You get curious about Korean skincare, do a bit of reading, and within ten minutes you've been told you need an oil cleanser, a foam cleanser, a toner, an essence, a serum, an ampoule, a sheet mask, an eye cream, a moisturizer and a sunscreen.
Skincare stops sounding like self-care and starts sounding like homework.
So let's replace the question. Instead of "how do I get to ten steps?", ask: what does my skin actually need, and in what order?
Explore the full lineup and Shop RIMAN Skincare today.
This guide translates the Korean skincare philosophy into something concrete: a RIMAN ICD skincare routine you can actually follow, in the right order, at whatever length suits your life.
KBeauty-USA.com is an independent RIMAN Planner store. It is not RIMAN.com.
Do You Really Need a 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine?
No.
The "10-step routine" is a useful teaching framework — it names the categories that exist and explains what each one does. It was never a prescription, and treating it as one is how people end up with a bathroom shelf full of products they resent.
What actually matters:
- Choosing categories that address something your skin is doing
- Applying them in a logical order
- Avoiding two products that do the same job
- Adjusting between morning and evening
- Paying attention to how your skin responds, and changing course when it objects
Your routine should reflect your skin type, your concerns, the season, your tolerance, your budget, and how much time you honestly want to spend at 7am. Four well-chosen steps followed daily beat nine followed sporadically.
RIMAN makes this easier because its products are built as ritual layers rather than a checklist — so you can run a short version or a complete one without anything feeling like it's missing.
The Universal Framework
Every good routine, Korean or otherwise, follows the same logic:
CLEANSE → HYDRATE → TREAT → MOISTURIZE → PROTECT
That's it. Everything else is detail about which products fill those slots and how many layers you want inside each one.
The RIMAN Skincare Order at a Glance
| Order | Step | RIMAN product | Main role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil cleanse (PM) | RIMAN ICD Moisture Cleansing Oil | Removes makeup, sunscreen and oil-based buildup |
| 2 | Water-based cleanse | RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser | Finishes the cleanse |
| 3 | Hydrating mist | RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist | Refresh and prepare |
| 4 | Lightweight hydration | RIMAN ICD Calming Balance Gel | A light prep layer |
| 5 | Booster | ICD Dermatology Booster | First Boo-Se-Boo layer |
| 6 | Serum | ICD Dermatology Serum | The treatment layer |
| 7 | Booster again | ICD Dermatology Booster | Completes Boo-Se-Boo |
| 8 | Moisturizer | RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream | Seals everything in |
| 9 (AM only) | Sunscreen | RIMAN ICD Moisture Layer Sunscreen | UV protection — always last |
Nine steps, not ten — because we're not padding a routine to hit a number.
Step 1 — Oil Cleanse
RIMAN ICD Moisture Cleansing Oil — $37.30
Oil cleansing goes first because of simple chemistry: oil dissolves oil. Sunscreen and most makeup are oil-based, and water-based cleansers struggle with them — which is why people end up scrubbing.
How to use it: on dry skin, before water. Massage gently, then add warm water to emulsify — the oil turns milky — and rinse.
When you need it: in the evening, if you wore sunscreen or makeup. Which, if you're using sunscreen properly, is most evenings.
When you don't: most mornings. You're cleansing off a night's worth of skincare, not a day's worth of SPF.
Step 2 — Water-Based Cleanse
RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser — $30.04
The second cleanse handles what the oil left behind — sweat, general buildup, and the residue of the oil itself. A lightweight daily gel that leaves skin feeling clean without feeling stripped.
The division of labour is simple: the oil cleanser targets oil-soluble buildup; the gel cleanser finishes the job.
Is double cleansing mandatory? No. It's genuinely useful on days you wore sunscreen or makeup, and largely unnecessary on days you didn't. Use it when the situation calls for it rather than as a rule.
Other RIMAN cleansing options
- RIMAN Incellderm Snow Enzyme Cleanser EX ($30.04) — an alternative water-based cleanse
- RIMAN ICD Cleansing Powder Wash ($37.30) — an intermittent step rather than a daily one; follow the directions on the product page for frequency
You don't need all three water-based cleansers. Pick one for daily use.
Want to try the double cleanse before committing to full sizes? The RIMAN ICD Cleansing Experience Kit ($37.30) pairs travel sizes of the oil and the gel cleanser.
Step 3 — Hydrating Mist
RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist — $40.40
This is a RIMAN-specific step rather than a conventional toner, and it's worth understanding on its own terms.
