Key Takeaways

• Your skin type is the foundation of any effective K-beauty routine. Tailor your products to match what your skin actually needs.
• The traditional 10-step routine is flexible, you can start with just 3 to 5 steps.
• Dry skin benefits from richer, hydrating products, while oily skin does better with lightweight, balancing formulas.
• Combination skin may require adjusting product use by zone or layering textures.
• Sensitive or acne-prone skin should focus on soothing, minimal-ingredient products to reduce irritation.
• With consistency, most people begin to see noticeable results within 4 to 6 weeks.

Korean skincare has become more accessible than ever, with online shelves stocked full of toners, serums, and sheet masks from every brand imaginable. But while it's tempting to build a 10-step routine just because TikTok says so, the truth is that your skin type plays a bigger role than you might think.

The beauty of K-beauty is its flexibility. Yes, there's structure, but it's not about doing every step, every day. It's about understanding what your skin needs and adapting the routine accordingly. In this guide, we’ll walk through the basics of Korean skincare and how to personalise it for your skin type, whether you're dry, oily, combination, or somewhere in between.

Why Is Skin Type Important When Building a K-Beauty Routine?

Skincare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and skin type is a great starting point for building a routine that works. For example, oily skin often needs lightweight hydration, while dry skin craves richer, more nourishing products. Sensitive skin may benefit from minimal ingredients and a slower product rotation.

The five basic skin types are:

• Dry – Skin often feels tight or flaky
  
• Oily – Skin appears shiny and may have visible pores
  
• Combination – A mix of both oily and dry areas (typically oily T-zone)
  
• Sensitive – Prone to redness, stinging, or irritation
  
• Normal – Even texture and hydration levels, not too oily or dry

K-beauty makes space for all of these. Many Korean formulations are designed to be gentle and hydrating, which works well for most skin types. But understanding your own skin's behaviour helps you choose the right textures, ingredients, and steps.

Core Steps in a Traditional Korean Skincare Routine

You’ve probably heard of the “10-step” routine, but don’t worry. That doesn’t mean you need 10 products. It’s more of a framework that encourages layering for hydration and skin health. Here’s a breakdown of the common steps:

1. Oil Cleanser – Helps remove sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil without stripping the skin
   
2. Water-Based Cleanser – Clears away any remaining debris or impurities
   
3. Exfoliator – Used 1 to 2 times a week to smooth skin and encourage cell turnover
   
4. Toner – Rebalances skin and preps it for better absorption
   
5. Essence – Lightweight hydration booster, unique to Korean skincare
   
6. Serum or Ampoule – Targets specific concerns like acne, pigmentation, or dullness
   
7. Sheet Mask – Provides a temporary (but intense) moisture boost
   
8. Eye Cream – Supports the delicate skin around the eyes
   
9. Moisturiser – Locks in all previous layers
   
10. Sunscreen – Crucial daytime step for UV protection
    

Not all steps are essential every day. For example, sheet masks can be saved for when your skin needs extra TLC. Many start with a simple routine and gradually build up. If you’re unsure where to begin, browsing through the Korean skincare collection is a good place to get familiar with the categories.

How Do You Customise a K-Beauty Routine for Dry, Oily, and Combination Skin?

Each skin type comes with its own priorities. Let’s take a closer look at how you might adjust your routine based on how your skin behaves.

What Works Best in a K-Beauty Routine for Dry Skin?

Dry skin can feel tight after cleansing and might flake in cooler months. It tends to benefit most from rich hydration and ingredients that help retain moisture.

What to look for:

• Oil cleansers with soothing oils like jojoba or rice bran
  
• Toners and essences with hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, or glycerin
  
• Rich creams or balms with ceramides or shea butter
  

Using products like sleeping masks overnight can also help restore moisture. It’s worth noting that products from brands like Medicube or Illiyoon often focus on deep hydration for dry skin types.

How Should You Approach Korean Skincare if You Have Oily Skin?

Despite the temptation to over-cleanse, oily skin actually needs hydration to help regulate sebum production. The trick is choosing lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas.

What helps:

• Low pH gel cleansers that don’t leave skin feeling squeaky
  
• Serums with niacinamide or tea tree extract
  
• Oil-free moisturisers or gel creams
  
• Occasional use of clay masks to control oil
  

Some By Mi’s AHA-BHA-PHA line is a popular choice for oily or acne-prone skin. You can explore more options under Korean acne treatments.

What’s the Right Balance for Combination Skin in K-Beauty?

With combination skin, you might find yourself dealing with both dryness and oiliness at the same time, typically dry around the cheeks and oily through the T-zone. Finding balance often means choosing products that hydrate without overwhelming, and sometimes even using different products on different areas of the face.

A gentle foaming or gel cleanser is usually a good place to start, as it helps clear excess oil without stripping dry areas. After cleansing, a hydrating toner applied evenly across the entire face helps prepare the skin. You can then apply a lightweight serum or essence all over, while targeting drier zones with an additional layer if needed. For moisturiser, gel creams tend to work well, but some prefer layering different textures, for example, a thicker cream on the cheeks and a lighter one on the forehead and nose.

If that sounds like a lot to manage, consider exploring multi-step kits that are explicitly curated for mixed skin types. These kits often include a blend of products that are gentle, balancing, and easy to rotate based on your skin’s daily needs. (choose a different link)

Can K-Beauty Work for Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin?

Yes, and in many cases it’s actually a better choice. Many K-beauty products are crafted with soothing, plant-based ingredients and are free from harsh additives. If you’re prone to redness or irritation, there’s a good chance you’ll find something that works.

Look for:

• Products with Centella Asiatica, mugwort, or heartleaf
  
• Minimal-ingredient serums, especially from brands like Beauty of Joseon or Purito Seoul
  
• Gentle gel cleansers and alcohol-free toners
  
• Airless packaging that reduces contamination risk
  

You can find options tailored to redness, sensitivity, or breakouts on the Shop by Concern (not available yet) page. 

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

It depends. Some benefits like improved hydration can show within a few days. But more significant changes, like fading dark spots or improving texture, often take 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use. The emphasis in K-beauty is on routine and patience, not overnight results. It's worth tracking how your skin feels and looks week to week, rather than day to day.

Start Your K-Beauty Skincare Journey Today

If you're new to K-beauty, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. Start small. A cleanser, a hydrating toner, a treatment serum, and a moisturiser are usually enough to begin with. As your skin adjusts and you learn what it likes, you can build from there.

You can explore full routines or mix and match your essentials from the Korean skincare or Korean serums collections. If you’re still unsure, we’re happy to help. Get in touch here and we’ll guide you through building a routine that suits your skin and your shelf.