Plus, the snail slime trend …
There’s a wave of Korean beauty dominating skincare shelves with brands such as Beauty of Joseon, Erborian and Laneige delivering good formulas at mid-range prices. With a focus on ingredients and skin know-how over designer labels and fancy packaging, no wonder it’s a category that appeals to all ages. It’s an intriguing market and one that looks set to run, with plenty of choice under €20.
K beauty tends to focus on brightening and hydrating the skin, giving it a glow, and many brands are well worth exploring. For cleansing, try the gentle, generous-sized Mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil (€24) and Laneige Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser (€29); Laneige’s lip balms and masks are also justly renowned. From samples I’ve tried out so far, I also like the Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Toner Pads (€28) as the final step of your cleansing routine; so often we don’t remove our cleanser properly, and this is a gently exfoliating final sweep to refresh.
Centella, an Asian plant extract used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, features in several products such as the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule (€18).
We also hear great things about Erborian Ginseng Super Serum (€78) and bestselling line Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide (€17). The latter’s Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF30 with mineral sunscreen is remarkably close in texture and coverage to many more expensive options, yet costs €20.50.
Korean SPFs offer plenty of light and easy-to-wear facial options without the designer prices; for example, Laneige does a travel-friendly UV Defence SPF50 for €15 (20ml).
On the snail trail …
While we’re on the subject, what’s your take on snail slime? We’re having debates in our house about the whole snail mucin thing – a recent rave review of the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (€31.50, available online and in select pharmacies) was alluring, so my 18-year-old has become hooked, impressed with the “glass skin” effect this slightly slimy liquid can deliver. I always felt that it could be a step too far … and the idea of it sounds too close to a beauty industry parody. And since I read that snails produce mucin when they’re stressed, and sheer demand for this substance is leading to questionable extraction practices, I’m finding it more unappealing than ever. My own personal bottom line is that this is a step too far for vanity, and we can surely stick to other solutions to make our skin look shiny. We must have enough wonder ingredients without this? No, thanks, to snail lip balm, too.
Incidentally, there’s an Irish alternative, Bragan Skincare, based in Co Monaghan. Founder Kieran Corley uses only the mucin, rather than the entire snail (which, he says, can happen in some Korean skincare) which is better for both the quality of the product and, you know, the creatures themselves.
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