The Evolution of Korean Skincare
Korean skincare has become an industry standard. Its journey from Korea's traditions to the beauty industry's forefront is long and varied, steeped in tradition, culture, and excellence.
Ancient Korean Skincare
Evidence of the use of cosmetics in Korea dates back to the time of the Three Kingdoms (57 BC to 668 AD). These cosmetics were made from the extracts of plants such as gourd stems or mung beans. They also utilized castor, camellia, and safflower oils as hair or moisturizers.
This shows the beginning of an illustrious tradition in Korean skincare of using natural ingredients for their natural effects on the body. Modern Korean skincare still leverages the traditional knowledge of these ancient times, using traditional ingredients like centella asiatica or snail mucin to create formulas that go deeper than the skin to heal and nourish consumers' dream skin.
The First Mass-Produced Cosmetics Item
During the 1920s, Korean beauty products couldn't fully develop or stretch their wings because of Japanese products. Korea became a Japanese colony in 1910, meaning Japanese cosmetics dominated the Korean beauty market. However, despite this stranglehold, some products could still develop and thrive.
Park’s Powder, called Bakgabun, was first mass-produced in Korea in 1916. This was the first K-beauty face powder and bestseller from its launch to 1930. Other products began to pop up to replace it as the bestseller when the lead content and effect coating the face in lead powder had on people became apparent. This explosion of other products led to the variety of K-beauty products that would become available and continue to become available.
Korean Skincare Culture
Proper skincare has become an integral part of Korean culture. The skincare culture is influenced by TV programs, advertisements, and a tradition that is worked into many facets of daily life. The famous Korean skincare routine demonstrates this, a widely used and adopted practice created from proven steps and products.
Glass Skin
The term “Glass Skin” is a skin ideal in Korea. It’s characterized by skin that is crystal-clear, poreless, and luminescent. In addition, this skin is translucent and will reflect and sparkle light, just like a piece of glass. Many K-beauty products promise to help achieve Glass Skin, while processes like the Korean skincare routine are said to help layer your way to Glass Skin.
Korean Skincare as an Industry Giant
Although K-beauty is its own industry, it also plays and operates within the larger overall industry of, the international beauty industry. And within that industry, it’s created an indomitable name for itself. The term Korean Beauty is recognized as a step above the rest of the beauty industry, almost as though it’s within its own class.
Skin ideals like Glass Skin, which were originally used within the K-beauty industry, are now being used widely throughout the overarching industry. Korean skincare is even leading the beauty industry through the highest predicted climb in beauty in the last decade.
Korean Skincare from the Past to the Future
As Korean skincare continues to evolve, it's sure to bring the information and traditions from the past into our future. Using this long-standing growth to their advantage, K-beauty companies can further take over the industry and assist more people in creating their skin ideals. For more details on K-beauty and how it can help you check out our website.