Unlock the Secrets of K-Beauty: Top 3 Natural Ingredients and Sustainable Skincare Trends
Source : Freepik
South Korea is leading the K-beauty craze around the world, with cosmetics using natural ingredients gaining popularity. Meanwhile, the growing interest in eco-friendly ingredients has led to the rise of environmental extracts such as Houttuynia Cordata, which restores the skin's natural health.In the mid-20th century, the cosmetics market was flooded with products that contained harmful ingredients. In response, products using organic, naturally derived ingredients emerged, and sprouted the seeds of clean beauty. It grew even faster as environmental and health concerns grew, and consumers became more scrutinizing of products. In the 21st century, clean beauty has expanded to include ethical responsibility and sustainability, with many brands using recyclable packaging, opposing animal testing, sourcing fair trade, and more.
1. Top 3 Natural Ingredients in K-Beauty
1) Houttuynia Cordata
Source : photoAC
Consumers with sensitive skin's thirst for healthy beauty has created a new clean beauty trend. In our busy lives, our skin is constantly irritated and tired, especially sensitive skin, and it is difficult to maintain healthy skincare routine.
The first is houttuynia cordata. This herb has been around for a long time and has been used to treat conditions such as acne and eczema due to its excellent antibacterial properties. Not only does it help keep your skin clean and healthy by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, it also improves circulation.
Benefits of Houttuynia Cordata :
- Antibacterial and antiseptic: The natural ingredients are soothing and healthy for sensitive skin, which is why it's used to relieve breakouts like acne and clear the tone.
- Improves circulation: By helping to dilate capillaries to allow blood to flow smoothly, it improves circulation by enhancing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues and facilitating the removal of waste products.
- Detoxification: Effectively suppresses free radicals, the main culprits of aging, to prevent aging, including loss of elasticity and wrinkle formation.
➡️Guide to Choosing a Treatment for Acne Solution
2) Essential Oils
|
Type |
Features |
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Lavender |
Good news for those who suffer from troubles. It soothes inflammation, wounds, itching, and more, and even fades atopic scars and insect bites. |
|
Peppermint |
Cool as a natural pain relief patch, peppermint is good for relieving pain from nerve pain and arthritis, soothing headaches, and helping with digestive issues such as indigestion and heartburn. |
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Lemon |
Lemon is an all-around health food. It helps flush out toxins, improves digestive function, and combats appetite loss. It’s also rich in vitamin C, which can boost your immune system, brighten your skin, and improve its elasticity. |
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Coconut |
Coconut oil has a small molecular structure that allows it to penetrate deep into the skin, moisturizing it from the inside out. |
Secondly, essential oils are natural ingredients made from diluted essentials extracted from a variety of plants. Each plant has a unique scent that provides a variety of benefits, including psychological stress relief and calming, and physical muscle relaxation. For example, lavender is used to relieve stress and help you sleep better, rosemary is used to improve focus and fight fatigue, and lemon is refreshing.
Benefits of Essential Oils :
- Relieve stress and calm the mind and body: Aromatic scents can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which helps to calm and relax the mind and body. Lavender, chamomile, and bergamot are particularly effective at relieving stress.
- Relieve anxiety and improve depression: Some can help relieve anxiety and improve symptoms of depression. Rosemary, lemon, and orange have mood-refreshing and energizing effects.
- Improves concentration and boosts mood: Fresh scents like rosemary, peppermint, and lemon can help you focus and clear your mind, which can help you learn or work more efficiently. They can also boost your mood and energize you.
- Relieves muscle pain and improves circulation: Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint can relieve muscle pain and improve circulation to relieve fatigue and lighten your body. Add a few drops to make it even more effective.
- Relieve respiratory ailments: Eucalyptus and peppermint can relax the respiratory tract and help relieve respiratory ailments such as coughs and colds.
3) Cica
Source : Freepik
Next up on our list of essential oils, the plant with the scientific name Centella Asiatica is called “Byungpul (병풀)” in Korea. It's been used as a wound healing herb since ancient times. It's believed to be so effective that it was named “tiger grass” after the legend of a tiger rubbing its leaves on its wounds to heal them. The various components of Centella asiatica (Cica) are said to be effective in strengthening the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and soothing sensitive and irritated skin. It is used as a key ingredient in regenerative creams due to its ability to quickly repair damaged areas.
2. Sustainable Industry, Why It is in the Spotlight
The growing interest in natural ingredients, including essential oils, is in line with the sustainable beauty trend. Natural ingredients are gaining consumer trust because they are less irritating to the skin and contain health benefits. In addition, using ingredients from nature reduces the environmental burden and contributes to sustainable production. The sustainable clean beauty industry is already becoming a new paradigm for the industry. In the future, more companies will practice sustainability, and consumers will join in to create a healthier and more beautiful world through ethical consumption. Three reasons standout why it’s in the spotlight, they are;
1) Preferences of Consumers with Sensitive Skin
Source : Freepik
In the modern world, sensitive skin is no longer a minority issue. Due to various factors such as environmental pollution, stress, and irregular lifestyles, the number of people with sensitive skin is increasing rapidly, and they are becoming more cautious when choosing cosmetics. Instead of using irritating chemical ingredients, cosmetics such as Cica Cream are being created by listening to the concerns of modern people. In other words, products containing pure ingredients from nature are becoming more popular among modern people with sensitive skin.
2) Influence of Global Trends
Source : Pixabay
Global trends are also having a significant impact on the growth of the sustainable beauty industry. As ESG management, a management approach that considers Environment, Society, and Governance, spreads globally, beauty companies are also adopting sustainable management. In addition, as more consumers seek to live an eco-friendlier life, they are increasingly preferring cosmetics with naturally sourced ingredients, which is driving the beauty industry toward environmental protection and social responsibility.
3) Clean Beauty, Trustworthiness as a Natural Trend
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For a long time, humans have utilized various natural ingredients for health and beauty. They have been widely used in folk remedies and traditional medicine to treat diseases and for beauty. However, whereas in the past, the efficacy of natural ingredients was only guessed based on experience and observation, in the modern era, the efficacy of natural ingredients has been scientifically proven with the development of science and technology. For example, scientific studies are showing that essential oils extracted from different plants can stabilize our emotions, relieve stress, and even help with physical ailments.
Our skin is constantly exposed to the external environment, making it prone to irritation and sensitivity. Cosmetics, especially those that contain excessive amounts of chemicals, can cause breakouts and compromise healthy skin. To solve these problems and maintain good skin, it is important to use good cosmetics (e.g., Cica cream). Meanwhile, K-beauty is taking the lead in solving various skin problems and adding beauty by utilizing various eco-friendly extracts. Natural extracts that align with the clean beauty trend, such as ginseng, green tea, and mung beans, have been used for skin beauty for a long time, and their credibility is increasing as their efficacy is scientifically proven.
Source : Haebom
At the various beauty shops in Seoul that Haebom has partnered with, you can easily browse a wide range of natural K-beauty products and learn more about the benefits of each product from experts. You can also conveniently book a variety of services such as hair, personal color, makeup, and more at professional salons. With an experienced interpreter, you can enjoy a unique experience during your visit to Korea!
