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Your Secret to Vacation Ready Skin

The weather is finally warming up and it’s time to start planning those summer vacations.

The weather is finally warming up and it’s time to start planning those summer vacations. Whether you’re planning a beach vacation or a sightseeing tour of New Orleans, there’s one thing you can count… There will be lots and lots of photos. It seems like cameras are everywhere when you’re on vacation. Thankfully, there’s still time to get your skin selfie-ready so that you can look and feel beautiful when those cameras come out. So, what’s the secret to vacation ready skin? A Korean skincare routine!

Korean women have become famous all around the world for their glowing, smooth skin. Their skin just radiates with youth and vitality. Korean women are serious about their skincare, and their routines often involve 10 steps or more. The good news is, the routine can be customized to suit your skin and lifestyle. You don’t have to do all 10 steps every day. If you want to put your best face forward on your summer vacation, K-Beauty products are the best way to get there!

10 Steps to Vacation Ready Skin

Steps One and Two: Double Cleansing

A Korean skin care routine starts with a double cleanse. Two cleansers are used, and they each have a different purpose. The first cleanser is usually an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm that completely breaks down makeup, oil, dirt, and sunscreen without unnecessary tugging or scrubbing that can cause fine lines. The second cleanser should be a water-based cleanser that removes any remaining residue that was left behind after oil cleansing.

Step Three: Toner

If you’ve been hesitant to use a toner because you think they’re too harsh and drying, you will be pleasantly surprised by Korean toners. Korean toners are made from gentle, botanical ingredients meant to hydrate the skin and balance its pH after cleansing. To select the best toner for your skin, look for one that is formulated for your skin type. Toners can provide a great opportunity to for customizing your skincare routine because there’s a formulation out there for just about any skin care goal.

Step Four: Essence

If you’re new to Korean skincare, you may not have heard of essences before. Essences are unique products that are meant to hydrate and plump the skin so that other treatments can be absorbed more easily. They also contain active ingredients that will leave your skin looking more youthful and dewy, and that’s the look we’re all going for!

Step Five: Serums

Serums are a crucial part of any Korean skincare routine, and there are formulas made to address any skin care concern, so they provide another opportunity for customization. Using a serum after your essence provides an opportunity to target skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles with ultra-concentrated, active ingredients. The right serum can be life-changing for dry, dehydrated skin. In fact, many Korean women layer more than one serum to target specific issues. If you decide to layer your serums, start with the thinnest product and work your way up to the thickest. Don’t be afraid to add or take away treatments according to how your skin looks and feels that day.

Step Six: Moisturizers

Moisturizers are applied next. Start with a moisturizer that’s formulated especially for the eye area. This delicate area shows signs of aging first, so K-Beauty brands have created products that target issues like dryness, dark circles, and fine lines. Eye treatments that contain Vitamin E, licorice, rosehip seed oil, and argon oil can produce dramatic results in this are when used regularly.

An all over face moisturizer is the next step. Its job is to lock in moisture and keep all the active ingredients in your treatments from evaporating away instead of being absorbed into the skin. Look for a formula that’s meant for your skin type and choose a light-weight formula for daytime and a heavier formula for nighttime. There’s a product out there for every skin type, whether you’re acne prone, oily, dry, sensitive, or aging.

Step Seven: Sunscreen

Korean women are all about preventing issues before they start, so sunscreen is a crucial part of their skin care regimens. It should be the last step of your skincare routine each morning because it prevents sun damage and skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen to all exposed skin before you head outside. If you have limited time in the morning, you can use a moisturizer or foundation that has SPF built in.

Step Eight: Exfoliating

Korean skincare brands use botanical and fruit extract for exfoliating the skin gently, without scrubbing or harsh abrasives. This is a crucial step because it removes dead surface skin so that your other treatments can be absorbed better and young, fresh skin can be exposed. For best results, exfoliate your skin two or three times each week.

Step Nine: Sheet Masks

Sheet masks can have a huge impact on how your skin looks and feels. You can use a sheet mask every day, or just once a week, depending on how much time you have to devote to skin care. Be sure to keep a variety of sheet masks on hand so that you can choose one based on your skin’s needs that day. Sheet masks contain concentrated, active ingredients, like serums, but they’re more targeted for maximum impact.

Step Ten: Sleep Masks

And, finally, the last step you won’t want to miss out on is a sleep mask. These genius products are applied right before bed, so they can work their magic while you sleep. If you want to brighten or tighten your skin or provide intense hydration, you need a sleep mask. They can be used at night as often as you like, in place of your nighttime moisturizer.

If you’re planning a getaway this summer, now’s the time to kick your skincare routine into high gear. That way, you have glowing, gorgeous skin in all your vacation photos!