Honoring Korean Skincare
Don’t call it a comeback because K-beauty never really left our feeds. However, it’s no longer just for skincare addicts – Korean skincare is mainstream and here to stay. Here are the ins and outs of K-beauty, including what we love about Korean skincare and what might be over-hyped.
Okay, silly question – is K-beauty actually made in Korea?
Yes, the vast majority of known and unknown K-beauty brands come from South Korea, specifically Seoul. However, there have been some Western brands that have borrowed the concepts of Korean skincare – and for good reason!
How big is Korean skincare?
Seoul, South Korea, is to cosmetics what Paris and New York are to fashion. Most of the viral K-beauty brands, like COSRX, Laneige, Beauty of Joseon, TirTir, House of Hur, Medicube, and more, are owned by giant holding companies with billions (even trillions) in revenue.
Seoul is densely concentrated with cosmetic manufacturing, giving us everything from ultra corporate to ultra hip. It’s safe to say that K-beauty impacts more than just your TikTok feed. The industry has grown by almost 40% in the Western market. Some Korean brands even see more success in the West than they do in South Korea. Seoul has recently surpassed France in beauty exports, and with Ulta and Sephora launching major campaigns to feature K-beauty, it’s only going to continue to grow from a viral trend into a skincare staple for all generations.
But what does K-beauty really mean?
Let’s talk about K-beauty’s true philosophies beyond just their trendy, overwhelming product hauls. The way Koreans typically view their beauty is rooted in respect, honor, and tradition. A common misnomer is that you need a ton of steps. K-beauty is actually much more minimal. Like western skincare regimens, it typically includes cleansing, toning, serums, and a couple of moisturizing steps. Sprinkled in are days when you take the time to do a sheet mask, a massage, gua sha, or another special ritual for your skin.
Korean skincare is about honoring your skin so that it ages gracefully. Korean skincare won’t “change” your skin overnight (or really at all) because the principles behind K-Beauty skincare are rooted in tradition passed down and learned from a young age. The idea is to start with moisture and SPF at an early age to prevent most skin damage. Then, as you age, you add gentle (usually botanical or medicinal) ingredients to brighten and strengthen the skin.
While social media can make Korean skincare seem like more and more, it’s actually about less. Fewer products, but more time you spend on nourishing your skin.
Why is it different from American skincare, from an ingredient standpoint? Western skincare has mainly focused on treating visible skin problems, which means it is exfoliation-heavy and leans towards solving problems. Eastern skincare, at its core, is more moisture-heavy, leaning towards preventing problems. While they still do exfoliate, it’s done more cautiously.
How about a balance of both? Why do we need to be so extreme? We can honor our skin and strive for ageless beauty by washing our face twice a day every day, and applying serum, lotion, and sun protection. Maybe we can also throw in a little retinoid, glycolic acid, or vitamin C, which are typically popular American skincare ingredients.
Our thoughts
Don’t abandon the fast-acting American skincare we love, just incorporate some timeless traditions like slowing down your routine and paying homage to your skin. Snail mucin and salmon DNA are wonderful ingredients and Korean staples, but if you truly want to embrace K-beauty, it starts with listening to your skin and slowing down your routine.
If you need to scratch the Korean beauty product itch, we recommend doing so with products used by professionals and tested to work well for all skin types. Dr. Esthe is at the top of the list for medical professionals in Seoul. It’s not trendy, but it still leans into the trendy ingredients, hitting all your feeds.