Beauty fix: What is Korean beauty and how do I get on board without being overwhelmed?
Effective, aesthetically pleasing and relatively affordable, there are plenty of good reasons why Korean beauty is the darling of skincare social media. But that would all be superficial without solid science and business smarts behind it, too.
Thanks to government support that also drives the K-pop phenomenon and followed the late 1990s Asian financial crisis, K-beauty has the money to innovate, employing ingredients used nowhere else.
Some say Korean beauty is 15 years ahead of the rest of the world, and as it takes over our bathroom cabinets and socials, the craze offers something for everyone, even if a 10-step TikTok regime is not for you and 'glass skin' is an unachievable goal.
'In South Korea, skincare is not seen as a luxury but as a cultural norm,' says Shannon McCreery, Ireland Educator for skincare brand Genosys. 'With a focus on prevention and long-term skin health, rather than quick fixes with aggressive ingredients, it prioritises the skin's barrier and overall hydration.'
K-beauty has a lot of weird ingredients. Do they actually work?
'South Korea has some of the world's most rigorous regulations for cosmetic products, resulting in high standards for both safety and efficacy,' says McCreery.
'Brands are known for innovative ingredients, such as snail mucin, propolis and fermented botanicals.'
Snail mucin is probably the best known 'weird' ingredient, processed from the slimy trail left by free-range snails raised on dedicated farms. This gloop is packed with proteins and hyaluronic and glycolic acids, so it sounds awful but does the job.
Centella asiatica, derived from a tropical Asian plant, is also common in K-beauty. Often listed as cica, it's prized for its calming effect and kindness to the skin barrier, while propolis, a resin produced by bees, is antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Is Korean sunscreen as good as they say?
ADVERTISEMENT
Again, innovation and research are what set Korean sunscreen apart. Their drive to continually advance and experiment with ingredients is a direct contrast with the US, in particular, where sun protection is classified as a drug rather than a beauty product. This means that every element has to be FDA certified and they haven't introduced anything new since the late 1990s.
The freedom to innovate has allowed K-beauty to deliver sunscreen that is light, traceless and nice to use, bestowing that glassy finish that a lot of more familiar products can't.
Also, Korean sunscreen is not just sun protection, but skincare in its own right, featuring ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
What's the famous 10-step routine?
'The most famous routine,' says McCreery, 'is designed to layer hydration and nourishment and you apply the products in order of texture, from thinnest to thickest.'
That is: oil cleanser, to remove make-up, sunscreen and oil; a water-based cleanser to remove all remaining residue; exfoliator, such as a toner-type product, to smooth texture and improve further product absorption.
After that, you use hydrating toning mist, as wet skin absorbs products better; essence, which is a slightly thicker hydrator with ingredients such as hyaluronic or niacinamide; serum, with active ingredients such as vitamin C and peptides.
With time on your hands – after all, you've committed to 10 steps – a sheet mask can follow for deep hydration. Then it's an eye cream and moisturiser to lock in all that good stuff and protect the skin barrier.
Step 10 is sunscreen, so that's just for the mornings. Even K-beauty doesn't suggest you'll need it while you sleep.
Can I do less, or is K-beauty not for the busy?
'You absolutely do not need to dive headfirst into a ten-step routine,' says McCreery. 'Korean serums, essences and sheet masks integrate easily into most routines and deliver noticeable hydration and glow.'
She says that a core four products will achieve results. In short, that's the double cleanse of an oil and then a water cleanser, a targeted serum, hydrating moisturiser and a good sunscreen.
Genosys Soothing Bomb Sea Algae Mask, €45.50 for 10, skinsation.ie
This cloth mask has a lovely cooling sensation and is bursting with K-beauty heroes, from centella asiatica to coral and seaweed extracts, all of which calm and hydrate. In addition, witch hazel and chestnut have a lightly firming effect without tightness. Ideal to use before a night out.
