K-Beauty Skincare Routine: The Case Full of Seoul

K-Beauty has taken the skincare industry by storm and has quickly become mainstream in North America. There are countless products to choose from and a never-ending stream of tutorials and reviews.

While vacationing in Asia I saw huge shopping centers dedicated to achieving beautiful skin but many people (myself included) have no idea where to start or what actually works. Thankfully Umma Beauty has meticulously curated a selection of the best Korean creams, serums, toners and masks to take your skincare routine to the next level.

As many of you know, K-Beauty is all about using a multi-step layering approach and this beautiful hibiscus case contains 8 core products that target common skincare concerns.

There are also 4 specific beauty plans to get you through the week including: Morning Glory, The Sleeping Beauty (nightly ritual), Get Ready With Me and Spa Sunday which I used yesterday after the Thanksgiving long-weekend.

Step 1 is always the 9 Wishes Rice Foaming Cleanser with micro-ground rice powder that gently exfoliates dead skin and rinses away impurities. The nutritious ingredients leave skin bright, refreshed and smooth with no residue or tightness – perfect for dry winter days.

Step 2 is also the same for each routine. It includes the travel-size May Coop Raw Sauce Toner composed of 93% maple tree sap, natural moisturizers, organic grain extract, herbs, vitamins and humectants. I’ve never used a toner quite like it. The consistency is similar to a nourishing serum yet it abolishes dirt, absorbs excess oil, eliminates bacteria, prevents blemishes and protects against free-radical damage without causing dryness.

Step 3 in each beauty plan is always the Urang True Rose Repair Essence Serum with essential oils, vitamins C and A, jojoba and organic floral water. This is an intense hydrating glow complex that plumps and rejuvenates dull, dehydrated skin so it appears youthful and radiant. The formula absorbs quickly and penetrates deeply with anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and protect. Due to its natural composition free of fragrances, synthetics, chemicals and preservatives, it must be used within 6 months.

After applying the serum Step 4 is usually the May Coop Raw Moisturizer containing 70% maple tree sap, baobab extract, cactus and a long list of fruits, cloves and botanical ingredients that deeply moisturize and replenish for 24 hours. The velvety formula is rich, lightweight and non-greasy with healing components that seem to minimize scars and discoloration. My skin looks supple, fortified and completely renewed so I use it morning and night to maintain a dewy glow.

If you’re enjoying a spa day at home, Step 4 would be the I Woke Up Like This All-In-One Sheet Mask instead of the moisturizer (the mask provides enough hydration on its own). After a busy week or long flight, this concentrated treatment revitalizes the complexion with a combination of pearl powder, vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten, tighten, soften, hydrate and restore elasticity.

When you’re getting ready for bed, apply the Tov Camellia Wrinkle Free Eye Solution before moisturizer. Infused with shea butter, niacin, guava, star fruit, lime, elderberry and macadamia oil, the balm hydrates, plumps, blurs fine lines and reduces puffiness. It also helps lighten dark circles while protecting against UV damage so you look well rested. The syringe applicator makes it easy to target problem areas and the cream stays where you put it.

If you’re heading out for the day, apply the Touch In Sol No Pore Blem Primer prior to toner, serum moisturizer and makeup. This might be one of the best primers I’ve ever used! The gel is light, supple and silky with no slick silicones or shine. It shrinks pores, evens skin texture, fills lines and creates a protective anti-pollution barrier. My makeup looks flawless and the vegan friendly, cruelty-free formula contains no parabens, sulfates or phthalates so it is definitely a keeper!

Last but not least in the night and spa regimes is the luscious Urang Vitamin Oil Serum packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, jojoba, lavender, myrrh, frankincense and rosehip oil. This lush elixir regenerates, strengthens, softens and hydrates so you awake to a dewy, youthful glow. It also works wonders on other parts of the body like dry heels, elbows, hands and cuticles.

The Case is valued at $345.00 but retails for $159.00 at Costco.

Lise Watier K-Beauty Skincare | 4-Step Cleansing Routine

When it comes to developing an efficient skincare routine, Korean women are showing the world how it’s done. K-Beauty is a trendy ideology based on health, hydration, cleansing and brightening. The objective is to achieve a clear, flawless complexion that needs no concealer or corrector.

To enhance your daily regimen, Lise Watier has teamed up with a laboratory in Korea to create a 4-step beauty ritual that purifies and balances. The products are enriched with highly concentrated natural ingredients and conditioning emollients that extract bacteria and prevent blemishes.

Step 1: Deep Cleanse

The Deep Cleansing Oil ($35.00) gently dissolves dirt and makeup with a moisturizing blend of sweet almond oil, avocado, coconut, babassu and macadamia. As you massage the lush oil into your skin, it loosens foundation, waterproof formulas and stubborn pigments while nourishing, soothing and softening. Add water to emulsify and transform the cleanser into a light milk that rinses away product build-up.

Step 2: Cleanse

Double-cleansing is a great way to detoxify your pores and prevent breakouts. The first lather breaks down excess sebum produced during the day and removes the oil/fillers in makeup, moisturizer and sunscreen. Once that barrier is disintegrated, you can effectively eliminate pollutants and bacteria lodged in the deeper dermal layers.

The Cooling Foam Cleanser ($26.00) is a satin cream that transforms into rich foam upon contact with water. It contains oat, elm, artichoke extract and menthol to leave skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. The formula is not particularly hydrating but it lathers well and removes all traces of makeup residue and dirt to enhance the absorption of cream and serum.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Most dermatologists recommend exfoliation 2-3 times per week but due to sensitivity I can only perform this step once a week.

This paraben-free formula ($26.00) is infused with fragrant rose petals that heal and moisturize while sugar crystals gently remove dead skin, smooth roughness and improve tone, radiance and clarity. The base is thick and slightly sticky so it works best on damp skin. Even though the granules are quite substantial, they are non-abrasive and suitable for all skin types.

After cleansing and exfoliating, my skin feels soft, smooth, renewed and purged of all blemish-causing debris.

Step 4: Tone

The Soothing Rose Petal Gel Toner ($26.00) is my favorite product in the line. It refreshes, protects, calms irritation and removes toxins without parabens or drying alcohols. Unlike most toners, the rich gel is dense and hydrating rather than liquid-y so it traps dirt and pollutants on the face, neck and décolletage to revive your natural glow (no need to rinse).

On busy workdays I don’t always have time for a 4 step cleansing routine so I adjust the process to suit my schedule and skin. Sometimes I leave out step one and three and other times I only need step two.

Lise Watier is available at shoppers Drug Mart, department stores (including The Bay) and online at lisewatier.ca