Beauty and the East

Japanese and South Korean skincare innovations

Spa-goers have long looked to the East for its wealth of beauty knowledge, and some claim Asian skincare is at least a decade ahead of the rest of the world. Asian beauty trends have crossed many miles to take root in the U.S., and now spa-goers don’t need to travel to Asia—namely South Korea or Japan—to experience the benefits of cutting-edge Eastern-inspired skincare. Japan, often regarded as the leading beauty innovator in Asia, has stiff competition from South Korea, which came into the limelight in 2012 with multitasking BB creams. Skin lightening and brightening, a longtime trend in the Asian skincare market, also became more prominent than ever before, promising a more even skintone and radiant complexion. Asian beauty breakthroughs are becoming commonplace in spas and retail—and while we might not have adopted Korea’s famous 10-step skincare routine, spas today are definitely incorporating elements of the East into beauty regimens.

Founded in 2012, Tatcha is based in the U.S. while its products are manufactured in and draw inspiration from Japan. “There has been so much cross-pollination of cultures recently, exposing a Western audience to products and categories that are well-established in Asia,” says founder, CEO, and chief treasure hunter Victoria Tsai. “The Asian skincare market is rich with categories not previously seen in the U.S. Now these Asian skincare brands are appearing in the U.S. market and influencing Western brands. American brands are beginning to embrace the ‘new’ categories and products of Asian beauty, adding cleansing balms and sheet masks and mineral-rich waters to their repertoires. Sephora’s focus on Korean beauty in the past year was really a tipping point, bringing what used to be a niche category to a much broader audience.”

AmorePacific, a trailblazing Korean skincare company that launched in the U.S. in 2003, brings cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking innovations to the U.S. market. “Skin is a measure of beauty in the Korean culture, and therefore takes priority in Korean women’s time, effort, and budget allocation,” says Nathalie Paiva, director of marketing and public relations. “I believe it is for this reason that Korean consumers are always curious to find out about the newest product to hit the market and are willing to invest just as much in diversifying their skincare portfolios as they do in quality. By definition, Korean skincare is innovation, looking to address every single need the market may have, no matter how great or small.”Japanese and South Korean skincare innovations

Birchbox, a New York City-based online monthly beauty subscription service, is always on the lookout for the best and most intuitive products for customers. “BB and CC Creams are one trend from Asia that has been hugely successful with our customers—our customer loves this multitasking product,” says senior merchant manager of the skincare and body division Jamie Johns. “Japan and Korea are known for their skincare first beauty perspective, which definitely resonates with our perspective as a retailer. There are a lot of unique beauty trends from the region that are too out there for our customer, but the markets there have consistently produced amazing ingredients and technical innovations. So many of the product innovations from these countries have gone on to be replicated by European and American skincare brands.” Birchbox, riding the sheet mask trend in the West, features masks from Biorepublic, Dr. Jart, Manefit, NER:D, Soo Ae, and When.

Global Masquerade

A sheet mask is usually made from soft cotton that is soaked in a serum or essence and pre-cut to match facial contours, with holes for the mouth, nose, and eyes. The mask traps ingredients, forcing them to absorb into the skin and sealing in moisture. Sheet masks are gaining popularity in the U.S. because of instant brightening, hydrating, and firming effects. Celebrity sheet mask selfies have become popular, and Asia has just upped the ante. According to the Spafinder Wellness 365 2016 Trends Report, expect to see sheet masks shaped like animals. Korean brands have created tiger, raccoon, dog, sheep, monkey, cat, and panda masks, while in Japan, sheet mask enthusiasts can emulate Hello Kitty or members of the rock band KISS during their beauty routines.

At DHC, new products are inspired by what Japan does best: research and development using botanicals and antioxidants of the highest standard. “In Japan, DHC is a household name—it’s one of the most popular health and beauty companies in the country—so the brand holds huge influence in the Asian skincare space, which is now migrating to the West,” says Cynthia Popper, senior copywriter and catalog editor at DHC USA. “Some of the longtime beauty standards in Asia, like sheet masks for example, have been around for awhile. We have carried them for more than 10 years—we’re one of the first companies to introduce sheet masks to the mainstream American beauty consumer. In Japan, women buy sheet masks in bulk to use daily, before a big event, or to target a particular issue. They’re convenient, affordable, and effective.” The newly launched DHC Q10 Sheet Mask is vitamin-packed and features coenzyme Q10, a super antioxidant that improves the look, feel, and overall tone of skin.

