5 Reasons Why Is Korean Skincare So Good
When it comes to skincare, we all want that radiant, flawless complexion that seems to be exclusive to K-drama stars. So, why is Korean skincare so good? The secret lies in the enhanced ingredients, careful routines, and advanced technology used by the Best Skincare Brands in Korea. But how can these secrets help you to enhance your beauty by using different beauty tips? Find out more below.
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Table Of Contents
What Is Korean Skincare?
The Korean skincare routine is often called a lifestyle rather than a routine, emphasizing long-term results over quick fixes. Unlike harsh products that strip the skin, Korean skincare protects the skin's natural ecosystem by cleansing, hydrating, nourishing, and protecting it. This method allows the skin to flourish and protect itself, focusing on prevention and protection rather than damage control.
It's no secret that taking care of your skin before it needs to is the key to long-term health. Are you prepared to embrace this philosophy and see the benefits for yourself?
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5 Reasons Why Is Korean Skincare So Good
1. Innovation and technology: The key to that Glow
Korean skincare is all about innovation and technology, and that's the secret to that glowing skin you've been seeing all over Instagram. These brands are always one step ahead regarding the latest skincare research. This results in the development of new formulas and techniques to tackle a wide range of skin concerns.
When Korean skincare brands revamp their formulations, this also helps to keep their products original and unique. By staying on top of their formulations and ensuring their products are authentic, Korean skincare brands can maintain their reputation for high-quality, effective skincare products.
2. Unique ingredients: Snail Mucin, Centella & Ginseng
Korean skincare products are known for using unique and exotic ingredients not commonly found in Western skincare products. Yup, Snail Mucin is a thing, and it's a game-changer. Snail Mucin is a sticky substance that snails produce to protect their skin from environmental damage. It's also incredibly beneficial for human skin! Snail Mucin contains various skin-loving ingredients, such as Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, and Peptides, that can help with skin regeneration, hydration, and overall skin health.
Another unique ingredient commonly used in Korean skincare is Centella Asiatica or tiger grass. This plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to heal wounds and soothe irritated skin. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it great for sensitive or inflamed skin. You'll often find Centella Asiatica in creams and serums to help soothe and heal the skin.
The next fun, unique ingredient commonly found in Korean skincare is Ginseng. This powerful root extract is known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular ingredient in many anti-aging skincare products. Ginseng increases collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and improves skin tone.
Ginseng is rich in antioxidants, which help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. With many extraordinary benefits, it's no wonder that rarer ingredients have become a staple in Korean skincare products.
3. Rigorous skincare routines: worth the effort
Korean skincare routines are known for being rigorous and involving multiple steps. It might seem overwhelming initially, but trust me, it's worth it. Korean skincare routines are designed to be customized to your specific skin concerns and needs.
Routines commonly range from 3 to 10 steps. Each step is carefully chosen to address a specific aspect of your skin, like removing makeup and impurities, providing hydration and nourishment to the skin, and protecting the skin from UV damage.
4. Less fragrance, more minimalistic ingredients
One thing that sets Korean skincare apart from Western skincare products is its minimalistic ingredient approach. Korean skincare brands believe that less is more when it comes to the ingredients used in skincare products. This means you'll often find products with a shorter ingredient list containing only the essentials for your skin's needs.
Many brands also remove heavy fragrances from their products, recognizing that they can irritate some people's skin. By focusing on simple, minimalistic ingredients, Korean skincare brands can provide effective, gentle products on the skin.
5. Affordable but efficient
Another reason Korean skincare is so popular in The Netherlands is its affordability. Despite its reputation for being high-quality and effective, Korean skincare products are often more affordable than their Western counterparts. This makes it easier for people to try out new products and experiment with different skincare routines without breaking the bank.
Korean skincare products are known for their efficiency, meaning a little goes a long way. You won't have to use as many products, meaning they will last longer, saving you even more money in the long run.
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10-Step Korean Skincare Routine
1. Oil-Based Cleanser
To kickstart your 10-step Korean skincare routine, you'll want to use an oil-based cleanser. This initial step is crucial as it helps remove heavy makeup and sunscreen, ensuring your skin is completely clean before proceeding to the next steps.
2. Water-Based Cleanser
Next, switch to a water-based cleanser to remove any lingering impurities from your skin that the oil-based cleanser may not have addressed. This step ensures a thorough cleansing process and sets the stage for the subsequent skincare steps.
