While Western skincare generally focuses on anti-aging,
The Korean approach to skin care is a lot gentler and there is a distinct difference in ingredients lists compared to Western products, which can be harsh. You could argue that the main intent of skin care everywhere is to promote healthy, happy skin.
Korean beauty products utilize the most effective Western ingredients—and so much more. With an impressively large repertoire that includes ground-breaking ingredients such as snail mucin and bee venom, their compellingly fresh formulations can deliver results you could never achieve before.
In other words, Korean brands have long upped the standards for the global skin-care industry — and if we're being honest, our personal standards as well. Our skin (and the state of our pores) has been forever changed by double cleansing, and Korean sunscreen formulas are basically second to none.
Coming to the real question, Is Korean Skincare Worth It? The answer is, probably yes! The reason is pretty simple, Korean skincare products include a number of exotic ingredients like snail Mucin, Ginseng, Pearl essence, donkey milk that are proven to benefit the skin in a number of ways.
Koreans take skincare very seriously, and that is evident from their beautiful glowing skin. Not all of that is genetic. It's the result of an extensive skincare routine and naturally sourced hydrating extracts present in almost all Korean skincare ranges.
Instead of relying on thick and sticky products, Korean skincare tries to pack in effective ingredients into layers of light, gel-like products that would go very easy on the pores. It is one of the reasons why Korean skincare is suitable for most skin types and does not cause breakouts.
COSRX. If you're looking for innovative and effective Korean skincare products, then a brand like COSRX should be top of mind. This cult favorite has made a name for itself as one of the most trusted K-beauty brands by using powerful ingredients to create formula that really works on the skin.
When it comes to skincare, Cho says Korean women use “natural skin brighteners such as rice extracts, vitamin C, and licorice, as well as exfoliators. For stubborn brown spots, they will visit the dermatologist to lighten the brown spots using lasers.”
Although they may serve similar purposes, such as regulating the secretion of the sebum, Japanese lotions and essences tend to be much more moisturizing and gentle to the skin and are lower in acidity.
Products Are Supplementary
In fact, harsh active ingredients Americans have long sought out to combat signs of aging, particularly retinol, are much less popular in Korea because Koreans prefer to avoid their drying and irritating side effects, Dr. Chang says.
Koreans swear by the rule of double cleansing, double hydration and double masking in their skincare routine!
Laneige, Primera Son & Park Beauty, SkinRx Lab, Etude House, Moonshot, Peripera, Son & Park, IOPE, Too Cool for School, Sulwhasoo, Neogen, Klairs, and Missha are some of the most popular Korean skincare brands.
Japan, the United States, and France (in that order) are the top three countries that produce the highest quality beauty products. Consumers are willing to pay more for high-quality skin care and makeup, so these countries offer some of the best options on the market.
Because Korean products are known for being ultra-nourishing, soothing and gentle, they make especially great companions to Western products with more intense ingredients like acids and those that are lacking in the hydration department.
“According to my hair stylist, Korean women use a hair essence or oil every single day, which is why they have such silky, soft, and shiny strands.” A personal favorite for Cho is British M's Organics Annatto Hair Oil, while Lee is a fan of the Mise en Scene Pearl Shining Hair Essence.
Whereas western skincare focuses on exfoliating to reveal new skin, Korean skincare is all about putting nutrients back into the skin. Korean skincare adopts a more gentle approach, with less of a focus on scrubs, retinols and harsh acids. Each product in a Korean beauty routine serves a specific purpose.
But what exactly is glass skin? "It means skin that looks crystal-clear, poreless, translucent, [and] luminous — like a piece of glass."
Are skincare products cheaper in Korea? The short answer to that question is yes. You must take into account all the additional costs that come into play when buying cosmetics at home: shipping costs from Korea to your home country, handling costs, taxes, and much more.
“This will prolong how long it will take you to see tangible benefits from the products as certain active ingredients can take anywhere from two weeks to six months to see results,” says Cho. The notion is seconded by Dr Claudia Christin, medical advisor of Korean skincare app, Picky.
There are many different types of K-beauty exfoliators including peeling gels, wash-off scrubs, face wash, and peeling pads. Since exfoliating the skin can be a bit harsh, you should only do this step about two to three times a week.
THE INGREDIENTS
Korean beauty products use much gentler formulas thanks to the Korean tradition of using natural, unique, and harsh-free ingredients passed through multiple generations.