It’s no secret in the beauty world that Korean skincare is the new popular kid on the block. The global rise of K-beauty is making a huge impact in the Western world and this trend is expected to increase. But how exactly did this all come about? Let’s find out!
What are the Origins of the K-Beauty Wave?
The original K-wave happened many years before Korean skincare products became trendy on social media platforms like TikTok. Many refer to this initial wave as Hallyu 1.0. Hallyu (한류) is the English spelling or transliteration of the Korean word describing the increasing popularity of Korean media around the world thanks to the innovation of technology. The ‘한’ stands for Korea and the ‘류’ represents the concept of a flow, current, or wave. So, Hallyu references a large-scale movement of Korean media from the national to the global sphere.
Hallyu was initially all about pop culture. The Western world and other Asian countries, and nations otherwise, fell in love with Korean TV and its music — commonly called K-dramas and K-pop, respectively. Visual media has played a large role in the current rise of popularity in Korean skincare, because it constantly exposes its audience to the various faces of Korean pop culture.
Viewers then take notice of how “dewy,” “shiny,” or “healthy” everyone’s skin seems to be; not to mention the not-so-subtle but ever-present product placement (PPL) ads that are common to Korean television. Through the original K-wave, the non-Korean audience — intentionally or not, is constantly fed messages about the magnificence of Korean skincare and the K-beauty industry. Now, the famed “glass skin” is trending all over the global beauty world.
Hanbang: The Heart of Korean Skincare
The Joseon Dynasty was a pivotal era in Korean history for many reasons. Not only were socio-political and economic advancements made, but there were also innovations in folk medicine. Hanbang (한방), a collection of conventional Korean medicinal practices, were also greatly developed during this period. An article published in the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture notes, “[Korea’s] ancient medicine mainly developed as herbal medicine based on folk experience. … Entering the Joseon Dynasty, unlike before, there are traces of research and efforts to establish independent medicine.”1
The Joseon dynasty generally emphasized natural treatment methods, which extended to beauty and skincare. The National Institute of Korean History shows that minimalism was preferred when it came to cosmetics. The women of Joseon used traditional (i.e. hanbang) ingredients like beans, rice water, and grains to achieve optimal skincare. Popular skincare recipes included squash, citron, cucumbers, safflowers, and charcoal.2
Traditional (Hanbang) Herbs
- Ginseng extract and ginseng root water – anti-photoaging, anti-wrinkle, heals wounds, reduces inflammation3
- Green plum water – improves elasticity and moisturizes by facilitating metabolism and improving blood circulation4
- Green tea leaf water – boasts antioxidant properties that help to prevent acne and reduce signs of aging5
- Propolis – smooths wrinkles and combats the negative effects of free radicals; lightens, moisturizes, and reduces signs of fatigue6
- Prunus mume flower water – smoothens and moisturizes7
- Rice bran water – anti-aging, hydrating
Modern Korean Skincare
The K-beauty industry we know today is a still rooted in the foundations of natural and holistic treatment. The goal is to heal skin from the inside out and prevent accelerated aging and the deterioration of the skin’s condition.
This is partly achieved by protecting the skin from harmful air pollutants, harsh weather conditions, and similar environmental factors. Effective cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing play an important role; which could be why the Korean skincare routine is 10 steps long!
Korean Skincare Routine
- Oil-based cleanser – removes impurities
- Water-based cleanser – extra, but optional, cleansing step
- Exfoliator – removes dead skin cells to reveal fresh, healthy skin
- Toner – prepares skin to absorb the products to follow
- Essence – rehydrates
- Serum | Ampoule – nourishes skin
- Mask – additional treatment and hydration boost
- Eye cream – treats under-eye bags, dark circles, puffiness, etc.
- Moisturizer – replenishes protective moisture barrier
- Sun cream – prevents damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays
Innovative Skincare Technology
To talk K-beauty, we must talk innovation. If you follow our weekly KSP news updates, you will see that technology and skincare are the great duo of the Korean cosmetics industry. There are lots of beauty devices to choose from and that number is increasing daily.
Part of this is because people are now more inclined to take their skincare into their own hands rather than pay high fees to see a certified professional. Plus, they actual see results! Thousands of customer reviews across various platforms reveal that, thanks to innovation in Korean skincare technology, they are achieving spa-like results right at home. This means saving more time and money. Who wouldn’t want a deal like that?
Summarily, the combination of effective technological solutions and a revolutionary 10-step routine gives Korean skincare an undeniably competitive edge. The current cosmetics market is proof of that.
Best Korean Skincare Products
“Best” is a relative and subjective term. Nevertheless, we can get a good idea of the products that are worth investing our money in based on the quality of its ingredients, industry awards its received, analysis of consumer data, and personal experience. On the Korean Skincare Pro blog, we offer insights on the best that Korean skincare has to offer based on a combination of these factors.
Feel free to check out previous posts and follow us on social media for the latest and greatest in Korean skincare. Each blog post is well-researched and based on credible, respected sources; some of which you can find in the footnotes — depending on the extent to which the source is referenced.
Future of Korean Skincare
Things are only looking up for Korean skincare. Every week, trusted brands are releasing new products. Additionally, large K-beauty companies have paved the way to allow smaller, boutique brands to also enter the global market — for example, through Korean online malls offering international services. Boutique brands are great because they tend to offer unique approaches to Korean skincare, like vegan-only or provincial brands.
Certainly, we can expect to see the K-beauty industry continue to push forward with innovations in related technology. Beauty devices focused on anti-aging , at-home care, and healthy skin will take up even more space in the market. Even now, industry leaders are conducting research on how to produce even more transformative skincare results.
Additionally, skinamilism (less is more) and clean beauty trends will likely continue to gain popularity as these ideas are becoming more and more important to cosmetics consumers.
The Korean skincare and beauty industry is quite dynamic. In South Korea, beauty has long been a large focus; so, many of the products we are seeing now are embedded in a rich history of dermatological and otherwise scientific research. Now that the K-beauty wave is in full swing, market competition is driving the search to create the next best thing. Therefore, we can expect to be exposed to a lot more of what the local Korean market has to offer.
Wrap-up
Korean skincare products, boasting superior natural ingredients and innovative care solutions, are an obviously great choice for the beauty lover. Subscribe to the Korean Skincare Pro blog to stay on trend and learn more about these amazing products.
Every week we report on industry news straight from Korea and highlight new product releases. Bookmark this website, follow us on Pinterest or Instagram, and be sure to share this post with a friend.
Disclaimer:
- This post does not feature any affiliate links nor is it sponsored in any other way.
- Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
- Makeup – The Story of Culture and Arts
- National Library of Medicine – Ginseng and Ginseng Byproducts for Skincare and Skin Health
- 고양신문 – 매실이 좋은 10가지 이유
- Cleveland Clinic – Green Tea Health Benefits
- National Library of Medicine – Bee Products in Dermatology and Skin Care
- Beauty of Joseon Official Website
