I often go to a Korean spa in New Jersey for seshin (세신), a traditional body exfoliation performed in bathhouses (jjimjilbangs).
After soaking in hot jacuzzis and moving through steam and open showers, you’re brought into a wet room with scrub tables. An ajumma (아줌마, auntie) scrubs and rinses every inch of your body with calm, no-nonsense rigor.
Using a textured mitt, layers of dead skin soften from heat and moisture, then roll off the body during exfoliation. It’s satisfying (and slightly gross) to see these dark, rolled bits of skin… proof that the scrub is doing exactly what it’s meant to do.
The result is baby-smooth skin, improved circulation, and a freshly renewed surface layer of skin.
And true to Korean beauty philosophy, the face is never forgotten.
While the skin is warm, the face is gently cleansed with milk, nourished with oil, and finished with a mask to restore balance.
Recreate the Korean Spa Ritual at Home
To recreate the Korean Spa ritual at home, we’ve adapted this treatment into a simple, intentional ritual that respects the skin barrier. Exfoliation should not feel rushed, and it’s never done without restoration.
We use a focused edit of our spa essentials, adapted with clean ingredients and luxurious textures.
Your At-Home Seshin Ritual
For your Body:
For your Face:
Korean Bath Culture: Care Without Stigma
Korean bath culture has long celebrated caring for the body without shame or stigma. Self-care is not framed as indulgence. It’s understood as regular maintenance for both body and mind.
Communal bathing, warm soaking, exfoliation, and restoration are part of a larger cultural belief: when the body is cared for consistently, it functions better, ages healthfully, and recovers more easily.
The seshin ritual is a natural extension of this philosophy—efficient, thorough, and respectful of the body.
What Is Seshin?
Seshin (세신) translates to “washing the body,” but its purpose goes far beyond cleansing. Rooted in Korea’s jjimjilbang culture, seshin is designed to:
- Remove dead skin buildup
- Stimulate circulation
- Prepare the skin to better receive moisture
The ritual always follows the same logic: warmth first, exfoliation second, nourishment last.
This sequencing—prepare, exfoliate, restore—is the foundation of Korean skincare today, from body care to facial rituals.
Why Seshin Works for Dry Skin
Dry skin is rarely just about lacking oil. More often, it’s caused by:
- Dead skin buildup blocking absorption
- A weakened skin barrier
- Over-cleansing or aggressive exfoliation
- Environmental stress from cold, wind, and indoor heat
The seshin addresses all of this by working with the skin. By exfoliating only after soaking, the skin is softened and less prone to irritation. Cleansing is gentle, preserving natural lipids. And moisture is restored immediately while the skin is still warm and receptive.
The Face Is Always Part of the Ritual
Although seshin is best known as a body treatment, Korean spa rituals have always treated the face as part of the whole system.
When the skin is warm and slightly damp, facial cleansing becomes more effective and less disruptive. Oils and serums absorb more readily. Masks deliver deeper hydration.
This is why Korean skincare emphasizes barrier care and layering, especially for dry or sensitive skin.
Steam, Honey, and Restoration
One of the most traditional ways to restore moisture after exfoliation is through warmth and natural humectants.
After a warm shower, steam allows honey-based formulas to soften and melt into the skin, supporting hydration and comfort. This mirrors what happens in Korean bathhouses, where heat is used intentionally to enhance absorption, not strip the skin.
The result is skin that feels smooth, supple, and deeply nourished.
Your At-Home Seshin Ritual : The Seshin Steps
1. Exfoliate After Soaking
Always exfoliate after a warm shower or bath.
Sugar crystals combined with honey gently remove buildup while supporting comfort and softness—never stripping the skin.
→ Shop Korean Body Care Ritual
2. Cleanse with Milk
After exfoliation, cleansing should feel calming—not tight or squeaky.
Milk cleansers infused with botanicals like ginseng and jasmine gently purify pores while preserving the skin barrier.
3. Nourish the Skin Barrier
When skin is freshly cleansed and still warm, it’s primed to absorb nutrients.
Raspberry seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids that help soothe, soften, and support the skin barrier.
4. Smooth Texture and Restore Moisture
The final step in the seshin method is replenishment.
Honey-based masks help restore moisture, smooth texture, and leave skin visibly soft and luminous.
Bring the Korean Spa Home
You don’t need a scrub table or steam room to experience the benefits of seshin. You just need the right order, the right textures, and a few “just for me” minutes.
This Korean spa ritual at home brings a centuries-old tradition into modern life: soften first, exfoliate gently, then restore deeply.
Savor Beauty Team
Written by the Savor Beauty team of skincare experts, with love in NYC.
