Latest news with #AliciaYoon
Elle
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
If Glass Skin Is Your Dream, These Korean Skin Care Brands Will Make It a Reality
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Skin care has undergone several changes over the years, from consumers adopting an expansive, multi-step approach to their routine to everyone switching to something uncomplicated yet effective. Why? Well, everyone's obsessed with Korean skin care, and if it's one thing Korea taught us about skin—glass skin, specifically—it's that you don't need a ton of products to achieve the skin you desire. These days, the country's ampoules, serums, and sheet masks have infiltrated everyone's bathrooms in one way or another, partly thanks to TikTok and the educational efforts of Korean retail platforms like Soko Glam and Peach & Lily. 'K-beauty really has become known for pushing the envelope—from their unique textures, advanced and effective ingredient formulations, to their packaging, formats, and affordable price points. K-beauty leaves no stone unturned, and it's why skin care brands are pivoting to formulating and manufacturing their products there, too,' says Charlotte Cho, the founder of Soko Glam. The products are mainstays in our beauty collections because they actually work. 'When you see outsized results, you share with your friends, and you continue to use and love the products, and I've seen Korean skin care take off and sustain itself as a standout category in the U.S. for many years now because of this,' adds Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon. Whether you're a Korean beauty devotee or haven't dipped your toe into the world of snail mucin and glass skin quite yet, there's always something new to discover. We drew from our personal experiences as beauty editors and the rich knowledge of our experts to compile this guide to the best Korean skin care brands leading the pack today. For those who prefer the simple things in life, Mixsoon's offerings are as straightforward as they come. However, its most popular range features one star ingredient: fermented soybeans, which are rich in amino acids and help firm and improve the skin's elasticity. Best for: All skin types Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars An ELLE editor says: 'I've yet to find a Korean sunscreen I dislike because the formulations are so elegant and invisible and perfect for someone with a deep complexion like mine. And because I'm acne-prone, I can't indulge in just any formula, which is why I love this one from Mixsoon. With no pore-clogging ingredients and a soft-to-the-touch, non-white finish, this has quickly become my go-to sunscreen.'—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor While several Korean skin care brands aim to help consumers achieve glass skin, Aestura focuses on treating sensitive skin. Because those with sensitive skin can easily aggravate their skin barrier, these salves soothe and calm irritation and improve elasticity. Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars An ELLE editor says: 'My skin is peppered with dark spots and I rely heavily on the powers of retinol and exfoliants to fade those spots to obscurity. As such, my skin needs repreieve sometimes and I find it in this creamy, lightweight moisturizer. Packed with ceramides and fatty acids, this moisturizer soothes my skin and preps it to withstand another week of heavy-hitters.'—Nerisha Penrose Sulwhasoo is one of those brands that feels like it's been around forever, and it's only grown in popularity. It's a favorite of my grandma's, and she's virtually wrinkle-free. 'The brand is a classic that I love because of their potent use of ginseng, which is a powerful adaptogen that multi-tasks hard for skin, delivering benefits ranging from energizing to increasing glow to brightening to visibly firming. The First Care Activating Serum is timeless and brings instant vitality and glow to the skin,' says Yoon. The serum is also an ELLE First Class Beauty and Future of Beauty Award winner! Sulwhasoo rating: 4.8/5 stars Our expert says: 'Unless I'm testing a product for a story, Sulwhasoo First Activating Serum is my go-to travel serum of choice. I really love to layer serums at home, particularly hyaluronic acid and liquid peptides. However, when I travel, I want to take one anti-aging serum that covers it all, so I have more room for all my outfits. Gingseng, the star ingredient in all Sulwhasoo products, helps fight inflammation, minimizes wrinkles, boosts collagen production, and more. My Aunt Maggie wanted to update her skin care routine, so I suggested this product. This serum is great at preventing signs of aging as well as minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, which are natural to get as we age.' —Danielle James, beauty expert Founded in 2013, right before the K-beauty boom, this brand has since garnered internet and TikTok fame for its simple and affordable skin care solutions. While you may balk at first at applying snail mucin on your face, you'll be a believer as soon as you try this essence. Soko Glam rating: 4.7/5 stars Our expert says: 'I've been using this product on and off for nearly a decade now. There's nothing quite like it to boost moisture