Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dereklee003]

I have been here a couple weeks, and i dont know if its cuz im still adapting, or the air is just different here, but my skin hasn't been as good as it was before...

So...Is there a good Korean face wash product someone can recommend?

I'm sure i could find imported stuff but for a higher price...

And no, although it might be cute to say "kimchi", that is not a good answer

[Missihippi]

[Xuanzang]

Laneige, Biore, UNO all make face washes.

[Bibbitybop]

Go into any Watsons or Olive Young. They sell all kinds of foreign products.

Skin trouble? Have you tried eating kimchi? Or well being hotdogs?

[nomad-ish]

[tzechuk]

I am sorry to break this to you, honey, but cleanser won't do the trick.

You have come to a new country, drinking different water, eating a different diet, breathing in different air. It is going to take your body a while to get adjusted. Once you've figured out what to do, and get into a routine, your skin will be nice again.

[Papa Smurf]

you can buy neutrogena (sp?), clearisil (sp?), johnsons etc, pretty much anywhere in seoul.

my skin was worse for a while, but i got into a routine and its probably as good as its been in a long time.

i use neutrogena for acne prone skin foam wash. then i moisturise with a seaweed lotion that i buy at skin food (the stores are everywhere). its quite light and doesnt clog your skin. i finish by using a tea-tree toner from face shop, on my forehead and nose, where im oily. i only use this once in the morning cos i find more than that irritates my skin. i also use a peeling (exfoliating) face wash, once a week. i bought it from faceshop. i only use it on my nose and where i get black heads. if you use it on areas where you get white heads, i find it makes them worse, cos it pops them and makes them spread. and if you use it too often it irritates the skin.

[bassexpander]

The absolute #1 best stuff in the world -- bar none -- is Shiseido White Essence Cleansing Foam.

You can purchase it at a Shiseido counter in larger Korean department stores like Lotte for around 35,000 a tube (large), and it lasts a long time (you only need about 1/5 of a squeeze that you use for toothpaste). Worth every penny. Add a little water, lather in your hand, and massage it in.

It leaves your face feeling unbelievably clean. My wife buys the smaller sample tubes online from someone at auction.co.kr and pays a lot less.

[Girlygirl]

Hey OP,

Here's my advice. Before you put your money down on these skin care products, you need to know your skin type.

1. Is it oily/dry/normal? If your skin is dry, try a milky/creamy cleanser that is gentle on your skin. You know your skin is dry if after washing your face, it feels tight and flaky. If you skin is normal/oily: any foamy cleanser will do.

2. Don't use a toner b/c most of them out there contain alcohol. If you do use it, find one that's really gentle with minimal alcohol. Purpose of a toner is to take away cleanser residue and help set the moisturizer.

3. Use a moisturizer that is suitable to your skin type. If your skin is oily, don't use a moisturizer that is heavy or creamy. And if you wear makeup, use oil-free products.

4. Once/week use an exfoliator. Its purpose is to remove dead skin cells and help set moisturizer.

With that said, sometimes you need to find a brand that you like. Just because a brand is good for someone doesn't mean it will be good for you. Trust me, I am a sucker when it comes to expensive cosmetic. I used Shiseido in most of my 20's. I discovered Guerlain last year, and I can tell you Guerlain is by far the best brand for ME, and way better than Shiseido, Lancome, Estee Lauder, etc. However, Guerlain is more expensive than Shiseido though.

Yes it's true. Go to auction.co.kr or gmarket.co.kr, and order those trial samples, they're cheap. Sorry I don't know much about Korean brands.

[Dude Ranch]

[IIILALALAIII]

[quote="Missihippi"][quote="dereklee003"]
And no, although it might be cute to say "kimchi", that is not a good answer[/quote]

Koreans wash their face with kimchi.[/quote]

not good boy
not good.

stupid

[refikaM]

I agree with the poster saying the change in your skin is due to your change in environment, diet, etc...I've always had "nice skin," but I've never experienced such a dramatic change as I do in winter here in Korea. It gets drier, paler, much less vibrant no matter how much stuff I slather on it! The low humidity and whatever floats around in the air are detrimental to a complexion especially if you're not accustomed to it! When the spring rains come, I notice a dramatic difference.. and by summer I barely have to put on moisturizer due to the humidity.. and my "glow" is back. Anyway, in the meatime.. keep it clean (but don't overwash), drink lots of water, and keep it well hydrated!!

[nicam]

OMG, refikaM, you hit the nail on the head. Korean winter absolutely ruined my skin.

Now, OP I don't know what your skin type is but you also have to consider changing cleansers with the seasons. I've found Korean cleansers to be too harsh and full of detergents, so for winter I use innisfree's chamomile sensitive cleansing lotion. It reminds me of Cetaphil back home, which was never strong enough for my sensitive oily skin back in America, but does wonders for my dried out pale winter skin in Korea. When I want to exfoliate, which is once a day, I add some brown sugar to my gentle cleansing lotion. Works like a charm.

I haven't decided what I will use for summer yet. Maybe I'll just shell out the bucks for some Clinique stuff. I really do like innisfree stuff so far though.

[kiknkorea]

I use a green tea scrub wash from Homeplus (can't recall the name). The import stuff isn't always more. I've seen the Johnson & Johnson Clean and Clear for about the same price. The Nivea and Neutrogena are always more expensive here so I use the Korean brand.

[Misera]

A fairly cheap but good brand I use is Kracie's/Kanebo Naive foam cleanser. I've found them in Olive Youngs (around 4k won?)

http://www.amazon.com/Kracie-Kanebo-Naive-Facial-Cleansing/dp/B000VH3GUI

It looks like that. I don't know how well the Aloe one works.. I'm allergic to aloe so I don't use it. But I've used the Peach (for dry skin), Green Tea (for oily skin), Rose hip (good for acne), and Grapefruit (has little beads) ones. I use them all >_>.. even though ones for dry, another for oily.. all of them leave a squeaky clean feeling. Back at home, I could use these without any moisturizer afterwards, but in the winter here, I can't ever forget to use my moisturizer or else I get dry spots. But that's the same for any cleanser I use in Korea so I agree with the other posts.. Korea winter is just bad! XD