The 10-step Korean skincare regime sounds more onerous than it is and is actually the basis of a great skincare routine. Following it everyday will ensure that you have great skin, that is thoroughly cleansed, hydrated and treated, protecting it from ageing and environmental aggression. I always recommend this multi-step approach to skincare in the six months before a bride’s wedding day. I also believe it’s a great idea to book a course of facials to enhance the benefits so that you have glowing, radiant and rejuvenated skin.
The concept is quite simple and you may find you are doing most of it already. If you followa nightly routine of eye make up removal, double cleanse and tone, serum/concentrate, eye cream, lip product, moisturise, with a weekly exfoliate and mask – you are already achieving the 10 steps renowned in Korean beauty.
For the uninitiated I have listed the key elements of the Korean 10-step beauty regime below. It’s really easy and adopting this into your day will enhance your skin health in no time at all.
Step 1 – Remove Eye-make up – Only use products that are intended for the eyes around your eyes. I use a micellar water make-up remover as its super efficient, it doesn’t sting my eyes and it doubles up as a morning skin cleansing product.
Step 2 – Cleanse 1 – This will remove your makeup, dirt and impurities – I use a cleansing milk with a damp micro fibre cloth to remove the makeup and dirt. These soft cloths help to remove dirt much more effectively.
Step 3 – Cleanse 2 – This will clean your skin. Using a tool such as an electric cleansing system, then remove again with a damp micro fibre cloth.
Step 4 – Tone – This will finish the cleansing process and balance the pH of your skin. Use with a cotton pad.
Step 5 – Concentrate – this is a concentrated version of a moisturiser and the molecular structure of a concentrate is smaller than that of a moisturiser, so active ingredients are able to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Step 6 – Eye Cream – designed especially for the delicate eye area, never use your moisturiser around your eyes as it’s likely to make your eyes puffy due to the weight of the cream. Choose a product that works to fight puffiness, dark shadows, lines, wrinkles and eyelid droop.
Step 7 – Lip Balm – To nourish and hydrate the lips especially in the cold months of winter.
Step 8 – Moisturise – At night I either use a skin defence moisturiser, depending on the season, during the colder winter months I use one for dry skin, during the summer months I use one which is lighter in weight and lower in oil content. At night I am currently using our newest launch – the Nurturing Night Balm. Massaged into the skin, it nourishes my dry skin and packs in the anti-oxidants, the rose oil in it is really calming and helps me get to sleep.
Step 9 – Exfoliate – This I only do once a week, twice a week maximum, to keep my skin smooth and allow the greatest penetration of the ingredients from 
my products. Dead skin cells make skin dull and lifeless, they have to go! But note that daily exfoliation is not necessary, you can do more damage than good.
Step 10 – Mask – Once a week and depending on the needs of my skin I often opt for a repairing nourishing mask. It adds hydration, repairs damage and nourishing the skin where it needs it most.
So there you have it, the secret steps behind the Korean beauty ritual. It’s easily achievable and to be honest just 2 minutes in the morning and 2 minutes in the evening will ensure you have great skin for your wedding day and beyond.
Kirsti’s top product suggestions from Katherine Daniels Cosmetics:
Essential Micellar Water Face and Eye Makeup Remover
Essential Cleansing Milk
Essential Deep Cleansing and Rejuvenating System
Essential Toning Lotion
Multi-Tasking Eye Balm
Plumping Lip Balm
Sensitive Skin Rich Cream
Dry Skin Cream
Nurturing Night Balm
Essential Exfoliating Gel
Repairing Nourishing Mask
Kirsti Shuba, Co-Founder Katherine Daniels Cosmetics
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