The Ultimate 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine

Gentle and nourishing, Korean-inspired skincare is just as innovative as it is effective, with solutions for all skin types. While a 10-step routine may seem a little daunting, the magic is in the ritual.

Korean skincare focuses on layering products to achieve smooth, dewy skin through cleansing and deep hydration.

Find the right products for you with our editor-approved breakdown, highlighting cutting-edge ingredients you need in your routine.

With Medicube, Biodance and Beauty of Joseon expanding into 150 stores across the UK, M&S is the home of K-beauty.​

This is where the Korean beauty routine's famous double cleanse comes together. The water-based cleanser does the final clean, lifting sweat, dirt and any residue the oil left behind. Simply apply to damp skin, massage gently and rinse with lukewarm water. Feels like too much to do in the morning? Make the double cleanse an evening-only ritual.

For drier skin, choose a cleanser like Medicube’s Zero Foam Cleanser, which contains lemon balm and orange blossom extracts to soothe and hydrate skin.

Toners in K-beauty are nothing like the harsh, alcohol-based versions you might remember. These are hydrating, full stop. They rebalance your skin's pH after cleansing and exfoliating, which is key to keeping your skin barrier healthy, something the Korean skincare routine puts front and centre. Think of them as the prep that makes everything else work better.

If you're just getting started, the Biodance Skin Refining Mild PHA Toner is a solid pick, the mild PHA makes it a gentle way in.

This is where your Korean skincare routine gets targeted. Serums are concentrated treatments that zoom in on specific concerns such as wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne. Ampoules are just more concentrated versions, but they work the same way. The TirTir Ceramic Milk Ampoule is a brilliant choice if you need both hydration and barrier repair as it's gentle but effective.

To use, warm a few drops between your fingers, then pat onto your skin. Focus on the areas you want to treat and smooth it over your neck while you're at it.

This is probably the one step of the Korean face care routine you're already doing. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more sensitive than anywhere else on your face, so it pays to use something a little more targeted.

The Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream is a great choice. Its silicone-tip applicator does the gentle work for you, plus it contains lots of great ingredients that reduce the appearance of fine lines and generally firm up the eye area.

Pat a small amount around the eye area morning and night, and you're done.

This is the non-negotiable one. SPF protects your skin from UV damage and prevents premature ageing, which is exactly why it's such a big deal in Korean skincare. The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturising Sunscreen is lightweight and sits well under make-up, so there's no excuse to skip it. Apply it every morning as the final step in your routine, even on cloudy days. Your future skin will thank you.

Want to streamline your routine? Choose a moisturiser that contains SPF 50 and you can skip a step.