Building up a full skincare routine that keeps working for you is not simple, nor is getting yourself familiar with K-Beauty products if you are new to them. As someone who worked in beauty PR for many years, and tried and tested several products from the East and West, it took me years to come up with my go-to skincare routine that I do on any normal day. And no, it’s not “K-Beauty only” just because of this article, it just happened that only K-Beauty products made it into my basic routine — which are also all cruelty-free. If you are looking to start a consistent routine, or want to get familiar with more Korean skincare products, I hope this routine will help you. Please note that this is a very basic routine to maintain healthy skin without targeting any specific skin concerns. When it comes to the most beneficial routines, they always have to be personalized and switched up depending on your skin’s present needs. Skincare is not one size fits all.

1. Step: Cleanser

There are not many things as refreshing right after waking up than washing your face. I like to make sure to have a fresh and completely clean start to my skincare routine, so just simple water doesn’t always feel enough. Since it’s early in the morning and there is not much residue to get rid of, I keep it very simple and gentle and use the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. This one is popular for a reason and has been part of my routine for years. It’s pH level is mildly acidic, so it cleans the skin without stripping, while it also helps strengthen the skin barrier and gives a firmer look. 

2. Step: Toner

Now here comes the toner (please avoid alcohol). This step might not seem as important, but it can prep the skin for the next steps, get rid of excess oil, and even balance out the skin’s pH level if your cleanser didn’t do the job. The products today, especially in K-Beauty, are also great to start targeting some skin concerns like dryness or acne. I like to incorporate a gentle exfoliant like BHA or PHA at this step to smooth my skin. As someone who works a lot with beauty companies, I have a chance to try a lot of products. While most of this routine is my fixed go-to when I’m not testing new products, when it comes to toners, I’m constantly switching things up depending on what I feel like that morning, but two of my current favorites are these below.

I finished two bottles of the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner already. Its base is aloe leaf water infused with hyaluronic acid, BHA, and snail filtrate. It hydrates the skin, but it also soothes acne and enhances skin elasticity. I’m definitely buying a third bottle after I run out of my several other toners I have on my vanity right now. The TIA'M Vita Refre-C Toner is more of a recent discovery of mine, and I’m loving it. As the name hints, it is infused with pure Vitamin C powder. You have to release it into the toner from the cap yourself, making sure that the Vitamin C doesn’t start oxidizing until you actually start using the product. Vitamin C is a sensitive ingredient, so I found this idea really cool. It also has Vitamin E in it, which helps rejuvenate dull skin. I like how this vitamin combination brightens and wakes up my skin right away in the morning.

3. Step: Essence and/or Serum

Now this is the step where you can target specific skin concerns more directly. On a daily basis, I usually just use either an essence or a serum, but you can build these steps up according to your skin’s needs. One of my all time favorite essences is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. It is hyped for a reason. It works magic and it’s affordable. It’s very lightweight and absorbs quickly, but the consistency almost feels more like a serum. The high concentration of snail mucin protects the skin from moisture loss and soothes damaged skin. It’s really good for fading acne scars, for example. This one is my secret to a natural glowy skin. And to me, it is also very important that the brand sticks to being cruelty-free even for such a product. COSRX collects the snail secretion filtrate from snails that are healthy and live in an optimal  environment where they can thrive without any harm. Another recent favorite essence of mine is THE PURE LOTUS Jeju Lotus Leaf Essence. Besides the high concentration of Jeju lotus leaf extract that is extremely nourishing, this product also has ceramide NP and Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 which work as a shield against aggressors like fine dust and other environmental stress. It feels amazing on the skin, and I’m sure if I use it regularly I will be able to tell its benefits on fine lines and wrinkle reduction as well.

As you can tell, I’m more of an essence person, but a great serum can be the solution for most of the skincare concerns out there, as they deliver a high concentration of the specific active ingredients you might need. They are usually thicker than essences but lighter than moisturizers, so this would be the step where I would recommend you to incorporate them in your routine. 

4. Step: Eye Cream

If you are just at the beginning of your twenties, this step is more about prevention, which is the key to a long lasting youthful look. If you are 25 or over, you should start looking for an eye cream that suits your skin. I’ve been really enjoying the hydrating Pyunkang Yul Eye Cream in the past few months. It mixes ingredients like milk vetch root, ginseng extract, and shea butter to prevent the signs of ageing including dehydration, fine lines, and dark circles. I also have to mention that I’m not the biggest fan of its packaging. Instead of your usual packaging, it comes in 50 1ml-sachets. This comes in very handy when you are travelling, and definitely is a lot more hygienic than a jar, which is the original purpose of it along with protecting the product itself from oxidation, heat, and contamination. But to me it also feels like I create a lot of waste while using this product. This is just something you have to keep in mind and decide for yourself.

5. Step: Moisturizer

When it comes to moisturizers, I’ve been using the same product for years. Ever since the NEOGEN VITA DUO DAY CREAM (NEOGEN & JOAN KIM COLLABORATION) came out, no other moisturizer could convince me to switch. The day cream uses green tea extract and Vitamin C complex to brighten, hydrate, and soothe the skin. It has a very pleasant creamy texture, and it instantly calms my skin. It also absorbs really well, so I like using it right before applying makeup as well. And yes, I do use the night version for my p.m. routine.

6. Step: Sun Protection

The last step in any morning routine, no matter what, should always be a sun protection product. My all-time favorite is the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ because it’s very lightweight and has no white cast. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling behind, so it’s perfect under makeup. I recently received the NEOGEN Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen, so I’ve only been testing it for about two weeks, but I already like it. It’s also very lightweight, non-greasy, and hydrating. It includes 20 types of plant extracts that help soothe the skin and control sebum as well. Now, if you don’t like it when skincare products have a scent, this one might not be for you. Due to the high amount of plant based ingredients, it’s inevitable. It has a slight citrusy scent to it, which first surprised me as it’s not your typical sun cream smell, but it’s very pleasant and goes away quickly.