Korean Skincare: The Ingredients To Know

With a philosophy rooted in heritage rituals, hybrid formulas and a transformative 10-step routine, Korean skincare is famed for its ability to deliver the glowy skin of our dreams. Korea’s beauty brands are loved for harnessing the power of long-standing, gentle yet effective natural ingredients. Here, we share all you need to know about Korean skincare’s most-loved ingredients and methods.

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Rice Extracts

"Rice is a time-honoured staple in skincare used for centuries to brighten, nourish, and protect the skin," explains Kyu Woo Nam, the founder of Thank You Farmer, a Korean brand creating honest and effective skincare inspired by the integrity and dedication of farmers. "Rice is one of the hero ingredients used in some of our formulations. We source our rice from Gyodong, Ganghwa-do — a pristine, pollution-free island known for its preserved natural beauty and fresh, clean environment. This dedication to purity and sustainability is reflected in every one of our products."

Centella Asiatica

Some of Korean Beauty’s most-loved names — Glow Recipe, COSRX, and Thank You Farmer, to name a few — include Centella Asiatica in their hero products. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, the plant's leaves and stems are used in traditional skincare practices and loved for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for calming sensitive and irritated skin, Centella Asiatica is rich in antioxidants that help boost collagen production, improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a highly valued ingredient known for its powerful antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from environmental damage. A hero ingredient in many serums, creams, and sheet masks, it boosts circulation and promotes a more radiant, youthful complexion. For routine staples that harness the brightening power of Ginseng, look to Beauty of Joseon.

Snail Mucin

Naturally rich in hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes and copper peptides, snail extract — or snail mucin — is both protective and reparative. It works to remove bacteria and simulates the synthesis of skin-essential collagen to help delay the signs of ageing. You'll find it laced through Beauty Of Joseon’s simple yet sophisticated skincare, which pays homage to centuries-old traditions passed down from the Joseon Dynasty.

Chaga Mushroom

A celebrated ingredient in South Korean skincare, Chaga mushrooms have long been lauded for their potent, restorative properties. They’re packed with polysaccharides, which bind to the receptors on immune cells and increase the skin's resistance to bacterial infections, while warding against everyday environmental stress.

Skin-Revitalising Methods

Hybrid Formulas

Alongside the use of traditional ingredients, Korean beauty brands are famed for innovative hybrid formulas that underpin makeup staples with the nourishing benefits of skincare. It’s an approach that allows for a more effortless beauty routine, delivering hydration and protection alongside coverage. Our hero makeup hybrids include LANEIGE’s Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum, which is packed with argan ceramides that protect the moisture barrier, and Glow Recipe’s active-rich Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Blush.

Sheet Masks & Packs

Masks and Packs are rich, reparative treatments formulated to infuse the skin with moisture and create a barrier between your complexion and the dehydrating atmosphere. Often enriched with brightening, soothing or blemish-battling ingredients, the cotton sheet base maximises absorption of the actives and helps lock in moisture for a plumped, dewy finish. For deeply hydrating and reparative masks, Korean skincare favourite Dr. Jart+ is a go-to.

Anti-Polluaging Skincare

A skincare approach born from the concern about the high levels of skin-harmful pollutants in the atmosphere — particularly in Seoul — 'polluaging' is used to describe the DNA-damaging effects of daily exposure to toxins. With South Korean brands at the helm, the beauty space is seeing a swathe of anti-polluaging products become available. Consider them a 'force field' between skin and everyday environmental pollutants.

Lightweight Essences

“In a nutshell, essence is the latest take on serum. It’s generally thought of as more lightweight because the terminology was created in Korea and the texture of many Korean and Asian treatments tends to be more 'watery', which helps with the faster absorption of products, making it easier to layer your skin care." Sarah Lee & Christine Chang, Cult Beauty’s Korean beauty experts