While the viral Korean 10-step skin-care routine may have captured social media's attention in its heyday, most people's actual routines look quite different. A recent NewBeauty survey of more than 1,300 readers* reveals just how many products make it into their regular routines, revealing how many skin-care steps they use, and the sweet spot might surprise you.
The majority of readers—54.2 percent—maintain a moderate approach with 4-6 steps in their daily skin-care routine. This range typically allows room for essential steps like cleansing and moisturizing, plus targeted treatments for specific skin concerns—think retinol, serums, etc.
A streamlined routine of 1-3 steps works best for 30.5 percent of readers, proving that sometimes less is more, prioritizing cleansing, basic moisturizing and a spot treatment. On the other end of the spectrum, 15.2 percent of readers embrace a more extensive regimen with 7 or more steps, likely incorporating multiple serums, essences, eye or neck creams, or specialized treatments.
Whether you're a minimalist or maximalist when it comes to skin care, there's clearly no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving your skin goals. The more the merrier, right?
*Source: BeautyEngine Advanced Research, 2024
