K-Pop Skincare Routine

As K-Pop groups become more popular, people have become increasingly entranced by the glowing skin that K-pop idols have. Often called a “glass skin” complexion, K-pop idols have achieved flawless, healthy skin through a strict regimen of cleansing, exfoliating, and layering targeted skincare ingredients. Natural aging is associated with declining collagen levels, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Dark spots, dryness, and even adult acne can develop due to excessive sun exposure and changes in skin and body health. Korean skincare relies heavily on keeping the skin hydrated and protected to ensure that the skin stays healthy and clear. With over 25 years of experience in cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Green is well-versed in Korean skincare ingredients and how to use products best to achieve healthy, hydrated skin.

Korean skincare has become a global phenomenon thanks to its philosophy of using natural, traditional medicine-backed ingredients to brighten, hydrate, and smooth the skin. The viral 10-step Korean skincare routine involves using multiple products to cleanse, treat, nourish, and protect the skin. K-pop stars often simplify this routine to as few as five steps and customize each step to suit their specific skin type and concern, including sensitive skin, oily skin, and hyperpigmentation. With so many Korean skincare brands and products on the market, knowing which ones will work most effectively on your skin can be challenging. Dr. Green can assess your skin type and needs to choose the best products for your skincare routine to leave you with the coveted glowing, clear, glass skin complexion.

Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience treating the world’s most discerning men and women with noninvasive cosmetic procedures and specialized skincare routines. A specialist in Asian skincare, she has been utilizing the most cutting-edge lasers and procedures. With over 25 years of experience and dedication to her patients, she has been voted one of the best dermatologists in New York City by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times. Dr. Green is a skincare expert and is highly adept at creating customized skincare routines to target skin concerns such as aging, hyperpigmentation, and dryness. When you consult with Dr. Green in her Upper East Side dermatology office, she will work with you to tailor a skincare routine based on your skin type and concerns.

Why is Korean skincare so popular?

Due to its clean, natural ingredients, Korean skincare has become a global phenomenon. Many people covet the “glass skin” complexion, or dewy and luminous skin, as seen in many K-pop and K-drama stars. Korean skincare has become a lifestyle that achieves clear, healthy, radiant skin with ease and affordability. As more and more people become aware of and invested in K-beauty products and routines, they can better choose the products best suited for their skin types. As skincare has become one of South Korea’s biggest exports and businesses, the South Korean government actively invests in Korean beauty and skincare brands, helping them use the latest science and technologies to achieve skin rejuvenation.

Are Korean skin care products safe?

Absolutely! Most Korean skincare products include cleansing foams, lotions, and serums that do not contain any harsh chemicals or compounds. Instead, they focus on clean, herbal ingredients backed by decades of research, such as snail mucin, rice extract, soybeans, ginseng, and Centella. Korean skincare also uses ‘hanbang’ ingredients derived from traditional Korean medicine with centuries of evidence regarding their effectiveness. While a large part of the Western approach to skincare involves stripping the skin of excess oils and impurities, Korean skincare focuses on nourishing and hydrating the skin. Many Korean skincare products use gentle ingredients to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.

What do Korean celebrities use for skin care?

Korean celebrities often turn to Korean skincare products to help them achieve the coveted “glass skin” look. Many Korean celebrities use the viral 10-step Korean skincare routine designed to cleanse, treat, hydrate, and protect the skin—the products in the 10-step routine focus on herbal, natural ingredients to promote overall skin health. For many, this K-beauty routine is a meditative and relaxing way to start and end one’s day. Some individuals do not adhere to the complete ten steps but instead customize the regimen into four or five steps, lessening the load of the process while still achieving clear, healthy skin. The main steps to always have in your routine include double cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from sun exposure.

