I tried the viral Korean skincare routine to get glass skin – a Boots serum with unusual ingredient made a difference

The Sun

7 hours ago

IT seems that no matter where you look these days, K-Beauty has taken over.
In fact, there are almost 2 million videos on the subject on TikTok and the Korean skincare industry has taken over the UK's beauty scene.
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A Boots spokesperson told Fabulous that one Korean beauty product sells almost every 15 seconds at Boots and represents over a tenth of all skincare sales.
And it seems for good reason, many beauty experts have said that South Korea is estimated to be 10-12 years ahead of Europe and the US in terms of skincare and aesthetic treatments.
Here, Fabulous reporter Leanne Hall, tries out the viral Korean skincare routine for two weeks to see whether she ends up with glass skin and which new ingredients are worth the hype.
For context, I love South Korea and its culture and even visited earlier this year, and yes, I took home lots of skincare goodies.
But I had no idea that many of the products were now readily available to buy in the UK, thanks to Boots, and I was eager to see what was on offer and how well they worked.
I retired my normal skincare routine - opting for a new six-step routine using only K Beauty products for two weeks.
My skin is on the combination side and pretty sensitive, meaning active ingredients, fragrance and sunscreen all tend to break me out quickly.
Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam - £13
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This is a relatively basic foaming cleanser, but one that does the job.
With somewhat oily skin, I prefer a foam cleanser to others, and while this left my skin feel squeaky clean, it didn't dry it out.
I don't think this did much to make my skin have that shiny glass finish, but it was the perfect building block to start my skincare routine with.
Rating: 4/5
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 - £24
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These Medicube pore pads are constantly coming up on my TikTok timeline so I was eager to try them out.
They promise to gently exfoliate the skin with a blend of chemical exfoliants - 4.5% AHA Lactic Acid & 0.45% BHA Salicylic Acid.
The pads are super easy to use, and I did see a difference with blackheads and clogged pores after using the toner.
It also promises to help shrink pores, but I'm yet to see the difference there.
Rating: 3/5
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum - £20
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Once the toner has been absorbed into the skin, it was time for a serum.
A serum was not something I used before this experiment but is now something I can't live without.
This Anua PDRN serum is super lightweight but packs a punch with its active ingredients.
The blend of PDRN (salmon DNA taken from it's semen) and hyaluronic acid gives your skin a well-needed boost of moisture, increases collagen and help skin rejuvenate quicker.
What is PDRN?
Leanna Zaman, Boots Beauty Specialist, explains: 'PDRN is hitting the headlines for all the right reasons.
"Derived from salmon DNA, which surprisingly shares a lot of similarities with our own DNA, PDRN-based skincare is great for most skin types and suitable for all ages.
"In fact, anyone experiencing skin damage, dryness, or dehydration can benefit from PDRN's skin-loving properties.
"I recommend pairing it with other humectants, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides, to enhance its hydrating and barrier-restoring effects."
I'm fully aware the thought of putting salmon semen on your face is weird, but it works and has become a holy grail ingredient in South Korea for a reason.
Rating: 5/5
Tocobo Multi Ceramide Cream - £21
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When I first tried this moisturiser I was nervous.
It has a thick whipped texture which is often too heavy for my skin type and clogs my pores.
But after two weeks of using it I am pleased to report that I haven't had any issues with it.
Instead, my skin has never been softer or more hydrated thanks to it being enriched with ceramides to moisturise the skin.
I've often suffered with flaky dry skin around my chin but this immediately cleared it up, a total must-have.
Rating: 5/5
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics - was £15.50, currently £13.95
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I know sunscreen is important to wear, but this is another product that I tend to skip.
I have tried too many SPFs to try and count them all and each one has had my skin breaking out almost immediately.
But I'm pleased to report this doesn't seem to have caused any acne since using it every day.
Not only has it kept my skin clear, it absorbs quickly, leaves skin glowing and doesn't hurt when it goes near my eyes.
Rating: 4/5
Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask - £26
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This particular Medicube buy has been going viral on TikTok with many praising it for giving you instant glass skin, so naturally, I had to try it.
You simply do your usual skincare routine before applying a thick layer of this clear mask to your face.
You then want to let it dry for 15 minutes to dry down and then you can sleep.
Not only is this super fun to peel off (don't worry, it doesn't hurt like the ones in the 90s) it also instantly makes your skin glow.
After peeling it off you are left with the softest skin you've ever had which reflects when the light hits for the perfect glass skin.
Rating: 4/5
Final Thoughts
Using these products together has absolutely made a difference in how my skin feels and looks.
My skin genuinely feels more hydrated than it has ever been. (Trust me, I can say this with confidence, as I was berated for how dehydrated it was when I went to a facialist in Korea.)
Not only was it so much more hydrated, making fine lines (hello 30) disappear but it left my skin more plump and glowy.
While moisturising the skin, I also found I didn't break out as often as I normally would.
For those wanting an extensive skincare routine, I would recommend all of these products. For those wanting to splurge on one wonder product, the collagen wrapping mask is a must-have to give skin an instant lift, perfect for prepping for big events.
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