K-Beauty or J-Beauty

Oct 31, 2022

Comparison between Japenese skincare and Korean Skincare. Shop Korean Skincare at Luxiface

By Vartika P

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THE ASIAN SKINCARE

Both the Japanese skincare and the Korean skincare stem back to Asia and that is why most of the time they are confused as being the same thing. Many people think that all Asian skincare is very similar to one another but they are actually quite different. In one glance you might think of them as being one and providing the same baby-skin and pore-minimising results but once we dive deeper is when we realise that Each skincare has a different goal when it comes to what is achieved in the end results.

WHAT IS J-BEAUTY?

Japanese skincare is all about achieving that ultra-soft skin texture, which the Japanese call mochi-hada (rice-cake skin).

The Japanese skincare or the J- beauty skincare routine and the products used for the routine help lead to achieving a “mochi skin,”. In case you've never tried mochi, it's a plump and soft, puffed-up snack made of glutinous rice.J- beauty's fundamental skincare principle is to nourish the skin with soft, nutritious products in order to attain "mochi skin." A "mochi skin" is a smooth, moisturised, wrinkle free skin that resembles a newborn’s skin. I am aware that this is still somewhat similar to Korean skincare, however the benefit of the Japanese skincare regimen is that there are less stages to be followed. You are also urged to change or omit some stages based on what you believe your skin requires. In contrast to Korean skincare products, which are innovative and always improving, Japanese skincare products are renowned for their natural, time-tested components.

In comparison to many skincare routines, the Japanese skincare regimen has just five phases. According to a Japanese beauty article, the following stages, in this order, make up a Japanese skincare routine: Cleansing, Lotion/Essence, Beauty Serum, Emulsion/Cream, and Sunscreen.

Japanese skincare routine steps

Step 1: Cleansing

Japanese people routinely double cleanse their faces, particularly at night after a long day of wearing makeup. To get rid of any impurities that could be present both on the surface and deep within the pores, they would use light oil cleansers (or occasionally cleansing balms) and a foam face wash.

Step 2: Lotion (Essence)

In Japan, toner is referred to as lotion (or essence). Japanese lotions and essences typically tend to be far more hydrating and soothing on the skin and are lower in acidity, despite the fact that they may have identical functions, such as controlling sebum output. This phase can also be completed using a sheet mask, but only once or twice a week is sufficient.

Step 3: Beauty Serum

This stage is what would help to personalise this Japanese skincare regimen. Depending on the kind of skin issues each person may have, the products utilised in this stage may differ. Some people may lack moisture in specific regions, while others may worry about the scars and patches left behind by acne.

Step 4: Emulsion/Cream

This is the key step to achieving “mochi-like” skin.Without a moisturiser, you wouldn't be able to replace the oil your skin needs, and it would stop the lotion's hydration from evaporating in the previous stage. The function of these two products can be explained simply by comparing it to "a lid." It's necessary to use emulsion (milky lotion) if you have oilier skin, and cream moisturiser if you have drier skin.

Step 5: Sunscreen

The crown jewel of the Japanese beauty sector is sunscreen. They have developed the best fast-absorbing sunscreens, such Biore and Canmake, because of the intense competition in their industry for producing superior SPF and anti-aging goods. Not to mention Shiseido, the holy grail of waterproof makeup. You'd be doing your skin an injustice if you skipped this final step!

THE K-BEAUTY CRAZE

In recent years, Korean skincare has taken the world by storm. There's no denying that K-Beauty is the hottest topic of discussion among all skincare enthusiasts. While J-beauty focuses on achieving “mochi skin,” K-beauty focuses on achieving “glass-skin.” Korean skincare is mainly about following a strict regimen and investing money in products that are supported by scientific research. The ultimate goal is to achieve flawless youthful skin. Korean skincare, however, has a lot more steps to follow in a skincare routine. The number of steps may range from 7 to 12 but most commonly there are 10 steps involved in a korean skincare routine. Now, it may seem like a lot to follow but you don't need to follow all these steps on a daily basis. In Fact there are certain products that you should not use everyday. I know the idea of this routine initially sounds overindulgent, but the results that follow are absolutely worth it.

