With the covid restrictions now lifted and maybe you’re not required to wear masks, but it’s still an option many want to maintain to keep themselves and others safe Covid and other flus and viruses. But from wearing these masks for long periods of time, some have suffered from maskne. Maskne is short for mask and acne, where Dr Nazanin Saedi says “Maskne is acne formed in areas due to friction, pressure, stretching, rubbing or occlusion,” explained Dr Nazanin from Health magazine. It’s as common as acne mechanica found with athletes like American football players who get from where the helmet rubs against the skin. South Korea is known for its great investment into skincare and taking care of their skin, now that we are able to show off our faces many may want ways to treat acne caused from wearing surgical masks or maybe someone who wants to learn to start taking care of there skin. This guide helps provide much loved Korean branded products, that will leave your skin feeling and looking better than before.
- Oil cleanser:
The first stages of a 10 step Korean Skin care are double cleansing. This is a popular choice in Korea although being optional the benefit of double cleansing is using two different types of products in two steps, to remove oil based and water-based impurities. Making sure the skin is left as clean canvas for the application of further products in your routine.
Starting off with an oil cleanser instead of using micellar water or make up wipes is preferable withing these routines, as according to Dermalogica “Wipes actually just smear the dirt, bacteria, oil and make-up across your face. They break down some of the debris, but don’t remove it all.” Oil cleansers get deep into the pores to extract out oil-based impurities such as: make- up, dirt, pollution residing in the skin. Simply apply the product in your hands and gently rub onto the face, making sure to work it in well to remove any make up on the face. The rinse with warm water 2-3 times and then you’re ready for the 2nd step. Which should be done morning and night.
Recommended Product: Klairs, Gentle Black Deep cleansing oil £20.90. This product is great for all skin types including sensitive skins, as it delivers great strength at removing waterproof make up.
2. Cleanser:
The second step to a double cleanse. Double cleansing is recommended by dermatologists, because it helps deeply remove any water-based impurities that may have been missed from the first cleanse, making the skin is fresh and clean. Having a water-based cleanser helps to dissolve water-based impurities such as dirt and sweat. After oil cleansing, rinse the into the skin with warm water and then apply a small amount of product in your palm and rub into the face in a circular motion for 1 minute and then rinse with warm water and pat dry with a microfiber towel. This should be done morning and night, just like the previous step.
Recommended products: Etude House Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser £15.80. With a PH balance of 5.5 it leaves skin smooth and refreshed, without stripping and drying out the skin
3. Exfoliator:
There are two types of exfoliators- chemical or physical exfoliators. Wondering what the difference is between the pair don’t worry we’ve got the deets. Physical exfoliators are great for an instant result with your skin leaving it brighter and smoother as it works on removing excess sebum on the outer layer of the skin. It’s key to look for physical exfoliators that have a sugar base as its less damaging to the skin barrier and will no tear the skin cells. It’s advised doing this once to twice a week.
Chemical exfoliators consist of ingredients like BHA and AHA which may sound scary, but don’t worry there really not! They help to break down the cells to deeply penetrate to get rid of dead skin cells in a gentler way, which is beneficial for those with sensitive skin or acne prone skin the purpose for the pair remains the same, the only difference is the format of them. It’s best to follow the advice provided by the product. If you’re looking to tackle breakouts and achieve clearer, brighter skin look out for key ingredients like salicylic acid- helps the skin to shed dead skin cells from the upper layer and reduce inflammation of the skin, Lactic acid- helps with treating uneven skin tone from hyperpigmentation, and Black sugar- a topical exfoliating ingredient which that minimises the chance microscopic tears in the skin
Recommended chemical exfoliator: Neogen Dermalogy Bio- peel £26
Recommended Physical exfoliator: Klairs black sugar Facial Polish £21
4. Toner:
Toners work at removing any left-over residue after cleansing, whilst moisturising the skin in preparation for the following steps.
Recommended product: Klairs Supple preparation unscented toner £20.10 is great for those who want a fragrance-free toner that offers a great deal of moisture to the face.
5. Essence:
Depending on what your skin concern is, it’s best to use an essence that caters towards tackling those problems for acne prone skin, Corsx Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence is highly raved about on TikTok as a holy grail to achieving the Korean glass skin and battling breakouts and hyperpigmentation. MISSHA time revolution essence is perfect if you’re seeking to improve the skin complexion, as it provides elasticity and evens skin tone with the help of niacinamide and yeast extract.
Recommended product: Corsx advanced snail mucin power Essence £23.99
Recommended product: MISSHA- Time revolution the first treatment essence £32
6. Serums & treatments:
Serums consists of lightweight formula to hydrate the skin and promote skin enhancing affects. It’s important when purchasing them to make sure they cater towards your skin concerns. Axis Y Dark spot correcting Glow Serum is perfect for those suffering with Hyperpigmentation left behind from breakouts. This serum promises to reduce the appearance of dark spots. With Niacinamide as its base its able to calm inflammation on the skin and over time help reduce pore size. PURITO Centella Unscented serum with centella being its key ingredient it’s great for soothing inflammation of the skin and to help repair the skin
Recommended product: Axis Y Dark spot correcting Glow Serum £19
Recommended product: PURITO Centella Unscented serum £20
7. Sheet mask:
To get the max amount of hydration into your skin, sheet masks are the way to go as they provide intense amount of hydration as the prolonged time of wearing it allows the skin to completely absorb the nutrients provided. The additional benefit of them is creating relaxing meditation state, so you can have 10 minutes to yourself relaxing or doing small tasks.
