The topic for today´s article is going to be another Korean skincare trend. This routine got popular at the end of 2016 and viral around Korea and among beauty "junkies" through 2017. Yet, might still be an enigma for many, especially when it comes to the correct way to perform it: the Korean 7 skin method.
When you hear "skin" in Korean, press pause since this word does not mean exactly what you might have initially thought. "Skin" or "스킨" is another word for toner. Knowing this you can probably guess, the importance that this item holds on this country when it comes to skincare. The function of toner follows a completely different standard in Korea. Especially when comparing it with western beauty regimes, where toner is many times only known as a step adjunct to cleansing, to help get rid of any remaining waste that might still be lingering around the skin.
In Korea, toning is one of the star steps of the daily beauty regime, one that should never be missed. Considered to be the first real step for skincare, toner is used to help you balance the PH levels on your skin and prep the skin for absorbing all the nutrients that it is about to receive. And the Korean 7 skin method, literally translating into the "7 toner method" is a regime consisting of just that. Applying 7 layers of toner onto the skin.
WHY FOLLOW THE 7 SKIN METHOD
As we mentioned before toner can balance the skin´s PH and help it get ready to better absorb all the products that we are going to be applying later on. But why the 7 times when 1 should be already more than enough? It is because with this regime we are not only aiming just to carry those basic functions.
The Korean 7 skin method is directed towards rescuing our skin on those occasions when it might not be at its best state, helping bring it back to point 0. That way you will be able to target any other concerns on the best neutral canvas that you can provide, a very well hydrated and nourished skin.
Catered to deeply hydrate and help correct any possible imbalances and damages on the skin´s barrier, this method will get your skin back on track in many forms. From giving it enough moisture to face the cold winter days to calming skin inflammation or giving extra elasticity and plumpness and the beautiful iridescent glow that you can only get from a well-nourished skin.
TONER VS CREAM
The thin and watery-like texture of toner will allow it to penetrate deeply into the skin reaching the layers that other products are unable to. Many times we assume that the richer or heavier texture the cream is, the more hydrated our skin will be. This can be a very wrong assumption since many times, the thicker the cream the harder it will be for it to penetrate the skin. Especially when our skin is deeply dehydrated.
Heavier creams tend to sit on the top layer of the skin without being able to penetrate much further and are therefore unable to solve our lack of hydration. Many times not even absorbing completely due to their larger molecules, which will not only not give us the moisture that we were looking for, but also could end up creating buildup if not absorbing well onto the skin. That is why generally people with oily and/or very dehydrated skin benefit a lot more from using thinner textured products. As it is easier for the skin to absorb at once the hydration of more liquid products.
Swatch of 4 different products, left to right are cream, emulsion, essence, and toner, which was already starting to absorb into the skin by then. Of course, the thinner the product does not directly translate into better results. As always I still recommend you to be smart about your buys and the ingredients that you decide to go for.
Who could benefit from following this regime? Everyone. Layering thinner textured products will be very positive to balance any skin type, you only need to find the best product that caters to your skin needs.
HOW TO FOLLOW THIS REGIME
Product layering is not a new concept and the key for this method to work best does not lay into doing exactly 7 layers or 6, nor on doing it every single day morning and night. The key is on you choosing the proper products, leaving the proper time-space for it to absorb well and use this method as many times as you might personally need.
Different skin types will need different toners, essences or even cream and oil mixtures, different time frames in between applications and a different number of layers. What should be universal for every single person using this regime, is making sure to ensure good absorption of the product. This can be done by warming up the chosen product with clean hands, spreading it evenly while softly massaging it onto the skin and topping it off by using patting motions to make sure it all goes into the skin, without evaporating. So make sure you rock that "pat pat pat" as if patting were to be your new life motto.
HOW TO BEST APPLY TONER FOR THE KOREAN 7 SKIN METHOD
Right after cleansing do not dry your face, but remove with your palms the water excess and proceed to pour some basic neutral PH toner onto your palms. Afterward, pat your face dry using your palms while adding the toner, for a first balancing layer. From there proceed to add as many layers as you see fit using the same technique.
Depending on your needs and the state of your skin, you could use the same toner or a different one suited to your preferences but take into account that the more sensitive or dehydrated (not dry) your skin is, the thinner and more simple and soothing ingredient you might want to look for.
After you feel like your skin is properly moisturized, which means for your skin to look and feel plump and flexible; let a bit of time go by for your skin to fully process all the layers you just added. As the last step, do not skip adding one last layer of a soothing moisturizer to lock all the moisture into the skin. You do not need anything too heavy or too special, you could even use a sleeping mask. Just make sure that it is a fairly clean but slightly occlusive product that will act as a seal to prevent any moisture loss during sleeping hours.
THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
I advise you to stay very away from products containing "bad alcohols", irritants or heavy fragrances, try to go for cleaner products. Think that by using this method you are trying to do CPR to reestablish your skin and therefore the more nourishing and soothing the product, the better results you will experience.
Do not overuse this technique, it is not aimed to be done every single day morning and night, it would not only be extremely time-consuming but also contra-productive. We want to put our skin back into its starting line, not make it lazy or over apply products without need. Being the extremely cold winter that we are having in Korea, you can use this method at night-time for a couple of days until you get your skin balanced and then, 2-3 times a week to keep it that way, that should be plenty for the skin to stay fit on this cold.
I also recommend you to avoid using cotton pads since you will not only be wasting a lot of product but by only gliding the product through the surface instead of making it absorb into the skin, you are defeating the purpose of spending time on this method.
WHAT PRODUCTS TO USE
Depending on your financial situation, willingness vs laziness and skin needs, you can choose from a wide variety of products and formats. From mists for the ones searching for a simplified version to essences or thicker toners for those wanting an even more hydrating approach. Without leaving out any of the other possibilities in between, a large variety of toners, serums, emulsions, and even product blends.
I hope by now, you have mastered all the know-hows of the Korean 7 skin method. I highly encourage you to use it from today if your skin is feeling tight and dry, lacks elasticity, its texture looks worse than usual, including inflammatory acne, or just to give your skin a small treat from time to time on this extremely cold weather.
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