Korean Beauty Uncovered: What no one told you about the labels of your Korean beauty products

[@chanuka6404]

No one! Not even single one, out of so many popular & famous native K beauty influencers/beauty experts ever done this on KZbin. Can't wait for the next episode of The Monodist.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! I think a big issue with the cosmetic industry in Europe and America is that this kind of information can only be accessed at a pretty steep price point, whereas in Korea the cosmetic association does a great job at spreading awareness on this stuff within the general public. I get it that regulatory consultants have to make a living somehow, but it shouldn't come at the cost of consumer awareness, especially when all these laws are public information anyway... When one puts this information behind pay walls, it enables people to spread cheap fearmongering and misinformation to their audience unchecked (like it happened during the sunscreen scandal with the plethora of videos on how "Korean brands are lying to you!!")

[@primordialmeow7249]

Odile: Excellent teaching. In addition: your voice is ASMR for me. ❤️

[@valentinaci7888]

Thank you so much for posting such high quality videos! No offense, but you are the one who deserves milions of subscribers, not influencers who don't even know what they talk about😅😅. For me, as I live in Korea and buy cosmetic products mostly online (so many discount events haha) I sometimes find it difficult to find the ingredient list of a product. Some online stores don't even list it, or it's hidden somewhere so I need time to find it. If I go to the page of a product, they rave about how great a certain ingredient is, but when I find the ingredient list, that certain ingredient is maybe at the very end of the list😅. Oh, and some stores put a picture of the ingredients, but the letters are soooo small, that I have to take a screenshot then zoom in the picture. Well, lately I got more experienced and I know what websites/online stores to check, for example the Olive Young store is very good at listing the ingredients in the 'product info/구매정보' section. For offline shopping it's very easy, because the ingredients are listed on the package. Once I bought the Dr Jart Ceramidin cream (the one with 5 ceramides), and when I got the product, there were 2 ingredients lists. One in English, one in Korean. The one in Korean had the ceramides very up on the list, but the one in English listed most of them at the very end, like really, at the end 😆. I agree however that more than how the ingredients are listed, the way a certain product works for you is more important. So even if the ceramide quantity is small it might work very well for you. Once again, thank you for posting great videos ♡♡♡!!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

The struggle is real! I know many people also rely on Hwahae but I noticed that ingrediest lists are sometimes incorrect / incomplete or listed in completely different order compared to the ones on the brand website or the Olive Young website so I don't really blame the confusion 😩 Thank you for your lovely comment by the way! I try my best, I can just hope the algorithm will start helping me out at some point 😅

[@irmalair1]

I like that they must disclose the manufacturer

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Same! It's one of the main things I like the most about Korean beauty. If you keep up with beauty R&D news, you can learn which manufacturers specialise in certain products and technologies and make a genuinely informed purchase, something that I found hard to do in Europe for instance, because you simply have to trust that the brand name on the packaging is telling the truth... 🙄

[@rambutketiak]

Oftentimes I see Korean / Western /Japanese skincare products didn’t tell consumers how to use the products. When in my country you must include instructions on the label. I think this is important things nowadays. People have been told you can layered products if you need them and most of the time people get confused when they should apply it and after what products.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

I absolutely understand the frustration. Directions for use should always be included but only in Korean, unfortunately in some countries it's not required to translate that part of the label during the import of foreign cosmetics 😥

[@rambutketiak]

@@OdileMonodTheMonodist I think the instructions should become a global think to help people that get confused when or what order they should use their skincare. In US if I’m not mistaken the Inkey List started to include innovative instructions (not the boring 1 sentence instruction). Because when the founder give the products to the elder, one of them write a note the order to use the products.

[@am1156]

Love how detailed and thorough your perpective seems to be. I've learned information and products from you that noone else mentions.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! That actually means a lot because the main reason I started this channel is that I couldn't find any English-language information on Korean Beauty that reflected the professional experience I had working with the Korean market: from regulations, to the latest technological advancement and even which brands are actually trending in Korea, so I'm trying my best to bring my audience reliable information on K-Beauty. 🙏

[@am1156]

@@OdileMonodTheMonodist You are a true gem and I hope that many more people find your channel!

[@k.huelle]

I so love your videos! I think that last bit about not worrying too much over ingredients lists is so good. I feel like everyone has turned into private ingredient investors and while having an understanding of certain ingredients can be helpful you won't know how something is formulated (or ingredients made/obtained) from the inky list alone, and formula is Queen.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Absolutely! For example, there are 5 different essences made of 100% Artemisia Extract in Korea at the moment and none of them perfoms the same. Ingredient analysis apps unfortunately give consumers the impression you can get the full picture of a product just by looking at INCI names 🙄

[@tamerebel]

Informative and well-designed as always, thanks Odile!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! I tried my best to make legislation entertaining with illustrations, motion graphics and whatnot 😄😄😄

[@insolitasiempre8326]

This is a very thorough and informative channel, you deserve much more viewers. Here in HK we have access to a lot of Korean and Japanese brands so your videos really help me as a consumer to understand what I am buying

[@lucaasalberto]

Thank you for this really informative video! It does seem a little gimmicky from the Korean government to allow incidental ingredients to be omitted in this way. In the case of the Missha essence, they can claim the product is 100% Artemisia extract, which would be correct and misleading at the same time, since the content of Artemisia is actually the smallest part of the formula... I've seen other Korean products claiming to be 100% X-plant extract and found the absence of preservatives quite odd, but now I know what that is happening. Thank you again!

