Here’s the Proper Way to Do Skincare, According to Korean Celebrities

Our bias for hallyu aside, we think no one is more credible to talk about skincare than Korean celebrities. With their poreless, dewy skin radiating on your high-definition TV screen, these celebrities have become the benchmark of ageless beauty. While genetics plays a role in this, achieving that glow still largely depends on one’s beauty regimen. But instead of a mythical spring that promises to restore youth, these Korean celebs’ skincare routine is no secret. Here are tried-and-tested beauty and skincare tips that your favorite K-pop and K-drama stars swear by.

Suzy Bae

“Start-Up” lead actress Suzy Bae follows “4-2-4,” a 10-minute method that gets rid of heavy make-up and leaves skin dirt-free before bedtime. The first step is a four-minute oil cleanse to gently remove make-up and shield the skin’s natural lipid layer. Next is a two-minute foam cleanse, which works similar to applying soap but with a milder effect on your skin. Lathering foam all over your face is said to remove impurities while improving cell growth.

Last is a four-minute rinse using cold water to minimize wrinkles and ease the aging process. Aside from this simple routine, Suzy also makes sure to keep herself hydrated and moisturised.

Son Ye-Jin

It’s all about face masks for this “Crash Landing on You” star. And no, we don’t mean the kind we use in a pandemic. Son Ye-Jin revealed in various interviews that she uses separate sheet masks for different parts of her face. For example, she has Skin Inc Get Glowin Platinum Mask for her T-zone and Soothe-n-Purify Black Gold Mask for her chin. If her blemish-free face is any indication, we’re convinced that this multi-mask technique is effective!

Jun Ji Hyun

Like many Korean celebs, Jun Ji Hyun looks a decade younger than her actual age with her smooth, pearl-white skin. Her secret? A DIY face sheet mask that uses paper towel soaked in a solution composed of wine, lemon juice, and toner. Lemon is a known detoxifying ingredient, while wine contains antioxidants that can help delay signs of physical ageing.

EXO’s Baekhyun

Baekhyun from South Korean-Chinese boyband EXO swears by double cleansing, which involves washing your face thoroughly using water- and oil-based cleansers (if oil doesn’t fit your skin, you can skip to water-based cleansers). Anything more frequent than that and his skin becomes irritated. Apart from cleansers, he also disclosed his full regimen to Allure in 2019: toner, lotion, and moisturiser—in that order.

Blackpink’s Lisa

With her signature bangs and cat eyes, Blackpink’s Lisa has made herself an authority not just in conquering the stage but in setting a beauty trend, too. The MAC Cosmetics endorser banks on cleansing to unclog her pores and get rid of dirt build-up from wearing makeup. And while you might think she’s got it all, Lisa has her fair share of skin problems like dryness. To offset this, she swears by moisturisers in keeping her skin smooth and soft.

Subscribe to The Beat's newsletter to receive compelling, curated content straight to your inbox! You can also create an account with us for free to start bookmarking articles for later reading.