Whenever we binge on K-dramas, we can’t help but notice that the stars gracing our screen seem to have flawless and radiant skin. And if you’ve travelled to Korea, you might even notice that this observation isn’t exclusive to celebrities. Most locals you walk past on the street tend to have equally spotless and dewy complexions.
Curious about the secret behind their enviable skin? Well, the key lies in the products that Koreans themselves use. Fortunately, TikToker @juchoii has generously spilled the beans on the three types of hottest skincare products currently making waves and flying off the shelves in Korean pharmacies.
Stieva-A Cream
Stieva-A creams have been touted as the holy grail treatment for acne spots and according to the beauty community in Korea, the most popular brand that sells it is near impossible to find these days.
They first rose to prominence in the U.S. a few years ago for its medicinal properties, and started gaining popularity for its ability to treat acne and sun-damaged skin. Apart from that, the product has also been found to be effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines, surface wrinkles, and dark spots.
They contain an active ingredient known as Tretinoin, which is also known as retinoic acid, the the generic name for synthetic vitamin A.
While they’re getting harder to find in Korea, you can still purchase Tretinoin creams under prescription from local pharmacies if you’re interested in trying it as a potential solution for acne.
Tretinon Cream 0.05% retails for RM18 to RM38 at Doctor On Call.
Urea cream
Another skincare product that has achieved viral status in Korea as of late is Urea cream. In particular, the Hanmi Urea Cream has been trending for its hydrating benefits!
The main ingredient, Urea, is primarily used to treat dry or rough skin, serving as a remedy for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, corns, callus.
It breaks down the protein keratin in the outer layer of skin to promote new cell growth, soothe irritation, moisturise skin cells, increase product penetration into the skin, and enhance skin texture.
Experts recommend using Urea products that contain 10% or less active ingredients if you intend on using it on your face, as the viral Urea cream was designed for use on dry hands, elbows, and feet.
A gentler alternative if you’re looking to reap the hydrating benefits for your facial skin, is Eucerin’s Urea Dry Skin Relief Face Cream, which contains 5% Urea.
Eucerin 5% Urea Dry Skin Relief Face Cream retails for RM52.90 at Shopee. A sale is on at the time of writing, click in to see the latest price!
Madecassoside Powder
You might have heard of Centella Asiatica, otherwise known as Cica or Tiger Grass, a popular ingredient in anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory skincare products.
Well, madecassoside is simply an active ingredient in Centella Asiatic. Its benefits include accelerating the process of wound healing, reducing inflammation and acne, soothing skin redness, and improving fine lines and wrinkles.
Credit: Ebay
In its powder form, Madecassoside is also a product Koreans are well familiar with. Growing up, whenever a child would get a cut or wound, their parents would apply some Madecassoside Powder on the affected area to speed up the healing process.
Presently, many Koreans have started incorporating this powder into their regular skincare routine by mixing it with their existing products like essence or serums.
Dongkook Madecassol Powder retails for RM92.90 at Ebay.my.
Wondering what works well with this ingredient?
There was a study done on the efficacy of pairing Madecassoside with Vitamin C which revealed that using these two ingredients together improved skin firmness, elasticity, reduction of wrinkles, roughness, and increased collagen production.
And if you aren’t keen on using Madecassoside in its powder form, there are cream-based options out there that offer the same benefits!
A’PIEU Madecassoside Cream 2X retails for RM35 at Shopee.
Featured Image Credit: @juchoii/TikTok and Ebay.