[@mariamslim6447]

I have binge watching all your videos for the past two days. Honestly u deserve millions of followers❤

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you so much 😍

[@glittergaby31]

She is my favorite! Thank you for your videos and info

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you so much, I've always thought it was real shame this kind of information was not publicly available! 😊

[@dorapoch]

Love your informative videos! That's takeaway at the end was 👌

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! I think the popularity of ingredient analysis apps/websites is making people forget the formulation matters over anything else really!

[@deevee8327]

I LOVE Kbeauty!!! As an English speaking white person I know to look for the functional cosmetic symbols 😊 and that's the extent of my korean. Your voice is very calming and easy to listen to

[@farahdibasonda6708]

Amazingly detailed video. Thank you for this.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Pleasure is all mine! I'm glad it was helpful 😀

[@elinori123]

I love your calming voice!!

[@k.huelle]

Her voice is so lovely! Definitely one of the most mellifluous voices out there.

[@nancybellmx]

Pienso lo mismo, I think the same

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Aww, thank you 💕

[@banksofnoon7867]

Wow.. your content is amazing and your videos are always informative and clear. Thank you for educating us. Keep up the good works.

[@manuelgonzalez785]

Thank you enormously for your informative videos!!.. greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

My pleasure! Glad it was interesting 😊

[@TT-tu3tj]

Can you please make a video on skin lightening. Both in terms of Hanbang techniques and modern ones.

[@cha3265]

I noticed this with the new COSRX products that launched in boots, very interesting video

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful

[@wansileung3962]

I stumbled across this two days ago and have binged most of them now! Loving the recent ones without background music. Would you consider doing a video on products that plump the eye lids? In my late 30s and being a skinnier woman, I find my eyelids are sunken and have lost elastin. Thanks!

[@sunscreenhoarder6558]

Informative and engaging as always! Thank you, Odile! I really enjoyed this video

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

My pleasure! Glad it was interesting 😊

[@SheriApproved]

Another incredible video!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you 💕💕

[@elliez7269]

You are the best!! I’m so happy to have discovered you recently! Your content is educational and very well organized and thoughtful! Ps. you are a mini Isabella Rossellini :)

[@laynaaa]

Wonderful video as always!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Pleasure is all mine! I'm glad it was helpful 😀

[@fabsblog]

Very informative as usual! 🧡

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Pleasure is all mine! I'm glad it was helpful 😀

[@seidetsukai]

This information is simply... WONDERFUL! Thank you for the awesome work in researching, filming, etc. I also have to mention that I love the soft pastel color scheme and font used in your videos, I find the combination is calming, clean and very professional--perfect for the realm of skincare. Keep up the amazing work!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@joycema7584]

I wish my chemistry lectures are presented like your videos . So much more inviting and motivating haha

[@patriciateague8677]

I've just subscribed. Really enjoying your channel. Korean beauty seems to be all the rage now in the US and it is so hard to know where to begin. At 65 I am more focused on skincare than ever before and would like recommendations on a simple single line regimen with reliable results for sensitive skin.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you! It's funny how you mention that because the next video I'm working on is how to build an effective skincare routine without buying lots of unnecessary products and falling into the "10 step routine" trap 😊

[@patriciateague8677]

@@OdileMonodTheMonodist Thanks Odile. I look forward to watching.

[@monicamcdonald5474]

I hope you'll soon start uploading again!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

New video is on its way thank you for your patience! I was working on a big video project but I realised it's too much elaborate so I'm considering making a video in two parts. In the meantime, I filmed a video on my favourite Korean sunscreens that will be up next week because I didn't want to leave you without content for another 3 weeks 😓

[@monicamcdonald5474]

@@OdileMonodTheMonodist Thanks! Can't wait for a new video. Just purchased bottle #2 of Snail Mucin (I lovingly call Snail Snot). Besides being extremely informative, your videos are so relaxing and a pleasure to watch :)

[@cristinalabarbie948]

Thanks Odile. Soo intresting 🤩

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Grazie mille cara!

[@michaeladefoy4558]

Mind blowing 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@1118cristina]

Excellente présentation, as usual 👍❤️🌹

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

That's so nice of you, thank you so, so much! 😊💕

[@M4isieMSP]

Would you do a video on anti-redness sometime? I really love your videos and that would seriously be super helpful!!

