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I Switched to a Korean Skin Care Routine. Here's Why I'm a Total Convert

It really works, guys
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Step 1: Cleansing Oils/Balms
What would any self-respecting Korean skin care routine be without a good double cleanse? Double cleansing typically entails removing makeup with an oil or balm, which is then followed by a foaming cleanser. I started with the Nooni Deep-Cleanse Snowflake Jelly Cleansing Oil, $ 23, (a dreamy jelly skin care favorite). What with its jelly texture, light floral fragrance and pitch-perfect packaging (complete with a snap-top lid and an included mini-spatula), it's a true joy to use.

As for the concept of double cleansing itself? I highly recommend it to everyone — it's great for ensuring that no dirt or debris (or mascara) is left behind, without resorting to harsh surfectants that can leave your skin feeling overly stripped.

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Step 2: Gel Cleanser
I followed up my cleansing balm with the newly reformulated Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser, $34. As with many Korean beauty cleansers, this one is pH balanced to be ever-so-slightly acidic so as to better match your skin's own natural pH. This means it helps to keep your skin balanced, while also allowing your other products to absorb better.

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Step 3: Exfoliation/Toner
Since I've got combination, acne-prone skin, I decided to add some light daily exfoliation into my Korean skin care routine. I used the popular Leegeehaam Tea Tree 70 BHA Toner, $34, which is pretty much magic in a bottle. It's gentle enough to be used every day, but thanks to all the tea tree essence and BHAs, it's dynamite at clearing and brightening skin.

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Step 4: Essence
After trying out the 7 skin method a few weeks ago, I'm still going strong on it (though sometimes I abbreviate to three layers of toner/essence, rather than the full seven). Each morning and night I patted on several layers of the Peach & Lily Wild Dew Essence, $39, which is a superlative product. It's almost like water, but so, so hydrating (and not at all sticky). Plus, with niacinamide sitting high on the ingredient list, it's great for calming distressed skin while refining the appearance of pores.

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Step 5: Serum
There's no shortage of covet-worthy Korean skin care serums, so I tried a couple during my week-long K-beauty pilot test. Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum, $200, is excellent, adding a burst of hydration with its pleasantly herbal-scented gel texture. I also found myself a big fan of Legeehaam Vita Propolis Ampoule, $38. It's a K-beauty favorite on Reddit for a reason: It's decadent with its moisturizing texture and faint honey-ish scent and it increased my glow factor significantly (like, to honey skin levels of glowiness).

BY ROSIE NARASAKI | OCT 26, 2018 | SHARES
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