Glowhan — Korean Skincare Guide | glowhan.shop
The popularised Korean routine orders products from lightest to heaviest: oil cleanser, water cleanser, exfoliant, toner, essence, serum, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen.
The sequence begins with double cleansing. It starts with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve sunscreen and sebum, followed by a water-based cleanser that removes what the oil lifted. On evenings with no sunscreen and no makeup, the oil step can be skipped.
The exfoliant sits third and uses AHA/BHA acids to clear the surface. Toner and essence follow as the light, watery middle of the routine; hyaluronic acid commonly appears in the essence or serum layer because it can bind up to about 1,000 times its own weight in water.
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Sheet masks are typically worn for 15-20 minutes before the fabric starts to dry back onto the skin. Modeling (rubber) masks are powder masks mixed with water that set into a peel-off layer, a Korean spa staple, and they run on a set time rather than on feel.
Eye cream and moisturizer are the heavier layers, applied after the lighter actives so they seal rather than block. Sunscreen closes the morning sequence: a sunscreen's SPF number indicates its effectiveness in protecting the skin from sun radiation, and the PA rating grades the UVA side.
The timing rule that shapes the whole order: retinoids increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so they are used at night and paired with daytime sunscreen. For children and teens, dermatologists recommend mild cleanser, moisturizer as needed and daily sunscreen instead of the full ten.
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