Get That K-Beauty Glow With These 6 Natural Ingredients

If you indulge in Korean pop culture, then you’ll notice that the stars have one thing in common – good looks. But also, great skin.

How do they do it? We explore the star ingredients in some of the most popular Asian beauty products.

Snail mucin, or quite simply snail slime, is a highly regarded ingredient in K-beauty. The discovery began in South American where escargot farmers noticed their hands looking younger and smoother. Koreans soon picked up on this trend, and now the world has gone snail slime silly.

The secret to their magical skin transforming abilities lies in their mucus. Made up of elastin, proteins, anti-microbial, copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid, the ingredients in the mucus work together to combat a range of skin woes.

What does it do?

• Brightens complexion
• Fades dark spots
• Prevents wrinkles
• Plumps fine lines
• Treats acne
• Smoothens skin

Our favourite products:

• Mizon Snail Repair Perfect Cream (hermo.com.my)
• Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream (hermo.com.my)
• Missha Cell Renewal Snail Cream (Missha retail outlet in Sunway Pyramid)

SOURCE: beautynetkorea.com

Honey is no stranger to the world of skincare. Ancient Egyptians used honey in various skincare and cosmetics (it was a staple in Queen Nefertiti’s beauty regime), and the liquid gold could literally be used to pay taxes.

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would receive payment in honey these days, but they’re still lauded for their ability to soothe and transform skin.

Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. It’s why you can find honey in various moisturising products, including cleansers, creams, and shampoos. Honey’s amino acids, peptides, and antioxidants also contribute to its wonderful skin-healing properties.

What does it do?

• Moisturises and smooths complexion
• Heals and regenerates skin
• Treats acne
• Reduces signs of ageing
• Clarifies pores

Our favourite products:

• Etude House Honey Cera Cream (Etude House retail outlets in malls throughout Malaysia)
• I’m From Honey Mask (hermo.com.my)
• Mizon Honey Black Sugar Scrub (hermo.my)

SOURCE: k-cosmetics.co.uk

Despite sounding like a jargon thrown around in chemical labs, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural skin element that retains a lot of moisture. How much is a lot? One gram of HA is able to hold up to 6 litres of water!

This ingredient should really be a staple in anyone’s skincare regime. As we age, our skin slowly loses its ability to hold and retain moisture, resulting in less firm and supple skin. HA offers a helping hand by holding more moisture on the outer layers of your skin.

All skin types are welcomed to the congregation of HA. Those with oily skin will benefit from the addition of hyaluronic acid to their routine, as it feels exceptionally lightweight on the skin. Those with sensitive skin will thank its gentle properties that still leave skin soaked in hydration.

What does it do?

• Hydrates and moisturizes
• Plumps skin
• Protects from UV damage

Our favourite products:

• Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion (available at most major drugstores)
• Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence (hermo.my)
• Annie’s Way Arbutin Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Mask (hermo.my)

SOURCE: beautifyinglifee.blogspot.com

The cure-all for skin problems, yeast or fermentation extract is no tame player in the Asian skincare market. Made up of amino acids, proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamin B, yeast extract is best known for its anti-ageing and brightening properties.

The fermentation process breaks down the ingredient’s molecular structure, which actually makes the nutrients more concentrated.  This boosts its efficacy, as a smaller molecular structure enables better skin absorption.

What does it do?

• Reduces signs of ageing
• Brightens skin
• Boosts collagen production
• Moisturises skin
• Protects and strengthens skin

Our favourite products:

• SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (SK-II counters in malls throughout Malaysia)
• Missha Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence (Missha retail outlet in Sunway Pyramid)
• Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence (hermo.my)

SOURCE: iherb.com

The tradition of using rice in skincare goes as far back as ancient Japan, where geishas washed their faces in rice water to brighten and even out their skin tone.

Rich in Vitamin E, which contains moisturising and anti-ageing benefits, rice also contains phytic acid that exfoliates skin and increases blood circulation.

What does it do?

• Lightens dark spots
• Evens skin tone
• Reduces signs of ageing
• Mattifies skin

Our favourite products:

• Cosrx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa (hermo.my)
• Skin Food Rice Wash Off Mask (Skin Food retail outlets in selected malls)
• The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisture Emulsion (The Face Shop retail outlets in malls throughout Malaysia)

SOURCE: cupidrop.com

The new darling in Asian skincare comes from this unassuming root herb. In spite of its relatively recent mainstream popularity, make no mistake; this herb has been prized for millennia for its healing capabilities.

Chinese medical practitioners use it to help bring the body back into balance. New mothers are encouraged to consume ginseng to help them regain their strength and stamina while increasing blood circulation.

Rich in phytonutrients, ginseng is prized as an anti-ageing ingredient whether you’re eating it or slapping it onto your face. It also protects skin from free radicals, keeping your skin looking youthful as it pushes back against the harshness of pollution and sun damage.

What does it do?

• Prevents wrinkles
• Protects against sun damage
• Improves blood circulation
• Treats acne and rosacea
• Brightens skin

Our favourite products:

• Etude House Korean Ginseng Sheet Mask (Etude House retail outlets in malls throughout Malaysia)
• Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (Sulwhasoo retail outlet in KLCC)
• Nature Republic Ginseng Royal Silk Toner (Nature Republic retail outlets in malls throughout Malaysia)

SOURCE: makeupalley.com