Korean beauty, or K-beauty, has taken the world by storm with its innovative techniques and time-honored traditions. Beyond the famous 10-step skincare routine, there are lesser-known secrets that Korean skincare enthusiasts swear by. Here are eight unusual but highly effective tips straight from Korea’s skincare experts that can transform your skin.
One of the latest trends in Korean skincare, "slugging," involves applying a thick layer of occlusive moisturizer, often petroleum jelly, to lock in hydration overnight. It may sound intense, but this method is perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin. By preventing moisture loss, slugging leaves your skin plump and dewy by morning. Pro tip: Make sure to do this after completing your regular nighttime routine to maximize moisture retention.
Splash masks are a Korean beauty innovation where you dilute a small amount of concentrated mask essence into water and then splash it onto your face for about 15-20 seconds. It’s a quicker, mess-free alternative to traditional masks, yet still offers the deep hydration and nutrients your skin needs. It's perfect for those with busy schedules who still want glowing, supple skin.
This popular technique involves applying up to seven layers of a hydrating toner or essence. The goal is to deeply infuse moisture into the skin, layer by layer, without overwhelming it. The result? Hydrated, plump, and glowing skin that doesn’t need as much cream or serum. It’s a simple but powerful way to boost hydration, especially during colder months.
Also known as "Chok-Chok," this method focuses on keeping your skin moist at all times. In the Korean bathhouse tradition, people often splash their faces with water for 10-15 seconds after cleansing, believing this helps to seal in moisture and prevent dehydration. Following up with a toner and moisturizer immediately afterward keeps your skin looking fresh and hydrated.
Rice water has been a staple in Korean beauty routines for centuries. The milky liquid left after soaking or boiling rice is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s known to brighten, tone, and smooth skin. Many Korean women use it as a natural toner or rinse after cleansing. Simply soak some rice in water for 15-20 minutes, strain it, and apply the liquid directly to your face.
Instead of rubbing skincare products into the skin, many Korean beauty enthusiasts prefer patting them in. This technique helps the skin absorb products better without irritating it. Patting also stimulates blood circulation, which promotes a healthy glow. Whether it's toner, serum, or cream, patting is the preferred method for ensuring your skin drinks up every drop of the product.
Koreans believe in beauty sleep – quite literally. A silk pillowcase is a staple for many K-beauty enthusiasts because it minimizes friction on your skin, preventing wrinkles and fine lines from forming as you sleep. Silk also helps retain moisture in the skin, which is crucial for maintaining that youthful, plump look.
While Gua Sha and jade rolling are ancient Chinese techniques, they have found their way into modern Korean beauty routines. These tools help improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and sculpt the face. Regular use can boost lymphatic drainage and leave your skin looking more defined and radiant. Korean skincare is all about holistic, natural approaches, and these tools fit perfectly into that philosophy.
Korean skincare is more than just a trend; it’s a way of life built on innovation, nature, and tradition. These unusual tips may sound strange at first, but they’ve been trusted by generations to deliver real results. Incorporate a few of these tips into your routine and experience the transformative power of K-beauty for yourself!
Let me know if you'd like any revisions or additional sections for the article!
Girls with thin hair know that desperate feeling when you try to make your hair hold its volume for an hour at least. Luckily, enterprising and resourceful Asians found a solution to this problem: special mini hair rollers, which provide the necessary volume for several months. To tell the truth, we are only talking about root volume, but it’s much better than the deceitful promises of shampoo manufacturers about the magical volume from roots to ends.
Horse butter
Judging by the popularity of this brand, the name “horse butter” doesn’t make anyone feel embarrassed. On the contrary, they find the treated horse fat very useful. The producers of this cream emphasize the fact that the chemical structure of human and horse fat is very similar. They guarantee not only moisturizing and excellent care but also the dissolving of scars and healing of small wounds. These practically magical properties made the product highly popular among Asian beauties. However, regardless of all this, European women are not rushing to put horse butter made from horse fat on their faces.
Venom is the best medicine.
How many people would dare to buy a bottle with “Venom” on the label? In South Korea, shop shelves would be empty in a few minutes. It may sound crazy to many people, but since ancient times, natural venoms and poisons have been used for their healing properties. The Koreans decided to look to the recipes of the past by creating products with bee venom. It effectively heals skin diseases and positively influences skin condition. It seems like the majority of ladies should review their conservative ideas.
Caviar cream
Behold! Now you can have nothing less than a can of caviar on your dressing table. Put 2 of the eggs on your face in the morning as a moisturizer, and use 3 eggs in the evening to restore and whiten your skin. Of course, this creation of Korean cosmetologists is not 100% natural. If you decide to buy some for yourself, make sure that nobody from your family puts it on a sandwich.
24-carat mask
There’s something funny and at the same time luxurious about covering your face with gold. We bet that no fashionable woman would miss the chance to try this exquisite procedure. However, despite many positive effects, there are some precautions. Wouldn’t it be very disappointing to find out that you are intolerant to gold?
Blood face mask
Sleeping Pack is a nighttime face mask that is applied before sleep and is washed off in the morning. The Korean beauty industry invites everyone who wants to look fresh and young to put...blood on their faces. In any case, you should know that this mask is based on dragon blood, so get ready for more magical effects than mere skin whitening and rejuvenating.
Makeup diving
Jamsu is an interesting trick from South Korean beauties, and it can be translated as “diving.” The essence of the method is to make your skin smooth and have your makeup last longer. After putting on your base (primer + tonal base + concealer), you need to apply baby powder to your face. Then put your face into cold water for 15-30 seconds. After the procedure, dry your face with a paper towel. Now your makeup should remain fresh and last all day.
We are not sure if the trick is in the special properties of Korean makeup products or some peculiarities of the procedure itself, but the whole internet is divided over this: some people can’t imagine their life without it, and others don’t understand how it can help anyone.
Bonus: a skin whitening boom in Korea
In the Western world, Coco Chanel made suntans fashionable. Ever since then, Western girls have spent hours in the sun and in solariums trying to make their skin darker. Bronzed skin may look beautiful, but the negative effects of suntans include faster skin aging, shriveling, and even skin cancer.
Asian girls, on the contrary, choose skin whitening, which improves overall skin condition. The Korean beauty industry produces a lot of effective skin-lightening products to make skin even and radiant. However, some unexpected remedies can also be used.
Toothpaste is an excellent skin whitener. Due to its antiseptic properties, toothpaste also helps to soothe acne and minor inflammations. Mix a tablespoon of toothpaste with a few drops of lemon juice, and apply the mixture to your face. However, before applying this mixture to your face, don’t forget to check your skin’s reaction to this solution: apply a drop of the mixture to the bend of your elbow or to your neck, and leave it for 5 minutes.
Another unexpected skin whitening solution is petroleum jelly. It acts as a barrier to trap moisture in the skin, and that’s why it helps to improve its condition. You can make a homemade skin-whitening serum using petroleum jelly, rose petals, milk, glycerine, aloe vera gel, and vitamin E. This remedy is cheap and effective. Don’t forget to always check your skin’s reaction to the new product before applying it to your face.
Did you ever try any strange beauty products? Share your experience with us in the comments.