Korean women are known for their fresh, glowing, youthful skin. Looking at actresses in many K-Dramas like “You Who Came from the Stars,” women often look like they barely wear makeup due to their luminous skin. According to Linda Moerch, author of “The Price of Beauty in South Korea,” the better one’s complexion is, the more highly thought of that person is in society since clean, clear skin is a symbol of purity.
Seoul and other big cities in Asia like Shanghai and Beijing have issues with pollution, too. A strict moisturizing routine helps protect skin from the harsh elements, prolonging one’s youthfulness.
Watching actresses on screen is enough to give anyone skin envy, but how do they achieve such flawless skin?
The “Inside” Scoop
Koreans work hard to maintain 물광피부 (mul kwangpi bu) or “radiant, dewy skin.” The saying “beauty is skin deep” is true as the moisturizing process begins. Since skin reflects one’s health, drinking plenty of water helps with skin elasticity and dryness, providing a youthful appearance. A good diet prevents skin from aging quickly, creating a gorgeous glow. Many feel these steps even slow the aging process.
Taking the time to consider a healthy diet and the multi-step process of moisturizing is beneficial. That’s why so many Korean women look so young regardless of age.
Cleanliness Before Moisture
Cleansing and exfoliating is a valuable part of a healthy skin regime. Not cleansing enough clogs pores, impeding the moisturizer’s ability to soak into skin. Exfoliation unclogs pores, but doing this too much may damage skin, causing red scaly patches. Exfoliating every two days may be ideal.
When cleansing, celebrities like singer/actress Suzy Bae swears by 4-2-4.
Four-two-four involves using cleansing oil for four minutes. The oil breaks down makeup while replenishing skin. Next comes a foam cleanser for two minutes to clear pores. Finally, rinsing with cool water for four minutes removes impurities while closing pores. Cool water also increases blood circulation, creating rosy cheeks and reduces puffiness. Besides cool water, some celebrities even rinse with cold lemon water to tone and tighten skin while the lemon dissolves toxins.
While following this method seems cumbersome, on “Get It Beauty,” Bae and her makeup artist, Hong Sung Hee, swears it helps makeup glide on better for a more natural appearance.
Moisturizing: A Multi-Step Process
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams like wrinkle reducers last since they are the heaviest. Layering lightest to heaviest helps skin absorb moisturizer better.
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.
Anyone Can Do It
While moisturizing methods seem difficult, there is a reason why Korea is revered as one of the world’s skin care leaders. Anyone can follow this method regardless of how many products they have in their makeup cabinets. Just remember good cleansing skills, exfoliation, and layering moisturizers, and anyone can have the healthy skin of the stars!
Celebrities also have their own methods for application. Actress Go Hyung-Jung, author of the book “Texture,” suggests warming moisturizer to help it soak into skin. Other actresses and skin specialists suggest applying moisturizer in an upward fashion to lift and tighten skin.
Across Asia, moisturizing is a timely but serious process. Celebrities may use between ten-to-20 moisturizers on their face to lock in moisture! Why so many? Paired with a balanced diet, the two work together to create a flawless, bright complexion.
Layering moisturizers is the best way to achieve flawless skin. Since celebrities use so many, there is an application method.
When applying moisturizer, start with the lightest ones like water-based serums and moisture sprays first. Medium-weight creams like day or night creams and eye serums would be next, followed by the heavier creams
Child actress and “Music Core” host Kim Sohyun uses Teenage Nature (tn) moisture cocktail cream. She demonstrated how she uses it in a 2013 episode of “Get It Beauty.” The moisture cocktail cream is available through ibuybeauti.com for under $25.
