This article will detail a couple of steps that are considered to be “extra.” These are steps in the Korean skincare routine that you don’t have to perform every night, but they are still part of the routine and can be very beneficial to your skin. Some women do perform them almost every night, but they aren’t as necessary as the other steps in the routine.
Face masks are something you will definitely see all over Korea. Not only are there several types of face masks to choose from (such as sheets masks, liquid masks, packs, and so on), there are also endless variations in scents, ingredients, and beneficial properties. There are masks that brighten, whiten, hydrate, cool, renew, and just about anything else under the sun!
You can purchase any type of mask you need in the form of a tube, jar, or sheet. Tubes usually contain masks that are more on the liquid side. Jars are for the thicker masks (such as clay masks), and sheet masks are thin slips of paper soaked in different essences.
Masks that come in tubes and jars are pretty self-explanatory—you simply apply the product to your face, allow it to dry, and wash it off with warm water. These are very similar to masks on the Western market, but of course many of them are geared towards different skin issues. For example, brightening and whitening masks are really common in Korea. It’s important to note that “whitening” does not indicate bleaching!
If you use a whitening mask over a long period of time, your skin may become a bit lighter, but it won’t be anything drastic. Sometimes, “whitening” is used interchangeably with “brightening,” even though these terms don’t mean the same thing in English.
Sheet masks are sort of a novelty for those of us in the West. There are a few Western brands that have come out with sheet masks, but you certainly can’t get the same kind of variety you can with the Korean sheet masks.
Sheet masks are a really convenient way to boost your skincare routine. These masks are packaged in individual sachets. All you have to do is remove the mask and place it over your face, lining up the eye and mouth holes in the paper. Press the mask until it adheres to your skin, and leave it on for about 20 minutes. You can leave it on for as long as you like, especially since the masks are always so saturated with essence! It takes them a long time to dry out. You can also use the leftover liquid in the packet to brush on your skin after you take the mask off. Let it absorb into your skin and carry on with your routine!
No matter what type of mask you use, it’s best to use it after your toner. This way you won’t be cleansing away all of the good ingredients the mask is putting into your skin! It’s best to use masks once or twice a week, but if your skin is really problematic, you can use one three times a week. You may want to alternate between types of masks as well; this way you can treat your skin to different ingredients each time. For example, one night you can use a clay mask to remove impurities. A few nights later, you can use a brightening sheet mask to enhance your complexion. Finally, a cooling or hydrating mask is always a good idea! They can make a huge difference if used once a week.
