In this post, I will share a step-by-step skincare routine for sensitive skin.
To me, skincare is more than just a routine—it’s a celebration of femininity and self-care. I found my joy in skincare a few years ago when I discovered the world of Japanese and Korean beauty.
As someone with dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, I struggled to find products that addressed my skin issues without causing irritation. Thankfully, Asian beauty offered a solution to my struggle.
I’ve thoughtfully curated this gentle K-beauty routine to nurture and brighten your complexion. The products I recommend in this skincare routine for sensitive skin were game changers and played a key role in my skin transformation.
Remember, if you prefer a simple skincare routine, the only three steps you should never skip are cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Any other step is optional and can enhance your results if you choose to include it.
Step 0: Optional Tool – The Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Before we dive into the first step of this skincare routine, I want to introduce an optional tool that can significantly enhance its effectiveness.
With so many skincare tools on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. However, the recent launch of the Medicube Age-R Booster finally convinced me to invest in a skincare tool for myself.
The Medicube Age-R Booster combines six advanced technologies in one device: Electroporation, Microcurrent, EMS, Electric needles, LED, and Sonic vibration. This device suits all skin types, even in a skincare routine for sensitive skin.
Skincare tools can be a financial investment, but incorporating the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro into my personal skincare routine has proven worthwhile.
By combining several technologies in one tool, this investment has saved me money that I might otherwise spend on several different devices.
If you’re looking to elevate your skincare routine and enhance your results, consider integrating the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro into your regimen.
Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Step 1: Oil Cleanser
Start your skincare routine with a gentle oil cleanser. Oil cleansers are excellent at removing makeup, sunscreen, and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural oils.
Especially in a skincare routine for sensitive skin, it’s important to ensure you are not harming the health of your skin barrier while cleansing.
If you use makeup wipes as a first step in your routine, this is your sign to stop and upgrade to a gentle oil cleanser.
Recommended products:
Beauty of Joseon – Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Ma:nyo – Viral Pure Cleansing Oil
SKIN1004 – Centella Cleansing Oil
Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser
Next, follow up with a mild, water-based cleanser to ensure your skin is completely clean. If your skin is extra sensitive and dry, you might want to choose a milk cleanser. This step ensures that any remaining impurities are washed away without causing irritation.
Recommended products:
SKIN1004 – Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam
Isntree – Green Tea Fresh Cleanser
Isntree – Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser
Step 3: Exfoliation
Exfoliation is key to a smooth and luminous complexion. It promotes cell turnover, brightens the skin, and helps to unclog pores.
For a sensitive skin routine, choose a gentle exfoliant and limit this step to up to three times a week. This will ensure your skin remains calm and radiant without over-exfoliating.
In the exfoliation step, you can opt for either a face mask or a toner.
Recommended products:
Isntree – Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid
Ma:nyo – Galactomy Enzyme Peeling Gel
COSRX – AHA/BHA Clarifying Toner
Step 4: Toner & Essence
Toners and essences are truly the heart of any K-beauty skincare routine. Even though this step is optional, it’s one of my favourites, and I never skip it! It’s a key step that helped me in my skin transformation.
In a skincare routine for sensitive skin, look for toners and essences with calming, soothing, and hydrating ingredients. A few of my favourite ingredients are Mugwort (ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin), Centella Asiatica, Rice Water, and Snail Mucin.
Including a toner or essence in your routine will leave your skin feeling plump and revitalized. When I have time in my routine, I occasionally include both—toner first, and essence to follow up.
Recommended products:
TirTir – Hydrating Milk Skin Toner
I’m From – Soothing Mugwort Essence
Ma:nyo – Balancing Bifida Biome Ampoule
Step 5: Serum & Ampoule
Serums are concentrated treatments that work to target specific skin concerns. In a routine for sensitive skin, I recommend rotating between serums that focus on calming inflammation and those containing brightening ingredients.
Ingredients like ceramides and centella asiatica extract work wonders in soothing and fortifying the skin barrier, while vitamin C serums are a safe choice for brightening.
Recommended products:
mixsoon – Miracle Bean Essence/Serum
SKIN&LAB – Vitamin C Brightening Serum
numbuz:n – No. 3 Skin Softening Serum
Step 6: Sheet Mask
Once or twice a week, take a couple of extra minutes for self-care and treat your skin to a soothing sheet mask. Look for masks with gentle, hydrating ingredients that will provide an extra boost of moisture and calm any irritation.
Recommended products:
I’m From – Soothing Mugwort Sheet Mask
Biodance – Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
VT – Cica Daily Soothing Mask – 30pcs
Step 7: Eye Cream
The delicate skin around our eyes deserves special attention, especially if you wish to focus on well-aging. Incorporating an eye cream with the right ingredients in your routine will reduce puffiness and ensure your eyes look bright and refreshed.
My favourite ingredients for eye creams are:
Caffeine: to fight puffiness, especially in the morning routine.
Vitamin C: for brightening and reducing dark circles.
Peptides: to improve collagen production and make the skin feel firmer.
Retinol: to help with fine lines and wrinkles, only in an evening routine.
Recommended products:
Beauty of Joseon – Retinal Ginseng Eye Serum
SKIN1004 – Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream
Pyunkang Yul – Black Tea Time Reverse Eye Cream
Step 8: Moisturizer
A good moisturizer will lock in all the previous steps and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day (or night). In this step, prioritize simple (and even ‘boring’) products. The main purpose of a moisturizer is to lock in all the hard work you invested in the previous steps. A simple moisturizer will help accomplish this goal while avoiding potential irritants.
Recommended products:
P.CALM – Barrier Care Cato Cream
SKIN1004 – Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Dear, Klairs – Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Step 9: Sunscreen
The final and most crucial step in every morning skincare routine is sunscreen. Protecting your skin from UV damage is vital for maintaining our skin’s health and youthfulness.
Prioritise sunscreen with SPF 50 in your daily regimen, and apply it generously to all exposed areas, including the face, neck, and hands.
Recommended products:
P.CALM – Water Barrier Sun Cream
Best Korean Sunscreen for All Skin Types
Best Korean Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Additional Tips for a Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin:
Patch Test:
Sensitive skin is easily irritated by new products and ingredients. When trying a new product, always patch-test to ensure it doesn’t cause any irritation. Use the product in a small area for a few days to ensure your skin is not reacting to the ingredients.
Avoid Fragrances and Alcohol:
Sensitive skin can be especially reactive to fragrances and alcohol. You can choose to avoid these ingredients altogether or test them carefully in a hidden area. Not all fragrances are created equal—you might react to one type but not another.
Introduce Products Gradually:
When building your skincare routine, start by introducing one product and gradually add more to see how your skin reacts. This method will help your skin adjust to the new product and help you recognize the product at fault if any irritation arises. I usually wait one to two weeks between products.
Conclusion:
By following this K-beauty skincare routine for sensitive skin, you can improve your skin’s health and achieve a glowing complexion. Remember, consistency is key. Be patient, listen to your skin’s needs, and you’ll see the transformation.
For more tips on how to achieve a healthy complexion, click to read my simple skincare tips for radiant skin.
