The Ultimate Guide to Korean Skincare for Men

THE PERFECT, MOST NO-FUSS KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR MEN

Public Service Announcement for All: Gone are the days when men would own just a single bar of soap which tripled as a body wash, face wash and shampoo.

In the past, there was a notion that if a man invests in and takes care of his skin, it is “unmanly.” However, with the passage of time and the growing emphasis on self care, men have slowly started to take interest in their own skincare. Additionally, with the rise and availability of K-beauty and Korean skincare, it is very easy to curate a proper beauty routine depending on your skin type and skin needs.

The basis of Korean skincare is using “natural” and mild ingredients. There is a notion of “prevention is better than care.” This is why we see a trend of Korean teenagers- both male and female, having multi step skincare routines.  However, it is never too late to start taking care of yourself and investing in a good Korean skincare regimen.

Korean male celebrities are admired for their flawless complexions and radiating skin. Whether it is BTS V’s or Park Seo Jun’s clear skin, or Hyun Bin’s ever youthful face despite being in his 40s-  it is a known fact that Korean men take the best care of their skin.  There are countless male ambassadors for skincare brands. EXO’s Chanyeol has modelled for Nacific, Seventeen’s S Coup is the brand ambassador for SomeByMi.

Find both Nacific and SomeByMi products at  https://bellevous.in/ along with some of the best selling Korean skincare brands.

The Korean 10 Step Routine (which includes the following steps in order; oil cleanser, foam cleanser, exfoliant, toner, essence, serum, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer and SPF) is synonymous with Korean skincare.  Be that as it may, many men (as well as females too) may find this too complicated and time consuming. A good rule of thumb for a multi step routine is to apply your products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest.

So, now that we have that explanation out of the way, we can get down to the bare essentials that will make your routine no-fuss and most effective.

 

1. Double Cleansing

Cleansing, as we all know, is when you use a face wash to remove the dirt, oil and excess debris from your face. Cleansers tend to be more gentle than soap or body wash as skin on your face is much more sensitive than your body. If you are cleansing your face- good job! However, you can elevate this step by adding an oil cleanser in your routine.

Incorporating an oil cleanser as the first step in your routine (followed by foam cleansing), is a great decision. Oil cleansers don’t just moisturize your face, but also help break down stubborn dirt particles or sunscreen that you might have accumulated throughout the day.  

Belle Vous’ recommendation for one of the best oil cleansers is Dear Klairs Deep Black Deep Cleansing Oil. It is a very gentle oil cleanser that can be used by all skin types. It is unscented and suitable for even sensitive skin.

2. Toner

Adding a toner to your multi step skincare routine can help balance the pH level of your skin which can get disrupted because of harsh factors like tap water, pollution, or excess sebum. It also helps to restore any nutrients that were lost during the cleansing process and helps prep your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers.

Take a look at the extensive range of toners  at https://bellevous.in/ .

Here is the CosRX Hydrium Watery Toner which is suitable for all skin types.

3. Treatment

This is the step where you can customize your Korean skincare routine the most. You can target your individual skin needs through the serums that you choose to use in this step.

The most bonafide and effective treatments are:

 i) Vitamin C: This ingredient may help slow early signs of aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne.

Shop for the new and improved Cosrx The Vitamin C 23 Serum at https://bellevous.in/

 ii) Niacinamide: This ingredient aids in brightening and clearing the skin. It is even known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

One Thing Niacinamide 10% is a great serum to start with. It is usually recommended for oily and combination skin.

iii) Hyaluronic Acid:  Hyaluronic acid does a killer job when it comes to moisturizing the skin and minimizes signs of ageing by reducing fine lines and making wrinkles less visible.

Belle vous’ recommendation for the perfect hyaluronic acid is the CosRx’s The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum.

iv) Centella Asiatica: Centella Asiatica is a medicinal herb which was traditionally used to heal wounds, improve mental clarity and treat skin conditions. It is now known to restore the skin’s moisture barrier and is great for sensitive, inflamed or irritated skin.

