Community
Skin, K-beauty, Korea trips and the beauty industry — ask and share
Dark spot ingredient poll: vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid… what's your pick?
Trends in brightening ingredients move fast. First it was vitamin C, then niacinamide, and lately tranexamic acid gets a lot of airtime. What communities often compare Vitamin C: well studied, but people talk a lot about
Poll
For dark spots and tone, which ingredient do you trust most right now?
Pick one to see the results
0 0What does '기능성화장품' on a Korean skincare box mean?
Shop for skincare in Korea and you'll often see 기능성화장품 on the box. It means 'functional cosmetics'. In short It's a Korean regulatory category for cosmetics that make specific efficacy claims The best-known ones are brig
0 0What tourists buy most at Daiso Korea? Sheet masks, by a mile
Daiso in Myeongdong turning into a tourist stop isn't just a vibe; the numbers back it up. According to Korean press, foreign card spending at Daiso rose 130% in 2023, 50% in 2024 and 60% in 2025, and was up 70% year on
0 0Tone-up creams: skincare, sunscreen or sneaky makeup?
Walk into any Korean beauty shop and you will find tone-up creams: white or pastel-tinted lotions that brighten the look of skin instantly. Many double as sunscreen. The debate is what they actually are. The case for "ma
0 0Galactomyces and bifida: what "ferment" essences actually contain
Fermented essences are one of the most recognizable K-beauty categories. Two names dominate the labels: galactomyces and bifida. Galactomyces ferment filtrate A liquid left after a yeast-like fungus ferments a base (ofte
0 0Which Korean “brightening” ingredients should I choose?
In Korea, “미백 (brightening)” is a functional cosmetics category, with niacinamide and arbutin among its representative ingredients. The system differs from Japan’s quasi-drug system, so how to read product claims is also
Poll
Which have you tried?
Pick one to see the results
0 1Before a brightening serum — the saying that sunscreen accounts for 80% of dark spot care
Brightening ingredients help make existing tone concerns look more even, while preventing new ones is mostly the job of sun protection. That’s why the order matters.
0 1Functional Cosmetics: Understand the Difference Between “Review” and “Notification” at a Glance
In Korea, products must be recognized as functional cosmetics to make efficacy claims such as brightening, wrinkle improvement, or UV protection. The process is divided into review and notification.
Poll
Which functional category are you preparing for most these days?
Pick one to see the results
0 3Tranexamic acid in skincare: the tone-evening ingredient K-beauty loves
Tranexamic acid shows up in many Korean brightening serums and toner pads. In cosmetics it is used to help skin tone look more even, often next to niacinamide.
Poll
Tried tranexamic acid?
Pick one to see the results
0 1Why Korean Sunscreens Are Less Likely to Leave a White Cast
Korean sunscreens are often made with the expectation that they’ll be “used every day as a makeup primer,” so formulas that are less likely to leave a white cast are prioritized. There are many types of UV filters availa
Poll
Does a white cast bother you?
Pick one to see the results
0 1