in my skin and quench it when I feel particularly dry. It may feel a bit sticky at first, but it absorbs so quickly that I never hesitate to reach for it when I need it.' —Carol Lee, beauty expert Belif's lineup consists of products designed to hydrate all types of skin. Even oily skin can benefit from extra moisture, as excess sebum production can indicate dehydration. The Aqua Bomb Hydrating Sleeping Mask ensures that skin stays plump and free from dry spots while you get your beauty sleep. Best for: Dehydrated skin Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars Our expert says: 'There's a phrase in Korean that basically translates to 'filled with moisture'—that's exactly how my skin feels when I use any product from Belif. My aunt loves this product in particular so much that she uses it as a night cream every single evening.' —Carol Lee Laneige is another brand whose main focus is moisturizing all of the skin on your face. But perhaps no product has helped put the brand on the map quite like the lip sleeping mask, which bursts with nourishing shea butter, murumuru butter, and coconut oil to keep your pout looking its best. Laneige rating: 4.7/5 stars An ELLE editor says: 'In my many years of life, I've left no lip balm or gloss unturned. Carmex was my balm of choice until I entered college and wanted something a little more mature, yet still affordable for a college kid's pocket. Then came the MAC obsession. But times changed, and lip masks became a thing, thanks to Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask. Dousing my lips in the mask, whether overnight or throughout the day, leaves them feeling pillow-soft and smooth. Even better, the mask imparts a subtle glow reminiscent of my favorite beauty supply store lip glosses, so really, I'm getting the best of both worlds.' —Nerisha Penrose Dr. Jart+ concentrates on gentle formulas that support the skin barrier and reduce irritation with science-backed ingredients like ceramides and cica. There are too many excellent products to choose from, but this sensitive skin-friendly sheet mask is an ELLE favorite due to its soothing superpowers. Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars Our expert says: 'When my skin is feeling especially irritated or red, I know I can rely on Dr. Jart+ products to calm it down. This mask hydrates and soothes my skin every time I use it. I don't foresee myself giving it up anytime soon.' —Carol Lee We can't talk glass skin without mentioning Hanyul. 'I believe Hanyul is the true leader for glass skin by perfecting the balance of purifying and replenishing our skin with gentle and effective ingredients. The formulas do not contain any artificial fragrances or colorants, but the textures and the fragrances are so unreal that I had to triple-check that was the case. Their Pure Artemesia water pads (toner pads) are extremely popular in Korea.' Koreans often use toner pads before applying their makeup to prep and calm their skin, as moisturized skin means that you'll end up with a smoother and glowier finish. Olive Young rating: 4.8/5 stars An Olive Young reviewer says: 'Helped with my dry itchy neck during the coldest time of year. Redness practically went away overnight. Love how cooling and soothing it is on my skin.' Yoon took Korean skin care knowledge synthesized after curating and learning about the best products on the market to develop formulas that make achieving the smooth, dewy skin of your dreams easier than ever. 'If you're looking for an easy foundational routine to achieve glass skin goals, start with the popular Glass Skin Discovery Kit,' Yoon says. Peach & Lily rating: 4.7/5 stars A Peach & Lily reviewer says: 'This has transformed my skin and my sons as well—I wanted to try on two different ages to ensure efficacy, and was I ever pleased! We both have more hydrated luminous skin without excess oil or irritation! Absolutely amazing routine!' Then I Met You is the culmination of years of trying thousands of Korean skin care products—Cho took that experience and created a line that took inspiration from the innovation she saw. 'The Living Cleansing Balm has won 15 industry and people's choice awards in a matter of a few years and is our bestselling product because of its luxurious, sorbet-soft texture,' Cho says. A Soko Glam reviewer says: 'I've repurchased this cleansing balm countless times and make sure I have an extra and travel size handy. I LOVE it! It takes off all the products and dirt from the day and has an amazing smooth feel. I don't have to keep working to remove it with my cleanser. It doesn't make my vision as blurry as other oil cleansers do. It's also SO satisfying to use every night.' 'This brand has been around for decades, gaining popularity in the U.S. over the last decade for its clean, gentle formulas that always keep the skin barrier in mind. The Essence Toner helps revive and reset skin when it's irritated or tired,' Yoon adds. If you're unfamiliar with the category, a toner should be applied right after cleansing and before the rest of your skin care products. Best for: Sensitive skin An Amazon reviewer says: 'This is an incredible toner/serum product. It's a nice thick watery substance that sinks really nicely into the skin when applied, and it doesn't leave any stickiness or strange texture behind. I also love the slightly tightening feeling you get when it is on the skin.' Korean makeup artist Kowon is highly sought after by A-list celebrities for her ability to enhance natural beauty. One of her philosophies is that makeup starts with the state of your skin and how you're taking care of it, which is why she joined forces with scientists and doctors to formulate this line of deeply nourishing and hydrating products. 