Korean Cosmetics.
Hydration, anti-aging, radiance.
K-beauty appeals to me above all for the aesthetic of its results. Korean women are known for their porcelain, almost luminous complexion, and this is no coincidence: it is the fruit of a skincare culture passed down through generations. Their cosmetics possess a rare combination: light in texture, yet truly powerful in composition.
It all started last year, when my mother-in-law gave me a set of Beauty of Joseon serums. Before that, I had never used “those little bottles with droppers” — they seemed unnecessary to me. But I liked them, and I began to understand the logic: each bottle is a concentrate of a single active ingredient with one precise mission. Hydrate. Brighten. Regenerate. This almost pharmaceutical precision won me over.
I have normal skin, but with caveats: periodic dermatitis that frustrates me a lot, and in the past, severe acne. That is why skincare stopped being a luxury for me a long time ago. It is a necessity and, over time, a genuine pleasure.
There is also something imperceptibly poetic about Korean cosmetics. The ideograms on the packaging awaken in me a sense of Eastern refinement. They make me think of geishas, cherry blossoms, something delicate and beautiful. So I could not resist and ordered 170€ worth of cosmetics from Korean Skincare. It is not Japan, sure — so what!)
Hydration: the foundation of everything
I have some minor skin issues. Dermatitis appears sometimes: the skin on my face flakes, reddens and itches. I have had this since high school. To prevent it, the skin needs to be well hydrated.
The foundation of my hydration routine is built on products I already know well: creams prescribed by my dermatologist, and those I choose myself. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water & Rice Milk is my first step: a weightless essence that absorbs instantly and prepares the skin for the next steps. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule adds a soothing and repairing layer, particularly valuable during periods of irritation — and I love it. Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream I do not use all the time: it is light, but slightly sticky, and I will probably not repurchase it.
This trio will soon be joined by new arrivals. Red Bean Water Gel I will use primarily as a conductive gel for my microcurrent therapy sessions. Its slippery texture will facilitate the gliding of the electrodes, and after the session it will remain on the skin as an additional hydrating layer. To reinforce the skin barrier, I will alternate between the already familiar 345 Relief Cream, which I am buying for the second time because it is that good, and the new 147 Barrier Cream. The skin barrier is the protective layer that keeps moisture in and keeps irritants out. When it is weakened, the skin becomes reactive and prone to inflammation — and that is precisely what triggers my dermatitis. So barrier cream for me is not just hydration, but targeted work on the cause, not the symptoms.
Anti-aging: eye contour as a priority
I already have a solid foundation here. Celimax Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is my main anti-aging serum at the moment: retinal stimulates cell renewal and visibly firms the skin. I can already see the results. However, it is not suitable for the eye area, as the skin there is too thin and sensitive for retinal.
That is why I chose two specialized eye contour products. I have very pronounced dark circles, and I am determined to work on them seriously. My goal here is twofold: to brighten and to lift. Revive Eye Serum Ginseng + Retinal is a formula specifically adapted for the periorbital area, unlike regular retinal serums. To Be Youthful Eye Serum I will use on days when my skin needs a lifting effect and firmness. I will alternate between them without mixing.
Sun protection: a serious approach
As summer approaches, I decided to tackle photoprotection with real rigor. To find the product that will stay with me for a long time.
Among what I already know and love: SKIN1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum, incredibly light and almost invisible on the skin, and Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick, indispensable for reapplying facial protection throughout the day.
New candidates will soon be put to the test: Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ PA++++ with soothing properties, and Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++, more nourishing and with an anti-aging focus. I also have Dr. Ahena Green Tea SPF in my arsenal, which serves as my reference point. It will be a real comparative test: thoughtful and methodical. All of this is for the face. For the body, I tried a Caudalie sun cream last summer, but it did not convince me. So my goal is to find a good body sun protection for this summer.
Body care
Body care has always been part of my routine. But now I want to take it to the next level and set myself concrete goals: to brighten my knees and elbows and start giving them dedicated attention. I sometimes use baking soda as a scrub, mixed with my shower gel.
