Emphasizing natural ingredients, Korean beauty focuses on improving the skin from the inside out. In Korean, the philosophy is called pibu akkyeo (피부 아껴), which translates roughly to “saving your skin.” “It’s all about preserving it and making sure that you’re presenting it in the best condition you can,” Chung noted. Brands boast that their formulas are based on recipes passed down through generations, experts told us.
According to Cho, K-beauty is “a lifestyle that centers on a ‘skin-first’ philosophy, which prioritizes addressing skin concerns and skin conditions at their root rather than covering them up with makeup.” Koreans believe good skin is a sign of overall health, and K-beauty products are used to maintain this health. Korean beauty is less about following viral product trends and more about identifying ingredients and products that work on your skin to create a natural, dewy skin texture, Cho elaborated.
This emphasis on skin health is driven by the industry’s data-based innovation, according to Yoon. She explained what defines K-beauty — and what differentiates it from other beauty industries — is this emphasis on research and testing. For example, there are certain government-regulated measures — like these best practices — that are mandatory for Korean companies but voluntary in the U.S., explained Environmental Working Group analyst Melanie Benesh. “The law governing how cosmetics are regulated hasn’t been updated since Congress wrote [it] in 1938,” said Benesh. “It’s been more than 80 years since our regulatory system has been modernized and the industry has changed tremendously over the course of that timeframe.”
Not only does the Korean beauty industry have a higher standard of safety measures in place, but the Korean government also filters more toxic chemicals out from their products. As of January 2019, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has banned 1,030 ingredients in cosmetics, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only banned nine, Benesh said. While ingredients like formaldehyde — a known carcinogen — are banned in Korea, you can readily find them in American hair treatments, according to the EWG.
Korean Skincare is getting popular and setting up a whole new level of benchmark for formulating and inventing natural, non-toxic, rather pure ingredient products. Some of the major well-known brand names among the K-beauty is Dr.Jart+, Cosrx, Belief, Peach & Lily and
more.
“Koreans are serious about their skin care,” says Charlotte Cho, the founder of Soko Glam, an online retailer specializing in Korean beauty products, and more recently her own brand, Then I Met You. “They also know what they want, like innovation, gentle ingredients, pleasin packaging, and they definitely don’t want to pay a fortune for it.” To be precise, Korean brands have gained global recognition in skin-care industry and a set place in our skin-care regimes as well.
To know more about the best of the ‘glow from within’ skincare, exclusively for you, I give you 15 top tier K-beauty products (Including their best Serums, CTM & Sunscreens) that are going to be your skin’s BFF. Keep scrolling .
Peach and Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum:
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum is the personification of the now famously used term ‘glass-skin’ which founder Alicia Yoon described as “skin that is so healthy and hydrated, that it appears poreless, luminous, and translucent.” Peach extract is the main ingredient of this miraculous formula, which is packed with a sting of hydrating, calming, soothing, brightening ingredients such as niacinamide, Asian mountain yam extract and peptides. It’s suitable for all skin types.
Some by Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner:
Turning out to be one of the world’s most bought toner. This Toner is the answer for an oily (excess sebum) skin type. It is formulated with three highly effective chemical exfoliants – Alpha hydroxy acids, Beta hydroxy acids and Poly hydroxy acids with the added goodness of some natural ingredients like papaya and witch hazel extracts, to effectively boost cell turn-over, deep cleansing of pores and keeping skin velvety soft and smooth.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm:
This is a fan-favorite, skin-loving cleansing balm, which works so honestly and so cleanly that it’s a dream-come-true kinda product. It multitasks in removing makeup (even waterproof), dirt, oil, excess sebum without stripping skin, thanks to ingredients like glycerin and centella asiatica extract.
Suntique I’m Pure Cica Suncream:
The most essential part of any healthy skin care is regular use of sunscreen. The Suntique I’m Pure Cica Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen with SPF50 and formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The best part about this is, how seamlessly it blends into the skin, without leaving any white cast or chalky look. Also includes soothing centella asiatica and hydrating galactomyces ferment filtrate which is a non- irritant and works wonders for even most sensitive skin types.
Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask:
Klairs Youthful Glow Sugar Mask is crafted to give you that beautiful skin texture you always craved. It gently removes dead skin cells and detox the skin. The soothing pink calamine in it gives that super relaxed calming effect. Infused with super beneficial, hydrating ingredients like sea butter, jojoba seed oil and grapefruit extract.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask:
For that hydrated, silky smooth lips, Laneige lip sleeping mask is all the game. Suffused with the amazing antioxidants and vitamin C. It’s a leave on mask which locks the moisture in and gives you lovely results, in less time. A product worth splurging on.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream:
“Eye skin is very, very sensitive and the thinnest skin on your body,” said Chung. Because of its sensitivity, she noted it’s important to pay attention to what type of products you put on it. Packed with red ginseng, the cream is good for this delicate area — it works to strengthen and firm the skin around the eyes while reducing puffiness.
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil:
This star product works in the gentlest of ways with our skin. It is enriched with vitamin B and minerals and clears out impurities without any harsh effects on the skin. For a makeup remover, it is quite a attractive option available. Great option for the famous Korean double-cleansing method also.
Seoul Ceuticals Korean Skin Care Snail Repair Cream Moisturiser:
This one’s main ingredient is snail mucin and it is best known for its antiaging and healing properties. This unique formulation is an effective all in one moisturizing cream. It’s cruelty free and 97% natural and 72% organic. It is developed with some of the major effective skin-loved ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein, copper peptides and antimicrobial properties, which are all a huge contributing factor for a youthful, dewy skin.
Cosrx Foam Cleanser:
This gentle yet high performing cleanser is recommended for all skin types. Its key ingredients are salicylic acid and centell-AC-Rx complex (Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid). It gives a smart combination of outcome i.e., revitalizing the skin and keeping it hydrated and good looking. It’s soft bubbly foam cleansing is a great way to begin your day.
Neogen Dermalogy Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Green Tea:
This is an advanced treatment of skin in an innovative way. This is a manual exfoliator used provide exceptional solution to skin issues such as uneven skin texture, dullness, uneven skin tone, irritation and redness. It is infused with antioxidant rich green tea which promotes visibly clear, smooth and bright skin.
Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask with Volcanic Clusters Face Treatments:
The most upcoming product in contemporary. It is a clay mask, which works amazing for oily skin and clears out excess sebum and impurities. A must have for acne-prone skin types. Just smooth out the product on clean and dry skin and wash off with lukewarm water after 15-20mins.
Mediheal Collagen Essential Lifting & Firming Mask:
This mask depicts the quote, ‘age is just a number’. It’s a super-conditioning sheet face mask with cotton lining. Crafted with the most essential hydrolyzed collagen+elastin to elevate your skin tone and texture. Also, it gives you a replenishing boost as it is incorporated with peptides, beta glucan and aloevera. There is a visible result of less finelines and wrinkles whilst giving a noticeable plumping and contouring effects. Your beautifully bouncy skin is going to love you in 15mins of this mask.
Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment:
Dr. Jart is one of the most famous skin care product names. It is all the news because if its efficiency. This is a color correcting treatment used for skin tone perfection. It not only covers the skin redness but also protects skin from UV damage with SPF 30. Yoo recommends Tiger Grass to her patients with rosacea. “It can cover up the redness and you don’t need a lot of it,” said Yoo. Suitable for every skin type, it has a perfect balance of every feature.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream:
Glow Recipe’s fan-favorite Watermelon Glow line continues to grow with the introduction of the Pink Dream Body Cream. This sweet pink skin-care treat is the K-beauty-inspired brand’s first body-care product and it’ll make your entire body feel like silk. Infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, smoothing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) derived from hibiscus, and antioxidant-rich watermelon seed butter, this 2021 Best of Beauty Award winner is surprisingly lightweight, nongreasy, and pajama-proof — meaning it absorbs very quickly. It’s truly a dream.
