The beauty behind Korean beauty products (Part 1)

It’s no real surprise that when it comes to the subject of beauty, the conversation almost always leads to some exotic, crazy concoction that originates from Asia. Ever heard of snail infused sleep masks? That skin pore toner you use every a.m. and p.m.? Or that brightening serum responsible for your natural glow? They are all Asian imports. Everyone has different perceptions of beauty, and what may be considered beautiful in western cultures may be viewed differently in Asian ones. But, you have to admit, when it comes to skincare, the Asians are definitely on to something.

You’d be hard-pressed to come across an Asian woman (or man in many cases) who doesn’t have flawlessly beautiful skin. This is because Asians, particularly South Koreans, consider skin health to be very important. Koreans view caring for their complexion as the ultimate investment because society holds looks as a way of getting ahead socially and professionally.

While having copper sun kissed skin is sexy in America, Koreans consider porcelain white skin to be beautiful and sexy. With skin care products from big brand names such as Etude House, Skinfood, Missha, Tony Moly and The Face Shop, Koreans go through a multi-step process of cleansing, moisturizing and protecting the skin.

While the steps below are not a true 10-step process, it gives a basic idea of what generally goes into taking care of the skin.

Step1. Oil cleanser

Using gentle, circular motions with an oil cleanser such as The Face Shop Rice Water Cleansing Oil, Koreans draw out the impurities, or oil-based debris such as makeup, sebum and soot. It is believed believe that massaging the face increases circulation equals brighter, more youthful skin.

Step 2. Foam cleanser

Korean women believe thorough, proper cleansing is key to a radiant, blemish free complexion. The second part of the double cleanse is necessary to properly clean the skin. Foaming cleansers remove water-based debris such as sweat and dirt.

Step 3. Exfoliator

Not to be used daily, exfoliating with a natural scrub like the Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask renews skin by scrubbing away dead skin cells. This leaves the skin feeling as supple and soft as a baby’s bottom!

Step 4. Toner

Standard toners sold in the west are chock-full of alcohol. Korean variations such as Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner are marketed as a hydrating and clarifying cleanse. It softens, moisturizes and preps the skin to better absorb the essences and serums to follow. Toners also reset the skin’s pH balance.

Step 5. Essence

Considered the most important step in the skin care routine, essence contains an active ingredient that optimizes the skin’s natural cell turnover rate, or regeneration. Some typical products include the Missha First Treatment Essence and Etude House Wonder Pore Tightening Essence.

Step 6. Serum

Products such as Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule are a more concentrated version of an essence and thicker in consistency. Serums help brighten the skin, fade sunspots and smooth fine lines.

Step 7. Sheet mask

Sometimes used in place of an essence is sheet masks are used twice a week, or more if the skin feels dry. The face masks are soaked in ingredients like collagen, which in turn soak into the skin. There are a variety of sheet masks like Tony Moly Pureness Snail, but their purpose remains the same: to force the skin to absorb nutrients and moisture.

Step 8. Eye cream

Using products like Etude House Moistfull Collagen Eye Cream or Tony Moly So Cool Eye Stick, Koreans gently tap around the eye area. This is meant to hydrate and protect the skin around the eyes and eliminates the tugging and pulling feeling.

Step 9. Moisturizer

Koreans are all about the layering. Again, generously massage products like Tony Moly Cherry Blossom Whitening Cream or Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion with gentle strokes in order to help the cream really penetrate the skin.

Step 10. SPF

Koreans believe the sun will rob the skin of its youth, causing wrinkles, brown spots, and dark skin. To successfully protect against the harmful UV rays, Koreans slather on sunscreen either through SPF sprays, creams or BB creams with SPF like Etude House Precious Mineral. BB cream is very popular among women and men in South Korea because it lightens the skin tone by healing visible wrinkles and blemishes through skin coverage.

These 10 steps are an exaggeration, but provide a basic foundation for the necessary products that can help the skin feel replenished and remain healthy. It’s really about the different variety of products depending on the person’s skin concerns and type. Most importantly, it’s all about the pampering and taking care of yourself.

Photos by Maytinee Kramer