blemishes |
| ✨ Niacinamide | Regulates sebum, visibly tightens pores, evens out skin tone | Oily and combination skin, dark spots |
| 💧 Hyaluronic acid | Retains moisture in the skin, plumping effect | All skin types, dehydrated skin |
| 🛡️ Ceramides | Strengthen the skin barrier, limit water loss | Dry, sensitive skin, damaged barrier |
| 🤍 Panthenol | Hydrates and soothes | Irritated or fragile skin |
| 🍵 Green tea | Antioxidant, soothes and helps purify | Oily and blemish-prone skin |
| 🍚 Rice | Brightens and softens | Dull complexion, normal to dry skin |
| 🌱 Ginseng | Antioxidant, provides radiance and vitality | Mature and tired skin |
| 🍊 Vitamin C | Antioxidant, radiance, fades the appearance of dark spots | Dull complexion, dark spots (morning, under SPF) |
| 🌙 Retinol and retinal | Stimulate cell renewal, smooth skin texture | Wrinkles, uneven texture (evening only) |
| 💪 Peptides and collagen | Plumping and firming effect | Loss of firmness, early wrinkles |
| 🧬 PDRN | The trending active: regenerating and plumping | Mature skin, tired complexion |
| 🐌 Snail mucin | Hydrates and helps the skin repair itself | Dry skin, blemish marks |
| 🪴 Aloe vera | Refreshes and soothes | Overheated skin, after-sun |
| 🧽 AHA, BHA, PHA | Exfoliate gently, unclog pores | Blackheads, uneven complexion |
⚠️ Best practices with active ingredients
- Retinol and exfoliating acids: do not use on the same night. Alternate them.
- Retinol, Vitamin C, and acids: sunscreen is essential the next day.
- Retinol: start 2 nights per week, then increase gradually.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: consult your doctor before using any retinoids.
To learn more: our detailed guide to K-Beauty ingredients.
7. Which treatment for which skin concern?
| Your concern | Recommended ingredients | Our selection |
|---|---|---|
| Breakouts and blemishes | Centella, BHA, niacinamide, green tea | Anti-blemish treatments → |
| Acne marks and dark spots | Niacinamide, Vitamin C, tranexamic acid (TXA) | Fade marks → |
| Blackheads and visible pores | BHA, niacinamide, cleansing oil | Blackhead treatments → |
| Wrinkles and loss of firmness | Retinol, peptides, collagen, PDRN | Anti-aging treatments → |
| Redness and sensitivity | Centella, panthenol, ceramides | Soothing treatments → |
| Tight skin, damaged barrier | Ceramides, panthenol, hyaluronic acid | Strengthen skin barrier → |
| Dull complexion, lack of radiance | Vitamin C, rice, niacinamide, gentle exfoliation | Radiance treatments → |
Severe acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis: these are skin conditions that require the advice of a dermatologist. Cosmetics can support a treatment, not replace it.
8. Essential K-Beauty brands
Beauty of Joseon
Formulas inspired by traditional Korean medicine (rice, ginseng, green plum), modernized. Famous for its Relief Sun sunscreen.
medicube
The brand for targeted treatments and beauty devices. Its collagen and PDRN products are among the most requested.
Anua
Specialist in sensitive and blemish-prone skin, focusing on heartleaf (houttuynia). Its cleansing oil has become a cult favorite.
SKIN1004
The entire range is based on Madagascan centella asiatica. Gentle and soothing formulas.
Abib
Minimalist formulas and sleek design. Its masks and gel patches are among our bestsellers.
Dr. Althea
Soothing skincare designed to repair the skin barrier, including the 345 Relief Cream, our #1 bestseller.
COSRX
Effective formulas at affordable prices, known for snail mucin and anti-blemish care.
Biodance
The brand behind the collagen hydrogel mask that went viral on social media.
9. Ready-to-use routines
Don't know where to start? Our kits bring together products that work well together, chosen for a specific skin type, and cost less than buying the products separately.
10. Frequently asked questions about K-Beauty
Is it really necessary to do all 10 steps every day?
No. The 10 steps are the full version. For daily use, a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and morning sunscreen are sufficient. Add other steps based on your needs and your time.
In what order should I apply my skincare?
From the lightest to the richest texture: toner, essence, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and then sunscreen in the morning. Let each layer absorb for a few seconds before applying the next.
Are Korean products suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, many Korean skincare products are designed for reactive skin, using soothing ingredients like centella or panthenol. Introduce only one new product at a time and test it first on a small area, such as behind the ear.
How long does it take to see results?
Hydration is felt within the first few days. For radiance and skin texture, expect about 4 weeks of regular use, which is one skin renewal cycle. For spots and wrinkles, it can take several weeks to a few months.
Should I wear sunscreen in winter?
Yes. The UV rays responsible for skin aging are present all year round, even on cloudy days. It is the most effective anti-aging step.
Are your products authentic?
Yes. All our products are 100% authentic, imported from South Korea, and stored in Switzerland, which allows us to provide fast delivery.
Do you ship everywhere in Switzerland and Europe?
Yes, to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy. Shipping is free on orders over 39 CHF. All details can be found on our Shipping and Returns page.
💌 Need personalized advice?
Send us your skin type and your concerns: we will suggest a routine tailored for you, for free.
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