For many, a skincare conversation will not be complete until we mention Korean beauty. It has made a significant impact in shaping the skincare industry. South Korea has continued to be a major player in the skincare industry by providing redefining standards, unrivalled efficacy, and result oriented products.

There are people who swear by Korean beauty products and can’t even stop talking about them because the outcome is amazing. As more people become more beauty conscious, savvy, and stringent, their expectations will continue to change. And it is not surprising that Korean beauty innovations have continued to show up on the global beauty/skincare radar.

Amid the pandemic in 2020, many people moved their focus to durable, clean beauty and minimalism. Korean brands will always stay on top of their game because they have a long history of utilizing natural ingredients to produce hybrid products.

If you are enthusiastic about Korean beauty, read on to find out the trends to know in 2021.

1. Sea Buckthorn Oil

This is also referred to as Hippophae rhamnoides. It has been existing for several years and considered as a valuable natural ingredient. Sea buckthorn oil contains minerals and fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and has an estimate of one hundred and ninety bioactive compounds. The K-beauty business has made a comeback because of the abundance of vital components in the sea buckthorn oil.

You can extract the oil from seeds and fruits of the plant. You can find this plant in Europe and Asia. Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners use sea buckthorn oil to care for wounds, blood circulation, digestion, heart health, and cough. The oil has also proved to be effective for gastric ulcer, diabetes, skin damage, skin allergies, bacterial infection, and inflammation.

Additionally, the oil has properties that can delay the ageing of cells, restructure the skin, and keep it hydrated. It can also improve the appearance of a scar and tone the skin. You can find sea buckthorn as a major ingredient in sheet masks, water gels, ampoules, serums, and supplements.

You may want to read this article to know more about sea buckthorn oil.

2. Centella Asiatica

This is also known as pennywort, spade lead, or Gotu kola. It is native to the tropical wetlands of Asia, and they see it as a herb for longevity. The leaf extract contains a high concentration of niacin, carotene, flavonoids, sugars, and amino acids. The potentials it holds for body and skin healing are endless.

The benefits of Centella Asiatica include calming of inflamed skin, fighting premature ageing, cellulite reduction, hydration, and so on. It also helps to regulate blood pressure, treat depression, reduce stress and anxiety, ease insomnia, and enhance concentration and memory. Eastern healers usually rely on the plant for blood purification. 

More studies have discovered that Gotu kola can help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, swollen ankle, and microcirculation disturbances and fluid retention during long flights. If you are looking for a solution for skin ageing and prevention of sun damage, look out for skin-healing ingredients and antioxidants such as Centella.

Korean brands label this plant as “Cica.” The extract is ultra-soothing and places your skin in a non-stop repair mode. You can find it in some skin-friendly products like the ones in this link: https://skin-rebirth.com/ 

3. Pimple Patches

If your skin is prone to acne, pimple patches will be a gentle solution for that skin concern. Getting rid of pimples is stale news to Koreans. Some decades ago, dermatologists in Korea were fully aware of the hydrocolloid patch and the value it offers. Since that time, the Western skincare industry has witnessed a revolution because of the discovery of pimple patches. The patches have continued to trend in the acne treatment category.

You may wonder, “What’s hydrocolloid?” Well, they originally used hydrocolloid in bandages to protect wounds from infections. Today, you can find it in mini dressings designed to prevent bacteria from accessing smaller wounds while extracting fluids like oil and pus. 

Pimple patches work like magic. They clear impurities from the skin pores, act in a reverse manner to prevent acne from surfacing, and prompt rapid healing of the skin.

4. Mugwort

The scientific name for Mugwort is Artemisia vulgaris. It has been in use for many generations. It is also a well-known ingredient amongst Koreans, and it is recently attracting a lot of attention globally. In the traditional medicine of the Korea people, they place it in the category of “warm” ingredients. 

Mugwort is well known for its ability to balance hormones, ease muscle pain, regulate menstrual cycle, and restore circulation. With respect to skincare, the ingredient has very powerful detoxifying and healing properties. This makes it a perfect ingredient for sensitive or dry skin types prone to acne. Additionally, the herb has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects. You can also find it being used in Jjimjilbangs.

5. Probiotic Extract

Probiotics are obtained from good bacteria strains that help to keep the digestive system in order. Koreans have made those bacteria work externally on the skin. In a dynamic world where cleanliness is a requisite for safety and good health, lifestyles are becoming more aseptic. The result is an oily or overly dry troubled skin. But this is where probiotics steps in.

Researchers have discovered additional benefits that come with incorporating probiotics in a skincare routine. These benefits are scar and wound healing, a cure for inflammatory ailments such as eczema, and skin revitalization. If you’re also worried about having fine lines, probiotics are good for ageing skin, too. 

You can apply probiotics topically to regulate the pH level of your skin, defend it against the actions of free radicals, and encourage natural antibacterial compounds. Simply put, probiotics assist in building your skin’s immunity and shielding it from aggressors in the environment that can damage healthy cells.

You can check this website to find more information about probiotics in skincare.

Conclusion 

We have shared the Korean trends to look out for in 2021. So, as you plan to spice up your skincare routine, ensure it contains at least one of the ingredients we have discussed.