Korean skin care regimens are best known for giving dewy, glowing, radiant, soft, even skin.  Who doesn’t want that?  This intriguing skin care regimen has captured the attention of American women.  And rightfully so!

As a skin care lover and always looking to improve my skin, I dove in head first into the world of K-Beauty skin care!  They have steps and products we have never heard of.  They are most known for their extensive 10 step skin care regimen.

The Regimen:  Korean skin care believes so strongly in prevention, it’s built into the culture to start a healthy skin care regimen at a very young age.  They understand that prevention is much easier than reversal.  Instead of just slapping products on, it’s very important what order and how the products are applied.  Thinner, more watery products go on first.  Then you work your way to the heavier products.  Every step is done is a gentle way, with absolutely no tugging or pulling.  While applying products always use upward motions, to never pull the skin down and create sagging.  Use circular massage motions and pressure points during application, to promote blood flow and tighten facial muscles.

Cleanse:  The regimen begins with a double cleanse.  First with an oil based cleanser then with a foam cleanser.  Using only your finger tips, massage the oil cleanser onto dry skin.  This will gently melt away makeup.  Thoroughly rinse.  Follow with the foam cleanser.  Again, gently massage over skin and rinse thoroughly.  My skin felt extremely clean yet not stripped.

Products Used: Erborain Solid Cleansing Oil + Too Cool for School Egg Mousse Facial Cleanser
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As the weather changes and gets drier, so does our skin.  It can sneak up on us and one day you look in the mirror and your skin is flaky, dry and dull.  There are ways for quick repair and to make sure flaky skin never comes back.

• Exfoliate:  Flaky skin is just dry, dead skin holding on.  Sluffing off dead skin will reveal newer, brighter skin.  I recommend a skin polish rather than an exfoliator.  A skin polish is more gentle and also hydrates.  I recommend Fresh Sugar Face Polish and Tatcha Polished Powder.  For best results, exfoliate 3-5 times a week.
• Cleanse: It’s possible that your cleanser is to harsh.  Just because your skin is dry and flaking, do not skip cleansing the skin.  Cleansing is an important step in getting dirt, oil, makeup, etc off your skin.  Switching to a gentler cleanser will cleanse the skin without stripping all the natural oils.   Allowing you to cleanse both morning and night without drying out your skin.  I recommend Fresh Soy Cleanser, Purity and Tatcha Cleansing Oil.
• Mask: A facial mask is the quickest way to deliver the help to your skin that it needs.  Using a deep hydrating mask after exfoliating will give you immediate results.  A mask will bring balance and restore the skin.  My favorite hydrating masks are GlamGlow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment and Fresh Rose Face Mask.  Use at least once a week or as much as 3 times a week.
• Moisturize:  Using a more hydrating moisturizer will rehydrate your skin, keep your skin hydrated and prevent dry flaky skin.  I love to use beauty oils at night before bed for intense, deep hydration.  My favorites are Fresh Seaberry oil and Josie Maran Argan oil.  If you need something more intense use Josie Maran Argan Creamy Oil.  For day time moisturizers look for something that is hydrating but not to heavy. I love Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Cream (for more intense dry skin with anti-aging properties) and Fresh Lotus Youth Cream (for normal to dry skin, lightweight and hydrating).
• Hydrate:  Drinking water hydrates the skin from the inside out.  Now is the time to increase your water intake to make up for the dry weather.  If you find it hard to drink enough water, mix it up and make it fun.  Recently I have been pouring sparkling water into a wine glass with a splash of lemonade.  About 95% water, 5% lemonade.  It’s so much more fun, fancy and delicious than plain water!  You can keep it fun and interesting by using limeade, raspberry lemonade, etc.

A mask is a great way to boost the skin and deliver the balance and radiance that it needs.  I can’t think of another skin care product that can give more results in only 10 minutes.  I have tried so many masks over the years.  Any time a new mask comes out I always research it and at the least, get a sample of it from Sephora.  I’m always on the hunt to find a new mask that will be life changing.  Today I’m sharing my favorite masks that I can’t live without.

GLAMGLOW Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment: This mask is my #1 favorite mask!!!  It is applied as a mud then turns to oil.  What this mask does is clean out the pores and gives your skin a deep clean. It removes all buildup of makeup, oil, dirt, etc.  Leaving the skin soft and velvety.

This mask can be used as much as 1-2 times a week.  I use it once every 1-2 weeks.  Apply to a clean face with clean hands, leave it on for about 10 minutes.  Then with damp fingers using circular motions slowly massage the mask, turning the mask from mud to an oil.  I do this for about 1-2 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the face with warm water.

It is a very deep cleansing mask.  Some redness can happen.  I always do this mask at night or when I’m not going to leave the house.  I always follow it with applying Fresh Seaberry oil for maximum hydration.  I see the full results the next morning.

Fresh Rose Mask:  Whenever my skin feels dry, dull or depleted this is the mask I grab for.  This mask deeply hydrates and restores suppleness to the skin.  This mask also helps to even out skin tone and brings balance to the skin.

This mask is gentle enough to be used several times a week.  I typically use it once a week.  Apply to a clean face with clean hands.  Leave on for 5-10 minutes, or until the mask has soaked in.  Rinse with warm water.  You will notice instant results.

Peter Thomas Roth Skinstant Mask Magic:  I love this set of 3 masks!  Each mask is for a different purpose and they are gentle enough to use daily.  They work great on their own or can be used after another mask for maximum results.  My favorite combo is the GlamGlow mask (I talked about above) and the rose mask (from this set).  My skin looks ah-mazing after!!

The rose mask is probably my favorite in this set.  It’s hydrating, toning, anti-aging and brightening.  The cucumber mask soothes and calms dry, irritated skin.  The pumpkin enzyme mask gently exfoliates, diminishing dull and dry skin.  Revealing smoother, more radiant skin.  The pumpkin mask is the one that is more of a deep cleansing mask.

This set is such an amazing value for these 3 masks!  You can also get all 3 in a mini version set for only $20!

Lush Mask of Magnaminty:  This is a deep cleansing mask.  It feels minty and fresh going on, giving a mild cooling effect.  I feel like this mask is reaching down into the pores and pulling all the junk out, also sluffing off anything on the surface of the skin.  Even though this mask means serious business with the skin, it is not harsh or abrasive at all.

Can be used weekly.  Apply to a clean face with clean hands.  Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off with warm water.