Autumn Korean Skincare Routine for Every Skin Type

Autumn is an aesthetic season with its Auburn coloured leaves and the return of comfy cardigans. Despite the cozy comforts that Autumn brings, we're confident you can agree that dry, rough, and flaky skin is not welcome at any time of the year.

If you've started to notice this transitional period into Autumn has been playing havoc on your delicate skin, we have the ultimate Autumn skincare routine for you! Whether you have very dry skin or dehydrated oily skin that's a challenge to keep balanced during the chillier months, or a combination of both, we have a skincare routine for you that is sure to rescue your skin and continue to help you to achieve your skin goals.

We'll be taking you through our top recommendations to rely on at every stage of your Autumn skincare regime, including everything from cleansers and toners, to nourishing moisturisers for each skin type. We'll be exploring the best Korean skincare products for skin textural issues during Autumn, and all-year-round essential sun protection.

AUTUMN KOREAN SKINCARE ROUTINE

Double cleansing is the most widely recognised Korean skincare method adopted internationally. The practice of double cleansing is often associated with deep cleansing as it effectively removes traces of makeup, impurities, and sunscreen which water-based cleansers can't break down alone. However, did you know that oil cleansers are also particularly great at maintaining uneven skin texture? We highly recommend that you add a oil cleanser at the start of your evening skincare routine to refine skin texture. It is a non harsh way to buff away dead skin cells, flakiness, and minimise blackheads. These are the oil cleansers we love:

• FOR DRY TO NORMAL SKIN - La Muse Royal Honey Cleansing Balm

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES - Dear Klairs, Gentle Deep Black Cleansing Oil & Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm.

Regardless of the change in season double cleansing in the morning isn't necessary. During your morning skincare routine the primary aim of the cleansing step is to simply remove residue build up that will have accumulated on the surface of your skin throughout your sleep. We want to keep things BASIC & GENTLE here, as you will have already completed your deeper cleanse the evening before. 

For your morning cleanse simply rinse away impurities that have come into contact with your skin from your bedding, and excess sebum, with a simple low pH water-based cleanser. Or simply skip the cleanser step in the morning by alternatively opting for a mild cleansing water or skin-balancing toner to gingerly sweep impurities away from skin's surface with a soft cushioned toner pad. If you have acneic skin, cleansing twice daily should not be overlooked and therefore be part of both your morning and evening skincare routines.

• FOR DRY, AND DEHYDRATED SENSITIVE SKIN - Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam

• FOR COMBINATION & OILY SKIN TYPES - Banobagi Calming Care Cleansing Gel to Foam (Best-Seller at Glam Touch)

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES - Axis-y Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser.

Directly after gentle cleansing, swiftly move onto preping your skin for the delivery moisture. A toner or esssence will help to retain moisture at the skin barrier and deeper. In Autumn, it's a good idea to layer watery toners 2-3 times for improved moisture retention - in turn, this layering method transforms depleted skin types by boosting skin plumpness and smoothness. Toners with more density and essences are excellent for aiding in moisture balance, and may serve you in the long run as you may not need to apply as much moisturiser in your routine. 

Depending on your skin type and preference, you can use and toner AND an essence in a single routine, or choose one over the other. Drier skin types will most benefit for both, and essences tend to provide more nourishment than toners. In the Korean skincare industry it is becoming more common to find essence-toners: a hybrid of both steps to refine your skincare routine, providing a fuss-free experience when rebuilding a weakened moisture barrier.

The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water is an example of an essence which is multi-purpose and multi-functional. It has the refreshing watery texture of a toner and nutrition of an essence with 80% Ginseng Root Water.

Remember: Thin layers of moisture-rich skincare products keep skin moisturised and hydrated for longer than one thick layer of emollient-dense moisturising cream.

• FOR DRY-NORMAL SKIN - Mixsoon Master Soft Toner

• FOR DRY/DEHYDRATED SENSITIVE SKIN - Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner for Sensitive Skin (alcohol and fragrance free)

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES - Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner & Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water.

The serum part of your routine is classified as a treatment step, meaning it specialises in offering more than just moisture and hydration of some concentration. The serum step will address your skin concerns, and therefore should be selected by the skin concern you want to treat as well as be suitable for your skin type. 