'The result? Skin with a next-level dewy glow. The Cellus Aqualane Solution includes fermented squalane for deeper hydration and acacia to focus on aquaporins for amping up hydration," explains Yoon. A Peach & Lily reviewer says: 'A little goes a long way, and it only takes a drop or two to cover your whole face. Didn't irritate my ridiculously sensitive skin, and completely stopped the flakiness I've been dealing with for ages in just a couple days.' Each of this Korean skin care brand's products is clinically tested to ensure efficacy, and the line includes products to address every concern, from acne to wrinkles. When you're using such effective formulas, you want to make sure you're getting the most out of them, which is where this device comes in. After applying your favorite product, use the Age-R Booster H to help push it deeper into the skin. Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars An Amazon reviewer says: 'I had been reading about this device for quite a while and finally decided to give it a go. I have to say, it does help the products absorb faster and better. It does have a pulsating mode that feels like you are getting a facial massage. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase.' Luxury skin care brand OHUI has been around for decades, but it is finally making its foray into the U.S. market. Its products are hailed for their brightening and anti-aging properties, and many of them are geared toward addressing melasma and dark spots. The Miracle Moisture line features ceramides and peptides to plump skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Best for: All skin types, especially mature skin An Amazon reviewer says: 'I can honestly say that, more than any other skincare product I have tried, this has made a huge difference in the texture and hydration of my skin.' Charlotte Cho is the founder of Soko Glam. Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily. It's an unequivocal yes from us. 'Korean skin care is great for all ages, skin types and skin tones, and you can certainly mix and match across different brands regardless of origin. In fact, many of your 'non-Korean' skincare products are likely now manufactured in Korea!' says Cho. What actually matters are what's inside the products and their purposes. 'It's more about the specific formulas and ingredients. There are some ingredients, like using too many harsh active ingredients all at once, that shouldn't be mixed whether that's across Korean or non-Korean skin care categories,' Yoon warns. Just make sure to space out your actives and consult a dermatologist if you have any doubts. 'There are over 20,000 Korean Beauty brands! Narrowing down what Korean skin care product is right for you is much like approaching any other skin care decision,' Yoon says. She advises figuring out your skin type and goals first and tracking which ingredients agree with your skin and which ones you should avoid. 'That said, if you're not using an essence, that's a great place to start because it can take your skincare routine to another level as it enhances absorption of other products and drenches skin with hydration—and when skin is well hydrated, so many other skin issues can be improved,' she adds. Meanwhile, Cho recommends experimenting with a double cleanse first—that is, cleansing your skin first with a balm or oil and following up with a regular cleanser to really ensure that you remove all the makeup, SPF, and pollutants on your face. 'Good skin care starts with a clean base, and there is nothing more effective than an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to remove impurities. That's why we have a whole category for double cleansing on Soko Glam,' she explains. As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee spoke with trusted Korean skin care experts about Korean skin care brands. Lee also searched the internet for top-rated Korean skin care products and brands, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
NBC News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Talking Shop with Peach & Lily founder Alicia Yoon
