I Researched the Best 12 Step Korean/Japanese Skin Care Products So You Don’t Have To
”Beautiful skin requires commitment, not a miracle.”
You may have heard legends of the magical 12 Step Korean skin care regimen and let me tell you they’re all true. I went from having severe acne prone skin to clear, healthy, and glowing skin for the first time in my 30s. It also is a relaxing and great self care ritual for the evening.
No one has a fortune to spend on expensive skin care so I’ve researched the best Korean and Japanese products so that you can make your regimen effective and easy.
Step 0: Sunscreen
While this is not an official step of the 12 Step Regimen it’s fundamental to wear sunscreen daily. Whether you work in a dimly lit office or in the sun daily use of sunscreen is the best way to prevent rhytids (the medical term for wrinkles).
This step should be applied in the morning and during the day while the 12 Step Regimen is for the evening. If you are in the sun, sweating, toweling off, it’s important to re-apply sunscreen.
In my opinin Japan has the best sunscreen on the market. When I travelled to Japan I stocked up on the #1 sunscreen in Japan: Biore UV Aqua Rich.It has an SPF of 50+ and a Protection Grade of ++++. Protection Grade was originally a rating using in Japan to show how well a product protects against harmful UV rays and ++++ is the highest grade possible.
This sunscreen comes on clean, is not oily, and very gentle on the skin.
I purchase a 3 pack of the original Japanese product on Ebay for $29.99 here. It typically lasts me anywhere from 3–5 months. Do not purchase the US version as it’s far more expensive.
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
Oil cleansers are designed to effectively remove makeup, sunscreen, and surface debris without stripping the skin of its natural oils. They also help to lift excess sebum and unclog pores, providing a deep clean while moisturizing the skin.
I like Anua’s oil cleanser. Cost is $17.69 on Amazon.
If you prefer using disposable wipes another great product is Clean It Zero which is $16.96 on Amazon.
Step 2: Water Based Cleanser
Water-based cleansers effectively remove water-soluble impurities like sweat, dirt, and grime, leaving skin clean and refreshed. They are also gentle and can be suitable for various skin types, including sensitive and dry skin.
I love Innisfree because they use clean products and their volcanic line is particularly magical. This one can be found for $14.00 on Amazon.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Exfoliators are designed to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, revealing brighter, smoother, and more radiant skin underneath. This process helps to unclog pores, prevent breakouts, and improve the overall texture and tone of the skin.
Each regimen should have a gentle and more heavy duty exfoliator.
Medicube is my preferred heavy duty exfoliator. They come in single pads and I like to use it once a week to minimize pore size. Keep in mind because this is more heavy duty you want to be extra diligent with your sunscreen use after use.
Medicube can be found on Amazon for $14.00.
For a gentle exfoliator I use every 2–3 days I like COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, and it’s a type of chemical exfoliant used in skincare. Specifically, the most common BHA is salicylic acid, which is an oil-soluble acid known for its exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties.
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid can be purchased on Amazon for $18.00.
Step 4: Toner
The primary purpose of a facial toner is to balance the skin’s pH, remove lingering impurities after cleansing, and prepare the skin for subsequent skincare products like serums and moisturizers. Toners also provide a final layer of cleansing, removing makeup, dirt, and excess oil that might have been missed during the initial wash.
By far my favorite and most affordable toner is Thayers facial toner. I particularly like their Rose Petal formula but it als cmes in other formularies such as Unscented and Cucumber.
Thayers Facial Toner can be purchased on Amazon for $15.94 for a 2 pack.
Step 5: Essence
The primary purpose of an essence in skincare is to deeply hydrate and prepare the skin for better absorption of subsequent products, like serums and moisturizers. Essences are lightweight, water-based formulas often containing concentrated active ingredients that can also target specific skin concerns.
I love COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. It can be found on Amazon for $16.98.
Snail mucin offers several benefits for the skin, including moisturizing, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting wound healing. It’s also known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help calm irritated skin and potentially reduce acne.
Step 6: Serum
The primary purpose of a serum in skincare is to deliver a high concentration of active ingredients to the skin, targeting specific concerns like wrinkles, acne, or dryness. Serums are generally applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, allowing the concentrated ingredients to penetrate the skin and work their magic.
I love the company Beauty of Joseon. They have a Glow Deep Serum with Rice and alpha arbutin. Alpha arbutin is a skin-brightening ingredient that works by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. This helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots, age spots, and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more even skin tone. It also has antioxidantproperties, protecting the skin from potential damage.
Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Deep Serum can be found on Amazon for $16.50
Step 7: Ampoule
Ampoules are like serums but with an even higher concentration of active ingredients. Think of them as the super weapon of your 12 Step Arsenal. A little drop goes a long way so it can be used sparingly.
Panthenol, also known as provitamin B5, is a versatile skincare ingredient that primarily functions as a moisturizer and skin protectant. It attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to improve hydration and reduce dryness.Panthenol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for calming irritated or sensitive skin. Additionally, it supports skin barrier repair and can improve overall skin texture and appearance.
I like Anua’s 80+ Heartleaf Ampoule. It can be found on Amazon for $23.00.
Step 8: Sheet Mask
I like to try a fun variety of sheet masks so I’m not a stringent follower of any one company or any one product. Because I like diversity TonyMoly’s Sheet Masks offer a fun and whimsical variety from hydrating cocounit to soothing tea tree and vitalizing rose.
TonyMoly’s Sheet Mask 10 pack can be found in a variety pack on Amazon for $20.80.
Another great option and value for money is MediHeal’s 16 pack (4 each of Collagen, Tea Tree, Madecassoside, Vita). This can be found on Amazon for $25.99.
Step 11: Eye Cream
Eye cream primarily serves to moisturize and hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. It can also help with puffiness and even the skin tone in this area, contributing to a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
While prices can range from affordable to crazy I feel like the Beauty of Joseon just a good job of providing an affordable and well designed mix.
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, offers numerous benefits for the skin, including minimizing pore appearance, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, treating hyperpigmentation and redness, and improving skin texture and overall health. It also supports the skin barrier, helps regulate oil production, and may protect against skin cancer.
It can be found on Amazon for $16.99.
Step 12: Lip Mask
Laneige makes my favorite Lip Sleeping Mask. It’s absolutely luxurious and I often wear it during the day as a lip balm. When applied at night your lips are as shiny as fresh as when you applied it the night before. It comes in fun flavors like berry, gummy bear (!!), sweet iced tea, mango, and pink lemonade.
It can be found on Amazon for $24.00. My little bottle has lasted over a year.
That’s the end of the routine! Even if you don’t want every product a solid regimen of 9–10 of these can make a world of difference to your skin care routine.
Great post! Thanks Mari-Alina Timoshchuk for the good info
Great read! Thank you for sharing