Korea’s skincare secrets have been at the forefront of the global beauty industry, leading the way not just in Asia but also across US and Europe
The Korean beauty industry has taken the beauty market by storm with its out-of-the-box ingredients, advanced technology and innovative (let’s not forget cute) packaging. From cushion foundation (liquid foundation saturated in a sponge that sits in a compact case much like a powder compact) to sheet masks for the neck and gradient colour for the lips, Koreans are known to not shy away from embracing beauty and technology with open arms.
But what has got beauty connoisseurs most excited about are the ingredients that the Korean beauty industry experiments with. We give you a lowdown on what’s trending in Korean skincare and likely to stay strong in the future as well.
Snail slime
You read that right! Snail slime is an external bodily secretion produced by snails to crawl on and prevent drying up and scraping of the exposed soft tissues. Thesecretion, which is rich in proteins of high and low molecular weight, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants has quickly gained cult status for its acne- and wrinkle-fighting, moisturising and blemish-reducing properties. And while the idea may sound icky, who doesn’t want to stay young and wrinkle-free for as long as possible?
Bee venom
While you’d never let a honey bee sting you on purpose(duh!), you may be interested in its venom. When used in very low levels incarefully crafted skincare products, bee venom increases blood circulation, gently plumping and firming the skin, thereby filling up and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. The venom is supposed to cause a rush of blood to the area that it’s applied to, stimulating the production of natural collagen and elastin.While collagen strengthens body tissue, elastin is a protein that helps the skin bounce back into shape.
Propolis
Honey bees are the future of human kind in more ways than one and propolis is just another example of that. Propolis is a resinous mixture that honey bees collect from tree buds, sap and other botanical sources to use in their hiveas a natural disinfector. Koreans admire propolis for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and acne-calming properties.
Pig collagen
This eye-catching ingredient in Jell-O-like beauty products may sound stomach-turning but is known for imparting elasticity and firmness to the skin. It is also known for strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier.
Bird’s nest
No one in their right minds would consider slapping an entire bird’s nest on their face but hear us out—woven by swiftlets from their saliva, edible bird’s nest is not just ahealth tonic in traditional Chinese medicine but also a skin saviour, according to Koreans. As per a medical research reported by the Hong Kong Chinese University, bird’s nest is known for being full of proteins for plumping of skin cells.
Horse oil and badger oil
For those suffering from dry skin, horse oil used in Korean skincare products has proven to be a boon. Horse oil is renowned for its unsaturated fatty acid content such as alpha-linoleic acid, which heals inflamed skin and provides hydration. Similarly, osory oil derived from the badger, a small furry animal that resembles a mix of beaver and squirrel, is known for healing damaged skin, acne and scars.
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