The TRUTH About Korean Skincare (Dermatologist)

[@usamasyed]

I'm building an AI personal skincare assistant so that ANYONE can have a skincare expert in their pocket that knows their skin, helps them track it, and gives them unbiased advice on the best products/routines for them. If you're interested in this, sign up here for Early Access: og7lzb6tl1h.typeform.com/to/xVnXi5oc

[@mrvlcode_777]

What about rice water

[@rune_rosen]

Please don’t. AI should not be used for what a web browser and research do

[@LearNeologist]

Respect. Doctor to Doctor.

[@ikranawil9672]

Not only you are funny but it's evidence-based. Congratulations to you and your wife on the baby🎉

[@usamasyed]

thank you so much, for the kind comments and well wishes!

[@anastashiam1154]

I must say my skin has improved drastically since changing to K beauty. I use centella & snail mucin moisturizers, rice toner only , ginseng essence or serum but never both at the same time and their sunscreens and my skin looks and feels amazing. Its helped my pigmentation, tightened pores, plump up skin and i no longer suffer contact dermatitis. My fave brands are Cosrx, Beauty of Joseon and Haru Rice

[@kathrynm5841]

BOJ is gorgeous - and works so well with my rosacea-prone redness. Same with CosRx snail mucin and their centella asiatica toner. BOJ, CoxRX and Haruharu are three really great ones, yes, that are also affordable, though I don't have as much experience with Haruharu.

[@susan825]

Honestly, the big reason for a lot of us is Korean skincare is far more affordable. I can get an amazing night cream for $10-15 as opposed to going to Sephora and spending $ 50-100 for basically the same thing.

[@usamasyed]

how do you decide what’s amazing with Korean skincare? And how do you decide that an ‘amazing’ night cream in the US needs to be $100?

[@susan825]

@usamasyed I am in my 40s, soooo....I've had plenty of opportunities to try plenty of things. Trying a variety of things over the years and seeing how my skin responds is evidence enough for me. It might not work for everyone but if I get the same results either way, I may as well spend less money 🙂

[@ixchel231]

Definitely agree about the affordability! Amazing products for much less money

[@patricew.4010]

Lies.

[@savannahzed1035]

​@@patricew.4010cry😅

[@Tmalodp]

This brillant video is an amazing reminder to help not get sucked into this world of skincare, beauty, unattainable perfection, etc. Thank you so much for taking the time to film this.

[@usamasyed]

My pleasure, thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@monicapaeklucky]

You should try before listening to this guy he’s a real idiot trust me

[@jyn88]

I tried the 10 step Korean skincare routine many years ago. It made me break out so I simplified it to 3-4 steps. I tried Korean skincare long before it became trendy in USA. I liked them because they seem to be effective and good quality at an affordable price. However, it's not as cheap anymore ever since it took over USA. They were my hidden gems back in the day. I just use whatever now. Doesn't matter Europe, USA or Korea.

[@KatK61227]

I suspect you might have been misinformed. Korean skincare doesn't mean that you have to do 10 steps. Every skin is different and needs different ingredients, actives, consistencies and amounts of products. The 10 step routine was just a trend years ago, most koreans only have a few steps (some just wash and moisturize). Having said that, keep using the products that suit you best. Nobody is forcing people to use certain products.

[@msk-qp6fn]

the korean 10 step routine wasn't even a thing in korea btw, it's literally something soko or soho made up, i am not saying koreans didnt have fancy long ass routines but it was not a rule like how many westerners perceieve the korean 10 step routine

[@KatK61227]

@@msk-qp6fn Yes, exactly. It's so annoying how people keep spreading misinformation. Especially a derm (like the guy that posted this video) should keep that in mind and explain it in a video about korean skincare. But he isn't objective at all, he keeps stereotyping and lumping a whole country into one random internet trend.

[@wkin72]

You were probably purging? I had a spotty face for a while and it was the products cleaning all the crap out of my skin. It’s glowing now so was worth it in the end.

[@optimisticgrl]

This is the right approach. What truly moves the needles w/r/t skin aging (other than plastic surgery and in office procedures) are genetics, sun protection, and not causing skin inflammation that would promote premature aging (and yes, using a bunch of random products like the 10 step skin care routine could induce “invisible” skin inflammation).

[@ayshanusrat3509]

Korean skincare is not overhyped. They have elegant formulas that don't cost hundred dollars per product unlike the west. It's not only sunscreen. West started to make some innovative products very recently following the popularity of Korean skincare. Although they can't compete with affordability

[@dr.k1012]

True. In Indian market elegant Korean products are half the price of drugstore western products.

[@yulianamour]

I totally agree with this. Western skincare with similar ingredients like the Korean skincare are multiple times more expensive than Korean skincare.

[@usamasyed]

That's a virtue of the fact that US manufacturing costs 10x as much. If you have to pay your factory/shipping workers in dollars and have minimum wage laws, it does tend to lead to more expensive products. Not a criticism of Korean skincare, just giving the reasoning why. It's not just 'western brands are greedy'.

[@ayshanusrat3509]

@@usamasyed US is trying to shove their brands down everyone's throats in the name of "efficacy". But the consumers of both Korean and US skincare know which products are good for their skin. So generalizing is not going to work in here. Natural skincare was in trend because of Clean Americans not Asians.

[@fernandadourado9311]

Totally true. I was stuck with only western skincare available in my country, but now I can find really good products with science proven effects and worth the price with korean cosmetics

[@giocatic7610]

I’m glad you are making videos again, as someone who is new to the world of skincare, your ‘scam’ video saves me a lot of money from buying these ‘scam’ products, now I just use cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and retinoid. Congrats on the baby too

[@usamasyed]

Ahh so happy to hear that! And thank you!

[@meghanjohnson517]

​@@usamasyedI can say it's done the same for me! I have chicken skin, three types of eczema, and very dry sensitive skin. So I only use cerave face wash on my entire body, cerave and curel moisturizers and the occasional retinol products!

[@t_ylr]

I will say one area where they really are worth the hype, at least for me, is sunscreen. Being dark skinned I tend to avoid physical sunscreen. There are not many American chemical sunscreens that don't burn my eyes.

[@usamasyed]

I gotta hand it to them on the sunscreen!

[@HereDiianas]

Same. Also, I have acne prone skin that is very sensitive and most European and American sunscreens brake me out but it happens way less often with Korean and Japanese sunscreens.

[@hilmyakatsuki1665]

Try biore from Japan. Except a few, many korean sunscreen is overrated

[@20thcenturyrelic]

@@usamasyed I'd like to watch a video from you on Korean sunscreens.

