■ In K-Beauty, the Most Important Thing After Sunscreen Is “Evening Cleansing”
▶ In Part 1, I emphasized that sun protection is the most basic step in skincare.▶ The second most important thing is completely removing the pollutants that stick to your face.
→ The method is very simple. Replace the product you are currently using, regular soap, with a foaming cleanser that matches your skin type.
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Korean Skincare Routine with a Foaming Cleanser
●🟦✓ Wash Your Face Immediately After Coming Home
▶ Quickly removing sunscreen, fine dust, sebum, and leftover makeup can reduce clogged pores and skin irritation.→ In big cities, even when the air looks clean, there is still a lot of fine dust and pollution, so the sooner you wash your face, the better.
▶ It also gets rid of that heavy, uncomfortable feeling on your face, which can help relieve stress.
●🟦✓ You Must Use a “Foaming Cleanser” Instead of Soap
▶ Regular soap should not be used on the face, regardless of gender. Soap should only be used on the hands, feet, and body. For your face, you should use a foaming cleanser.▶ Soap is too strong as a cleanser, so it can strip away even the skin’s natural moisture barrier. That is why using soap on your face can cause dryness and breakouts.
→ If you use it for a long time, your skin barrier can become weaker, and your skin may become dry or sensitive.
→ When soap comes into contact with minerals in tap water, such as calcium and magnesium, it creates a residue called “soap scum.” This residue can clog your pores.
→ When you wash your face with soap, you get that “squeaky clean” feeling. Many people mistake this for the feeling of being truly clean. But in reality, it is a warning sign that your skin’s protective barrier is being washed away.
▶ A foaming cleanser is something you use every day, so it is better to use a high-quality product that suits your skin type. Even from expensive cosmetic brands, foaming cleansers are usually more affordable than other skincare products, so they are not too much of a burden.
▶ When you first use a foaming cleanser, your skin may feel slightly slippery, as if it has not been washed as thoroughly as with soap. But after using it a few times, you will quickly get used to that moisturized feeling.
●🟦✓ In the Morning, It Is Better to Wash Your Face with “Water Only,” Without a Foaming Cleanser
▶ While you sleep, fine dust, sunscreen, and makeup do not build up on your face. So lukewarm water alone is enough to remove impurities.▶ The layer of oil created overnight helps protect your skin during the day. If you wash it away too harshly with a cleanser in the morning, your skin may actually become even oilier.
💊 However, if you have very oily or acne-prone skin, the sebum produced overnight may not rinse off well with water alone and can trigger breakouts. In that case, it is better to use a gentle foaming cleanser in the morning as well.
●🟦✓ Always Wash Your Face with “Lukewarm Water”
▶ Hot water can weaken the skin barrier and cause dryness.▶ Cold water has weaker cleansing power and creates a strong temperature shock, which is very bad for facial skin.
●🟦✓ Washing Your Face Twice a Day, Morning and Evening, Is Enough
💊 Avoid washing your face during the day, regardless of your gender.▶ Washing your face frequently during the day can weaken the skin barrier and cause dryness and oiliness.
▶ Except when applying skincare or makeup products, you should not let anything touch your face, including water, hands, or any foreign substances. Facial skin is extremely sensitive, so check it only in the mirror and do not touch it often with your hands.
▶ Wiping your face with wet wipes is also strictly off-limits. Wet wipes often contain preservatives or fragrance ingredients, which can be very irritating to facial skin.
▶ This is especially common among people who sweat a lot, people with very oily skin, and men. Many of them wash their faces often during the day and do not even apply moisturizer afterward. But this actually makes oil production spike.
→ When the oil on your face suddenly disappears because of washing, your skin tries to protect itself by producing even more oil. After 1 to 2 hours, your face becomes even shinier than before.
→ Just by not washing your face during the day, your oiliness can decrease significantly.
●🟦✓ Small Habits You Absolutely Need to Follow After Washing
▶ When washing your hair: Do not let shampoo lather run across your face and then down your body. Shampoo has strong cleansing power, so if it touches your face, it can cause breakouts.→ For people who often get tiny bumps or small pimples on the forehead or hairline, shampoo lather or leftover hair product residue is often the cause.
→ When showering, you should wash your face last so that no residue is left behind.
▶ When using a towel: If you rub your face hard with a towel, you can damage the skin barrier and cause wrinkles. Your skin can also become red, irritated, or break out.
💊 Press the towel firmly against your face just once to absorb only the water. At first, it may feel like your face is not completely dry, but after doing this a few times, you will feel that your skin stays more hydrated.
▶ After exercising: When sweat evaporates, skin moisture evaporates with it, and pores can easily become clogged. So wash your face quickly right after working out.
A young woman applying serum and moisturizer after cleansing as part of a healthy skincare routine.
