Korean Skincare and Lifestyle: The Impact of Good Habits on Skin Health | Lifestyle

When you think of Korean skincare or K-beauty, you probably imagine elaborate 10-step routines or the latest sheet mask trends.

However, in Korea, beauty is not just about cosmetics you apply to your face, it is also about your lifestyle habits and what you usually eat.

In other words, the concept of Korean beauty clearly emphasizes good hygiene, healthy diet, herbal remedies and fermented foods.

Yes, K-beauty is also a whole philosophy! During our few trips to South Korea, we noticed how much Koreans take care of their skin, not only in their skincare routine, but also in their daily choices. For example, if a Korean woman has an acne breakout, the first thing she will think is to stop eating instant noodles or fried foods. Of course, this is just one example, but it is important to understand that unhealthy foods and an unhealthy lifestyle quickly affect the skin.

This link between diet and beauty is deeply rooted in Korean culture, where traditional meals and natural remedies aim to promote both inner beauty and overall health. But let's take a closer look at the role of diet in Korean cosmetics and its impact on skin health.

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K-beauty: The link between diet and skin health

The number one leitmotif of inner beauty is always based on a balanced diet to prevent common skin problems such as dryness, acne and premature aging.

Many traditional Korean dishes are rich in foods that benefit skin health, including fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and fermented foods. These ingredients improve digestion, help reduce inflammation, and promote overall well-being.

All of this is directly reflected in the radiance of your skin.

In reality, it's a holistic approach that fits naturally with the K-beauty philosophy that healthy skin starts from the inside out.

Korean Foods and Drinks That Naturally Improve Skin Beauty

In Korea, many people believe that healthy, glowing skin starts with what you eat and drink.

By the way, here are some of the Korean foods recommended for skin health and the reasons why they are (very) beneficial:

• -Kimchi: A fermented dish rich in probiotics, which promote gut health and reduce skin inflammation. It is also rich in vitamins C and A, essential for brightening and repairing skin.
• -Green tea: Rich in antioxidants, very effective in reducing inflammation, improving skin elasticity and protecting against aging. It is often consumed daily to promote healthy skin.
• -Sweet potatoes: rich in beta-carotene, they improve complexion, protect against UV damage and maintain skin hydration.
• -Ginseng: Known for its anti-aging properties, ginseng stimulates collagen production, improves blood circulation and gives the skin a natural glow.
• -Barley tea (Bori-cha): A popular drink in Korean homes, it hydrates the skin, detoxifies the body and provides antioxidants to fight the signs of aging.
• - Doenjang (fermented soybean paste): Rich in amino acids and antioxidants, it helps the skin retain moisture and reduce the signs of aging.
• - Algae (Gim): Rich in minerals such as zinc and iodine, they regulate sebum production, strengthen the skin barrier and protect the skin from external aggressions.
• -Rice water: often used topically and as a drink, it helps to lighten the complexion, even out skin tone and hydrate the skin.
• -Makgeolli (rice wine): fermented rice drink, rich in probiotics and lactic acid bacteria that promote intestinal health, brighten the complexion and smooth the skin.
• - Herbal teas (mugwort, ginger, jujube): Common in Korean diets, these herbal teas help detoxify the body, reduce inflammation and promote calm and healthy skin.

These Korean inner beauty practices really help us understand the connection between diet and skin health.

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Never forget: K-beauty is also experienced from the inside out.

How Koreans Cook Their Skincare Ingredients

In Korean inner beauty practices, it's not just the ingredients that make the difference, but also how they are prepared.

In Korean cuisine, healthier cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, fermenting, and eating raw are preferred over frying. These methods preserve the food's natural nutrients, making meals more beneficial for overall health and skin health in particular. For example, kimchi is fermented rather than cooked, which increases its probiotic content and improves gut health without the need for added oils.

Sweet potatoes are usually steamed or roasted rather than boiled, which retains their beta-carotene and fiber, which help improve skin tone and protect against UV damage.

