When it comes to grooming and skincare, the men are not exempted even though they are believed to be ‘rugged’. The procedures of using scrubs, masks, moisturisers, serums and balms are not for women alone. As we speak, a 10-step Korean skincare, otherwise known as ‘K-beauty’, routine has come to stay, and it promises to keep you younger looking. More men are buying into this routine.
So what is Korea Skincare?
Since ancient times, Korea has been the epicentre of skincare science. It unveiled light ingredients like green tea, egg white and snail mucus for skin care. So far, many innovations have emerged from the eastern state involving the three steps: exfoliate, cleanse and moisturise that got everybody’s talking about. It is not as tasking as it appears, the traditional 10-step Korean skincare routine is surprisingly easy and they include:
Step 1: Oil Cleanse
Oil cleansers help break down oil-based debris like pollution, sebum and sunscreen. They are often nourishing, hydrating and deeply relaxing, with a natural scent and soothing texture.
Step 2: Water cleanser
Oil dissolves oil, but you still need another cleanser to remove all water-based impurities. Look for gentle cleansers like milk, which shifts what needs to be sloughed off without stripping the skin.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Physical exfoliators are abrasive scrubs – with ingredients like walnut, rice or salts – which are tougher on the skin, and ideal if you have a beard or suffer from dry skin.
Step 4: Essence
Essences hydrate the deeper levels of the dermis, priming and prepping the skin for the next step in the routine.
Step 5: Serums
Serums are the building blocks behind great skin. They contain the highest concentration of active ingredients, capable of addressing everything from hydration to ageing.
Step 6: Sheet masks
Sheet masks use a barrier to push humectants (ingredients that help bind water to the skin) and other elements into the face. They now come in tissue, hydrogel and bio-cellulose bodies.
Step 7: Eye creams
Eye creams are ideal for older skin looking to tone, tighten and lift. Dark circles are, sadly, a fairly genetic trait but a brightening eye gel can help brighten the region.
Step 8: Emulsion
Emulsions are lightweight moisturisers that suit male skin in particular but can also be favoured by people in more humid climates who don’t want the occlusive nature of heavy cream.
Step 9: Moisturiser
Moisturisers come in many forms – gels, creams, oils – the function of which is to lock up the last nine steps.
Step 10: SPF
Sun damage is the primary cause of all external skin concerns, from pigmentation and dehydration to premature ageing. In Koreans bring out all weapons to protect against the sun rays; visors, sunglasses, gloves, but most importantly, SPF.