On why 10 steps isn’t really a thing (but kind of is)…

“Honestly, the 10-step Korean skin-care routine is not a real thing. I’m not sure who came up with that marketing-friendly coined term. I grew up in Korea, and from a Korean person’s perspective, it’s a little bit funny. Korean women don’t think, ‘Oh, I have to do my 10-step regimen.’ Instead, what they think is that flawless, radiant skin that is very healthy is a sign of true beauty. It goes back historically for centuries, where the noble class never went outside in the sun and had porcelain-like skin—healthy skin. I think it boils down first and foremost to achieving healthy skin from the inside out. It’s not about symptomatically getting rid of acne or fine lines, it’s about how your skin health is really doing—your skin’s inner environment.”

On cleansing…

“Not everybody will double-cleanse, it’s really up to the [person]. I think because there is more of a focus on skin health in SoKo, women are more into wiping things off very gently. You take the first layer off with a gentle, gentle oil cleanser and get all the oil-based impurities off your face, then you follow up with a very gentle, nourishing, non-stripping, water-based foam cleanser to get all your water-based impurities off. The philosophy there is to cleanse gently. There aren’t a lot of people using the Clarisonic, for example, because it would be seen as very harsh on your skin.”

On the trick to mixing and matching your products…

“These are not hard-and-fast rules, but commonly regarded as ingredients that should be used together with caution, if at all (not only Korean-beauty-specific): retinol and benzoyl peroxide can potentially cancel each other out, and be too drying and irritating to be used together. Retinol and AHAs actually can be used together, as the ingredients will stay active, but can be a bit harsh on the skin. Retinol and vitamin C, if in super low doses, can be fine to use together, but both are very potent and can be very, very drying and irritating to use together. AHAs and vitmain C are both very acidic ingredients and can cause, again, a lot of irritation and even peeling. Copper peptides and vitamin C typically cancel each other out. Also, it can increase photosensitivity and dryness, so it’s very important to use humectants (moisture-loving ingredients) and other hydrating ingredients to stay moisturized. Also, make sure to use sufficient SPF.”

On the cult products you should try…

Essences:

1. Cremorlab Mineral Treatment Essence packs moisture into the dermis and uses fermented chamomile water to nourish. Other active ingredients brighten skin and combat wrinkles.

Cleanser:

2. Banila Co Clean It Zero gently melts off all traces of makeup and casts away impurities.

Cream:

3. Mizon All-in-One Snail Repair Cream: This is one of our bestsellers for the way it hydrates, firms, nourishes, combats acne, and rejuvenates all in one lightweight formulation.

Cushion Compact:

4. Iope Air Cushion Sunblock XP: This is called the “six second” compact because one is sold every six seconds. You went through all that effort to achieve radiant skin—makeup shouldn’t mattify that, but should add on to the radiance. Achieve a glow with just a few dabs.

Sheet masks:

5. Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask: This is extremely soothing and hydrating, and it’s that great mask.

Gommage peel:

6. Be the Skin Non-Stimulus Face Polisher: The exfoliator that I was telling you about where your dead flakes and impurities just gently roll off the face.

Pore Packs:

7. Caolion Blackhead Steam Pore Pack: Think GlamGlow, but better priced and exceptionally well formulated. This heats up on the face and, using charcoal, draws toxins and impurities out. All-natural, to boot.