05/12/2025
iโve been to South Korea a few times in winter and grabe, sobrang lamig talaga! back then, I had very limited idea about proper layering and winter skincare. kaya ending, gininaw ako sa labas and I kept running into cafรฉs or malls just to warm up. my skin got super dry, to the point na nagka-cracks at sugat pa.
after a few winter trips in South Korea and other countries, I finally figured out what actually works. so here are the tips that helped me survive the cold and enjoy the trip without freezing or ruining my skin. i hope it helps! โ๏ธ
๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ & ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
before anything else, get good-quality thermal innerwear. this layer keeps your body warm, so it matters the most. my uniqlo heattech from 10 years ago still works perfectly, so investing in quality really pays off.
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buy thermals in South Korea if you want to save money. cheaper and more options.
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Heattech tights - you can layer them under jeans, trousers, or even wide-leg pants.
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thermal leggings โ they look like regular stockings under a skirt or pants, but are thick, warm, and super comfy. perfect pang awra! I reco the 300g thick option. https://s.shopee.ph/9fDWIdO8Wv
๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
the middle layer helps you adjust to winter without freezing outside or overheating indoors. this goes between your thermal innerwear and your jacket. what works best:
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lightweight sweaters โ knits, cotton or Merino wool (kung may budget)
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heattech turtlenecks
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fleece sweaters
๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ (๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐ฑ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ๐)
your outerwear depends on where youโre going.
for city winter trips:
- lightweight puffer jacket or wool coat
- warm but easy to remove indoors
- water-resistant for light snow/rain
for snowy or outdoor activities:
- heavier puffer or proper winter/ski jacket
- insulated, waterproof, windproof materials
๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐-๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ
outerwear can get pricey, but there are easy ways to save:
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try ukay-ukay / thrift stores โ most of my winter coats and puffers are thrifted. super cheap compared to buying brand new, and you can find really good quality pieces.
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check instagram thrift stores โ lots of curated jackets in great condition. here are some of my suki instagram thrift stores:
https://www.instagram.com/coatsphl
https://www.instagram.com/coatsonthego2
https://www.instagram.com/coatsbaguio
https://www.instagram.com/thecoatontheact
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buy during off-season sales โ winter gear is way cheaper during spring/summer
๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ
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for city trips with clear, dry roads, your comfortable sneakers are enough. no need to buy special winter shoes if thereโs no snow.
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but for places with snow or icy paths, get winter boots with good grip. look for something waterproof, insulated, and with anti-slip soles. this keeps you warm and helps you avoid slipping.
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pang awra, you can go for knee-high boots. warm na, stylish pa. personally, I stick to UGG boots because theyโre super cute and insanely comfy for walking around in the cold.
๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ
accessories are small but they make a huge difference in winter. these are light to carry and can instantly level up your warmth.
- scarf
- gloves
- beanie or earmuffs
- hat
๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ
koreaโs winter air is cold, dry, and unforgiving, so your skin will need a little extra love while youโre exploring.
face ๐๐ฝ stick to whatever skincare routine you already use. no need to complicate it, but make sure you donโt skip your moisturizer!
body ๐๐ฝ right after you shower, while your skin is still damp, apply a mix of apollo pure glycerin + distilled water (50:50). let it soak in for a minute, then lock everything in with your favorite moisturizer. I personally swear by CeraVe moisturizing lotion when I travel in winter.
hair ๐๐ฝ winter air can make your hair dry and frizzy, so use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil before heading out. hereโs my reco Fino hair oil ๐๐ฝ https://s.shopee.ph/7plx539EkT
Donโt forget these essentials in your everyday bag!
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lip balm with SPF
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hand cream
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sunscreen
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heat packs
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face mask during the day โ wearing one outdoors actually protects your skin from harsh wind and prevents chapping
๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐
winter clothes are bulky, so packing smart makes a huge difference:
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use vacuum-sealed bags + a small pump โ total lifesaver for puffer jackets and thick sweaters. it compresses everything! hereโs what i use: https://s.shopee.ph/9zqOyYq7jA
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bring 1โ2 outer layers and just rewear them since they donโt get dirty easily
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choose neutral-colored outerwear so it matches all your outfits
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pack layering pieces instead of super thick sweaters
ayun! sana this helps! share in the comments if you have more tips! ๐ฅฐ