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel, €31.99, Boots
Get past the tacky texture and enjoy the snail-trail benefits of this essence. It's full of antioxidants and promises to help with scars and acne, its most prized quality is an ability to super-hydrate, plump out fine lines and leave a (thankfully non-tacky) glow.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum, RRP €23.90, Brown Thomas; Boots
A perfect example of a Korean sunscreen that is a pleasure to use. It is serum-like in texture – light and fluid – and sinks in quickly. It has ginseng to reduce redness inflammation, niacinamide to help texture and glow and high broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Fat jabs left me in agony – it hurt to even put a bra on but it was worth it to be thin & lose a stone in 4 weeks
BLINKING her eyes open, Megan Houchen felt like she had been hit by a bus - every bone in her body ached. But the 25-year-old hadn't been in a terrible accident - nor did she have one too many the night before - her agonising symptoms were all in the name of losing weight. Advertisement 6 Megan Houchan woke up feeling like she had been 'hit by a bus' after taking Mounjaro Credit: Jam Press 6 She says she started taking the drug after years of unhealthy eating took its toll. Seen before Credit: Jam Press 6 Megan says the side effects were worth it and has since gone from 11 stone down to 10 and loves her new body Credit: Jam Press The customer service worker says she was hit with flu-like symptoms the day after she started on weight-loss jabs. The 25-year-old began taking Advertisement 'I woke up feeling like absolute rubbish,' Megan, from County Durham, says. 'I felt like I'd been hit by a bus. 'My shoulders and neck were so sore and felt bruised like I'd done some sort of hardcore workout.' Megan wondered if she was coming down with the flu, and noted her lack of appetite and soreness around her shoulders – saying it even hurt to put a bra on. She adds: 'I had never heard anyone on Mounjaro talk about those Advertisement It was only when Megan went on TikTok that she found other people reporting similar symptoms after taking the medication. Luckily, she began to feel better the following day – and Megan says the initial side effects were well worth the trouble, as she has gone on to drop a stone in just four weeks. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons She says: 'My experience [since then] has been amazing. 'I know it's not the same for everyone but I've not really had any bad side effects [since the first day]. 'All of the food noise has gone – I don't really ever think about food or feel excited about food and it has suppressed my appetite a lot. Advertisement 'I sometimes do miss my food a little because there's some days when I don't feel like eating a lot and then there's other days that I can manage three full meals. 'All in all my Mounjaro journey so far has been life-changing and the best decision I have ever made.' Megan started on Mounjaro after struggling with self-discipline and wanting to shed a few pounds. She says: "I had always been quite slim and ate what I wanted, and got in the mindset of 'I'm never going to put on weight because I've eaten what I wanted for ages'. "But about three years ago I noticed I was gaining more weight, and in the last year it all just caught up with me and I was the heaviest I'd ever been. Advertisement 6 Megan, seen before, wanted to improve her figure before her holiday Credit: Jam Press 6 But she has dropped the excess weight since taking the fat jabs Credit: Jam Press "I would always have a takeaway or eat out Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then it started through the week – sometimes having a takeaway every night and sometimes even ordering takeaways for dinner at work. "It was becoming unhealthy. "My comfort foods would always be a takeaway – if I was sad, I'd always order to food to cheer me up, but afterwards I felt so bloated and looking in the mirror made me feel awful. Advertisement "I'd even drive to McDonald's at midnight to get food if I couldn't sleep. I was dreading going on holiday and wearing a bikini but now I'm really looking forward to it because of the weight loss Megan Houchan 'I was struggling to lose that stubborn weight and I was struggling to keep myself disciplined. 'So, I started Mounjaro to get me out of all of those bad eating habits.' Megan says she was warned by her provider of the potential side effects, although she hadn't linked her symptoms the following day. And, with her symptoms quickly subsiding that same week, she has gone on to be thrilled with her results, dropping down to a healthier 10 stone. Advertisement She added: 'I would definitely recommend it based on my experience. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. 'I recommended it to my dad and he has now started his journey and is going really well for him too. "Now, I feel more confident when I put outfits on to go out, and when taking photos." Megan says that her weight loss has had a positive impact on her mental health too. "I just feel much better in myself. Advertisement "I was dreading going on holiday and wearing a "I've had a lot of comments about it too. "People at work say they can really tell, on my face especially, and have said I look really well for it. "My family is always telling me that they can see such a difference. "My mum always comments on my weight loss and it makes me feel really good because some days I think 'Am I losing weight?' and sort of doubt myself – so it's nice to have reminders. Advertisement "For other people to notice it makes me feel a lot more confident." 6 Megan highly recommends taking fat jabs and says it has had a hugely positive impact Credit: Jam Press