TONYMOLY Sheet masks are great brand that has a cast range of masks based on skin needs from aloe Vera to hydrate the skin, Tea Tree which soothes aggravated breakouts or even Tomato infused masks the vitamin E agent helps the skin from UV skin damage, you’ll be able to find one for any problem.
Recommended product: TONYMOLY Sheet masks £5
8. Eye Cream:
Starting to use eye creams isn’t required for younger within there early to late twenties. But if you want to start using it early on to add extra moisture for the eye area that’s fine. It’s important when applying products to use your ring ringer and gently pat into the skin. Avoid rubbing or puling the skin as these ages the skin. Corsx Advance Snail Peptide eye cream with snail Mucin being the major selling point, the mucin produced by snails helps promote collogen production in the skin, rejuvenating the eye area leaving the under eye looing younger and brighter whilst providing intense moisture. Another product is Klairs Fundamental Nourishing eye butter, the eye butter rich with both vitamin E & vitamin A helps protect the delicate under eye skin, whilst also providing hydration and nourishment.
Recommended product: Corsx Advance Snail Peptide eye cream £22
Recommended product: Klairs Fundamental Nourishing eye butter £23
9. Moisturiser
Face cream is needed to seal in all the hard work you’ve done before hand, whilst being a final moisturising stage you can choose whichever format you prefer from: gel, mist, lotion or cream, its mainly dependant on your skin type. If you have oily skin its best to use a gel format cream, for more of a matt finish and reduced shine produced later in the day. For sensitive skin & normal skin types, lotion bases that are fragranced free are great to those who are easily irritated by fragrance. A good moisturiser for all skin types is Corsx oil free ultra-moisturising lotion, the moisturiser contains birch sap which helps calm sensitive skin or breakouts and with a light weight feel to the skin it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin.
Recommended product: Corsx Oil free Ultra moisturising lotion £27
10. Sunscreen:
One of the most important stages of a skincare routine. It’s vital that SPF is used even if your indoors or in front of a computer screen all day. helps to prevent the skin from aging and when using chemical exfoliators or products containing AHA or BHA in your morning routine. You MUST wear Sunscreen to prevent the skin being damaged, as when using AHA or BHA based products it causes mild disruptions to the skins PH making it temporarily vulnerable to the sun.
Here are 3 great SPF that won’t leave a white cast, moisturises the skin and protects your skin from UV rays and sun damage.
Abib Quick Sun Stick SPFF50+- is amazing for its small build it makes it easier to travel with and reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50- is perfect for those who wear minimal to know make up and want to have glass effect with its lightweight formula it leaves the skin moisturised and with a luminous glow.
Corsx Aloe Soothing Sun cream SPF50+- is perfect for all skin types for those looking for an SPF that leaves the skin feeling moisturised without leaving sheen provided by the aloe vera which absorbs into the skin instantly.
Recommended product: Abib Quick Sun Stick SPFF50+ £24
Recommended product: Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50 £19
Recommended product: Corsx Aloe Soothing Sun cream SPF50+ £11.50
11. Spot Treatment:
To help fight those pesky breakouts that appear at the worst moments when you plan to take pictures or go on a date. Pimple patches will be your saviour. Corsx Acne Pimple Master patch is great for being reasonably priced and helping to soothe pimple whilst protecting it from bacteria, it helps draw out the puss and impurities and promote healing. Using them at night as soon as you see a pimple beginning to appear on the face, will help tame the pimple so when you wake up the following day, you won’t have an aggressive little friend on your face.
Again, breaking rules with a non-Korean product is Zitsticka Spot clarifying patch Kit- this product is on the pricey side, but it does exactly as it says the patch has self-dissolving microdarts infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Oligopeptide -76, Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide that penetrate into the underlayer of the troubled skin thoroughly treating and reducing the appearance or signs of early-stage pimples.
Recommended product: Corsx Acne Pimple Master patch £4.90
Recommended product: Zitsticka Spot clarifying patch Kit £27
12. Lip Balm:
It’s hard to find the right lip balm that doesn’t leave our lips temporality moisturised, to only go back 10 minutes later to slather on another layer on our lips. Maybe ones that do the opposite of moisturizing, leaving them dry and chipped. TWNYSMTHN recommends their holy grail Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Lip Balm. Yes, this is not a Korean product. However, the dermatologist tested balm offers a number of benefits with key ingredients like liquorice extract to help soothe irritation and redness, Glycerol to maintain moisturised lips and Evening primrose oil to repair the natural barrier of the lips. It’s a must have item that can be easily found in your local beauty retail store.
For a Lip Mask which can be used before you go to bed, if you’re working from or spending the day at home, Laneige lip sleeping mask is a must have. The Korean lip mask helps to deeply penetrate moisture into the lips leaving them soft and smooth ready for the next day.
Recommended product: Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Lip Balm. £6
Recommended product: Laneige lip sleeping mask. £17.90
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