●🟦✓ Apply a Hydrating Product, Such as a Hydrating Toner, Serum, or Moisturizer, as Quickly as Possible After Washing Your Face
▶ Right after washing your face, moisture on the surface of your skin evaporates quickly and makes the skin dry.→ Right after cleansing, your skin starts the process of recovering on its own. But if moisture evaporates quickly at this point, the skin barrier can dry out more easily. That is why it is important to apply a hydrating product right after washing your face to lock in moisture.
💊 About 3 minutes after washing your face, your skin can become dry very quickly, and even an expensive moisturizer may not absorb as well as it would right away.
→ Dermatologists consider even 3 minutes to be too long, so they recommend applying moisturizer within 1 to 3 minutes whenever possible.
▶ Do not get distracted. Apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face. This is a core habit you absolutely must follow.
●🟦✓ Buy Skincare Products Based on “Skin Type,” Not “Gender”
▶ The distinction between men’s and women’s products is a marketing tactic used by cosmetic companies. Except for men’s products that contain strong alcohol-based ingredients, the ingredients are almost the same.→ Among the four skin types, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive, just choose a gentle product that suits your skin and use it regardless of gender.
▶ Especially for men who shave, using a harsh alcohol-based toner is one of the worst habits.
→ Aftershave toner marketed to men gives a hot, stinging feeling. Because of that, many people mistakenly think, “It must be disinfecting well.” But this is actually ethanol, in other words alcohol, and menthol taking moisture away from the skin and irritating it.
💊 The Truth Behind Movie Scenes Where Strong Alcohol Is Poured on Wounds
→ In movies, when someone gets shot, there is often a scene where alcohol is poured onto the wound. But this was an old method used when disinfectants were not available. Alcohol does not only kill bacteria. It can also damage normal skin tissue at the same time.
→ In modern medicine, this is absolutely not recommended because it can make the wound worse and leave scars. After shaving, the area around the chin is covered with countless tiny cuts. Instead of using a harsh alcohol-based toner, the correct answer is to apply plenty of a gentle hydrating soothing moisturizer sold in stores to protect the skin.
📌 Conclusion
→ Skincare may look complicated, but the core is simple.→ If you make sunscreen a daily habit whenever you go outside to avoid sun damage, and simply replace soap with a foaming cleanser when washing your face, 60 to 70% of skincare is already complete.
→ Even if you do not have time, never skip these two things.
→ Especially for these two products, even if you are on a tight budget, choose good products no matter what. Pick high-quality skincare products that match your skin type and use them consistently.
■ Regional Cleansing Environments and Habits to Watch Out For
●✅ Cleansing Environment Readers in Europe, the U.S., and Canada Should Watch Out For: Hard Water
▶ In some regions of Europe, the U.S., and Canada, tap water often contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. This is called hard water.→ Simply put, hard water is water that contains a high amount of minerals.
→ This water itself is not necessarily bad. However, when it comes into contact with regular soap, it can easily create soap scum, and residue can remain on the surface of the skin, causing dryness and irritation.
▶ Especially in hard water areas, you should avoid habits like scrubbing your face harshly or washing your face with regular soap.
→ No matter how good your water softener is, if strong shower pressure hits your face directly or you rub your face hard with soap, your skin barrier can become weaker.
→ The true core of K-beauty is not a good machine. It is proper cleansing habits that protect your skin as gently as you would treat a baby, along with the use of a gentle foaming cleanser.
●✅ Cleansing Environment Readers in the Middle East, Including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Should Watch Out For: Dry Climate and Frequent Water Cleansing Habits
▶ In some regions of the Middle East, desalinated tap water, a dry climate, sand dust, and frequent cleansing habits can all work together and make the skin dry out more easily.→ On top of that, if you scrub your face hard with regular soap to wash off ultra-fine desert sand dust, your skin barrier can become weaker, and dryness and irritation can get worse.
→ Especially in the Middle East, there is the practice of Wudu, where the body and face are cleansed before prayer. This culture itself is not a problem at all. In fact, it is a very clean lifestyle habit.
→ However, when a dry climate, strong sunlight, sand dust, and frequent water cleansing all overlap, moisture on the surface of the skin can evaporate quickly, making the face dry out more easily.
→ That is why after Wudu, it is better not to rub the skin harshly. Instead, apply a gentle hydrating moisturizer as quickly as possible to protect the skin barrier.
●✅ Cleansing Habits Readers in Southeast Asia, Including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Other Countries, Should Watch Out For: Overusing Scrubs and Washing Too Often with Cold Water
▶ Because the climate is hot and humid all year round, many people wash their faces 3 to 4 times a day to get rid of oily shine.→ However, frequent face washing can actually irritate the skin and create the opposite effect.
→ Especially if you wash your face only with cold water just because the weather is hot, sebum and sunscreen residue may not be removed properly. If this keeps happening, clogged pores, acne, and breakouts can easily occur.
💊 Also, scrubs are very irritating to the skin.
