The journal
Korean skincare routine: the 7 essential steps, in the right order
Published on 18 June 2026
The famous ten-step Korean routine is as appealing as it is intimidating. Rest assured: nobody, not even in Seoul, applies ten products morning and night. What makes it work is a layering logic (from the lightest textures to the richest) and consistency. Here are the seven essential steps, the ones we recommend every day in store.
One principle before you start: your skin doesn't need everything at once. A routine is built gradually, by watching how your skin responds. Three well-chosen products beat seven applied at random.
The 7 steps, in order
Cleansing oil, in the evening. It dissolves makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum. Massage onto dry skin, emulsify with lukewarm water, then rinse.
Gentle cleanser. The second half of the double cleanse: a gel or foam that removes the last impurities without drying the skin.
Toner. Nothing like the astringent lotions of the past: Korean toner rehydrates and prepares the skin for what comes next.
Essence. K-beauty's signature step: more concentrated than a toner, lighter than a serum, it delivers deep hydration.
Serum. The targeted treatment, chosen for your current concern: radiance, dark spots, blemishes, signs of ageing.
Cream. It seals in hydration and protects the skin barrier: a gel texture for combination to oily skin, richer for dry skin.
Sunscreen, every morning. The non-negotiable step. Korean sunscreens are light, invisible and pleasant to wear daily, even in winter, even in Paris.
Morning and evening, two rhythms
In the morning, keep to the essentials: gentle cleanser (or simply rinse with water), toner, serum, cream and SPF. In the evening, take time for the double cleanse, then the essence and a richer treatment: the ideal moment for actives, away from UV.
Where to start?
To begin: gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. That is already a real Korean routine.
Next: add a toner or an essence once the first steps have become a habit.
Finally: a targeted serum, chosen for your priority, introducing only one new active at a time.
To go further, our guide covers the 10 steps of the Korean skincare routine, including the weekly treatments (exfoliation, masks).
Not sure which products suit your skin? Our online diagnosis, free and open 24/7, builds your routine in two minutes. Our expert advisor then refines it with you in store, on rue Montorgueil.
Mimi Seoul is a parapharmacy specialising in Korean skincare, co-founded by a doctor of pharmacy. Our advice is for information only and does not replace the opinion of a dermatologist.
