Skincare

Back then, France and Japan were considered the leading figures of the beauty industry. However during the 1980s, certain French companies have expanded their operations towards Korea where a few of their experts have created their own quality products. Within a few years time, South Korea has emerged as a leading powerhouse in the beauty industry where they provided several contributions in the market like Skinfood.

Korean skin care includes:

• Sheet masks
• Essences
• BB creams
• CC cushions
• The infamous 10-step skin care routine

All of which ensure dewy and radiant looking skin. Thanks to their continuous research and development strategies, it’s not surprising that the country has inspired countless businesses in the west. With their influence growing ever stronger, here are some tips we can learn from the Koreans in regards to skin care:

1. Focus on prevention.

In Korean culture, prevention is often favoured over treatment which is why many mothers and elder relatives encourage their children to start a proper skincare routine at a younger age. This include applying SPF regularly which helps protect their skin from harmful UV rays while also encouraging women as young as in their teens to start an anti-ageing regimen immediately.

This belief is reflected in the products they offer in the market. Many of which include SPF coverage, anti-ageing effects, and moisturisers that retain moisture and keep the skin looking firm and supple. With countless of treatments readily available, many believe that starting a skincare routine earlier in life is better than paying for costly treatments that can bring a lot of risks.

2. Utilising natural ingredients.

In the past, countless of beauty companies have include parabens, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients in their product line. Many of which are included to add more enticing scents into their products while also increasing their shelf life. For Koreans, many of their companies have made it a point to shift to organic substitutes and using natural means to enhance their products.

One example is their various fermented skin care lines. Compared to mainstream products, fermented beauty products utilise bacteria to increase an ingredient’s potency, making it easy for the skin absorb while also enjoying its numerous benefits. Since many of these fermented products use natural ingredients without added chemicals, they also pose as a great alternative for those who generally have sensitive skin.

3. View skincare as self-love.

Other than viewing skin care as a means of preventing harmful skin conditions, Koreans also view it as a means to express self love and relax. In a world where constant pressure and stressors pose as challenges for people of all ages, it is very important that one takes the time to relax by taking the time to treat themselves to various beauty regimens.

Many people may be under the impression that taking care of our appearance is seen as shallow and superficial. This couldn’t be farther from the truth as countless of people have stated that taking care of yourself reflects how you respect and present yourself to the world. People who generally put an effort in their appearance indicate that they love themselves and are ready to face the world head on.

4. Make skincare routines fun.

Many people often see skincare routine as a chore rather than a way to relax which is why many people often opt to skip their nightly ritual. This can be a huge mistake especially since every moment counts when it comes to taking care of yourself and your body. When we neglect to take care of our skin, it can lead to consequences that can affect our overall appearance and self esteem.

In Korea, many of their products are packaged in colourful bottles and jars that makes it hard to ignore. The reason they do this is because they want to appeal to a wider market and emphasise on how skin care can also be fun. Considering that there are countless of products available, one can pick and choose which product works for them without feeling pressured to buy the latest trend.

In a nutshell

With these key principles in mind, it’s no wonder that South Korea continues to be a global leader in the beauty industry. With their research and development team being years ahead of their western counterparts, it’s no surprise that we can learn a thing or two from them.

This include taking an active role in making sure our skin stays healthy while also emphasising that everyone can benefit from this routine regardless of your gender, age, income, and lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is also important to consult with a dermatologist before starting any new skin care routines.

One morning I’ll looking in the mirror and think “Hey, my skin isn’t that bad actually!”, then a couple of days later I’ll look like a crater face. I don’t know if it’s just the mirrors in my house or if it really changes that dramatically – what can be making such a difference to my skin on a daily basis!?

It turns out, if you want glowing looking skin then it’s a full-time job of *SPOILER ALERT* eating well, sleeping enough and being careful with what you put on your face. That’s okay though, it’s a full-time job I’m willing to commit to for gorgeous looking skin (and hopefully less wrinkles in the future!). 

