Hi, beauties!

If you are a fan of Korean skincare, you must be familiar with two very different trends: the 10-step Korean skincare that has been popular since 2015, and a new trend called “Skip Care”. Both have many followers, but the question is: which one is more suitable for you?

Let's discuss them one by one, so you can determine which one best suits your skin's needs.

What Is 10-Step Korean Skincare?

This method started to become globally popular through the book “The Little Book of Skin Care” by Charlotte Cho. The essence is layering skincare step-by-step to provide maximum hydration, protection, and nutrition to the skin.

General steps:

1. Oil Cleanser

2. Water-based Cleanser

3. Exfoliator (2–3x a week)

4. Toner

5. Essence

6. Serum/Ampoule

7. Sheet Mask (2–3x a week)

8. Eye Cream

9. Moisturizer

10. Sunscreen (AM only)

Pros:

• Effective for those with dry, aging skin, or those who want long-term results.

• Provides multi-layered hydration for that Korean “glass skin” look.

Cons:

• Requires more time & money.

• Not all skin types are suitable for many layers.

What Is Skip Care?

This trend started to emerge around 2019–2020, as a reaction to fatigue with long skincare routines. Skip Care focuses on efficiency and minimalism—using fewer products, but with multi-functional and effective formulations.

Example of a Skip Care routine:

1. Cleanser

2. Toner + Essence (multi-use)

3. Serum (which also moisturizes)

4. Sunscreen

Pros:

• Suitable for sensitive, oily, or acne-prone skin that is easily irritated by too many layers.

• Saves more time and money.

Cons:

• Not all skin concerns can be addressed with a minimal approach.

• Multi-functional products can sometimes be less focused on treating one specific concern.

Tips for Choosing:

Start by understanding your skin's needs first. Do you feel like your skin lacks hydration? Do you have a lot of time in the evening?

• Try a hybrid approach! Many people now modify their routines: for example, just the 5–6 most important steps.

• Choose products that are effective and weather-appropriate. In cold Korea, layering is very important. But in tropical countries like Indonesia, too many layers can make the skin feel "stuffy".

Both 10-step skincare and Skip Care have their own benefits. There is no single "correct" way—it all depends on your lifestyle, skin needs, and personal preferences.