By Ggot-song Kim… & 20250710
This is the ultimate guide to the 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine.
Let’s be honest: the words ’10-step routine’ can sound intimidating. I know what you’re thinking: “How on earth am I supposed to do all of that every single night?”
But here’s a little secret from a Korean who lives and breathes skincare: it’s not as complicated as it sounds. For many of us, a 6 to 10-step process is a normal, cherished part of the day. It’s all about remembering why we do it.
Once I understood a few key principles and found my own rhythm, my skin entered the best phase of its life. Seriously—you’d think I was a teenager again! In this guide, I’m going to share every secret I’ve learned along the way.
| Product |  |  |  |
| Product Name | COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser | Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Capsule Cream | Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen |
| Best For | Gentle daily cleansing & pH balance | Skin regeneration & improving elasticity | Hydrating UV protection with no white cast |
| Key Ingredients | Tea Tree Oil, BHA | PDRN, Collagen, Niacinamide | Black Rice Extract, Ceramides |
| Texture | Soft Gel | Lightweight Cream with Capsules | Lightweight, Velvet Finish |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
The 10-Steps of the Korean Skincare Routine
Step 1: Oil-Based Cleanser (PM Only)
- Why is this step important? As the first part of the famed double cleansing method, an oil-based cleanser is essential for removing oil-based impurities like your makeup, sunscreen, and daily moisturizer.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: As someone with oily skin, my first thought was: “You want me to put more oil on my face? Are you crazy?!” I was terrified it would clog my pores. My biggest mistake was trying to rush it. The result? The oil never emulsified properly, leaving a greasy film that led to more shine and more breakouts. The magic happens when you properly emulsify it—that moment the oil meets a little water and turns into a milky liquid.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil What I love about this product is how incredibly gentle yet powerful it is. It’s perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Using mineral-rich deep sea water, it effectively melts away stubborn makeup and even blackheads, all while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
- Why is this step important? Following up with a water-based cleansing product helps remove any remaining water-based impurities like sweat, bacteria, and traces of the oil cleanser left on the skin.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: As someone with combination, sensitive skin, finding the right cleanser was always a challenge. But after I started using the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, the change was immediate. The redness I always had after washing was drastically reduced, and I noticed I was getting far fewer of those annoying little bumps.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser This is the product that taught me what gentle, effective cleansing truly is. It’s a worldwide bestseller for a reason. Because it’s a low-pH formula, it protects your skin barrier, which is essential for healthy skin.
Step 3: Exfoliator (1-2x a week)
- Why is this step important? This special care step removes built-up layers of dead skin, revealing a smoother, brighter complexion and helping other products absorb better.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: I’ll never forget my exfoliation nightmare. I bought a cheap physical scrub and went to town. The result? A full-blown breakout! That’s when I learned the power of gentle, chemical exfoliation. Instead of harsh scrubs, I now use a chemical exfoliant just twice a week. And after exfoliating, I always follow up with a rich ceramide cream.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant This is the product that truly taught me the power of chemical exfoliation. The salicylic acid (BHA) works deep inside the pores to gently clear out impurities without any harsh scrubbing. It’s incredibly effective at minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores and fighting blackheads.
Step 4: Toner
- Why is this step important? Korean toners aren’t the stripping, alcohol-based formulas of the past. They balance your skin’s pH after cleansing and provide the first layer of hydration, prepping it for the steps to come.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: I use both the “Dakk-To” (wiping) and “Heup-To” (patting) methods! I use “Dakk-To” on my oily T-zone to manage pores and “Heup-To” on my drier U-zone to flood it with hydration. This way, every part of my face gets exactly what it needs.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner This toner is a legend in Korea. It’s fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and incredibly gentle, but it works wonders. It uses mineral-rich deep sea water to hydrate and soothe, perfectly prepping my skin for the next steps.
Step 5 & 6: The Power Step – Essence & Serum
- Why is this step important? Let’s talk about a major trend in modern K-Beauty: efficiency and multi-functionality. The lines have blurred, and now, many popular products in Korea are powerful hybrids that deliver the deep hydration of an essence AND the targeted treatment of a serum in one bottle.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: As someone with combination, sensitive skin, my skin can be a battleground. Whenever red, angry pimples pop up, the Dr.G Red Blemish Serum is the first thing I reach for. The TECA (a high-quality Centella Asiatica extract) calms inflammation in just 2-3 days. What I love most is the watery-light texture that absorbs instantly.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Hyal Cica Soothing Serum This all-in-one serum is my secret weapon. It tackles everything from breakouts to hydration. Because it’s fragrance-free and alcohol-free, it’s incredibly comfortable even on my sensitive skin. It’s my go-to rescue serum.
