Korean beauty is not just about multi-tasking products with cute packaging, half of it is about how you pamper yourself and different ways to use regular skincare products to their full potential like toner masking and now, the 7 skin method. Although take note that maintaining “beautiful skin” comes from healthy skin. You’ll not only achieve it by using a bunch of beauty products. It also comes from within by reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and healthy diet.
WHAT IS THE 7 SKIN METHOD?
In a nutshell, it’s a way of applying a hydrating toner or water essence to your face up to seven times—hence, the name “seven”. Yes, 7 layers of toner are patted on your face and layered in succession. The idea behind it is that the moisture level of skin can be increased in an efficient and effective way without the heaviness or greasiness that may come from traditional creams and oils. It’s also a great way to hydrate all skin types, providing the optimal balance of hydration and skin’s natural oils with a subtle dewy glow and firmer skin. If the method sounds familiar, it’s because some women are already doing this without knowing what this method is actually called.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LAYERING 7 TONERS?
Most people think this is some gimmick (I actually did) because applying 7 layers of toner in one routine can be handy. But with this method, you can actually ditch the other steps of your skincare routine such as the essence, serum, emulsion, or ampoule. You’ll just end your 7 skin method with a moisturizer. It is hydration, minus the extensive Korean skin-care routine. And by layering your toner multiple times, your skin gets to absorb more of the hydrating ingredients, ultimately giving you hydrated and healthy skin.
HOW DO I DO THE 7 SKIN METHOD?
The most common application method is to wipe the skin with a cotton pad drenched in a toner while your skin is still slightly damp. Or pour some toner on your palms and start patting it with hands all over your slightly damp skin for the rest of the 7 steps like what actress Ha JiWon doing in the GIF above. But if it is your first time, Christine of Glow Recipe suggested, you should start slow and build up to the total amount. Test the method by applying your toner two or three times and go from there. After layering the toner, finish it off with your fave moisturizer to seal the moisture into your skin. And if you want to do this in the morning, you can apply your sunscreen after the moisturizer and do the rest of your makeup.
RESULT
This is something I’d actually been doing for over 2 years now before I even learned what it is called and I usually just do 3-4 layers instead of 7. When I do this I get a dewy glow the next morning. My skin felt tighter, plumper, and bouncier. I have oily skin and my mom always says I don’t look oily in the morning. Just look at how my skin improved in my story of how I got rid of my acne.
WHAT KIND OF TONER SHOULD YOU USE?
According to Byrdie, you should away from toners with synthetic fragrances, alcohol (also listed as ethanol or ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol), and any cleansing properties (like a cleansing water-in-one or micellar water) as those can be irritating if applied too many times. I also suggest not using toners with actives and acids like Vitamin C, AHA, BHA, and PHA because those can be harsh on your skin when applied multiple times. I highly recommend using hydrating toners and essences like Whamissa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, or Missha First Treatment Essence.
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