You know it: the 10-step skincare routine, celebrated on social media as the ultimate in skincare. But is it really necessary? We'll debunk the myths, explain where the trend comes from, and show you how to make your skincare routine truly efficient, even if you only have 10 minutes in the morning.
What is the 10-step skincare routine?
These 10 steps to your skincare routine originally come from South Korea, a country known for its innovative beauty trends. The principle behind it is called "layering." You first apply light, liquid products and then richer ones. This allows the skin to optimally absorb the active ingredients while simultaneously receiving plenty of moisture.
Thanks in large part to celebrities and social media, this trend has long since spread to us. On Instagram and TikTok, you see perfectly staged morning routines that suggest: the more steps, the more perfect your skin. In reality, it's mostly about lifestyle, marketing, and beauty content, and not a necessity for everyday life.
The 10 steps at a glance:
- Oil cleanser : removes makeup and impurities
- Water-based cleaner : removes everything the oil-based cleaner couldn't.
- Exfoliator/Peeling : removes dead skin cells
- Toner : balances the pH level and prepares the skin for the next steps.
- Essence : moisturizes and nourishes
- Serum/ampoule : concentrated active ingredients for specific skin problems
- Sheet Mask : Intensive Moisture Care
- Eye cream : Care for the sensitive eye area
- Moisturizing cream : binds moisture in the skin
- Sunscreen : protects against UV radiation
Morning or evening routine?
The 10-step routine typically differs between morning and evening, primarily in terms of sun protection. In the morning routine, sunscreen is applied at the end to protect the skin throughout the day. This step is omitted in the evening, allowing for the application of other skincare products, such as rich masks. Some beauty enthusiasts perform the routine twice daily, while others limit themselves to once a day. In most cases, the individual steps are flexibly adapted and combined according to preference, time, and skin needs.
10 steps: really necessary?
But regardless of the exact details of the routine, one thing is striking: on social media, it's often portrayed as the perfect guarantee for flawless skin. This is precisely where it's worth questioning. Because behind these perfectly staged routines lies far more than just clever layering and high-quality skincare. Often, cosmetic treatments, Botox, or other professional procedures are also involved, cleverly concealed.
Social media also suggests that more steps automatically lead to more beautiful skin. In reality, over-care can damage the skin barrier, and not every product delivers the desired effect. The order and frequency of application also play an important role. Exfoliants, for example, should only be used a few times a week at most.
Anyone who critically examines their own and others' routines quickly realizes: quality trumps quantity. For most skin types, a simple, tailored routine is perfectly sufficient, and as they say: often less is more.
What really matters
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the basics:
- Cleanser
- moisture
- sun protection
These three steps form the foundation of any skincare routine, whether you choose 10 steps or just 3. Everything else, such as masks, serums, or essences, are additions that can be used depending on your preferences, time, and skin needs.
This is precisely the approach behind reBELLE Beauty. We believe that a simple, coordinated routine often achieves more than an endless range of products. That's why you'll find all three staple products in our shop, carefully designed to work together, so you can make your skincare routine simple and effective.
3 or 10 – which one suits me best?
If you have the time and inclination in the morning, you can of course complete the full 10-step routine, and if it benefits your skin, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. The important thing to remember, however, is that more steps don't automatically guarantee radiant skin.
In today's hectic world, an extensive skincare routine is often simply unrealistic. What's truly essential for your skincare are cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen. Everything else can be added as you like, depending on your mood and how you feel that day. This way, you maintain control over your routine and do what's really good for your skin, without getting bogged down in unnecessary steps.