The Korean Women's Beauty Secret

For Korean women, makeup used to be about more than just looking good; it was also about taking care of one's body and cultivating both inner and outer beauty. A brief history of Korean women's skincare and cosmetics is presented here. Learn the trick to their perfect skin and try a few of their tips to keep your skin looking safe and beautiful this summer.

Cosmetics for the skin
Korean women used to make their own skincare products, which included scrubs, lotions, creams, and oils. Lotions were made from the juice of plants1 and ground mung beans were made into soap by blending the powder with water. Vitamin E was valued for its moisturizing properties, just as it is today, and women applied oils rich in vitamin E to their skin, such as Safflower oil.

Cosmetics are a type of cosmetics that are

Confucianism had a major impact on women's beauty rituals during the Joseon dynasty2. Due to Confucianism's emphasis on thrift and modesty, as well as on inner beauty rather than outer beauty, a clean and soft face was considered beautiful. Women from middle-class families tended to wear less makeup, emphasizing the importance of having a clear and healthy-looking face. They did not deviate from their natural appearance except for special occasions such as weddings and feasts. On the other hand, gisaeng (royal court female entertainers) and court ladies wore much more elaborate makeup that set all of the current beauty trends.

Korean women considered their brows to be one of their most important features, and they accentuated them with eyebrow ink. It was fashionable during the Koryo dynasty, especially among gisaeng, to draw thin, distinct eyebrows while liberally applying powder to make their faces pale and white.

Tools

Korean makeup was traditionally made by hand with natural ingredients. Women were worried about their makeup fading since modern preservatives were not available. As a result, they only produced small amounts of cosmetics and stored them in small containers. Earthenware dishes and bottles for keeping cosmetics and lotions were common during the Three Kingdoms period. Celadon containers were used during the Koryo period, while white and blue porcelain was used during the Joseon dynasty.

In addition to brushes for mixing and applying the many colored powders, eyebrow ink, and rouge that women wear, a wooden mirror box containing makeup was also essential in the makeup routine.

Make your own version at home.

The skin of Korean women is known for its radiance and natural appearance. This summer, refresh your skin with one of the trendy face masks mentioned below.

Mask made of cucumbers

Cucumbers are high in vitamins and antioxidants, and this mask is particularly effective at rehydrating sunburned skin after a day at the beach.

Components

flour, 1 cucumber (20 grams)

Procedures

Cucumber, washed and finely grated

Combine 60 grams of grated cucumber and 20 grams of flour in a mixing bowl.

Add 12 tablespoon honey to the mixture if desired.

Apply the mixture all over the face, avoiding the eyes.

Allow it to sit on your face for 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it off.

Mask made of potatoes

The nourishing and brightening properties of this potato mask make it a favorite. It also helps to remove excess oil from the skin, so those with oily or blemished skin can appreciate it.

Components

flour, 1 potato (12 grams)

Procedures

Wash the potato and grate it finely.

Combine 60 grams of grated potato and 12 grams of flour in a mixing bowl.

Add 12 tablespoon honey to the mixture if desired.

Apply the mixture all over the face, avoiding the eyes.

Allow it to sit on your face for 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing it off.

Masking sheet

For a fast pick-me-up or as part of an existing routine to address skin needs, sheet masks are a must-have item for Korean women. These cloth masks, which have holes for your eyes and mouth, are infused with ingredients like aloe and pearl extract and come in single-use packaging. They can be found in beauty stores such as innisfree, THE FACE SHOP, and Olive Young in Korea. Sheet masks are commonly used in high-end beauty brands and department stores.