4 Korean Skin Tips You Can Apply in Your Own Routine

If watching the now-33-year-old Park Seo-Joon play a high school student made you re-think your preconceived notions about skin care and manliness, congratulations, you’re ready to move to the next level. Here are easy Korean skin tips to elevate your grooming routine.

Koreans know a thing or two about skin care, and cleansing is one of their fortes. The average Korean skincare routine begins with a double cleanse, which involves an oil-based cleanser and a water-based facial wash. If you’re hot off the heels of using bar soap on your face (a huge no-no since this can be too harsh on your facial skin), switching to a proper cleanser would be a start.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a cleanser for the face and tailored to your skin’s needs. If you have oily skin, which most men do, use POND'S Men Facial Wash Acne Solution. It targets the oil glands and decreases sebum production, making you less likely to have breakouts.

If you’re interested in double cleansing, you could go for a different route and use Master Deep Cleanser Oil Control Max with Zero Oil as your second cleanse. It further removes deep-seated oil, dirt, and gunk for a fresh, clean feeling.

Ditch the idea that moisturizer will make your skin sticky and start applying it regularly. One of the most vital Korean skin tips is prioritizing hydration and moisture to strengthen your skin barrier. It protects your skin from irritation and inflammation while keeping it from looking dry and rundown. Choose something lightweight, which is more suitable for hot weather and oily skin. While heavier moisturizers do leave the skin feeling tacky, steer clear of them if that’s not your thing.

Think of sunscreen as your first line of defense against premature skin aging. SPF is essential in Korean skin care and they swear by applying sunscreen every day, even when they’re staying indoors. The sun’s UVA rays contribute to the accelerated development of wrinkles, age spots, and dry skin, whereas UVB rays are associated with sunburn. The latter can penetrate the glass windows of your house, office, and car — and will lead to skin aging anyway.

Apply a generous amount all over your face and neck. If your hands and arms are frequently exposed to the sun from driving or biking, you might want to start applying SPF before they start getting wrinkled.

Finally, go easy on your skin! Patting your skin dry with a towel, for example, takes the same amount of time and is just as efficient. Think about it: you wouldn’t vigorously wipe your car with a rag, would you? This could scratch the paint and glass. It’s time you gave your skin the same kind of gentle care. Take your time when applying moisturizer and SPF as well.

Apply these Korean skin tips to your routine to elevate your grooming practice, improve your skin health, and protect it from premature aging.