Cut Down Your Korean Skin Care Routine to These Essentials

Korean skin care, otherwise known as K-beauty, has inspired people worldwide not just to make time for their skin but also to build extensive regimens that demand their own tiny fridges and appointments. A Korean skincare routine usually has 10 steps, including special weekly treatment, such as exfoliation and sheet masks. It’s fine but unnecessary if you understand which products cater to your skin needs. 

The advent of skinimalism has beauty enthusiasts cutting back on their skin care habits. You can still get that Korean glow and you can do it in half the time. Here is an abridged, alternative using a POND's skin care routine with steps inspired by K-beauty. As a bonus, these Korean face products are all easy on the budget. 

Koreans are big on double cleansing, so be sure not to skip this step — especially in the evening. Choose between an oil-based cleanser, an all-in-one cleanser, and a moisturizer. With POND'S Bright Miracle Ultimate Acne Control Facial Foam, you wash away product residue and dirt while enriching your skin with acne-fighting ingredients. 

K-Beauty routines go up to 10 steps because they include products that boost your skin beyond what cleanse-tone-moisturize can offer. However, a multi-tasking product such as POND'S Bright Triple Glow Serum ticks off all those boxes easily enough. It brightens, smooths, and hydrates thanks to a team of GlutaBoost+ (for that lit-from-within radiance), niacinamide (for that poreless effect), and hyaluronic acid (for that look and feel of nourished skin). Just drop two to three drops of the serum on your palm, pat it all over your face and neck, and gently massage it all over your skin. 

Bring the spa into your home with a mask. Masks help serums soak into the skin a little longer and come in different varieties targeting different skin needs.

By the way, sheet masks are relaxing alternatives to using essence and serum. You can choose which one fits your current situation best. If you have a little extra time, maybe you can pamper yourself with a sheet mask instead of a serum

Moisturizing is an essential step for all skin types to lock in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. You can use POND’S Healthy Hydration Orange Nectar Hydrating Jelly Moisturizer for instant hydration. It’s oil-free with 100% natural-origin orange extract and Vitamin C to leave skin smooth and glowing.

Pro tip: This product can also work as a mask in the evening.

Highlight your aegyo sal a la Park Shin-hye by using eye cream to fight puffiness, dark circles, and future fine lines. It makes you look bright and awake while tending to the delicate skin in the eye area. POND’S Age Miracle Eye Cream contains Retinol-C Complex that helps fade fine lines and brighten pigmentation. It boosts moisture levels for a plumper look with glycerin and strengthens the skin barrier with niacinamide. Apart from that, it delivers a soft-focus effect with Instant Blurring Technology — yes, like a filter but IRL.

There you have it – your Korean skin care shortcut. Whether you use three products or 10, what matters is that you are listening to your skin’s needs. Get your K-Beauty goals for half the time and half the budget with these recommendations. It’s a win-win!