Korean beauty products (K-Beauty) invited themselves into our beauty kits (and Instagram feeds) a few years ago... and are clearly here to stay! What makes these skincare products so special and innovative? Learn out all about Korean Beauty here!
Why use Korean beauty products?
Korean skincare products stand out for their innovation, and their influence on Western cosmetics has been felt for several years now. Here are the main benefits of adding K-Beauty products to your skincare kit:
- K-Beauty brands are renowned for their constant innovation, incorporating cutting-edge ingredients and cutting-edge technologies into their products.
- Korean skincare products often contain natural ingredients that are gentle and effective on the skin, such as green tea, ginseng and even snail mucin.
- Korean skincare routines encourage the use of several products in layers, enabling personalized, detailed skincare.
- K-Beauty focuses on deep hydration and preventing skin problems before they occur, promoting healthy, radiant skin.
- K-Beauty products offer excellent value for money, making high-quality skincare accessible to a wide audience.
K-Beauty is also a sensory experience where performance meets pleasure! Skincare products are often presented in very "Instagrammable" packaging, in addition to having a distinctive texture or fragrance.
The K-Beauty philosophy in 5 key words
- Care: Beauty begins with a fresh, naturally radiant face. So pay close attention to the care of your skin, and layer on products that will keep it moisturized, smooth and supple.
- Adaptability: you need to take into account that your skin changes from day to day (or even hour to hour) according to the body's cycles, and that each person needs unique care.
- Simplicity: Favour minimalist skincare formulas, composed of a small amount of natural ingredients.
- Protection: strengthen the skin's defences against aggression and pollution (including light pollution generated by screens).
- Speed: Choose concentrated, easy-to-carry products designed for busy schedules, such as pre-dosed ampoules/powders or face masks for use in the shower.
Superfoods: The sixth keyword in K-Beauty
According to K-Beauty principles, the skin should be as well nourished as the body - hence the frequent inclusion of "superfoods" (ginseng, beet, berries, etc.) on skincare labels. Like food, formulas must also be fresh: the manufacturing date of products matters as much as their expiry date.
A Korean skincare routine to use
Here are the 6 steps to follow to get the most luminous skin and maximize the benefits of K-Beauty!
Step 1 - Double cleansing
First cleanse your skin with a makeup removing oil, then a second time with a cleanser such as micellar water to remove residue. Preferably use a no-rinse formula to avoid using tap water.
Recommended Korean beauty products for this step
The Face Shop
Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil, 150 ml
Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil is a lightweight cleanser that effectively removes oil-based impurities such as sunscreen, excess sebum, and the most stubborn waterproof makeup. Its mineral-oil-free formula with vitamin-rich Rice Water, Jojoba Oil, and Rice Bran Oil, cleanses, softens and moisturizes skin without leaving any oily residue on skin. Plus, its lightweight formula is suitable for all skin types, including oily skin!
Step 2 - Toner
Apply a refreshing toner to restore the skin's pH balance after cleansing, leaving the epidermis slightly moist and ready to receive other skin care products.
The best Korean skincare brands for this step
The Face Shop
Tea Tree Exfoliating Toner Pads, 70 units
Saturated in embossed 100% Pure Cotton, these Tea Tree Extract-Based Exfoliating Toner Pads are designed to hydrate, smooth and exfoliate dead skin cells in one wipe. They also offer a gentle, clinically-proven formula to visibly minimize the look of pores within four weeks.
Step 3 - Essence
Use essence, a light, concentrated fluid enriched with thirst-quenching active ingredients that penetrate deep into the skin to moisturize and revitalize.
Step 4 - Serum
Apply a generous layer of serum that targets some of your skin's specific issues, including acne, dark spots or signs of aging. Then allow your skin to thoroughly absorb the serum.
Two must-have Korean products for this step
The Face Shop
Brightening Serum, 30 ml
Enriched with multivitamins, this Brightening Serum serum helps hydrate skin and brighten the look of dark spots. Its dermatologically-tested, low-irritant formula is suitable for all skin types and can be easily added to any existing skin care routine!
The Face Shop
Rice Water Bright Vegan Serum, 30 ml
This lightweight serum hydrates and improves the look of dark spots, and is clinically tested to improve skin brightness after four weeks of use. Its vegan, dermatologically tested formula with Rice Water Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and 99.7% pure Niacinamide leaves skin noticeably smoother, suppler, radiant and even!
Step 5 - Face mask
Dab a little fresh cream or gel around your eyes to give your skin the extra care it needs to meet your beauty goals (soothe, moisturize, purify, etc.).
Some of the best Korean face masks
The Face Shop
Real Nature Sheet Mask, Rice, 20 g
Enriched with sodium hyaluronate to boost the skin's hydration, this rice extract infused water-based Sheet Mask softens and brightens dull and dry skin, for a radiant and healthy glow.
Step 6 - Moisturizing cream
Apply a day or night moisturizer to create a protective barrier for the skin, seal in moisture and help it regenerate.
Korean moisturizers to try
The Face Shop
Rice Water Bright Vegan Cream, 50 ml
This Vegan Cream hydrates, softens, and brightens skin thanks to its dermatologically tested formula with Rice Water Extract, Hyaluronic Acid and 99.7% pure Niacinamide, leaving skin visibly smoother, suppler and radiant.
Two additional care steps to be performed once or twice a week...
- Cleanse your skin, then exfoliate it with a gentle peel, to make it more receptive to treatment by removing dead skin cells and impurities.
- Maximize the effect of your serum with a sheet mask that you leave on your face for about 15 minutes.
And don't forget your makeup routine!
Not surprisingly, the complexion is the key to K-Beauty! Here's a little makeup routine to help you incorporate your Korean skincare products:
- Work to sublimate your natural radiance with a moisturizing base, nourishing foundation or liquid illuminator, for a translucent, slightly dewy finish.
- Put the finishing touch on your healthy look by dabbing a little creamy blush on your cheekbones.
- Go for lightness on the lips too, by blending in a little gloss or velvety lipstick for a tinted, “bitten lip” effect.
- Add a touch of mascara and eye shadow (preferably a pink or iridescent shade) and you're done!
Which is the best Korean skincare brand for your needs? We'll help you find it!
Talk to our dermocosmetics team at a Jean Coutu near you to find the Korean skincare products best suited to your needs!
