There is a common misconception that Asian skincare is similar to each other, but to be honest, they are very different. Each skincare has a different use of products, and different goals when it comes to what is attained in the end. The Japanese beauty skincare goal is to achieve the ‘mochi skin’ whereas the Korean Beauty skincare routine talks about achieving the ‘glass skin’.
Both routines are different in their way and help with serving various types of skin.
In Japanese and Korean society, skincare is not a task; it is a part of their daily routine.
The women from Japan and Korea are known for their unblemished skin and youthful complexion. Their skincare routine along with their lifestyle habits like eating healthy and keeping out of the sun makes them maintain healthy-looking skin.
In the world of beauty and skincare, Japan and Korea are powerhouses.
Let’s take a look at the differences between their skincare.
J-beauty Skincare: “Mochi Skin”
Japanese beauty skincare focuses on achieving supple and nourished skin. J-skincare products focus on nutritive elements that are gentle and soft on the skin. Mochi is a gummy rice snack that is very soft and plump. Here, the end goal is to achieve youthful-looking baby baby-soft skin that is hydrated and does not show fine lines or any sign of aging.
Generally, Japanese skincare routines are not complex. Their minimalist ideology focuses on just a few important steps – Cleansers, lotions/essences, serums/emulsions, moisturizers, and sunscreen. The application of these products is light because when it comes to Japanese skincare less is more. The idea behind J-skincare is to rest, rejuvenate, and replenish the skin.
Keeping in mind their minimalist philosophy, Japanese skincare stresses natural, high-quality, and effective ingredients that have been used for hundreds of years. The women of Japan take pride in their routines and products as there is ancestral wisdom attached to them.
The ingredients in J-skincare are so powerful that the minimum use of the product is enough.
When compared to Korean skincare, Japanese skincare focuses on nourishment, and gentle products and promotes discipline of maintaining the skincare routine. The goal of mochi skin is to achieve plump, bouncy, and younger-looking skin.
Japanese Skincare Routine
To put it simply, the Japanese skincare routine has just five simple steps.
They are:
- Cleansing
- Lotion/Essence
- Beauty Serum
- Emulsion Cream
- Sunscreen
Step 1: Cleansing
It is a common practice for Japanese people to double-cleanse their faces. They make sure to double cleanse at night after a full day of wearing makeup. They prefer gentle oil cleansers/ sometimes cleansing balms or foam face wash which helps in removing skin impurities that may not be visible on the surface but may be deep inside pores.
Step 2: Lotion (Essence)
Our good old Toner is called Lotion or Essence in Japan. They serve the same purpose though like regulating the secretion of sebum and oils. Japanese lotions tend to be very moisturizing
and soft on the skin. Such products are very low in acidity so it is absolutely safe on the skin. Sheet masks can also be used in this step – it is recommended to use sheet masks not more than 1 or 2 times a week.
Step 3: Beauty Serum
This step makes the skincare routine more personalized as the product used in this step varies from person to person depending upon the type and texture of the skin. For example, some people may be deficient in moisture in some areas while others may have dark spots or acne scars.
Step 4: Emulsion/Cream
Emulsion is the milky lotion or cream that helps in achieving the ‘mochi-like’ skin. Moisturizer is an absolute necessity, without which it is difficult to retain the necessary oil for the skin. Emulsion locks the moisture and helps prevent evaporation as it acts like a lid. It is important for people with drier skin to use a cream-based moisturizer.
Step 5: Sunscreen (For morning routines)
When it comes to sunscreen or sunblock Japanese people do not skip this step. Sunscreen is a crucial part of their routine as it helps maintain healthy skin and, a clear complexion, and reduces tanning and dark spots.
What are the other types of products that are included in the Japanese Skincare Routine?
Adding a product or two of your choice is never a problem when it comes
to Japanese Skincare Routine. Products such as eye creams, exfoliators, and night creams.
We must not forget that J-Beauty is all about products that are gentle on your skin which also means that it’s important for the skin to rest and breathe between using these products. That also translates to using products that suit your skin and what it actually needs. Keep in mind to look at Japanese skincare as a framework and not as a routine because it is essential for you to incorporate other products according to your specifications.
J-skincare emphasizes how not to over-exfoliate the skin and to restrict it to once or twice a week.
Gentleness is key!
