Is Korean skincare what it hypes up to be?

I'm sure by now you've all heard the buzz around Korean skincare. Whether it's your daughter asking for more money to spend on TikTok Shop or a friend raving about a new 10 step routine, there's no denying it's taking the beauty world by storm.

But with all the hype... is it actually worth it?

Let's Get Real for a Second

Like with any skincare trend, it's important to look beyond the marketing. A lot of what's being sold online or in shops under the "Korean skincare" label isn't what your skin needs, or what it's promised to be.

Platforms like TikTok are flooded with influencers showing glowing, flawless skin and crediting it all to one product. But what you're often seeing is a heavily filtered after photo and an unedited, dull before photo... classic false advertising in today's digital world!

Many of these influencers have no real knowledge of skincare science or what's actually in these products.

So, Is Korean Skincare All Bad?

Absolutely not! In fact, when you strip away the TikTok filters and look at clinical grade Korean skincare, it's one if the best approaches I've seen for achieving healthy, balanced skin.

At Enhanced HQ, I use and recommend Korean brands like KRx and Isov Sorex, which are professional-level formulations not available on the high street. These products tie in beautifully with my clinic's ethos of using natural, gentle alternatives that support the skin rather than overwhelm it.

Why I Love Korean Skincare in Clinic

The true strength of Korean skincare lies in its focus on soothing, repairing, and maintaining the skin barrier. It uses powerful plant-based ingredients and medical grade actives, often at lower concentrations, making them highly effective without irritating the skin.

Here are a few standout ingredients we regularly use in clinic:

• Cica (Centella Asiatica)- Calms inflammation and helps heal sore, acne prone skin.

• Green Sea Sponge Spicules - Used in peels with glycerin as the activator. It effectively treats melasma, pigmentation, acne, reduces the appearance of scarring, and fine lines, by gently resurfacing the skin .

• Urea &. Chlorophyll - Deeply hydrates and soothes irritated skin.

• Tranexamic Acid - A powerful ingredient for reducing pigmentation and melasma , with it's anti-inflammatory properties.

So... Is it worth hype ?

In short: yes... but only when you're using the real deal.

The clinical grade Korean skincare we use in clinic is world class, backed by research and formulated for real results. But sadly, most of what's trending on TikTok or available from cheap resellers isn't quite the same, and it certainly won't nourish your skin the same as professional products will.

So next time someone asks if Korean skincare is worth it, the answer is:

Yes - if it's clinical.

No - if it's from a "TikTok haul"

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