The secrets of K-beauty
If there is something I find super interesting, it is Korean beauty routines. While we often have a one, two, three-step plan, they approach it differently – and on a larger scale. I'm talking about at least nine different products that you use in the morning and evening, all for that beautiful skin. There is just one problem: where do you start? There is so much, and what works for my skin and what doesn't? Now there is Hyun Yeu, who has turned his hobby into his work and is opening the first K-beauty store: ‘Laboratory K’ in Amsterdam. I was at the opening and spoke to him for 45 minutes about everything you can discuss in that time. You get it: I could have stayed there for hours. He had so many fun and interesting tips, tricks, and facts that I want to share with you. Did you know, for example, that goat's milk is most similar to breast milk and that the ‘whitening’ cream was not intended to make your skin whiter at all? No, right? Read on and shudder. I'm going to tell you everything.
Prefer no foundation
The quality of your skin barrier is the most important thing. Do you usually go to a store for a foundation or concealer to cover up those imperfections? That is really the very last step in this world. If your skin has imperfections, it is more likely due to nutrition and not properly cleansing and hydrating your skin.
Massaging in is not done
Applying all the steps also has a small caveat. Rubbing movements are not a good idea. You gently distribute the toner, serum, or cream over your face and neck, then pat it into the skin. Especially if you have sensitive skin or suffer from redness, this is the tip.
Back to your roots
It was known that goat's milk contains good nutrients, but that it is also most similar to breast milk... I didn't know that. It contains essential fatty acids that are so fine that they can be quickly absorbed into the skin. Goat's milk is also full of antioxidants that combat aging and skin problems.
Close to home
You expect that all products from a K-beauty store contain ingredients from Korea, but nothing could be further from the truth. The specialists have searched for ingredients in the craziest places: for example, a ‘normal’ micellar water contains anything but normal water. Deep in the sea off Hawaii, they extract fresh water that contains so many minerals, you won't find that anywhere else. And you need minerals to protect your skin from the sun, to care for, repair, nourish, and so on.
Whitening and brightening
You know it: products that would be ‘whitening’. This is actually a sloppy translation error, exceptions aside. The intention is to reduce those brown spots (pigment) in your skin to achieve an even complexion, NOT to make your skin whiter. To make it clear once and for all: if you see ‘whitening’ somewhere, ‘brightening’ is meant.
Unisex
The products are largely unisex. There is no collection that is ‘only’ for men or for women. Do pay attention to what type of skin you have and don't use your partner's products if he has oily skin and you have dry skin. If you both have the same skin type, then you're lucky and can share everything.
Away with those blackheads
Did you know that blackheads mainly consist of sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells? They are mainly around your nose, but if you look closely, also around your mouth, the place where most movement occurs and where dirt accumulates. You can reduce them by massaging with a cotton pad (cleansing) oil locally, which slowly pulls the fat out of the pores. Fat removes fat. Then use the well-known ‘blackhead’ exfoliant to slowly shrink the skin, the pore, again, making the black dot less visible. This doesn't happen after one time; you have to keep repeating it until it is really less visible.
Sprays
A toner in spray form is of course ideal, just like a face mist. There is almost no faster and easier way to apply it. But with a spray, the effect on your skin is minimal. If you notice that your skin needs more, spray it on a cotton pad and gently pat it over the areas that need that extra care. Applying locally is sometimes better than taking your whole face with you when it's not necessary.
Next time I'll tell you about all the skincare steps in the morning and evening. Will you set your alarm ten minutes earlier? Because you will need it.
