Coree Beauty guide

K-Beauty Ingredient Dictionary

Niacinamide, centella, retinol, PDRN, hyaluronic acid… Discover what each Korean skincare ingredient does, for which skin type, how to use it, and what to combine it with.

15 ingredients · 8 min read

Hydrate & plump

For skin that feels tight, dehydrated or dull.

Hyaluronic acid

INCI: Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid

Morning and evening

A molecule your skin already makes, which holds water like a sponge. In skincare, it hydrates and plumps instantly.

What it does

  • Deeply hydrates and plumps
  • Smooths dehydration lines
  • Suits every skin type, even oily

Who it's for

All skin typesDehydrated skin

How to use it

Apply to damp skin after your toner. Always finish with a cream to lock the water in.

Pairs well with: Everything: niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol, acids.

See all 94 products · Hyaluronic acid →

Panthenol (vitamin B5)

INCI: Panthenol

Morning and evening

Provitamin B5 hydrates, calms and helps the skin rebuild its protective barrier.

What it does

  • Hydrates and softens
  • Soothes irritation and tightness
  • Helps repair the skin barrier

Who it's for

Dry skinSensitive skinIrritated skin

How to use it

Best in a cream. Perfect on days your skin feels hot, or after a strong active (retinol, acids).

Pairs well with: Retinol and acids: it offsets their drying effect.

See all 20 products · Panthenol →

Snail mucin

INCI: Snail Secretion Filtrate

Morning and evening

A filtrate rich in water, sugars and proteins. The K-Beauty star for supple, hydrated, repaired skin.

What it does

  • Hydrates without heaviness
  • Helps the skin repair (marks, irritation)
  • Gives a «glass skin» finish

Who it's for

All skin typesSkin with marks

How to use it

As an essence after toner, pat in a few drops. Not suitable for vegan routines.

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, centella.

See all 5 products · Snail mucin →

Aloe vera

INCI: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract / Juice

Morning and evening

The gel from the aloe plant: fresh, hydrating and calming. The go-to after sun or when skin feels hot.

What it does

  • Refreshes and hydrates
  • Calms redness and heat
  • Light texture, never greasy

Who it's for

All skin typesHeated skin

How to use it

As a mask or a light moisturiser. Lovely in summer or after sun exposure.

Pairs well with: Everything, especially after exfoliating.

See all 3 products · Aloe vera →

Soothe & repair

For sensitive, red or weakened skin.

Centella asiatica (cica)

INCI: Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside

Morning and evening

«Tiger grass», used for centuries in Asia to help the skin heal. K-Beauty's number one soothing ingredient.

What it does

  • Calms redness and irritation
  • Helps the skin repair
  • Useful on inflamed breakouts

Who it's for

Sensitive skinAcne-prone skinAll skin types

How to use it

Anywhere in your routine: toner, serum or cream. Perfect alternated with strong actives.

Pairs well with: Retinol and acids: it limits irritation.

See all 65 products · Centella asiatica →

Green tea

INCI: Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Morning and evening

Rich in antioxidants (catechins), it protects the skin and helps calm excess oil.

What it does

  • Antioxidant: protects skin every day
  • Soothes and refreshes
  • Helps regulate oil

Who it's for

Oily skinCombination skin

How to use it

Often in cleansers or toners. Great in the morning, before sunscreen.

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, BHA, centella.

See all 17 products · Green tea →

Glow & dark spots

For a brighter, more even complexion.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3)

INCI: Niacinamide

Morning and evening

The ultimate multitasker: well tolerated, it works on pores, oil, dark spots and the skin barrier at the same time.

What it does

  • Visibly refines pores and regulates oil
  • Fades dark spots and evens skin tone
  • Strengthens the barrier and calms redness

Who it's for

All skin typesCombination to oily skinDark spots

How to use it

As a serum after toner. Formulas from 2 to 10% are enough: more is not always better.

Pairs well with: Almost everything: vitamin C, retinol, acids, hyaluronic acid.

See all 70 products · Niacinamide →

Vitamin C

INCI: Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Preferably in the morning

The glow antioxidant. It revives dull skin, fades dark spots and protects skin from everyday stressors.

What it does

  • Brightens the complexion
  • Fades spots and marks
  • Antioxidant: boosts your sun protection

Who it's for

Dull skinDark spotsAll skin types

How to use it

As a serum in the morning, always followed by SPF. Sensitive skin: choose a derivative (ascorbyl glucoside), gentler than pure ascorbic acid.

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, SPF.

See all 17 products · Vitamin C →

Rice

INCI: Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract / Bran Water

Morning and evening

The traditional beauty ingredient of Korean women. Rice water and extracts soften the skin and give it a milky glow.

What it does

  • Adds glow and evens tone
  • Softens and nourishes
  • Gentle on every skin type

Who it's for

Dull skinAll skin types

How to use it

In toners, masks or sunscreen. Easy to add to any routine.

