Obsessed with Asian/Korean stuff - taking your skincare to the next level!

[FrugalFashionista]

Asian and Korean skincare products seem to be a big thing in skincare and beauty right now.

Interested in the following?

• finding a great sunscreen
• tailoring a multi-step ritual to your skincare needs
• talking about geisha beauty rituals
• learning what snail slime, bee venom and starfish have to do with beauty
• plumping up your skin with sheet masks and sleeping masks
• experimenting with essences

Please come here and share your questions, experiences, links and best shopping tips!

Wombat, the white night cream has placenta in. Sometimes placenta is from a vegetable source - it can come from plant buds. But sometimes it is from animal placenta. As dogs can be livestock in Korea, I am not comfortable using products with placenta in unless I know the source.

I'm Asian also, and I have always brought European or American skincare brands but I am loving Asian skincare at the moment. I find the price and quality is much better then what I have been buying before. The only worry I have is buying fakes, I make sure the products are coming from Korea or Japan as there is quite a few fakes that are been sold from China.

Thank you wombat, had a look on ebay and amazon, it sounds amazing, just need to get my head around applying snail products to my face...
What is the CH thread, tried to search for it -- but everyone is using abbreviations!

I'm surprised at how cheap the products are, I've always thought that the more expensive the better the product... Don't know why it has never crossed my mind to layer different creams on top of each other. Using a product for hydration and brightening at the same time.

I'm sure that there are few products here that they would buy into, in terms of the makeup and the micellular waters.

I don't know anything about Korean skin care products but did ask my South Korean friend having seen a previous thread like this on MN. She said to be careful as she thinks the majority of skin care products over there have skin whitener added to them. Also I think they are generally less wrinkled than us as they do not sun bathe and always protect themselves from the sun with hats etc.

Sorry saranghae, the CH is short for Caroline Hirons (skincare guru, I've had a lot of success following her routine and blog, my acne has really calmed down since picking up on her suggestions). I think the thread is called 'amazing faces' or similar - this thread spawned from that one because it got rather confusing negotiating between all the different skincare lines and ideas, so we decided to start a separate thread to talk about the Asian stuff.

Thank you Rojak and Rubyshoes for satisfying my curiosity about how Asians perceive European skincare relative to the Asian market. Interesting to learn that the perception of quality has changed in recent years. I have to say that the Mizon products I've tried are much better than lots of high end Western stuff I've tried (including Perricone, Elemis, etc).

Almondcakes...Dog placenta? I will be extra careful about knowing where it comes from now... Thank you.

Love this thread, though can't see it doing my credit card any good!!

The only Korean product I've tried so far is the skin79 BB cream which I love, so am excited to try more products.

A friend has the snail gel, she has oily skin like me and said it was incredibly greasy and she woke up with an unpleasant oil slick on her face so am guessing this is only suitable for dry skin

Sunscreens, I've been using LRP Anthelios for over a year now, the light fluid, and it's by far the best sunscreen I've ever found. Light, sinks in immediately and doesn't cause breakouts. They have a new matte gel one which us supposed to be amazing and is winging it's way to me now.

Off to Google some of these products, sleep masks sound great

Wow ladies I'm now safely in my destination in the far freezing North (with 90% of the flight continuing towards Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita with their gigantic Prada and Celine shopping bags). I thought the that just me and Wombat were obsessed with Asian beauty stuff but really happy to see how many others are into it too! Plus we have some experts here! This means we can learn from you guys!

I'm sure wealthier Asians buy European and US prestige stuff and actually saw them doing so at an amazing DFS Mall in Honolulu. But... I flipped through an in-flight magazine: it was all about La Prairie, Shiseido, Estee Lauder at 80-100€ per jar and then at the rock bottom Kiehls for 35€ - all for something that might be incompatible with your skin! Through my perfume hobby I get high end cosmetics samples and they are often not right for me (yes I've used Orchidee Imperiale and Sublimage on my legs). This is why I've never been into skincare. But if I can have a jar for 10-20€ plus lots of lovely samples, and the products actually work, please count me in!

Re the whitening issue - it is a beauty ideal much like our obsession with (fake) tans. I've read a bit on this and this usually just means added pigments, not pharmaceutical grade stuff. And that pale girls that me can actually buy stuff off the shelf that does not look orange! And it's also to do with fighting hyperpigmentation (for example, niacinamide and arbutin are popular in Korean stuff but added to Western cosmetics for similar reasons).