The 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine:

1. Oil-based cleanser—An oil-based cleanser is step 1 of the double cleanse in a Korean skincare routine. Cleansing oils break down oil-based products, including makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum, from the skin.
2. After an initial cleanse, a water-based cleanser removes any other impurities that the oil-based cleanser did not pick up, such as dirt, debris, and sweat. Double cleansing ensures the skin is as clean as possible before proceeding to the next step.
3. Exfoliator— An exfoliator can be used once or twice a week to slough off dead skin cells and reveal new, healthy, bright cells underneath. Physical exfoliators use an abrasive ingredient like black sugar to clear pores, while chemical exfoliants contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids (AHAs or BHAs) to remove impurities.
4. Toner—A toner is used to rebalance the skin’s pH levels and restore hydration after cleansing. It also removes any residue from the cleansers, allowing for better absorption of subsequent skincare products. Toners come in many consistencies, from watery to thick, emulsion-like, and can be applied with fingertips or a cotton pad.
5. Essence— An essence is a lightweight product containing concentrated active ingredients to hydrate the skin and prevent aging signs. Many essences contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or rice extract to replenish moisture in the skin.
6. Boosters—Step 6 of the Korean skincare routine allows for the most customization. Individuals can choose from many treatments or serums to target skin concerns such as acne, dryness, hyperpigmentation, redness, anti-aging, and texture. Ampoules are highly potent treatments, often highlighting one specific ingredient most popularly used during this skincare step.
7. Sheet masks are at the heart of Korean skincare and allow for the intense absorption of active ingredients into the skin. Depending on its active ingredients, a face mask can promote hydration, reduce pigmentation, and soothe irritated skin. Additionally, some sheet masks can be used as sleeping masks to create deep hydration and prolonged penetration of ingredients.
8. Eye cream— As the skin around your eyes is very thin, eye creams are essential for preventing dark circles and puffiness and increasing moisture retention.
9. Moisturizer—A moisturizer is a staple in any skincare routine. It prevents moisture loss and keeps the skin hydrated and plump. Moisturizers come in many formulations to suit dry, normal, oily, and sensitive skin.
10. Sunscreen—Although it is the last step in a morning routine, sunscreen is considered the most crucial step in achieving healthy skin. It protects the skin from sun damage, harmful UV rays, and free radical damage. A broadband spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50 is recommended for maximum sun protection. Korean skincare products also use a separate rating system called PA, or protection grade of UVA, that measures how well the product protects against UVA rays.

Do you know if Korean skincare works?

Yes! Korean skincare is incredibly effective at creating clear, youthful-looking skin at home. Korean skincare offers a wide range of products, each formulated to treat a specific skin concern. Depending on their active ingredients, Korean skincare products can restore hydration, repair the skin barrier, reduce acne, eliminate hyperpigmentation, and prevent the development of aging signs such as fine lines and wrinkles. Choosing products designed for your skin type and tone is essential to ensure no irritation occurs. If you are still deciding what products to choose, a board-certified dermatologist such as Dr. Michele Green can assess your skin and tailor a customized skincare routine for your skin goals.

What skincare products do K-pop idols use?

K-pop idols use various skincare products, depending on their skin type and active skin concerns. For K-pop idols, using a powerful makeup remover is essential for keeping the skin clean after concerts, photoshoots, and interviews. K-pop idols often turn to double cleansing, first using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a foaming cleanser to remove any dirt, debris, or excess oil. K-pop idols often opt for foam cleansers as they contain gentle formulations and do not strip the skin of natural oils. K-pop idols also frequently use sheet masks, as their ability to enhance penetration of active ingredients is unmatched. Individuals with dull or pigmented skin use masks with vitamin C due to its brightening effects on the skin. Individuals with sensitive or red skin use masks with aloe to soothe and calm irritated skin.

What skincare brands do K-pop idols / K-drama stars use?

Hundreds of incredible skincare brands in K-beauty can help you achieve clear, radiant skin. K-pop idols and K-drama stars have been seen using brands like Etude House, Cosrx, Innisfree, Skin Food, Mediheal, and Laneige. These brands contain a mixture of cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers to address various concerns, from dry skin to oily, acne-prone skin. Many K-pop stars also endorse skincare brands as ambassadors or exclusive models. Jihyo, the leader of the girl group Twice, signed as an ambassador to the K-beauty brand Milk Touch, while two other members, Sana and Dayhun, are exclusive models for the brand A’pieu. Mediheal carries some of the most popular sheet masks in South Korea and recently collaborated with the K-pop group BTS to create a unique sheet mask set formulated to rehydrate dry, dull skin. BLACKPINK’s Rose has also been an ambassador for Sulwhasoo, a skincare brand known for its herbal-based products.

How do K-pop idols have clear skin?

