Acne hindering your confidence? Korean skincare is here to help!

Acne is a common part of our lives. Some of us are out of the trenches, others are experiencing it at the moment. There’s no way to sugarcoat it - it’s hard to deal with. That’s why here at Skin Cupid, we’re here to help match you with the right Korean skincare routine just for you!

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition when the skin (mostly the face, back, and chest) become inflamed with spots and pimples. This is usually caused when sebum, oil that sits on the skin, build-up into the hair follicles, causing them to become clogged. Unfortunately, this means that people with oily skin are more likely to have acne more often than other skin types, as their skin produces excessive amounts of sebum that could clog the hair follicles. 

There are many reasons why acne happens: it can be caused by hormonal imbalances, for example, teenagers going through puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy. It could also be genetic, caused by the environment, your lifestyle, or your diet. But fear not - Korean skincare is here to help!

What are the different types of acne?

Acne comes in different shapes and sizes, so it’s important to recognise what’s what when treating it with K-beauty!

• Blackheads: These are small bumps that sit on the skin, typically with a dark-coloured head on the top. These are created when your pores get filled with excess sebum and dead skin cells. Many people mistake these for sebaceous filaments. True, they do look similar – but sebaceous filaments are more flat and have a smoother appearance than blackheads. Sometimes they are visible when there’s a lot of sebum sitting on the pores, but they are a normal part of the skin as they’re responsible for keeping the skin hydrated!
• Whiteheads: Similar to blackheads, whiteheads are small, raised bumps on the skin with a white-yellow head. They form when the hair follicle becomes inflamed.
• Papules: These are very small and raised bumps on the skin that often come in clusters. Some people who get papules have fungal acne, which is when there’s an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. 
• Pustules: These are large bumps on the skin that are filled with pus and fluid - mostly a build-up of sebum and dead skin cells. 
• Nodules: These are large, inflamed and painful bumps that sit under the skin’s surface.
• Cysts: The most severe type of acne you can get, cysts are pus-filled lumps that sit under the skin’s surface. When popped, they are likely to scar the skin. 

Face-mapping: a popular tool used in Korean skincare to understand the causes of acne

So, now we know there are different types of acne, but did you also know that the location of your breakouts on your face can reveal a lot about your health? 

Acne facial-mapping is a traditional beauty method used in China, Japan, and Korea which helps individuals to understand why they have acne. Facial-mapping links the appearance of your skin to your health, suggesting that you can visually recognise the health of your body just by looking at your skin. 

For example, if you have acne on your forehead and nose, it may be caused by stress, not digesting food well, and a poor diet. If you have breakouts on your eyebrows, it could mean you’re not drinking enough water, or there’s a problem with your gallbladder. If you get acne on your cheeks, it suggests it might be time to clean your pillows and make-up brushes. Finally, acne on your jawline and chin may be due to having a hormonal imbalance. 

Once your health has improved, your skin should be clearer! This method is still used by many K-beauty enthusiasts as it provides an easy-to-use and personalised look into your skin. 

How can Korean skincare help give you flawless, acne-free, glass skin?

Acne treatment in Western skincare focuses on removing oils from the skin. If you strip the skin of sebum, acne cannot form. However, this may cause skin to become inflamed, itchy, and dry - all signs of a damaged skin barrier.

Korean skincare always prioritises the health of your skin barrier and hydration, so K-beauty methods of tackling acne differ to those of the West. Korean skincare focuses on gently and slowly treating the skin - that means not using harsh ingredients, methods, and “quick-fixes” to heal the skin, so you can say goodbye to abrasive exfoliants and squeezing your pimples, and hello to non-comedogenic and mild formulas!

Your acne-prone Korean skincare routine

The 10-step Korean skincare routine is an iconic feature of K-beauty as it’s known to help maintain the health of the skin. By using dermatologically-approved ingredients, Korean skincare routines have become popularised in the Western world - but what does this look like when you have acne-prone skin? 

Step 1: Oil Cleanser

Contrary to popular belief, oil isn’t always bad for acne-prone skin - you just need to find the right cleanser for your skin. 

Oil cleansing is the first step towards double-cleansing, which is a popular K-beauty method of clarifying the skin. Oil cleansers remove oil-based impurities like sebum, makeup, and SPF from the skin, which is important if you have acne-prone skin as you don’t want impurities to sit on your complexion.

IUNIK’s Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil is formulated with star ingredient Calendula Flower Extract, which hydrates the skin, soothes redness, and kills acne-causing bacteria that sits on the surface of the skin. Non-comedogenic, this oil cleanser does not clog your pores, leaving you one step closer to glass skin!

Step 2: Water-based Cleanser

The second part to double-cleansing, water-based cleansers removes water-based impurities like dirt and sweat from the skin, as well as oil that is left on the skin from the previous step. This ensures your complexion is properly clarified, leaving you feeling refreshed. 

ZEROID’s Pimprove Foaming Cleanser is dermatologically formulated to reduce breakouts and fight blemishes already on the skin. Packed with Zinc PCA, this foaming cleanser gently exfoliates the skin to control excessive sebum production, preventing acne-causing bacteria from accumulating on the skin’s surface without stripping your skin. 

