If there’s one thing that everyone thinks about while binge-watching Korean drama, it’s how these Korean actresses manage to have such flawless skin. What is their pristine skin’s secret? While the rest of the world marvels,
Koreans continue to put their best foot forward in terms of skincare and beauty. But this isn’t easy. To keep their skin well-maintained and perfect, they pay close attention to their skincare routine, nutrition, beauty products, and more.
K-beauty not only introduced the rest of the world to their elaborate multi-step skincare routines and great ingredients, but also their game changing innovations. You’re probably already familiar with Korean skincare innovations like BB creams, sheet masks, and sleeping masks—all of which stem from South Korea. Here are some additional, super easy ways to achieve that glowing Korean beauty aesthetic.
1. Extensive Skincare Routine
Yes, this requires a little more investment on your part, but the results are immaculate! Purchase high-quality skincare and stick to it. Get a good cleanser, a hydrating face wash, an eye cream, serums, a light-weight moisturizer, and don’t forget about exfoliation and facial oils.
Following a routine right from your cleanser to the serum, and moisturiser ensures that your skin gets all the nutrients it needs. Layering your products is key. The Koreans put their self care routines first, which is a concept that many of us overlook: indulging ourselves from time to time is the kind of pampering all of us need.is a good kind of pampering at times.
2. Tap your products in
Instead of rubbing your products in, lightly tapping your face avoids you from smearing the product. This allows you to get the most out of it and stimulates blood flow, letting the product penetrate your skin better. But don’t beat yourself up every time you perform your skincare; instead, consider it a gentle tap. The tapping should not be harsh or uncomfortable for you.
3.Make the most out of steam
Steaming is one of the most important things that Koreans follow. Steams and face massages help to rejuvenate and heal your skin. Every morning, Koreans treat themselves to a brief DIY facial in a warm shower.
While steam opens pores and aids in the removal of dirt and grime, massaging moist skin promotes younger-looking and glowing skin. Take a hot shower and massage your face and neck while in the shower.
Massage in a circular and upward motion with your fingertips for 5-7 minutes, and utilise an oil cleanser or essence for more benefits and deeper hydration.
4. Double Cleanse
This is the land from where we got the concept of double and deep cleansing and we love it! Although cleansing appears to be simple, the truth is that your cleanser may not be adequate to remove all of the dirt that has collected on your face, especially if you wear a lot of makeup. Practice a double cleanse, which consists of removing makeup with a gentle water-based cleanser, followed by a face wash.
First cleanse: For the first cleanse a gentle water based cleanser is ideal. A recommended cleanser is Beauty By BiE’s Fresh Forward Cleanser. Take a few drops of the cleanser on a damp cotton pad and swipe it on the face.
Second Cleanse: On a wet face, apply a face wash to remove dirt. Rinse and pat dry.
5.Facial Massage Exercise
Exercising your face, much like you enjoy your post-workout glow, can not only offer you lovely skin but also help you shape it right. Koreans swear by a facial massage to keep their skin looking young
. Here’s a fact that’s not so amusing: not only does your skin wrinkle as you get older, but the muscles that support your face can weaken and sag, making you appear older. People use a variety of rollers and high-tech devices, but you can also make a difference with just your hands (think of it as facial Pilates!)
Korean Anti Aging Secrets
1. Start your skincare with cleansing
The first and foremost step in any skincare is to thoroughly clean your face. Even in a Korean skincare routine, this practice is highly regarded. There is a misconception that Korean beauty stresses much on the products.
However, it is not true. Use any cleansing foam or a face wash in the morning and to remove makeup and other impurities.
Regular cleansing is essential for so many reasons.
1. Firstly, our skin produces oil naturally and it is called sebum. Sebum has certain benefits but if it remains on the skin for too long, it can clog pores. The reason is that sebum gets trapped with dirt and other impurities on the skin. It can penetrate deep into it and cause acne.
2. Pollution makes our skin look dehydrated, rough, and wrinkled. Cleaning your face twice a day facilitates water retention and restores skin hydration.
3. Lastly, your skin is aging regularly. And certain external factors can speed up this process even faster. Cleansing is a great way to fight aging, acne, uneven tone, and dullness. It is one of the vital Korean anti-aging secrets.
2. Try antioxidative Barley tea
Do you know that barley tea is served to babies from birth? Well, this nutty and aromatic barley tea is a popular beverage in Korea and Japan where it is called Mugicha or Boricha. People consume this tea both hot and cold. Barley tea is an incredible anti aging agent.
Drinking barley tea can actually slow down premature aging and age spots, as per the studies. It contains a number of antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin.
Other benefits that barley tea offers are
1. The tea serves different purposes. And one of them is weight management. It is low in calories and a flavourful option for those who wanna lose weight.
2. Barley tea also aids excellent sleep. If you are struggling with insomnia or daily interrupted sleep, then the tryptophan and melatonin present in the tea make you feel relaxed.
3. Steam shower to get younger-looking skin
A steam shower is the bumper for good skin health. Watch any K-drama and you will be amazed to see the characters using it. The skincare industry might be in a rush but this practice is more relaxed and effective.
Steam showers open pores and go deep into the skin. It improves collagen rebuilding and elastin in the skin. Collagen is a naturally found protein that firms the skin. Steam boosts blood circulation which in turn helps in collagen production.
Other benefits of a steam shower include
1. Steam showers relax the skin and give it enough time to heal from external damage. It also allows the skin to flush out dirt and other impurities.
2. Another advantage of using a steam shower is that it hydrates the skin well and restores the lost moisture.
4. Collagen powder for anti aging
It may not be another Korean anti-aging secret. But it is a remedy that is adopted worldwide. Collagen Powder- the secret weapon to aging problems. Collagen, as aforementioned, makes up one-third of our skin.
That is a lot. While age, diet, and environmental factors lower the levels in our body. It becomes essential to consume it from external sources.
Collagen powder reverses the signs of aging- wrinkles, age spots, and more. And improves hydration and firmness of the skin. Drinking collagen daily can work wonders for your skin.
Other benefits of drinking collagen are
1. Collagen is present in connective tissues, bones, and joints. So it treats joint pains and improves bone density.
2. Other advantages are linked to hair as collagen helps in building up keratin- hair growth protein. It repairs damaged locks and promotes healthy hair growth.
These are a few Korean anti-aging secrets. However, your approach should be holistic. Being the largest part of your body, your skin needs an integrated treatment. While focusing on applying the products topically, do consider a balanced diet and lifestyle. Lastly, minimalize your routine, take a deep breath, and eat right
Eat Probiotic Rich Foods
By adding probiotics to your daily diet, such as kimchi, you’re balancing your gut flora and helping your body stay healthy to fight inflammation which causes early signs of aging.
Why Gut Flora?
It is essential for your gut flora to be balanced. The bacteria in your body create toxins which can lead to overgrowth of yeast in the gastrointestinal tract. The overgrown yeast is released into the blood stream causing inflammation throughout your body. The inflammation results in signs of aging including wrinkles and fine lines. Causes of gut flora imbalance include eating sugar and drinking alcohol.
“Fermented foods have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Dr. Craig Kraffert, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
