Beauty Secrets of Korean Women

7 Beauty Secrets Korean Women Keep For Themselves

Beauty editors take advantage of Korean and Korean women when looking for new upcoming trends. The reason we care so much about these women when it comes to beauty is because they have flawless skin we can only dream of. Seriously, we're talking real-life skin tone that looks like it's been Photoshopped with expert precision, without a ton of makeup.
So, we tried to uncover the skincare and makeup secrets that Korean women rely on for that radiant glow, or mul-gwang as they call it.

1. Use Pimple Patches for Blemish

"Korean women are more sensitive to pigmentation, so they take extra care to protect their skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. They don't leave the house without sunscreen," says The Little, founder of Soko Glam, a website that sells the best of Western and Korean beauty products. “They take care to avoid direct sunlight, using hats, umbrellas, and gloves when necessary!” says Charlotte Cho, author of the Book of Skin Care.
When it comes to skin care, Cho says, Korean women "use natural skin brighteners and exfoliators like rice extracts, vitamin C, and licorice. For stubborn brown spots, they visit the dermatologist to lighten brown spots using a laser."

2. Deep Clean Before You Put On Makeup

For Cho, cleansing is the cornerstone of better-than-perfect skin. “Cleanliness is important because excess oil, dirt, and bacteria on your skin can cause premature aging, dark spots, and acne,” she says. “Being proactive and keeping your skin clean is incredibly important. Without a clean foundation, makeup won't look good either!”
Cho cleans three times a day and shared his step-by-step guide with us.
Initial cleansing: Use a cleansing wipe to gently remove stubborn dirt from your skin, paying close attention to the delicate eye area and neck.
Second cleansing: Massage an oil cleanser onto your skin to remove oil-based impurities. Settle down.
Third Cleansing: Add cleansing foam to a wet face to remove water-based dirt. Rinse and dry.
Donerson reveals that powder cleaners are a big trend in Korea right now. "I love them! It's great to travel with your gym bag as you don't have to worry about spills all over the place or fluid restrictions at the airport!"

3. Add Face Oil to Your Foundation for Enhanced Hydration

“[Mul-gwang] is all about hydration! Using mist, sheet masks, and layering your moisturizer will help you get that radiant, dewy glow,” says Cho. "There are also several eye creams and primers infused with pearl extracts that will diffuse imperfections and capture the light to make your skin look radiant, which will definitely help."
“If you have dry skin, try mixing a face oil or serum into your foundation,” says Morgan Stewart, a Korean-American and co-founder of the website and vlog The Beauty Breakdown.

4. Invest in a More Comprehensive Skincare Routine

"I know it's intimidating and can seem a little pricey, but it's worth the investment in terms of both time and money! Layering is the biggest game changer in my opinion," says Stewart. "Most people stick to just a face wash and moisturizer. But as exfoliating, toning, essence, and sleeping packs. Never ignore the importance of steps!”

5. Touch Your Skin, Do Not Rub

"I'm a big fan of tapping my skincare instead of rubbing it. Not only is it gentler, it feels like a ritual of sorts. I also recommend putting your sheet masks in the fridge for an extra refreshing effect at night!" Light, water-like skin products like essences can be touched up on the skin alongside more familiar serums and moisturizers.

6. Use a product with snail mucin

“If I had to pick a Korean product, it would be COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence,” Donerson says. “Literally 96% snail mucin and does a great job of getting rid of any skin irritation while being extremely moisturizing. It brightens my skin like no other. ”
For the uninitiated, mucin is the mucus that snails secrete when under stress. "There is anecdotal evidence that the proteins in snail slime have anti-aging benefits, and clinical trials show evidence of this, reversing and healing sun damage," New York plastic surgeon Matthew Schulman told The New York Times. "Snail slime won't help with deep folds, but it will improve skin texture and quality."

7. Treat It Gently For Moist Skin

"The Korean dewy skin look is one of my favorite Korean trends," Donerson says. “Moisturized skin is younger and more realistic.”
To get the Korean dewy glow, Cho recommends starting with a shine-enhancing primer like IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer ($28).
Donerson recommends a BB cream, BB pillow, or any lightweight foundation to keep everything moist. The key is to use something lightweight so your skin still looks natural.
Makeup is a great way to enhance gwang, especially if you have oily skin that you can't take care of much.
Donerson recommends applying a shimmery highlight to the eyelids and cheeks to further enhance the dewy look.