Korean care system... Lately we have been hearing more and more about this “system”; there are many articles and videos dedicated to it on the Internet. However, due to the abundance of information, it has become even more difficult to clearly understand its essence. We invite you to figure it out with us. With feeling, with sense, with arrangement.
First, you need to understand whether you are ready to follow this notorious Korean system of care? Let us warn you right away that this daily multi-step ritual requires patience and detail, but the result will not keep you waiting long. Secondly, in the Korean care system, each stage is important and carefully thought out; this is not a desire to empty your wallet, but a real philosophy. It will help you achieve such beautiful and almost perfect skin that, having spent money on care products, you will save a lot on decorative ones.
So, let's begin our dive into the mysterious world of Asian beauty!
What is serum
A serum is an essence on steroids. It contains the maximum amount of nutrients. The serum is designed to solve highly specialized problems:
- lightening
- wrinkle smoothing
- skin tightening
The serum has a viscous texture and is thicker than essence and water-based emulsion. The serum does not have to be applied to the entire face. Depending on the nature of the action, it can be used only on age spots or separately on wrinkles.
Arsenal of cleaning products and instructions
To master the Korean 424 skincare system, you will need an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser. The first includes oils, balms, cleansing creams, the second - foams and gels for washing.
Step 1
Apply cleansing cream to dry facial skin and massage for 4 minutes. Firstly, it operates on the principle of “like attracts like.” The oil base will thoroughly remove all the fat, remnants of makeup and foundation from the skin.
Oil-based products are excellent for removing makeup. But to make it easier, apply a few drops of cream to a sponge and remove mascara and lipstick separately. And only then move on to the face.
Why massage your face for four whole minutes:
- This way you improve blood circulation.
- Relax your facial muscles.
- The massage softens the skin and pores, making cleansing easier.
- After 4 minutes, rinse off the oil with warm water and ATTENTION - dry your face. Why will I tell you further?
By the way, massage with a cleansing cream is recommended at the first signs of aging. It smoothes wrinkles, strengthens muscle tissue and stimulates collagen synthesis. Manufacturers often add anti-aging components to oils and balms.
This is what a cleansing balm looks like
Therefore, if you have already begun to worry about your age and skin condition, pay attention to cleansers with olive extract (Holika Holika Daily Fresh Olive Cleansing Cream), moringa seeds (Enature Moringa Cleansing Balm), sunflower seed extracts, coconut oil (Enature Moringa Cleansing Balm).
For problem skin, try oils and balms with centella, fruit extracts, green tea, bamboo (Holika Holika Less On Skin Micellar Cleansing Gel, Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick, Banila Co Clean It Zero Purifying Oil Cleaner). Such products are suitable for problem and combination skin prone to oily skin. They provide deep pore cleansing, protection and sebum control without dryness or irritation.
Step 2
Use a water-based cleanser. Lather and apply to dry facial skin as a mask and massage gently for 2 minutes. Why on dry skin and not on wet skin? This way you will get an additional soft peeling effect.
I massage my entire face, including the area around the eyes, since Korean foams do not burn my eyes. At least for me.
If clogged pores bother you, wash your face with konjac sponges. These are sponges made from plant corms. They do not irritate the skin, gently exfoliate, and clean dirt directly from the “heart” of the pores. But don't get carried away with the sponges too often. From my own experience I will say that 3 times a week is enough.
Step 3
Now you need to wash off the water-based product, along with any remaining dirt. Do this for 2 minutes with hot water. It is at this stage of the 424 system, while the pores are maximally open, that black dots disappear.
Hot water starts detoxification processes and helps to cope not only with clogged pores, but also with acne, rashes, and pimples. Be sure to look in the mirror after 2 minutes. You will see how clear your skin is. But don’t rush to rejoice and open the champagne. You still have the final stage ahead of you.
Turn on cold water and continue washing for another 2 minutes. The temperature contrast will tighten the pores and tone the skin. It is also a great way to improve your complexion.
Night masks instead of cream in Korean multi-step care
Apply a night mask instead of/after moisturizer two or three times a week. The consistency is similar to a cream or thick gel, but much richer. It differs from ordinary masks in that it does not need to be washed off.
Evening 10-step Korean care considers night masks as the last step. You apply them to your face and go to bed, the main thing is not to face the pillow.
The phrase “no need to rinse off” means that overnight masks stay on your face all night. But in the morning you will have to wash it off.
