Korean Job Discussion Forums

NaladiTeacher · Joined: 25 Dec 2006 Location: Land of the Morning Hangover

Ever since I got to Korea my skin has gotten really bad. Blemishes, pimples, etc. Why is this? Never had this problem back home. Someone told me it's because of the air or water. So it's pollution? Damn what a dirty country. Maybe allergies? I still haven't come to a conclusion. Anybody else have this problem or know what it's from?

Fredbob · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject:

If you are originally from an area with lots of rain/humidity (like myself), that might be part of the problem. There are other threads on this topic but some things to consider:

1: The pollution is pretty bad, you need to wash your face a few times each day.

2: Self maintenance is required, lotions, skin cleansers, trips to the sauna. It requires getting used to a schedule. To me it feels narcissistic, but then again, so does shaving every day. Using regular soap on your face may have been fine for your whole life, but I've noticed that it makes the skin on my face much worse.

3: Drink lots and lots of water EVERY DAY

4: If you drink soju, drink twice as much water, soju is extremely dehydrating.

5: Got milk? Vitamin D, seems like it's hard to find in Korean food.

Good Luck

SirFink · Joined: 05 Mar 2006

Changes in diet maybe? Stay away from those choco-pies.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

It could be the water. Since moving to Seoul from another part of Korea, my skin has been feeling so dry after showering. Putting lotion on my face is a must.

Funny how I didn't experience this when I lived in another part of Korea. I know it's not the soap I'm using because I have switched brands 3 times and still get the same result.

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

4-5 L of water a day is definitely a good thing. Most people live in a permanent state of dehydration without even realizing it and this can wreak havoc with your skin.

uofagirl · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Location: Central Seoul

I've said this before and I'll say it again. Before moving to Seoul, I had clear skin and hair that could be classified as slightly thicker than fine.

I didn't really notice any problems my first year here but my second and now my third has been problematic. My skin is constantly breaking out and tons of my hair falls out everyday. A lot of my friends who have been in Seoul for more than a year have notice the same thing with their hair. I think it's a combo of air quality and diet.

The only solution that's worked "okay" is applying a lot of zit cream before bed and washing my hair every other day instead of everyday(though I had no problems when I did this at home).

4 months left · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

4 months left · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Stay away from k-girls with zits.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Stay away from K-girls wearing what is obviously too much make-up. It could be hiding zits.

nautilus · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!

yesman · Joined: 15 Sep 2006

I had the same problem when I came here. I couldn't figure out what was going on. At first I thought it was the change in diet. But as a former poster said, some experts claim that this is a non-factor. I thought it might be air pollution, as I live in an industrial city.

But then I realized the true culprit: It was the privates I was doing on the side.

For a few thousand Won more I would finish the lesson by taking a steaming shot on the face. I foolishly believed my father, who was a gay dermatologist, that this was good for my complexion (as I later realized this wasn't actually moisturizing).

You know, I probably shouldn't post while I'm drinking. The truth tends to come out at these times...ahhh.

Well, best of luck to you.