What is KBeauty?
Kbeauty stands for Korean Beauty or beauty products from South Korea.
Over the last 7 years, K-Beauty has solidified its standing as player number one. Korean beauty conglomerates like Amore Pacific and Innisfree have become household names. Famed for their innovative formulations, cutting-edge ingredients and cruelty-free approach to skincare, Koreans have redefined a new approach to beauty.
The Korean philosophy to skincare emphasises prevention rather than cure. With routines that can include as many as 12 steps, the Korean approach allows for an incredibly tailored and personalised skin care regiment that can be adapted as required.
The option to include (or remove) serums, sleeping masks, essences and acids allows you to target specific skin concerns and find a routine that works with your lifestyle. So why is Korean beauty so popular? Let's take a look.
WHY KBEAUTY IS TAKING OVER THE WORLD
1) Innovative formulations and advanced technology
South Koreans have consistently been at the forefront of innovative beauty formulations and ingredients.
With a strong cultural identity that spans thousands of years, Korean Beauty infuses ancient knowledge of ingredients with modern advanced technologies.
Whether it is Innisfree harnessing of the nutrient rich soil found on the volcanic island of Jeju or Beauty of Joseon recreating the skincare knowledge of the women from the Korean Dynastic Period, ingredients and formulations are taken incredibly seriously. There is also a large focus on natural, gentle, soothing ingredients as opposed to chemical, harsh or stripping ingredients often found in Western skincare.
2) Skin-friendly formulas for all skin types
Now more than ever consumers are wary of what is in their skincare and what they are putting on their face. By using mostly natural, soothing ingredients, minimal fragrance, and formulations that are designed for sensitive skin, customers can rest easy knowing that Korean formulations aren’t going to strip the skin or damage their skin's barrier. Many products are also Vegan friendly, meaning no animals have suffered for your beauty. Testing on animals is not legal in Korea, so consumers can rest easy knowing that their K-Beauty is cruelty free.
3) Prevention is better than cure
One of the core philosophies underpinning K-Beauty is their focus on prevention over cure. Koreans will often commence a beauty routine in their teenage years, long before most Westerners. There are also other significant cultural differences like attitudes towards the sun and UV exposure.
4) Highly effective yet affordable
Another edge that K-Beauty has on Western skincare is it’s affordability. While it is true that luxury brands exist in the K-Beauty world (think Sulwahoo, Amore Pacific and Charmzone) K-Beauty is famed for its affordability. Brands like Innisfree, Skinfood and Benton average out at around the $20 mark for their products. The best part? The affordability doesn’t come at the expense of great formulations and ingredients. In an industry with so many competitors, the price of K-Beauty has been driven down to give consumers the best possible experience.
Thanks to the innovative formulations, advanced technology, personalised skincare routines, natural and gentler formulation for all skin types, prevention techniques and affordable yet high quality skincare K-Beauty is here to stay.
NEED HELP PICKING THE PERFECT KBEAUTY PRODUCT?
If you are new to your K-Beauty journey or just looking to shake things up, reach out to one of our STYLE STORY team members. We are here to answer any and all of your K-Beauty related questions!
STYLE STORY - Your Go-To for Kbeauty