Step 7: Sheet Mask (1-2x a week)
- Why is this step important? A sheet mask is like a supercharged facial in a packet, providing an intensive boost of moisture and giving your skin a special treat.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: My absolute favorite trick is to pop the sheet mask in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before use. The cooling effect is incredible for soothing skin. But never leave it on for more than 10-15 minutes! If the sheet dries out, it can pull moisture back from your skin.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Sheet Mask When I want that coveted ‘glass skin’ look, I reach for this mask. The Salmon DNA (PDRN) helps with skin regeneration, while Vitamins C & E provide a brightening boost. After using it, my skin looks and feels plump, radiant, and revitalized.
Step 8: Eye Cream
- Why is this step important? The skin around your eyes is much thinner and drier, making it the first place to show fine lines. An eye cream provides targeted care to protect this delicate area.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: I’m guilty of squinting at my phone too much, and I started noticing fine lines because of it! My biggest tip? Don’t just limit it to your eyes! I use my eye cream on my neck and smile lines for all-over elasticity care.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream This cream has been my go-to for tackling fine lines. Its star ingredient is Bakuchiol, a natural, plant-based alternative to Retinol that is much gentler on the skin. After about three weeks of nightly use, the lines around my eyes looked softer and my dark circles appeared brighter.
Step 9: Moisturizer
- Why is this step important? A good moisturizer is essential to lock in all the previous steps and protect your skin barrier. It acts as the final seal.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: This is where we seal all the goodness in! I once recommended this cream to a friend for her post-laser treatment care, and she was amazed at how quickly her skin barrier recovered, thanks to the PDRN. My pro-tip: when applying, gently press to burst the tiny collagen capsules to boost the firming effect!
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Capsule Cream This cream is a true 3-in-1 solution that targets skin regeneration, elasticity, and tone-up all at once. The synergy of PDRN for skin repair, Collagen for firmness, and Niacinamide for pore management makes it a powerful all-rounder.
Step 10: SPF (AM Only)
- Why is this step important? In the morning, sunscreen is the final and most critical step. It is the best defense against all signs of skin aging caused by UVA/UVB radiation. If you only do one step in the morning, let it be this one.
- Ggot-song’s Real Experience & Pro-Tips: For years, I struggled to find the perfect sunscreen. My biggest tip for application is to tap, don’t rub. I take a small amount and gently tap it into my skin. This helps it absorb without pilling and creates a smooth, velvet-like canvas.
- Ggot-song’s Holy Grail Product: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen This sunscreen is perfection. It’s a hybrid formula with SPF 50+/PA++++, so it provides powerful protection without a white cast or greasiness. It’s packed with Black Rice extract and Ceramides, so it feels more like a light moisturizer than a sunscreen.
Tailoring the Routine for Your Skin Type
The 10-step routine is not one-size-fits-all. The secret to success is choosing the right ingredients for your specific skin type.
🩺 For Sensitive Skin (Goal: Minimize Irritation + Soothe)
- Key Ingredients to Look For: Centella Asiatica (Cica), Ceramides, Panthenol.
- Always Check For: Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and paraben-free formulas.
☯️ For Combination Skin (Goal: Balance Oil & Hydration)
- Key Ingredients to Look For: Green Tea Extract, Salicylic Acid (BHA), Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide.
- Product Types to Try: A gel-type cleanser is great for the oily T-zone.
You Asked, We Answered (Q&A)
Do I really have to do all 10 steps every night? Absolutely not! Think of the 10 steps as a complete menu, not a mandatory daily meal. The most important thing is to listen to your skin. On a normal night, my routine is just 3-5 steps. The full routine is like a special ‘spa night’ for me, maybe once or twice a week.
Why is Korean skincare so good? I believe it’s because of the philosophy. In Korea, skincare is seen as healthcare and self-care. This creates incredibly discerning consumers, which drives the industry to constantly innovate with new, effective, and gentle formulas.
P.S. Sunscreen is the most important final step in your morning routine. If you missed it, check out our complete guide to the best Korean sunscreens.
Final Thoughts
Embarking on the 10-step Korean skincare routine is a journey, not a race. Don’t feel pressured to do everything at once. Start by understanding what your skin needs, add one or two new steps, and see how it responds. The goal is to create a ritual that you enjoy and that leaves your skin healthy, happy, and glowing.
What are your favorite K-beauty steps or products? Share your own tips in the comments below—I’d love to learn from our global community!