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Key Takeaways:
Korean skincare has been taking the globe by storm over the last few years. Since the Korean approach to skincare is to create a routine that's relaxing, restorative, and luxurious, what's not to love? If you're like so many who hit the tanning bed a few too many times when you were younger, you know that these days, restoration and prevention are key. And applying SPF is a crucial Korean skincare step, so don't skip it!
But what makes K-beauty really special is in the formulation and ingredients. I've noticed that many Korean skincare products are cruelty-free, rarely have added fragrances, and often use natural ingredients that aren't well-known in the Western world. Keep reading to learn more about these special ingredients, as well as where to find them in my go-to skincare products.
Korean skincare is so effective because it utilizes powerful, innovative ingredients. Here are some of the key K-beauty ingredients I look for when I experiment with new products.
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that can help brighten the skin. It can also help even out your skin tone. It acts by blocking the path of melanin from coming to the skin's surface.
One of my favorite skincare products that contains niacinamide is the Dr. Esthe Anti-Mela Toning Cream. This cream, with niacinamide 2%, is a great choice if you want to target hyperpigmentation and prevent new pigment from forming. The Dr. Esthe cream also contains popular Korean skincare ingredients like kojic acid and licorice root extract.
A 'holy grail' skincare ingredient in K-beauty, snail mucin has hydrating, healing, and anti-aging properties — and it can also help repair the skin barrier.
One product I love is the HOUSE OF PLLA® HOP+ Promoter Repair Cell Moisturize, which contains snail mucus filtrate as well as PLLA (more on that later!). It's a powerful addition to just about any skincare routine, whether you're targeting dry skin, acne, fine lines, or texture.
Another product with snail mucin is the Dr Esthé MGF Renewal Solution Ampoule, which is made with 88% snail secretion filtrate. This filtrate contains a ton of powerful ingredients like allantoin, glycolic acid, collagen, elastin, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and E. Use it on clean skin twice a day for maximum absorption! Followed by your favorite serums and moisturizer, of course.
You'll find hyaluronic acid in many Korean skincare products, including my go-to Dr Esthé Dual Barrier Cream. Hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin, which helps keep it hydrated and plump.
This barrier cream actually contains two kinds of hyaluronic acid: one that locks in moisture at the surface layer of the skin, and another the draws moisture into deeper layers. I layer this cream in with my regular moisturizer — it's powerful, but gentle enough to use twice a day.
Yep — Koreans use fermentation for more than just kimchi! Just like fermented foods are great for gut health, fermented ingredients in skincare can help boost the effectiveness of products and develop healthy probiotics.
Take the Dr Esthé Aqua Infusion Water Drop Cream, for example, which is formulated with fermented beta glucan as well as seed oils, flower extract, and jojoba oil. The fermented beta glucan activates your skin's immunity, which can help restore vitality in the skin. Get ready for skin that looks — and feels! — radiant. Plus, this lightweight moisturizer is gentle enough to use on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Cica is a soothing ingredient (it's actually a member of the parsley family!) that has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. And when incorporated into skincare products, it can help calm inflammation and redness. You'll find this Centella Asiatica extract in the HOUSE OF PLLA® HOP+ Pro Volumizing Mousse-Daily Foaming Cleanser, which is my daily cleanser of choice. It's gentle and feels so luxurious. This foaming cleanser contains some other K-beauty ingredients, like niacinamide and royal jelly, which both target fine lines.
Propolis is produced by bees, and is beloved in Korean skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-acne properties. The Dr Esthé Rejuvenating Ampoule 30mL is a workhorse serum that contains propolis extract, as well as PDRN, a salmon derivative that has healing and anti-aging benefits. I'd recommend adding this ampoule to your skincare routine if you want to target aging, dull, or damaged skin.
Last but certainly not least, PLLA is an essential ingredient in the best Korean skincare products. PLLA (poly-l-lactic acid) was originally used in an injectable form to restore volume in the body, and the topical version, found in the HOUSE OF PLLA® HOP+ CAVIPLLA+O2® Multi-Serum, can yield similar results over time.
PLLA signals the body to produce collagen, increasing volume in the skin as it's absorbed. The end goal? Thickening the skin, smoothing fine lines, and plumping up wrinkles.
1. Are Korean skincare products safe for sensitive skin?
Yes! Many Korean skincare products are formulated with gentle, natural ingredients like Centella Asiatica and propolis, which help soothe and calm the skin. These products often focus on hydration and barrier repair, making them suitable for sensitive skin types.
2. How long does it take to see results from using K-beauty products?
While some results, like improved hydration, can be seen within a few days, ingredients like PLLA and niacinamide require consistent use over several weeks to reveal benefits such as increased collagen production, smoother skin texture, and reduced hyperpigmentation.
The future of any industry is fueled by innovation... and skincare is no different! I can't wait to see what new formulations and ingredients hit the K-beauty market and eventually make their way over to the West. In the meantime, I encourage you to incorporate Korean cleansers, toners, and creams into your skincare routine. I promise you'll notice a difference!
Want to get more support with your skincare journey? Join me in the Christine Byer Beauty Club. I offer a 14-Day FREE preview with full access to everything in the Club. Get personalized support for your questions and have access to savings and the opportunity to win a FREE consultation. If you don’t find value in your membership, cancel within the 14 days at no charge.
