5 Korean-Inspired DIY Skincare Remedies for Glowing Skin

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want the glass-like skin from Instagram? The kind of glow that seems to have resulted from lots of Korean skincare? Here’s the catch: you don’t need to obtain fancy products or solve a 10-step process in order to achieve a certain glow. After years of experimenting, I came to believe that clear skin was only accessible to people who were rich or had copious amounts of free time. However, after some kitchen fails, I realized that some of the best skincare recipes can be found in the pantry. I am motivated by Korean home remedies and will be sharing recipes that are easy, affordable, and don’t require large amounts of effort, all while allowing the consumers to try them regardless of their expertise. Want to spoil your skin like a K-beauty princess? Then let’s go!

1. Soothe with a Cucumber Mask

Cucumber is great for Instagram selfies, but they are heavily featured in Korean skincare for a reason and can serve multifunctional purposes. I recall an instance where my aunt spent the day working, came home, and started putting cucumber slices on her face. This magic trick is said to calm the skin.

And she was correct! Because of a cucumber’s high-water content and Vitamin concentration, it is ideal for hydrating and refreshing tired skin.

The instructions are easy: Get a cucumber, cut it in half, wash it and either grate it or slice it unnaturally thin. Apply a light layer of aloe vera gel on your face (this keeps the slices in place—believe me, I learned the hard way). Put the pieces of cucumber to the affected area and lie back for about 10-15 minutes. Once done, you can throw the cucumbers away. The following step is your routine skincare—no rinsing required! This mask functions as a mini-vacation for your face while calming any redness or puffiness. Concerned about increased skin sensitivity? Just do a patch test on your forearm first—better safe than sorry.

2. Brighten with a Rice Mask

Together with the Cucumber Facial Mask which is perfect if you need to make amends to your skin, this and rice constitutes the most sought out combination. If there is an ingredient that implements and represents Korean beauty, then it must be rice. Rumors circulate that woman in the Joseon Dynasty relied on rice water for its magic for soft and glowing skin and the beauty in me loves this. This rice mask is the answer whenever my skin looks lackluster, since it essentially hits the refresh button.

It doesn’t matter what kind of rice it is—white or brown. Take half a cup, rinse it three times, and cook it with a single cup of water until it is mushy. While still warm, blend the rice with two tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of honey. Spread the resulting paste all over your face. After a relaxing 10 to 15 minutes, rinse it off using lukewarm water and follow up with moisturizer to capture the softness. Pro tip: Avoid leaving the paste on for too long so that it does not overly dry out your skin. Also, consume only what you need for a single application, as the paste does not store well. This mask is simple enough to make that you will be asking yourself why it is not a staple in your routine, and it brightens and softens the skin while also evens skin-tone.

3. Yogurt-Almond Exfoliating Mask

I am aware that the combination of yogurt and almonds in a face mask sounds strange, but I assure you: it is highly effective for gentle exfoliation and preventing breakouts. After hearing my friend talk about how much clearer her skin became from using this mask, I knew I had to try it and now I am obsessed myself. The antibacterial properties of the ingredients, in combination with the light exfoliation from yogurt, leaves your skin soft as a baby.

First, take half a cup of almonds and use a blender to turn them into powder. For a mask, combine 2 tablespoons of almond powder, half a cup of plain yogurt, and one and a half tablespoons of aloe vera gel to provide some extra moisture. Put the mixture on your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Do not use this mask more than twice a week to avoid irritation. Though the mask is suitable for all skin types, it’s advised to perform a patch test if you have sensitive skin. The mask has the properties of both a mild facial scrub and a spa treatment which makes it extremely enjoyable to see the radiance afterward.

4. Tone with Rice Water

I was surprised to find out rice can also be used in skincare. You probably already know rice water from the many Korean beauty secrets, which is why skin toner made from rice water caught my attention after seeing it used by Korean influencer Korean beauty vibes on Instagram. You should definitely check out her page if you’re looking for more beauty inspiration! It’s so simple, but very satisfying at the same time. Rice Water is known to brighten and soften the skin, providing the radiance you desire.

Start by washing half a cup of rice three to four times and on the last rinse, simply soak the rice in water, lightly swirling it every now and then, for 30 minutes at room temperature. Decant the murky liquid into a clean container, and you’ve got your very own toner! You can apply your toner on your face using a cotton pad or just rinse your face with it. For additional nutrients, feel free to let the water ferment for 24 hours, though I personally don’t do this because – let’s face it – the smell isn’t pleasant. Since it has no preservatives, make sure to store it in the fridge and consume it within five days. This toner is an incredibly simple method to enhance the skin’s elasticity and supple texture without breaking the bank.

5. Soothe with a Green Tea Toner

We all know green tea for drinking, but if you suffer from having acne-prone sensitive skin, this is the thing for you. I began preparing this toner after experiencing heightened stress, and it has helped tremendously. With its abundance of antioxidants and powerful calming effects, there is no other toner that can relieve redness quite like it.

Take fresh water, boil it, and pour it into a cup containing a green tea bag. Allow it to brew for 5-10 minutes (Don’t go overboard, it will become overly acidic). Let it cool until it’s lukewarm before pouring it into a spray bottle. If desired, include a splash of aloe vera gel for added moisture. Mist or apply it as a toner whenever your skin needs a rejuvenating boost. Keep refrigerated and use within 5 days. The gentle toner is soothing enough for daily use while leaving skin feeling uplifted and revitalized.

There is a benefit of skin soaking treatments–thankfully–that does not require many utensils for the activity, aside from a basin filled with water. The skin care moves described above do not take a great deal of time, they do not require advanced training in the domain of kinesiology or poise, hence, do not consume for financial resources, thus these moves can make life so much better.

So, to put it in simple words, feel free to try these elementary do it yourself recipes for skin care, claim enjoyment all the while especially from works, and most importantly, do not stress out over consultation fees (from masons).