Honest Korean 10-step skincare review after 2 years in Seoul

Real talk. I moved to Seoul in 2024 and did the whole 10-step thing for a while because I felt like I had to. Here's what I actually kept.

What I kept:

• Double cleanse — oil cleanser + gel cleanser at night. This is the one thing that actually changed my skin. It's not a trend, it's just … cleaning properly.
• Toner as hydration not as an astringent. Round Lab's 1025 Dokdo toner is the one I keep repurchasing.
• Essence — I don't know how to explain what an essence does but my skin looks like a scam when I skip it for a week. Missha Time Revolution is fine, don't spend more.
• Sunscreen — daily. Non-negotiable. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is famous for a reason.

What I dropped:

• Sheet masks daily — nice once a week, waste of money daily.
• Snail cream — I was allergic, it happens.
• Two-step exfoliation — too much for my face, my chin never forgave me.
• Any product with a K-drama on the box.

Advice for people flying in for a shopping haul: Olive Young is fine. Don't drive to some warehouse in Gangnam. The prices are basically the same and Olive Young has the whole thing already. Go with a list, do not free-form browse or you will spend 300,000 won on things you'll toss in 3 months.