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, vitamin C.

See all 26 products · Rice →

Anti-ageing & firmness

For wrinkles, fine lines and loss of firmness.

Retinol, retinal & bakuchiol

INCI: Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Bakuchiol

Evening only

Vitamin A derivatives speed up skin renewal: the most studied anti-ageing active. Bakuchiol is a gentler plant-based alternative.

What it does

  • Softens wrinkles and fine lines
  • Refines skin texture and pores
  • Fades dark spots

Who it's for

Mature skinWrinklesUneven texture

How to use it

Start 2 to 3 evenings a week, then increase. SPF every morning is a must. Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding (bakuchiol is an option, ask your doctor).

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, centella, panthenol, peptides.

See all 15 products · Retinol →

Peptides

INCI: Palmitoyl Tripeptide, Acetyl Hexapeptide…

Morning and evening

Short chains of amino acids that act as «messengers» for the skin. They help keep skin firm and smooth, without irritation.

What it does

  • Support firmness
  • Smooth fine lines
  • Very well tolerated, even by sensitive skin

Who it's for

Mature skinSensitive skin

How to use it

In a serum or cream. A good alternative to retinol for reactive skin.

Pairs well with: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide.

See all 30 products · Peptides →

PDRN

INCI: Sodium DNA (PDRN)

Morning and evening

DNA fragments (usually from salmon) borrowed from Korean aesthetic medicine. The «skin booster» trend of the moment.

What it does

  • Helps the skin regenerate
  • Restores glow and bounce
  • Soothes tired skin

Who it's for

Tired skinMature skin

How to use it

In a serum or cream, after toner. Pairs easily with every other product.

Pairs well with: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen.

See all 6 products · PDRN →

Collagen

INCI: Hydrolyzed Collagen, Soluble Collagen

Morning and evening

In skincare, collagen does not replace your skin's own: it works on the surface as a film-forming moisturiser that plumps and smooths.

What it does

  • Plumps and smooths the surface
  • Hydrates intensely
  • Visible «bounce», especially in masks

Who it's for

Dry skinMature skin

How to use it

Very effective as a mask (gel or sheet) 2 to 3 times a week, or in a cream.

Pairs well with: Peptides, PDRN, hyaluronic acid.

See all 44 products · Collagen →

Ginseng

INCI: Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Morning and evening

The star root of Korean traditional medicine (hanbang). Rich in antioxidants, it wakes up tired-looking skin.

What it does

  • Antioxidant, energises the skin
  • Restores radiance
  • Supports anti-ageing care

Who it's for

Tired skinMature skin

How to use it

In an essence or eye cream. Often paired with retinal in anti-ageing products.

Pairs well with: Retinol, niacinamide, peptides.

See all 13 products · Ginseng →

Exfoliate & unclog

For pores, blackheads and skin texture.

AHA, BHA & PHA

INCI: Glycolic / Lactic Acid · Salicylic Acid, Betaine Salicylate · Gluconolactone

Evening, 1 to 3 times a week

Exfoliating acids that lift dead skin cells. AHA: on the surface, for glow. BHA: inside pores, for blackheads. PHA: the gentle version.

What it does

  • Refine skin texture
  • Unclog pores (BHA)
  • Revive radiance (AHA)

Who it's for

BHA: oily, acne-prone skinAHA: dull skinPHA: sensitive skin

How to use it

Do not use on the same evening as retinol. SPF the next morning is a must. Start slowly and space out if your skin feels tight.

Pairs well with: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, centella.

See all 25 products · AHA →

Which actives to combine (or not)?

The chart to keep handy before adding a new product to your routine.

  • Niacinamide + Vitamin C YesAn old myth: today's formulas work together without any problem.
  • Retinol + Niacinamide YesPerfect pair: niacinamide helps your skin tolerate retinol.
  • Retinol + Centella or panthenol YesThey calm the redness and tightness retinol can cause.
  • Hyaluronic acid + Every active YesIt hydrates and pairs with everything.
  • AHA / BHA + Niacinamide YesA good combo for pores and oil.
  • Retinol + Vitamin C Keep apartVitamin C in the morning, retinol in the evening: each at the right time.
  • AHA / BHA + Vitamin C Keep apartSensitive skin: keep them apart (vitamin C in the morning, acids in the evening).
  • AHA / BHA + Peptides Keep apartAcids can reduce how well peptides work: use them at different times.
  • Retinol + AHA / BHA AvoidToo irritating together. Alternate evenings: one retinol night, one acid night.
  • Retinol + Another retinoid AvoidNo need to double up: one retinol product per routine.

Golden rule: with retinol, acids or vitamin C, sunscreen every morning is a must.

Not sure what to choose?

Take the 2-minute skin test: we suggest a tailor-made routine with the right ingredients.

Take the test →