3. Exfoliator
Once you've double-cleansed, it's time to use an exfoliator. Exfoliating, whether physically or chemically, helps remove dead skin cells, unveiling a brighter, smoother complexion. Exfoliation is recommended 1-3 times a week.
4. Toner
After cleansing and exfoliating, apply toner to balance your skin's pH level and prep it for the upcoming steps. Toners also provide hydration, setting the foundation for the subsequent skincare products.
5. Essence
Essence, a light and watery product, is designed to penetrate the skin and deliver active ingredients deeply. This step helps hydrate, boost, and protect your skin, ensuring it's nourished and prepared for the next stages of the routine.
6. Serum
A concentrated form of essence, serums contain active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. From hyperpigmentation to wrinkles and acne, serums work quickly to address these issues, ensuring your skin receives the care it deserves.
7. Sheet Mask
Sheet masks, available in various formulations, are integral to the Korean skincare routine. These sheets soaked in a concentrated serum provide intensive hydration and nutrients, rejuvenating your skin with each use. Aim for 1-3 times a week for best results.
8. Eye Cream
Don't neglect the delicate skin around your eyes. Eye creams are formulated to lighten dark circles, prevent wrinkles, and nourish the sensitive skin in this area. Adding this step helps maintain a youthful appearance and protects against signs of aging.
9. Moisturizer
Hydrating your skin is vital, and using a moisturizer is perfect. Moisturizers improve hydration, fortify the skin's barrier, and reduce water loss, ensuring your skin remains supple and healthy.
10. Sunscreen
Last but definitely not least, don't forget your sunscreen. Sunscreen is crucial in preventing various skin problems, including wrinkles, aging signs, and damage from harmful UV rays. Incorporating SPF into your skincare routine is essential for overall skin health.
Why Is Korean Skincare Better Than American
When achieving a radiant and healthy complexion, Korean skincare has been making waves in the beauty industry. The secret to the success of Korean skincare lies in its emphasis on nurturing the skin rather than stripping it bare. Unlike many American skincare products that aggressively eliminate impurities, Korean skincare prioritizes hydration and soothing ingredients to improve skin health.
Differences in Skincare Practices
Western skincare often relies on harsh chemicals and strong, active ingredients, which can be tough on the skin. In contrast, Korean skincare products use a gentler approach, emphasizing hydration and soothing. According to cosmetic chemist Ramón Pagán, Korean skincare focuses on nourishing the skin rather than stripping it of excess oil and impurities, as seen in many Western products.
Western Skincare
In the early 2000s, Western skincare products focused on purifying the skin by removing impurities and excess oils. This led to the creating of products with high levels of active ingredients, which could be harsh and irritating. Many users, especially those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, found that these products exacerbated their skin issues.
Korean Skincare
Korean skincare products, in contrast, are designed to provide essential nutrients and hydration, promoting a healthy and radiant complexion. Known for their innovative formulations, such as essences, sheet masks, and serums, Korean skincare products target specific skin concerns. They often contain natural ingredients like green tea, ginseng, and snail mucin, which are gentle and offer multiple benefits. This approach aims to improve skin health and address various concerns without irritating.
Why Korean Skincare is Preferred
Korean skincare is favored over American skincare because it focuses on nourishing the skin, promoting hydration, and using gentle ingredients. This holistic approach enhances skin health and appearance, making Korean products popular worldwide, especially among those with sensitive or problematic skin types.
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15 Wonderful Korean Skincare Brands For Glass Skin
1. Belif
All skin types can reap the benefits of Belif's Korean skincare line. The brand prioritizes hydration, utilizing tried-and-true ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides. Boasting lightweight formulas, Belif curates a skincare line to support a healthy skin barrier that helps give skin that plump, bouncy texture.
Reviewers rave about how Belif products leave their skin feeling hydrated and balanced. For example, one GH Institute tester praised the jelly cleanser from Belif's Aqua Bomb collection (a past GH Beauty Award winner) for being "so gentle yet really works, and the formula makes me actually look forward to cleansing!"
2. Lagom
Created by Kowon, one of Korea's most sought-after celebrity makeup artists, and a team of scientists and doctors, this brand delivers an advanced take on skin hydration. The star ingredient across their products is called DermaFlux. It's so effective at sealing in moisture that the patented ingredient won the team a Nobel Peace Prize.
3. Then I Met You
This is the brainchild of Charlotte Cho, the brains behind K-Beauty retailer Soko Glam. The brand is marketed as an "elevated" take on Korean beauty and features a tightly edited range of products that seek to connect you to your skincare routine. Then I Met You is committed to sustainability, packing all its products in 100 percent recyclable boxes.
