South Korean skincare is taking the Western world by storm, and for good reason. You can’t look at the flawless complexion of the South Korean people without admitting that they are definitely doing something right. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons the korean beauty store is so popular and effective.
A Focus on Prevention
In the Western world, skincare tends to be something you think about when you begin having skin issues. Perhaps puberty comes with acne problems that must be dealt with. Or perhaps you begin to see the signs of aging in your 20s or 30s. In South Korea, taking steps to have healthy skin is part of the culture and there is a focus on taking care of the skin far before any problems become evident.
Putting sunscreen lotion on children while they are still infants is vital. By the time kids are leaving home daily to attend school, protecting their skin from the sun has already become a habit. Pre-teens begin having bi-weekly facials along with their parents long before adolescence makes acne an issue. Most South Korean natives, both men and women, have a bathroom vanity that is full of cleansers, moisturizers, and specialty treatments by the time they are 20.
This focus on preventative and habitual care rather than corrective measures results in a populace with healthy skin, ageless complexions and the most prominent beauty industry in the world.
A Tradition of Natural Ingredients
Like many Eastern cultures, tradition holds a high value in South Korea. In the West, innovation is more highly valued and as a result, the wisdom of the past has sometimes been left behind. The movement toward natural and holistic skincare is relatively new in the Western world but has been a part of Korean skincare for generations.
Although not all South Korean skincare lines use only natural products, almost all of them use many holistic ingredients that are only found in the most elite products in the West. It is common to find South Korean skincare brands like BEAUTY OF JOSEON, using such exotic natural substances as propolis, Gotu kola, snail mucin and bamboo extract. These ingredients have been used in South Korea for generations and the booming Korean beauty industry respects and integrate this ancient wisdom.
A Competitive Market that Drives Down Prices
The International Trade Commission confirms that South Korea’s beauty industry is in the top 10 in the entire world. Considering the fact that South Korea has a population of just 51 million and is smaller than the state of Pennsylvania, its stature in the beauty and cosmetics industry is astounding.
Because cosmetics and beauty product manufacturers face a high level of competition in Korea, prices for even the most elite product lines are low. Most high-end Korean skincare products can be purchased for the price of drugstore brands in America. This means that just about every South Korean can afford to purchase quality products to protect their skin health. It also means that these products can be purchased by Westerners at amazingly low prices.
The Famous 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine
While many westerners have a skincare routine that entails cleansing and moisturizing only, South Korea has become famous for using a routine that encompasses 10 steps or more. Here is the routine that the majority of South Korean men and women use twice a day, every day:
- Oil Cleanser
- Water Cleanser
- Exfoliator
- Toner
- Essence
- Specialty Treatments
- Sheet Masks
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen or Night Cream
Each of these steps is intended to protect, heal, maximize and moisturize your skin. It is a routine that can be customized for your individual skin concerns, whether that is anti-aging, inflammation or acne.
The K-Beauty industry is growing in popularity worldwide. These are products that focus on prevention and the use of natural ingredients. If 10 steps is a bit much for you, any combination of these products is bound to do a lot more for your skin than an average bar of soap and standard moisturizing lotion.
