Routines
Korean Skincare Routine for Men: A Simple 4-Step Guide
If you’re a guy who has never used anything but a bar of soap, Korean skincare can look intimidating. Toners, essences, serums, ampoules, sheet masks. Where do you even start?
I was that guy. For years I barely did anything for my skin. Then one day I looked in the mirror, really looked, and it was rough enough that I decided I had to start. The good news: you don’t need most of it. I’m a 24-year-old Korean guy with large pores, skin that reddens easily, and breakouts where I shave. My full routine has a few extras, but everything is built on the same four basic steps.
This guide is for beginners. I’ll go through those four steps, what each one actually does, and when it makes sense to add more. If you want to see every product I use, morning and night, check out my full Korean skincare routine.
The 4 Steps
| Step | When | Job | What I use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cleanser | Morning + night | Remove oil, sweat and sunscreen | Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam |
| 2. Toner | Morning + night | Rehydrate right after washing | Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner |
| 3. Moisturizer | Night (morning too if you’re dry) | Lock in moisture, calm the skin | Bring Green Tea Tree Cica Soothing Cream |
| 4. Sunscreen | Morning | Protect from UV | Goodal Heartleaf Soothing Moisture Sun Cream SPF50+ |
1. Cleanser: a gentle face wash, not body soap
Body soap and bar soap are often too harsh for your face. A face cleanser removes oil and dirt without leaving that squeaky, tight feeling. Use a small amount and rinse well.
2. Toner: the most “Korean” step
Western toners are often thought of as stinging, alcohol-heavy astringents. Korean toners are different: most are watery hydrating layers. My skin feels tight within a minute of washing, so I put toner on right away. If you only add one Korean step to your current habits, make it this one.
3. Moisturizer: yes, even if your skin is oily
Oily skin can still be dehydrated. A light moisturizer helps keep your skin balanced. My skin is oily by morning but dry and tight during the day, and a soothing cream at night handles both.
4. Sunscreen: the step most guys skip
Sunscreen is the most important anti-aging step, and the one guys skip most. Korean sunscreens are popular worldwide because many feel light like a moisturizer instead of thick and greasy. Apply it to your face and neck as the last step in the morning. I wrote more about amounts and labels in Korean Sunscreen Rules.
When to Add More: One Step per Problem
Once the 4 steps are a habit, add things only to fix a specific problem. Here’s what I added, and why:
| Problem | What I added | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Blackheads, bumps where I shave | Stridex Sensitive pads (0.5% salicylic acid) | About 2x a week, at night |
| Oil and pores | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Night, skipped on Stridex nights |
| Breakouts, irritation | numbuzin No.1 Pantothenic B5 serum | Night |
| Redness | OBgE Natural Cover Lotion (tinted, over sunscreen) | Morning, face only |
| Razor bumps | A sensitive-skin shave gel instead of cheap foam | Every shave |
Add one product at a time and give it a couple of weeks. If something goes wrong, you’ll know which product caused it.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Buying a 10-step set on day one. You won’t keep it up, and you can’t tell what’s working.
- Washing with body soap. It’s usually too harsh for facial skin.
- Skipping moisturizer because “my skin is oily.”
- Exfoliating every day. Acid pads and scrubs are a few-times-a-week thing for most people.
- Forgetting your neck. Sunscreen goes on your neck too.
For shaving specifically, I wrote a separate guide: Skincare After Shaving.
FAQ
How long does a 4-step routine take? A few minutes. Most of it is waiting a moment between layers.
Do I need separate morning and night products? No. The same cleanser and toner work for both. The difference is sunscreen in the morning and moisturizer at night.
What should I buy first? A gentle cleanser and a sunscreen you’ll actually wear every day. Add toner and moisturizer next.
Is Korean skincare expensive? Not necessarily. Many popular Korean products cost around the price of drugstore basics, especially if you buy them in Korea. I listed what I actually paid for my whole routine.
This post is based on my personal experience and is not medical advice. If you have a persistent skin condition, please see a dermatologist.