Korean skincare: the full 10-step routine (and which steps you actually need)

The Korean 10-step routine is as famous as it is misunderstood: it's not a duty, it's a menu. Here's what every step does — and the four that deliver 90% of the results.

The 10 steps, in order

• 1. Oil cleanser — dissolves makeup, SPF and sebum.
• 2. Foam cleanser — removes the rest (the famous double cleanse).
• 3. Exfoliant — 1-2 times a week, not daily.
• 4. Toner — rebalances pH and preps the skin.
• 5. Essence — light hydration, the heart of the Korean routine.
• 6. Serum/ampoule — the targeted active: vitamin C, niacinamide, centella.
• 7. Sheet mask — 1-2 times a week.
• 8. Eye cream — the thinnest skin ages first.
• 9. Moisturiser — seals everything in.
• 10. SPF in the morning — the real anti-ageing step.

The essential version: 4 steps

Cleanse → serum → moisturiser → SPF. That's what we recommend to beginners: sustainable, affordable, effective. Add the rest once the base has become a habit.

Where to start, in practice

For cleansing and barrier repair, COSRX is the classic entry point. To calm redness: the heartleaf toner by Anua. For glow: Glow Deep Serum by Beauty of Joseon. It's all in our Beauty world — EU-imported, EU-labelled, with fresh dates.

The most common mistake

Adding three new actives in the same week. Skin doesn't follow trends: introduce one product at a time and give it four weeks. Consistency beats collection.