Ingredients You Should Be Looking For When Shopping Korean Skincare
If you ask me why K-Beauty is trending, I’d say it’s the effective ingredients. Most of the time, you’ll find higher concentration of active ingredients in Korean skincare products compared to Western skincare. Above that, Korean brands are more affordable and personally, the packaging and branding is becoming more and more luxurious yet minimal!
When picking products, whether it be toner, essence, emulsion, night cream, or ampoule, these ingredients work magic to heal the skin.
Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica, aka Brahmi, Asiatic penynwort, tiger grass, and gotu kola is a plant known to have intense hydrating ability. It is alternatively labeled as “cica” in many products such as Dr. Jart’s Cicapair product line. The plant is found in most tropical and subtropical countries growing in swampy areas. Before getting into the skin benefits, fun fact, centella asiatica treats high blood pressure, memory enhancement, promotes longevity, and is one of many main herbs for revitalizing nerves and brain cells. It is used to calm inflammation, speed wound healing, stimulate cell growth, build collagen, and improve blood circulation. It contains high levels of natural antioxidants, nourishing and hydrating the skin so to promote healthy skin and keep the skin looking young!
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar naturally found in our skin that retains water. Not only does it retain, but it prevents all that moisture from evaporating away from the skin. It increases hydration levels in the skin, keeping the skin moisture-full and appearing dewy and plump. That is why you see products nowadays like The Plant Base’s Waterfall Moist Balanced Hyaluronic Acid 100 that contains 100% hyaluronic acid as its only ingredient! As we age, we lose hyaluronic acid, supplying your skin with more will guarantee dry-skin free days!
Allantoin
Allantoin is found in several plants such as sugar, beet, comfrey, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. It provides skin-soothing and skin-calming benefits for sensitive skin. Allantoin can be found in a variety of products such as toners, masks and moisturizing creams. It calms irritation in the skin, softens the skin texture, and has the ability to help heal wounds. It does all this while removing dead skin cells,
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is one of the two forms of Vitamin B3. Found in many products, it reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and fine lines. It is known to improve uneven skin tone, dull skin, and help with skin discoloration. As a result, you will have a brightened complexion! Some experience redness and irritation, if you happen to have a bad reaction, discontinue using the product.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a colorless and odorless liquid that comes from plants. It attracts water from the air and deeper layer of the skin, bringing the moisture to the surface. Glycerin has incredible moisturizing properties and heals dry skin when cleansing or a long-day strips moisture away. In Jayjun's Real Water Brightening Black Cream, it can be found as the second most ingredient. Most creams will have some concentration of glycerin in its formula to make the skin look instantly healthier and feel supple.
The next time you add products to your skin-care routine, check to see if these ingredients are in the products to fasten improvement of your skin concerns! Or maybe they’ve already made way into the products you’ve been using the last couple of years, who knows?
If you’re just starting your skincare journey, these products may be the ones to get you hooked on K-beauty!
