The Glass Skin Recipe - The Global Appeal of Korean Skincare
- Supriya Rajnish
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Anything Korean has been blowing up over the last 7 years. From the growing interest in Kdramas to the global sensations BTS, Korean music, food, clothing, and styles have become increasingly popular, taking over the world. And we have our latest obsession - Korean skincare. Ever since the pandemic, there has been a continuous growth in the interest of Korean skincare - from the unique rice-based products to their reputation for having "Glass Skin", their 10-step skincare routines have garnered worldwide popularity. Korean skincare and makeup, since 2023, have flown off the shelves of stores, with new products being launched quite often, due to their innovative approaches, which include
What Makes Korean Skincare Unique?
Their emphasis is on skin prepping, including toner pads and serums, to have their skin ready so that their makeup looks flawless, almost like a second skin. The focus is to make their skin appear hydrated and plump, which is why a lot of their skincare is also targeted towards making their skin appear radiant and glowy. They believe in the idea of lightweight, layered textures, which involves using various serums, ampoules, and toners as part of their skincare prep routine. Possibly their biggest appeal factor is the use of natural ingredients like snail mucin, ginseng, centella asiatica, and rice water.
The 10-Step Routine: Myth or Must?
Another huge factor responsible for the global popularity of Korean skincare is the meticulous 10-step skincare routine. What makes this a brilliant method is its adaptability, as this long method of using double cleansers, toner pads, face masks, serums, ampoules, toners, moisturisers, and eye creams is that it is customizable to each person's unique skincare needs. This has changed and shaped global habits as people have adapted this system to suit and meet their skincare requirements, often incorporating products from Korean skincare brands, adding to its universal appeal.
Innovation Meets Affordability
Korean skincare continues to grow and gain more momentum on the world stage because of the fast-paced innovation in product development, where there is an emphasis on innovation and creating new products constantly to bring into the market. Their focus on creating unique packaging and technology like cushion compacts and sleeping masks has garnered them much appreciation in the skincare world. One of the biggest factors is the high-quality ingredients, which are available at drugstore prices, which is a huge pull factor when compared to the Western luxury skincare products and their pricing.
Influence of K-Pop, K-Drama & Social Media
The virality of K -Pop, K-Drama & social media has cerrtainly helped the Korean skincare industry, with the global influence of Korean celebrities. Beauty content creators, skincare influencers, youtube skincare gurus and TikTok trends have also pushed for all things Korean skincare. The aesthetic appeal of Korean skincare along with the viral nature of K-beauty products has certainly given it high status in the skincare and makeup industry.
The Global Market & Cultural Shift
Due to its global appeal and popularity, K-beauty brands are expanding internationally, focusing on creating a market for themselves internationally. With the slowly changing beauty standard, where people nowadays prefer glow over glam skincare and makeup, more individuals are embracing and accepting skincare as self-care, leading to them incorporating more Korean skincare products that help them achieve the glowy, glass-like skin.
Conclusion
Korean skincare has captivated the world not just with its effective formulas but with a philosophy that prioritizes self-care, consistency, and a deeper connection with one’s skin. It’s gentle, thoughtful, and innovative, making beauty feel more like a ritual than a routine. In a world chasing quick fixes, K-beauty reminds us that real glow takes time. And honestly? The glow-up is here to stay.
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