In recent years, the beauty world has been all abuzz about Korean skincare products, and here’s why: affordability and ingredients. The philosophy behind the products is that good skin should be readily available to everyone, regardless of your income bracket. We can all get behind Affordability, so what about the ingredients? What is it in these products that make them so desirable?
Here’s a look at some of the unique ingredients that can make a real difference in any skincare routine.
Snail Mucin
Using anything that comes from a snail in your skincare routine might make you cringe, but we promise it’s worth it. Snail mucin may also be labeled as snail secretion filtrate or even snail slime, but in essence, it’s the excretion from a snail. While we wouldn’t recommend letting a snail crawl across your face, this ingredient works like magic when used in facial serums and creams.
It has brightening, anti-aging, and smoothing properties— it's also extremely hydrating. Even a tiny amount of snail mucin is packed with nutrients, including hyaluronic acid, microbial and copper peptides, proteoglycans, and glycoprotein. Using products that contain this ingredient regularly will leave you with plump, moist skin that practically glows.
Bamboo
Bamboo isn’t only suitable for a panda bear’s dinner or as a decorative plant. It also has a surprising number of applications in skincare. Bamboo powder makes an effective exfoliant and is even anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Bamboo can be used in eye creams, moisturizers, and other skincare products to help hydrate the skin and soften dark circles—as you can see, bamboo is a highly volatile ingredient.
Centella Asiatica
Naturally grown as an herb, Centella Asiatica has been long used in both the culinary and medicinal worlds. Its extracts are now commonly added to Korean skincare products for their hydration properties. This ingredient is enriched with amino acids, so it strengthens the skin’s barrier and can have a soothing effect on irritated skin.
PDRN
One of the stranger ingredients you might find in skincare products originating from Korea is a little something called polydeoxyribonucleotide, or PDRN. This ingredient is extracted from salmon sperm DNA, but don’t let that scare you off. It has a lot to offer when it comes to modern beauty regimens. Its most touted benefits include repairing damaged skin cells, skin regeneration, skin rejuvenation, brightening skin tone, diminishing any dark spots and discoloration, and stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Licorice Root Extract
Licorice root extract is a popular ingredient in many Korean-developed skincare products. It’s derived from the glycyrrhiza glabra plant and is a sun protection staple. This unique ingredient can help stop skin darkening dead in its tracks. It is often used as an effective alternative to sunscreens you can buy at a drugstore, and it’s chemical-free, so it’s ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Propolis
You know that bees make honey, but did you know they also produce propolis? This natural compound is a waxy substance created by bees using saliva, beeswax, and compounds from the various trees and plants around them. Bees use propolis to strengthen and defend their hives, but it also has applications in skincare.
It boasts a whole slew of anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an effective treatment for acne and dull skin and can also help boost collagen production.
Tremella Mushroom
Tremella mushroom is precisely what it sounds like: a mushroom. This edible species of fungus is also known as snow mushroom and has been used for thousands of years in Asian medicine and skincare. It’s incredibly hydrating and is rich in fatty acids, so it helps retain moisture and stabilize your skin’s defense barrier. It’s ideal for dry skin but can benefit any skin type.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an herbal supplement harvested from a root plant. It has been used medicinally for centuries to boost energy, lower cholesterol, and regulate blood sugar. It’s known for its beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When used in skincare products, it rejuvenates old and wrinkled skin and helps fade hyper-pigmentation by inhibiting the melanin production in your skin.
Fermented Rice Water
Rice is a valuable crop in Korea, so it only makes sense that it would make its way into their skincare products. Fermented rice water is made by soaking rice in water, then straining out the water and letting it sit until it’s turned sour and started to ferment. This ingredient is widely believed to have benefits for your hair and skin. It’s used to regulate sebum production in greasy skin, prevent acne, and keep skin tight.
Yuza
This citrus fruit grows on the tropical Jeju Island in South Korea and boasts a massive Vitamin C content. It’s an ideal ingredient for stimulating collagen production, brightening dark spots, and evening out skin tone. It can help tighten the skin, reduce fine lines' appearance, and offers a soothing effect on irradiated and dry skin.
Birch Juice
This ingredient is extracted from birch trees and delivers a host of minerals, proteins, enzymes, and vitamins to the skin. It’s also a potent detoxifier, making it ideal for irritated skin. It’s made of tiny hydrating molecules that allow better absorption into the skin.
Birch juice helps even out your complexion, stimulates cell turnover, and brightens dull skin. It also reduces inflammation and can be especially effective for sensitive or irritated skin.
GetGlowing Skincare Is Your One-Stop Shop for Korean Skincare
Are you ready to start reaping all of the benefits that Korean skincare offers? GetGlowing Skincare is here to help. We offer a broad range of products specifically designed to create a flawless complexion. We’ve got supplies for every price point and use, including acne and scar repair products, anti-aging and tightening, brightenings, under-eye care, cleansers, and more.
Check out our online collection today to shop our extensive line of skincare products and see why everyone is raving about Korean skincare!