Sensitive skin people, don’t forget to click on this link to check out One Thing Centella Asiatica Extra at https://bellevous.in/

4. Moisturizer

There was a notion before that if you have oily skin, you don’t need moisturizer. Trying to eliminate oil from your skin can actually prove to be counterproductive, especially if you have oily skin. When we go the extra mile to remove oil from our skin surface, our sebaceous glands actually go into overdrive. This happens because the glands react to the removal of natural oil from the surface and start to produce excess oil in order to perform their protective function.

Belle Vous recommendation moisturizer for Dry Skin is - CosRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream

The perfect moisturizer for Oily Skin- CosRX OIL-FREE UltraMoisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)  which is available at https://bellevous.in/

 

 

5. Sunscreen/ SPF:

Wearing sunscreen is the best and easiest way to protect your skin’s appearance and health. Sunscreen contributes greatly in preventing sunburn, sun cancer and premature ageing. 

Always remember that sunscreen has to be reapplied several times a day and if you are going to be out in the sun, be sure to pack sunscreen with a higher SPF.

Take a look at our different sunscreens  https://bellevous.in/ . Here is CosRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream which comes highly recommended.

 

EXTRA STEPS TO ELEVATE YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE EVEN MORE!

We hope this guide will help you to curate a well balanced skincare regimen. However, there are also a few extra things you can do to increase the chances of clear and healthy skin.

 

1. Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are a staple of K-beauty. They are notoriously known for boosting hydration instantly when your skin is dehydrated. Or, you can use one when you need an extra “pick me up”!

Shop for our extensive sheet masks range at https://bellevous.in/ . Check out Farm Stay Visible Difference Sheet Mask Milk in case you have sensitive skin.

 

2. Exfoliating

Exfoliating refers to the process of removing dead skin cells, black heads, white heads, and closed pores using a physical (granular), or chemical substance. For a polished and clean look, you can try exfoliating once or twice a week.

Physical exfoliation is good for taking out black heads, white heads etc. It also helps reduce ingrown hair that you might experience especially after shaving.

One of our top selling physical exfoliators is Skinfood’s Black Sugar Mask Wash Off. It is know to instantly brighten your skin.

Chemical exfoliation is when you apply a toner, or serum with ingredients that have a smaller molecular size that enters your skin and pushes all the impurities to the surface. This may cause “purging” or the appearance of pimples. However, after the purging process ends, you are left with the smoothest and clearest skin.  

The holy grail of chemical exfoliation is CosRX’s AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. It has been a favourite in the skincare industry for a long time for a reason!

 

3. Spot treatment 

There are times when you get the occasional stubborn zit or need your pimples gone ASAP before a big event. At times like these, using spot treatments (which are power packed with actives that target specific areas of concern) can be used.

CosRX’s Acne Pimple Master Patch is known to reduce pimples in a few short hours.

 

4. Retinol 

If you are in your late 20s, 30s or 40s, you can start incorporating retinol into your beauty routine. Retinol is one of the most powerful ingredients known to reverse the signs of ageing and fine lines.

However, because of its potency, you should start incorporating it only once a week in your routine and then slowly increase the usage. You should also make sure not to mix it with actives like Vitamin C, AHA and BHAs, and benzoyl peroxide. You should also avoid wearing retinol during the day.

If you are a beginner at using retinol,  CosRX The Retinol Cream 0.1 (which has a slightly lower dosage of retinol) is highly recommended.

If you are a slightly more seasoned retinol user, check out CosRX The Retinol Oil 0.5 at https://bellevous.in/ .

 

5. Lip care

Lip care is something that is often overlooked and neglected. By choosing a hydrating lip balm, you can look more put together than most people in the room.

Look no further than  https://bellevous.in/ for our recommended lip balm which is CosRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Lip Plumper.

And there you have it- all our best advice to help you become the best version of yourself! We would like to state once and for all that SKINCARE IS UNISEX and it is the perfect time to invest in yourself,  and your skin.

Men- it is time to rise to the occasion and not shy away from being your most confident selves.

Carpe Diem and best of luck as you start on this journey of skincare!