Whether you want to add some antioxidants into your routine - green tea, Vitamin C, propolis, or other - for keeping your skin bright, soothed, and protected against free radicals damage, you will need to choose a serum which provides a key source of the ingredient you prefer whilst also taking into consideration the consistency and finish. This Autumn reach for serums that are abundant in plant-sourced ingredients which are naturally hydrating to enhance skin radiance for dull complexions effected by dryness or redness. 

Key ingredients to look out for in a serum for Autumn that hydrate, smooth, and strengthen skin: Ginseng, Vitamin C, Propolis, Hyaluronic Acid, Arbutin, Panthenol, Fermented extracts.

• FOR VERY DRY TO COMBINATION DRY SKIN - Klairs Fundamental Watery Oil Drop

• FOR SENSITIVE/DAMAGED SKIN - Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Serum

• FOR OILY SKIN - Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis+ Niacinamide

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES - Mixsoon X UNA Master Serum & Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum.

Our recommendations are as follows:

• FOR DRY AND MATURE SKIN TYPES - Banobagi Rejuvenating Vital Eye Cream

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES/BEGINNERS TO WELL-AGING SKINCARE - Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal.

6. MOISTURISER (AM + PM)

During Autumn, it's common for the skin barrier to become compromised from the sudden change in temperature in our environment. The cold breeze and the reintroduction of heating systems in your work and living spaces can cause any skin type, even the most oily of skin types, to become dehydrated, weak and sensitised. 

To keep your skin healthy and help promote the natural functions of your skin, we need to focus on providing the building blocks for our skin to thrive: these are humectants and emollients which ultimately hydrate and shield skin from environmental agressors. When the skin barrier is weak, we need to reinforce the skin barrier with Ceramides, Peptides and other amino acids, Squalane, and other natural components which make up skin's natural acid mantle. A moisturiser which additionally contains soothing ingredients such as Centella Asiatica are also the best candidates for your Autumn skincare routine, and are used in most Korean moisturisers.

Keeping in mind that heavy, rich moisturisers aren't for everyone, we have a vast variety of moisturising creams to choose from, offering different benefits and textures in contrast.

• FOR VERY DRY/DRY, & MATURE SKIN - La Muse Daily Essentials Regenerating Cream 

• FOR DRY, SENSITIVE, & ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN - Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Cream (Best-Seller at Glam Touch)

• FOR DRY SKIN - Mixsoon Bean Cream

• FOR DRY TO COMBINATION SKIN - Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Cream 

7. SUN PROTECTION (AM ONLY)

Yes, this is another reminder than sunscreen should be worn rain or shine. The sun doesn't have to shining directly above us to have a negative effect on our skin. A broad spectrum protection sunscreen will be your skin's best friend all-year-round. In Autumn, this most important skincare product should contain UVA and UVB filters accompanied by the likes of Probiotics, Ceramides, and anti-inflammatory plant extracts to amplify the skin barrier strengthing ingredients you applied before your SPF. 

A sunscreen with a soft texture that doesn't cling to dry patches is the way forward. Better yet, a sunscreen that reduces skin redness like the Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Sunscreen is well suited to Rosacea and Eczema-prone skin types that noticeably become more inflamed and reddened in cold weather conditions.

• FOR DRY & VERY SENSITIVE SKIN - Cell Fusion C Laser Sunscreen 100 SPF50+ PA+++

• FOR DRY/DEHYDRATED SKIN - Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++

• FOR ACNE-PRONE AND SENSITIVE SKIN - Axis-y Complete No Stress Physical Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++

• FOR ALL SKIN TYPES (including oily skin) - Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++, Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Sunscreen Plus SPF45 PA+++, & SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++.

Mixsoon Bean Essence - This mucilage formula powdered by Bean Extracts helps to increase moisture retention skin deep for bouncier skin that is sufficently moisturised and conditioned, with the additional benefit of smoother skin which is effectively exfoliated, and in turn exudes a natural, more youthful-looking glow which is free from rough and flaky patches of skin.

Banobagi Caviar Return Mask - this deep nutrition sheet mask is your twice weekly skin treat, enriching tired and dry skin with premium sturgeon's Sodium DNA. This mask contains a generous amount of creamy essence with supplimentary benefits capable of firming and smoothing skin from the first use.