Community
Skin, K-beauty, Korea trips and the beauty industry — ask and share
Retinol, retinal, HPR: similar names, what's the difference?
Shopping for retinoids gets confusing because the names are so close. Here's what skincare communities usually summarize. The basics The form that actually acts in skin is described as retinoic acid Most cosmetic retinoi
0 0Retinol, retinal, bakuchiol: how K-beauty's "anti-aging" options differ
Korean brands now sell everything from gentle retinol creams to retinal serums and plant-based "retinol alternatives." The names are confusingly close, so here's a quick map. Retinol The best-known vitamin A derivative i
0 0Morning or night? Where the common actives usually go in a routine
One of the most frequent routine-order questions: which actives belong in the morning and which at night? There isn't one law, but most skincare guides land on a similar map. Usually morning Antioxidants like vitamin C:
0 0Can retinol work if you rinse it off in seconds? A lawsuit asks exactly that
A US class action filed in December 2025 targets Dove's retinol cleansers: body wash, body cleanser and body polish. The argument in the complaint: The products are lathered on and rinsed off in the shower Retinol needs
0 0Should you pause retinol in summer? Communities are split
Every time the weather heats up, the same question appears: "Do I need to stop retinol for summer?" The "take a break" camp Retinoids are known to make skin more sensitive to sunlight With more outdoor time and vacations
0 0Two sunscreen recalls this year, same reason: the SPF may not match the label
2026 has been a rough year for sunscreen trust. Two recalls stand out, and both come down to the number on the tube. Medik8 (Australia and New Zealand): On April 1, 2026, all unexpired batches of Medik8 Physical Sunscree
0 0MoCRA in 2026: GMP and fragrance-allergen rules still pending, recall power already live
Law firm Foley & Lardner summarized where FDA cosmetics oversight stands in 2026. Think of it as a "next step" check for teams that already handled the MoCRA basics (facility registration, product listing, safety substan
0 0EU microplastics rules: rinse-off products have until October 2027
The EU's microplastics restriction (Regulation 2023/2055), adopted in 2023, gives cosmetics different sell-by deadlines depending on product type. If you export to Europe, now is the time to plan reformulation backwards
0 0IFC Mall
IFC Mall is a large shopping mall spanning Basement Levels 1 to 3 of the Yeouido International Finance Center (IFC), where you can find global fashion brands all in one place, including clothing, cosmetics, and accessori
0 0Using an agency or interpreter for a Korean skin clinic? Think these through first
The language barrier is many visitors' biggest worry, so people look into agencies, companions or interpreters. Points that come up often (general info, not about any specific business): Know who you're dealing with Is i
0 0Sonic cleansing devices and silicone brushes: OK to use every day?
Sonic cleansers, silicone brushes and pore brushes come up in every pore-care discussion. Many people find them more thorough than hands, but opinions split on how often. The daily users say Their oily skin never feels c
0 0K-beauty now leads EU imports, and the compliance bill arrives in August
According to a market-analysis newsletter, Korean cosmetics now hold 21.7% of EU imports, ahead of the US at 19.7%. At the same time, a wave of regulation lands all at once. Three regimes taking effect between July and A
0 0Skin clinic before-and-after photos and social reviews: how much do you trust them?
Search for a Korean skin clinic and you'll find endless before-and-after photos, influencer visits and translated reviews. "Can I trust this review?" is a question that pops up on travel forums all the time. The opinions
0 0Seoul Through the Lens of Hollywood Stars
The second installment of the sci-fi series Dune, Dune: Part Two, recently premiered in Korea and quickly became a major hit. With the film’s release, the Dune cast also came to Korea and drew considerable attention. Tim
0 0EU bans TPO in gel nail products: what nail brands need to check
If you export gel polish, you have probably heard this already. Since September 1, 2025 the EU lists TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) as a prohibited cosmetic ingredient. What it is A photoinitiator that ma
0 0Can you run a customer's review video as an ad? Where the line is on UGC reuse
Videos customers post on their own often outperform brand ads. So teams keep asking whether they can run UGC (user-generated content) as ad creative. There is more to check than it seems. Issues that come up Scope of per
0 0Hyundai Department Store Main Branch
Located in Apgujeong-dong, the center of fashion, Hyundai Department Store Main Branch is a shopping space made up of Korea’s top luxury brands. It brings together products from popular premium brands such as Mulberry, D
0 0Lotte World Tower & Lotte World Mall
Lotte World Mall is a shopping and tourism destination where you can enjoy the latest fashion trends and a refined lifestyle. It is home to Lotte Avenuel, Korea’s largest luxury department store. One-stop shopping and cu
0 0Bukchon Hunters Gourmet Outing Playlist
Bukchon is a neighborhood where the atmosphere of old alleys coexists with the individuality of small business owners. Only when you meet the small shops filled with Bukchon’s own craft, tastes, and stories do you see th
0 0COEX Mall
COEX Mall is Asia’s largest underground shopping complex, with more than 260 stores. Like a giant gift box, it offers a wide range of things to enjoy and experience. It houses Megabox, the country’s largest movie theater
0 0