[@narniadan]

you're lying to yourself

[@Noggo]

It simply comes down to; Korean skincare is more affordable but has the same if not better results than western skincare. They focus more on hydrating and rebuilding skin and their formulations often have less irritating ingredients while having more of the good ingredients. Also the 10 step Korean skincare routine is not from Korea, it was a US marketing strategy to sell more products

[@laibanush5431]

Exactly

[@peace346]

Cap , Korean idols are popularizing the 8, 10 ,12 step skin care routines

[@unit4512]

@@peace346 Not entirely sure how that's any different from US based social media stars advertising every random American skincare brand under the sun

[@peace346]

@@unit4512 I'm a board certified dermatologist, the k beauty industry is unauthorised .Most skincare brand comes with the label of Korea aren't certified either by any chem tests nor by govt . Only few k products like Numbuzin, Heimish, Missha etc , only few are certified . Hundreds of patients everyday with same concern , that they used this so called advertised random k product and spoiled their face .. The teens , actors , k pop fame ..all made a change in the products some business idiots sell . Which made no regulatory on release of certain products and chemicals added . American board FDA or any other country has it ...constantly checking the skincare products industries are adding and products that are on sale .Dr is rightly Educating the dark side of k products

[@Marinlss]

I have very sensitive and dry skin and I've always struggled to find good western products that weren't expensive, I can't wear most affordable western sunscreens as well as it stings and hurts. But since I started using Japanese/Korean skincare I spend less money and get better results, my skin feels calm and my pockets aren't empty 😂

[@sympthylost]

I really think 10 steps is how K Beauty is introduced, in part for marketing, but to also explain the product types and the order in which to apply them. I don’t believe it’s expected or sensible to do all 10 steps twice daily. Sheet masking and exfoliating are once a week steps max and some steps overlap. Sunscreen, a step into itself, is only in the morning. Essences aren’t necessary but it depends on what kind of essence you are using (i.e. ferments, texture), and likewise with toner. If it’s a hydrating toner, no essence needed. If it’s a clarifying toner, no exfoliation needed. If your skin is young and healthy maybe you don’t need a serum, save for antioxidants. And double-cleansing is really for wearers of heavy make-up or physical sunscreens. The combinations are endless so it really depends what you’re using and your individual skin needs.

[@WallFlower08]

Yes!! Correct! That’s what the Westerners wanted to push out. The “Korean 10 steps” is a myth!

[@sakinam8209]

So we dont need to double cleanse when we use chemical sunscreen?

[@nicoleclark9247]

I’m so glad you pointed this out especially about things like exfoliating. No one in their right mind would recommend exfoliating 2x day everyday. And to be honest, when I looked at the additional steps I’ve added to my skin care over time I was doing about 7/10 in the evening anyway. Make up remover + cleanser before the days of micellar water is pretty close to two step cleansing to me. Following the Korean way just gives me more focused products with better ( to me) ingredients.

[@edienandy]

@@sakinam8209 I don’t really think you need to double cleanse if your first cleanser (which is typically a cleansing oil or balm) rinses off completely. I feel like most do but some leave behind a film that needs to be washed off with a second cleanser. Some people with really oily skin might like to use a second cleanser just because the oil cleanser might make their skin feel too moisturized if that makes sense. So it really depends on the products you’re using and your skin’s condition.

[@dodgek5270]

This! It's obvious he has never used it. That is why he thinks it's too much. He approved of most of it and criticized the ones that are optional and aren't used every time, which is exactly how you are supposed to do it. When I actually started the Korean 10 steps. It all made sense now, which steps and when to apply for my particular skin problem. You don't need to do all the steps. It's just very detailed, so you can customize it for your personal skin needs. Now, even without using Korean brands, I stick with the steps and order I use products.

[@saragrant556]

Korean skincare has been life changing. I use western active serums (vitamin c, retinol, etc) but the Korean moisturizers, toners, sunscreen, double cleansing, & masks have been better than any American products I’ve ever tried and I’ve worked on a cosmetics floor with manyyy American & western brands.

[@skateata1]

I love Asian sunscreens because they don't smell

[@saragrant556]

@@skateata1 or burn the eyes!!

[@meghanjohnson517]

It's called the placebo effect. Have you even watched any of this video?

[@saragrant556]

@@meghanjohnson517 it’s not a placebo effect if they have hydrating and PH balanced products with real ingredients.. I mean I’d hope the science behind SPF and ceramides is good 😹

[@meghanjohnson517]

​@@saragrant556there have been very few CLINICAL studies done on both of those "ingredients" (ceramides are a microscopic structure created by each indiviuals unique genetic makeup within their skin and its impossible to duplicated or mimic them in a lab. We have some ingredients that can mimic a semi similar structure on a very small scale. But it's so fleeting and only gives us a temporary sense of having an increased, healthier, stronger skin barrier. we also have other ingredients that show some minimal evidence of encouraging the skin to increase the rate of production of natural ceramides and increase the actual percentage of ceramides, even producing stronger structures. But unfortunately, those ingredients are not available in any over the counter products in both Korea And America. And we just cant recreate this miraculous ability of the skin quite like the skin can. Diet and environmental components Olay a larger roll). And sadly, the data we have on spf in MOST countries was recently ruled by a judge to be wreckless and un-useable when determining the ability to block out truly damaging cancer causing rays. the studies were done in the 70s and 80s and are lacking extremely important regulatory standards and requirements. Many spf products are not safe because they dont have to disclose the percentage of spf or the laboratory process. However, if we had more regulations in more countries (Italy has great skin care regulations for example) we would be able to have better quality ingredients, more studies that are actually factual and compelling, and we would know just how much of each ingredient is in our products, how it reacts to other ingredients, and how it was integrated into the product. The sad fact is that 99.9% of the products available over the counter have mainly ingredients that have zero clinical studies in them and zero safety and transparency regulations. There are a few amazing ingredients in products of both the Korean and American markets that have some truly compelling data available on their efficacy, but again, because both industries lack regulations, anyone can SAY they have those great ingredients in their products, but they don't have to disclose just how much or how potent or how safe it is.

[@Paula_SG]

I don't care about natural, clean or any other BS. I just know that I have ultra-sensitive reactive skin with tons of allergies and rosacea. I just recently started some K beauty options and for the first time in my life, my skin is moisturized and not burning! I'm 52 and have tried all the regular US brands for decades.

[@hollyI807]

What products do you use?

[@yensi99]

@@hollyI807we neeed to know 😊

[@robertlouisebaker-hyde1267]

I’m sorry to burst your bubbles but I’ve gotten amazing results from Korean skincare. They do deliver and they’re at par or even better than their western counterparts and that’s coming from someone who is skeptical about it and shrugged off Korean skincare. As I segued into Korean skincare I found out that they’re sophisticated and innovative and uses high quality ingredients and formulations. They’re worth the hype, absolutely.

[@RpMRickyMunoz]

Ever since I have started applying Korean products, I feel noticeable difference in my skin. Its not overhyped, just that its better and cheaper than American junk

[@maimouna6218]

Fr

[@KP-zg2pr]

Korean skincare has saved my skin. Innovative and nourishing. Try it. Favourite brands are Innisfree, Skin1004, Beauty of Joseon, Cosrx, Purito , Heimish and Clean it Zero.

[@poushalighosh4661]

Great video! I live in India and it's only recently the local industry is leveling up with it's contemppories in the west but I am already overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new skincare releases into the market. I'm glad that skincare is a lot more affordable now with brands like Minimalist putting out high quality and reasonably priced skincare lines but I'll stick to my staple suncreen, cleanser and kojic acid and glycolic acid ointment and the bioderma moisturizers qnd an occasional clay mask.These are my essentials and have stood the test of time. I've bought enough skincare to fill up whole cupboards but all i needed were my key few.

[@usamasyed]

Less is more in the skincare world!

[@wiktoria2474]

this is probably the funniest skincare video i've ever watched! and it's evidence-based. great job!

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!

[@jona9778]

Whoa, i'm just scrolling through the comments and to see that you've replied to almost all of them really warms my heart, you clearly work very hard and are passionate about youtube! keep up the great work. It's awesome that your now a father to, best wishes to your family

[@usamasyed]

Like to try my best whenever I can, but know I end up missing a bunch (especially replies to comments)!