[@icyayugat5581]

Am just learning about these things.. Thank you for making your content easily digestible so I can still remember them even though months have passed.. Your video about the snail mucin was very enlightening.. I look forward to more content from you 💜

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you so much, I've always thought it was real shame this kind of information was not publicly available (and it's also hard to make abstract concepts like legislation somewhat interesting and easy to understand), so I'm glad to hear this type of content can be helpful to someone!

[@oldandstillhere]

This is so helpful. Thank you!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Pleasure is all mine! I'm glad it was helpful 😀

[@teresitatoanuloeg7442]

Your videos are awesome!!

[@BonnieGarner]

Very informative and so useful! Thank you for your amazing content, Odile ♥️♥️♥️

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you for your constant support, it really means a lot 💕

[@anothermaria6981]

Amazing work Odile! Congratulations and thank you so much do this video! 💕

[@leilaetyann12]

Vidéo très intéressante comme d'habitude. Merci Odile !

[@twk9993]

Wow! I'm the first here! Pretty excited! 😍

[@TheCocomom]

Very informative

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Pleasure is all mine! I'm glad it was helpful 😀

[@perlytan]

Hi, thank you for such thorough educational information! Seems like I don’t need to be overly reacted to find out the ingredients whether is safe or not right? Practically, since every product been pre tested before launching, mean they are safe to use than? I always found some brands which I think I would like to try on but they do contain certain harmful ingredients like fragrance, alcohol... but they are good on my skin! And I feel guilty when I can’t stop myself keep using them!

[@munnaz2374]

Can't wait!

[@garimarathor8722]

Such a concise and informative video! Also, your name always reminds me of Swan Lake!

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you 😍 it's nice to hear recognises the name, in Korea everyone pronounces my name as Audrey 😂😂

[@andreaballetti1637]

Ciao Sei un miniera d'oro di ottime informazioni Ogni tuo video è interessantissimo Sono strutturati in maniera impeccabile Sono veramente istruttivi ed utili Grazie delle informazioni che ogni volta ci dai Continua così Grazie ancora aspetto il prossimo video 😘

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Grazie mille a te, mi fa piacere poter condividere la mia esperienza professionale in modo da far luce su alcune informazioni errate che si trovano sulla cosmesi coreana su internet!

[@trucmuche2365]

Hello, Preservatives in an extract do not need to be listed in the U.S. if these preservatives are not in high enough concentration to ensure preservation of the final formula.

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Yup, that's right! As I say in the video, they can be omitted as long as they don't have a significant effect on the finished formula.

[@lafenice5029]

Grazie Odile adoro i tuoi video perché garantiscono quell'approfondimento che personalmente reputo necessario in tutto ciò che mi appassiona. 👭💕

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Grazie mille a te, è un piacere condividere la mia esperienza professionale per far luce sulla cosmesi coreana ❤

[@highlighter-kun]

Russian labels on Korean products are really misleading. Normally they indicate Importer (a Russian company which distributes beauty products) and Manufacturer. However as Manufacturer they indicate the brand's name and its headquarter address, not the real manufacturer (like Kolmar, etc).

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Sadly, it's the same in the EU and many other countries D: I remember I always had to peel off the import label of my products to see who actually made that product!

[@gmc___]

In Europe you *do* need to mention the preservatives and other additives of your ingredients on the INCI. You only don't need to mention any unavoidable components that were produced in the production process (such as diethanolamine that comes with triethanolamine).

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

They should be listed as long as they remain in the final product (the official wording used in the EU guidelines is: "Subsidiary technical materials used in the mixture but not present in the final product", you can verify it with a quick Google search if you wish), otherwise they can be omitted, along with unavoidable components as you mention (except for potential allergens). It's similar to the first definition of 'incidental ingredient' mentioned in art. 19 in this video, since that Korean law was modeled after the EU regulation. The difference lays in the second clause of Article 19 that allows manufacturers to retain some trade secrets (namely, how they process raw ingredients).

[@kamilaaidarkulova3985]

So interesting

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Thank you ❤

[@estelafregoso5856]

Tengo manchas en mi cara por sol 🌞 que recomiendas chica🥰

[@estelafregoso5856]

Que usas una bb cream o cc cream cuál usas

[@kamilaaidarkulova3985]

😍😍😍

[@aarontheabc]

❤️👏

[@Noneofyourbusiness004]

Thank you soo much for the video...but I still have a question...like...missha says that their first essence contain 90% galactomyces filtrate does that mean that's a lie???...that does contain that ingredient but not as much as 90%...is that the fact?is that the same rhing with every other korean skincare products???...i know its late but please reply❤

[@OdileMonodTheMonodist]

Hi! The concept I discussed in the video applies to all processed ingredients, including "Galactomyces Filtrate". Meaning the 90% you're talking about may include solvents, texture enhancers etc