Korean Layering Routine: The ultimate guide to glowing, radiant skin

Do you want to take care of your skin, but find it difficult to choose from the almost infinite list of routine ideas? You've noticed a recurring term: layering. But what does it mean?

Don't panic! Today, we're going to teach you how to build a tried-and-tested routine for facial care: the Korean skincare routine, also known as Korean layering. The goal is to have healthy, 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 multiple products in a specific order to achieve the best results for your skin.

In this article, we'll explore the benefits of layering skincare and how to create your own Korean skincare routine.

 

THE HISTORY OF LAYERING?

Originating in Japan, layering is an extremely common beauty ritual in Asia. We sometimes talk about "Korean layering" and sometimes "Japanese layering." In reality, it's a traditional approach to beauty born from a common philosophy of life shared by several Asian countries. In France, its many virtues are gradually being discovered: smooth, plump, luminous skin...

In Asian countries, beauty is synonymous with purity. The skin must be clear, luminous, soft, and velvety. Over the centuries, women have adopted gestures and techniques that allow them to enhance their beauty and have an impeccable 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 cleanse. 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 care from the lightest texture to the richest texture. It is the ultimate routine for perfectly hydrated, healthy, and radiant skin. This technique is based on the idea that different products work best 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
• Sun protection
• Lip balm

 

As a bonus, you can apply a hydrating mask and add an exfoliation step according to your needs. Yes, it may seem like a lot, but in reality, each step is essential to provide all the nutrients to your skin.

 

THE 10 STEPS OF THE ZERO-WASTE LAYERING ROUTINE?

The Korean or Japanese layering skincare routine: 8+2 steps for yellow, healthy skin. Let's look at all the key steps to having a perfect zero-waste layering routine.

 

1/ MAKEUP REMOVAL

Removing your makeup in the evening before going to bed helps maintain the full health of your skin. It is advisable to remove makeup every evening even if you don't wear makeup (the oil will help you get rid of grease, pollution, etc.). Forgetting this step can lead to severe dryness of your skin, promote the development of pimples, and doesn't unclog pores.

Using an oil-based cleanser is an option that can help protect your skin.

To be done in the evening!

 

2/ THE CLEANSER

Cleanse your skin both morning and evening. It helps get rid of deep-seated "dry" impurities (sweat, dust, etc.). Thus oxygenated and detoxified, the skin is ready to receive other treatments!

Cleansers come in many forms: experiment until you find the one that suits your facial skin.

To be done in the evening and/or morning!

Focus on double cleansing!

When you perform makeup removal with oil and a cleanser, it's called double cleansing. This moment is crucial for Koreans and Japanese, as it allows the skin to detox.

In the evening, it's important to rid the skin of all the impurities and makeup accumulated during the day. As we've said, this will allow the skin to be oxygenated and ready to receive other treatments afterward.

The double cleansing step involves using oil-based and then water-based products for clean and healthy skin. Our organic milky cleansing oil allows for pleasant and cleansing makeup removal 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 skin cleansing step with a foaming cleanser to remove excess oil and the last impurities. This step also allows for better oxygenation and regeneration of cellular tissue, which is most active during sleep. The allergen-free formula with a neutral pH of our cleansing treatment transforms into a creamy foam to cleanse and purify your skin without drying it out.

 

Bonus #1: Exfoliation:

Once a week, exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliation evens out the complexion and promotes cellular renewal by ridding the skin of dead cells. This process unclogs skin pores and thus improves its oxygenation. In the long term, exfoliation is excellent for maintaining a youthful and radiant face.

However, before incorporating exfoliation into your Korean skincare routine, make sure you don't have sensitive skin. If this is the case, skip this step or do it at most once a week, or even once every two weeks.

To be done in the evening!

 

3/ TONING LOTION, HYDROSOL, OR FLORAL WATER

Applying a toner, also called toning lotion, after double cleansing and makeup removal, helps to bring the skin's pH back into balance.

Toning lotion is another essential step in the Korean skincare routine, as it is the first liquid layer of hydration, and liquids penetrate the skin more effectively than an emollient cream that sits on top of the skin.

Moreover, when you rinse your skin, a thin layer of limescale forms on the surface of the skin, which can dry out the skin; the toning lotion removes 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, and liquids penetrate the skin more effectively than an emollient cream that sits on top of the skin.

In addition, depending on its composition, a toning lotion can have a moisturizing, light exfoliating, antioxidant, or repairing effect.

To be done in the evening and morning!

 

4/ APPLICATION OF AN ESSENCE, AMPOULE, OR SERUM

Still relatively unknown in Western routines, essence is a concentrated formula packed with moisturizing and anti-aging ingredients to improve complexion, hydrate, aid cellular renewal, target fine lines, wrinkles, and dull, uneven skin tone. It also boosts the effects of serum.

Serums and ampoules are skin perfection treatments. Rich in powerful active ingredients, they act more deeply to address specific skin concerns such as acne, fine lines & wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation, and they boost the action of moisturizer.

Applying one of these three products addresses your skin's specific needs, especially in the deeper layers. They all have the same goal; their different names come from their active ingredient concentrations.

In increasing order of concentration, it goes: essence, serum, ampoule.

Again, your choice should depend on your own needs. You can use more than one. If that's your choice, just remember to start with the most liquid and finish with the thickest.

Our serums treat 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 hydrating facial serum is highly concentrated in hyaluronic acid to plump and smooth the skin.

To be done in the evening and morning!

 

 

 

Bonus #2: The hydrating sheet mask:

One to five times a week, you can incorporate the use of a sheet mask filled with active ingredients and impregnated with 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 multitude of shapes and colors with different actions (anti-aging, hydrating, soothing, illuminating, etc.). Each mask is impregnated with the equivalent of a week's worth of lotion or essence, acting as true hydration boosters.

In addition to doing your skin a great deal of good, using a Korean sheet mask allows you to relax deeply: enough to do yourself good mentally and physically, in addition to taking care of your skin.

For optimal use, the mask should be placed in the refrigerator for about fifteen minutes and then applied for about twenty minutes. Once removed, gently massage your face until any remaining serum is well absorbed.

Of course, if you feel good and want to extend this special moment of relaxation, don't deprive yourself! Koreans sometimes apply it daily. If you have the time and desire, you can do the same.

To be done in the evening or morning!

 

5/ THE EYE CONTOUR

With over 10,000 blinks per day and skin twice as thin as the rest of the face, the eye contour area is particularly fragile and delicate. Often put through a lot with concealers and makeup, it's important to treat it to avoid damaging it. Neglected, the skin around the eyes needs special attention.

Applying an eye contour cream takes 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 susceptible 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 classic moisturizer to care for this area of your face: it is not designed for the skin sensitivity of this area and has a greater risk of causing discomfort if you accidentally get it in your eyes.

To be done in the evening and morning!

 

6/ THE 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 strengthen the hydrolipidic film, which provides the following benefits:

• protection against external aggressions;
• combats skin dryness;
• prevents skin aging.

If you have particularly dry skin, opt for a suitable product. You have a choice of many forms of moisturizing products: creams, night masks, gels, lotions, emulsions, or even oils.

You can even apply it in the middle of the day to apply it a total of 3 times a day if necessary!

To be done in the evening and morning!

 

7/ SUN PROTECTION

When skin is regularly exposed to the sun, its aging is greatly accelerated. Whether in winter or summer, applying sunscreen every day helps reduce signs of skin aging such as the appearance of wrinkles, maintain firm skin, and significantly decrease 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 adapted 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 layering facial 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, don't do it immediately or overnight; skin takes 21 days to renew itself, so you need to be patient.