By avoiding deep-frying, Koreans reduce their consumption of unhealthy fats that can contribute to inflammation, clogged pores, and blemishes. Instead, they favor lighter cooking methods that enhance both the flavor and nutritional value of their meals. These traditional cooking practices are part of the philosophy of inner beauty, which promotes healthier skin from the inside out.

But beyond diet, there are also several lifestyle tips and tricks you can practice to complete your K-beauty cosmetic routine.

Skin icing or cosmetics using cold or iced water

Skin icing is a treatment that relies on contact between facial skin, ice, and ice-cold water. There are different techniques, but all aim to create a thermal shock on the face. The goals are to smooth wrinkles, reduce puffiness, and reduce bags under the eyes. Effective and inexpensive, cold water pampers your face—enjoy it!

What is ice used for in skin care?

• -It reduces bags and puffiness under the eyes;
• -It reduces dark circles;
• -It smoothes wrinkles;
• -It facilitates cell renewal;
• -It firms the skin;
• -It reduces sebum production and acne.

Cold and ice have always been used for their beneficial effects on the skin and body in general. It's no coincidence that the ancient Romans dedicated part of their thermal baths, the frigidarium, to icy waters.

Several studies confirm that cold activates skin renewal and that ice, in particular, has a vasoconstrictor effect that helps reduce swelling. Specifically, cold or ice compresses have the power to reduce many imperfections (even those related to age) such as signs of fatigue under the eyes, and therefore bags and dark circles.

Dabbing with cold cloths is also a solution for oily skin, as it regulates sebum production, and for those prone to redness, as it helps soothe it. However, it's worth remembering that the effects of ice on the skin are temporary and disappear within a few hours, so skin icing cannot be considered a permanent treatment for certain problems.

Korean Skincare and K-Beauty: The Impact of Hanbang on Skin Health

Herbal remedies, or hanbang, are deeply rooted in Korean culture and also play an important role in the spiritual upliftment of inner Asian beauty.

For centuries, Koreans have used herbs such as licorice root, mugwort, and red ginseng to improve their health and skin. Licorice root is known for its skin-lightening and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective at reducing redness and dark spots.

Mugwort, often used in Korean beauty products, is valued for its soothing and healing effects on sensitive skin. These herbs are not only applied topically, but are also consumed as herbal teas or used in cooking, further demonstrating that Koreans view skincare as something that starts from the inside out.

Our recommendation: Serum-infused face masks with natural Korean ingredients

Abib Collagen Gel Mask Jericho Rose Jelly 

ABIB collagen gel mask sedum jelly

 Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask

 MISSHA - Airy Fit Sheet Mask - Red Ginseng

 Reading Corner: K-Beauty Guide to Choosing Your Korean Sheet Mask

Skincare tips with Gua Sha stone: how to use it and what are its benefits for the skin?

Gua Sha facial massage may be something completely new to you. But it's actually a very ancient practice dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

What is Gua Sha massage?

Gua Sha massage involves rubbing a stone on the face to warm the skin, stimulate microcirculation and thus relieve muscle tension.

The name is representative of the technique: "Gua" means rubbing, while "Sha" means heat, which is precisely the heat generated by massage. The technique is of Eastern origin and is used not only on the face, but also on the body. The friction generates heat and thus manages to relieve tension in the muscle fascia, producing an effect not only on the relaxation of the latter, but also directly on the skin. In fact, thanks to the drainage of fluids and the elimination of toxins, it appears more toned, brighter, and more relaxed. Gua Sha massage is also nicknamed "natural botox," because if practiced regularly, it brings very visible improvements to the complexion.

Caution: This type of massage is not recommended on irritated, damaged or acne-prone skin.

Korean Inner Beauty for Healthier Skin

Korean beauty isn't just about clear, glowing skin. It's actually a holistic approach, a true philosophy of life, combining diet, lifestyle, and traditional practices to promote overall well-being.

By incorporating antioxidant-rich foods, herbal remedies, fermented products, and beauty hacks into your K-beauty routine, you'll be improving your health, your skin, and your self-esteem. So, the next time you're thinking about your K-beauty skincare routine, remember that your lifestyle is just as important as the cosmetics you use.