K-Beauty Routine: made eco-conscious and on a budget

Korean Beauty is here to stay. More than a trend, it’s a way of life. Focused on nourishing your skin and enhancing your natural beauty. Here’s a more eco-conscious, on-a-budget, and local approach to their famous skincare routine.

If you’re trying to buy as many products produced in your country (or in the nearest countries) as possible, adopting a K-beauty routine might not be appealing to you. Unless you live in Asia, of course.

That’s why I decided to learn a bit more about their 10 step beauty routine, in order to create one with more eco-conscious products that are also affordable and easy to find.

The products in this article are easy to find if you live in Europe. If you live elsewhere or can’t find one of these easily, feel free to use a similar product instead.

Step 1 & 2: Double Cleanse

I am sure you already figured out this one, even if you’re not exactly into beauty trends. Double Cleanse is all about washing your face skin twice. Yes, that’s right! Even if you’re not using any makeup.

This one should be done every day, at least once a day. Why? Because our skin suffers a lot of damages throughout the day. Especially now that we all have to wear face masks every time we go out.

Step 1: Wash your face with an oil-based cleanser

Yes, I know… it sounds weird. But it works. It can be a cleansing oil or a balm. I honestly prefer the balm. My favorite? The one from Flor De Mayo, a Spanish brand. Effective, on-a-budget (7,95€) and you can use it to remove your eye makeup.

The best part? The product comes in a small tin (that you can repurpose when you run out of balm) and it’s sold with a reusable face cloth (so soft).

Where can you find it? Druni, Primor, Douglas

Step 2: Wash your face with a water-based cleanser

OK, nothing new here. You’ve been doing this your entire life and you probably have a water-based cleanser at home.

Why is this step so important? It helps you remove anything that remained from the previous step. It also makes you feel that your face is clean and ready to apply all the other products.

My recommendation? This cleanser from Nao Bay (a Spanish brand). Such a gentle formula with Ecocert certification and really on-a-budget (3,95€).

Where can you find it? Druni

P.S: you can use a package-free solid cleanser, instead. Check for alternatives at your local zero waste store.

Step 3: Toner

What’s the toner for? Well, it works on the ph of your skin and prepares it for the rest of your skincare routine.

For this particular step, I’ll recommend you a multi-purpose product, also from Nao Bay. I am talking about their Face Mist (3,95€). That you can use as a face toner, primer, setting spray, or face mist.

Where can you find it? Druni

Step 4: Essence

This one is considered to be the big thing when it comes to K-beauty. Especially because it’s something relatively (if not totally) new to most of us.

Here’s an affordable and easy to find an alternative: e.l.f. Coconut Water & Algae Hydrating Water Essence

If e.l.f isn’t available (or doesn’t ship) to the market you’re in, feel free to look up a local alternative or to skip this step right away.

Step 5: Serum

OK, back to a basic that we’re all used to. You probably already have one you love, but if that’s not the case… the ones from The Ordinary might do wonders for you. 

You have plenty to choose from. Pick the one that suits best your current needs and feel free to ask for guidance. 

My favorites? Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.

Besides the affordable price tag, their products and packages come with very little plastic (only the lid, in most cases).

Where can you find these? Deciem, Sephora, Primor, Druni, Douglas 

Step 6: Eye Cream

One of those essentials, especially if you’ve reached your 30’s (like me). 

If you want something effective and with less plastic, I’d recommend you the Caffeine Solution from The Ordinary (6,70€). This one is particularly helpful if you have deep dark circles.

If you’re looking for something simpler and on-a-budget, the one from Cerave (13,95€) might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Where can you find these? Deciem, Look Fantastic, Primor, Druni

Step 7: Moisturiser

Finally, the moisturizer. I bet you’ve been waiting for this one for quite some time now, right?

I am sure you already have a favorite by now. Also, eco-conscious face moisturizers are becoming quite easy to find these days - even at supermarket chains.

My recommendation: the First Wrinkles one from Avril (here’s my review). Great if your skin looks dull or if you’re looking for a formula with fast absorption (great if you have combination or oily skin).

If you’re looking for something slightly denser, on-a-budget, super easy to find and that can be used by several family members… this one from The Ordinary will do the charm.

Where can you find these? 

Avril: The Singular Olivia, Avril

The Ordinary: Deciem, Sephora, Primor, Druni, Douglas 

Step 8: Sunscreen

No, sunscreen isn’t just for when you go to the beach (or spending some time by the pool or at the park). It’s something that you should apply every single day. Especially if you want to prevent aging.

Even though there are many eco-friendly and plastic-free alternatives available in the market, most of these aren’t exactly on-a-budget. 

Here’s my recommendation: Avril Face Sunscreen, available in two versions: SPF 30 y SPF 50

Where can you find it? The Singular Olivia and Avril

What about the other two steps?

Well, you just have to do these once a week. That’s why I left it to the very end. Which steps are we talking about, exactly? Face Scrub and Face Mask.

When it comes to the Face Scrub, opt for one that doesn’t have micro-plastics in its formula. My recommendation? The one from Nao Bay. Eco-conscious made with clean ingredients, and really affordable (5,50€). 

What about the face mask? Well, that will depend on your current needs. I recommend you have more than one, especially if you have combination skin as I do. I tend to alternate between a purifying and a hydrating one.

My favorites? The ones from Avril. Effective clean formulas, really affordable (5€) and can be used for a few months.

Where can you find these?

Nao Bay: Druni

Avril Cosmetics: The Singular Olivia and Avril

Looking for a simpler version of the K-beauty routine?

I’ve got you covered! Whether you’re in a hurry, live on a tight budget, or just want to have a minimalist beauty routine… these are your essentials: water-based cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen is really the most important (and best) thing you can do for your skin.