→ To remove oily shine, using grainy scrub products or strong deep-cleansing products every day is one of the most common mistakes.(※ Using a scrub once a week is more than enough. If you have sensitive skin, even once every two weeks is enough.)
→ Excessive exfoliation every day actually weakens the skin barrier. Then, just 1 to 2 hours later, the skin may produce more oil than usual to protect itself. In the end, the skin can become even more sensitive.
→ The real K-beauty secret to controlling oily shine is not washing more. The correct answer is to wash twice a day with lukewarm water and a gentle foaming cleanser, then apply moisturizer to balance the skin’s oil and moisture levels.
▶ This is why you need to remember this clearly: “If your skin is especially red and sensitive, the problem is probably not your natural skin type. It is very likely the scrub product you have been using every day.”
▶ Just trust this once and completely stop using scrubs for 1 to 2 months. (Skin Detox)
→ Instead of buying new expensive cosmetics, simply stopping scrubs and washing your face with lukewarm water and a gentle foaming cleanser can greatly help your weakened skin barrier recover.
→ After a few weeks, you may notice that your skin is less oily, less red, and less sensitive.
■ How to Choose Sunscreen and Foaming Cleanser
●🟦✓ Criteria for Choosing Sunscreen
▶ Choose a product that clearly displays its SPF and PA ratings.→ SPF: A number that indicates protection against UVB rays, the type of ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn.
→ PA: A rating that indicates protection against UVA rays, the type of ultraviolet rays that cause skin aging.
▶ A good sunscreen should be gentle enough for daily use, feel lightweight on the skin, and have a non-sticky texture.
▶ Instead of choosing based only on price, it is better to check the SPF·PA rating, texture, skin-type suitability, manufacturer reliability, and whether it causes irritation.
▶ For outdoor activities, the key is to choose a formula that is easy to reapply every 2 to 3 hours.
▶ If you sweat a lot or go swimming, it is better to choose a product labeled “Water Resistant.”
▶ Recommended SPF·PA Ratings by Situation
→ Indoor life and light outdoor activity: SPF 20~30 / PA++
→ Commuting, city life, and short outdoor activities: SPF 30~50 / PA+++
→ Beach, hiking, and long outdoor activities: SPF 50+ / PA++++
→ Tip: If choosing the right rating feels too complicated or difficult, just choose the most all-purpose option: “SPF 50 / PA+++.”
💊 How to Choose the Right Sunscreen Texture for Your Skin Type
→ Oily skin with a lot of shine: Lightweight gel or watery texture→ Dry skin: Moisturizing cream texture
→ Sensitive skin and children: Low-irritation mineral sunscreen, in other words, a physical sunscreen
→ I recommend keeping 2 sunscreens: one for daily use and one for outdoor activities, and using them depending on the situation.
📌 How to Use Sunscreen Correctly and What to Watch Out For
▶ The proper amount of sunscreen is more than most people think. You need to apply enough that someone else might think, “Why did you put that much cream on your face?” Think of it as roughly twice the amount of moisturizer you usually apply.→ Sunscreen SPF·PA ratings are measured when the manufacturer applies a sufficient amount during testing. In reality, many people apply much less than the recommended amount, so they often do not get the full protection shown on the label.
→ If you do not like applying a lot at once, you can apply it in 2 layers. Apply it once first, wait about 2 to 5 minutes, then apply it one more time.
→ Many people in Europe and the U.S. often apply sunscreen very sparingly, only about 40 to 50% of the proper amount.
●🟦✓ Criteria for Choosing a Foaming Cleanser
▶ A good product should cleanse well, but after washing, your face should not feel extremely tight, and some moisture should remain.▶ If you have sensitive skin, choose a product that does not contain alcohol-based ingredients or strong fragrance.
▶ Among cosmetics, foaming cleanser is one of the most affordable products, and it touches your skin directly every day. That means it has a major impact on long-term skin health. So choosing a good product and using it consistently is one of the most valuable investments you can make for your skin.
📌 Final Summary
→ The minimum basics you must follow in skincare are these two things: “sunscreen” and “foaming cleanser.”→ But if you use just any product, it can actually irritate your skin. So you must choose good products that match your skin type and use them consistently every day.
→ Especially for sunscreen, you need to choose the right SPF·PA rating for the situation to get a clear effect.
◆ In Part 1 of Korean skincare, we talked about sun protection and the importance of sunscreen. Today, in Part 2, we covered the correct way to wash your face and how to use a foaming cleanser. This K-beauty series will continue for about 7 to 8 parts, so stay tuned for the next one!
A young couple enjoying an outdoor walk with healthy-looking skin, reflecting the benefits of consistent skincare and healthy lifestyle habits.
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◆ A Variety of Guides About Life in Korea Are Available in English
👉 Korean Skin Care Guide Part 1: Sun Protection, Anti-Aging, and Healthy Sun Exposure
👉 Korean University Admission Procedures and Tuition Guide – Part 1
👉 Korean University Admission Procedures and Tuition Guide – Part 1
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