It's bi-phasic — a water layer and an oil layer in one bottle, which is why you shake well before use. That means it delivers both hydrating and moisturizing ingredients in a single pass, and it bridges the gap between a clean face and the treatment layers to come.
How to use it: shake until the layers blend, mist evenly over the face, and let it absorb before your next step.
Its directions also allow it to be used after other products for a smoother, more luminous finish — which makes it useful as a mid-afternoon refresh, not just a routine step.
Step 4 — Lightweight Hydration
RIMAN ICD Calming Balance Gel — $40.40
A light gel layer that sits between your mist and your treatment steps.
Why here? Because routines work best moving from lighter textures to richer ones. A light gel applied after a cream has considerably more trouble doing its job. This step keeps skin comfortable and gives the layers above something to sit on.
Steps 5–7 — The Boo-Se-Boo Method
This is RIMAN's signature layering technique, and it's the part most new customers find confusing.
BOO → SE → BOO
Booster → Serum → Booster
Both products come in the RIMAN ICD Dermatology First Package ($102.56) — the ICD Dermatology Booster (130 ml) and the ICD Dermatology Serum (45 ml).
The sequence:
- Booster — the first hydrating layer
- Serum — the treatment layer
- Booster again — completing the sandwich
Applying the booster on both sides of the serum is simply a layering approach: hydration, treatment, hydration. It's a method for building comfortable layers, not a mechanism that does something to your skin's structure — and you should be skeptical of anyone who describes it otherwise.
One important note: Boo-Se-Boo is a RIMAN-specific method within the ICD Expert Ritual. It's not a universal Korean skincare technique, and you won't find it described that way outside RIMAN's materials.
Both formulas are built on Centella Asiatica leaf water with niacinamide, glycerin, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, ceramide NP, peptides and antioxidants including tocopherol and ascorbic acid.
Step 8 — Moisturizer
RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream — $68.38
The cream is the closer. Everything before it delivered hydration; this step helps hold it there.
A rich, fast-absorbing, non-greasy cream built on 58% Giant BYoungPool (Centella Asiatica) leaf water, with shea butter, niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide NP, sodium hyaluronate and peptides.
How to use it — follow this exactly: apply liberally to the entire face and neck, spreading lightly. Don't massage it in. Those are the manufacturer's directions, and the neck instruction is worth taking seriously — most creams stop at the jawline.
It supports hydration, a smoother-looking finish and a plumper, more radiant-looking complexion. It doesn't lift anything or remove wrinkles, and nothing that comes in a jar does.
Step 9 — Morning Sunscreen
RIMAN ICD Moisture Layer Sunscreen — $37.30
Sunscreen is the last skincare step in the morning. Nothing goes over it — no moisturizer, no facial oil, no second cream.
Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ with avobenzone 3.0%, homosalate 9.0%, octisalate 4.5% and octocrylene 5.0%, plus birch sap and an 8-layer hyaluronic acid complex so it doesn't feel like a penalty on dry skin.
How to use it: apply evenly all over face, neck and body, and reapply after one to two hours of prolonged sun exposure.
Its role is protective — helping guard against additional UV-related visible aging. It doesn't undo anything that's already happened.
What About Step 10?
Here's where most guides invent a product to round the number up.
You don't need a step 10. A routine is complete when it meets your skin's needs, and the nine above cover cleansing, hydration, treatment, moisture and protection. That's everything.
What you can add instead are occasional treatments — things that sit around the routine rather than inside it.
Your Weekly Skin Spa Treatment: RIMAN ICD Collagen Melting Sheet Mask
$71.48
Think of this one differently from everything else in this guide. It isn't a routine step you have to remember — it's a once-a-week treatment you set aside twenty quiet minutes for. A home spa evening rather than another obligation on the list.
It's also worth understanding how it actually works, because it isn't a conventional sheet mask.
It's made of 100% New Zealand marine collagen in a dry, ultra-fine sheet that melts into skin rather than sitting on top of it. Key ingredients are collagen at 800,000 ppm and hydrolyzed collagen at 200,000 ppm.
The part most people miss: it doesn't work on its own. The mask activates against damp skin and needs the products either side of it — you'll apply it over your ICD Dermatology Booster and seal afterwards with the RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream. If a section isn't adhering, a light mist of the RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist helps it settle.
That's precisely why it isn't "step 10." It doesn't come after your routine — it happens inside it, on the nights you use it.
How often: once a week, per the product directions — or nightly for a week before a wedding, a holiday, or anything you want to look rested for.
Make it a ritual rather than a task. Sunday evening, no phone, cream on afterwards, straight to bed. Used that way it's the most enjoyable thing in the entire RIMAN range — and enjoyable is what makes a weekly habit survive past February.