Talking Shop is our series where we talk to interesting people about their most interesting buys. Glass skin — you've either used the phrase yourself, seen TikToks about it or Googled how to achieve it. Rooted in K-beauty culture, 'glass skin' refers to a smooth, clear, practically poreless complexion, and while it's a concept that's been around forever, it wasn't trendy until a few years ago. Alicia Yoon, founder and CEO of Peach & Lily, is partially responsible for that. When the brand's Glass Skin Refining Serum came out in 2018, it sparked what she calls the glass skin movement. 'It went so viral, to the point where I actually had to write an e-book on it,' says Yoon. Just because you're the mastermind behind glass skin doesn't mean you're automatically blessed with it, however — Yoon struggles with eczema, keratosis pilaris and sensitive skin just like the rest of us. I talked to the esthetician-turned-entrepreneur about what products she keeps in her skin care (and hair care) routine at all times, in addition to her go-to Peach & Lily products. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. 'Joanna Vargas is a fellow esthetician, and she was the one person I actually really trusted before my wedding many moons ago to do my skin care,' says Yoon. 'She's very custom in how she does things, and she approaches things in a way that I knew my eczema-prone skin would be safe with her.' Yoon adds Joanna Vargas' The Daily Serum to her skin care routine occasionally, which she says is calming and hydrating since it's made hyaluronic acid. 'Because I have eczema, my body hydration situation is pretty intensive,' says Yoon. 'If it's super humid in Miami, I'll skip some of it, but most of the time, I need to lean into different things for different parts of my body.' She uses a handful of Peach & Lily's moisturizing products, as well as Nécessaire's The Body Lotion. 'It's fragrance-free and no-frills, so I use it head to toe,' says Yoon. 'These days, I've been using Live Tinted's Hueguard, which is a mineral SPF, daily,' says Yoon. 'It's lightweight, matches my skin tone and wears well throughout the day.' The broad-spectrum sunscreen is orange when you dispense it, which prevents it from leaving a white cast. It acts as a moisturizer and primer as well, and makes skin look glowy after application. 'The Soft Services Comfort Cleanse Body Wash is no-frills in the best way, especially when you have eczema' says Yoon. 'It doesn't smell, it doesn't irritate, it's mild, nothing hurts and I feel clean. The body wash has this little oil slip in it, which also helps with shaving. It acts as a two-in-on in that way.' 'When I talk to my friends about Osea's Undaria Algae Body Oil, they say it's too heavy for them, but my body just soaks it up,' says Yoon, who applies it to dry patches as needed in addition to her other favorite lotion. The body oil is infused with seaweed and helps moisturize and improve the look of skin elasticity, according to the brand. 'On beach days, I use the Ultra Violette Future Sunscreen, which is a mineral formula and makes me look glowy,' says Yoon. 'I've layered it over and over and it's quite nice.' The Australian brand's broad-spectrum, lightweight formula (which is one of our team's all-time favorite face sunscreens) is made with zinc, hydrating squalane and calming vitamin E. 'I was honestly a little bit skeptical about this at first because I haven't had great luck with a lot of the waterless shampoos out there, but this one actually leaves my hair very shiny and soft,' says Yoon. 'There's a learning curve because you only need to use a little product at a time, but it's really great, and it's creamy instead of watery. The packaging is sustainable and looks like a little aluminum paint tube, so it doesn't take up much room in your shower and it's easy to travel with.' 'I have naturally wavy hair that gets tangled very easily, and it's fine and brittle,' says Yoon. 'This conditioner is amazing because it gets all my tangles out before I air dry, and it leaves my hair behaving well no matter what the weather is. There's no fragrance in it — it's more like essential oils — so it's very light, airy and beautiful.' 'I've tried so many hair oils and serums because my hair is on the frizzier side, and ever since we moved to Miami last year, it's been out of control,' says Yoon. 'This is one of the most popular hair serums/oils in Korea, and it helps me control my hair without making it look heavy or greasy. The serum has argan, olive, coconut and apricot oils in it, but it doesn't feel oily. It leaves my hair looking shiny, and a little goes a long way. I also don't love heavily fragranced products, and while this has fragrance, it's very light, subtle and doesn't linger.' 'Living in Miami, we go to the beach a lot, and I love how my hair looks after that, so I try to replicate it,' says Yoon. 'When I want to add a little bit more texture to my hair and get that beachy wave, I'll use The Crown Affair Texturing Air Dry Mousse. It doesn't make my hair feel crunchy at all, so I get the look and feel I want.' 'I don't know if it's just me, but when I'm pregnant, my legs will start cramping — I'll literally wake up in the middle of the night because the cramping gets so bad,' says Yoon, who is currently expecting her third child. 'I massage this cream into my calves, which really minimizes cramping since it's made with magnesium chloride, and there's a peppermint version for your feet, too. It's very hydrating, but it's a little oily, so I use bed sheets I don't care about or apply it right before bed to give it time to absorb into my skin.' Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who writes our Talking Shop series, interviewing people like Dorinda Medley, Jing Gao and Sara and Erin Foster. To write this piece, I interviewed Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily and Peach Slices, about her favorite skin, hair and body care products.