Korean skincare routine steps

These steps are as follows:

1. Cleanse thoroughly with a balm

Nowadays, utilising a balm instead of a makeup remover that you need to massage on your face with cotton is preferred for removing oil and makeup from your face. Banila Co's Clean It Zero is a Korean balm I can personally recommend. It cleans and hydrates the skin while being incredibly gentle on it. Beauty of Joseon and Hanskin are two other Korean companies well known for their balms.

2. Wash your face with a water-based cleanser

Cleansers with a water basis are more effective at ridding your face of contaminants that your balm missed. I clean my face with Rice Water Bright from The Face Shop. Because it never stings and consistently leaves my face feeling moisturised and with a light aroma in the air, rice extract works wonderfully for my skin. You might want to check out the cleansers made by the Korean brands Innisfree and COSRX as well.

3. Exfoliate one to two times a week

In order to clear your pores and remove any dead skin cells, you must exfoliate using both physical and chemical exfoliators. The distinction between them? Scrubs, peel-off gels, and peel-off masks are examples of physical exfoliators, whereas serums, creams, masks, and essences with compounds like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs are examples of chemical exfoliators. Whichever one works best for your skin, they will all make your skin look younger and more vibrant. Look for powerful compounds like lactic acid, black sugar, and salicylic acid. Cult favourites include Skin Food's Black Sugar Essential Scrub and Neogen Dermalogy's Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon.

4. Use a toner

Toners assist prepare your skin for moisturising by eliminating any remaining traces of the products you've used up to this point. It also makes it possible for your skin to absorb subsequent products much more quickly. I'm presently using lovely, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, and I'm liking it so far since, unlike other toners I've used in the past, it doesn't cause me to break out at all.

5. Apply essence

In order to moisturise the skin, the essence is crucial. Without essence, it would be quite difficult to prepare your skin for the use of additional products in the next steps. Applying the essence as though you were physically drowning your skin in it is the important piece of advice in this situation.

6. Ampoule/Serum

The most customised step for your skin is this one. The phase that really contributes to characterising your regimen, much like serum does for the Japanese routine, is the ampoule/serum. There are various serums you can use in a Korean skincare program that are infinitely variable. Depending on your needs, there are serums that contain vitamin C, fatty acids, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and minerals to help treat the skin.

7. Put on a face mask in the morning or night for 20 minutes

One of the most important skincare requirements in the k-beauty culture, a sheet mask is really important for the Korean skincare routine and I guarantee many people have linked it with k-beauty. The sheet mask's goal is to help hydrate the skin down to its deepest layers

8. Eye Cream

Don't forget to take care of the skin around your eyes. Your eye area's condition might really make or break your bright appearance. So use an eye cream to combat puffiness, crow's feet, and dark circles! AHC, Mizon, and the Nature Republic are just a few Korean eye products that beauty experts adore.

9. Seal everything with moisturiser

Like in Japanese skincare, you'll need to apply a moisturiser first in the morning or at night to seal in all the skin-beneficial elements. Look for moisturising components including bamboo, snail mucus, and green tea. Among the most popular brands are Laneige, Nature Republic, and Cosrx

10. Finally, apply sunscreen

Truly, omitting sunscreen from any skincare regimen is a crime, yet tragically, the majority of us commit it. However, starting is never too late. By definition, high SPF sunscreens shield us from the sun's dangerous UV rays, and using sunscreen is the simplest approach to avoid skin cancer and early ageing.

WHAT SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Both of these methods are strongly backed by research and results. There are many similar steps in both these skin care methods. You may also say that Japanese skincare is a simplified version of Korean skincare.

Now the big question is Which should you choose?

Honestly, it really depends on your skin, what you expect, and what you aspire to achieve. Choosing a skincare can depend on the combination of three things: your skin, preference, and lifestyle.

Just keep these points in mind and get started with whatever you choose. Happy Skincare to you!!

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