But fakes are a very real problem so it's best to buy from reputed sellers.

A few shop links for you ladies just in case you need somehing for Mother's Day
Korean Kosmetics (UK based)
Best BB Creams (UK based)
Missha Germany (ship to lots of EU countries) - if you are queasy about safety, start with this as they have to pass strict EU cosmetics norms; click the flag to change the language to English

RoseRoseShop (Korea based)
W2 Beauty (Korea based)
Jolse (Korea based)

Peach and Lily (US based, ship worldwide)
Sokoglam (US based, ship to UK, Italy and a few other European countries)

Sorry about the mammoth post! Enjoy!

Love your name Saranghae now feel like changing mine.

I always try to find a ingredient list for the product before I buy or I email the company or ask them.

Xici the snail gels are just like normal gels. My teenage son loves the Mizon snail cream, since he has started using it his acne has cleared up. The only problem now is my son's are always stealing my skincare products they use as much products as I do.

Hattymattie it was interesting to compare Italian and Japanese ladies seated next to each other on the plane (I did a lot of queueing taking DC to bathroom, sigh). Sun damaged lizard skin at 40 vs unlined porcelain skin at sixty. Yay for cigarettes and baking on the beach every August! There were some Asian ladies with marked hyperpigmentation or less than pretty skin but on average, I just wanted to raid their purses and cross examine them about their routines!

Sounds interesting. I remember Asian skincare from visiting HK/Singapore/Malaysia years ago, but I mainly remember a lot of whitening products. I was a lot younger though.

Does it have any benefits if your skin is normal? I've a normal, possibly a little dry skin that's pretty low maintenance and in and in good condition (I'm a lucky gal). But I do have freckles and sun spots/pigmentation that I was considering having zapped but maybe some of the Asian skincare would be useful?

Thank you Wombat! I see now, it's been bugging me all morning, what is CH! haha. I saw that thread a while ago, bookmarked it to read for later. So many useful recomendations on her website.

I went to Muji the other day, and they have these compressed sheet masks/eye masks.Quite inexpensive and you can soak them in your favourite serum or emulsion and use them as a sheet mask. Or soak it in rice water and use.

Thank you for the links Frugal, I think I will do some damage to my bank balance after this thread! Good to know where I can buy some of the products mentioned here.

Thank you Ruby, it was quite apt timing that this thread turned up!

Hi ladies, I think that Korea is having a bit of a moment because their cosmetics industry is really highly developed. And that translates to novel, innovative high-tech stuff at high street prices that anybody can afford! Lots of the Korean stuff feels space age compared to my La Roche Posay! Getting optimally hydrated without spots is not always easy, but Koreans definitely know how to do it.

If you want to experiment a bit with Korean stuff, sheet masks are the easiest way to start. Just order one or two on eBay. Pick a neutral one like hyalurone, collagen, rice or pearl, something nice cooling and hydrating like aloe or green tea, or just about any berry or plant that appeals to you. If you want something more exotic, there is bee venom, snake venom, shark or placenta Some are scented, others are not, and your first foray into this should not cost more than a few quid. If you like them, you can buy them in bulk for less. For me, the result is visibly prettier, more hydrated and glowier skin.

If you don't like face masks, try a sleeping mask (I gave a few links earlier in this thread). Clean your face, moisturize it (optional), and then add a sleeping mask. It feels just like any regular moisturizer, but it plumps up your skin overnight. You wash it off in the morning. My skin feels incredibly silky and soothed afterward...

Or if you want just a cream that is a bit different, try the snail cream lots of people here are loving.

If you want to maximum instant impact, read this tread from Reddit Asian Beauty!

Saranghae I love Muji! Great to know We use a Zojirushi rice cooker so we wash rice really often and I didn't know before that you can use the slightly glutinuous water for beauty purposes. Will give it a try!

Just adding an UK-based sheet mask link, this seller has lots of other types too.

No more links today, I promise

Stevie I am not sure how effective the brightening products are. I have some hyperpigmentation and it hasn't instantly faded, though it seems less noticeable, but that could just be because my skin is plumper and glowier. I do live in a really sunny place though, and this year my skin is looking better than last year. Asian stuff is definitely great at covering uneven pigmentation, really love my BB creams! If you want to get better hydrated skin, the snail cream, starfish cream and sleeping masks are all really nice. But if a regular moisturizer does the job, no need to switch!