Want to know how to keep your skin looking healthy, too – then here are a few ideas to help you:

Get your beauty sleep

We don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing and having enough sleep is crucial to achieving healthy looking skin. Your body repairs itself and recovers whilst you sleep, which makes getting enough sleep essential to good-looking skin and you should be aiming for around 8 hours sleep a night.

A good night’s sleep will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, reduce puffiness around your eyes and give you a glowing complexion, due to the increased blood flow to your skin whilst you are sleeping. Being sleep deprived can lead to higher levels of stress hormones, which in turn causes less healthy looking skin, including an increase in inflammation of the skin. Moreover, if you have any existing skin conditions, a lack of sleep is likely to make them worse.

If you do have difficulty getting a good night’s sleep, there is a lot of advice available to help you, including some helpful tips on the NHS website. In a nutshell, do keep regular sleeping times if you possibly can, do wind down before you go to bed by reading a good book, listening to relaxing music or having a warm bath for instance.

Ban gadgets and anything with a screen from your bedroom, and do your best to keep your bedroom, dark, tidy and quiet, to give you the maximum chance of feeling calm and relaxed. All of these steps will help you to have a good night’s sleep and boost the appearance of your skin.

Remember to stay hydrated

To keep your skin looking good, it’s important to keep hydrated, and it’s best to do this from the inside out, so ensure you are drinking enough water. If you have a penchant for caffeine-filled drink, you’ll need to drink extra water, but as an alternative to caffeine-rich drinks try drinking warm water with a slice of lemon.

Keeping yourself well hydrated will enhance your skin’s moisture and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can also aid the hydration of your skin during the day using a spritzer or boost moisture levels a couple of times a week by using a face mask. 

I’m loving this wild raspberry and white tea body mousse from Nivea. It’s so creamy! 😍

Feed your body healthy food

Your diet is a key factor in keeping your skin looking healthy; it’s true that you are what you eat. It’s important that you eat a diet that includes a high proportion of fresh fruit and veg, and eat as broad a range of them as possible. The rainbow analogy is really helpful here – so mix them up and eat as many different fruit and vegetables as you can. That being said, there are few examples that are particularly helpful when it comes to healthy-looking skin, first up the humble carrot.

Carrots are high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps to repair skin tissue and protects you against harm from the sun’s rays.  Next up, Spinach, packed full of vitamins and minerals, this is a veg that has anti-aging and skin repair properties. What’s more, it’s full of water so will help with hydration too. Also, look to eat lots of strawberries and other summer berries, as these are packed full of vitamin C and anti-oxidants, helping to boost the look and health of your skin. 

Eating fish is also beneficial to your health, including your skin, so aim to have two servings of oily fish such as mackerel. Seafood tends to contain essential fatty acids and selenium, which will all help to boost the appearance and elasticity of your skin.       

Protect yourself from the sun

Exposure to the sun ages your skin and could cause you health problems, so cover up in hot weather. Wear light, breathable fabrics to keep your skin cool and comfortable, and protect your face by wearing a sun hat and sunglasses. Also, ensure you apply a high SPF sunscreen on any exposed skin. Remember, you need to reapply your skin protection at regular intervals throughout the day, aim to reapply it every two hours. If you can stay out of the midday sun, then do.    

Treat your skin with care

It’s important to have a good cleansing and skincare routine if you want to keep your skin looking healthy. Some cleansers can be harsh and leave your skin looking and feeling dryer, so look out for one that is moisturising.

Regularly exfoliating your skin is important too, as it will help you to get rid of the sweat, grease and debris on your skin and allow the moisture in. Once you’ve cleansed your skin, apply a moisturiser quick sharp, to stop your skin drying out. In addition, use a mineral foundation as a part of your daily skincare routine to give your skin a flawless look and improve your complexion over time.

So there you have out five essential steps to achieving healthy looking skin, from what you put into your body to what you put on it as part of your skincare routine and getting a good night’s sleep.