Ironically, K-beauty products have many properties that benefit black or dark skin. I purposely used the word ironically because dark skin is not the preferred skin tone here in Korea. And so, manufacturers arenโt necessarily making skincare products for black women. However, many K-beauty products are created and include ingredients that target the concerns black women have.
An Ironic Skincare Match
Why are K-beauty Products Made for Black Women?
It is no secret that the Korean culture prefers fair skin. Korean women wear head-to-toe clothing to protect themselves from the sun. The tint on car windows is so dark, you canโt see inside. As a matter of fact, itโs the only place Iโve seen tint on the windshields โ which is dangerous. And lastly, spas offer a reverse tanning procedure that promises to make skin iridescent.
I avoided many K-beauty products because they contained bleaching agents. I love my dark skin color, so I have no desire to lighten my skin. As such, there are definitely K-beauty products that are not made for me.
K-beauty Principles Are Made for Black Skin
However, there are a number of K-beauty products that address our main concerns such as anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and dull skin. These products donโt have lightning agents. In essence, many Korean beauty properties are made with these principles in mind:
- Hydration
- Hanbang Ingredients (holistic & natural ingredients)
- Pampering, ritual experience, ie. 10-step facial
- Gentle exfoliations, avoiding skin damage
- Brighteners (not whiteners)
- Inexpensive
The last one is more a desire than an actual practice. I initially bought some expensive skin care products when I first arrived in Korea. But itโs not necessary. On the contrary, there are some excellent K-beauty products that give you a bigger bang for your buck.
Suhwhasoo
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Initially, I used to use a lot more of the Suhwhasoo product line. However, thereโs no denying that itโs top of the K-beauty food chain. Unfortunately, itโs also pricey. I found great substitutions for the other products. But I love Suhwhasooโs Gentle Foaming Cleanser, so Iโm sticking with it.
The bottle is huge so I feel itโs worth the price. And you donโt need a lot, trust me. As a result, a little cleanser goes a long way. The foam feels luxurious, and afterward, I feel โso fresh and so clean, cleanโ. Lol.
The active ingredients include: a rich blend of holistic/ traditional ingredients, brightening citrus peel, and chestnut shell extract
Then I Met You
The Giving Essence
Some people donโt think an essence is necessary, but I beg to differ. In fact, this essence allows the serums (and everything else) I use to work better. Could I get away without it? Probably. Will I? Nope. The silky-smooth texture nourishes and hydrates my skin. And the antioxidants it packs help to calm my skin from all the effects of living in Korea.
My main goal for skincare is to even out the tone of my skin. I want to brighten, not lighten, my skin to give it a healthy glow. And I believe Then I Met Youโs The Giving Essence is a key component in my daily regimen.
Active Ingredients Include fermented sake, niacinamide (brightening), antioxidant-rich red algae, berries, and ellagic acid. It also includes polyglutamic acid (plumps skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles).
Good Molecules
Niacinamide Brightening Toner
The Good Molecules line of products is especially impressive. Actually, if I didnโt know better, Iโd think this particular K-beauty line was developed specifically for dark skin. I love everything Iโve tried so far. Iโve tried the Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Patches as well as the Gentle Retinol Cream. But the Niacinamide Brightening Toner is undoubtedly one of my favorite products ever.
Active Ingredients include: Niacinamide, Glycerin (hydration), Arbutin (evens tone, brightens, hyperpigmentation), and can help with the appearance of scars, 1,2-hexanediol (boosts the efficacy of other products, skin softener), and Propanediol (humectant and emollient)
Discoloration Correcting Serum
The Discoloration Correcting Serum works well. In fact, it has visibly corrected the dark pigmentation on my cheeks, chin, and neck without over-correcting. Consequently, my skin is bright, not light. And as a result, my skin has a youthful glow.
This is probably the only product with Butylene Glycol which is an alcohol. I havenโt had any problems. However, if you have sensitive skin, I would suggest you do a patch test or avoid using this serum every day.
Active Ingredients Include: Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
I misunderstood exfoliation for years. I thought it wasnโt working unless the product was harsh, abrasive, and left me feeling raw.
Mix the Pineapple Exfoliating Powder with a couple of drops of water. It instantly turns into a creamy lather that feels like satin. Exfoliation should be gentle, leaving the face feeling refreshed and polished. As a result, the visible effects are gradual. And over time, my skin rejuvenates naturally.
Active Ingredients Include: Vitamin-rich starch & silk powder, Calamine Powder & Allantoin (hydration, hyperpigmentation), and Enzyme-rich Pineapple, Kiwi, & Papaya Extracts.
Secret Key
Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel
The Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel is my other go-to exfoliation product. It is a dry use (no water) gel. Therefore, there are no granules in the gel. Apply exfoliation in circular motions until the dead skin cells and impurities roll off the skin. If I had a vat of this, Iโd jump in it every morning. It feels that good.
Active Ingredients Include: Citric Acid and Vitamin C
Topicals
Like Butter
I love Like Butter, but I donโt use it on my face. Instead, I massage it onto the old scars I received on the playground when I was young. And the newer ones I received from various surgeries.
Like Butter is a fantastic addition to my daily routine. Consequently, Iโve noticed a difference after a few weeks of use. I am in love with this serum! Itโs part of my K-beauty routine and helps fade hyperpigmentation on black skin. Itโs not magic, and it takes time to see the results. You need to be patient and give it time to work.
Active Ingredients Include: Green Tea Extract, Ginseng, and Chinese Rhubarb Root (anti-inflammatory), Colloidal Oatmeal (calm skin), Turmeric (strengthen the skinโs barrier, hyperpigmentation), and Madeassoside (hyperpigmentation)
Are you as surprised as I am that K-beauty products use ingredients that target the concerns most black women have with our skin? Are there any other K-beauty product lines I should check out?
If youโre looking for more K-products for black women, you wonโt want to miss this article on where to find curly hair products in Korea! Click Here to read more.