For brightening, I am eagerly awaiting the duo Glutathione Niacinamide Body Wash and Glutathione Niacinamide Body Lotion. Glutathione inhibits melanin synthesis, and niacinamide reduces pigmentation spots and refines skin texture. Results will come gradually, but that is precisely what attracts me: a gentle and lasting transformation, not an instant effect. And one more goal I am setting for myself: to find a truly effective chest cream. I previously used an L’Occitane oil for skin firmness, and a Clarins cream designed for pregnant women to prevent stretch marks.
Masks: for the atmosphere
I deliberately ordered a wide range of sheet masks to understand which ones suit me best. A sort of personal laboratory. Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask for deep hydration, Oasis Soothing Mask to calm during periods of reactivity, Marine Anti-Blemish Mask against imperfections. For radiance, I will test Natural Brightening Velvet Mask and Herb Therapy Velvet Mask. Cushion Veil Calming Mask I will keep as a reliable option for evenings.
French Cosmetics
I live in France, and the French pharmacy is a world of its own. It is overwhelming: Caudalie, La Roche-Posay, L’Occitane, Garancia, Clarins and countless other brands, each with its own philosophy and history.
Garancia was introduced to me by my husband, and it was love at first sight. There is something magical about this brand: I love their marketing and their fragrances. The eye contour roller, the T-zone treatment, the hydrating gel Diabolique Glaçon, very pleasant. And of course the body cream Anti-Croco: an incredible, truly enchanting scent. A few days ago I accidentally bought the fragrance-free version. No big deal — it is actually interesting: it will be an opportunity to test it purely on its hydrating qualities, rather than its sensory effect. In the future, I would like to try more products from this brand.
The Caudalie hand cream absorbs quickly and smells divine. Last summer I bought a whole collection from this brand: body cream, face mask, thermal water, hand cream and eye cream. The composition also appeals to me: Caudalie is known for its commitment to natural ingredients, and you can feel it. L’Occitane has become my favorite brand, and it has truly won me over: oils, soaps, creams, and especially the eye cream from the Immortelle range, which I have already used and will buy again.
And a love of its own: Clarins oils. Right now I have Blue Orchid, and it is pure bliss. And the chamomile body oil — for massage and relaxation.
This is already my true act of self-care, of caring for my beauty. A way of being attentive to myself, noticing changes and moving towards skin that reflects how I feel on the inside. What matters most to me is not to get lost in all this abundance, to understand what each product does and to make conscious choices. The ethics of ingredients matter to me: I check all my products on Yuka to know exactly what I am applying to my skin.
I know that some of my products contain ingredients that are not entirely natural, but I accept this consciously. Because underlying everything is a striving for perfection: in appearance, within, and in thoughts.
In the next entries, I will write about shampoos and makeup.
Sometimes I wonder: why does Russia not have its own cosmetic culture, recognized around the world? The potential is enormous: Siberian herbs, sea buckthorn, birch, chaga. Ingredients that any K-beauty formula would envy. Natura Siberica, Levrana, Planeta Organica — they exist, and their composition is sometimes very interesting. But there is no the same packaging magic, no cultural history behind the brands, no equivalent of K-pop or the French art of living that carry cosmetics across the world.
I think this is partly linked to mentality. The older generation in Russia is skeptical about self-care: “natural beauty”, “it’s all chemicals”, “why so many jars”, “it’s pointless”. Cosmetics were seen as a superfluous luxury, almost as a weakness. This is a completely opposite philosophy to the Korean one, where skincare is the norm from childhood, for everyone, regardless of age or gender. I think it is precisely this cultural barrier that prevented Russian cosmetics from becoming something greater. But our generation thinks differently.
…Time passed and I found sunscreens for the body — I went with mineral ones. The main one is Rucirin Sensitive Mineral. And I picked the others on Claude’s recommendation.
I also ordered Korean skincare again, added a vitamin C serum and a cleansing oil from dr.Althea. It smells like eucalyptus.
thank you for attention
anastasia sprang
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