The latest and greatest K-beauty trends demystified for bright and healthy skin during lockdown!
Korea and K-beauty have brought us some unique and interesting trends ranging from ‘glass skin’ to ’10-step Korean skin care routine.’ Thanks to coronavirus pandemic, we are dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety, leading to skin problems like anxiety-induced breakouts and acne.
If anyone knows how to deal with such problems, it’s the K-beauty experts. They are renowned worldwide for their approach to clear, healthy, and spot-less skin.
Sarah Lee and Christine Chang of Glow Recipe have broken down the five major K-beauty trends in an interview with Refinery29. They’ve simplified the trends so that we can understand how they can work for our skin.
Skin Immunity
People are looking for ways to strengthen the natural skin barrier and protecting the skin on all fronts.
According to Christine, ‘Ginger is a hot ingredient and is very popular.’ Ginger is rich in anti-oxidant,s and it works to heal the skin. It can protect the skin from environmental stressors like pollution and others.
Vitamin C is another such ingredient that is loved by dermatologists around the world. It has been proven to work against pollution to keep your skin healthy and bright.
Try Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum, which is packed with vitamin C and AHAs to exfoliate the skin.
Sweet Chef Ginger + Vitamin C Serum Shot
Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum
Succulents in Skin Care
Succulents are making waves as not just a part of your home décor, but also in K-beauty skin care products. Cactus water, in particular, has hydrating properties.
Succulents are rich in vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E. They can moisturize your skin deeply and encourage new skin cells. The succulents are also protective by helping in the repair skin barrier, which will keep it from becoming dehydrated.
TONYMOLY I’m Real Cactus Mask Sheet
Huxley Secret of Sahara Healing Mask Keep Calm
Jelly Skin (Bouncy Skin)
From glass skin to mochi skin, ‘jelly skin’ is the latest in-thing. The ultimate effect is a bouncy or springy skin. It results from using products with a liquid jelly-like texture.
The routine for jelly skin starts with a toner. While you might choose to skip this step in the routine, according to both the co-founders, it is a must for deeply hydrated and bouncy skin.
“Toners were once usually an astringent cleansing step, but now they can be great leave-on treatments thanks to the hydrating ingredients,” says Sarah.
For a proper result of jelly skin, you need to layer toner, serum, and moisturizer so that your skin is filled with hydration in each layer. To see if its working or not, just give your cheek a little flick – it should bounce right back.
Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner is somewhere in between a mix of a hydrating face mist and serum and perfect for a jelly skin routine. It also contains exfoliating acids to keep the skin smooth and minimize pores.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer
Minerals are the new Vitamins
From vitamin A (retinol as an exfoliator) to vitamin C (brightening and protection against pollution), they have been an essential part of skin care products. Minerals have always been a little under the radar.
But according to Sarah and Christine, minerals are gaining popularity, specifically magnesium. “This will soon be more desired among the skincare community, as it’s essential for keeping skin balanced and bouncy,” said Christine. It is a healing mineral, so it is helpful for skin that is prone to redness.
If you’ve been using retinol and other acids regularly, adding a mineral will give your skin some much-needed break.
Banana Souffle Moisture Cream from Glow Recipe is packed with minerals, and it can soften and plump dry skin.
Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
Facial Massage
The K-beauty trend of facial massage plays an essential role in stimulating circulation and de-puffing. It’s a good idea to be gentle while doing the facing massage.
Check out Irene Kim’s 25-Step Beauty Routine, where she uses a frozen spoon for a massage!
Sarah says, ‘always pat in your skin care instead of pulling or tugging.’ It goes for even moisturizers and serum. Applying all the skin care products by gently patting will ensure that the magic ingredients are penetrating the skin and not creating micro-tears or friction.
Get yourselves some of these excellent K-beauty products to keep up with the stresses of lockdown and get healthy, glowing skin!
