Korean Skincare Kit: My Honest Take on the Glow Obsession

So, here’s the thing. I never thought I’d be “that person” with a bathroom shelf full of pretty bottles. You know the type—serums lined up like soldiers, cute pastel packaging, sheet masks for days. Nope, not me. Or at least… not until I caved and bought a Korean skincare kit.

And let me just say—wow. It’s been a journey. Not all perfect (I’ll get to that), but definitely eye-opening. If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside those kits, how to use them without losing your sanity, or whether they’re actually worth the hype, let’s talk.

The Hype (and Why I Got Sucked In)

Everywhere I looked—TikTok, YouTube, even my cousin’s Instagram stories—it was all about “glass skin.” You know, that ridiculously dewy, clear, almost reflective look. Meanwhile, my skin was doing its usual thing: a bit dry in patches, shiny on the forehead, random breakouts whenever I ate too much cheese.

At first I thought, okay, it’s just another trend. But the thing that stuck with me was this: Korean skincare isn’t really about covering up with makeup. It’s more like… preventing the issues before they start. That made sense to me. I’d rather stop the spot before it appears than deal with concealer every morning.

So, after one late-night scrolling session (always dangerous for the bank account), I clicked add to cart.

What’s Actually in a Korean Skincare Kit?

Here’s where things got interesting. I opened the box, and suddenly it felt like I’d signed up for skincare school. All these bottles, all these steps. Ten steps, apparently? Who has time for that?!

But once I calmed down and actually looked at the labels, it wasn’t so scary. Most kits follow the same idea: cleanse, prep, hydrate, protect. Just with extra fancy names. Here’s what mine had (yours might vary a bit):

Oil cleanser – This melts away makeup and sunscreen. Feels weird at first (like massaging olive oil on your face), but honestly, it works.
Foam cleanser – The second part of the “double cleanse.” Sounds dramatic, but it just means you wash again to get rid of leftover stuff.
Toner – Not the harsh, alcohol-y ones from teenage years. More like water with benefits.
Essence – Totally new to me. It’s watery but slightly thicker, kind of like a hydration booster.
Serum (or ampoule) – The “treatment” step. Mine had niacinamide, which is supposed to help with spots and dullness.
Sheet masks – Okay, these are fun. You look like a ghost while wearing one, but the hydration payoff is real.
Moisturiser – Locks everything in. Mine’s more gel-like, which works since my T-zone gets oily.
Sunscreen – Honestly the most important one, even though I used to hate it. Korean ones are lighter, which is a lifesaver.

When I saw it all laid out, it was less “10 overwhelming steps” and more “ah, a menu for my face.”

How I Actually Use It (Spoiler: Not Perfectly)

Let’s be real. Nobody—and I mean nobody—is layering 8 products every morning before work. Or at least, I’m not.

Here’s how it usually goes:

Morning (quick version):

Cleanser (sometimes I just splash with water if I’m in a rush)
Toner
Serum
Moisturiser
Sunscreen (non-negotiable, even if I’m indoors—lesson learned the hard way)

Evening (when I have the energy):

Oil cleanser → foam cleanser
Toner → essence → serum
Moisturiser

And then maybe once or twice a week, I throw in a sheet mask. Honestly, those are more for the vibes than necessity. It feels like a mini spa moment, which is kind of the point.

The biggest surprise? It doesn’t actually take as long as it looks on paper. Most steps take, what, 20 seconds? The whole “ritual” is maybe 8 minutes.

Things I Noticed After a Few Weeks

Okay, so results. Because let’s be honest—that’s what we all care about.

My skin felt softer. Like, actually smoother to the touch.
The random flaky patches around my nose calmed down.
Breakouts didn’t vanish (this isn’t magic), but they healed faster.
I weirdly looked forward to doing the routine. There’s something soothing about it.

Now, was it life-changing? Not overnight. But after about three weeks, a friend asked me what foundation I was wearing—and I wasn’t wearing any. That’s when I knew it was working.

Why a Kit Makes Sense (Instead of Playing Skincare Roulette)

Before this, I’d pieced together random products from the drugstore. A toner here, a moisturiser there. Sometimes they worked together, sometimes they didn’t. I never really knew if I was mixing too much or not enough.

That’s the nice thing about a kit: it’s all designed to work together. No worrying about whether your vitamin C is clashing with your retinol, or if you’re overloading your skin. Plus, it usually works out cheaper than buying them all separately.

And if you’re new to skincare, it’s basically a starter pack. No thinking required.

Picking the Right Kit (Because There Are Too Many)

If you’re about to dive in, here’s what I’d suggest:

Figure out your skin type first. Dry? Look for richer creams. Oily? Gel-based everything.
Keep an eye on ingredients. Sensitive skin? Maybe avoid strong acids in your first kit.
Don’t overcommit. Start with a smaller kit. You don’t need the full 10-step monster straight away.
Check reviews. YouTube and Reddit are goldmines for honest opinions.

A Quick Story (Because Skincare Is Personal)

One night, I was tired, grumpy, and ready to crawl into bed without even washing my face. But the kit was sitting there, staring at me. So I thought, fine, I’ll at least do the oil cleanse.

What happened? The smell of the cleanser, the little massage, the warm water—it relaxed me way more than I expected. By the end, I felt calmer. Almost like I’d pressed pause on the day. And I ended up finishing the whole routine without even realising.

That’s when I got it. Skincare isn’t just about skin. It’s about giving yourself ten quiet minutes when the world feels like chaos.

Final Thoughts: Should You Get One?

Honestly? Yes—if you’re even a little bit curious. A Korean skincare kit is affordable, beginner-friendly, and kind of fun. You don’t have to do all the steps. You don’t have to get it perfect. Just start with what feels manageable.

And who knows? Maybe in a few weeks, someone will ask you what foundation you’re wearing when it’s just your skin doing its thing.

If nothing else, you’ll have a bathroom shelf that makes you smile every time you see it. And that, in my opinion, is already worth it.

Korean Skincare Kit – Your Friendly Guide to Glowing Skin