Here’s summarizing the Japanese Skincare Routine for you:
- Follow the 5-step routine which is excellent for those with limited time
- A gentle routine and products with less acidity go a long way
- The ultimate goal is to achieve mochi-like soft, supple, and youthful-looking skin
K-beauty Skincare: “Glass Skin”
After the elaborate read on J- Beauty on achieving ‘mochi skin’, here’s K beauty that focuses on “glass skin”. Glass skin is an interpretation of “dewy skin”, as its goal is to achieve transparent, clear, and luminous looking skin.
When you indulge in Korean skincare you’ll understand how amazing the world of skincare and beauty shops are with unique ingredients and ingenious technology. As we all know Japanese technology isn’t very experimentalize and sticks to the tried and true ingredients, whereas Korean skincare is not afraid of taking risks. They top the charts when it comes to creating new and intriguing products. This makes K- K-K-Beauty unique as the products have textures that make them stand out from general cosmetics.
Korean Skincare Routine
Korean Skin Care is much more elaborate than the Japanese skincare routine. There are close to 7-12 steps in the Korean Skincare routine but the most common is the 10-step routine.
Every step is essential in a Korean routine to achieve a “Glass Skin”. The steps are: cleansing balm/oil. foaming Cleanser, toner, essence, serum, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, and last but not least night cream/sleeping mask/sunscreen.
Step 1: Balm or Oil Cleanser
Similar to J-Beauty, Korean Skincare follows a similar method of cleansing. Double cleansing is the first important step with the use of a balm or oil cleanser to get rid of the makeup.
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
The second step of the K-beauty step is Water-based cleansing, using a foaming cleanser to get rid of any remaining product residue or dirt found on the skin. These cleansers come in the form of gel, foam, milk-based and the list goes on.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Exfoliation plays a major role in the K-Beauty routine. It is essential to exfoliate at least once or twice or week to remove the dead cells. There are different kinds of exfoliators available in the market when it comes to K- Beauty. The two major types are physical and chemical exfoliants. We need to make sure to choose the exfoliator depending on our skin. Most Korean exfoliators are in the form of cotton peeling pads that have exfoliating properties
Step 4: Toner
Toner has an important role as it helps skin with the absorption of hydration that is provided by moisturizers in the next step. Face mists are also a great alternative for toners.
Step 5: Essence
Essence is also a part of the moisturizing routine in K-Beauty. It helps prep the skin to use a wide array of products in the next few steps. It is crucial to soak your skin with the product for lasting effects.
Step 6: Ampoule/Serum
Ampoule/serum helps characterize or personalize your routine. Serums ranging from different categories suiting different skin types are endlessly available. It depends on person to person what kind of serum can benefit their skin type. These skin care serums contain a wide variety of ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Peptides, minerals and so much more.
Step 7: Sheet Mask
An additional step in the K-beauty sheet mask. The purpose of the sheet mask is to help moisturize the deepest layers of the skin.
Step 8: Eye Cream
The first signs of aging are said to happen around the eyes. Most of us ignore this region during skin care. K Beauty makes sure it’s a part of the 10-step routine. Eye cream takes care of the moisture around the eyes and helps control fine lines and wrinkles.
Step 9: Moisturizer
The ultimate step that helps lock in the moisture is the application of a good moisturizer. It does not have to be specifically in a cream form, it can be in a liquid gel type as well depending on what you like.
Step 10: Thicker Night Cream/Sleeping Mask/Sunscreen (in the morning)
The final step is the application of a thick night cream which makes this skincare complete. This step perfects the routine as it takes care of the extra dry and under-hydrated areas of the skin. On days when your skin needs ample sunscreen, it is necessary to come back to a thick night cream at the end of the day.
Key Points of the Korean Skincare Routine
- Creates a solid base for applying makeup
- Dewy and luminous-looking skin
- Super hydrated skin
Which Routine should you go with?
The only way out to know this is to try both routines. But if you’re still stressed about wanting to know what’s best for you, here’s my opinion.
People with sensitive and dry skin must try the Japanese Skincare routine. These steps are gentle and minimal.
On the other hand, those who are suffering from acne-prone or oily skin must try the Korean skincare routine. The elaborate steps can help the skin heal faster and give you better results.
If you are running low on cash and time but still are concerned and cautious about your skin, the Japanese routine can work wonders.
For those who want to treat their skin extra, Korean skincare is the way to go.
It all depends on the type of skin you have and the goal you would like to achieve. If you are sought after dewy and luminous skin- the Korean Skincare routine is something you should definitely check out.
Whereas, if you like soft and supple matte-looking skin, it’s best to try the Japanese skincare routine.