Other occasional options: an intermittent RIMAN ICD Cleansing Powder Wash, or an extra layer of RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist on a dry afternoon. None of these is a requirement.
The Complete RIMAN Expert Ritual
Evening
- RIMAN ICD Moisture Cleansing Oil
- RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser
- RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist
- RIMAN ICD Calming Balance Gel
- ICD Dermatology Booster
- ICD Dermatology Serum
- ICD Dermatology Booster
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream
No sunscreen at night.
Morning
- RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser — or a plain water rinse if your skin prefers it
- RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist
- RIMAN ICD Calming Balance Gel
- ICD Dermatology Booster
- ICD Dermatology Serum
- ICD Dermatology Booster
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream
- RIMAN ICD Moisture Layer Sunscreen
Notice the morning skips the oil cleanse. You didn't wear sunscreen to bed.
The full-size version of this routine is the RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Set ($393.68), which contains all nine products including the sunscreen.
The Simple RIMAN Routine for Beginners
You do not need eight products to start.
Simple morning
- RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology First Package — Boo-Se-Boo
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream
- RIMAN ICD Moisture Layer Sunscreen
Simple evening
- RIMAN ICD Moisture Cleansing Oil — if you wore sunscreen or makeup
- RIMAN ICD Balancing Gel Cleanser
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology First Package
- RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream
Start simple. Add only when you understand what your skin actually wants.
Which RIMAN Set Makes Starting Easier?
| If you want… | Consider… | Price |
|---|---|---|
| To sample the complete ritual in minis | RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Experience Kit | $123.28 |
| Just the double cleanse to start | RIMAN ICD Cleansing Experience Kit | $37.30 |
| A simpler three-piece starting routine | RIMAN ICD Starter Ritual Set | $170.94 |
| A complete morning routine | RIMAN ICD Essential Morning Routine Set | $238.28 |
| Full-size Expert products | RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Set | $393.68 |
| The full-size Signature ritual | RIMAN ICD Signature Ritual Set | $393.68 |
| Only hydration and treatment | RIMAN ICD Dermatology First Package | $102.56 |
The RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Experience Kit is the most sensible first purchase for most people — seven mini sizes covering the whole ritual, so you learn the order and find out what your skin likes before committing to full sizes.
Browse all options in the RIMAN ICD routine collection.
What If My Main Concern Is Dark Spots or Uneven Tone?
Then you probably want a different routine path, not extra products bolted onto this one.
The Radiansome 100 line is RIMAN's premium, tone-focused system. Don't mix it into the Expert Ritual — run it as its own routine:
Cleanse → Toner → Essence → Concentrate (targeted) → Cream → sunscreen in the morning
- RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Toner — $82.88, the prep step
- RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Essence — $124.32, applied after toner, 4–5 drops
- RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Concentrate — $83.00, targeted, after essence and before cream, for the eye area and neck
- RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Cream — $103.60, the finishing step
The toner, essence and cream come together in the RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Premium Set ($310.80).
Expert Ritual vs. Radiansome — Which Should You Build?
| Routine | Main focus | Core products | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICD Expert Ritual | Layered hydration and comfort | Cleansers, mist, gel, First Package, cream | The classic RIMAN experience; dry-feeling skin |
| Radiansome 100 | Premium radiance and tone | Toner, essence, concentrate, cream | Uneven-looking tone, radiance, targeted concerns |
| Simplified RIMAN | The essentials only | Cleanser, First Package, cream, SPF | Beginners and minimalists |
Neither path is objectively better. They answer different questions.
How to Layer Without Pilling or Feeling Heavy
- Use appropriate amounts. Most pilling comes from too much product, not the wrong product.
- Let each layer settle before the next one. Not a stopwatch — just don't stack them all at once.
- Don't rush Boo-Se-Boo. Three quick passes defeat the point.
- Don't add unrelated products just because you own them.
- Sunscreen last in the morning, always.
- Introduce new products one at a time, so you know what caused what.
Korean Skincare for Mature Skin — Do You Need More Steps?
Not necessarily. Age doesn't add steps to a routine.
Some mature-skin users do find they prefer gentler cleansing, more hydration layers, a more substantial cream and consistent daily sunscreen. If your skin feels drier or tighter than it used to, the RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream is usually the single most useful addition — and its face-and-neck directions matter more as time goes on.
But that's about what your skin is doing, not how old you are. A 55-year-old with comfortable skin doesn't need nine steps any more than a 25-year-old does.
