The Korean 10-step skincare routine has become almost a meme in beauty circles — equal parts admired and mocked for its length. Whether it makes sense for Saudi Arabia's specific climate is a more practical question than most coverage of it addresses.
What The 10 Steps Actually Are
In its most commonly cited form, the routine includes: oil cleanser, water-based cleanser, exfoliator (a few times a week, not daily), toner, essence, treatment or ampoule, sheet mask (a few times a week), eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. It's worth noting upfront that this full sequence was always more of a media-friendly summary than a rigid daily requirement even within Korean skincare culture itself.
The Climate Factor: Heat And Humidity
Coastal Saudi cities like Jeddah deal with high humidity alongside heat, while inland cities like Riyadh face a drier heat. This distinction matters for how many hydrating layers actually make sense — a heavier, multi-layer routine suited to a cooler, drier climate elsewhere may feel excessive in Jeddah's humidity, while Riyadh's dry heat might tolerate more layering comfortably.
The Air Conditioning Factor
This is arguably more relevant to daily skincare in Saudi Arabia than outdoor heat. Most people spend a significant portion of their day in heavily air-conditioned indoor spaces, which can be notably dehydrating for skin, somewhat similar to the effect of a dry winter climate elsewhere. This actually strengthens the case for the hydration-focused layering K-beauty is known for, even in a hot country.
A Practical, Adapted Approach Rather Than All Ten Steps
Rather than committing to the full ten-step sequence daily, a more realistic adaptation for the Saudi climate might look like:
Morning: gentle cleanser, hydrating toner, a lightweight serum (niacinamide or vitamin C are common choices), moisturizer, sunscreen
Evening: oil cleanser (especially with sunscreen and makeup to remove), water-based cleanser, toner, a treatment serum suited to your concern, night moisturizer
A few times weekly: exfoliation and a sheet mask, rather than daily
Texture Matters More Than Step Count
In a hot, humid, or heavily air-conditioned environment, the texture of products matters as much as how many steps you use. Lighter, gel-based or water-based formulations tend to feel more comfortable day-to-day than heavy, oil-rich creams, particularly for oilier skin types common in humid coastal climates.
Sunscreen Deserves Special Attention Here
Korean sunscreens are widely regarded for their lightweight, non-greasy textures compared to some heavier traditional sunscreen formulations, which matters considerably in a climate where you're likely reapplying sunscreen throughout an intensely sunny day.
Don't Feel Obligated To Use Ten Products
The most important adaptation for anyone in Saudi Arabia — or any hot climate — is permission to skip steps that don't add value for your specific skin and lifestyle. A four- or five-step routine using genuinely well-suited, lightweight products will likely serve most people better than a rigid ten-step routine followed out of obligation.
Sourcing Well-Suited Products
Given how much texture and formulation matter for a hot-climate routine specifically, working with a retailer that carries a genuinely wide range of Korean skincare — allowing you to choose lighter gel-based options over heavier creams where appropriate — makes the adaptation process easier. Reem N Cream carries a range spanning lightweight ampoules and toners through richer creams, useful for building a routine suited to your specific skin type and the local climate rather than a one-size-fits-all import.
A Practical Adaptation Checklist
Favor lightweight, gel or water-based textures over heavy creams for daily use
Reserve masks and exfoliation for a few times weekly rather than daily
Prioritize sunscreen and reapplication given intense sun exposure
Adjust for indoor air conditioning's drying effect, not just outdoor heat
Build a routine around your actual skin's needs, not a fixed step count
Summary
The Korean 10-step routine was never meant to be followed rigidly, even in Korea. For Saudi Arabia's specific mix of outdoor heat, variable humidity, and heavily air-conditioned indoor life, a thoughtfully adapted 4-6 step routine using well-chosen, lightweight products generally makes more practical sense than importing the full ritual wholesale.
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