25 Oct Does a Korean Skincare Routine Really Work Or Is It Overrated?
Whether or not you obsess over skincare, you must have encountered cute Korean beauty products packed in adorable packs by now.
Be it K-drama, K-pop, K-band, or K-beauty, Korean culture has crash-landed on you and every other influencer out there.
In fact, Korean skincare routine and beauty products have become the absolute cult-favorite of beauty bloggers and make-up artists, basically the whole beauty community.
All for good reasons!!
But has anyone ever wondered, why is Korean skincare so good?
Are Korean beauty products really better than western ones?
To put it simply, Korean skincare culture has been influencing the mainstream beauty market for some time now.
In fact, there are some major differences between Korean skincare routines and other regimes.
For instance, when comparing Korean skincare vs American skincare routine, while the latter has just 3-5 steps, the Korean beauty routine is a multi-faceted self-care regime (more about it later).
Quite frankly, beauty is a serious business in Korea, so let’s understand why is Korean skincare the best.
Why Is Korean Skincare So Good?
The soft-like-a-dumpling skin of Koreans looks unreal sometimes.
As soon as the world got hit by Hallyu (Korean culture wave), Korean skincare culture skyrocketed and took over every other existing skincare routine and product.
But what’s the hype all about?
Well, Korean beauty standards are quite high. Skincare enthusiasts there are very much aware of the products and the ingredients used in them.
And if you have been wondering “Why is Korean skincare so advanced”, this is the very reason.
The knowledge and awareness of people about skincare keep pushing the cosmetic companies to come up with innovative products and advanced formulas.
BB creams and sheet masks are just some of the examples of the innovative Korean skin care trend.
What Makes Korean Skincare Better?
Short for Korean beauty, K-beauty is the categorization of skincare routines determined by the Korean skincare philosophy which includes the epic Korean skin care products as well.
Korean beauty products have, in fact, a lot to do with the rise of K-beauty.
Here’s why Korean skincare products are so good!
#1. Korean Beauty Products And Regimes Are Designed To Last long
The beauty market is smothered with products that claim to bring an overnight glow to your skin.
And while most of them fail to get even close to what they claim, a few of them give you overnight redness along with damaged skin.
On the contrary, Korean beauty emphasizes gentle nourishment of skin to reach your desired skin goals.
Korean beauty regime is a long-term, gentle, and consistent approach with a personalized skincare routine that helps you get the glow from within with the signature hydrated and bouncy Korean look.
#2. Customized Not Complicated
The biggest strength of K-beauty is that the Korean skincare philosophy understands that everyone’s skin is different.
Hence, the products made are flexible because not everyone’s skin needs the same amount of hydration.
And that’s why Korean skincare is so good.
Staying with what works well for your skin and creating a skincare regime with it helps you maintain flawless skin every day without any complications.
#3. Innovative And Natural
This is what makes Korean beauty reliable and effective.
Even today, most of its products contain natural ingredients like mung beans, rice, and camellia because of their antioxidant properties.
Also, with the growing economy, the Korean beauty industry is not stagnant and is continuously getting innovative with its types of products like serums, skin lotions, essences, and more.
And just like how keeping your mouth clean is a part of your routine that involves steps, according to Korean skincare philosophy, enjoying “flawless skin” requires a skincare routine with several steps.
Korean Skin Care Routine
While a normal western skincare routine is usually 3-4 steps long, the Korean skincare routine is quite extensive with its 10-steps.
But don’t worry; you don’t have to use all the steps at once.
This multi-layered 10-steps routine indicates long-term focus to get the “glass skin”.
Here’s how this multi-layered routing goes.
#1. Oil-Based Double Cleanse
First, use an oil-based cleanser to remove oil-based impurities.
#2. Water-Based Double Cleanse
Followed by an oil cleanse, double cleanse with a water-based cleanser.
#3. Exfoliate
It doesn’t have to be every day (1-2 times a week) and depends on what your skin needs.
#4. Hydrating Toner
Kick start the hydration with hydrating toner to balance the PH level of your skin.
#5. Essence
Essence adds an additional layer of moisture to the skin and works best for dry skin.
It has a similar consistency as to toner, but, unlike toner, it is patted on the skin gently with fingers/hands.
#6. Face Serums Or Ampoules
It is a personalized step that is all about targeting specific skin issues.
This is the meaty part of the routine that lets you address specific skin issues, such as aging, fine lines, discoloration, and wrinkles.
#7. Sheet Masks
Sheet masks are an essential part of the Korean skincare routine.
It is a unique way to push the maximum amount of product into your skin for added moisturization.
#8. Eye Cream
The sensitive and thin skin around the eyes gets its separate place in the Korean skincare routine.
The eye pads and specially formulated eye creams address specific issues like eye bags, crow feet, fine lines, and puffiness.
