Here, I’ll provide a guide for you by each step of the routine and a range of products for each step. That said, many people start off with the 10 steps and then adjust by either paring down (or yes, sometimes increasing!) the steps based on how your skin reacts to them. The natural beauty world also has several green oil cleansing options including Kahina Giving Beauty’s new facial oil cleanser, Biossance’s Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, and Monestary’s Rose Cleansing Oil. For more options, check out the best cleansing oils. If you’ve tried oil cleansing before and haven’t loved it, it’s possible you weren’t using the “proper” technique. Check out this super-simple oil-cleansing tutorial and give it a go. A great green water-based cleanser to try is Odacité’s Black Mint Cleanser for oily to normal skin, and Indie Lee’s Brightening Cleanser is great for all skin types. To boot, there are Korean toners for each skin type. The Botanical Pore Toner is a favorite for those with oily skin—in fact, this toner won the Peach & Lily Best of K-Beauty Award—as it completely mattifies shine without stripping skin dry and leaves it a balanced, hydrated matte. The Botanical Nutrition Power Toner is incredible for those with dry skin as it’s infused with nourishing and soothing royal jelly. The Botanical Nutrition Toner is perfect for those with combination skin as the formula helps the oilier parts become less oily and the dry parts more hydrated. Finally, the Purifying White Waterful Toner is incredibly hydrating and brightening for those with uneven skin tone or a lack of radiance. If you’re looking for a green toner, try Josh Rosebrook’s Hydrating Accelerator or Ursa Major’s 4-in-1 Face Tonic or our favorite clean, natural toners. This step of the K-beauty routine is particularly significant because it provides an opportunity for you to really get to know your skin. There are so many great treatment products out there, including, of course, non-Korean beauty products, and when you’ve done the prior steps—cleansed your skin well, toned and applied essence—these products can go even further for you. The Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum is great for those looking to intensify the skin’s glow or add firmness and hydration. Pai’s Rosehip Seed BioRegenerate Oil, or any rosehip seed oil, is a great way to replenish your lipid barrier while also delivering antioxidants to skin. Side note: You might be wondering what the difference is between serums and ampoules. They’re very similar in that they’re concentrated formulas designed to help combat a specific skin care concern. Typically, though, ampoules are a bit more concentrated and, therefore, potent than serums. SPF is a big part of the Korean beauty culture. Growing up, I remember my mom teaching me how to brush my teeth as a toddler…and also how to apply SPF. Protecting your skin from the sun is seen as a foundational part of self-care, and I truly appreciate this little tidbit of self-care that was passed down to me from my mom. So I try to pay it forward and am constantly hunting for the best SPFs that people will actually enjoy using since otherwise, it’s not going to happen. Out of a lot that I’ve tested, I love the Elta MD SPF because it’s lightweight, doesn’t leave a cast, and wears well under makeup. It’s a pretty good natural option, too! Or see our selects for best mineral SPFs for the face, here.
