How to choose a quality Korean anti-aging cream in 2020

Many people have not only seen cosmetic products with these abbreviations, but also used them, but not everyone knows how they stand for and what they mean. Visitors to cosmetology salons often encounter these terms, since professional acid peels are widely used in cosmetology. There are also variations with low acid concentrations intended for home use.

Acids, designated by these three-character abbreviations, provide a quick and clearly visible effect: removing dead skin cells, lightening age spots, smoothing the skin texture and returning a healthy complexion. In this article we will take a detailed look at all the advantages and differences between AHA and BHA acids and the features of their effects on the skin. We also list contraindications and recommendations for the use of each substance.

How to choose a Korean anti-aging face cream

Manufacturers of skincare cosmetics from South Korea at the end of the last - beginning of this century made a breakthrough in the field of rejuvenation: new products and brands are constantly appearing. Creams can be traditionally purchased in retail stores or ordered online from an online store. Prices range from several hundred to tens of thousands of rubles. The composition is replete with ingredients that are intriguing for the Russian consumer. We will try to reveal the secrets of making a wise choice.

Criterias of choice

Before the purchase procedure, it is advisable to formulate the main criteria:

appearance - it is important to know what you want to achieve: night cream is suitable for deep nutrition, day cream for intensive hydration, zonal care will be provided by creams for the skin around the eyes, lips, neck and décolleté;
skin type - an expensive cosmetic product will have zero effect if it is not selected according to your skin type: when purchasing, it is advisable to take into account your type, depending on the degree of sebum production - dry, normal, oily or combination skin;
age - special markings on the packaging will help you navigate when purchasing: for women over 40 years old - 40+, over 45 years old - 45+, etc.;
cost - like any other, the cosmetics market is aimed at consumer groups with different income levels, therefore it is divided into three segments: budget (inexpensive raw materials, savings on packaging, design, direct deliveries to the end buyer); average (affordable prices with decent quality); premium (expensive ingredients, patented technologies, well-promoted brand, luxury brand stores);
purpose - increased demands are placed on creams with an anti-aging effect: they must eliminate the negative manifestations of aging skin - pigmentation, loss of elasticity, wrinkles. Depending on the individual problem, each woman chooses a cream with the required purpose;
reviews - before you shell out a certain amount, most often quite a round one, it is advisable to make sure that the purchase will be worth it. This is not at all about intrusive custom advertising. There is no shortage of sites, forums, and videos on the Internet with reviews from real consumers. You can use the principle of word of mouth - listen to the opinions of friends who have purchased a similar beauty product. Only after studying reviews and recommendations is it appropriate to make a choice.

Features of Korean anti-aging cosmetics

The particular popularity of Korean-made anti-aging cream models can be explained quite simply, because they have a number of distinctive features:

hypoallergenic: creams do not contain toxic substances, making them suitable even for sensitive skin. Cosmetics are not tested on animals, which ensures maximum safety for all types of human skin;
therapeutic effect: plant extracts, extracts, oils, essences have a healing effect;
exotic ingredients: snail mucus, shark oil, volcanic ash, snake venom attract attention and increase the interest of European and Russian customers;
affordable price - thanks to the fierce competition of several large South Korean manufacturers, there is no point in raising prices, even if the quality is high;
proven results - anti-aging creams from manufacturers from this country have proven themselves to be effective means of rejuvenating, toning, and brightening mature skin. This is due to the combination of traditional (amino acids, adenosine, hyaluronic acid, peptides) and national rare components (black caviar, pearl powder, starfish extract, snail mucin);
the presence of testers - sets of miniature products, thanks to which you can always test any cream before buying a large package;
spectacular design: oriental refined luxury in the design of each jar and tube is thought out to the smallest detail, literally captivating, making you fall in love at first sight long before the cream is tried in practice.

You should also take into account the nuances characteristic of Korean cosmetic products: Korean women traditionally care about brightening their faces, so all creams are produced with a whitening function.

