It’s much more than sheet masks.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Korean and Japanese beauty have been all the rage in the West for the past several years. From countless articles promoting multi-step routines to trends like dewy skin becoming ubiquitous, it’s safe to say that Asian beauty is everywhere you turn and has had (and continues to have) a tremendous impact on the global beauty industry.
In fact, Asian-inspired beauty has become so popular, certain products that were once only made by labels in Korea and Japan are now widely available through internationally distributed brands. Talk about trend-setting!
Did you know the following beauty innovations originated in Asia?
- BB and CC Creams
It’s hard to remember a time before BB and CC creams. And although it may seem like every brand has one in their range now, they only started to become a thing in North America less than a decade ago. The first time my friend told me about BB cream—short for “beauty” or “blemish balm”—I had no idea what it was. She claimed all Asian women used it, and that it combined moisturizer, foundation, and sunscreen all in one.
So, on my next trip to Japan, I bought a popular BB cream by MISSHA to see what the hype was about. Then the innovative skincare product started appearing in Western makeup collections a few years later, and the rest is history. Nowadays, BB creams and CC creams—the latter being short for “color correcting” and providing more coverage and extra beneficial skincare ingredients—are just part of the standard makeup offering. There’s even a coveted CCC cream – “Color, Control and Change.”
Try: IT Cosmetics CC Cream with SPF 50
As someone who does not like wearing foundation, I can vouch for how seamlessly this formula blends in with my natural skin. I apply it sparingly around my nose and where I spot any redness (don’t worry, I use a separate sunscreen beforehand), for a natural finish.
- Sheet Masks
Sheet masks have become a regular part of many skincare routines and are easy to find at any beauty retailer or drugstore. But it wasn't always that way. I remember bringing sheet masks back as souvenirs from Japan for my friends just a few years ago.
Whether you use them daily or just on occasion as a special treat, sheet masks are very easy to come by, and are available in a wide array of options for every skin need, skin tone and issue including sensitive skin.
From microfiber and hydrogel masks to eye patches and versions for hands and feet that do everything from hydrate to purify, there is something out there for everyone!
Try: Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask
When I first tried this reusable moisturizing face mask from this makeup artist loved brand, I was skeptical as to how effective it would be. But I was pleasantly surprised!
As someone who has trouble using sheet masks because of their ephemeral nature (I prefer to just hoard them until they expire—oops!), the fact that you get more than a single use out of this one was a big bonus to me. It fit my face perfectly, and left my skin feeling hydrated and looking brighter.
- Cleansing Oils and Balms
One of the pillars of Korean and Japanese skincare routines: double cleansing, which involves first removing makeup using a cleansing oil or balm, and then using a water-based cleanser as a second step. Whether you opt for a cleansing oil or balm is a mere question of preference, as they work the same way.
Whereas oil-based cleansers used to be much more common in Asian skincare than they were in the West, nowadays, every brand from Burt’s Bees to Neutrogena makes them.
Try: Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Although I typically save oil-based cleansers for my evening skincare routine, I made a point to use this one in the morning: its texture is super soft, and massaging it onto my skin was such a lovely way to start the day.
It has a gentle exfoliating action thanks to papaya enzymes, too, and leaves skin smooth and glowy. I can’t wait to use it again someday!
- Essences
Sometimes the lines are blurred when it comes to skincare. Is there really a difference between a serum and an essence? The short answer is: not always. But one thing we do know: “essences” are an Asian beauty staple meant to enhance the effects of subsequent skincare steps and have only recently started popping up in ranges by non-Asian skincare brands.
Try: Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence
This was one of the first essences I tried, and it’s one of my favorites to this day. Its lightweight, fluid gel texture absorbs instantly, and keeps your skin radiant and hydrated thanks to white peony, grape water, and a low concentration of glycolic acid. Love, love, love!
- Serum-Like Daily Use SPF
Once upon a time not too long ago, the majority of sunscreens sold in the U.S. were not designed as an effective and integral part of your everyday skincare routine as they are in Asia; there just weren’t many technologically advanced options on the market. Until now.
Skincare afficionados have long been charmed by innovative Japanese and Korean sunscreen formulations because they offer so much more – weightless, clear, lightweight, advanced formulations packed with powerful skin soothing ingredients that glide onto the skin and absorb like your favorite serum.
And, voila! … Now there are a vast array of sunscreen hybrids available at all price points. There’s no excuse to skip the SPF!
Try: Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50
I was floored the first time I tried this sunscreen—its lack of white cast, the fresh scent and weightless finish was so appealing I immediately set out to order the 18 oz. jug (with a pump!), only to realize it’s not available in Canada.
For now, I’ll settle for another tube of the 5.5 oz. version. I feel safe knowing this sunscreen is easy to find in North America and I don’t have to worry when I run out of my beloved Japanese sunscreens.
Did you know these products originated in Asia? How many of them do you use regularly? Let us know in the comments!
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