Skin Barrier-Supporting Ingredients
Both Jin and Dr. Park point to hyaluronic acid and ceramides as common ingredients in Korean serums; you’ve likely come across these if you have dry skin. “Hyaluronic acid can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water, making it excellent for keeping skin plump and hydrated,” explains Dr. Park. “By plumping up the outer layers of skin, hyaluronic acid can temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. That hydration creates a smoother texture and a youthful glow.” Ceramides are lipids naturally found in the skin barrier that help retain moisture, so combining these two ingredients is a must to keep skin comfortable and nourished, especially during the drier, colder months.
Brightening Ingredients
Niacinamide is one of the most popular ingredients found in Korean skin-care formulas, says Jin. “It’s a favored ingredient for improving the overall texture and tone of skin, [as is] brightening vitamin C.” According to Dr. Park, vitamin C helps defend skin from damaging free radicals, promotes collagen production, helps fade dark spots and discoloration, and has anti-inflammatory properties. How much vitamin C is in the formula matters, she says: “At 15%, vitamin C is potent enough to deliver visible results but is often still tolerable for most skin types, especially if formulated as L-ascorbic acid, the purest and most effective form.”
Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients
In addition to soothing plant extracts like heartleaf, cica (centella asiatica), and cica’s related compounds like madecassoside and asiaticoside, Jin also notes the popularity of serums with PDRN or polydeoxyribonucleotide, the active ingredient used in the notorious salmon sperm facial (a treatment Dr. Park offers at Airem). “It’s touted as this catchall superhero ingredient that helps with everything from reducing inflammation to improving hydration and pigmentation,” says Jin. “Getting PDRN injections is a popular skin-care treatment that many glowy-skin civilians swear by in Korea, so it makes sense that the ingredient is being bottled up for topical use by brands like Medicube, CNP, and Iope.”
Value Offers
Those looking to get bang for their buck can find it in K-Beauty. “Having lived in Korea for over a year now, Ive noticed that a lot of brands offer refills or special sets, which often include a second bottle of serum and/or other travel-sized products within the line like a cleanser, moisturizer or sheet mask,” notes Jin.
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