In developing its products, Tatcha was influenced by Japanese beauty rituals. “We were inspired by the Geisha’s centuries-old practice of distilling botanicals, soaking swaths of silk with nutrient-rich steam, and laying it on their skin to enjoy the benefits,” says Tsai. “It’s not just about heritage, though, but efficacy. For example, in a clinical study, we found that the Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask increases the moisture content of the skin by 197 percent in 15 minutes.” Thémaé Paris, which creates tea and spring-water-based products, takes its name from the Japanese word for the tea preparation ceremony—a paramount ritual in the culture. According to sales director for the Americas Jeannie Frazier, following trends is a very important part of product development. “Asia is rich in culture, rituals, and wellbeing,” says Frazier. “Sheet masks are making a strong presence in facial homecare due to the immediate plumping and radiance to the skin. They are being used in ‘red-carpet ready’ home treatments, and are perfect for a more intensive treatment in a pouch you can take anywhere. Thémaé’s Youth & Radiance Mask, a sheet mask that contains phyto collagen, hyaluronic acid, and essential oils, is also used in the Thémaé Original Beauty Signature Facial ($240, 90 minutes) at Le Spa Thémaé in Paris.

Asian brands are switching up sheet masks, substituting gel sheets and kelp for cotton. In addition to many other Asian companies, the Korean beauty company TonyMoly carries “hydrogel masks,” which are made of a thin gel sheet versus the standard cotton material, allowing for maximum adherence accuracy and boosted hydration. Another unique TonyMoly sheet mask is the Earth Beauty Kelp Mask Sheet, designed to boost elasticity while simultaneously removing pollutants from the skin. The sheet is approximately 90 percent kelp, which delivers abundant minerals and nutrients to the skin, and other ingredients include a lactobacillus and aloe barbadensis ferment filtrate.

Patchology, a U.S.-based company that sources many of its ingredients from Korea, is also creating innovative sheet masks. In April, the company launched a SmartMud No-Mess Mud Masque infused with the detoxifying benefits of volcanic mud, sourced from Jeju, a South Korean island. “Our innovation was to put mineral-rich volcanic mud right into a sheet mask, so the mud is easy to apply, comfortable to wear for 10 minutes, and virtually mess-free to remove,” says CEO Chris Hobson. “You get all the benefits of mud, but without the mess.” Last spring, Patchology launched its FlashMasque sheet masks featuring HydraSurge5, which delivers hydration in five minutes versus 15—a perfect adaptation for the impatient American consumer. The innovative mask material virtually disappears when applied to the skin, and the shape and serum levels are customized for the U.S. market.

Inspired by Korea, Elemis recently introduced the next generation of sheet masks, such as the Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks ,where the sheet mask itself is made of skin-beneficial ingredients. “Elemis has been very strong in Asia for many years and has consequently taken much inspiration from these regions, adding a further level of creativity and innovation in the UK laboratory,” says cofounder and chief marketing officer Oriele Frank, who is responsible for new product development. “We pride ourselves in being a leader in advanced scientifically proven skincare and always well ahead of the trends, which helps position Elemis in the U.S. as a major trendsetter. The future generation in sheet masks will be Bio-Cellulose—expensive but amazingly beneficial to the skin when infused with actives.”

Magic Water

Water is the primary ingredient in most skincare products, so using the purest water is important. Many European brands have featured products with thermal and mineral-rich water for years, including Omorovicza, which harnesses the power of Hungary’s 2,000-year-old healing thermal waters in its products. Asian consumers are hyperaware of sourcing and purity, and the demand for pure-water products in the East has had a ripple effect.

Appriya, which means “beloved water” in Sanskrit, is a Miami-based company launched this year that uses water from the Thai mountains in all its products. “The water we use is from an ancient well in the Thai mountains and features silica, copper, and just enough hydrogen peroxide,” says cofounder Oui Coulson. “These ingredients are naturally skin-beneficial, helping to keep collagen flexible and strong, reduce inflammation, and regulate oxygen levels.” Adds cofounder Dikka Amuchastegui, “What’s more, our water has naturally occurring nano-like particles, which allow the minerals and our active ingredients to penetrate and have the most impact.  We are passionate about the benefits of mineral waters and actually believe that such beneficial water can be found around the world in similar ancient, pristine locations.” Appriya is adapting multistep Asian skincare routines for the U.S. consumer, harnessing Asia’s technology in multi-functional products. For example, Comprehensive Mineral Day & Night Cream addresses hydration around the clock, and its powerful ingredients work to tackle fine lines and wrinkles, tone, elasticity, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation. 

Cremorlab, a Seoul skincare brand, uses an exclusive thermal water as a base for all its products. Estimated to be purified for more than 260 million years underground in the Geumjin region of Korea, the water contains rare minerals and selenium, a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Extracted from more than 3,600 feet underground, the water has 300 times the amount of minerals found in thermal water elsewhere. Additionally, the balance of water to minerals is delivered in a size smaller than our pores, which heightens the absorption rate of products into the skin. Cremorlab Herb Tea Blemish Minus Calming Mask increases skin moisture content, while polyphenols and tannins from chamomile and black tea extracts help to soothe and improve the skin’s complexion. 