#9. Moisturizer
As we are nearing the end, the next step in this routine is moisturizing. And in Korean skincare, the moisturizer has these different forms:
- Sleeping mask (great for dry skin)
- Gels or emulsions (great for oily skin)
#10. Sunscreen
Finally, we have made it to the last step. And sunscreen has finally got its place in this 10-step Korean beauty skincare routine.
Regardless of whether the sun is out or not, sunscreen is going to protect your skin.
If you have made it to the end and find these 10-steps exhausting, hold on!
You don’t have to follow all these steps. Instead, narrow it down to cleansing, toning, serum, moisturizing, and sunscreen application.
And this is what makes Korean skincare better. You can also customize it as per your requirement.
This multi-layered skincare approach has taken over the world, and there are numerous factors that add to its popularity.
Why Is Korean Skincare So Popular?
Is Korean skincare overrated?
Whether Koreans have actually found the fountain of youth or it’s just the result of a successful marketing gimmick?
This is what we all want to know.
While natural and unique ingredients like snail slime do add to its popularity, one cannot ignore the innovative marketing techniques as well.
And along with the Korean skincare routine, several other points make Korean skincare stand out:
#1. Hydration is the foundation of the Korean skincare routine. They are obsessed with water and most of their products are either oil or water-based.
It makes the fine line appear smaller and gives a much hydrated and plumpy look to the skin.
And this forms for the major reason behind that dewy, glass-like, and porcelain–looking skin.
#2. Snail slime works as an awesome multitasker. It is a magic spell for those with dry skin. And as per Korean brands, it also works on acne and wrinkles.
#3. Sheet mask amplifies the skincare routine and works as an identity of Korean skincare. Basically, it puts it on the map.
Adding to this, not only is it handy, it is hassle-free and effective as well. These hydrating bombs work like a miracle to give you baby soft smoother skin in no time at all.
#4. Attractive packaging is what you cannot ignore when it comes to Korean beauty products.
Eye shadows and lip balms in panda palettes, gels and moisturizers in gummy bear bottles, Korean beauty products decked up in cartoon characters, and bright colors are too cute to ignore.
For me, these four points are the reasons why Korean skincare is so good and popular.
Not only does Korean skincare follow the legacy of using natural ingredients, but it is also evolving and getting better with innovative formulas and marketing strategies.
But is Korean skincare really better?
Does Korean Skin Care Really Work?
As discussed above, the K-beauty routine is based on the Korean skincare philosophy that helps achieve skin goals by understanding your skin type.
And you would agree that determining your skin type solves half of the problem. It helps you:
- Choose a better skin routine
- Pick appropriate skin products
- Customize the skincare accordingly
- Get better control of your skin
- It saves time and money
- Protects from skin damage
- Makes it easy to achieve skin care goals.
The Korean skincare routine has the hype because it approaches skincare differently. It works on prevention and gets to the root problems of the skin.
Like any other skincare product, all you have to do is look for the product that suits your skin type and you are good to go.
But apart from all this Korean skincare is safe.
Unlike other skincare products, Korean beauty products favor dewiness rather than whitening.
They don’t contain actual bleach and are safe for all skin types.
So, if you have been wondering is Korean skin care worth it?
Yes, it certainly is, as long as you choose the right product.
Korean beauty is ever-changing, and, as it continues to take the whole world by storm with its evolution and innovation, there are certain Korean skincare trends that are not going anywhere.
Unique Korean Skincare Trends
In the past five years, Korean beauty trends have emerged from snail mucin to bee venom to glass skin.
Whether it is dabbing a bit of donkey milk for skin rejuvenation or applying a weekly face mask, K-beauty is everywhere.
And if you think that the mecca of beauty and skincare is losing its charm, you are wrong.
Having said that, let’s have a look at some of the current beauty innovations and upcoming Korean skincare trends.
#1. Focus on low irritation cosmetics with skin-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.
#2. 10 steps K-beauty routine swapped with skip care, i.e. using limited products and skipping essential steps.
#3. Unique skincare ingredients like yuzu and Centella.
#4. Abstract nails inspired by modern art.
#5. Spa-like soothing and meditative experience at home with beauty and skincare products.
Most of these trends are the result of people being aware of their skin needs, and Korea has always been innovative when it comes to beauty trends.
And this is the reason why we can’t get enough of Korean skincare culture.
Bottom Line
So, now we hope you know why Korean skincare is so good.
Korean skincare philosophy has shattered all the existing skincare routines; all thanks to the generation of “skinthusiasts”.
Who knew snail mucin could have so many skin benefits? But the Korean beauty industry’s innovations introduced us to this miracle.
Be it a 10-step Korean skincare routine or the use of donkey milk, choosing Korean skincare is like choosing an adventure that detoxifies and rejuvenates.
Now, we hope this blog was an engaging read for you! Write down your thoughts in the comments box down below.
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