These Are The Best K-Beauty Skincare Heroes
K-beauty is having a major moment, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. With a focus on dewy, glow-from-within skin and innovative ingredients, “it’s completely changed the skincare game and beauty landscape,” claims Charlotte Cho, founder of the bestselling K-beauty brand Then I Met You. Whether you’re chasing that glass-skin vibe or just want your routine to feel like a self-care ritual, K-beauty’s got you covered. Ready to level up your glow? Cho, tells us how….
The 10-step Korean skincare routine
“This is the ultimate beauty ritual designed to transform your skin into a glowing, radiant masterpiece.” It’s built around layering products in a specific order to deeply cleanse, hydrate, treat, and protect your skin, all while giving you that famous “glass skin” effect—a complexion so smooth and luminous it looks like a pane of glass.
1. “The routine begins with a double cleanse, where you use an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a water-based cleanser to rid your skin of dirt and impurities.
2. Next comes exfoliation, a step that gently buffs away dead skin cells and helps clear pores, leaving your face smooth and prepped for the next stages. The heart of the routine lies in hydration and treatment.
3. A toner replenishes moisture and balances your skin’s pH, while an essence, “a key part of the routine,” delivers intense hydration and prepares the skin to absorb the rest of the products.
4. Then come serums and ampoules, “which are packed with powerful active ingredients tailored to your specific skin concerns—whether it’s brightening, anti-ageing, or acne-fighting”.
5. Sheet masks offer an extra boost of hydration and nutrients, leaving your skin plump and dewy, while eye cream targets the delicate under-eye area to smooth fine lines and reduce puffiness.
6. “Finally, you seal in all the goodness with a moisturiser and an SPF (in the daytime) or a sleeping mask at night for deep overnight hydration.”
It’s built around layering products in a specific order to deeply cleanse, hydrate, treat, and protect your skin…
Cutting-edge ingredients
Korean skincare has set the gold standard for beauty routines because it’s all about preventive care, focusing on hydration, nourishment, and gentleness rather than harsh, aggressive treatments. “The products are meticulously formulated with ingredients like snail mucin, ginseng, and fermented rice, which have been used in traditional Korean beauty rituals for centuries.” These ingredients work together to hydrate, soothe, and repair the skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.
Customise according to your needs
The Korean skincare routine is perfect for anyone looking to achieve healthy, glowing skin, but it’s especially ideal for those who want to focus on hydration, prevention, and balance. If you struggle with dryness, dullness, or sensitivity, this routine will work wonders because it focuses on gentle, nourishing care rather than harsh treatments. However, the beauty of K-beauty is that it’s customisable—you can swap products that cater specifically to oily, acne-prone, or combination skin.
The 10-step routine is also ideal for anyone who enjoys turning their skincare routine into a pampering ritual, transforming what could be a mundane task into a self-care moment of relaxation and indulgence.
Shop within your budget
With more people investing time into their skincare routines, the K-beauty ritual feels like a soothing, luxurious experience, allowing you to unwind while taking care of your skin. Although Korean skincare is more desirable than ever before, the affordability factor is a huge bonus—”K-beauty offers high-quality, effective products that won’t break the bank, making it appealing to beauty enthusiasts across all demographics.”
10 best K-beauty products to try
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