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
I lost 12lbs & full dress size in weeks on Mounjaro after changing jabs but surprising side effect transformed my life
IRISH mum Sandra Keogh spent hundreds of euros EVERY month on Doritos as her eating "addiction" spiralled out of control. But now the mum-of-four is thriving thanks to a "bizarre" fat jabs side effect and her weight loss has given her husband "a renewed twinkle in his eye". 4 Sandra was a big fan of 'trash food' but she's now saving a fortune 4 The mum, 37, said her food bill was 'through the roof' 4 She has lost 12 pounds in just 8 weeks The former weight loss consultant, 37, said she needed to urgently make a change but had already tried all of the usual routes. She said: "I felt unable to find the will to care what I was shoving in my mouth. "It was compounded by the fact that I knew what I should be doing I just felt useless. I had to try something else." But she had a light bulb moment one day after sitting down to watch a bit of reality TV. The "So after a while when I heard about availability here, I went and spoke to my doctor because I haven't had diabetes but I just needed something. "I knew what had to be done, but I didn't have the willpower or the motivation to do anything. "I started Ozempic in November 2023, after the doctor thought it was a great idea. "I was on it until February this year and when I heard Mounjaro was coming in, I was eager to swap because I had lost 33 pounds on Ozempic and I kind of had stalled. "When I heard that Mounjaro was going to be approved for a weight loss here in Ireland, I thought, 'Right, I'm going to try and get it'. "I started taking it on the 25th of March and I began losing weight again." Sandra, who shares her journey on TikTok, said she was addicted to eating Doritos daily but a positive side effect of Mounjaro means she no longer has the desire to eat them. She said: "As far as day to day, you are probably wondering what exactly it does to me, but I find personally, it takes away all kind of interest that you would have in food. I lost 98lb on Mounjaro but it's surprise side benefit that's been life-changing "I was a grazer, food was so urgent, Doritos, especially. "I was getting up every evening, dragging my young one to the shop and just to go get Doritos. It felt like an urgency, a need. "I'd have a bag every night plus a Marvellous Creations bar – the big one, I didn't do small. "I was desperate for it, and the medications just take all that away, but I haven't changed what I eat. "I just eat when I'm hungry and I would fill my plate the way I always used to, but I would never ever get through a full plate of dinner the way I used to and I've lost 12 pounds now in the last 8.5 weeks. "So, it's been really, really positive." Sandra, who has lost three stone in total, said her grocery bill was "through the roof" as she satisfied her cravings. She said: "My husband was like, 'Where's all the money going?' and I was like we go to the shop every day after school and then I could have been back at the shop in the evening so it could have been €20 a day just on trash. "A bag of Doritos is €4, and a bar of Marvellous Creations is €4 and you're buying a can of Red Bull or Coca Cola and then stuff for the kids, it was easily €20." What are the side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections include: Nausea : This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting : Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea : Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation : Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort : Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite : This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion : Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis : In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems : There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors : There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems : Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) : Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. Sandra also revealed her overall health has also improved as a result - and would recommend it to anyone looking to shed the pounds. She said: "As a former weight loss consultant a lot of what we did was educating people around eating