We have changed the perspective of Korean skin care from 10 skin care steps. To keep skin beauty, it is indispensable to cultivate 10 step skin care system. Do as multi-step skin care system as ritual or regimen is more important than the selection of products. When it comes to the Korean skincare regimen, there is no one-size fits all approach to a routine—some may incorporate 10 or 12 products, while other routines may include close to 20 steps. It depends on how targeted you want to be in treating your concerns, as well as your skin type. While the below steps are just the basics, the order that they are applied can vary depending on your preferences. Generally, the best approach is to follow the lightest-to-thickest texture "rule," i.e. the thinnest products are applied first, working your way up to the richest. Oh, and it should be understood (but we’ll say it anyway) that you should check the ingredient list of every skincare product you consider adding to your routine to ensure it is fragrance and irritant free. Such ingredients are universally bad for your skin, which is why we never include them in any Paula’s Choice product. Step 1: Cleanser Cleansing is often a two-stage process in the Korean skincare routine. Often referred to as "double cleansing," this begins with an oil-cleanser to do the heavy lifting of dissolving layers of makeup, sunscreen, etc. Next is a traditional foaming cleanser, which removes the residue from the oil step and any other debris remaining on your face. Should you consider it? Whether referred to as a double-cleanse or not, this isn’t much different than using a makeup remover before your traditional cleanser. If you find your usual water-soluble cleanser of choice doesn’t do the job, this approach is certainly worth considering, and you can even try a plain, non-fragranced oil before your cleanser (grapeseed or olive oil, for example) to see how it works for you. Step 2: Toner Toners aren’t a new concept, but in the Korean skincare routine, they’re emphasized as treatments loaded with soothing and antioxidant ingredients. Some brands claim a toner is necessary to balance your skin’s pH after cleansing, which is a misnomer, as a toner can't reverse the damage done from using an alkaline (re: high pH) cleanser. Fortunately, the fact is that most modern water-soluble cleansers are pH balanced and it's actually difficult to make an alkaline (re: high pH) cleanser that isn't a bar soap (which, in general, should be avoided). The takeaway? As long as you stick to water-soluble formulas, your skin doesn’t need to be "balanced" afterwards. Should you consider it? This is a step that we’re all for, obviously, as Paula’s Choice has been rocking toners for 10+ years. A well-formulated toner is a very good step towards reducing irritation and supplying skin with skin-identical ingredients that are lost during the cleansing process. Step 3: Exfoliate This may come in the form of a scrub or a leave-on exfoliant (i.e. beta hydroxy acid or alpha hydroxy acid), with the goal being to smooth dry spots and correct an uneven skin tone. Scrubs, when finely milled and gentle, are helpful as an extra-cleansing step. However, they fall short on treating concerns like sun damage or acne—they just can’t penetrate skin or perform the type of exfoliate needed to improve such conditions. That’s where a good, gentle daily leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant comes in to save the day—these have an abundance of research demonstrating their ability to treat such concerns. Should you consider it? Absolutely! Without question, a well-formulated leave-on AHA or BHA is a daily necessity for healthy, younger-looking skin. Such formulas are designed for daily use, and range in concentrations to address specific needs. Find out which type is right for your concerns in our "How AHA Exfoliants Work" or "How BHA Exfoliants Work" articles. Step 4: Essence The essence step isn’t that different from what many consider a serum, but then again, some essences are much more like milky toners. (Marketing wise, many brands use these terms interchangeably.) The main idea? These thin, lightweight textures supply skin with any number of antioxidants, anti-irritants and other repairing ingredients. Should you consider it? Here is where things get tricky. If the serum you use is loaded with the ingredients that treat your skin concerns, then an essence isn’t a necessary step—you don’t need both. But, if you haven’t found a serum whose texture you like, an essence may be worth considering—or, you may want to experiment with using a milky toner instead. (Our Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner is a perfect example.)