I Tried Korean Skincare for 30 Days, Here’s What Happened

A month ago, my skin was not in a good place. I was dealing with a damaged skin barrier, tightness, redness, random breakouts that wouldn’t heal, and that frustrating mix of oily-but-dry texture. Nothing seemed to work. So I decided to stop experimenting randomly and fully commit to a simple Korean skincare routine for 30 days.

Here’s exactly what happened.

Week 0: The Starting Point

Before starting, my skin was:

• Constantly irritated
• Breaking out along my cheeks and chin
• Dehydrated but still producing oil
• Covered in tiny bumps and uneven texture

I’d clearly overdone it with actives and harsh products. My goal for the next 30 days was simple: repair first, glow later.

The Routine I Followed:

AM:

1. VT Cosmetics Cica Foam Cleanser
   
2. Anua Rice 70 Glow Toner
3. Mediheal Madecassoside Serum
4. Dr. Althea 345 Cream
5. Beauty of Joseon Rice + Probiotics Sunscreen

PM:

1. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Cleansing Oil
2. VT Cosmetics Cica Foam Cleanser
3. Anua Rice 70 Glow Toner
4. Mediheal Madecassoside Serum
5. Dr. Althea 345 Cream

Targeted treatment (as needed):

• VT Cosmetics Pimple Patches (applied on active breakouts)

 

Week 1: Calming the Damage

The first few days were more about not making things worse.

• The cleansing oil + foam combo felt surprisingly gentle
• My skin stopped feeling tight after washing (huge win)
• Redness started to calm slightly
• Breakouts were still there, but less angry

The pimple patches were especially helpful here, they protected spots from getting worse and stopped me from picking (which, honestly, made a bigger difference than expected).

 

Week 2: Fewer Breakouts, More Balance

This is when I noticed real changes.

• New pimples slowed down significantly
• Existing ones healed faster
• My skin didn’t feel as oily during the day
• Texture started smoothing out

The toner was doing more than I expected, it added hydration without heaviness. My skin finally felt balanced, not stripped or overloaded.

Week 3: The Glow Starts Showing Up

This was the turning point.

• Skin looked brighter and more even
• Post-acne marks started fading
• That “glass skin” effect? Slightly visible
• Makeup sat better (and I needed less of it)

The combination of rice extract + soothing ingredients seemed to be doing exactly what my skin needed, repairing while gently enhancing radiance.

Week 4: Clearer, Healthier Skin

By the end of the 30 days:

• Breakouts were minimal (just the occasional small one)
• Redness was almost gone
• Skin felt hydrated, and calm
• Overall tone looked clearer and more even

The biggest difference wasn’t just how my skin looked—it was how it felt. No irritation, no tightness, no constant reacting.