Unpacking The Global Obsession With Korean Skincare Regimens
If you are all about that “Emily in Paris” vibe, this article on K-beauty’s latest craze, Glass Skin, may just be for you!
South Korea, often simply referred to as Korea, has made a significant impact on the skincare, beauty, and especially the pop music scene for the better.
I remember moving to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, about 11 years ago after graduating from university, ready to make my mark as a 20-something-year-old, teaching young and upcoming Korean children English.
What an honour that was! But also, knowing absolutely nothing, zilch, nada, about K-beauty, K-pop, or anything K-related, I was in for the ride of my life!
Now, a decade and 365 days later, the K-influence is STILL dominating the aesthetic, beauty, music, and drama scene. Let us have a quick look as to why exactly so many people around the globe are OBSESSED with everything that comes out of the Korean peninsula.
Hold onto your hats, because here we go!
Let Us Begin At The Beginning. What On Earth Is K-Beauty?
K-beauty is the international name (and modern name) given to Korean beauty. It refers to the wildly popular trend of certain Korean beauty regimes and products. Why the popularity, though? Because it seems to actually work! People love it and people from all corners of the globe either try it, or really-eally embrace it.
We will be doing an in-depth K-beauty segment soon, so please do stay tuned to Aesthetic Today. However, for now, let us quickly cover the K-beauty basics: what K-beauty is, why it is loved, why it works … the entire enchilada.
Why Is The Korean Beauty Trend So Popular?
K-beauty is popular for various reasons. Some of these can be attributed to K-dramas, social media, K-pop, or the large array of other media-mainstream trends. But let it be known, K-beauty has gained A LOT of popularity mainly due to its ingredients.
Yes, a lot (but not all) Korean beauty ingredients actually flaunt natural or at least, gentle ingredients in their products. It is tough not to love that. As a whole, many people are moving away from using harsh soaps, dehydrating cleansers, and the lot. In fact, more and more people are looking for soft and subtle cleansers, toners, make-up removers, creams, you name it, that pack an anti-ageing and skin-rejuvenating punch.
What Does The K-Beauty Brand Really Entail? Meaning … Is It Worth The Hype?
Okay, just quickly, first things first. Let us try to be fancy and use the REAL name here. That would be 케이뷰티, pronounced Keibyuti, and used as K-beeeauteeee.
Sure, K-beeeeautyeeee may feel like a fad that has taken the world by storm at times, however, let us not forget that K-beauty does not only focus on beauty, but rather on skin health, and hydration (and a subtle emphasis on brightening effects). It also heavily focuses on both men AND women, whereas a lot of Western beauty standards focus solely on women. Just throwing it out there.
Why The Global Appeal?
Truth be told, there are SO many many MANY reasons as to why K-beauty found its way to slot number one on the international beauty agenda. First and foremost, K-beauty treatments are really out there and they are really innovative.
We are not even joking. From snail creams, yes, the CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (it is a best-selling product that contains 96% snail mucin) to the Lagom Cellus Aqualane Solution (a serum that contains fermented squalane and acacia), K-beauty has taken the anti-ageing (and the beauty) world by storm with its avant-garde ingredients list.
However, putting those next-level ingredients on the side, we have all heard the saying, “we buy with our eyes”, and yes, we do! Korean beauty has also perfected that art, as they always sell their skincare products in the most visually aesthetically pleasing and enticing packages! Can it actually get any better than this? We think not.
Truth Bomb Time. Ok, So Why Do People REALLY Love K-Beauty?
People seem to love the K-beauty regime as it challenges your normal skincare routine and the overall normal way of looking at skincare. When it comes to things like removing your make-up before bed or slapping on some cream before applying our base coat, K-beauty has taken it 700 steps further.
I mean, we all may be guilty of doing the above, however, where are the rebels within us? When it comes to preserving our youth, do we all not want something that rocks (and works)?! YES. WE. DO.
And this Korean skincare empire has tried, tested, and promoted new products regularly. Meaning, that K-beauty forever and foremost invests in finding products that look good, smell good, sell well, work, and excel exemplary! And yes, people seem to flock towards it.
Not to mention, K-beauty is also somewhat affordable. I know, right? Affordable, effective, and awesome skincare is within your reach, my reach, and pretty much, everybody else’s reach! What on earth is not to love about that?
What Is The Takeaway?
Let us not beat around the bush, K-beauty has without a doubt, risen in popularity. Not just today or this year, but for the past decade. And for good reason. People love the brand, the ethos, the vibe.
They love the innovative skincare routines, and they even love seeing it featured in shows like Emily in Paris and beyond.
The point is, K-beauty is loved and sought after due to its effectiveness, trendsetting nature, and the powerful impact it delivers overall. Reflecting on my journey, from 11 years ago when I first landed at the airport in Seoul, right as K-beauty was on the rise, to now, more than a decade later, one might ask: why is it STILL thriving? The answer is simple: because it works, it’s loved, and it rocks!
If you are keen on learning more about K-beauty, be sure to check out the Glass-Skin K-Beauty trend mentioned in Netflix’s latest series, “Emily in Paris.”
