The following is an excerpt from K-Beauty Secrets: Accessible Beauty For Every Woman by Marie Jhin, MD

K-Beauty links tradition, history, myth, science, nature, and design and is believed to be at least seven years ahead of the rest of the world in terms of beauty innovation. Korea’s Buddhist culture and origins lend themselves well to the practice of clean and sustainable beauty regimens. Fair skin and a flawless complexion are cherished above all else in K-Beauty and Koreans take their complexions very seriously, as it is the outward display of inner vitality.
 
In Korea, skincare is taught from a very young age to both men and women, focusing on making skin healthier and hydrated. Koreans have a rich history of taking care of their skin, and there has never been hesitation to use and layer multiple products. Each step is important and serves a purpose, whether consumers are prepping, renewing, treating, hydrating, or protecting.
 
Because skin has low permeability, it’s important for consumers to use skincare products in the right order to maximize absorption and efficacy because cosmeceutical ingredients interact, and change with each other and are affected by temperature, pH, humidity and the microbiome in which they are in contact with.

Essential Skincare Products in K-Beauty

Make sure the skincare routine includes the fundamentals by way of your products:
·       Oil Cleanser – the best remedy for cleansing oily, acne-prone skin
·       Water-Based Foam Cleanser – this second cleansing step is the perfect Korean-style double cleanse
·       Exfoliator – the best kept secret of Korean culture as scrubbing is the main aspect of Korean bathing rituals
·       Toner – softens, moisturizes and preps skin to absorb essences & serums and re-set the skins pH balance
·       Essence – hydrates and brightens skin with humectant-rich (water-binding) ingredients and prepares skin for the next step in layering
·       Serum – delivers high concentrations of ingredients to hydrate, protect and nourish skin
·       Sheet masks – perfect for an immediate and quick way to reduce pores and moisturize skin
·       Moisturizer – aids in skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles and helps to prevent acne
·       Sunscreen – the most important step of your skincare routine

 

Leading Active Ingredients in K-Beauty

In order for products to permeate, you want your product’s rich ingredients to be applied first, then seal them in later with additional beauty items. Active treatments that help specific issues are also a key selling point. For example:

• Vitamin C provides extra sun protection
• Retinoid helps fight wrinkles
• Coconut Oil can be used as both a cleanser and moisturizer
• Oatmeal, Sugar and Jojoba are gentle exfoliating ingredients
• Hyaluronic Acid and Humectants provide additional moisture to skin
• Vitamin A rejuvenates and evens out skin tone and can also help with breakouts

 
Two ingredients unique to K-Beauty are Snail Mucin and Bee Venom. Packed with nutrients like hyaluronic acid and enzymes plus anti-inflammatory properties, Snail Mucin is known moisturize the skin and help repair and regenerate damaged skin by stimulating collagen synthesis, which helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
 
Bee venom is another K-Beauty discovery and is known to firm skin and improve texture. Often this is combined with snail mucin in products like masks and serums.
 

The Future of K-Beauty

Beauty trends and products continue to evolve; however, K-Beauty is here to stay. The rituals and routines that were passed down from centuries of tradition in Korea are the main philosophy of K-Beauty. Natural ingredients and foods are an important aspect of why K-Beauty is so popular today. With that said, however, Korean culture also embraces enhancing beauty with procedures and the latest technology. The juxtaposition of the natural versus trending procedures is what makes Koreans and K-Beauty so fascinating.

About The Expert
MARIE JHIN, MD is a Board-Certified Dermatologist and President of Premier Dermatology in Silicon Valley, CA.  Honored to have been named “America’s Top Doctor” several times and a recipient of the Asian Women in Business Entrepreneur Leadership Award, Dr. Jhin is also the chief Medical Officer for Musely (Face RX), an anti-aging telemedicine company and a Board Member of Physician’s Working Together, an advocacy group working to improve the healthcare system in the US. Having served as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Stanford University from 2000-2011, Dr. Jhin has been featured numerous times on TV Shows and has been interviewed for both print and digital outlets including a podcast series about Korean skincare for Allure Magazine. A graduate of Wellesley College and Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the author of Asian Beauty Secrets: Ancient and Modern Tips from the Far East, Dr. Jhin resides in Palo Alto with her husband and their five children.
 
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