Korean beauty trends have made a name for itself with ongoing lists of new and weird interesting innovations that continue to spark our curiosity. Snail mucus facial products, donkey milk sleeping mask packs, V-line masks that are said to give you a more chiselled jawline? (Meitu XiuXiu who?) And the list goes on.
For some, you might think that some trends are unchanging and absolute — say the 10-step K-beauty skincare routine, which, to some, may have withstood the test of time for the last few years.
THE LATEST K-BEAUTY SKINCARE TREND: SKIP-CARE
But things have changed. And as much as you love (or hate) the extreme multi-step process, the K-Beauty industry is, in fact, skewing their focus towards a new phase in skincare, otherwise known as Skip-Care.
Eponymous to its name, Skip-Care basically rejects rigorous regimens in favour of simple, low maintenance skincare options. In essence, it zooms in on essential ingredients for your skin while skipping on other unnecessary products that may do more harm than good to your skin.
On top of all that, “the dewy skin trend is also making a shift towards a more conscious range of beauty practices where more millennials are also looking at cleaner products with higher efficacy” says Kate Kwon, Brand Science Team Leader at Amorepacific Corporation Research & Development Center.
In a recent press conference with Amorepacific, Kate Kwon also mentioned, “Instead of increasing the number of steps, Korean skincare now offers more options for you to choose from for a more customisable routine everyday,”
When it boils down to us, Singaporeans, it comes as no surprise that we’d often reach out for products that do the job in less than 5 steps — especially when we’re pressed for time, which is 90% of the time tbh.
So what’s in it for the new K-Beauty skincare trends you might ask? Besides Skip-care, we’ve also listed out some of the other noteworthy HGs that you should keep an eye out for this season.
1. MULTI-BENEFICIAL PRODUCTS
Robin Na, Head of Amorepacific’s ASEAN Business explains that now you’ll be able to see “a rise in multi-beneficial products that give you value for your money“.
For a clearer visual representation of what the ideal skincare routine would look like, peep this chart which follows a basic 4-step routine (don’t forget some sunscreen!) — with the incorporation of other multi-beneficial products that have come to name by some of your favourite K-Beauty brands.
STEP 1: CLEANSER — MAMONDE PETAL SPA OIL TO FOAM ($20)
STEP 2: TONER — INNISFREE JEJU CHERRY BLOSSOM TONER, $25
STEP 3: ESSENCE — LANEIGE WATER BANK HYDRO EX ($52), MAMONDE RED ENERGY RECOVERY SERUM ($62), SULWHASOO CONCENTRATED GINSENG RENEWING SERUM ($265)
STEP 4: CREAM — LANEIGE WATER BANK HYDRO EX CREAM ($52), INNISFREE JEJU CHERRY BLOSSOM TONE-UP CREAM ($31), SULWHASOO CONCENTRATED GINSENG RENEWING CREAM ($298)
2. GINSENOMICS
Whether you’re dealing with increased stress from all the deadlines due or your skin’s getting irritated by your hectic lifestyle, ingredients like Ginseng can be a total lifesaver to your skin.
Known for its capabilities to adapt and boost immunity in stressful environments, products like those from Sulwhasoo’s range of Concentrated Ginseng Renewing collection is a force to be reckoned especially if you identify yourself as a busy-bee.
The upgraded anti-ageing care makes use of Ginsenomics to deliver active ingredients to your skin, ensuring full absorption while amplifying all the benefits of ginseng — making skin look radiant and hydrated while addressing other early signs of ageing skin.
3. LUMINOUS SKIN
For us mere mortals, going barefaced is usually reserved when you’re at home and or even for the gym — the fear of heading out with sans makeup is a nightmare we’d never dream of living. But to challenge that notion? We’d best be armoured with an arsenal of holy grails that promise the clarity of our skin.
Sure, layering on some makeup might just be the easiest (and quickest) option that you can find to clear up your spots, but for skin that’s clear, radiant and moisturised (peep: Korea’s glass skin trend), then LANEIGE’s latest range of Water Bank Essences and Creams might just be the solution.
4. NATURAL, CLEAN BEAUTY
As part of their shift towards clean beauty, there will also be a rise in natural ingredients for instance, quality ingredients that are grown in Jeju.
It remains to be seen whether K-Beauty will move towards higher standards of “clean beauty”, the approach of zero parabens, artificial fragrances etc. — or, organic, vegan, sustainable skincare touted by more international brands. However, the Amorepacific group, at least, recognises its importance, and is moving towards that direction with wholesome plant-based ingredients.
Best part is, it also offers a wide range of products for you to choose from, for our varied skincare routines and preferences — and also because we all know, as millennials we always love keeping our options open.
You must be logged in to post a comment.