Korean Skincare vs Western Skincare: What’s The Difference?

We know Korean skincare prioritises preventing skin concerns, whereas Western skincare aims to fix issues, but how exactly does Korean skincare prevent us from having regular (and super inconvenient) breakdowns over our skin? Let’s find out. Right this way for chilled vibes and clear complexions… 

Bigger On SPF 

Korean skincare is BIG on wearing sunscreen. Forgetting to apply sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to cause premature ageing as UV rays increase the breakdown of collagen in the skin, leading to fine lines and wrinkles as it loses volume. As more than 50% of UVA rays - the main cause of premature ageing - can penetrate glass, you should still be wearing sunscreen even if you’re indoors.

Try: DR CEURACLE Hyal Reyouth Moist Sun SPF 50 PA++++ (50ml) - £24.00

Go big or go home with DR CEURACLE Heal Reyouth Moist Sun SPF 50 PA++++! The K-beauty favourite protects the skin against UV rays with the highest SPF and strengthens the skin barrier against environmental stressors that accelerate ageing. Featuring 10 different types of hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, it provides thorough hydration to each layer of skin whilst enhancing the natural repair process. 

Focuses on Maintaining a Strong Skin Barrier 

Another efficient way to skip issues with your skin is to build up the strength of your skin’s barrier with the very best Korean skincare products. A strong skin barrier can help avoid the most common skin concerns, such as irritation, dryness, and breakouts, by shielding it from environmental stressors. 

Try: AXIS-Y Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule - £22.00 

Feeding your skin’s barrier with antioxidants and nutrients to restore and improve its strength is AXIS-Y Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule. For daily protection against bad bacteria and external irritants, it also includes phytonutrients to prevent future damage.

More Gentle Actives

Highly concentrated active ingredients are essential for preventing skin concerns, but Korean skincare prefers to use more gentle active ingredients without potential irritating side effects. For example, Western skincare recommends we should drench our skin in retinol to stimulate cell turnover, exfoliate the skin, increase collagen production, and unclog pores. Whereas Korean skincare suggests using bakuchiol instead, a natural alternative to retinol. 

Try: PURITO Bakuchiol Timeless Bloom Revitalising Serum (30ml) - £26.00 

With 1% bakuchiol, peptides, and 5 different herbal extracts, PURITO Bakuchiol Timeless Bloom Revitalising Serum smoothes out fine lines and wrinkles and reduces the size of pores without the harshness of retinol. It’s also free from alcohol, artificial fragrance, and parabens to avoid any irritation whatsoever, making it one of the best Korean skincare products for highly sensitive skin types. 

Obsessed with Hydration 

Hydration is the worst-kept secret to dewy skin. The more moisture you have in your skin, the juicer your skin cells will be, and Korean skincare is all about those ~thick~ skin cells that better reflect light. 

Try: ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturising Cream (80ml) - £26.00 

Dripping with birch juice, this moisturising cream by ROUND LAB is one of the best K-beauty products for beautifully bright skin without fuss. With an easily guidable gel, it effortlessly soaks into the skin to plump up parched cells with sodium hyaluronate, a smaller form of hyaluronic acid. Plus, to boost radiance, you’ll also discover ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, to speed up skin cell renewal.

Double Cleansing 

The Korean 10-Step Skincare Routine involves both an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser one after another to properly cleanse the skin. The oil-based cleanser begins by dissolving sunscreen, makeup, and sebum, so that the water-based cleanser can reach deeper beneath the skin to remove the remaining impurities. 

Oil-Based Cleanser: PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil (200ml) - £24.00 

Start your double cleansing off strong with PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil. Rich in 5 naturally derived oils with essential vitamins and minerals, including olive fruit, pearl jojoba seed, and sweet almond oils, it focuses on putting things into your skin rather than stripping them away to keep the skin barrier intact.

Water-Based Cleanser: ETUDE HOUSE Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser (150ml) - £14.00

 With a low pH of 5.5, ETUDE HOUSE Soon Jung won’t knock your skin’s natural pH off balance. The hypoallergenic water-based cleanser will leave your skin feeling squeaky clean without causing dryness or irritation, meaning it’s perfectly suitable for all skin types. 

Layering Toner 

If you’re only applying your toner once, you’re defo missing out. The 7-Skin Method involves applying 3-7 layers of hydrating toner to the skin. By layering toner multiple times, you can absorb 3-7x the amount of moisture than you usually would if you just applied it once. It pushes humectants, ingredients that attract and absorb moisture, to work harder as they’re given more moisture to work with.

Try: NACIFIC Real Floral Calendula Toner (180ml) - £16.00 

If you’re going to apply a toner to your skin several times, NACIFIC Real Floral Calendula Toner is one we could never (ever!) get bored of. Infused with real calendula flower petals, this deeply hydrating toner provides long-lasting moisture whilst reducing acne-causing bacteria, purifying pores, and strengthening the skin’s barrier.