Want flawless skin? Embrace the Korean skincare regime

Who doesn’t look at Korean women and have serious skin envy? Flawless and exuding radiance their skin is perfection personified. But a lot of this is down to the care they take of their skin. Here I reveal some tips and tricks to help you achieve flawless skin – KOREAN STYLE!

Prevention

We all know that prevention is better than a cure. But Korean women really do embrace this mantra. Korean children are taught from a very early age the importance of a great skincare routine. They take this knowledge into adulthood and skincare routines are religiously followed.

Double Cleanse

Any skincare expert will tell you that double cleansing is of vital importance. Yes it may extend the time your routine takes but it’s definitely worth it. For the first step of the routine you should use a cleansing oil to remove all makeup and excess oil. I know it seems odd to use oil to remove oil but oil cleansers remove oil. Trust me on this.

For the second step I find it best to use a foaming cleanser to remove the last of the impurities from your skin.

Embrace Essences

Anyone who is a fan of Korean skincare or beauty brands will have heard of essences. These play a vital part in Korean women’s skincare routine. Essences are very light liquid cleansing lotions that have been infused with ‘essential’ ingredients. While their texture is very watery and they don’t seem like they would make much difference to your skin, they are very effective and give great results. Essences can also be used to target specific skin concerns.

Moisturise EVERY SINGLE DAY

Hydration of the skin is vital in preventing ageing and to keep skin plump and radiant. Moisturisers help to replenish the skins water content so it is imperative that you moisturise AT LEAST once daily (preferably morning AND night).

SPF

Korean and Japanese women are big on sun protection. Women in Asia place a premium on protecting the face from the sun. It’s not unheard of to see women in these countries walk with an umbrella in the summer. Korean women wear sun cream all year long and most Asian skincare products contain high levels of SPF. Exposing the skin to the sun on a regular basis without protection is one of the quickest ways to age the skin.

Diet

You are what you eat. This phrase couldn’t be more true. All the food you consume affects the skin in different ways. The Korean diet mostly consists of lots of fruit and veg as well as a lot of water and we all know water is great for the skin. So overhaul your diet and eat lots of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fish, kimchi (full of vitamin C and probiotics) and lots and lots of water. Minimize your sugar intake as sugar wreaks havoc on the skin.

So in summary:

• Take preventative steps.
• Double cleanse the skin
• Use essence.
• Moisturise daily.
• Use SPF daily.
• Eat clean and drink lots of water.