Saranghae I'll definitely look into Skinfood! Sounds very tempting!

Missmakesstuff I'd ask for a few sheet mask as a Mother's day present. Would have loved breastfeeding and watching Melrose Place reruns wearing one. Possibly also pore cleansing stuff?

Ruby thanks for the blogger link, product reviews are the best!

XiCi great that there are better Anthelios alternatives now. I really love LRP and continue using quite a few of their products.

This thread is going to be disastrous for my bank balance! I've been lurking on the 'product hoarders' thread too, which is just helping me keep the splurges in check. Thank you Frugal for the sheet mask suggestions - I think this will be my next addition.

Tonight I am covered in snail slime after a dose of La Roche Posay Redermic R: East meets West!

Frugal I don't know whether to kiss you or curse you! I have about 5 items in my eBay basket and I want a sheet mask now as well . I was supposed to be cutting back on purchases this month, my credit card is going to take another beating by the look of it! I'm still in the midst of a french pharmacy obsession but some of the Korean products look amazing.

Hello thread where have you been all my life??

I also love Asian beauty, both the make up and skin care. Currently king and loving Benton snail bee essence and Biore watery essence sunscreen in my routine. I'm trialling OST C20 vitamin C serum also. Lurking here until payday next week!

Sorry for the random post, I'm thread-marking for a read in the morning

I am off to Malaysia next month, wonder if these skincare brands will be available there? Would love to pick up some sheet masks to try..

Bustle I have heard a lot of good things about the OST C20 serum. I am using the It's skin power 10 vitamin C serum and that has cleared my hormonal spot scars from my chin, I heard the OST is a stronger and better formula.

Frugal hope you enjoy reading her blog as I find her blog really informative and Tracey test a great variety of items.

This is such an interesting thread! I have noticed that Japanese/Korean ladies usually have beautiful skin and age very well.

I am currently using Anthelios sunscreen but it's not that great really. I am pale but it does leave a slightly weird cast and sometimes pills under makeup.

What sunscreen do you recommend? I see a few people have recommended Biore watery one. Any particular place best to buy from? I don't want to end up with a fake, so a recommendation would be great.

Will also check out the shops linked earlier - the face sleep masks sound great too! Thanks all

I have just seen the recommendation for Biore sunscreen from eBay further upthread - missed that one.! I am going to get that, the reviews sound excellent!!

Whoop woop!! I LOVE Asian skincare right now. My bedside table looks like the local chemist, so many pots & vials.
Your sisters description would total apply to me!!

I'd echo a lot of other posters but my favs are
Mizon Peptide Ampoule
Mizon AHA Serum
Mizon hydrating spray (the snail one!)
Benton snail essence & steam cream
Hada Labo creamy gel sunscreen
CosRX aha bha toner is ok, still looking for something with lower ph
Too Cool For School pumpkin sleeping pack
Not AB but this vit c serum is better than the C20- less sticky
serum
I'm still looking for a retinol product I like. I'm using the bliss labs one now but it's too occlusive, I'd prefer a serum consistency

One thing I've found very useful is a facial oil- to layer under moisturisers if I'm particularly parched. This one is very light & still moisturises nicely
here

HTH!

Sorry, I copy/pasted that from reddit, intended to edit a bit but a small person arrived into my bed.

Those are my faves, I have normal/dry skin with a bit of cystic acne on my chin.

Fav brands are Benton, Mizon, Skin Food, CosRX

Really surprised someone referred to the Benton essence as oily. It's just a watery gel, no oil at all. Maybe they were referring to the Steam Cream? That is quite rich. Both are fabulous, I'm on my 3rd tube of cream and 2nd bottle of essence!!

Surprised no one has referred to the CENTRAL TENENT of AB- double cleansing! I use Skin Food black sugar cleansing oil, then a variety of cleansing lotions. Never foaming washes for me as my skin is dry.

I use multiple serums. Vit C Mizon AHA, Mizon peptide, Benton snail/bee. Not all at the same time, but usually 2 at a time.

Oh and when they talk about whitening, they usually mean brightening and fading sun damage. We're not talking skin bleaching!!

Be back later after I've sorted out the little one who is currently kicking me directly in the groin.

So I tried my Pilaten pore strip ex blackhead and your right, it did harden into a peel off mask. Can't say I notice a massive difference with blackheads and pores, although there was quite a few on the peeled off mask! And my skin does feel lovely and soft, will definitely use again!