Here’s why you need to start slathering your face with snail slime.
By
Eliza Berkon August 16, 2017
I don’t know where I’ve been hiding the past few years, but I learned about the K-Beauty skincare regimen about three weeks ago. It’s the labor-intensive but highly rewarding process of applying Korean facial cleansers, toners, exfoliants, sheet masks, essences, serums and creams that aim to brighten, refine and basically perfect skin to the tune of more than $600 million in online sales in 2016 . Thankfully, all the mystical products can be found right down the street at Target or CVS .
If there’s any chance you have yet to get your hands wet in egg peel or learn the definition of an ampoule, I’m here to help. The amount of steps in this regimen varies depending on what blog you’re following and what your skin needs on that particular day, but to keep things simple, let’s focus on the 10 core steps.
Neogen Dermalogy Real Flower Cleansing Water, $22
Step 1: This part of the double cleanse is meant to remove makeup and any oil that's accumulated in your T-zone throughout the day.
MISSHA Super Aqua Anti-Trouble Formula Purifying Foaming Cleanser, $12
Step 2: Now that you've removed all of that stubborn mascara and cream blush, go for an extreme clean with a foaming cleanser. I created a quick lather of the remarkably creamy substance while inhaling its subtle, fresh scent. After rinsing with warm water, my skin appeared incredibly clean and matte with no signs of irritation.
Goodal Wash Up Deep Clean Pore Glacial Clay Wash Off Pack, $25
Step 3: Exfoliation two to three times a week is vital for a fresh face. But if you're tired of St. Ives Apricot Scrub, try this ice cream-like concoction.
Pocket Bunny Mist, $14.50
Step 4: This adorable Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist helps re-moisten your face after scrubbing it dry. That will also make it more receptive to the moisture that's coming its way.
MISSHA Time Revolutionthe the First Treatment Essence + Night Repair Ampoule, $35
Steps 5 and 6: I just received this set of beauties from Amazon and have utterly enjoyed smearing my visage with fermented yeast and vitamin B12. Essences, often considered the primary element of the K-beauty routine, are often watery and fight aging, while serums and ampoules target troublesome spots (blackheads et al.) and tend to be thicker and more concentrated.
The Creme Shop Drink Up, Skin! Penguin Face Mask, $4
Step 7: Missha's Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Mask has two components: one for the T-zone areas and the other for the lower half of your face and the oft-neglected neck. After 15 minutes, my skin was ultra-dewy, and I loved not having to bust out my washcloth. Next time, I'm trying one of these oh-so-cute animal sheet masks so I can look like a penguin instead of a character from Silence of the Lambs.
Misa Geum Sul Vitalizing Eye Cream, $45
Step 8: Missha's eye cream, in its super-glam gold case, will give your peepers the hydration they need before a long slumber. Drawing on herbal medicine, the cream uses ginseng, mushrooms and deer antler extract. (Don't worry—a disclaimer states that deer are not harmed in the process, and hopefully that's true since I don't want Bambi dying for the sake of sparing me crow's feet.)
MISSHA Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask, $23
Step 9: This was by far the step I was most excited to try because it involved snail slime. Before you gag, remember that eating snails is a pricey and sought-after proposition, so massaging them into your face should be luxurious rather than loathsome. After applying eye cream, squirt an ample amount of this mask on your fingertips and gently tap across your skin. Enjoy the baby-skin softness in the morning.
Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng 5-In-1 Total Sheer Make-Up-Care Cream SPF25, $43.18
Step 10: Throw out your foundation (if you didn't already do that three years ago) and substitute it for a more lightweight sunstick or gel, complete with sun protection and ginseng, during the day.