Korean skincare ingredients, explained.
Korean skincare runs on ingredients most of the world is only starting to hear about. These guides explain what each one does for skin, who it suits, and the formulas our curators reach for.
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The ingredients our members ask about most
- 1PDRN
PDRN is the ingredient everyone in Korean skincare is suddenly talking about, and unlike most fast-rising trends it has a real clinical history behind it rather than just good marketing. Here's what the letters stand for, what it does, how the formats differ, and a few genuine PDRN picks.
Read the guide to PDRN - 2Centella
Centella asiatica turns up across Korean skincare in every format there is — cleansers, toners, creams, sunscreens, pads. It tends to be what a formula leans on when it needs to feel calm rather than active. Here's what it does and where it fits in a routine.
Read the guide to Centella - 3Snail Mucin
Snail mucin's reputation was built almost entirely on one brand's essence, but the ingredient itself has spread into essences, serums and creams from dozens of Korean lines since. Here's what it actually does, how long it takes to do it, and which of our picks are genuinely worth your first bottle.
Read the guide to Snail Mucin
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