10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine to Combat Hyperpigmentation

We’ve all been there: staring in the mirror, wishing away blemishes or those pesky dark spots left behind by a zit. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that hyperpigmentation is frustrating! 

Those uneven patches or dark spots, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), pop up for all sorts of reasons. Maybe it’s from a bad sunburn, acne scarring, irritation from rosacea, or products that didn’t agree with you.

The trick to managing hyperpigmentation is twofold: prevention and treatment. Prevention focuses on keeping things calm and healthy to prevent breakouts or irritation—essentially, giving the skin what it needs to avoid creating future spots.

Treatment targets existing blemishes with ingredients that promote healing and an even complexion. The best thing about the 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation is that it does both! So, here’s a great glow-getting game plan, complete with our product recommendations.

Step 1: Oil Cleanser

The first step in your Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation is oil cleansing. Oil cleansers work on the principle of “like dissolves like.” So this step is necessary for melting away makeup, waterproof sunscreen, and excess sebum without stripping the skin’s natural oils. 

This gentle but thorough cleaning step is important because it helps prevent clogged pores, which lead to breakouts, resulting in more hyperpigmentation!  

Look for a Korean cleanser enriched with ingredients like vitamin E or rice water for an extra brightening boost. 

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil is a great option for the 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation because it’s very effective at removing impurities while still leaving the skin luminous and feeling hydrated. 

Step 2: Water-Based Cleanser

As always, follow up on your oil cleanse with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue and ensure your skin is completely clean. 

Look for a gentle, low-pH formula like the Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Cleanser for this step of your double cleanse. This will help maintain your skin’s natural barrier. Remember, a compromised barrier makes your skin more prone to irritation and breakouts, and we definitely don’t want that! 

Step 3: Exfoliation

After cleansing, we move to exfoliation in our 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation. This step is important because it helps with both prevention and treatment by clearing clogged pores and promoting skin turnover. 

Enhancing skin turnover speeds up the removal of outer skin cells that contain excess melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots.

So by encouraging the skin to renew itself more quickly, new, healthy skin cells with less melanin rise to the surface, and the spots fade faster. 

Korean exfoliators with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acid are particularly effective for this, as they gently dissolve dead cells on the skin's surface. The Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is a great AHA exfoliator that we recommend. 

Step 4: Toner

Next up in your 10-step Korean skincare for hyperpigmentation is toner. The type you choose depends on your goal for the day.

• For prevention: Use a toner with calming ingredients like birch sap or Centella Asiatica to soothe your skin and reduce the risk of irritation.
• For treatment: Reach for a toner with active ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide. These are great at fighting hyperpigmentation. However, we wouldn’t use these on the same days that we’ve exfoliated as it could over-sensitize the skin.

The Numbuzin No.3 Super Glowing Essence is an excellent choice for any Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation. It’s formulated with niacinamide and 50 different types of fermented extracts that help improve overall skin tone.

5. Essence

This next step in your 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation gives your skin a hydration and nutrient boost. Essences are lightweight, watery formulas packed with concentrated ingredients, and the right one can make all the difference.

Look for products with brightening powerhouses like arbutin, which helps fade dark spots, or rice extract, known for improving skin clarity. Another K-beauty favorite is galactomyces ferment which smooths, hydrates, and evens out skin tone over time.

The Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence is an example of a fantastic essence with fermented ingredients. It also has Camellia Sinensis leaf water, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help prevent breakouts.

6. Serum/Ampoule

Serums and ampoules are the MVPs of your 10-step Korean skincare for hyperpigmentation because they are concentrated formulas of ingredients that address dark spots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone. 

If there’s one step to splurge on in your routine, it’s this one—because Korean serums are where the magic happens. 

Look out for these hero ingredients:

• Niacinamide 
• Vitamin C 
• Alpha Arbutin 
• Tranexamic acid 
• Glutathione 
• Licorice root extract 
• Kojic acid 
• Azelaic acid 

Apply your serum after the essence and let it absorb fully before moving on. The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is a great product for targeting hyperpigmentation thanks to its potent blend of niacinamide and vitamin C. 

It’s also gone viral for a reason—many reviewers report noticeable improvements in their skin’s clarity and radiance after using it. 

7. Sheet Mask

Sheet masks are another go-to for a concentrated dose of treatment. They can also be calming lifesavers, especially when you’re using multiple actives like vitamin C or exfoliating acids in your 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation.

One great option is the Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Dark Spot Care Serum Mask that’s infused with vitamin C. Use it and others once or twice a week to complement your daily Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation.

Apply your mask after your serum step, then sit back and let it work its magic for about 15 to 20 minutes. Your skin will love it!

8. Eye Cream

Don’t forget about the delicate under-eye area in your 10-step Korean skincare for hyperpigmentation routine! Discoloration here, often caused by thinning skin or poor circulation, adds to the uneven tone you’re trying to tackle.

Eye creams are specifically formulated to treat this sensitive area. On top of brightening ingredients, look for options with peptides and retinol to strengthen the skin.

SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream is at the top of our eye-cream list because it not only contains retinol but also brightening niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing Centella Asiatica.

Apply a small amount using your ring finger—its gentle touch is perfect for the fragile under-eye area.

9. Moisturizer

This is an essential step in any routine, especially this 10-step Korean skincare one that’s focused on hyperpigmentation. It’s where we seal in all the previous layers of hydration and treatment.

Look for a Korean moisturizer with both hydrating and brightening ingredients. A great option for dark spots or an uneven complexion is the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, which is packed with rejuvenating ingredients like rice bran water, ginseng root, and niacinamide. 

Other important ingredients for any moisturizer are ceramides, panthenol, or squalane. These help to maintain the skin barrier and prevent irritation and hyperpigmentation. 

10. Sunscreen

UV exposure is one of the biggest culprits of dark spots and uneven tone, so this is the most critical part of your 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation. Without sunscreen, all your brightening efforts will quickly go to waste!

Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Korean sunscreens are renowned for lightweight, skin-friendly formulas that provide robust protection. 

A good example is the cult-favorite SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-fit Sun Serum. Aside from offering SPF50+ and PA++++ protection, it also features a blend of calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid, which help soothe irritation while deeply hydrating the skin.

Make it a habit to reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re outdoors. A solid sunscreen game not only prevents hyperpigmentation from worsening but also keeps new spots from forming. 

Get Brighter, Healthier Skin With EYURS  

One thing you must remember: Getting brighter, more even-toned skin is a journey, not an overnight miracle. A consistent 10-step Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation is your best ally in fading dark spots and boosting your skin’s natural glow. 

EYURS has curated a collection of tried and tested products you can add to your Korean skincare routine for hyperpigmentation. Shop these brightening and healing heroes today, and don’t forget to embrace the process and celebrate every little win along the way!