[@gkwon10]

About the natural ingredients, I feel like many miss out on understanding the historical and cultural significance behind them. Korean/Asian medicine focuses a lot on herbs, plants, and natural ingredients, so there is long history behind the properties of these ingredients. Therefore, it just makes sense that Korean skincare focuses lot on innovating upon natural ingredients when there is a culture behind it. Now, I am not saying history = facts or is superior than scientific studies, but I see so many express skepticism on these natural ingredients without knowing its cultural and historical significance. I definitely agree there is just a lot of marketing poly and consumerism behind these natural ingredients, but that is lowkey an issue with American consumerism in general. So don't completely knock natural ingredients out of your book! I actually love a lot of Korean skincare that combine natural ingredients and "western" ingredients like centella and hyaluronic acids.

[@usamasyed]

Yep! I definitely don’t completely knock the value of natural ingredients - there’s clear and compelling evidence for a bunch of things like licorice, aloe, oat kernel extract etc. I just think the word has lost all meaning and become a pure marketing fantasy now

[@gkwon10]

@@usamasyed I always wondered how much language is a barrier to finding scientific evidence. All the ingredients you just listed and in the video were more popular natural ingredients in America. I wonder if there are scientific evidence/studies behind natural ingredients more popular in Asia that just can’t be found bc language barrier?

[@xqueenfrostine]

@@gkwon10most peer reviewed studies get published in English as well as the language native to the publication so I don’t think there is a secret hidden trove of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc. research that American based scientists don’t have access to.

[@superhoneysweetable]

I had cystic acne before - tried all American products- went to dermatologist- it was so bad nothing helped until I tried Korean Skin Care 8 years ago - before the hype- only Korean Skin care products got rid of my acne… their products is real.

[@endor8witch]

Dunno about you but I've switched to Korean skincare 6 years ago and my skin has never looked better

[@Pixiekindnurse]

Loved the statement about the 10 steps taking so long you never leave the bathroom and lessens UV exposure! 😂😂😂

[@OneTrueWord1988]

@Pixiekindnurse So did I! 😅😄🤣

[@deecawford]

Best Dr on KZbin. You’re honest and don’t do sponsorships from skincare companies

[@mau5jaus608]

No, it's not overhyped. You can find any active in korean Brands and it will deliver better results than any Western Brand

[@auricia201]

06:12 Toner, serum and essence are basically the same thing, and sheet masks are the previous thing but soaking up a tissue instead 😅

[@usamasyed]

😂 truth

[@hilmyakatsuki1665]

I rather use leave on products like gel/moisturizer over those mask sheets 😂

[@auricia201]

@@hilmyakatsuki1665 same! It's fun, but it's pretty unnecessary. And it's totally nonsense to use it daily!

[@itsagoodday2165]

Love love love you! A brown doc who is not just falling for the mainstream narrative.

[@usamasyed]

ahh thank you!

[@ts121084]

The K-beauty hype is mainstream among “skinfluencers,” but not dermatologists (of any background).

[@canesugar911]

What does his race have to do with it

[@itsagoodday2165]

@@canesugar911 because not many docs from his background are like this, just appreciated him, nothing more, nothing less.

[@meslevres]

You are awesome because you chose integrity over anything and you are not sponsored: You simply want to propagate good knowledge! Congrats for you and your lady for your new born child.

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!!

[@boom8199]

😅😅😅😅

[@boom8199]

😅😅😅

[@boom8199]

😅

[@boom8199]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@samathareddy8833]

Totally agree 💯 Kbeauty is very hyped . It's like very few years something is trending and people follow it blindly . In kbeauty , french pharmacy , US brands there is always few products which are good , if v use them that's more than enough . People pay so much just to import the trending items even if it doesn't suit them . After I started using sunscreen regularly I noticed a difference . Thanks doc for always educating us 🙏

[@usamasyed]

totally agree, and happy I could be of help!

[@User_dkffkdrkagfgk]

Korean myself- never had blemishes, no dark circle and normal skin. I only use 6-7step and most of what people say we do are not what we really do. Toner (ph balanced one normally, then once a week with exfoliating agent), peptide serum, vitamin c serum (day) or vitamin a serum (night), bean essence, ceramide cream, a drop of oil, sunscreen.

[@neha2225s]

❤

[@vishnupriya4551]

The main reason I started buying Korean skincare products is because its easier to find good cruelty free options, also, they’ve been less irritating and striping on my skin

[@usamasyed]

Cruelty free means nothing and is marketing BS 99% of the time.

[@nickdavidelijah]

@@usamasyedI think it depends on the country because cruelty-free here means they can’t test/harm/kill animals to test the ingredients. And vegan means no animals used to make the product, so very important :)

[@rajkuma921]

Cruelty free mucin

[@rajkuma921]

@@nickdavidelijah can't kill animal for testing bit can kill for active ingredient Mucin

[@Lighttriumphs]

​@@usamasyedWow ! So rude. Cruelty free is a value for many people. I NEVER buy no cruelty free skincare or makeup. And i always check compagnies. Cause in Europe many say they are Cruelty free cause european law when in fact they test. So sorry Sir but for me, cruelty free is VERY important.

[@shermans8236]

I’m 49 and my skin looks fantastic since using good quality Korean skincare for about 10 years now. They also have vitamin derivatives and actives but maybe in a different form. Extra bonus is that they are half the price of what we are used to and don’t cause reaction to my sensitive skin. And yes I do double cleansing in the evening when I have used makeup and/or sunscreen and no I don’t do all the steps to get this result. Evidence based? Just look at the skin of those who follow the routine! That’s result based.

[@spa-peggymeatballs4861]

Feel free to share your favorite products!

[@shermans8236]

@@spa-peggymeatballs4861 I’m not a skincare specialist but this is what i am currently using, not all at the same time and I sometimes switch. Purito: from green cleansing oil; from green deep foaming cleanser; centralla uncented toner (or Son&park beauty toner: this one I sometimes use as cleanser in the morning) I only use the oil in the evening when I’ve used makeup/sunscreen during the day. Plainet squalsne oil Cos de baha MA peptide serum; Klairs, midnight blue calming cream; freshly used vitamine E mask; Beauty of joseon, revive eye serum Non-Korean I also use for lack of Korean alternative or just because i’m happy to use them hylamide SubQ; dermalogica daily microfiant. To me it’s halfway being a Korean skincareproduct, don’t use it daily Lacura AHA-PHA peel pads (Aldi , yes I know but they’re really good) Geek&gorgeous 101 0,1 retinal It’s now time for a refill but I see some products are no longer available, so I need to find alternatives. My sources: Littlewonderland.nl not sure if they have an English version but a lot is in English to begin with, don’t know about the personalized service and ww shipping but they have a wide range. KZbin: One Eye Beauty ; Odile Monod - the Monodist. Feel free to recommend for my skin type. Happy customers are always the best advice ♥️

[@alexisfenerlis526]

Id like to know the products you use

[@409raul]

Like the doc said: All you need is a cleanser, sunscreen, moisturizer and possibly a retinoid. That's it. End of discussion. I like Asian sunscreen (Korean and Japanese) not because they are necessarily superior but because they are usually lightweight and non-greasy. I hate the feeling of thick greasy western sunscreens on my skin so I opt for Asian ones. That's about it. Everything else is all the same.

[@usamasyed]

Agreed!

[@Ali_Ali509]

Not true. Everyone is different. I have very dry skin with rosacea somethimes and it is not enough for me. I need more. Niacinamid when rosacea appears and HA for more moisture.

