In Korean skincare, there are many different types of “gwangs” (or “glows”) that can be created through skincare, makeup and even diet.
Four of the most popular and enduring looks arekkul gwang(“honey skin),mul gwang (“water skin”),yun gwang(“lustrous skin”) and sok gwang(“the inner glow”).
Let's take a look at the top 4 Korean skincare trends and how you can try them yourself!
Honey skin (“Kkul gwang”)
What is Honey Skin?
Honey skin is skin that looks soft, hydrated, healthy and glowing no matter the weather. This trend has been popular in Korea for years, and a whole range of products have been created specifically to perfect the honey skin glow.
How to Get Honey Skin
While it’s not absolutely necessary to use products with honey in them, honey-based productsare perfect for supplying the hydration and nutrition to the skin that’s essential for this look.
Try layering honey or propolis based products for the best results. A propolis serum like APLB’sBee Pollen Propolis Ampoule Serum gives the skin a rich glow and a cream like APLBVitamin Propolis Moisture Cream helps to lock in the hydration and make the skin look instantly healthier.
Water skin (“Mul gwang”)
What is Water Skin?
The water glow or “water skin” is best summed up as the look you get after showering, when the skin looks juicy, plump and with an almost wet sheen to it. If you watch Korean TV or K-dramas, you’ll notice that many celebrities favour this look.
How to get Water Skin?
Although Korean BB creams are perfect for achieving “water skin” (try cult-favouriteSkin79 BB Creams), the condition of the skin itself is also really important. In order to nail the dewyness you need, you are going to want to pump the skin full of hydration.
Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and oils are ideal for this. Again, layering products will help. After cleansing, try a sheet mask, followed by a misting spray liked’Alba Piedmont First Spray Serum. Lock it in with a rich, nourishing cream likeJelly Ko Bubble Tea Steam Cream, which combines an oil-in-cream formula with the benefits of a serum.
Lustrous skin (“Yun Gwang”)
What is Yun Gwang?
Yun gwang is similar to strobing, which involves placing a strategic sheen on the high planes of the face.
How to get Yun Gwang?
It’s important to start off with the right base for this look. Korean makeup often starts with a rose or pink coloured primer that will leave the skin looking instantly fresher and healthier before you even start your foundation. Heimish’sArtless Glow Base is great for this.
Instead of foundation, opt for a Korean BB Cream or cushion which lets the skin’s natural light shine through before moving onto strobing. Strobing is a makeup technique that uses shimmery shades of highlighter to accentuate the places where the light naturally touches the face.
“Lit from within skin” / the inner glow (“Sok gwang”)
What is Sok Gwang?
“Sok gwang”is the subtlest of all thegwangs, being the healthy glow you get from taking care of yourself from the inside out.
How to get Sok Gwang?
A diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of water and supplements like soluble collagen are the keys to a healthy, lit from within glow.
Koreans usually finish a meal with fruits rather than a sweet dessert, and this is one way to ensure your skin and body stay healthy and naturally glowing.
Have you tried any of the top 4 Korean Skincare Trends? Let us know in the comments below!