For more on this, read skincare habits mature skin should stop doing and our guide to signs your routine has become too aggressive.
Adjusting the Routine by Skin Goal
- Dry or tight-feeling: prioritise the hydration layers and the RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream.
- Dull-looking: keep the hydrating layers and consider the RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist for a dewier finish.
- Uneven tone or dark spots: take the Radiansome path above.
- Fine-line appearance or firmness: the RIMAN ICD Radiansome 100 Microfluidizer Cream, or the Concentrate for targeted areas.
- A weekly skin spa treatment: the RIMAN ICD Collagen Melting Sheet Mask — not a daily step, but a once-a-week ritual used inside your evening routine.
- Minimalist: cleanser, First Package, cream, sunscreen. Four steps, done.
5 Common Korean Skincare Routine Mistakes
- Assuming more steps means better results. A consistent four-step routine outperforms an inconsistent nine-step one every time.
- Double cleansing when you don't need to. If you didn't wear sunscreen or makeup, one gentle cleanse is plenty.
- Buying everything at once. If your skin reacts, you now have a mystery instead of an answer.
- Stacking targeted treatments. Two products doing the same job isn't twice the benefit.
- Doing an elaborate morning routine and skipping sunscreen. This is the one that genuinely undermines everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the correct order for a Korean skincare routine?
Cleanse, hydrate and prep, treat, moisturize, and protect with sunscreen in the morning. Within that, work from lighter textures to richer ones.
Do I really need 10 Korean skincare steps?
No. The 10-step framework is a teaching tool, not a requirement. A well-chosen four-step routine used consistently is better than a ten-step routine you abandon.
What is the correct RIMAN skincare order?
Oil cleanse (evening), gel cleanse, mist, calming gel, then Boo-Se-Boo — booster, serum, booster — then cream, and sunscreen in the morning.
What is Boo-Se-Boo?
RIMAN's layering method within the ICD Expert Ritual: Booster, then Serum, then Booster again. Both products are in the RIMAN ICD Dermatology First Package. It's a RIMAN-specific technique, not a general Korean skincare practice.
Do I need to double cleanse morning and night?
No. Double cleansing is useful in the evening when you've worn sunscreen or makeup. In the morning, a single gentle cleanse or even a water rinse is usually enough.
Which RIMAN product goes after cleansing?
The RIMAN ICD Two Phase Oil Mist, shaken well first, followed by the RIMAN ICD Calming Balance Gel.
Does RIMAN have a toner?
Sort of — it depends which routine you're running. The Expert Ritual uses the Two Phase Oil Mist and Calming Balance Gel in that position rather than a conventional toner. The Radiansome 100 line does have a dedicated Microfluidizer Toner as its first treatment step.
What is the best RIMAN routine for beginners?
Cleanser, Dermatology First Package, Dermatology Cream, and sunscreen. Or try the Expert Ritual Experience Kit to sample the full ritual in minis first.
What's the difference between the Expert Ritual and Radiansome 100?
The Expert Ritual focuses on layered hydration and comfort. Radiansome 100 is the premium tone-and-radiance system. They're alternative paths, not products to combine.
Where does the Collagen Melting Sheet Mask fit?
It's a weekly skin spa treatment rather than a daily step, and it goes inside your evening routine rather than after it. The RIMAN ICD Collagen Melting Sheet Mask is applied over your ICD Dermatology Booster and sealed with the RIMAN ICD Dermatology Cream — so it replaces part of your usual treatment layer rather than adding a tenth step. Once a week, per its directions.
Should sunscreen be the last step?
Yes, in the morning. Nothing goes over it. And it doesn't belong in an evening routine at all.
Build Your RIMAN Skincare Ritual
Three sensible starting points, depending on where you are:
- New to RIMAN? Start with the RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Experience Kit — seven minis, the whole ritual, one box.
- Want the full classic ritual? Explore the RIMAN ICD Expert Ritual Set or the RIMAN ICD Signature Ritual Set.
- Not sure which fits you? Take the K-Beauty Ritual Quiz.
And remember the framework, because it survives every product you'll ever own:
CLEANSE → HYDRATE → TREAT → MOISTURIZE → PROTECT
How many products fill those five slots is entirely up to you.
Shop RIMAN Skincare at KBeauty-USA.com →
This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. All statements refer to cosmetic, appearance-related benefits only. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Always follow the directions on the individual product page.
KBeauty-USA.com is an independent RIMAN Planner store. It is not RIMAN.com. Prices and product details were verified at the time of writing and are subject to change. Free shipping on orders over $200.
