4 Skin Care Secrets Korean Women Swear By

Have you jumped on board the Korean beauty trend? Most commonly known as “K-Beauty,” this collection of skin care products and techniques have taken the U.S. beauty market by storm. In fact, many of our favorite formulas today—from sheet masks to essences—are inspired by Korean beauty, and have been used by Koreans for decades to help keep their skin looking and feeling its best. 

If you want to start following the wildly popular K-Beauty trend—or at least start caring for your skin the way a Korean woman would—but aren’t sure where to start, we have some good news. We chatted with licensed esthetician and Skincare.com consultant, Charlotte Cho, co-creator of K-Beauty site Soko Glam and author of The Little Book of Skin Care: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin, for her top skin care tips and tricks for radiant, dewy-looking skin.

4 Skin Care Tips Korean Women Swear By

Tip #1: Exfoliate Your Skin

One of Cho’s most essential skin care tips is exfoliation. It’s clear to see why exfoliation is so important to your skin, as the technique helps to slough away the buildup of dead surface cells and impurities that can clog your pores and dull the look of your skin’s surface.

“Chemical and physical exfoliation is crucial for polished looking skin,” Cho says. “Dead skin cells can contribute to dull, rough skin, and even breakouts.” Cho recommends sloughing off dead skin cells and exfoliating your skin with both chemical and physical exfoliants a few times per week. 

Fine lines can be a result of skin dehydration. That's why I recommend layering on your favorite lightweight essence to hydrate your skin before locking it in with a moisturizer.

Tip #2: Apply an Essence

Another beauty staple in Cho’s skin care regimen is an essence. But, what exactly is an essence? Well, it’s similar to a serum. They differ in that essences are typically have a  lighter consistency and the formulas are less concentrated compared to serums. The main role of an essence is to give your skin an extra boost of hydration. They can be used after a toner and right before you apply a moisturizer or serum. “Fine lines can be a result of skin dehydration,” Cho says. “That's why I recommend layering on your favorite lightweight essence to hydrate your skin before locking it in with a moisturizer.” Cho recommends using an essence that’s formulated with moisture-retaining humectants, such as hyaluronic acid.

Tip #3: Apply a Sheet Mask

Cho is a firm believer in a sheet mask, and not just because they feel relaxing. “One of the best ways to keep moisture in your skin is to use a sheet mask,” she says. Here are a list of hydrating sheet masks!

Tip #4: Double-Cleanse Your Skin

Double-cleansing may sound intimidating (or like an unnecessary extra step), but it’s worth the effort for your skin. The popular K-Beauty technique involves cleansing your skin not once but twice to ensure all traces of dirt and impurities are effectively whisked away. But, according to Cho, to get the best results you shouldn’t just use the same cleanser twice. The trick to double cleansing, she says, is to use a combination of two different cleansers.

“The traditional double-cleanse routine starts out with an oil cleanser followed by a foaming cleanser—you need two different formulas to properly and thoroughly cleanse your face,” she says. “With the double-cleanse, you can remove oil-based impurities such as sebum, sunscreen, and makeup from your skin’s surface. With water-based cleansers, you can remove the remaining impurities that may be still lingering on the skin’s surface after the first step. With a clean canvas, you're set up for success for the rest of your skin care routine.”