4. Innisfree
From serums to toners to cleansers, Innisfree has something for everyone, especially those looking to brighten dull skin and even out dark spots. Its skincare lineup incorporates natural ingredients like green tea while tapping powerful actives like retinol to create offerings that can be mixed, matched, and cycled to suit your skin needs.
5. Sulwahsoo
Pronounced “Suhl-ha-soo," this skincare brand was founded on the principles of balance and harmony. Started in 1966, the brand is committed to melding natural ingredients with innovative skincare practices, resulting in dozens of best-selling products and a pristine reputation throughout the generations.
6. Laneige
When you think of lip masks, there's a good chance the viral Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is the first that comes to mind. "I haven’t found anything that compares to it," says Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in the GH Beauty Lab. "I love how it applies easily onto lips, leaving them feeling soft and nourished without being sticky or tacky. It literally feels like a cushiony cloud on lips."
7. Glow Recipe
Christine Chang and Sarah Lee founded Glow Recipe in 2017 after working together at L'Oréal. In crafting their own brand, they focused on inclusive marketing and effective formulas based on antioxidant-rich fruits like watermelon, plum, and strawberry. All of their products are clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, and they boast a variety of products that cater to every skin type and concern.
8. CosRx
Snail mucin is the secret of CosRx's affordable skincare solutions. According to Wizemann, the buzz-worthy ingredient "promotes skin repair and hydration" — two things acne-prone skin should prioritize.
9. d'Alba
"This vegan brand has taken Korea by storm with its hero ingredient, white truffle, which is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants," says Yoon. While you typically associate the star ingredient as a topper on a pasta dish, it boasts many skin benefits. Inside, you'll find vitamin C, B12, and amino acids, which provide top-line antioxidant protection.
10. Amore Pacific
If you're looking for a spa-like Korean skincare experience, look no further than Amore Pacific. As the flagship brand of its parent company, the Amorepacific Group (which owns other popular K-beauty brands like Sulwahsoo, Laneige, and Innisfree), it's famed for formulas made with botanical extracts like green tea, bamboo extract, and ginseng.
11. Eco Your Skin
Korea's spa services are next-level with incredible innovative formulas and treatments. "Eco Your Skin is the largest spa in Korea loved by K-Drama and K-Pop A-listers for their dramatic results that leave you so glowy and plumped up," notes Yoon. "Their treatments come bottled for at-home use.
12. Cocokind
Affordable Korean skincare brand Cocokind is focused on supporting a healthy, hydrated skin barrier with budget-friendly formulas. While considering the price, the brand doesn't skimp on ingredients, featuring anti-inflammatory turmeric, barrier-boosting ceramides, and lipids in its formulations.
13. Aestura
Aestura was founded in 1983 to deliver skincare products whose efficacy is supported by dermatological science. A part of the skincare umbrella brand Amorepacific, they've gained a reputation for supporting healthy skin through products designed for all ages and skin types.
14. Dr. Jart+
Fans of Korean face masks might appreciate Dr. Jart+'s collection of sheet masks. There's one for every skincare concern, including dehydration, acne, redness, uneven skin tone, fine lines, and wrinkles. Dr Jart+'s hyaluronic acid-packed Vital Hydra Solution Pro Glow Face Mask performed particularly well in the GH Beauty Lab's test of face masks, earning high praise for hydrating and soothing skin.
15. Banila Co
Founded 2006 in South Korea, Banila Co. isn’t new to the Korean skincare game. In fact, their ever-popular cleansing balm is purchased every 3.1 seconds. The brand champions a simplified, less-is-more routine to make premium skincare easier, faster, and more accessible to consumers worldwide. Plus, it's sold at an affordable price point, making it the dewy skin possible for people of all budgets.
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15 Best-Selling Korean Skincare Products
1. GlowUp AI
GlowUp AI is a unique tool designed to unlock your aesthetic potential and help you embrace your beauty journey. By simply uploading your photos, the AI analyzes your facial features to identify your most attractive traits and provides personalized tips to enhance your beauty.
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2. QUENCH Korean Serum for Pigmentation and Dark Spots
QUENCH Korean Serum is a powerhouse product that effectively targets pigmentation and dark spots. Packed with pomegranates, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, this serum improves skin luminosity and boasts excellent anti-aging properties.
The beta-hydroxybutyrate in the formula enhances skin firmness and minimizes fine wrinkles. Other ingredients, like allantoin and arginine, work together to tighten and improve skin texture while protecting it from sun damage and other environmental factors.