Recommendations when choosing

Cosmetologists give advice on what to look for when buying a good anti-aging cream:

Purchase a cream with a label whose value should correspond to age, for example, 40+. Otherwise, you cannot avoid making a mistake when choosing, which will lead to disappointment in the cream.
Know your skin type. There is a misconception that in adulthood you should purchase creams exclusively for dry skin. This issue is resolved in each specific case individually.
Use anti-aging cream in combination with other basic care products: cleansing, toning, daytime moisturizing, skin care around the eyes, lips, night nutrition, activation. It is advisable not to forget about creams for the neck and décolleté, which also need rejuvenation.
The older the customer, the higher the degree of protection against ultraviolet rays the cream should contain (at least SPF 20).
Preference should be given to preparations with retinol, peptides, collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
When choosing, rely not on advertising, but on objective recommendations of experts, reviews of real consumers, results of clinical and laboratory studies, popularity, and reliability of the brand.
When purchasing, be sure to use a product tester, otherwise there is a high risk of individual intolerance and allergies. This is especially true for those with sensitive skin. Anti-aging facial care products contain a high concentration of specific active substances that will behave differently in each specific case. If a manufacturer does not have cream testers, this indicates a low image of the company.
Creams with a dispenser are preferable: oxidation of the product, penetration of pests from the outside, and mechanical clogging are prevented.
Don't overpay for the brand. Cheap does not always mean bad: there are inexpensive creams that provide effective care and results.
Look carefully at the expiration date. Never purchase expired cosmetics.
Study the ingredients: Herbal ingredients should always come first, to a greater extent than chemicals.
Do not choose a product with a strong aroma: this indicates the presence of a perfume fragrance achieved chemically. It is better to give preference to a product with a subtle scent. The same applies to the color given by dyes that are harmful to the skin. Therefore, when deciding which cream to buy, it is advisable to choose light or white.

BHA group – salicylic acid

Unlike water-soluble AHAs, BHAs are fat-soluble. Therefore, Korean skincare cosmetics and these acids are created for oily problem skin. The component, boiling deep into the cells of the epidermis, treats inflammation, cleanses pores, eliminates blackheads and oily shine. Exfoliates the skin and has a powerful antiseptic effect. Like AHA acids, they actively fight pigmentation and wrinkles.

Sometimes salicylic acid can be used for dry or normal skin.

Key brands

To choose a moisturizer for dry skin, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the list of popular brands. Each of them has some important features and characteristics.

Consider famous brands:

Mizon is one of the best manufacturers using such an ingredient as snail mucus. The composition of the products also differs in wine and herbal extracts, glacier water, and volcanic ashes. The company is distinguished by the use of not only the latest technologies for the production of cosmetics, but also ancient recipes of oriental medicine.
Missha is a brand that is especially popular among European women. Its secret lies in unusual combinations of components, primarily natural, and not artificial or synthetic.
Holika Holika - creams from this manufacturer are pleasing with their low prices and effectiveness. It is about them that there are reviews about good action, coinciding with what is stated in the instructions.
Tony Moly - this brand is younger than the others, but it is already known all over the world. Cosmetics of this brand are characterized by high quality, as well as unusual and original packaging. The composition is distinguished by exclusively natural ingredients: fruit, flower, plant extracts - the basis of all creams from the specified manufacturer. It is important to note that no synthetic ingredients are used in the manufacture of the drugs.
Etude House has been a manufacturing company on the Korean market for more than 20 years. She mainly offers therapeutic cosmetics for young girls with different skin types. The brand is characterized by low prices, efficiency and original design.

A list of moisturizing men's face creams can be found here.

There are two major cosmetic competitors in South Korea:

AmorePacific is the largest South Korean manufacturer of high-quality cosmetics. Their slogan is “Calm and Integrity.” Today, the company controls more than half of the country's cosmetic market, making more than $3 billion in annual sales of high-end cosmetic products. The company has 140 patents proving the positive effect of complexes from