Korean beauty store brands have been ahead of the curve when it comes to product innovation. They use natural ingredients (a substance produced by honey bees) to lock in moisture, boost hydration and protect skin from environmental damage.
They also use toners that balance pH levels, improve skin elasticity and protect from free radical damage. Lastly, they apply fermented botanicals that help skin absorb nutrients better and reduce irritation.
1. it’s All About Layering
Unlike most Western skin care routines, Korean skincare is about packing as much hydration as possible into your pores and layering on the moisture.
A great way to start your K- beauty supply store near me regimen is by using a toner or essence (both of which are formulated for specific skin types) and then applying moisturizer.
This step helps balance your skin’s pH level and prepare it for the next steps in your regimen. It also speeds up your cell turnover and helps hydrate your skin without feeling heavy.
Another vital part of the Korean skincare routine is exfoliating your skin 1-3 times a week. This will help slough away dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin.
2. it’s All About Oil
Oil is an energy-rich fossil fuel that powers everything from our homes to our cars. It’s also the key ingredient in many plastics and petroleum products, from car tires to your kitchen paint.
It’s no surprise that petroleum is also a major part of our skincare routine, since it helps us remove oil-based impurities. That’s why you’ll typically see Korean skincare products featuring both oil-based and water-based cleansers.
Rather than using harsh ingredients that can strip our skin, Korean beauty brands often focus on nourishing and hydrating our skin gently with naturally-derived formulas. They use botanicals, licorice root, and birch sap and rice water to make their products as gentle as possible.
All of these ingredients can be found in other skin-care products, but they’re usually in much higher concentrations or in more sophisticated formulas. The results may be slightly different, but they’re still often impressively effective, without the stinginess of traditional Western products.
3. it’s All About Sunscreen
Korean skincare products have quickly become a cult-favorite among beauty fans, with YouTube videos highlighting popular brands racking up millions of views. From snail mesin serum to fermented rice water, the country’s newest innovative functional cosmetics have been sweeping social media.
Unlike North American beauty regimens, which are typically focused on treating skin problems once they appear, Koreans tend to focus on prevention. They know that early detection is key to preventing acne and wrinkles, which can be much more difficult to reverse later on.
Therefore, Korean skincare focuses on using ingredients that are proven to treat and prevent the skin’s biggest problems. The result is a hyper-competitive, innovative industry that’s at the forefront of the beauty world.
One of the most important elements in any skincare routine is sunscreen, which protects against damaging UV rays that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. It’s especially important to find a broad-spectrum SPF that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
4. it’s All About Understanding Your Skin
Korean skincare is so much better because it’s all about addressing the root cause of your skin problems instead of treating them at the surface. That’s a big difference from the Western approach, where skincare trends tend to home in on ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids that can be too harsh for sensitive skin.
As a result, Korean beauty brands focus on formulating products that are hypoallergenic, anti-breakout and naturally derived for all skin types, from acne-prone to oily and dry.
This is because Korean skincare focuses, which means ‘save your skin’.
Conclusion
Another thing that sets Korean skincare apart from the rest is that they truly understand your skin. They understand that everyone’s skin is unique, so they’re constantly innovating and finding ways to make their products work for your specific skin.
So, if you’re not yet a fan of Korean skincare, or you’re looking to change up your current routine, these tips will help you start getting the results you want.