Fermentation Fix

The 2016 Trends Report from Spafinder Wellness 365 predicts more fermented ingredients this year, including fruits, plants, herbs, and yeast appearing in masks, serums, and lotions—a nod to Korea’s history of making fermented products. Fermented extracts within skincare products have many benefits including calming and brightening, as well as enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—plus, the skin readily absorbs them. Traditional cosmetic processes utilize high temperatures to blend ingredients and actives, whereas fermented skincare is processed slowly in an oxygen-free environment where bad bacteria and toxins are unable to survive.

“Fermentation is a process of complex organic compounds breaking down into simple organic compounds through the chemical reaction of enzymes such as lactobacillus,” says Paiva. “Historically, fermentation was widely used to make food products such as alcohol, Korean kimchi, or yogurt, and AmorePacific research and development applied the same fermentation process to green tea. The new Fermented Green Tea technology maximizes the efficacy of bioactive ingredients in green tea and enabled the development of Bright-T Ferment, which inhibits the generation of melanin and activates longevity genes for anti-aging effects.” Bright-T Ferment is the main ingredient in AmorePacific Intensive Vitalizing Eye Essence, which was launched in February 2015. Also in the beginning of 2015, TonyMoly introduced its Timeless Ferment Snail skincare line. “Because the original snail line was an immediate hit, we searched for ways to provide customers with an even more effective way to receive all of the snail mucin’s benefits,” says Michelle Kim, vice president of marketing at Shine 32, which distributes TonyMoly products in the U.S. “The fermentation process yields smaller molecular structure of the ingredients, allowing for better penetration to the skin and a boost in results.”

A fusion of East and West, Amarte formulations were customized for the U.S. market as well as broader world markets by president Craig Kraffert, M.D., a practicing dermatologist and president of Amarte U.S., who studied, tested, and perfected the products. In March, Amarte introduced Silktox, a two-part back bar treatment featuring silk extract and fermented ginkgo extract, which protects the skin from bacteria and helps maintain its natural pH balance. “Fermented skincare products are uniquely Korean,” says Kraffert. “The harsh climate in Korea has, over the centuries, driven Koreans to be fermenters of various products including food, beverage, and, as it turns out, skincare. Here in America and abroad, fermented products are trending in both the media and marketplace. Most of our products have naturally fermented ginkgo nut extract within them. The inspiration for this dates back into Korean culture, where the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of ginkgo nut are well known. The naturally fermented ginkgo nut extract is also used in popular Korean soft drinks. We are seeing a rush to market by several upstart brands promoting the fermented qualities of their formulations.” Established Western brands are also jumping on the bandwagon: ESPA is adding two products with yeast bioferment this year including Optimal Skin ProMoisturiser, which launched in January, and Overnight Hydration Therapy, which is launching in June.

Asian Horizons

Spas and spa-goers are anxious to see how Asian skincare trends will continue to evolve in the U.S.—and what lands on our shores next. “As mentioned in the Spafinder Wellness 365 2016 Trends Report (Korean Beauty 2.0), we believe the popularity of Korean skincare products is in its infancy, and, during the next wave of growth, men in the West will increasingly embrace these products,” says Betsy Isroelit, senior director of global media relations at Spafinder Wellness. “This new fascination with Korean—and Asian—products and multistep beauty rituals and regimens is also driving the new ‘slow beauty’ trend, which, much like the slow food movement, focuses on the process as much as the product.”

Leading Korean companies launch 20 to 30 products per month, compared to Western brands, which may release 10 to 30 per year. “Some big Asian skincare trends that we are seeing right now are water-droplet formulas, pressed serums, and splash masks,” says Kim. Pressed serum, she explains, is a fusion between a moisturizer and a serum, drawing on Korea’s passion for developing hybrid and multifunctional products. Splash masks, likewise, are a blend between a mask and a cleansing method; a small amount of the liquid product is patted onto the face and left on for 15 minutes before being rinsed off. Water-droplet formulas are creams that provide lightweight yet intense moisturization. When the cream is massaged into the skin, micro-water droplets rise to the surface, supplying the skin with a boost of hydration while leaving it feeling cool and refreshed. “Because this trend is still being introduced in the U.S., you can find customers who are just coming to learn of this type of product,” she says. “The look on their faces when they first see the droplets magically appear is priceless.” Only time will tell what new Asian skincare surprises will make a similar splash in America.