How does beauty routine change over the seasons in South Korea?

Spring is associated with renewal and a new beginning. Koreans are accustomed to review and clean the cosmetic at the beginning of each spring. All cosmetics that have been kept open for more than 6 months are discarded, of course, in the same way as expired ones. This procedure is performed for hygienic reasons – old cosmetics can lead to bacterial outbreaks, clogged pores or reddening of the skin.

The usual, oily cream used during the winter should be replaced with a lighter-textured cream, which is very important also given that the humidity in the environment increases in the spring, making the oily-textured products non-functional. Koreans choose wisely and in no way miss the moisturizing process of facial skin in the spring. Although it seems that winter is over and irrigation can be put in hand, the harsh winter weather and the constant temperature changes between the dry, warm air indoors and the cold outside have done more harm than good to our skin. After such a combination, the skin is usually dehydrated and sebum secretion increases, which can lead to clogging of the pores and unevenness on the skin. It is very important to include blackhead cleansers in your beauty routine and not to forget the influence of the tonic, as they say – it is better to insure than to regret. To restore skin balance, Koreans choose cosmetics with light ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid) and naturally occurring elements that promote cell renewal and regeneration (such as AHA, BHA and PHA acids). South Korean women are trying to prevent the early signs of aging and pigmentation, so when spring comes, they are already choosing sunscreen with SPF50.

After the freshness of spring, summer gradually comes and its companion heat and sun. During the summer, Koreans pay a lot of attention to cleansing the facial skin in an effort to keep the facial skin bright and smooth. In summer, double cleaning is practiced. First, dirt and make-up residues are removed with micellar water. Depending on the skin type, it is recommended to choose micellar water as well. For mature and pigmented facial skin, Koreans choose remedies with vitamin C, which is mainly found in the fruit calamondin. After removing all the dirt, the cleaning process is repeated, only with the detergent. The cleanser should also be selected according to your facial skin type, if it is difficult to choose, you can choose with activated carbon, so not only thoroughly wash your facial skin, but also cleanse the pores and tighten them, ensuring smooth facial skin. During the summer, South Korean women do not forget the essential aspect of skin care – maintaining optimal moisture in the facial skin. For this, sheet masks are used at least 3-4 times a week. They not only restore moisture to the face, but are also saturated with vitamins and minerals. It is also common to revitalize the skin with a mist during the day. For moisturizing, it is worth choosing lighter textured creams and serums, especially those that protect against free radical damage and, of course, do not forget about sun protection, which should be at least SPF50.

When autumn comes, the days get shorter and the sun’s rays decrease. Throughout the summer, the sun has negatively affected our skin and accelerated the aging process, so the skin probably doesn’t feel vibrant enough and is weak. In the fall, Koreans pay special attention to cleansing and exfoliating facial skin, as well as deeply moisturize the skin. The first step in a Korean autumn facial skin routine is washing. It is better to use soft, non-irritating cleansers in the fall, as the sebaceous glands are less active than in the summer. The second step in the fall routine is a scrub that exfoliates dead skin cells, softening the skin. It is important in that the process of skin regeneration slows down in the fall. Autumn is a great time to pamper the scrub also because the intense exposure to UV rays in summer can provoke pigment spots after exfoliating the skin. Bimil Cosmetics facial skin scrub with coffee is suitable for sensitive skin, as the granules contain it gently, without irritating the skin. After exfoliation, Koreans deeply moisturize the skin with the help of serum. In autumn, it is more recommended to choose a moisturizing serum, which is enriched with antioxidants, stimulates collagen production, helps restore skin elasticity. In the autumn, the body usually lacks vitamins, and sheet masks will help restore balance. The Korean Med B mask with vitamin C, which will reduce graying and moisturize, is perfect for this. As the weather changes to colder, the skin is affected by such negative factors as wind and cold, so in the fall, Koreans choose thicker textured creams with deeply nourishing ingredients. Nourishing creams should not be forgotten after the end of autumn.

In winter, facial skin suffers from constant temperature fluctuations. When indoors, the skin is exposed to dry, warm air, when going outside, it is exposed to cold, humid air and wind. Koreans follow this rule in winter: skin nourishment and protection in the morning, hydration and nourishment in the evening. An oil-based make-up remover and a mild cleanser are used to clean the make-up so as not to damage the protective layer of the skin. Also emphasized is exfoliation of the skin at least once a week. During the winter, the Korean facial routine intensively uses moisturizing and nourishing facial masks 2-3 times a week. Although moisturizing the skin in the Korean beauty routine is very important, during the winter more attention is paid to skin nourishment, so the creams are not as light texture as summer, thicker, oily, protecting the skin from moisture loss to maintain skin elasticity. Koreans use creams that contain peptides, natural oils, antioxidants, collagen, hyaluronic acid. It is best to apply the cream on the skin 1 hour or 30 minutes before going outside to allow the cream to soak up.