On episode 223 of the Korean Beauty Show podcast, Lauren delves into the latest report on Korean women's favourite beauty products and brands. Plus, which Jelly Ko product just won Prevention Magazine's "Best of Beauty Awards"? We've got a question about the popular Medicube devices, new products from One Thing and The History of Whoo, new customer reviews plus two anti-recommendations.
Consumer research firm Kantar released a report, "The Most Chosen Brands - Consumer's Choice in the First Half of 2023", which reports on the skincare trends of women in Korea by age. The survey was conducted on Korean women aged 15 to 65 nationwide from June last year to June this year.
In the first half of this year, younger female consumers in Korea focused on moisturizing and pore care, with older women focusing on anti-aging and brightening care.
The report confirmed that competition for "cost-effective" skincare is intensifying.
According to the report, the most purchased skincare products by Korean women were moisture/moisture for those aged 15 to 49 and anti-aging for those aged 50 and older. The third most purchased skincare product by all ages was sunscreen.
Korean Women aged 15-34 - Doctor G, Manyo Factory and Mediheal, Numbuzin, Ariel and Banila Co have gained popularity as they are the most used age group.
Korean Women aged 35 to 49 - had the greatest demand for moisturising products, but they also enjoyed high-efficacy products with anti-aging.
Dr.G, AHC, Dongkuk Pharmaceutical, etc., which put forward high-effectiveness anti-aging skincare products, were selected the most. In addition, MediCube, D'Alba, which presents comfortable spray, stick, patch forms and device line products, were also found to be popular brands.
Older Korean Women value anti-aging and have a high demand for immediate effects
Purchase from many brands, including Sulwhasoo and SNP
Jelly Ko Cherry Blossom Sleeping Mask won a Prevention Beauty Award
“The first thing you notice when you open this pot of skin-quenching goodness is its incredible texture: a completely clear, bouncy jelly that feels cooling and lightweight on the skin. It contains skin-restoring niacinamide, moisture-locking panthenol and sodium hyaluronate, which has superior hydrating powers. A soothing, smoothing sleep mask that moisturises while you snooze.”
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: MEDICUBE DEVICES
One of our listeners asked:
"Hi Lauren, what is your view on medicube and it’s devices? It gained a lot of popularity lately and I would like your view about this brand please thank you"
I will caveat this by saying I haven’t personally used the products so this is not based on a review of the actual devices from having used them. However, I think the main reason we’re seeing these products everywhere at the moment is mainly due to the company’s marketing efforts. They clearly have a large marketing budget with the amount of influencers they are gifting the product to.
That's not to say that they aren't popular in Korea because they definitely are, as Kantar's research showed.
Now, because I haven’t actually tried them I can’t comment on any results, however I know that one of the devices is supposed to enhance the absorption of your beauty products. The issue with this is that it is premised on the fact that all your skincare ingredients need to be absorbed. But that’s not how all skincare products work - take sunscreens for example. Sunscreen is not necessarily supposed to be absorbed into the deeper layers of your skin.
In the end, I find that the best way to enhance the absorption of your skincare products is to regularly exfoliate and layer your products.
My personal experience with device products in general hasn’t been great but that's not Medicube specific.
These sheets are perfect for DIY-ing your own masks. Made of 100% natural pure cotton they have excellent adhesion and absorbency. Based on your skin concerns, you can mix your favourite toners to make your perfect mask.
The History of Whoo's Seol line presents the modern reinterpretation of the royal brightening formula which the empress relied on during the days of the Korean dynasties. This highly functional anti-aging, brightening line reduces visible signs of aging by enhancing luminosity, improving dark spots, increasing the appearance of skin firmness, promoting elasticity and providing even skin tone. Continuous use in a short time period will leave the skin brighter and glow with youthful radiance.
Beautiful product, works extremely well on my oily skin. It is a thick consistency but applies smooth and doesn’t look cakey at all. It is a perfect blend between foundation, moisturiser and sunscreen. So much better than trying to apply moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation separately and dealing with stickiness, product incompatibilities and pilling. I am fair/light neutral and wear NARS Mont Blanc, this shade was a perfect match for me, I don’t even think I will use foundation anymore. I highly recommend!"
Such a nice mask you can feel it tighten as it dries once you wash it off you can already see the difference you do get a left over of shininess from the mask but once you apply other products you realise how soft the mask has made your skin I went through it so fast I wish it was bigger."
I’ve been struggling with acne for the first time in my life ever I’m 35 and have tried everything under the sun at this point. I read an article about glass skin and k beauty and deep dived into it. So stoked I did because this stuff works! Buy now!"
