Korean dramas aren’t just about addictive storylines and stunning locations. They also let you score firsthand intel on all things skin care and beauty. So, if you’re looking to achieve the beauty standards set by K-drama stars, invest in these essential products featured in top-rating shows. Your glowing, radiant skin awaits!
1. Foaming Cleanser From True Beauty
True Beauty is a romantic comedy that revolves around high school student Im Ju-Kyung (Moon Ga-young). She rose to pretty girl fame after mastering the art of makeup by watching videos online. Among the countless products featured in the episodes is a foaming cleanser.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using this gentle, nonabrasive, alcohol-free cleanser to clean your skin without irritating it. The foaming quality from this facial wash can lift dirt and debris from deeper parts of your pores, leaving your skin fresh and revitalised.
Pro tip: Use this product before applying makeup; piling foundation on dirty skin will only trap bacteria and clog your pores (hello, acne!).
2. Milk Essence From Extraordinary You
Extraordinary You follows high school girl Eun Dan-oh (Kim Hye-yoon) who discovers she’s living as a supporting character in a fantasy world of comics. A scene offering a peek into her dressing table reveals one skincare must-have: a brightening milk essence.
Nope, this is not the same as the dairy product in your fridge. Think of it as a cream-based lotion that can moisturise and whiten your skin, increase elasticity, and treat wrinkles. It smells good, too! Choose an essence with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), specifically glycolic and lactic acids recommended by the U.S. FDA, for the best results without irritation.
3. Anti-ageing Essence From Crash Landing on You
Crash Landing on You took the world by storm after its release in December 2019. Opposites collide when South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin) crashes into North Korean officer Ri Jeong-hyeok (Hyun Bin) during a paragliding accident. In true K-drama fashion, the two star-crossed lovers fall in love over time.
But not even being stranded in a small communist village without access to hot running water will keep Se-ri from maintaining her skincare routine. Sure, Captain Ri’s efforts to smuggle beauty products from across the border make fans swoon. However, it’s Seri’s anti-ageing essence that takes the spotlight.
Follow suit using a serum or essence with active ingredients targeting specific concerns. These products can deliver benefits to your skin on a deeper level because of their high concentration. But make sure you consult your dermatologist to identify the most suitable active ingredient for your skin.
In the meantime, acquaint yourself with the common components in facial serums and essences:
- Hyaluronic acid: hydrates the skin and improves elasticity.
- Retinol: improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
- Glycolic acid: helps remove dead skin cells for a smoother complexion.
- Niacinamide: hydrates the skin by preventing water loss and restoring the skin barrier.
- Vitamin C: protects skin against free radicals, promotes collagen production, and supports cellular repair.
4. Moisturising Stick From The King: Eternal Monarch
Romantic-fantasy Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch takes viewers on a journey alongside modern-day emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho), who enters a mystery portal into a parallel world. He teams up with feisty police detective Jung Tae Eul (Kim Go-eun) to defeat criminals and close the door between their worlds.
In one of the episodes, Kim Go-eun’s character uses a multipurpose moisturising stick to hydrate her face and lips. The female protagonist blessed the moisturising stick with immense popularity that the product earned the nickname “Kim Go-eun balm.” This hybrid hydration hero functions as an illuminator, primer, and highlighter, promising an otherworldly glow all day.
5. Sheet Mask From Descendants of the Sun
Descendants of the Sun tells the love story of special forces agent Yoo Shi Jin (Song Joong-ki) and surgeon Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye-kyo). But it isn’t just the Korean actress’ glowing porcelain skin and ageless beauty fans notice.
Master Sergeant Seo Dae Yeong (Jin Goo) shocks First Sergeant Choi or Snoopy (Park Hoon) when he removes the sheet mask he uses to prepare for their return to Korea from the fictional war-torn country of Uruk. When Snoopy says that his daytime face doesn’t matter as much as his nighttime game, Dae Young puts his mask on the first sergeant. The result? Hydrated skin, shrunk pores, clear complexion, and a healthy glow.
BONUS: Going Beyond Skin Care
Maintaining a healthy glow like your favourite K-drama star goes beyond skin care. For skin that radiates from within, develop healthy lifestyle habits to achieve total mind and body wellness. Get enough rest, exercise, and nutrient-dense food in your diet. And don’t neglect seemingly insignificant health problems like crooked teeth.
Match glowing skin with radiant confidence from perfectly straight teeth! ClearCorrect dental aligners treat dental misalignments subtly and comfortably so you can flash a smile as brilliant as your fave K-drama star’s.
With lessons on life and love, Korean dramas offer more than just skincare tips and fashion inspiration. They let you laugh out loud and cry your heart out; they also inspire you to look and be your best! Whether caring for your skin or finding ways to love yourself, embrace your journey of self-improvement, one day at a time.
References:
Crash Landing On You (TV Series 2019–2020) ⭐ 8.7 | Adventure, comedy, romance. (2019, December 14). IMDb.
Descendants of the Sun (TV Series 2016) ⭐ 8.2 | Action, comedy, drama. (2016, April 8). IMDb.
Face washing 101. (n.d.). American Academy of Dermatology Association
Itaewon Class (TV Series 2020) ⭐ 8.2 | Drama, romance. (2020, January 31). IMDb.
Nutrition, C. F. F. S. a. A. (2022, November 22). Alpha hydroxy acids. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Oshinsky, A. (2021, March 12). K-Dramas + K-Beauty. Into the Gloss.
The King: Eternal Monarch (TV Series 2020) ⭐ 8.1 | Fantasy, mystery, romance. (2020, April 17). IMDb.
The Preview Editors. (2023, December 2). The Top 50 Highest-Rating Korean Dramas of All Time. Preview.ph.
True Beauty (TV Series 2020–2021) ⭐ 8.0 | Comedy, drama, romance. (2020, December 8). IMDb.
