The skincare industry goes through a different hype cycle every few years, and the latest trend taking the world by storm is Korean beauty. Whether it’s their snail mucin moisturizers, bee venom serums, or even their 10-step skincare routines, every skincare influencer in the world is obsessed with K-beauty. But is all of this praise and enthusiasm justified, or is this just the latest hype cycle that will fizzle away in a few years?

We’re going to talk about what Korean skincare is, focus on their unique ingredients and philosophies, discuss whether they have better evidence than other skincare brands like DASHE Beauty, and then explore the real reason why K-beauty is so popular. Spoiler alert, it might just be because of Squid Game - who wouldn’t want to look like Ganbu?

Natural Ingredients: What is Korean Skincare?

Apart from being popular in South Korea, what defines Korean skincare? Here are the core themes:

An emphasis on natural ingredients, including green tea, ginseng, snail mucin and bee venom.

Double cleansing, (explained below)

Layering: The infamous 10-step skincare routine.

Obsessive sun protection: Taken to a whole new level in K-beauty.

Innovation: Korean brands produce new skincare products at a faster rate than Western companies

Let’s explore each of these and determine whether K-beauty truly has an edge. First, natural ingredients. Though “natural” has become more of a marketing term, popular K-beauty ingredients like green tea have some evidence to support their UV-damage-minimizing and antioxidant properties. Though studies are limited, Centella Asiatica shows more compelling evidence for wound healing and moisturizing benefits in human skin.

As for bee venom, some studies suggest a minor improvement in wrinkles, but the jury is still out, so maybe hold off on sticking your face in a beehive!

Snail Mucin: Korean Skincare Trends

There are few high-quality studies on snail mucin’s effects on human skin, but breaking down its components reveals promising ingredients. Snail mucin contains glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, all with solid evidence for their benefits.

Glycolic acid helps with exfoliation, hyaluronic acid with hydration, and allantoin with anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, snail mucin has antibacterial properties - essential for snails, as their weak immune systems rely on slime to ward off bacteria.

In short, centella asiatica and snail mucin offer skin benefits, but the jury is still out on green tea and bee venom.

While Korean skincare may not have unique natural ingredients that Western skincare lacks, comparable Western options like chamomile, aloe, and licorice also provide benefits for natural skincare fans.

Is double cleansing really needed?

Double cleansing, popularized by K-beauty, has a simple principle: “like removes like.” It starts with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a water-based cleanser to clear water-soluble impurities.

This method can ensure a more thorough cleanse but may leave skin less hydrated. For some, double cleansing effectively reduces oiliness, while others find that micellar water and a single cleanser work well to maintain moisture. So, while beneficial for many, double cleansing isn’t universally necessary.

The 10-Step Routine

The 10-step Korean skincare routine includes an oil cleanser, water cleanser, exfoliator, toner, essence, serum, sheet mask, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Though double cleansing may be justified, exfoliating nightly, and separate steps for toner, essence, and serum are likely unnecessary - and costly.

This complex routine could be simplified to around five steps: double cleansing, moisturizer, one serum, and sunscreen. A lengthy routine has the side benefit of limiting UV exposure since you’re in the bathroom longer, but for most people, a streamlined routine is both time- and skin-friendly.

Why Korean skincare is overhyped

The hype is definitely coming from an obsession with K-beauty following the K-drama and K-pop industry. No one is getting into the weeds of clinical trial data when it comes to in vivo or in vitro results of Korean skincare ingredients and comparing the regulatory landscapes of Korea with other countries.

Whether it’s K-pop, or Korean streetwear, or even Korean TV shows. We are seeing more and more Koreans on our screens than ever before. And these aren’t just regular everyday Koreans. We’re seeing their pop stars, their movie stars, their models. This leads to the assumption that Koreans have superior skin solely due to their skincare products.

It’s essential to recognize that lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, and even the high rate of cosmetic surgery (13.4% of adults) play a role in Korean beauty standards, along with widespread Botox and fillers.

Conclusion

While Korean skincare introduces innovative products and beneficial natural ingredients like centella asiatica and snail mucin, it’s crucial to remember that cultural obsession with appearance also plays a role. Remember that the appearance of your skin is influenced by a lot of things other than the skincare products you use. Things like your diet, smoking, stress levels, and even your genetics. Get more inspiration by visiting our website https://dashebeauty.com or follow up on our beauty blog. — Dashe Beauty Kuwait