Words: Sonia Pham

The Korean skincare regime is the latest craze in the beauty world and is celebrated by those in the know for its revolutionary effects.

But it’s not just the products themselves: Where the Korean skincare routine really makes a difference is in the sheer number of steps and potions you use twice a day. (It’s six MINIMUM.)

For those of us who can barely make it through cleanser, toner and moisturiser, suddenly doubling (or even tripling!) the number of products to use in the mornings and evenings can be a fairly daunting prospect. I’ve been trying it out for almost a year, and this is what I’ve learnt.

What To Get

First things first: There’s the small issue of a language barrier. Choosing the perfect products isn’t as easy as talking to an overly made-up woman in your favourite department store – these products are of course mostly sold in South Korea.

I spent hours scouring beauty blogs around the world for information that was in English and actually relevant to my skin type. Luckily, there are some dedicated beauty bloggers out there who’ve made it their mission to act as a guide on the world of Korean skincare. My favourite is skinandtonics.com for detailed reviews and advice.

When it comes to actually buying the products, I relied on W2beauty.com, which offers an excellent range and free international delivery. And, depending on how much you order, they’ll throw in freebies and loads of samples too!

It Costs More (Or Does It?)

Before starting this routine, I would normally spend around £40 for a moisturiser and £20 on a face wash. I would normally get a facial every six months or so at about £50 a time.

The Korean skincare products are a lot cheaper per product, ranging from £8 to £30. However, there are more of them, so I’m spending more on products that I use on a day to day basis at home. But, I’m no longer getting facials as I really don’t need to.

So, it costs a little more than before – but, I get that ‘treat’ feeling of a facial every day, rather than a couple of times a year. For me, having skin I’m confident about really is worth it.

It Doesn’t Take THAT Long

My morning routine takes in eight products: a foam cleanser, moisturising toner, acid lotion, serum, essence, facial oil, moisturiser and suncream. To make the most out of each product, they should be absorbed into your skin first before layering on the next (usually about a minute).