How to Properly Use Korean Skincare Products – A Step-by-Step Guide to Healthy, Glowing Skin
Korean skincare has become a global beauty standard. Its foundation is not about masking problems, but about long-term skin health — care, consistency, and understanding what your skin truly needs.
However, many people get lost in the wide variety of products — toners, essences, ampoules, serums, creams… How do you know what to use and in what order?
7skin.lv has created a simple step-by-step guide to help you build your Korean-inspired skincare routine.
Step 1: Oil Cleansing
Double cleansing is the foundation of Korean skincare.
The first step is using a cleansing oil or cleansing balm.
This removes makeup, SPF, and excess sebum accumulated throughout the day.
How to use: in the evening, apply on dry skin, massage, and rinse with warm water.
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Step 2: Water-Based Foam or Gel Cleanser
The second step involves using a water-based cleanser to remove sweat and any remaining impurities.
It helps maintain the skin’s balance and prevents clogged pores.
How to use: morning and evening (in the evening — after the cleansing oil).
At this stage, it’s also recommended to do exfoliation twice a week. This ensures thorough cleansing, gives the skin a healthy glow, and allows active ingredients from other skincare products to absorb better.
Korean brands offer mild enzyme exfoliants, peeling gels, and various types of peeling pads.
7skin.lv favorites:
Step 3: Toner
A toner doesn’t just cleanse — it restores moisture levels and pH balance after washing.
Korean toners often contain hyaluronic acid, panthenol, centella, or niacinamide.
How to use: apply with hands or a cotton pad.
7skin.lv favorites:
Step 4: Essence / Serum / Ampoule
After toner comes the next step — choosing one of these products depending on your skin’s needs.
What’s the difference between an essence, serum, and ampoule?
Essence
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Main function: hydration and preparation for the next steps
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Texture: lightweight, watery or slightly gel-like
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Concentration: mild, less concentrated than a serum
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Purpose: improving skin hydration, radiance, elasticity, and enhancing absorption of other products
Serum
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Main function: targeted treatment
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Texture: lightweight but more concentrated than essence
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Concentration: high
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Purpose: reducing pigmentation, smoothing wrinkles, improving firmness, minimizing pores, reducing acne and inflammation
Serums contain powerful actives for specific concerns:
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niacinamide — for pigmentation and pore reduction
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hyaluronic acid — for deep hydration
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retinol or peptides — for anti-aging
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vitamin C — for radiance and firmness
Ampoule
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Main function: SOS effect, maximum concentration
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Texture: similar to serum but thicker and richer
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Concentration: very high — the most intensive product
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Purpose: intensive repair, quick results, or as a 2–4 week treatment
How to choose?
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Want glow and hydration → choose an essence
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Want to target a specific issue → choose a serum
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Need fast results or deep repair → choose an ampoule
You can use these products together if your skin tolerates them — just follow the correct order: essence → serum → ampoule.
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Step 5: Moisturizer
A moisturizer acts as a “seal,” locking moisture and active ingredients into the skin.
Choose according to your skin type:
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gel — for oily skin
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creamy texture — for dry skin
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balancing cream — for combination skin
How to use: morning and evening.
7skin.lv favorites:
- Atopalm MLE Cream
- Medi-Peel Peptide 9 Volume & Tension Tox Cream Pro
- Manyo Bifida Biome Concentrate Cream
- Isntree Onion Newpair Gel Cream
- VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Lifting Cream
- Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream
- Medicube PDRN Pink Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream
- VT Cosmetics PDRN Capsule Cream 100
- MEDIPEEL Phyto Ex PDRN Lifting Shot Drop Gel Cream
- Dr. Althea Resveratrol 345 Relief Cream
Step 6: Sunscreen (SPF)
This is an essential part of the morning routine.
Without SPF, your entire skincare routine loses much of its effectiveness.
SPF protects the skin from UV radiation, pigmentation, premature wrinkles, and collagen loss.
How to use: apply every morning — even on cloudy days and during winter.
7skin.lv favorites:
Step 7: Sleeping Mask or Night Cream
Once or twice a week, add this step to your evening routine by applying a hydrating or nourishing sleeping mask.
It helps restore the skin overnight.
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Recommendations
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Avoid combining too many strong actives at once (e.g., retinol + acids).
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Follow the principle: less but consistent.
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Observe your skin’s reaction — every product works differently.
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The main rule of skincare: clean — hydrate — protect.
When your skin receives everything it needs, it naturally becomes healthy and glowing.
In addition to these seven steps, we also recommend regularly using sheet masks and gel masks. Korean brands offer a wide variety — revitalizing, soothing, hydrating, purifying, pore-tightening, brightening, and firming.