When K-pop idols are not traveling, performing, or modeling, they care for their skin. Korean beauty and skincare is one of the fastest-growing markets in South Korea, and K-pop idols and South Koreans alike take pride in their clear, healthy complexions. Many K-pop idols turn to Korean skincare products to help keep their skin hydrated, smooth, and radiant throughout the day.

While less talked about, K-pop idols also use various in-office treatments, including laser treatments, dermal fillers, and chemical peels, to achieve clear skin. Laser toning was first developed in South Korea to improve skin tone and eliminate pigmentation. Laser toning is a low-intensity treatment, with providers using low fluence energy multiple times to brighten the skin. Sessions are spaced one to two weeks apart, and as many as ten sessions may be necessary to observe the best cosmetic results. The Helios laser is the best laser from Korea to provide “glass skin.”

The Helios 785 laser is a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser used to tone Asian skin and even out skin tone and pigmentation, remove tattoos, and brighten the skin. The Helios laser carries three wavelengths, 532 nanosecond, 785 picosecond, and 1064 nanosecond wavelengths, to allow providers to customize each treatment to the patient’s skin type and tone. Asian skin is very sensitive and cannot be treated with every laser on the market. The Helios 785 laser has been proven safe and effective for skin toning to create clear, radiant skin. Depending on the skin concern being treated, multiple sessions are often required, spaced two to four weeks apart, to achieve maximum facial rejuvenation. After an initial series of treatments, patients often engage in regular maintenance sessions to keep and enhance their glass skin complexion.

Skin boosters are dermal fillers formulated to hydrate and plump the skin. These fillers typically contain hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid-based skin boosters improve skin texture and smoothness when injected underneath the skin. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers also stimulate collagen production to increase skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Skin boosters are long-lasting, with results holding for at least six months. Individuals often engage in regular treatment sessions to maintain and enhance results.

Chemical peels are another way that K-pop idols achieve clear skin. They are formulated with chemical exfoliants to slough off dead, pigmented skin cells and reveal healthy new skin cells underneath. Chemical peels often contain hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid that work to remove dirt, excess oil, blackheads, and buildup from clogged pores.

What skincare do K-drama stars use?

K-drama stars are often known for their flawless, glass-skin complexions on screen. While some of this can be attributed to makeup usage, K-drama stars prioritize skincare to create and maintain healthy, youthful skin. Park Seo Joon, known for his roles in Itaewon Class and Parasite, recently endorsed the Milk Skin Toner from TIRTIR, infused with rice bran extract, witch hazel, and cica to soothe irritated skin. From the hit K-dramas Descendants of the Sun and The Glory, Song Hye-Kyo swears by the First Care Activating Serum from Sulwhasoo. This serum is packed with ginseng, vitamin C, and herbal extracts to fortify the skin’s moisture barrier and protect the skin from free radical damage. Son Ye-jin, known for her role in Crash Landing on You, promotes the Pure Revival Peel from Skin Inc. for her oily skin. This peel contains ingredients such as AC-11 to repair sun damage, fullerene to protect the skin from oxidative stress, and arbutin to lighten pigmentation.

What is the BTS skincare routine?

BTS is one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world. Its members are known for their catchy music and flawless dance moves, but they are also revered for their coveted “glass skin” complexion. Jimin, a member of BTS, recently shared his skincare secrets for keeping his skin healthy and clear while traveling and touring. His skincare routine includes a foam cleanser to remove excess oils and debris and toner to rehydrate the skin. He then uses a face serum to soothe and regenerate dull skin. He finishes his routine with a lightweight moisturizer to maximize hydration and a high SPF sunscreen to protect the skin from sun exposure and harmful UV rays. Jimin has also endorsed using pimple patches to minimize the appearance of breakouts and accelerate healing.

Which Korean skin care products are the best?

