The Power of Korean Skincare

by Valerie Diez

Korean beauty, or K-beauty, is everywhere these days, and honestly, it just makes sense. I mean, have you ever noticed how almost every Korean seems to have glowing, youthful skin? Now, let me tell you that’s not just genetics, it is also their skincare approach. 

The Korean skincare products philosophy focuses on undoing and preventing any skin damage, looking for long-term results. The best part is that these products are backed with science, introducing innovative formulas and cutting-edge technology as Korean brands mainly invest in research and development. Dermatologists and skincare experts praise the industry for its dedication on hydration, barrier repair, and anti-aging benefits. And, on top of that, one product can solve multiple concerns to common problems. As one of America’s top dermatologists, Dr. Alok Vij states, “the beauty of Korean skin care is that it really hits the sweet spot, where it has active ingredients that work for everything”.

And you may be wondering what are the ingredients that make these products so effective? The secret lies in unconventional yet natural and non-irritating substances that are not very common in Western products, like Snail Mucin or snail mucus, honey, and fermented ingredients. As well as Centella Asiatica (a herbaceous plant) and Ginseng (a plant root) that are the most revolutionary ones.

But why mention these last two ingredients separately? Well, Centella Asiatica and Ginseng are also known as “The Miracle Elixir of Life” in Asian countries. As they are rich in antioxidants, they help in moisturizing, wound healing, reduce inflammation, and slow signs of aging.

By blending traditional wisdom and modern innovation, K-beauty has developed skincare products that not only targets specific concerns but also supports overall skin health. However, as Dr. Vij emphasizes, it is not just about the ingredients, it is about the consistent principles behind them. Taking care of your skin with a focus on hydration, gentleness, and ALWAYS ALWAYS protecting it from the sun is what truly makes the difference in the long run.

K-beauty gets a lot of love, and after my experience with it, I can say it is 100% deserved. My skincare journey was far from easy, but K-beauty helped me transform my skin. My journey with K-beauty started out of pure frustration. I used to suffer from severe acne: painful, itchy breakouts that never seemed to heal. Monthly dermatologist appointments became my routine because no cream or treatment seemed to work. I tried covering up my acne marks and pimples with layers of makeup, but that only made things worse, clogging my pores and leading to even more breakouts.

Nothing seemed to help until one of my mom’s friends recommended the Centella Asiatica serum from Purito. Skeptical but desperate, I started using it once a day. To my surprise, I began seeing improvements. When I checked with my dermatologist, she reassured me that since my skin wasn’t reacting negatively, I could continue using it. She also explained that Centella Asiatica could actually help heal acne wounds.

That simple recommendation opened the doors to the world of K-beauty for me. I switched my cleansing soap to the Rice Water Cleansing Foam from The Face Shop; also started to protect from the Sun everyday (yes, even when staying indoor) with the Water Gel Sunscreen from Isntree, and even changed my foundation to the CC Cream from Erborian, that has the most lightweight and breathable feel. The transition to Korean skincare was drastic, but surprisingly, it wasn’t expensive at all. K-beauty products are actually more affordable than many Western alternatives. And the best part? I don’t have a single scar or trace of acne left on my skin.

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2023, December 21). Korean skincare routine: How to get glowing skin in 10 steps. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/korean-skincare-routine