[@danche3726]

Korean American here! The Korean skincare hype is real but I believe there are more qualitative reasons that you haven't touched on. It seems like a lot of your information is coming from the hype that's been happening abroad, as opposed to how the average Korean person takes care of their skin. You touched on many valid points of why Koreans in general may have better skin due to diet, obesity, and cosmetic surgery but failed to mention many of the reasons why Koreans may be taking better care of their skin as a whole. You're also pointing at the use of "natural" ingredients and seeing it through a western lens. This isn't like the US where things can be labeled, "100% natural" as a deception tactic into making people believe they're using something free of chemicals and etc. It's the philosophy of using what's found in nature and being able to harness its benefits with the use of science. If you introduced a product that was on the completely opposite side of the spectrum, like some lab grown product that used stem cells, Koreans would use it just the same (given that it was proven to be safe and effective) You also point out plastic surgery as if it's a justification of why Koreans may have better skin. In reality, those statistics are heavily skewed by two procedures. 1- Double eyelid surgery 2- nose jobs. Neither of those have anything to do with how Korean skincare products are bought or sold. Using surgery as a factor of why Korean skincare may be overhyped doesn't make sense to me, as it's apples and oranges. HOWEVER, Koreans definitely do go to dermatologists and get treatment done WAY more than the average person on the US. Men and women regularly get facials, and laser treatment done over there. This would definitely be a contributing factor as to why the average Korean's skin may be better as well. Also, I believe a big contributing factor to this k-beauty hype is accessibility. Asian Americans now have access to skincare products that were designed to work with their skin type. The most ubiquitous products in the US always made me break out or would just not work for me, especially sunscreens and moisturizers. Korean society is pretty shallow and judges everyone based on looks much more than they do here in the states. There's much more pressure to stay in shape, have good skin, and be at a healthy weight. Thus, the skincare industry is booming over in Korea. Korean companies have much more competition when it comes to products, as a much higher percentage of the population invests in skincare. This tends to keep skincare much cheaper than what is produced in the US. Social pressure to be healthier and look better + wider accessibility means that the average Korean knows more about skincare and invests in it vs the average American. Koreans are also having to deal with terrible air pollution and are often at the top when it comes to countries that get the least sleep. They try to circumvent these issues by investing into skincare. I know of very few people in Korea that use an actual 10 step routine and it's generally considered common knowledge that you have to find what's right for you. People try lots of products before finding something that works specifically for them. Compare that to the average American dude who barely knows what moisturizer is. Like with any industry that has a significant foothold in society, the 8-10 step routine was a trend. I guess that's what western countries still think Korean skincare is, which is weird. It's like saying American food is greasy because Five Guys and Shake Shack are so popular in Korea.

[@usamasyed]

I don’t see how your explanation of ‘natural’ ingredients is any different than what I said in the video… it’s not deceptive meaning it doesn’t ‘come from nature’ - I’ve never claimed that. My claim is, natural itself means nothing in terms of how good something is for you, and you can make a claim that anything truly is natural in a way. As for the cosmetic surgery: South Korea has the highest rates of Botox and filler in the world… what does that have to do with eyelid surgery? I gave that as an independent figure, and those 100% do make a big impact on skin. I agree that Korean society is obsessive about skincare, but not sure what that’s supposed to dispute from my video… The point of my video is: “hey western people, stop thinking Korean skincare is a miracle skincare movement because you see Koreans with great skin and assume it’s from their products. In reality, there’s a bunch of other factors why their skin looks better that you can’t substitute for some snail mucin and expect the same results.” What part of that do you disagree with?

[@danche3726]

​ @usamasyed In regards to products being "natural", I'm referring to how Western Countries (in particular the US) uses that a means of marketing tactic and agreeing with that point. I'm not saying YOU are being deceptive but rather what many American companies tend to do with the word "natural". Your video is claiming that natural means nothing and that's true from a Western lens. What I'm talking about is the lens in which Koreans view ingredients derived from nature and how it differs from that of a western point of view. I'm pointing out that the word "natural" has different connotations based on culture. It's the same connotation that you seem to be making at 12:14, pointing out the irony of cosmetic surgery vs using "natural" ingredients. Comments like that come off to mean something akin to , "Korean products are trying to deceive us as being natural", rather than that hype coming from non-Koreans. The irony you mention only exists if there's a pretense that Korean skincare products are marketed as "natural", juxtaposed to how much cosmetic surgery goes on there. With cosmetic surgery, I'm pointing out that you're giving two figures that are independent from each other. I completely agree with your point on botox and filler and how that contributes to the overall impact on skin. However, you're using the metrics of cosmetic plastic surgery but not considering what those percentages are derived from. Your chart at 11:49 shows stats on cosmetic plastic surgery. Is this specifically facial cosmetic surgery or cosmetic plastic surgery in general? If it's the latter, those statistics would be skewed by procedures such as breast augmentation and liposuction. Even if it's the former, what percentage of the 13.4% is taking double eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty into consideration (procedures that have nothing to do with improving the condition of your overall complexion)? What I'm trying to say is that you're using those statistics in making your overall point, yet I don't understand how those metrics can be used to do so when the numbers aren't representative of their correlation to Korean skincare specifically. You're using data that isn't specific to the points that you're making. If we're going to draw those kinds of conclusions, why not point out stats such as ,"55% of Americans admit to not washing their face daily; 48% of them say they never use a cleanser to do so" , which is based on research done by Cerave. You seem to be taking a lot of what I said as disputing what you've said in the video but I'm just offering different and more qualitative perspectives as to what contributes to the hype around Korean skincare. You said at the start of your video that you'd be covering the ingredients, philosophies, and approaches that define Korean skincare. I just didn't agree with your perspective on those philosophies. How can you understand the philosophy behind an industry without understanding its culture? My point was to give a cultural perspective behind those philosophies. Don't get me wrong. I completely agree with the overall point that you're making. Korean skincare isn't a miracle movement. I just don't agree with your use of statistics and see how someone can misconstrue the facts that you've put together in this video to mean something else. I can see someone who knows nothing about Korean skincare watching this video and thinking, "I guess it's just all hype". I believe that you're seeing things from the perspective of someone who has witnessed lots of people claiming Korean beauty products to be some sort of miracle cure-all. In contrast, I'm seeing this through the lens of having witnessed many things labeled as "hype" or "overrated", often being dismissed as something ineffective or snake-oil. Weird comparisons like the overall complexion of Koreans to cosmetic surgery dismiss the fact that Koreans (as a whole) just take better care of their skin.

[@antonybevan2540]

God i aint reading all that

[@leeara2511]

Thank you, Korean American! It's actually what "the US" people think about Korean skincare, because in my country there are other myths and tales about it. I started using some Korean products regularly because they were better than average here and helped me with my skin problems.

[@MahinourHegazy]

That’s also what I was thinking while watching. And I completely agree with the points you made. I think many Western doctors lack cultural understanding behind Korean skincare. And not only that mainly place emphasis on ingredients that are studied in their culture without exploring other worthy avenues from other cultures. For example, many Korean products contain Ginseng and the ingredient has a long standing history in Korean culture but not Western. I would also say that mainly Western consumers fall for the natural or not marketing tactic. It is not a tactic I have seen as much in Korean skincare marketing.

[@lelianarochefort3077]

The 10 step routine is created by American or someone else to make people buy more products, I live in Korea for all my life and never once we heard about the 10 step or 20 step etc, etc... Nobody have time for that, most of us here only use 3-5 products and 2 of that products are cleansers.

