The Korean Skincare Routine: Why It Works and How to Do It

The Korean skincare routine has earned global attention for its focus on hydration, prevention, and skin barrier support. It’s not about quick fixes or stripping the skin with harsh ingredients—it's about nurturing the skin with patience and consistency. While the 10-step method may sound excessive at first, each step serves a distinct purpose, building hydration and delivering nourishment in layers that the skin can absorb and respond to.

This routine aligns beautifully with natural skincare principles. When approached mindfully, it can be adapted using only plant-based ingredients—oils, hydrosols, botanicals, and actives derived from nature.

The 10-Step Routine and What Each Step Really Is

1. Oil Cleanser
The first cleanse uses plant oils to break down makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. Camellia seed oil, sunflower seed oil, or apricot kernel oil are excellent choices for this step. They dissolve impurities while leaving the skin soft and supple.

2. Water-Based Cleanser
This second cleanse lifts away sweat and water-soluble debris. Choose a gentle, non-stripping cleanser with aloe vera, cucumber extract, or chamomile for calming and freshness. It ensures the skin is clean without feeling tight or dry.

3. Exfoliant (used 2–3 times per week)
Instead of gritty scrubs, Korean routines favour enzyme exfoliants or low-percentage lactic or mandelic acids. A natural rice enzyme powder or fruit acid-based mask can smooth texture and boost cell turnover without harming the skin barrier.

4. Toner
Toners in Korean skincare are designed to hydrate and rebalance pH—not to strip the skin. A good natural toner might be a hydrosol like rose, neroli, or cucumber, or a botanical toner with humectants like glycerin and panthenol to draw moisture into the skin.

5. Essence
This is a light, watery treatment step that delivers hydration and primes the skin for the next steps. Natural essences often include fermented plant extracts, hyaluronic acid, green tea, or ginseng root. Think of it as the first true treatment layer—designed to improve glow, elasticity, and hydration.

6. Serum / Ampoule
Serums are more targeted and usually contain concentrated active botanicals. Niacinamide (vitamin B3), rosehip seed extract, licorice root, or vitamin C from natural ascorbate sources are commonly used to brighten, soothe, or improve texture. Choose what suits your skin needs—hydration, pigmentation, calming, or firming.

7. Sheet Mask (optional, 1–3x weekly)
Sheet masks offer an immersive hydration experience. Use masks made from biodegradable fibres soaked in herbal infusions like calendula, aloe vera, chamomile, or oat extract. These masks calm, hydrate, and give the skin a luminous appearance. Avoid synthetic fragrances and look for minimal, plant-based ingredient lists.

8. Eye Cream
For the delicate under-eye area, look for lightweight creams made with cucumber extract, green tea, or calendula. Natural oils like raspberry seed and sea buckthorn provide antioxidant support without being heavy or greasy.

9. Moisturiser
This step seals everything in. Choose a rich yet breathable formula made from nourishing plant oils like marula, baobab, rosehip, or macadamia. These oils support the lipid barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Formulations that include shea butter, cocoa butter, or squalane from olive oil can provide long-lasting comfort and softness.

10. SPF (morning only)
Daily sun protection is essential. In the natural space, mineral sunscreens using non-nano zinc oxide offer broad-spectrum protection. Look for formulas with added botanicals like aloe vera or green tea to soothe and protect.

Why the Routine Works
The Korean skincare routine works because it takes a layered, preventative approach. Instead of overcorrecting or reacting to damage, it supports the skin day by day—keeping it hydrated, protected, and resilient. When adapted using natural, plant-based ingredients, it becomes a sustainable and nourishing ritual.

You don’t need to follow all ten steps every day. The strength of this routine lies in its flexibility—pick the steps that serve your skin today. On a busy morning, that may be just cleanse, tone, moisturise, and SPF. On a quiet evening, you might indulge in a mask and a facial massage with a botanical serum.

At Zurma, our philosophy aligns with this approach—slow, layered skincare using the best of nature. Our hydrosols, botanical serums, and nutrient-rich oils can be integrated into a Korean-inspired routine that’s completely natural, deeply hydrating, and uniquely yours.