It had been two years since my last visit and I was very excited to see what the latest kbeauty trends were. This latest trip to Seoul, Korea was filled with treasure troves of great food, art exhibits and gifted skincare products.
I started out by first attending the 3 day K-Beauty Expo and met with Korean skincare brand representatives. We discussed what Korean women are currently focusing on when it comes to skincare and what the-most-talked about product innovations were for 2020. I also searched the internet to cross-check on what some of the Kbeauty experts had to say on this topic.
Here Are The Latest Korean Skin Trends For 2020:
1. NEW TECHNOLOGY
Amorepacific’s Tailored 3D Mask was developed in partnership with Korean 3D printing company Lincsolution in 2017. The skincare product is driven by a smartphone app, which measures the user’s facial dimensions, generates a skin diagnosis and sends the information to a special 3D printer, which then prints a hydrogel face mask that is tailored to the user’s face shape and skin conditions.
The multi-material 3D printer was developed specifically for printing the hydrogel face masks and is capable of printing a custom face mask within minutes (just five minutes for a single mask). The rate of printing the skincare product has made the 3D printing technology viable for in-store use for clients. This 3D printed face mask system will become available in Korea April 2020 under Amorepacific’s lab-based skincare brand IOPE.
2. SIMPLIFIED ROUTINES
Soko Glam co-founder Charlotte Cho recently explained to StyleCaster that cream skin is both a concept and a look that can be achieved by ditching the lengthy 10-step routine and opting for just one product with a much lighter, milkier consistency. A featherweight lotion that is a hybrid of a toner and a moisturizer are the type of product everyone in Korea is going after right now. The result is a complexion that is still dewy, but not blindingly so; instead, skin is super soft, moisturized, and supple.
3. TRENDY INGREDIENTS
The latest ingredients being added to products right now are:
Centella Extract for soothing and collagen boosting.
Soybean Ferment Extract to soothe and eliminate dry patches.
Sheet masks made from bamboo fibres to increase moisture retention.
White truffle are packed with minerals, fatty acids and vitamins that aid in plumping up and softening the skin without clogging pores.
Peptides stimulate collagen production and is used as an anti-aging ingredient for treating fine lines and wrinkles.
Cherry Blossom extracts are rich in anti-oxidants has anti-photoaging components.
Donkey Milk has been used since the time of Cleopatra who used this to take baths. This milk is made of up fatty acids and has healing properties.
4. PROTECTIVE SKINCARE
More and more locals are looking into skincare ingredients and products that help fight against free radicals, pollution and aid in the protection of their skin from environmental aggressors. This is especially true in city states such as Seoul.
5. INCREASED CONSCIOUSNESS
“In the past, trends centred around a certain end-look like ‘dewy skin,’ but nowadays, the trend is to be ‘conscious’ of a wider range of beauty practices – ingredients grown in eco-friendly ways, or products that cover diversity for example – seem to be driving trends,” Kate Kwon, Director of Amorepacific.
Most Koreans prefer a combination of ‘natural skincare’ and technology driven product formulations.
PART 2
Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Korean Brands I met with; I decided to share the love by recruiting skincare ambassadors for product reviews.
Here’s What A Few Reviewers Said About The Kbeauty Products They Tested:
Lindsey Charcoal Magic Mask – Review By Jessica Zhang @jessizhang
This product is a gel-based modelling mask that claims to provide a Glass Skin Effect and to promote moisture retention in your skin. The product usage is slightly messier and complex than a sheet mask as this Lindsey mask is created from mixing together a powder and liquid component.
After applying the mask to my face, I experienced a light, cooling sensation which was quite relating. The mask peeled off easily and I was able to carry on through my skincare routine with minimal clean up. I did enjoy using this modelling mask and would recommend it to others of all skin types. I rejuvenated my skin while providing a fun, spa-like experience overall.
Cure Hydra Soothing Moisturizing Toner – Review by Maria Jose Alcantara @majo_alcantara19
A gentle thirst quencher toner which contains 72.9% pure aloe vera juice, made to protect, prevent moisture evaporation and maintain the hydration level of your skin. It has 19 plant-derived ingredients, all added to provide an extreme hydrating experience while being light and without the sticky feeling. This toner contains aloe vera which soothes, and hydrates the skin; Niacinamide to reduce the appearance of congestion and skin blemishes, Shea Butter to deeply nourish and Centella Asiatica to protect irritated and sensitive skin.
This product is perfect for those dry winter days when your skin needs a little help and it’s simply lacking moisture. The 19 plant-derived ingredients deeply nourish and soothe easily irritated skin by being absorbed deeply into the skin and leaving a long-lasting feeling of protection, making it a must in your routine if you’re looking for a way to add a daily boost of hydration.
This product can be applied in three different ways:
- As a regular toner by applying a few drops in the palm of your hand, warming up the product and patting it into the skin.
- It can be applied in a cotton pad as a way to lightly exfoliate the surface of the skin as well as providing it with the moisture benefits of the toner.
- As a mask, by applying the toner to several cotton pads that can be placed on the forehead, cheeks and chin and left for 10-15 min or as long as needed to provide an extra boost of hydration.
Dermaphilia Bubble Air Clean Mask Pack – Review by Sally Dankha @sallydankha
This was the mask I was most looking forward to use because I love bubble masks. The packaging is very nice & eye catching to me because of the bubbles. The texture of the mask was very milky. It was easy to use and had a nice fit. The mask didn’t have a special smell. My skin felt very clean during and after application and I love the feeling and sound of the bubbles popping. I would love to use this product again and would definitely recommend it because bubble masks are the best!
Dermaphilia Peptide Cell Up Glow Cream – Review By Chelsea Tang @chels.ty_
Before:
I’m using this after putting on the serum, so my face is relatively smooth. The container is so pretty and aesthetic-looking! It smells quite like cherry blossoms, more on the sweeter side.
After:
It’s not a cream that leaves you feeling all oily and clogged, which I love! My skin is already feeling hydrated after barely 5 minutes. Since I have quite sensitive skin, some moisturizers sting my face. This one felt cool and refreshing, not to mention extremely gentle.
D’Alba White Truffle First Spray Serum – Review By Fiona Tang @teddybearbeauty
Packaging – This product comes in a sleek bottle that is slightly opaque so you can see the bi-phase spray. This allows you to make sure you’ve shaken it up properly before spraying. The spray nozzle is incredibly fine for misting. This bottle has a high chance of being repurposed once it is emptied. The plastic bottle means the bottle is not too heavy or fragile to travel with.
Product:
This mist has a slightly sweet scent that dissipates very quickly. Although it takes a few shakes to mix the product up, you can see that it separates very quickly again. I found that the product is absorbed very quickly! I’ve tried using this a few different ways: before bed, immediately after showering, and as a part of my day and nighttime routine as both a first step, and third step after essence/toner. I found that I preferred to use it after my essence and toner as the very first layer of hydration for my skin. If I use it as a first step, I found that the essence and toner steps took longer to pat in. As a third step, even with a generous few spritzes, the product is absorbed with just a few pats of the skin. Since I haven’t changed anything in my skincare routine except adding this product, and especially with the sudden cold weather we’ve had, I noticed that my skin was a bit more plump and hydrated even with the central heater blasting at work. However, it may be too soon to notice brightening effects as advertised by this product. I also noticed in the morning that my skin feels a bit softer and smoother to touch.
