Thanks to South Korea's skincare innovations, we’ve all been able to get our hands on gentle and natural ingredients that can help rejuvenate, moisturize, lighten, and brighten our skin.
Apart from reaping the benefits of aloe vera, pomegranate, and beeswax, some K-Beauty products also derive their skincare secrets from out-of-the-ordinary ingredients. Here are some of them.
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You might have come across these unusual ingredients on the labels of your fave K-Beauty products:
Snail Mucin
Let’s start with something a little more familiar. Snail mucin contains protein, glycolic acids, and elastin that snails naturally produce to heal cuts they get from rocks and rough surfaces. By incorporating it into your skincare routine, snail mucin functions similarly on human skin as it helps fade acne scars, improve complexion, and control hyperpigmentation.
Pig Collagen
We’ve been acquainted with taking collagen supplements to help boost our skin. According to Marie Claire, South Korean women have claimed that applying pig collagen topically on the skin "boosted firmness and elasticity." However, pig collagen can't penetrate the skin barrier so the smoothening effect is only temporary.
Bee Venom
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Beeswax definitely makes sense, right? How about bee venom? Applying products with bee venom actually tricks your skin that it has been stung and triggers a reaction in which the skin increases circulation. This allows the skin to produce collagen and even relax the facial muscles, which gave bee venom the title of nature’s natural botox.
Makgeolli
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Makgeolli is a fermented rice wine that Koreans drink in a small, pan-like dish. According to Charlotte Cho of Sokoglam, it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. While common alcohol is proven to not do anything good on your skin, a freshly brewed bottle of Makgeolli actually contains 100 cups of yogurt’s worth of probiotic cultures, as well as amino acids, and Vitamin B, which aid in firming and brightening up your skin.
Now, as Koreans continue to innovate ways to take care of our skin, a DIY Makgeolli face mask should be done at your own risk. It's best to go for a pre-made Makgeolli sheet mask to get all the skin benefits you're looking for.
Donkey Milk
Donkey milk contains the highest amount of protein and fatty acids compared to normal milk, and the loss of these two particular items is what causes skin aging! Donkey milk can do much more than just moisturize your skin, it can also improve your skin tone.