I keep hearing about the famous Korean skincare routine. how do I get?
I keep hearing about the famous Korean skincare routine. As a foreigner living in Korea, how do I get started? What products should I buy and where?
1 Answer
Welcome to K-beauty! The famous 10-step routine can sound intimidating, but you really don't have to do all of it right away.
A great beginner routine is just three steps: cleanser, toner with moisturizer, and sunscreen. For cleansers, Innisfree and COSRX are solid choices. Laneige and Dr.G are popular for toner and moisturizer, and Beauty of Joseon makes an amazing sunscreen that's a must-have in Korea.
When it comes to shopping, Olive Young is Korea's biggest beauty store and basically the Korean version of Sephora. The staff there can do a free skin analysis to figure out if you're oily, dry, or combination, and then recommend products based on that. Innisfree and Missha stores are great for budget-friendly basics, and if you want premium brands, check out CHICOR.
My biggest tip is to start with just those 3 steps for about 2-3 weeks and then gradually add products. Your skin needs time to adjust, so don't buy everything at once!