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10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine for Normal Skin: Definitive Guide

Jason Park
Published by: Chung-Ae
Last updated:

After doing hours of research and spoiling myself with dozens of skincare products. I found the best ones for normal skin. Not oily, not dry, just normal skin.

Here are the 10 absolute best Korean skincare products of 2023. I ranked them based on the traditional 10-step skincare routine.

Get ready to enhance your skin as it has never before.

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Cleansing Oil
Aqualabel Deep Clear Oil Cleansing
Aqualabel Deep Clear Oil Cleansing
  • Deeply penetrating
  • Eliminates black heads
  • Removing aged surface skin
9.7
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Water-Based Cleanser
3W Clinic Cleansing Foam
3W Clinic Cleansing Foam
  • Contains brown rice extract
  • Remove make-up residues
  • Keep your rough skin soft and moisturized
9.6
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Exfoliator
MIZON Honey Black Sugar Scrub
MIZON Honey Black Sugar Scrub
  • Exfoliates dead skin cells
  • Remove black heads
  • Controls excessive sebum
9.5
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Toner
I’m from Rice Toner
I’m from Rice Toner
  • Infused with 77.78% goami extract
  • Brightening complexion
  • Delivers intense moisture
9.3
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Essence
Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence
Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence
  • Moisturizes skin effectively 
  • 8 types of Hyaluronic Acid
  • Replenishes dry skin
9.3
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Serum
COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule
COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule
  • Lightweight moisturizing
  • 83% propolis extract
  • Improve resilience
9.3
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Sheet Mask
Dear, Klairs Sheet Mask
Dear, Klairs Sheet Mask
  • Enriched with white willow bark extract
  • Cooling ingredients such as erythritol
  • Low irritating
9.2
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Eye Cream
Fermentation Eye Cream
Fermentation Eye Cream
  • Wrinkle improvement
  • Contains natural ingredients
  • Prevent skin damage
9.2
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Moisturizer
Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92%
Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92%
  • Multi-functional soothing gel
  • Made from california aloe vera
  •  92% aloe vera extract
9.1
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SPF
UV Protection Sun Block Cream SPF50+
UV Protection Sun Block Cream SPF50+
  • Gently light cream 
  • Minimize skin irritation
  • Leaves skin supple and healthy
9.1
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Beware: Some people have noticed fake products on certain stores. To ensure you are getting the real product, use the links above.

Korean Skin Care Routine for Normal Skin

1. Aqualabel Deep Clear Oil Cleansing

  • Essential: Yes
  • Product: Oil-Based Cleanser
  • Size: 150 ml

This is the best oil-based cleanser for normal skin. Using this on a daily basis will deeply cleanse your skin, removing clogged pores.

This is the only cleanser that felt like it did something. Especially, since you have normal skin.

It’s important to use one that’s not too strong or too weak, this one is just perfect. It’s not cheap, but it’s by far the best cleanser for normal skin.

Sometimes you feel like none of the cleansers work, that’s exactly what I thought. Until I tried this one, and not only does it remove makeup extremely well.

It also removes excess oil from the skin. You can do whatever you want.

Coming back with dirt on your face, oily skin, or just sweat. This will cleanse all of that within seconds.

So, it’s perfect for everyone.

Every time I use this, my skin feels super hydrated. There’s almost no need for a moisturizer. So, give it a go, chances are, you’ll love this.

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2. 3W Clinic Cleansing Foam

  • Essential: No
  • Product: Water-Based Cleanser
  • Size: 100 ml

3W Clinic Cleansing Foam is the most popular water-based cleanser for dry skin. It removes dead skin cells like no other. I could never achieve glass skin without this.

And I’m not the first one to say that. There have been more people saying exactly that. It’s by far the best water-based cleanser.

It improves your skin texture, while also keeping the skin hydrated. That’s what everyone wants when using a cleanser.

So, if you have dull skin, and are not double cleansing yet. This is the one you must have.

This one cleanser gives your skin that glow, unlike many other cleansers that only have huge marketing budgets.

This one actually delivers. It contains brown rice extract, which is backed by many studies to strengthen the skin, all with minimal effort and 0 experience.

The only downside is that it’s not essential if you have to stay within a budget.

However, if you’re serious about taking your skincare to the next level, it’ll speed up the process by at least 300%.

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3. MIZON Honey Black Sugar Scrub

  • Essential: No
  • Product: Exfoliator
  • Size: 90 g

MIZON Honey Black Sugar Scrub is the exfoliator you’ve probably never heard of. However, from many people, it’s known that it’s one of the better exfoliators on the market.

