K-beauty is spreading throughout the world fast, which means lots of K-beauty myths have been created. It’s time to bust them up.
When do you need to apply sunscreen and what exactly is an essence? While we love answering each question on its own, we’ve identified the top 10 myths about K-beauty and the Korean skin care routine that need you need to dispel ASAP. Here’s the truth.
Myth #1: Korean skin care works only for Asian skin.
This is one of the biggest K-beauty myths. Contrary to what you may see on TV, many Koreans in real life deal with the exact same issues non-Koreans deal with, like acne, oiliness, dryness, and sensitivity, just to name a few. Korean skin care works for everyone not because it’s specifically meant for Korean or Asian skin but because it’s meant for skin in general, which we all have. So you’d be missing out if you reject Korean skin care as a whole because you’re not Asian.
If you’re still skeptical, try double cleansing morning and night for two weeks and see how it changes your skin. You’ll see a difference, no matter your age, ethnicity, or skin type.
Myth #2: It’s impossible to find Korean makeup for deep skin tones.
It was certainly difficult to find Korean makeup suitable for skin tones deeper than shade 23 a decade ago. But thing are changing fast. As Sarah from 2hearts1seoul has noticed, Korean brands are expanding their selections to accommodate consumers from all around the world. For instance, the Missha M Magic Cushion (one of my all-time favorite cushion foundations) offers shades from No.21 (Light Beige) to No. 31 (Golden Beige), indicating that Korean companies are conscious of the need to create shades beyond what Korean women are used to.
As Korean beauty becomes more and more global, you can expect to find a wider range of colors, and this goes beyond foundations.
Myth #3: You only need to apply sunscreen when it’s sunny out.
You need to apply sunscreen every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny or cloudy, snowy or rainy, sleeting or hailing. If you’re going to be exposed to the outside world—and sitting at home all the day also counts if your house has windows—you need sunscreen. No skipping on weekends or neglecting the neck, either. I apply sunscreen down to my collarbone every day and carry around a sample moisturizer with SPF so I can apply it on my hands throughout the day.
Besides evening out your skin tone, wearing sunscreen every day protects your skin from sun damage, which also prevents various skin issues like wrinkles, acne scars, and sun spots from worsening. If you want to be hardcore like my Korean mother and be the queen (or king) of anti-aging, wear sunscreen every day and wear sunglasses and a hat every time you leave the house.
Myth #4: Men and women need different Korean skin care products.
Generally speaking, men tend to have larger pores and have oilier skin than women. But in practice, skin needs wildly differ from person to person, and your gender doesn’t necessarily dictate your skin’s needs. So it’s very possible that skin care products marketed towards men and women have very similar if not the same exact ingredients within the same brand.
The differences come down to product names and packaging. This is where learning how to read the ingredient list comes in handy. You don’t need to restrict yourself to the women’s or the men’s section, and a gentleman’s skin care routine doesn’t have to differ from a lady’s. Skin is skin, and a good skin care routine is a must for healthy skin, regardless of gender.
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