[@usamasyed]

That’s really interesting to hear!! Wouldn’t surprise me if it was ‘turbocharged’ here to make more money. Let’s speak out against it from every country in that case!

[@msk-qp6fn]

same i was utterly confused at when people would bring up the whole 10 step korean routine because it was never a thing in korea, then there is the gimmicky character sheet masks which no one used except for kids doing on school trips

[@travelteach512]

Seriously, I want to know who has time for a 10 step routine every night.

[@knay2297]

a lot of these "korean skincare trends" are not even from korea, odile monod explains this in many of her videos

[@aeraniverse]

Odile is the best

[@southbug27]

congrats on the new baby 👶🏻 🎉

[@adrian102]

I agree with pretty much everything you’ve said but….I still think (and this is personal) no one really does skincare like the Koreans. Half of my skin care is Korean and for me it’s the formulations and more. Sure maybe the green tea toners might not have all the data behind it but where else do you get a green tea toner? You have to at least admit the amazing major antioxidants it provides. Where else can we get some of the most hydrating essences, serums, moisturizers etc. also Korean skincare is more gentle and all about the hydration, fermentation and nourishment of the skin. Sure we can find something similar here in the U.S. but something I’ve noticed about skincare here in the west is the over exfoliation. It seems more cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers have some time of exfoliant witch means more irritation. I think skincare in general could be subjective. All in all I think a reason a lot of people prefer Korean skincare is for its unique ingredients we don’t really see.

[@thaoveiobed]

I'm an Indian from Manipur , I live in Chennai whenever i visit mall i used to see many Koreans there and they have the most beautiful skin with no blemishes, no acne , no scars or marks. They're very clear and clean. Diet, healthy lifestyle & skincare tips does a great job in maintaining good skin regime. It's not always about being rich or the money you have but it's about your lifestyle and habits that play a vital role in skin maintenance. What goes inside comes outside. Too much of Spicy foods, savoury foods, oily foods are the problems to your bad skin.😊

[@MsXxMellixX]

I tried so many different sunscreens but all of them let my skin break out even if it was labeled for sensitive skin or acne prone skin. Until i switched to a korean brand. It just works with my skin so kuch better ❤

[@skateata1]

I'm loving canmake mermaid UV gel. Which one did you pick?

[@heyyouFab]

your skin will be even better without sunscreen ..sunscreen will ruin our skin

[@Anna-X-]

​@@heyyouFab It depends on the ingredient lists. If you choose silocone and microplastic free products you should be fine. Of course you have to double cleanse in the evening to wash the product fully. Otherwise it may clog your pores and cause acne. I've been there so I know what I say. It takes a while to search for good product but it's possible (also good oil cleanser)

[@jacquelinenogueira6376]

Is not overhyped, I am 56 years old, using K beauty products for a year already, my skin has completely change for good, I get a lot of complements and my family is using them too and love it too.

[@dxtnguyxn4179]

It is overhyped. You can get the same result with western skincare.

[@geeunit831]

Finally, someone in the skincare space who doesn't feed us absolute BS for clicks and endorsement deals. I can't take most of these skincare content creators. Thank you for being a breath of fresh air in what has become such a stale environment.

[@usamasyed]

Ahh thank you!

[@K57939]

I found out that Centella Asiatica is a match made in heaven with my skin thanks to the Korean skincare beauty hype. Then I found Japanese sunscreens and my skin got even better. So, I don’t care if it’s overhyped, I know what works and what doesn’t, because I have a brain and I chose to use it to discern what to buy and what to avoid.

[@brocasita]

periodt exactly

[@b.s.tarissya]

Love this roast so much 🔥🔥🔥 as an asian I know firsthand how toxic asian beauty standard is. SO glad to see all the bs being called out here. So sick of products after products being released without much evidence of their benefits. There is an ENORMOUS amount of products, in both skincare and also makeup, that is released in asia without even being dermatologically tested. And I hate it so much when their salesperson always approach me (because my face is so red) and tell me "this product is good for your sensitive skin! It's fully made of natural ingredients!" NO THANKS, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MY SKIN IS GOING THROUGH. It's so satisfying to watch this video. Thank you doctor. 🙌

[@usamasyed]

So glad it resonated! Took me a while but I really wanted to do a deep dive!

[@stephm4047]

Great to watch a new video because I really enjoy the no BS content and the humor of your channel. 😃 And btw, all the innovative sunscreen filters used by Korean brands were invented ..... in Europe.

[@usamasyed]

haha yep!! Gotta give shoutout to Europe!

[@raras889]

About the sunscreen testing, Lab Muffin from Australia, with professional background in skin chemistry, did a really good video explaining how international SPF testing is structurally patchy - therefore the different results. She also mentioned that big western skincare brands have had SPF scandals in the past. I would love to see a sunscreen video from you

[@yantiewombat3696]

But there was a video by a Korean organization that testing korean popular sunscreen using the newest instrument that can give a higher SPF result, but even with that, the SPF in some popular Korean sunscreen still far from SPF 50+.

[@skateata1]

I follow her too

[@jhvoorhies]

Greatly appreciate you for this insight! I've been obsessed with korean skincare for almost 10 years and I have pretty much formed the same summary.

[@usamasyed]

Looks like I'm in good company then!

[@jhvoorhies]

@usamasyed I also just watched your La Mer video and enjoyed it. Very cultish! 😆 Its history is a bit insane! Hoping you drop your skincare routine (or a recommended skincare routine) in a video soon! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@Ash2theB]

Tiktok definitely made Kbeauty overhyped. When I visited South Korea last year it real hard to get my hands on popular items. The Ten step is basically pure marketing and not even true somebody in the West visiting Asia took what they saw in Asia and ran with it. Also a lot people don't know the the similarities and difference between Essence, ampoules, and serum. Also, Kbeauty affordable and I would most likely buy k-beauty over American one based price alone especially when I was in college/working minimum wage. And Koreans go to dermatologist on weekly to monthly bases they take the derm seriously if they can afford it outside of other surgical procedures. I actually had really bad acne in my teens and sensitive skin but my derm gave me a protocol to follow usual doctors will but you accutaine back then but it was cleanse, toner, (retinol) treatment, moisturizer and spf for the day time. If you hyperpigmentation then most will buy 1-3. because it's usually a hit or miss. Personally, love formulations of Kbeauty which the motto was always gentle and I found American brands back as a teen to be very harsh and drying but now we have options which I think Kbeauty help push brands to do better. People are just noticing Koreans/Asians and I have been listening and watching to K-pop/dramas for over 10years and watching.

[@kdandsheela]

I loved having a longer routine because it was relaxing but some of those extra steps were just moisturizing at best and irritating at worst. So like to be rid of those toner and essences. Now I'm back to double cleansing if I have makeup on, my cerave moisturizer, a retinol, a rotation of another serum, and sun screen. I really appreciate you talking more about the traditional active ingredients rather than focusing on individual products so that we can be more informed consumers. :)

[@aaatt268]

Korean sunscreens are the reason I can afford to wear sunscreen everyday at the required amount of 2 fingers and still not be broke. But I'm with you on the essence, toner, serum shit.

[@kathryngrace9038]

I really enjoy trying different affordable beauty products and I rarely repurchase skincare. When there is nothing new and exciting at the drugstore I usually buy a Korean product. They churn out skincare so fast so there is always something new and affordable to try. I’m like a little kid that wants a shiny new toy, lol!

