K-Beauty Hacks for Flawless Skin in 3 Simple Steps!

Korean beauty products flood the shelves at every store, even pharmacies in Singapore. From face masks to moisturisers and BB Creams, we cannot get enough of it! So why are we obsessed with Korean Beauty skin care?

• Clear skin? Check.
• Concentrated natural ingredients? Check.
• Variety of oil-based and water-based products? Check.

We love the K-Beauty routine for the results and it gives us the freedom to choose which ones would be best for our skin and our preferences. Which is why a lot of us to tolerate the 10-step process. It is a lot of work but if the result is porcelain skin, why not?!

The thing a lot of us get wrong about flawless skin is that it is not just what we put on our face that counts. It is how we do it as well. Forget the 10-step beauty routine. This is a condensed version which involves lesser work and you get the same results. Here is a guide on cutting out the non-essential process, leaving the important 3-steps to get better skin:

Step 1: Cleanse your face

This is the start of every beauty routine. How do you do it? Using a cleanser is a good start. Remember that the key to anti-aging is moisture. If you wash your face in the morning, go for a gentle cleanser or opt for a warm, damp towel. Save the hardier product for after a long day of work. What about cleansers with micro-beads? Not all micro-beads are safe for the skin. Some can result in damaging the skin in the long run. Feel the need to exfoliate? Opt for a Konjac Sponge. Made out of natural konjac plant fibres, it is gentle on the skin which removing dirt from the pores. Since we love the variety in korean beauty products, these come with infused pink clay for very sensitive skin, french red clay for sensitive to normal skin, french green clay and original for normal skin as well as charcoal for teens who want to reduce acne.

Step 2: Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

If you think that just because you live in Singapore or any tropical, humid country, that it discounts you from putting on moisturiser, you are in for a shock. The humidity and your perspiration is insufficient in locking in the moisture in your skin. What a moisturiser does is supplements it with moisture while keeping it in. Use a water-based moisturiser to avoid the sticky feeling on your skin.

We tend to add serums or skin essence on top of a moisturiser for clearer skin. The problem is that these do not add much value to your skincare routine. A moisturiser with natural active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and retinol is sufficient for youthful looking skin. The key is to look for ingredients which suit your skin’s needs, whether it is for anti-aging for mature skin or to reduce acne.

Step 3: Sunblock, even if you’re staying indoors

A major myth we believe is that applying sunblock is only necessary if we are going outdoors - to the park, beach or a hike. Even when working in the office, the windows to not protect us from UV rays. To avoid accelerated aging, sunblock should be a staple in your beauty routine. Check the ingredients list for titanium dioxide, octyl methoxycinnamate, avobenzone and zinc oxide. These do not penetrate the skin or disrupt the hormones.

If you have eczema or other skin conditions, hypoallergenic sunscreens are available as well. Ensure that the minimum SPF is 30.

Using these three steps as the base of your K-Beauty routine would result in clearer skin in the long term. What are some of your beauty secrets? Share with us!