Recently, Asian skincare brands have become more popular with Generation Z than other Western brands on the skincare side of TikTok. Influencers are highlighting how Asian skincare focuses more on the philosophy of patience, prevention, and gentleness while Western skincare focuses on specific skin concerns that have already surfaced.
Dermatologists also weigh their opinion on the rise of Asian skincare and why it’s effective. A Singapore-based dermatologist, Teo Wan Lin, a certified member of the Dermatological Society of Singapore.
“Korean skincare focuses on the skin barrier through the layering of skin care — such as moisturizers, serums, lotions, and face mists,” said Lin.
Another reason Korean skincare works so well for many is the creation of a hydrated microenvironment for the skin to process naturally.
“The focus on creating a conducive, hydrated microenvironment for the skin’s natural processes to occur as the special X factor of Korean skincare,” Lin said.
The latest trend on TikTok of Asian skincare has grabbed TikTok’s attention and the attention of Oak Park High School students
“I think that Korean skincare is better and there are a lot of products to achieve Korean glass skin. I find that it’s more effective at clearing skin than Western brands,” said sophomore Brooke Park.
With Asian skincare becoming more popular, students are looking for what makes it great.
“Korean skincare has better ingredients and works well. I have used both Western and Korean skincare and they are both good in different ways such as American skin care is more accessible,” said sophomore Sydney Brown.
As the popularity of Asian skincare rises on TikTok, many are noticing how Asian skincare brands use cleaner ingredients than American brands concerning the environment.
“They’re innovative and lean more toward cleaner ingredients than many, more familiar American brands,” said Jailynn Taylor from Elite Daily
Some popular products on TikTok are face masks, cleansers, and toners. Most of these products are under $30.
“The most raved-about cleansers, toners, serums, sheet masks, sunscreens, and more. As an added bonus, this skincare revamp won’t break the bank because everything is under $30,” said Jailynn Taylor from Elite Daily.
Some people claim that products from Asian brands have more environmentally harmless ingredients than American brands.
“Products like COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence ($19, Amazon) that offer deep penetrating nourishment, smoothing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, and aren’t loaded with tons of harmful ingredients that cause more harm than good,” said Jailynn Taylor from Elite Daily
According to CBC News, many American Skincare brands have harmful ingredients in their products, leading many people to stay away from them.
“More than half the cosmetics sold in the United States and Canada likely contain high levels of a toxic industrial compound linked to serious health conditions,” wrote CBC News.
The Glassy skin look many try to achieve can be done faster with Asian skincare brands, which are much cheaper and affordable. Here are The 14 Best Korean Beauty Products of 2023 for Radiant, Glass Skin
“If you want that glass skin finish, you’ll have to work for it, but the right Korean beauty products will get you there in no time,” said Jailynn Taylor from Elite Daily.
Korean skincare products help clear up your skin more than American brands.
“TikTok creator @livingberryslife showed in a video how her skin was inflamed when using Western skincare, but clear and rid of red spots after switching to Korean skincare products,” said Reena Koh on Insider
There are some pros and cons to Western skincare. The pros of Western skincare products are that they work faster and take use more chemical exfoliation.
“Western products seem to really lead with the results the product will deliver, while Asian products will often lead with the ingredients included in the product,” said blogger Kelly Driscoll.
The cons of Western skincare are that it’s a one-size-fits-all, and usually, in Western societies, people start to see the importance of skincare in their late teens.
“Western products typically come in a one-size-fits-all-all formula. Even when American skincare brands expand their products, the only thing that changes is the packaging. In Western societies, women typically do not see the importance of skin care until they are in their late teens. Their skincare routine begins with a battle against teenage acne. By the time they hit their 20s, the acne has cleared up and they are now looking for anti-aging products.”