There is no correct answer as to which Korean skincare product is best. The best product for you depends on your skin type and concerns. Individuals with sensitive skin may turn to products with centella asiatica, or cica, to soothe irritated skin. Individuals experiencing pigmentation can use kojic acid or vitamin C to brighten the skin. Dry skin types can use rice water extract, hyaluronic acid, or snail mucin to pack much-needed hydration into the skin. Oily or acne-prone skin can use green tea extract to prevent inflammation and regulate sebum production. Regardless of your skin type, there is a Korean skincare product suited for you. When choosing a skincare product, ensure its formulation does not include fragrances, alcohol, or dyes that can lead to irritated and inflamed skin. If you need help starting with Korean skincare, consult Dr. Green, a board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience. When you visit Dr. Green in her private NYC dermatology office, she will assess your skin type and concerns to formulate a customized skincare regimen to leave you with clear, glowing skin.

Why is Korean skincare the best?

Korean skincare is lauded as one of the best skincare markets in the world due to its clean ingredients and affordability. Korean skincare relies on ‘hanbang’ ingredients derived from traditional Korean medicine. Some common hanbang ingredients include centella, ginseng, mugwort, rice extract, and goji berry. Most hanbang practices originated from the Joseon dynasty hundreds of years ago and have been extensively researched today for their incredible skincare benefits. Additionally, while many individuals often have to pay top dollar to buy the “best” Western skincare products, effective Korean skincare products can be found at a fraction of the cost.

What are some Korean skincare tips to keep in mind?

While the viral 10-step Korean skincare routine can create beautiful results when adhered to, its lengthiness is only for some. Many individuals, even K-pop and K-drama stars limit the routine to five or even three steps. Here are some excellent tips when using Korean skincare products:

• Popular is only sometimes the best. It is important to remember that one product may not work for everyone. When creating your Korean skincare routine, it is essential to consider your skin type and concerns to ensure you choose the best ingredients for your skin.
• Be gentle— While Korean skincare prides itself on using gentle ingredients, you should also be gentle with the skin. Do not rub the skin harshly when cleansing or exfoliating. When applying a toner, serum, or treatment, lightly pat the product on the skin to avoid irritation.
• Never skip double cleansing— Double cleansing is key to ensuring your skin removes any product residue, oils, dirt, sweat, or other impurities before proceeding to the next skincare step.
• Keep your face wet after cleansing— Korean skincare focuses on maximizing hydration. After cleansing, keep the skin slightly damp before layering toner and lotion. This will allow the skin to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.
• Never skip sunscreen— Sunscreen protects the skin from UV damage, oxidative stress, and mature aging. Applying sunscreen daily, regardless of the weather outside, is crucial to achieving and maintaining healthy “glass skin.”

Is Korean skin care worth it?

Yes! Korean skincare can help you achieve clear, radiant skin. The philosophy of Korean skincare revolves around keeping the skin nourished and hydrated without any harsh, irritating ingredients. Thanks to K-pop stars and social media, Korean skincare has become a global phenomenon due to its ability to revitalize the skin. With hundreds of brands and skincare products, individuals can customize their skincare regimen to treat specific skin concerns, from dull skin to pigmentation. It is essential only to use products targeted to your skin type and concerns, as other products may not help you achieve clear skin or lead to irritation. The best way to start with a Korean skincare routine is to consult board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience treating the world’s most discerning men and women and will work with you to create a skincare regimen tailored to your skin needs.

How to get clear skin like K-pop idols

Many wonder how K-pop idols obtain their clear, radiant, “glass-skin” complexion. Adhering to a good skincare routine is the best way to achieve radiant, healthy skin. Korean skincare is known for its natural ingredients and ability to provide intense moisture to the skin. The 10-step process involves using an oil-based cleanser, water-based cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, targeted serum or ampoule, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. As this routine can be lengthy, K-pop idols often reduce the process to five or even three steps. The most essential part of creating a skincare routine is ensuring each product suits your skin type and goals. If you are unsure how to formulate a Korean skincare routine to suit your skin needs, Dr. Green is here to help.

Experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has over two and a half decades of experience helping men and women worldwide achieve clear, radiant skin. Dr. Green specializes in treating Asian skin and has the most cutting-edge lasers in her NYC office. Due to her dedication to her patients and expertise, she is consistently voted one of New York City’s top dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times. With her proprietary MGSKINLABs skincare line, Dr. Green is an expert at choosing high-quality skincare products for all skin types, from dry and irritated to oily and acne-prone. When you consult with Dr. Green in her private dermatology office, she will assess your skin to create a skincare routine that best suits your skin type and concerns. If you want to improve your skincare routine, please call 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today.