The Nabilah Harron experience using the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine for a period of 30 days.

The online trend for glass skin inspired by Korean women and their flawless complexions, has been around for a few years. In 2024, it’s a rising trend that continues to claim the spotlight in the skincare realm. I decided to take the ultimate test and try out the 10-step Korean skincare routine for 30 days to see if this popular technique works for my skin and if the products are really worth the money.

Through further research,

I noticed that in Korean skincare there is an emphasis on hydration, and layering thin layers of nourishing toners, serums, and moisturizers along with sheet masks to protect the skin barrier and seal in hydration to achieve the ‘glowing, glass skin’ effect.

Please find below my results and how you can incorporate K-beauty into your current skincare routine:

1.OIL CLEANSER:

This deeply removes makeup and impurities. , typically this step is done only in the evenings.

2. Gentle water-based cleanser which cleans away any residue of the oil cleanser.

3. EXFOLIATOR:

Here I used acid based liquid AHA-BHA-PHA exfoliator pads twice a week, which gently exfoliates, evens out calms and moisturizes my skin. Exfoliator toner pads, already widely used in K-beauty, has recently become very popular worldwide.

4. TONER:

Balances pH levels and prepares the skin for better absorption of the rest of your products.

5. ESSENCE:

A lightweight, hydrating liquid that adds additional hydration to your skin. I used an essence rich in ceramides and by the noticeable results, my skin loves it! When you are not Ceramide savvy, please note that the benefits are that they help to strengthen and protect the outer layer of your skin from external environmental factors.

6. SERUM AND/ OR AMPOULE:

Generally, most of the multi-step K- beauty routine is a universal concept of 7-10 steps. Serums however, are personalized to your specific skin type/needs. They can be mixed and matched to brighten pigmentation, smooth out wrinkles, for lifting, or hydrating. Based Depending on my skins needs, I used a nourishing hyaluronic acid based serum daily, or vitamin C serum morning and evening to brighten pigmentation. During certain times on the month when my skin feels dryer, I will additionally use an ampule layered under my serum for an extra hydration boost.

7. SHEET MASK:

This is for added deep hydration and to assist help to achieve that ‘glass skin’ complexion, twice a week in the evening I use a Hyaluronic based, calming, or ceramide-based sheet mask

8. EYE CREAM:

I would recommend using an eye cream with a hydrating and nourishing formula. If it contains retinol, even better for the anti-aging benefits.

9. MOISTURIZER:

Rich hydrating moisturizers that repair and protect your skins natural barrier are most popular in K-beauty.

10. SUNSCREEN:

Sunscreen Protector 50 (Spf 50). Protects the skin from harmful Ultra Violet rays, preventing premature, skin cancer, aging, skin damage, and stubborn sun spots. Personally, sunscreen is the most important step to your skincare routine and should never be missed even on cloudy days nor during Winter.

As skincare trends for 2024 are edging more toward Skin minimalism and a having less laborious skincare routines where products perform multi-functional tasks at once, I do still love the concept of a skincare ritual with purpose and intention.

For timeless beauty, I don’t believe skincare rituals and taking a moment for yourself and beauty treatments will ever go out of style. From a more holistic point of view towards skincare, I enjoy taking a few minutes a day, especially in the evenings, to remove the emotional stressors of the day in a skincare ritual.

My skin became clearer, more balanced, hydrated, and fresh after consistently using this routine for 30 days. Not glass skin, but aiming for healthy, hydrated, and more balanced skin, over perfected ‘glass skin’ has always been my goal.

Nabilah Harron