[@usamasyed]

haha that's actually refreshing to hear about it spoken of in that kind of hobbyist way! I think it's the truth for a lot of people but they hide behind it being medical

[@deepikahr8046]

Korean skincare is not over hyped. They have board varieties of products. One should choose what’s best for their skin type and concerns. I am using korean products from new years mostly cosrx and laniege. My skin got better n better. I look more youthful in my last 20s than in my early 20s. Korean products are more soothing n relaxing. It doesn’t have harsh effect on skin.

[@primRose28-jtr]

You literally taught me everything about skincare. No falling for BS . I now only hope to be such a cool doc like you. Thank you. ❤

[@usamasyed]

That’s so great to hear!

[@johnmichaelarnaud]

LOL at the time the 10-step method takes to help reduce sun exposure. I'm with you on a lot of this, and I almost exclusively use Korean skin care. You talked about everyone's skin being different and that's true. I have dehydrated skin and can double-cleanse without issue because I found the right combo. In the same vein, I find toners nearly essential to keep my skin from drying out throughout the day and especially in the winter. But for my lifestyle, sheet masks are grossly unnecessary, and the "essence" category is totally made up. If you listen to content creators try to explain what it is, they can't even really tell you; they just kind of have to talk "around" it. Plus, they have first AND second essences. Come on. I don't know how popular bee venom actually is (I don't see it being pushed much to Western consumers at any rate), but the others are quite ubiquitous. As for sunscreen, Korea is the only reason I can stand to wear it (US filters hurt my skin/eyes, zinc oxide desiccates my face, and most formulas sit so heavy that they make me sweat--yeah, I run hot). It's also, by and large, CHEAP. So you can actually use as much as you need to. There's a LOT to sift through and it's easy to get sidetracked by whatever the latest made-up marketing ingredients many of those companies are using. Do your research and choose products that are evidence-based. And your last point about the prevalence of cosmetic surgery in South Korea is an excellent one. Thank you for the perspective!

[@usamasyed]

thanks for the thoughtful reply! agree that the US sunscreen market is full of terrible options, hopefully that can change in the future because it's much needed!

[@edienandy]

Yeah, when I hear influencers explain the difference between essences and toners and serums I kinda feel second hand embarrassment for them. To me toners and essences and sometimes even serums are the same thing. You don’t necessarily need all 3. I look at those products as delivery vehicles for different ingredients that wouldn’t be able to be formulated all together in the same product. For example I use 2 toners. 1 has BHA, I only use it a few times a week. The other is a hydrating toner I use twice a day. I have 1 “essence” that I use because it has 4-5% niacinamide (customer service wouldn’t tell me the exact percentage, just that it was 4-5%) that I use just for that ingredient. I’d actually get rid of my hydrating toner if the essence came in a larger bottle so I could feel better about putting it on in layers to get more hydration. It doesn’t offer enough hydration in just 1 layer but I don’t want to go through the bottle in less than a month by applying multiple layers so I just apply 1 layer and then 2 or 3 layers of my hydrating toner and then use my moisturizer and I’m set.

[@johnmichaelarnaud]

@@edienandyYou are so right that those three categories of products are running together more and more. The textures can vary so wildly that it's not even necessary to use them in the traditional toner > serum order anymore because you can be using an incredibly watery serum alongside a toner so viscous that you need to invert the sequence.

[@daliacha]

Glad you’re back! Congratulations on entering fatherhood. :) This video is so detailed yet accessible. Really entertaining too. Your breakdown is really helpful to understand “natural” ingredients. Looking forward to learning more from you!

[@usamasyed]

Thank you for the kind words and the congratulations on fatherhood! So glad you enjoyed it, and hoping to get my rhythm back if baby Zak will allow it hahaa

[@kaihlawalker2598]

Loved this! Realistic and scientific unbiased approach! So good! Thank you!❤

[@angelinebiswas7611]

I love Korean sunscreen and love the textures of their moisturizers. . I have an unhealthy phobia of products that pill and since trying Korean stuff that doesn’t happen. Other than that I still stick to a mainly prescription routine with a Korean spf and moisturizer. The cleansers are super nice/gentle too but nothing sooo amazing. I do like that they focus on barrier health as opposed to harsh exfoliants but there is a major problem with over consumption in the world especially with skincare. So many hear all the hype and feel like they must buy it or they get fomo. I’m a perfect example but I had to put a stop to it several months back because I was draining my bank account rapidly and had drawers and drawers of unused products. It gives me anxiety to even think about

[@usamasyed]

glad the K skincare has helped the pillophobia! and yeah for sure, whenever people overhype products it creates anxiety and FOMO in others, which is why I like to dispel a lot of unnecessary hype in my opinion!

[@andresfamily3560]

I use a combination of both Korean and Western skincare. I use a western vitamin c serum, Tretinoin and L’Oréal moisturizer. I also double cleanse with an Asian oil and foaming cleansers, a hydratining toner which i don’t think I could live without, snail mucin and K sunscreen. This approach seems to work best for me. I also wear a Korean BB cream (Missha) that is fantastic! I love the Korean products I use and won’t give them up anytime soon.

[@josiebradley1831]

Love the no nonsense crap. I appreciate your content and the unlike the others, skincare should be simple and stress free. Keep your content coming!

[@emilyteacher5906]

We all fall victims to marketing and now influencers are better than ads at convincing us how great some products are. Korean skincare doesn't have better products, but it's trendy, can be perceived as cheaper, more elegant and/or effective. I have tried lots of Korean sunscreens, cosmetics, you name it. Never saw incredible results and got sunburnt while using one of the most famous Korean SPFs. Now I go for local cosmetics and I'm fine, not better, not worse, some of the European SPFs are so underrated while Korean sunscreens are overrated (hardly any of them are waterproof, for example). So, yes, Korean skincare is 🔥 right now but there is nothing magical about it. There I said it😂

[@adi9296]

First of all, I'm late but congratulations on having a baby! Wish you and your family the best of health. Secondly, I agree with a lot on this. It's important to look at all constributing factors before concluding that Koreans have great skin because of their 10-step routine, and not because for people outside of Korea mostly see their celebrities, which is only a tiny fraction of their population, and they too have easy access to make up artists and cosmetic surgery. Third, I love your dry sense of humor. I actually laughed out loud a few times through this video.

[@khusbukhanam95]

congratulation on being the new dad 💐 I've recently subscribed your channel and I'm already liking it ☺

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!

[@TaoMoksha]

I guess you’re coming from a western perspective right? I live in Asia and Korean skin care has had a good reputation for many years. There’s a few things I’d like to point out. The little research that has been done to claim some chemical sunscreen ingredients are damaging coral reefs has problems. These studies made these claims at an amount of exposure that is way higher than what you’d find in the ocean. They also didn’t include other factors such as damage from tourist activity and that the oceans are heating up. So, the term coral reef safe isn’t absolutely certain. Another point I’d like to mention is that Korean skincare doesn’t market itself as being focused on only natural ingredients. Maybe that how it’s marketed in the West but not here in the East. Korean skincare focuses on gentle and hydrating ingredients. Products that will soothe and hydrate your skin. Next is the multiple step routine. This was intended for comsumers to customize their routine. Not to actually use all 10 or more products each night. I know ppl on TikTok for example like to make videos showing all the steps you mentioned but that’s not really how it’s done here on a daily basis. The sunscreen scandal was by the brand named Klairs. But they owned up to it. Recalled all their products and changed to company they relied on to test their sunscreens. Sun protection isn’t just a concern with Korea. China and Japan also care a lot about sun protection from UV protective clothing, using umbrellas in the summer, etc. genetics also pays a factor in how their skin looks. Also, in general their genetics seem to "age slower" in their face compared to westerners. They also tend to have dry skin which makes their pores appear smaller compared to a westerner where more people have oily skin and more visible pores.

