Glow Like a Pro: Korean Skincare Hacks for Men and Women

First things first—don’t skip the double cleanse! Koreans believe in starting with a clean canvas, which means cleansing twice. Here’s how:

Step 1: Oil Cleanser – Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and all the grime from the day. Oil cleansers dissolve impurities without stripping your skin.

Step 2: Foam or Gel Cleanser – Follow up with a water-based cleanser to get deep into your pores and wash away anything left behind.

Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder how you ever went to bed without double-cleansing!


Korean skincare isn’t about scrubbing your face raw. Instead, it’s about gentle exfoliation. Exfoliate once or twice a week with a mild exfoliator. Try rice powder scrubs or fruit enzyme exfoliants that aren’t too harsh but still work wonders on dead skin cells.

Pro Tip: Avoid gritty scrubs that can scratch your skin. Gentle exfoliation will leave your skin smooth and ready to soak up the goodness from your other skincare products.

If you haven’t heard of an essence, you’re missing out on the holy grail of Korean skincare. Essences are super lightweight, watery formulas packed with active ingredients that hydrate and prep your skin. Apply it right after cleansing, and before your serums or moisturizers. It’s like a magic layer that makes everything else work better.

Pro Tip: Pat the essence into your skin instead of rubbing it in. This helps with absorption and gets your skin ready to glow!

Sheet masks are a staple in Korean skincare and they’re as fun as they are effective. Grab a mask with ingredients like Honey (for moisture), Charcoal (for detox), or Green tea (for soothing). Pop one on for 15–20 minutes, kick back, and relax.

Men, listen up! These aren’t just for women. Sheet masks are a quick and easy way to give your skin an instant boost—perfect before a big event or just to pamper yourself.

Right after you wash your face, slap on your toner or moisturizer within 10 seconds. Why? Because damp skin absorbs products way better than dry skin, locking in moisture and leaving your face hydrated and plump.

One of the unique things about Korean skincare is how it’s applied. Instead of rubbing products in, gently tap them onto your skin. Tapping helps with blood circulation, doesn’t irritate the skin, and helps your products absorb better. Plus, it feels a little luxurious—like a mini spa moment.

The final step in Korean skincare (and arguably the most important) is sunscreen. Koreans swear by SPF, and they don’t leave the house without it—even on cloudy days. Look for a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and apply it as the last step in your routine each morning.

Bonus Tip: Many Korean sunscreens are designed to be ultra-lightweight, so you won’t even feel it on your skin. This makes it easy to wear every day, which is the real trick to keeping skin youthful and protected!
Consistency is key with Korean skincare. It’s not about quick fixes but about building healthy skin over time. Find products that work for you, stick to your routine, and trust the process. In a few weeks, you’ll notice a huge difference!

Korean skincare is all about nourishing and pampering your skin, and these simple hacks are a great way to get started. You don’t have to spend a fortune, and you don’t need a ton of products. Just a few smart steps and a little dedication, and you’ll be glowing like a pro!