It works for all skin types.

It doesn’t matter if you have dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, or acne-prone skin. This one will remove all the dead skin cells with a swipe.

It can’t be easier than that. Also, remove excess sebum that has been building up throughout the day.

So, if you haven’t been using this already, you’re missing out big time!

And what I really love about this exfoliator is that it contains natural black sugar, which is tested by many experts.

Experts say that using this on a weekly basis will massively improve your skin.

The only downside is that this isn’t cheap. But it’s by far the best exfoliator for normal skin.

Even though it’s expensive, it’s definitely worth giving it a try. Don’t worry if you aren’t a skincare expert, this will solve almost all of your skin concerns.

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4. I’m from Rice Toner

  • Essential: Yes
  • Product: Toner
  • Size: 150 ml

Already have a toner in your Korean skincare routine, well, you probably haven’t used this one yet.

This toner contains niacinamide to enhance the skin even more.

Think of it as an all-in-one product that fixes all your problems. That’s basically this, and more.

After using it for a few weeks, I noticed that my skin had been glowing way more. I noticed some huge improvements by using this toner every day.

Smooth skin. Smooth skin. And more smooth skin.

That’s what you can expect from using this.

The only downside is that you need cotton pads while using this, which is another added expense. For people that have to stay within a budget, it might be an option to save up.

Because this is essential if you’re serious about improving your normal skin. The 150 ml bottle will last you about 3 to 4 months when used every day.

That’s quite long if you compare it to other brands. Unlike those, this one actually delivers on its promises. So, give it a try, and you’ll be surprised how good it is.

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5. Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence

  • Essential: No
  • Product: Essence
  • Size: 50 ml

The Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence is needed if you want glowing skin.

Imagine skipping dinner, that’s exactly how you should feel if you aren’t using this essence.

Will you starve yourself (neglecting your skin)

Or energize and get ready for the day. This essence is filled with 8 types of hyaluronic acid, which is backed by many experts to smoothen the skin.

It’s formulated to avoid irritation, redness, or causing dry skin.

Adding this to your Korean skincare regimen will massively boost all the other products. Look at it as a synergy.

There are no downsides, and adding it will only power up the other products you’re already using.

This is a must-have for me. It’s the product that keeps my skin smooth all day long.

Still, after 3 years of using this essence, I still use it to this day. So, try it out, and you won’t be disappointed.

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6. COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule

  • Essential: Yes
  • Product: Serum
  • Size: 10 ml

Combination skin? This is the one that works for all skin types.

Using this daily makes your skin feel extremely light. I’ve been using this for about 12 weeks now and my skin has been softer than ever.

However, this is quite expensive. But if you want to see a massive boost fast this is the one you need.

Not only does it replenish the skin. It also calms irritated skin, making it by far the best Korean serum for normal skin.

At first, you probably won’t notice much, only after a couple of weeks you’ll see a difference.

That’s why I was skeptical about this serum. It didn’t improve or strengthen my skin after the first use.

So, don’t take immediate conclusions. Use it for at least 4 weeks, and see how it has improved your skin.

And you know what they say. Your face is 90% of your selfie, so take good care of it.

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7. Dear, Klairs Sheet Mask

  • Essential: No
  • Product: Sheet Mask
  • Size: 5x 25 ml

Already using face masks, well, I have good news for you.

Throw all of them out, this is the only one you need. When you start using this, you get all of the benefits from the other face masks and more. All in one mask.

No more wasted money on extremely well-marketed products. This is the face mask you need.

Adding it to your morning routine will increase your skin overnight, with minimal effort.

The active ingredients in this sheet mask will strengthen your skin barrier, while also calming radiant skin.

That’s what I love about this. It’s used by many Korean women, and by far the best one in the Korean beauty industry.

But if you’d rather waste your money, time, and energy.

The choice is yours. However, don’t complain when you’re skin is dry, damaged, and red 5 months from now.

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8. Fermentation Eye Cream

  • Essential: No
  • Product: Eye Cream
  • Size: 30 g

Hate waking up with dark circles, this is it.

Many eye creams don’t actually work, unlike this one. This improves the eye area like no other.

It prevents wrinkles and is formulated with natural ingredients.

These are galactomyces ferment filtrate and Bifida ferment lysate, which are backed by many scientific studies.

It prevents dark circles, eye puffiness, fine lines, and fades scars.

All of this is done with minimal effort.  And you don’t have to worry about side effects or irritation either. That’s why it’s so popular among many people.

Don’t be that person that wastes all of your time browsing through products and reading reviews.