3. COSRX Snail Mucin Hydrating Korean Serum
COSRX Snail Mucin Hydrating Korean Serum is a game-changer for damaged skin. With 96 percent skin-friendly snail secretion filtrate, this serum repairs the skin, enhances elasticity, and maintains moisture levels throughout the day. It's a must-have for nourishing, healing, and rejuvenating the skin. Experience glowing skin with consistent use of snail mucin, which addresses everything from dry spots to acne breakouts and hyperpigmentation.
4. Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Lotion is a holy grail moisturizer that offers intense hydration without feeling heavy. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, it's suitable for sensitive skin and is formulated with ceramides to maintain a healthy skin barrier. This lotion is top-notch for head-to-toe hydration, ensuring your skin stays moisturized and nourished throughout the day.
5. Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
The Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream is a savior for patchy and dehydrated skin. This gel-like formula provides lightweight yet powerful hydration thanks to its unique blend of growth factors known for their anti-aging benefits. These growth factors help signal your skin cells to repair and regenerate, resulting in plump, moisturized, youthful skin.
6. PILGRIM Korean Serum
PILGRIM Korean Serum is necessary for achieving a balanced skin tone and radiant complexion. Infused with blueberries, vitamin C, and alpha arbutin, this serum brightens hyperpigmented areas, reduces black spots, and smoothens the skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the skin from free radicals, while blueberry extracts nourish the skin, strengthen the natural defense barrier, and prevent premature aging.
7. AESTURA A-CICA 365 Calming Cream
AESTURA A-CICA 365 Calming Cream is a skin-soothing hero that instantly relieves dry, irritated, and sensitive skin. Infused with panthenol (vitamin B5), this cream moisturizes, has wound-healing properties, and reduces inflammation. Ideal for bug bites, eczema, and sunburn relief, this cream is a go-to solution for soothing and calming various skin issues.
8. Beauty of Joseon Korean Serum
The beauty of Joseon Korean Serum is a godsend for acne-prone skin. This clean, herbal formula calms and heals irritated skin while promoting an even tone. With 60 percent propolis extract, this serum is a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent, soothing the skin and preventing acne. Niacinamide, lotus seed extract, and BHA further aid in controlling sebum production, refining pores, and preventing breakouts.
9. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics
The beauty of Joseon Relief Sun is a top-notch sunscreen that lives up to its reputation. With antioxidant, barrier-supporting, and soothing properties, this SPF 50 sunscreen protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. After consistent use, expect improved skin condition, makeup application, and a radiant glow that speaks volumes about your skin's health.
10. Yu Bu Glass Skin Korean Serum
Yu Bu Glass Skin Korean Serum is designed to deliver the ultimate snail mucin essence experience. This serum provides long-lasting hydration and radiance and is packed with Korean beauty powerhouses such as snail mucus, Korean ginseng, and hyaluronic acid. It's your go-to for a true Korean beauty experience that leaves your skin flawless and healthy.
11. Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Etude House SoonJung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream is a gentle moisturizer for sensitive, dry, or combination skin. Formulated with glycerin, panthenol, madecassoside, and green tea extract, this cream hydrates, soothes, and supports the skin barrier. Ideal for those using retinol or dealing with skin issues, this cream ensures optimal hydration without any heaviness or greasiness.
12. Chicnutrix Outshine Korean Glass Skin Serum
Chicnutrix Outshine Korean Glass Skin Serum is a powerhouse serum that helps achieve Korean glass skin. Packed with glutathione, vitamin C, niacinamide, arbutin, and triple hyaluronic acid, this serum fights free radicals, evens out skin tone, and provides a smooth texture. Expect radiant, healthy skin with consistent use of this serum that targets multiple skin concerns effectively.
13. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 is a favorite among skincare enthusiasts. This color-correcting treatment neutralizes redness and evens out the skin tone, leaving you with a flawless complexion. With SPF 30, this treatment protects your skin from harmful UV rays, making it a multitasking product for everyday use.
14. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum is a cult-favorite product for achieving glass skin. Packed with niacinamide and hydrating ingredients, this serum fades dark spots, reduces redness, and hydrates the skin effectively. If you're aiming for smooth, luminous skin, this serum is your go-to product for a radiant and healthy complexion.
15. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a game-changer for tackling stubborn blackheads and controlling excess oil. This chemical exfoliant uses BHAs to combat blackheads while maintaining skin hydration effectively. With its gentle yet potent formula, this liquid helps refine pores and smooth your skin.
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