[@fermageehamilton1402]

I choose Korean skin care above all else! I absolutely love their products.

[@berlineczka]

Here I am, the double cleanse mafia, coming to tell you that using a micellar water and a water-based cleanser afterwards also counts as double cleansing :D If you're not wearing makeup and only sunscreen, you can even get away with just washing your face twice with the same cleanser and that's still double cleansing. The basic idea is that you clean your face twice: first to remove whatever sits on top of it (makeup, sunscreen, sebum, sweat, cosmetics residue, dust etc.), and the second one to clean off whatever is left or maybe sits in your pores. This way you make sure that you actually cleaned your face properly.

[@nyccd2o]

Great video! For toners, I mean they are really hydrating, sometimes even a good moisturizer doesn't hydrate that much and you need this extra hydration depending on your needs and skin type. Personally, Korean skincare has changed my skin for the better.

[@usamasyed]

In what way do you think a toner is ‘more hydrating’ than a moisturiser could be?

[@Khsjsj]

@@usamasyedshe said sometimes a moisturizer isn’t enough. I feel like you’re defensive for no reason. And I agree, k beauty has changed my skin dramatically. And moisturizer isn’t enough for me. A hydrating toner just takes it back from very dry after washing. Their products aren’t stripping and they don’t break me out. I’ve used the most expensive western products and never got the same results.

[@auricia201]

I don't like the focus on exotic ingredients with no (or little) evidence, but I've heard how the formulation and textures are better, and I want to try that out

[@usamasyed]

Let me know what you think once you’ve experienced them!

[@apriltee170]

I think more content like this or dissecting popular products making the rounds online would be super helpful for everyday consumers ! Thanks for all you do 😊

[@usamasyed]

Will try my best!

[@arabesquejacob8176]

Ah! Finally! The truth! Though I do enjoy kbeauty skincare, I believe it is overhyped, it doesn’t negate their great formulas, ingredients or their affordable prices. I’ve learned to focus on what my skin needs, not on what’s in at the moment. Thank you 🙏 for this video! 😊

[@usamasyed]

Perfect lesson to take away!

[@FaerieDust]

The Korean skincare craze is kind of fascinating to me, it's blown up so much lately. When I got into it in the mid 2010s it was accessible and understandable in a way Western skincare wasn't. Like, it was easier for me to find what I needed (basically just better marketing) at a price I could afford. In the online spaces, there was a big focus on understanding what things did - why use or not use a BHA/AHA/both? Vitamin C? What should I look for in a moisturizer, what worked for people who had similar skin issues as me? That was around the time The Ordinary launched, which promoted that idea as well. I never did the whole ten million step thing though, that always seemed like more of a celebrity thing. Like how celebrities whose job usually includes, you know, looking good, also have super workout regimens and personal chefs (and, yeah, dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, and aestheticians on speed dial). I suspect that a person who has the interest and spends the time (and money) on a seven/ten/twelve/fourteen step skincare routine probably also does other things to promote overall skin health, because they have an interest in it. And at this point it's more of an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation for me. I'm happy with the results I get, so I stick with the products I like. I've learned to understand the marketing language, what different buzz words mean, what products with different hype ingredients are aimed at (mostly if they're interesting to me or not ngl)... Honestly though, I'm pretty sure that the most important factor that's affected my skin is that I'm doing, like, literally anything more advanced than washing my face with hand soap and occasionally throwing on whatever moisturizer was on sale at the grocery store 🤷😅 (And! Congratulations on the baby boy!!)

[@usamasyed]

glad you've nailed a simple regimen that works for you! And thank you!

[@davidsotir4318]

One of the most sensible skincare videos I've seen in ages. All your points really hit the mark. The additional point I'd make is that many (over-hyped) skincare products that contain certain extracts (e.g. centella asiatica) do so in very miniscule amounts. I often see amounts such as 0.01ppm (parts per million) on some Korean skincare products and doubt that this sort of very diluted concentration would have any therapeutic effects on human skin.

[@usamasyed]

absolutely true. Same thing does happen in US skincare, where people will hype their 'retinol' but then it's the last ingredient on the list!

[@ummtaimann6819]

@@usamasyedI am from morocco and when I see things saying argan oil I laugh as all I can see on the ingredients is 2% ,even that moroccan oil brand is just silicones and people are paying big prices .

[@canesugar911]

Yeah. Same with most actives in western skincare.

[@seoulko2589]

I use Korean skincare and cosmetics, because they don’t cause pimples and clogging. European and US products create skin problems for me, including allergy and skin irritation. Even Korean cosmetics with talk or silicones work without problems, delivering great results. I went to Korea several times and every time brought a suitcase of their cosmetics. They just put the best quality ingredients into their products. I am 50, and I look really fantastic for my age thanks to beauty products from South Korea. Their products really deliver BEAUTY!

[@peace346]

Cap ID

[@honeymelon6177]

I also found that US and European products were too harsh on my skin and that's why I turned to K-beauty and will probably always use Korean skincare products!

[@passthebutter3]

Hey Usama! Great video. I think a lot of westerners are attracted to Korean/Asian skincare for their focus on barrier repair, hydration and not over exfoliating or using harsh ingredients. For example, Benzoyl Peroxide can really irritate skin. I’m not even sure Koreans actually do a “10 step routine.” It’s just a marketing trap for westerners to fall into. Do you have any thoughts on LabMuffinBeauty? She’s a cosmetic chemist phD, very upfront on sponsors and has done a video on reddit’s favorite kbeauty/asianbeauty products, (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ-cgaKPm9mBoqM) but it’s still hard to parse through which of these (or the list of products from any of her other videos) might actually be worth our time.

[@usamasyed]

Benzoyl peroxide is also excellent for acne treatment though. And I’d argue the ‘western’ skincare ingredients of ceramides, glycerin, mineral oil etc. are even better at barrier repair!

[@usamasyed]

not too familiar with lab muffin but seems scientific focused!

[@passthebutter3]

@@usamasyed Indeed. BP has been helpful for my acne, but it also irritated my sensitive skin quite a lot.

[@auricia201]

Lab Muffin is great for information on ingredients, debunking product claims and "trendy" skincare studies. But no one can tell you the best product for You. I find she usually makes an effort to explain the product characteristics, not just her opinion, and say to whom it might be good for. But in the end, it's still her opinion. No influencer will be able to give you that information though, you'll always need to experiment after doing your research

[@passthebutter3]

@@auricia201 of course!

[@sympthylost]

Good points, especially about Korean celebrities and so many factors influencing Korean beauty beyond the products themselves.

[@usamasyed]

Thanks!

[@srijetade]

We need more of these straightforward videos :)

[@usamasyed]

hopefully I can provide!

[@jFlowers598]

I think another reason they are popular is because many of them are so affordable relatively but that might also be due to the currency exchange rate.

[@usamasyed]

Good point!

[@s_shaleh]

You're kinda late to the party. 😂K-beauty isn't the latest trend. It has been around for years. They have a strong fan base and i think they really peaked around the pandemic era when everyone was stuck at home. I don't think they are going anywhere. That said, i think the k-beauty market has become oversaturated and we are constantly being bombarded with new products that it has given rise to product fatigue amongst us the consumers. I, for one have scaled back on my skincare routine. Gone are the days of elaborate skincare routines. Even koreans themselves have admitted that it isnt a practical and sustainable approach to skincare. It's about finding the right products that work for you and sticking with it.

