IU’s Skincare Routine: Here is The right way to Glow Just like the Okay-pop Star

Shining bright in the South Korean entertainment scene, IU aka Lee Ji-eun has etched a spot in our hearts with her immaculate talent and beauty. Not only is she a sought-after name in showbiz, but also in the beauty market where numerous brands want to cash in on her phenomenal, plump, glass-like skin. If you’re a K-drama fan, you must’ve noticed how stunning her skin appears even in extreme close-up shots. If you’ve been wanting to try out Korean beauty and skincare for a while, here’s your sign. Let’s take you through IU’s skincare routine that’ll help you achieve smooth porcelain skin like the Hallyu star.

Landing on the cover of South Korea‘s most notable magazines, campaigning for top-tier luxury brands, and looking your best self in front of the camera – celebrities like IU have to take extra care of their well-being. Don’t worry, you won’t have to indulge in a gruelling self-pampering session as IU’s skincare is quite simple and uncomplicated. Her skincare mantra? Stick to the basics. Our guide will take you through her beauty rituals and the skincare products she swears by on an everyday basis.

Skincare tips and tricks to steal from K-pop star IU

IU has three holy grail skincare products. According to multiple reports, IU relies on sunscreen, toner, and a facial oil/moisturiser. Additionally, she uses a hero product, a highly concentrated serum recommended by her makeup artist. Keep reading to know the details:

Hydrating and repairing serum

In an earlier interview with CNP, IU revealed that she religiously uses the CNP Propolis Energy Ampoule, which fits her skin just right. The soothing and repairing serum has been ultra-popular in Korea for years. It contains concentrated Propolis Extract, with excellent antioxidant and moisturising properties to revitalise the skin. With Hyaluronic Acid as its main ingredient, the serum ensures your skin remains firm and glimmering.

Application: Use 3-4 drops of the product, apply evenly to the entire face, and gently pat in for full absorption. Do it as the first step of skincare after toner. For extra hydration, you can reapply it during the day.

Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a requirement for healthy skin. By acting like a shield against the harsh sun and free radicals, sunscreen prevents sunburn, reduces the risk of skin cancer, prevents premature ageing, improves skin texture, lessens hyperpigmentation, prevents melasma sunspots and much more. With so many advantages packed in a single product, it is an important addition to any skincare routine.

Tips to choose a sunscreen: The most important thing when choosing a sunscreen is checking the level of SPF. An SPF of 30 or more ensures that your skin is completely protected: whether indoors or outdoors, sunny or cloudy. Moreover, always choose a product with ‘broad spectrum’ coverage.

Facial oil

IU skincare routine — image credit: dlwlrma/ Instagram

Rich in hydrating and nourishing properties, facial oils have become the latest skincare fad. IU loves a concoction of facial oils and hydrating toners to recover her skin from dryness. She is known to mix two drops of facial oil and toner on a cotton pad, gently patting this mix on her face for a couple of minutes so that the skin nicely absorbs all the product goodness. Whether it’s improving your skin texture or preventing signs of ageing – facial oils aid it all. They should ideally be layered after serums but before heavy creams or moisturisers.

Toner

IU never skips out on toner. And why would she? Toner has so many advantages packed into one: it infuses skin with nutrients, balances pH, brightens tone, minimises the appearance of enlarged pores as well as boosts hydration. Use a toner after cleaning your face with a facewash to pull out the stubborn makeup residue, dead skin cells and grime from the pores. By deeply removing the oil and dirt and giving you freshly cleansed skin, toner makes the absorption of other skin care products easy.

Tips to choose a toner: Always pick toners which have skin-friendly ingredients. A lot of toners in the market are infused with alcohol, which can dry out or stretch your skin. Therefore, check the formulation before making the splurge.

Drinking plenty of water

Do we even need to elaborate on this one? Despite using the best products and being consistent with your skincare routine, your skin won’t improve until your body is free from toxins within. Always running from sets to performances to shoots, IU makes sure to keep her body hydrated by drinking water every now and then.

Water not just affects your physical functioning, but cognitive health as well. According to Healthline, multiple studies have shown that even mild dehydration, such as the loss of 1–3% of body weight, can impair many aspects of brain function. Furthermore, hydration helps prevent and treat headaches, relieve constipation, clear kidney stones, prevent hangovers, aid in weight loss and a lot more.