Even in the US, Morning Cleansing Is Actually Controversial Here’s something interesting: American dermatologists themselves don’t fully agree on whether you need to cleanse in the morning. The American Academy of Dermatology generally recommends washing your face in the morning, at night, and after sweating — the logic being that it clears away overnight oil, … Read more
Why Cica (Centella) Is Everywhere in the US Right Now — Does It Actually Work for Acne and Redness? Last summer, LA was drier and sunnier than usual. That was also the year my jawline broke out and my cheeks turned constantly flushed — I’m still not sure if it was leftover damage from years … Read more
The Real Way to Get Glass Skin: The 10-Step Routine Koreans Don’t Really Talk About I’ve lived in LA for six years now, and when I first moved here, my entire skincare routine was: wash face, slap on some lotion, done. Then one day I was wandering through the Korean beauty aisle at an H … Read more
How to Choose a Korean Moisturizer When I first started using Korean skincare, I thought any moisturizer would do the job. If it said “hydrating” on the label, I assumed it would work for everyone. Living in Los Angeles changed that idea pretty quickly. During the summer, a rich cream felt too heavy by the … Read more
Serum vs. Ampoule: What’s the Difference? When I first started building a Korean skincare routine, I thought serums and ampoules were basically the same product with different names. They came in similar bottles, had droppers, and both claimed to improve the skin. Since I live in Los Angeles, where my skin often feels dehydrated because … Read more
What Does an Essence Do? When I first started learning about Korean skincare, essence was the product that confused me the most. I already understood cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen. But essence? It looked like toner, felt like water, and everyone seemed to describe it differently. To be honest, I skipped it for months because I … Read more
Do You Really Need a Toner? When I first became interested in Korean skincare, toner was the product I understood the least. I thought it was just an extra step that skincare companies wanted me to buy. Since I live in Los Angeles, where the weather is usually dry and sunny, I figured moisturizer alone … Read more
How to Choose the Right Korean Cleanser Choosing your first Korean cleanser can feel overwhelming. There are cleansing oils, foam cleansers, gel cleansers, cream cleansers, and cleansing balms. When I first started learning about K-Beauty, I assumed the cleanser with the most bubbles would clean my skin better. Instead, I learned that the best cleanser … Read more
Oil Cleanser vs. Foam Cleanser: Which One Should You Use? If you’re new to Korean skincare, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is whether you need an oil cleanser or a foam cleanser. At first, I assumed an oil cleanser would make my skin even oilier, so I skipped it completely. Once I … Read more
Peptides in Korean Skincare: What Beginners Should Know If you have been keeping up with global skincare trends, you have likely noticed that peptides are having a major moment. Once considered an obscure anti-aging ingredient found only in luxury creams, peptides have now become a staple in everyday routines—largely thanks to the innovation of Korean … Read more