 

Pimple patches - a K-beauty staple!

After double-cleansing, this is the perfect time to add in pimple patches since your skin is clean and free from all products. These are designed to soothe inflammation and lift pus from the pimple - a gentle alternative to squeezing and picking. These are meant to be worn overnight or during the day, ensuring you’re left with a visibly improved skin.

DR.BELMEUR’s Clarifying Cover Spot Patches helps get the job done! Infused with acne-fighting ingredients like Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid, these pimple patches remove dead skin cells surrounding the pimple. These patches lift fluid from the pimple, preventing the skin from scaring so you’re left with a balanced and healthy complexion.

Step 3: Exfoliator

K-beauty exfoliators focus on using mild ingredients to slowly exfoliate the skin - important for acne-prone skin. Whereas Western skincare uses abrasive ingredients and methods to slough off dead skin cells, risking harm to your skin barrier. 

MEDICUBE’s Zero Pore Pads (70 pads) is a globally popular exfoliator, and a one-stop solution to improving the appearance of clogged and enlarged pores. Crafted with BHA and AHA, these exfoliating pads lift dead skin cells and impurities from the skin, leaving you with refined pores and a smooth complexion. 

Step 4: Toner

Korean skincare toners balance your skin’s pH levels, and help it to absorb active ingredients in your routine, giving you healthy-looking, hydrated skin. 

ANUA’s Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is perfect for those with acne-prone skin. Enriched with K-beauty’s favourite ingredient, Heartleaf Extract, which works to soothe inflammation and ward off acne-causing bacteria from the skin. It also helps to balance your natural oil levels, leaving your complexion hydrated for longer. 

Step 5: Essence

Designed to be lightweight and packed with antioxidant properties, essences in the K-beauty world help optimise the absorption of serums and moisturisers while also hydrating your skin. When treating acne, essences help to reinforce your skin barrier, making your complexion resilient against acne.

MIXSOON’s Soondy Centella Asiatica Essence contains a beloved Korean skincare ingredient - Centella Asiatica. This helps to enhance and nourish the skin, particularly if it’s inflamed and red. It also works to protect the skin from environmental aggressors that could harm the skin and cause breakouts. 

Step 6: Serum

Serums in Korean skincare are thicker than essences and provide more targeted care for your skin, whether you’re looking to improve wrinkles, or hydrated dry patches. 

BEAUTY OF JOSEON’s Glow Serum is ideal for those with acne - especially those with acne scars. Packed with 60% Propolis Extract and Niacinamide, these ingredients are formulated to fade dark spots caused by acne, as well as encouraging skin cell turnover. This ensures your complexion is left looking balanced, healthy, bright and rejuvenated. 

Step 7: Mask

K-beauty masks are a quick and easy way to pump nutrients into your skin. Especially with acne-prone skin, it’s essential to heal inflammation and redness that may come with breakouts. 

DR CEURACLE’s Royal Vita Propolis Antioxidant Mask simultaneously soothes skin and battles acne-causing bacteria. Packed with well-loved Korean skincare ingredients, this mask contains Centella Asiatica, Propolis and Niacinamide to even out skin tone, encourage skin cell regeneration, and calm redness, leaving you with a radiant complexion free from complexions. 

Step 8: Eye treatment

Typically neglected, eye care is an important part of any Korean skincare routine. Formulated to have anti-aging benefits and to target hyperpigmentation, eye creams and serums rejuvenate the skin around the eyes to balance your complexion.

Lightweight and non-comedogenic, PURITO’s Centella Unscented Eye Cream helps to keep your undereyes nourished and protected. Enriched with Panthenol and Peptides, this eye cream improves skin elasticity and encourages collagen production for a firmer and healthier appearance to your skin. It also doesn’t contain any fragrance, meaning it won’t irritate your skin and cause any further breakouts. 

Step 9: Moisturiser

This is an integral step in locking in essential hydration! K-beauty moisturisers are non-comedogenic and aim to give your skin long-lasting moisture. They are also designed to strengthen the skin barrier, protecting it from impurities that could cause breakouts. 

SOME BY MI’s AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream is infused with exfoliating acids that gently slough off dead skin cells and excess sebum from your complexion - all known causes of acne. Also containing Tea Tree Oil, this cream is an antimicrobial powerhouse, defending your skin from bacteria that could penetrate into the skin.

DR.ALTHEA’s 345 Relief Cream is suitable for those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. A bestselling K-beauty product, this moisturiser is formulated with Resveratrol, which decreases the signs of aging while also protecting the skin from environmental aggressors that could cause acne to form. Also packed with Ceramides, this cream rebuilds a damaged skin barrier, ensuring you’re left with nourished and soft skin. 

Step 10: Sunscreen

A crucial final step to your AM Korean skincare routine is sunscreen. K-beauty has demonstrated the importance of using sunscreen daily - even in the winter! They protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which is important for all skin types to prevent ageing and damage.

SKIN1004’s Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky Fit Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ combines Hyaluronic Acids with Centella Asiatica, ensuring your skin is left calm and hydrated. Especially since breakouts inflame the skin, it’s vital that your skin soothes irritation to improve the appearance of angry pimples.