During sleep, from 11 to 4 am, skin cells are renewed. Night masks act as jet fuel and enhance regeneration processes. The next morning you get a fresh, glowing face.
I recommend trying the Holika Holika Wine Therapy Sleeping Pack wine mask with red and white wine extract. This is a professional anti-aging line. After the mask, the quality of the skin noticeably improves, firmness and elasticity increase.
Night mask HOLIKA HOLIKA Wine Therapy
buy from watsons
Toning
This procedure is designed to soften the face, normalize water balance and restore tone. The trick to this procedure is to lubricate your face with toner or lotion within 3 seconds of washing your face. If you do not follow this rule, dry skin is inevitable. No matter how hard we try, the aging mechanism will be launched.
Korean tonic cosmetics have a natural composition. Plant extracts and amino acids prevent drying. Unlike European lotions, Korean ones do not contain alcohol. Alcohol not only dries the skin, but also helps destroy beneficial microorganisms.
Oriental beauties never use cotton swabs for lotions. They spray lotion onto the skin with their hands or from a spray bottle. This method cannot be called economical, but there is no doubt about its effectiveness.
Why are there 10 rather than 5 stages of care?
The mandatory facial ritual has only five points. So why are there 10 of them in Korean skin care? Because each stage is divided into several parts.
READ: 5-step Korean care system: shorter, faster, more effective
To fully understand the 10 step Korean skincare routine, think of your skin as a sponge. When dry, it absorbs moisture less well, but if you moisten it a little, the situation changes. Same with skin. Each stage softens it, makes it more receptive and able to absorb a much larger amount of nutrients.
Believe me, with the Korean approach you will be happy with your reflection in the mirror. And not rush around the bathroom in horror, wondering where this pimple came from or where a wrinkle appeared that was not there yesterday. The only thing you need to do is overcome your laziness. If you are ready, then let's start with the very first step - cleansing.
When to apply the mask
Treat yourself to a mask 1-2 times a week, or apply as needed. For example, the “rescuer” masks of the Skin Rescuer series are intended for emergency care. When an unexpected pimple or blemish appears, or just urgently get yourself in order.
According to the canons of 10-step Korean skin care, a fabric mask is in 7th place:
- cleansing
- exfoliation
- toning
- essence
- serum
- emulsion
- mask
But I recommend doing the mask immediately after the essence or toner. Only in extreme cases, when you need to charge your face to the maximum, apply it after the serum.
There is no need to wash your face after using a Korean sheet mask. Remove it, massage, pat your face so that the hydrogel is completely absorbed. Finally, apply emulsion or cream.
Moisturizers, such as creams and emulsions, create a dome over the skin. Thus, the nutritional components obtained from the mask do not evaporate and continue to nourish the skin all day.
Scinic My Juicy Bottle Mask Firming Ampoule
buy at Watsons
Holika Holika Black Snail sheet mask with black snail extract
buy at Watsons
Korean approach to facial skin care at home: features
European and Korean women take care of their skin differently. European women's care for their facial skin usually includes three stages: cleansing, toning and moisturizing. The Korean method is more multi-stage. The process of caring for Korean women's facial skin is a complex daily ritual that consists of many useful procedures.
Other features of the Korean approach include the following:
- Korean women pay great attention to protecting their skin from ultraviolet radiation: they use special cosmetics every day, walk in the active sun in wide-brimmed hats or with umbrellas. Many European women not only do not protect their skin from ultraviolet radiation, but purposefully visit solariums year-round to obtain an even and beautiful tan;
Many Asian women use sun umbrellas - Snow-white skin is considered the standard of beauty in Korea. A huge number of cosmetic products are produced for skin whitening. And also many multifunctional products include whitening components;
- For Korean women, the priority is clean and healthy skin, not the use of decorative cosmetics. At the same time, many European women devote much more time not to skin care, but to complex makeup, with which they try to hide imperfections.
In Korea, not only women, but also men carefully take care of their facial skin. And also many representatives of the stronger sex use decorative cosmetics. And this does not surprise the people around us. Many married couples buy one item of decorative cosmetics (mascara, eyeliner) for two.
Is the Korean technique suitable for European women?
The Korean technique was developed for Asian skin types, which are thicker and oilier than Europeans. Therefore, it is likely that for many European women the multi-stage system may be redundant. This is especially true for those with thin and sensitive skin.
However, in such a situation, you should not completely abandon the Korean approach; simplify the rather complex system by removing unnecessary procedures.
