Beauty is serious business in Korea; the ladies (and even men for that matter), know what they want—and the Korean cosmetics market knows how to deliver it. Creative packaging, unusual ingredients, many firsts (the fame of the mighty BB and cushion compacts) are some of the many reasons Korea scores high for and has been an inspiration for skincare regimes across the world. But what is the secret to their velvety, porcelain skin?
Vogue takes a look at some of the coolest, most innovative inventions this East Asian territory has given the globe to talk about—and it includes snail slime, pig collagen, donkey milk, salmon egg among other bizarre ingredients.
Freeset Donkey Milk Skin Gel Mask Aqua
While the world is still getting used to the idea of drinking donkey's milk, Korea is already using it as its star ingredient in anti-ageing. Meet this donkey skin gel mask, which contains vitamins B3, B5, B6, C and E, and biopolymers to provide radiance and moisture.
Holika Holika Pig-Collagen Jelly Gel Mask
Again, it's not just about all that bacon in Korea. They use the collagen from pig skin, which is similar in composition to human collagen and helps hydration and elasticity of the skin, to achieve that supple baby glow.
Lioele Egg Yolk Cream
So what if it might not smell the best? The nutrients and collagen in egg protein help restructure and brighten your skin, and reduce wrinkles.
It's Skin Prestige Creme d'Escargot Cream
This is a snail cream—that once you get past its unusual ingredient—is going to change the way you think about snail creams. Apparently, it sells every six seconds worldwide. Snail mucin extract has age-defying qualities that regenerate damaged skin cells.
SNP Animal Dragon Soothing Mask
If you're going to be sitting with a thick layer of goop on your face for a while, you might as well have fun with it, right? You may look like a dragon, but the mask's anti-inflammatory herbal ingredients (tea tree oil, green tea and rosemary) will only soothe the heat off your skin.
SNP Birds Nest Aqua Eye Patch
Did you know that the swiftlet bird's nest extract is full of vitamins and minerals that provide deep moisture to the skin? Try this nourishing eye patch and you'll know.
Botanic Farm Salmon Egg Hydrogel Eye Patch
A combination of salmon egg, snail slime and colloidal gold, this luxurious blend will eliminate dark circles and cover up those sagging eye bags that pop up ever so often, almost every morning.