Close all those tabs now, if you want to take your skin to the moon, this is it.

Give it a try, and you’ll never look back.

Trust me… I have spent thousands on Korean skincare, and none of them worked.

Don’t make the same mistake I made and invest wisely.

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9. Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92%

  • Essential: Yes
  • Product: Moisturizer
  • Size: 300 ml

Whereas a moisturizer doesn’t seem necessary it actually is.

Even with all the other 10 Korean skincare steps, using a moisturizer is a must.

This moisturizer contains 92% aloe vera extract, which is known to prevent premature aging.

It’s like drinking a refreshing glass of water right after you wake up. No dry areas, no oily areas. Just hydrated and healthy skin all around.

It’s a bit pricy, but if you want something that actually works I highly recommend going for this.

I bought it about 3 months ago and saw huge improvements in my normal skin.

And still to this day, I still use this moisturizer. It really improves my skin regimen without too much extra work.

Try to use it twice a day for the best results.

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10. UV Sun Block SPF 50+

  • Essential: Yes
  • Product: SPF
  • Size: 70 ml

Love going outside a lot, well, me too.

I love going outside, but always forget to bring sunscreen, which leads to irritation and discomfort.

Now, this one is my favorite sunscreen to go with, and it’s just perfect for both day and night use. It’s not too heavy on the skin either.

Especially for people with a normal skin type, this is a must. This one sunscreen protects your skin for up to 48 hours.

Never worry about getting sunburned again. The sunscreen can be used every day and doesn’t make your skin feel greasy.

Unlike many other brands, that actually do. It contains herbal extract, which is backed by many studies to improve your skin tone.

When I use this sunscreen every morning, it feels very lightweight on the face. This makes it a no-brainer not to use it. It takes less than a few seconds to apply and you get protection for a whole day.

And the best part? It’s very affordable, therefore it is essential.

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Buyer’s Guide: 10 Step Korean Skin Care Routine for Normal Skin

This is the only buyer’s guide you’ll ever need.

How To Choose The Best Skincare Products for Normal Skin

Choosing the right skincare products might look hard, but it’s actually very easy.

Most of the time you already know what kind of skin type you have, therefore making it very easy.

Look at the products, ingredients, and price. Compare all the products and see which ones you like the most.

The 3 products we listed are all must-haves. They are essential because they work extremely well for your skin.

Make sure to do your research thoroughly, since it can go very bad when you’re using skincare products that cause harm.

This is probably the reason why it’s very hard to find the right products because there are ingredients that you must avoid.

What Should You Avoid

Ingredients you should avoid are:

  • Mineral Oil
  • Parabens 
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Synthetic Fragrances

Try to avoid all these ingredients because they are harmful to your skin.

Do These Products Really Work?

Yes, Korean skincare products really work.

Since almost all products are made for specific skin concerns, the ones listed above are all perfect for the normal skin type.

Take your skincare seriously, in 5, 10, 20 years when everyone has saggy skin. You won’t.

Can You Achieve Perfect Skin Naturally?

Yes, you can achieve perfect skin naturally. However, keep in mind that it can take months and sometimes years before you see the result.

The fastest way to achieve perfect skin is by using Korean skincare. It’ll probably speed up the process up to 500%.

It’s way faster, easier and it’s done with minimal effort.

So, don’t waste your time and energy. Go for Korean skincare if you’re serious about achieving perfect skin.

FAQ

Q. How Often Should You Use These Products?

Every day, if you want the best results. Using these products on a daily basis will have you achieve perfect skin faster than ever before..

Q. How Long Will It Take Before You See Results?

It can take up to 3 months. For some people, it’ll be a few weeks, while others have to wait a bit longer.

Q. Can You Only Use The Essential Products?

Yes, the essential products are listed for people that have to stay within a budget.

Q. Costs of All The Products Together?

The total cost of all products is around $200. This will last you up to 6 months, which is $35/mo.

Q. What’s The Cheapest Site To Buy The Products?

The cheapest site to buy skincare is Yesstyle, they have the best prices and deliver the fastest.

Conclusion

All in all, a Korean skincare routine for normal skin is a must. Make sure to get the right products and don’t have to worry about your skin anymore.

It may take some time but in the end, it will all be worth it. In 10 years you’ll be thankful that you started taking care of your skin at an early age.

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    About The Author

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    Chung-Ae

    Hi, I'm Chung-Ae. I love Korean skincare products and Kpop! My favorite Korean beauty brands are Innisfree and Etude House because they offer a lot of affordable products with good quality ingredients.

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