Korean skincare cured my acne, made my skin softer & banished redness – now I'm opening Scotland's first K-beauty shop
IF you've been keeping up with the goings on in the world of skincare in the last couple years, then Korean trends will certainly be on your radar.
It has been popular in the West for decades, but TikTok has taken the craze to a whole new level.
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The trending 'glass skin' look is perhaps why K-beauty is on every beauty fan's radar, but it's the quality of the products that keeps them buying.
And nobody knows this better than Korean skincare expert Lauren Miller who has been using the innovative buys for five years.
Lauren first discovered K-beauty while working in the operating theatres at a busy hospital during Covid.
The Scots mum's skin "really suffered" from wearing PPE all day so when she stumbled across an advert for Korean products she decided to give them a go - and they have completely transformed her skin.
She told Scottish Woman Magazine: "My acne improved, my skin was softer, and my redness and irritation were gone. It changed my life, and I wouldn't use anything else on my skin now.
"It's almost addictive, with so many brands and products to choose from – but with ingredients to treat so many skin problems, there really is a product for everyone."
And Lauren is now opening Scotland's first Korean skincare store, Wee Ghost Beauty, in Glasgow later this month.
She said: "In Scotland, we can have all four seasons in one day and our skin can really suffer. I believe Korean skincare is the answer we've all been looking for.
I want my customers – no matter what their budget is – to be able to buy from Wee Ghost Beauty. Quality skincare should be accessible to all, and I believe that is where Korean skincare stands out from the crowd.
"Even in the less expensive brands you will still find the best ingredients and a huge range of products, so it appeals to beginners and enthusiasts of all ages and budgets."
I let my kid start wearing make-up aged 3 - I've spent £1.5K on her 200 products & her skincare regime has 9 steps
Korean skincare places particular emphasis on hydration, skin barrier repair, brightening, and anti-ageing.
The use of microbiome and probiotic ingredients is also popular.
Korean skincare routines can be up to 10 steps and double cleansing is always a must.
And sought-after K-beauty products often contain innovative ingredients you might not have come across before, such as snail mucin - the mucus secreted by snails.
You might be put off by the idea, but lovers of this slimy skincare craze claim products containing snail mucin leave their face glowing and hydrated.
Other ingredients you might not have seen incorporated into skincare before include ginseng and bean essence.
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