[@usamasyed]

I’m an old man. What’s the latest trend?

[@didounarouag5832]

But it's not overhyped ! It really is good , a lot of people i have personal connaissances with do use their products and they work .. Maybe they don't do all the crazy korean routine but a simple routine is enough

[@missfabidia]

I love a good sheet mask one a week ( sheet masks are magical!) and a Korean lightweight sunscreen ❤️

[@usamasyed]

which one in particular?

[@Pokemonfan-bn6mg]

This video is literally what I have been telling people since 2017…like just listen to your skin instead of a tiktok trend

[@usamasyed]

Listening to your skin >>> everything else, including anything I ever say

[@angelinebiswas7611]

Fun fact the US has also had a similar sunscreen debacle but I wasn’t reported on as much as the Korean one. I believe neutrogena and a few other popular conglomerates were involved

[@usamasyed]

We had a worse scandal where a bunch of our sunscreens contained benzene! The American sunscreen industry is nothing to be proud of lol

[@ts121084]

The scandal was not remotely analogous, having nothing to do with incorrect SPF values.

[@barbowens8626]

Congratulations on your baby!🎊☮️💜

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!!

[@marlinhenry9953]

I think this is a misguided understanding of why K-beauty products are popular and the emphasis on the natural aspect. Firstly, there are various "non-natural" brands in the kbeauty industry such as COSRX and Pyunkang Yul to mention some from the top of my head, which put emphasis on a more clinical, minimalist approach. Secondly, the main attraction to kbeauty products are that they provide more innovative skincare at a fraction of the price provided in western countries, I mean hyaluronic acid is considered an innovative ingredient in 2021 to where hyaluronic acid was already mainstreamed in kbeauty. If we compare examples such as Estee Lauder night repair products to let's say Missha time reversal, one can clearly see that they are very similar products but the former costs about the price of my left kidney. Apart from the red tape that is more strict in Western countries, brands in the West are still very expensive compared to kbeauty products that can deliver the same high-quality ingredients. Thirdly, the sunscreen scandal, korean wasn't the only country where sunscreen scandals have occurred, I think in Europe a few years ago there were similar claims and evidence that revealed brands not complying with the SPF claims, and just like with the European markets, where we didn't criticize the market as a whole we should do the same with the korean markets, where it was only a few bad apples and not the batch. Finally, the 10-step routine isn't a necessity but rather a means to optimize your skincare according to how you see fit, which isn't necessarily too far off from the 7-step western product routines that they are pushing, with each brand having their own face wash, toner, exfoliator, toner, serum, day cream, night cream etc. Overall I think korean skincare brands provide cost-effective high-quality products (not all of them of course), and yes some might be gimmicky but there are a lot of products that provide similar, if not better quality products at a cheaper price compared to their western counter parts. Also the products are usually more cosmetically elegant and give the user an enjoyable experience which results in the user being more consistent in their skincare routine.

[@punitapatel8176]

Funny + concise + images + knowledge = ease of digestion. Thanks for the great informative great videos!

[@shaunaburton7136]

I learned about cica or centella from k beauty. That is awesome! It fixed my poison ivy, nettle rash and any type of redness. It took my skin from bright red back to normal. I hope they put it in first aid and eczema creams.

[@usamasyed]

Centella has good evidence tbf!

[@skateata1]

I like the cica/centella for my skin after cosmetic procedures like electrolysis and dermaplanning. And the snail mucin is a god send.

[@lotifayasmin_]

This video needs to go viral ... Like please.. people needs to hear this

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!

[@lotifayasmin_]

​@@usamasyedthank you so much for speaking up .. I am a med student keep me in your Dua brother 🙏😁

[@understone86]

I live in the neighboring country of Korea and here korean skincare is waaay cheaper than in western countries. I personally prefer korean sunscreen over the local japanese products but only because i have very sensitive rosacea prone skin and japanese sunscreens are full of alcohol. But Japanese brands are doing better job by creating much better quality lightweight waterproof sunscreens for sports. The other thing is high potential retinol/ retinal products are very hard to access in Japan so i order from Korea and those are quite good quality and cheaper than western brands products.

[@usamasyed]

Makes sense if you’re neighbouring and local!

[@understone86]

@@usamasyed actually I'm from Europe, and I don't think korean skincare is better quality than western skincare but it is effective, cheap, and more accessible here.

[@Gama22222]

Congrats to both of you for the baby!! Best of wishes Edit: I snorted with the natural botox snippet LMAO

[@usamasyed]

hahaa the snort laughs are what I live for! and thank you!

[@deckheckTV]

Thank you for putting this out there. Someone had to say it, and I'm glad you did.

[@tevans4915]

I really wish dermatologists would advise and inform on how to care for skin during radiation therapy for cancer? Would be so helpful.

[@Ericnaheyg]

Korean skincare is 👑

[@chilley8307]

As you said, what you see on the screen is so much different from reality of everyday korean person. Do they care about their skin? Yes, they do, and what is great men here do not think it's emasculating to use creams and moisturizers, but their skin is so far from 'perfect'. And one more thing about the products, recently that 'glass skin' look became so popular that no matter what new product I use I end up having that effect - until I wash my face. I wonder what they put in those recently.

[@bryinasia]

Thank you so much for this video. Ever since I saw you on Ali's youtube channel, I've been subscribed to you and every video you put out is always so relevant and full of information. I live in Asia and the K-Skincare craze is HUGE over here, and I'm constantly being advertised different serums and toners and face masks by the vendors when I go out to buy skincare products. It's always tempting, and the vendors are always adamant about the benefits, so I love that I can always count on you to set the record straight. Also congratulations on the newborn!!!

[@milapetrova4730]

Something else to consider, and my source here are people from other countries living in Korea, is that facial treatments, such as laser, are much more affordable in Korea. That is a big factor in my opinion, because there so many things these treatments can help with - hyperpigmentation, rosacea, seborrhea, even wrinkles to some degree. I'm not saying using skincare products plays no part in maintaining the results of these procedures. I just think that the two combined are bound to give more optimal results and ultimately improve the quality of skin in Korea, at least in those people who go down this path.

[@nickylapiel2675]

Always very enjoyable, even if I have the toners and serums. Great job on this video, Dr! Congratulations on the new son ❤

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!

[@banksofnoon7867]

I love kbeauty products because of the low price and the quality you get. My skin has improved a lot since I switched to Kbeauty. Currently I am enjoying Rovectin treatment lotion and beauty of Joseon ginseng essence.

[@usamasyed]

very glad it's worked for you! They have great products, my only point is - so do western brands, and K Beauty isn't uniquely special.

[@banksofnoon7867]

@@usamasyed I see what you mean. There are a lot of good western brands too, such as Cerave and Cetaphil. They are not just as easily accessible as the kbeauty brands. And with kbeauty, the variety you can choose as a consumer are vast. The western brands need to focus on their marketing from pricing, packaging, branding, and market positioning.

[@venanciomiki]

6:57 haha, made me chuckle. I always thought, if any healthcare routine (alimentation, hygiene, workout) gets too complicated or time consuming I will eventually quit, so always stick to simple.

[@harshapatel1349]

Information, truth and humor 🙏🏼👍🏼👏🏼🤣

[@usamasyed]

Thank you!!

[@prachisingh2616]

Thank you for bringing this up. I also feel the same.