cleanly and of course that's 100 per cent the right thing to do. "But sometimes when you eat cleanly, you start to think about the things you shouldn't and can't have. "Whereas with the weight loss medication, those thoughts and obsessions around food are gone. "I can't explain it, it's just the most bizarre feeling. I suppose it's addiction really isn't it?" And Sandra said her husband has noticed her progress - and has been showering her with compliments. She said: "My husband thankfully met me at my heaviest and has been supportive and loving no matter what weight I've been. "However, he does have a renewed twinkle in his eye and compliments come a bit more regular. I notice him noticing. "I'm not unrecognisable just yet but on my way there, but confidence wise though, people are definitely noticing the difference." 4 Sandra is feeling happier and healthier since starting her Mounjaro journey
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'My son became brain damaged after someone kissed him'
A mother from Londonderry has cautioned others to avoid kissing babies after her son contracted herpes simplex from a cold sore and was diagnosed with brain damage. Jed Scanlon was taken to the hospital by his parents, Amanda, 39, and David, 40, after he developed a high fever. Doctors said the three-year-old had contracted herpes simplex and encephalitis. As a result of the virus affecting his brain, Jed now faces significant learning challenges. Amanda is urging parents to prevent anyone from kissing newborns and to ensure that hands are washed before holding them. She said he was thriving and ahead of his milestones until he was six months old. "When he was diagnosed, I didn't realise how serious it was and the complications he was going to be left with," Amanda, from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, told Need to Know. "They knew that the virus had attacked his brain instead of the immune system and left him with an acquired brain injury. He has significant brain damage to his temporal lobes and a rare form of epilepsy caused by the damage. They didn't know if he'd be able to walk or talk." Amanda and David say they've been left absolutely devastated. "We couldn't believe it," she added. "We were in shock. I knew cold sores were dangerous but I didn't know the extent to leave someone with brain damage." The baby has seizures every night and is non-verbal. Doctors are trying to control Jed's seizures, but they can't determine what his future will look like. Jed has occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Hospital housekeeper Amanda said: "Before this, he was thriving. He was rolling over, he was meeting all his milestones, and he was so smart. Jed could give me a high five at five months old, which is amazing. When he was diagnosed, it wasn't a great prognosis. "They hadn't met any cases like Jed, and they didn't have a great outlook on his life. He has development delays and he's non verbal. We don't know what his future looks like. He can walk and finger feed himself. Jed is full of life, and he's constantly up to mischief. 'You need eyes on the back of your head to watch him." Amanda documents Jed's story on her TikTok page, Jedsjourney, to raise awareness of the dangers of kissing newborns. She added: "I want to raise awareness of how dangerous cold sores can actually be. Don't kiss anyone's baby, even if you don't have a cold sore, especially not on the lips. "It never crossed my mind not to let people kiss him, I just made people wash their hands but cold sores never came into my head. We don't remember Jed being around anyone with a cold sore, but you don't need to be able to see the cold sore to have the virus. Once you get the virus it lives dormant and can flare up any time." Amanda says she and David don't get cold sores and never have. She continued: "We try not to dwell on where he picked it up from because it won't achieve much. Babies could also get the virus from someone sneezing or coughing around him. You have to be really careful." Neonatal herpes refers to a herpes infection occurring in an infant. The younger the infant, the more susceptible they are to the detrimental impacts of the infection. Herpes can pose significant risks for a young baby, as their immune system has not yet fully matured to combat the virus. In the UK, neonatal herpes is uncommon and is triggered by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is widespread and is responsible for cold sores and genital ulcers in adults. By adhering to some straightforward guidelines, neonatal herpes can be avoided. The NHS says: "Because newborn babies have underdeveloped immune systems, they can quickly become seriously ill after catching the virus". Call a GP or contact 111 straight away if your baby: These are early warning signs that your baby may be unwell. Call emergency services immediately if your baby: The NHS adds: "Very often the baby will not have any specific herpes symptoms, such as a rash. But they can become unwell very quickly, so you need to act fast."
