In recent years, Korean skincare has captured a significant market in beauty and lifestyle. We can find every other skincare influencer recommending Korean products. Even in K-dramas, you cannot help but notice the magical effect of K-beauty. So, what is the secret of Korean skincare? Let us uncover in this Beginner’s Guide to K-Beauty.
Korean skincare is known to use special ingredients that make the skin glowy and healthy. Some of them are ginseng, snail mucin, birch juice, and mugwort. Ginseng is known for its anti-ageing, anti-pigmentation and plumping properties. Snail Mucin protects the skin barrier, helps with acne breakouts, improves hydration, and rejuvenates the skin. Bitch juice also helps with the skin’s nourishment and contains antioxidants. It is also an excellent addition to your winter skincare routine. Lastly, mugwort is a spice that has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe rashes as well.
These are some of the famous ingredients from Korean skincare you should look out for. Some Indian brands also integrate these ingredients into their products because of their beneficial properties. We have also created a list of some of the authentic and original K-beauty products that you can add to your routine-
The Art of Korean Skincare – A Guide to K-Beauty:
1. Zeroid Foaming Cleanser
The first step towards Korean skincare (well, all the skincare) is a cleanser. Zeroid Foaming Cleanser is made from botanical and orange extracts. It has hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Cleansers are used to pull off the dust from your face that may harm the skin, but they are known to make your skin dry, especially during winter. However, K-beauty comes to your rescue because this cleanser maintains the pH balance of your skin because of the ceramides.
2. Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner
The next step in your skincare is a toner. This toner by Then I Met You has glycolic acid, lactic acid and squalane. Squalane hydrates your skin, while the 1% AHA/PHA from glycolic and lactic acid with birch milk juice helps to hydrate your skin. The toner is also acne-friendly, so you might want to add it if the products you have been trying are not helping.
3. Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
As the name itself says- glass skin. This K-beauty product made with the goodness of peach gives you a luminous glass skin that makes you shine. The serum also has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides- all of which are top players in the skincare game. The serum is also fragrance-free and suitable for mild to sensitive skin. So, get your hands on this fantastic serum from Korean skincare and shine bright.
4. Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
This colour-correcting cream by Dr Jart+ has been trending on Instagram. We wanted to know what the big deal was about it. The cream works wonders by being a moisturiser, colour corrector, and sunscreen in just one box. The primary ingredient of the cream is Cica or Centella Asiatica, which has been used for centuries because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from that, the cream enhances the skin’s hydration, improves collagen production, and strengthens the skin’s barrier.
5. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Blackheads can be very annoying and an obstruction to your skincare results. Worry not; COSRX (the brand you see in every other reel for its snail mucin) has a product crafted for blackheads. A perfect gentle product for oily skin, it is made with betaine salicylate, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide. This chemical exfoliant helps with pores, acne, and blackheads. It is a good exfoliant for oily as well as combination skin. You can buy this product on Nykaa.
6. Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
Made with the goodness of Alaskan glacier water and Iceland moss extract, this gel moisturiser is lightweight and gives a cooling effect to the skin. Free from harsh ingredients like parabens and sulfate, this product protects the skin from damage while nourishing it. It doesn’t stick to the skin and absorbs into it swiftly, giving a radiant look. The product is available on Nykaa.
7. Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask
One of the best clay masks in Korean skincare, this product is the go-to mask for those with oily skin because it has ingredients that absorb excess sebum from your skin, which is the main reason for your clogged pores. Made with Vitamin E, lactic acid, and glycerin, among other ingredients, the pore-clearing mask exfoliates your skin and fights the blackheads and pores.
8. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Enriched with the goodness of shea and murumuru butter, the sleeping mask is a perfect lip treatment, giving your lips a silky texture. The product works best when applied overnight. It hydrates and nourishes the lips and has antioxidants that protect them from damage.
Conclusion-
These were some of the top players in the K-beauty game. Made with a rich natural extracts and acids, these products are slowly capturing an extensive market. Korean skincare has indeed impacted the skincare industry in recent years. Which of these products have you used? Did you like it? Do let us know your review in the comment section below.
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