The Korean Skincare Revolution is all about using high-end and natural ingredients to create products that work.
Unlike many western beauty brands, Korean formulas often avoid harsh chemicals and instead incorporate native botanical extracts like snail mucin, propolis, ginseng, and volcanic clay.
Whether you’re looking for something for your face or body, there are plenty of affordable options that will help you get a glowing complexion. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Korean skincare brands to try.
Natural Ingredients
Unlike products formulated in the West, Korean skincare products are packed with active organic ingredients. These exotic and natural ingredients help rejuvenate the skin and bring back its glow.
Ginseng, Snail mucin, Mugwort extract, Fermented rice water, Licorice root are some of the most popular K-beauty ingredients used in products to give your skin a boost. They can also treat irritated skin, improve blood circulation, and remove dead cells.
Another ingredient that is a favourite in many Korean skincare products is propolis. Its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant properties strengthen your skin’s resistance against acne, blemishes, pigmentation and fine lines.
Birch sap is a rich source of nutrients, enzymes and vitamins that nourish your skin and keep it hydrated. It is a detoxifying agent that helps heal your skin and leave it with a natural dewy glow.
Innovative Formulations
Korean skincare products are known for their innovative formulations, high-efficacy and the use of natural ingredients. These unique ingredients work on specific skin concerns and target them gently over time.
Compared to North American beauty habits, which focus more on covering up flaws with makeup and spot solutions, K-beauty is all about getting to the root of your skin problem and treating it before it begins.
The results of this philosophy are skin that is softer, smoother and healthier-looking, with a more even tone and less visible fine lines.
The best Korean formulations also protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, pollution and other environmental factors.
This is because they know the importance of maintaining a strong barrier on your skin. They also avoid any ingredients that can break down the skin’s barrier and cause problems.
That’s why they often incorporate ingredients such as snail mucin, bee propolis, birch tree juice and many more that are natural and gentle on the skin.
The 10-Step Routine
A Korean skincare regimen is one that’s been around for generations and is based on a step-by-step process that helps your skin look radiant. It’s also a way of slowly introducing products into your skin so you don’t shock it or cause damage.
The first step is cleansing your face, which is essential to removing oil, sweat and excess chemicals that can build up on the skin throughout the day. This can be done with an oil cleanser, which melts away makeup and removes excess sebum, or a water-based cleanser.
Next, Koreans use a toner to help re-balance skin’s pH levels. Toners can also contain humectants like hyaluronic acid to help plump up dehydrated skin.
The final step is to apply a serum, which is a concentrated formula that targets a specific skin concern. Serums are gentle enough to use twice a day as part of your routine.
The Snail Essence Craze
A wildly popular craze in the beauty industry is using snail mucin, a sticky substance that snails produce to protect their skin from environmental damage. It helps to hydrate, oxygenate, revitalize and rejuvenate the skin.
What’s more, it can also prevent fine lines and wrinkles, reduce sun spots, clear up acne, shrink pores and minimize the appearance of dark spots. It can even make the complexion brighter and more youthful with regular use!
In Korea, the cult-favorite essence is one of the first products that most women use. Essentially a primer for the rest of your skincare routine, Korean essences are meant to drive active ingredients deep into your skin and help prep it for serums, ampoules or moisturizing creams that should come after.
