10 Best Anti-Aging Ingredient & Korean Skin Care Products
If you're looking for a way to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, consider using an anti wrinkle cream that contains these dermatologist-recommended skin care ingredients that can improve the appearance of your skin.
What is the best ingredient for aging skin?
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a powerful humectant that, once it has been collected, can absorb and store up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in moisture, which keeps the skin plump and supple.
This moisturizing component occurs naturally in the skin; However, with age, the level of hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases, which leads to water loss and accelerates the aging process. Although HA has "acid" in its name, it is not an exfoliating ingredient, not much like salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
This hydrating acid won't instantly remove fine lines and wrinkles or replace your elastin However, it does help tighten your entire complexion and make those lines look smoother with its incredible water retention benefits.
Hyaluronic acid can be beneficial for all skin types, including oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin. It's relatively light without a greasy texture and increases moisture levels without adding any oil, making it ideal for oily skin.
Hyaluronic acid is found in countless moisturizers, serums and lotions and it is often listed on the ingredient label by various names such as sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronan, or glycoaminoglycan. Or even Acid hyaluronique in French or Ácido Hialurónico in Spanish.
Sodium hyaluronate is a salt made from hyaluronic acid and is much smaller in molecular size, making it much easier to absorb into the skin than HA.
Korean Moisturizers with Hyaluronic Acid
1. Olivarrier pH 5.5 Dual Moist Toning Essence
This vegan essence helps replenish moisture and nutrients in dry, dull skin, and restores the balance of oil and moisture, as well as the skin's natural pH, so that the skin functions in optimal condition.
Organic Centella asiatica and micro-hyaluronic acids work together to promote healing of acne and blemishes, and prevent scarring and further breakouts while hydrating skin.
2. Nature Republic Real Comforting Mask Sheet Hyaluronic Acid
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to add moisture and nutrients to your skin, this sheet mask is perfect for you.
Formulated with natural essential oils along with hyaluronic acid, this facial mask will help quench your skin's thirst in no time.
Ceramides
Fatty acids (lipids) are an important part of the skin and there are nine types of ceramides in the outer layer and they make up 40-50% of the lipids in the stratum corneum, also known as the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin.
Ceramides hold the skin's surface proteins together and are the glue that holds everything together by forming a protective layer. It is an integral part of the strength of your skin barrier; helps regulate water retention and protects your skin from damage.
With increasing age, our ceramide production decreases; this is where a ceramide product can help by strengthening and repairing the skin.
Korean Moisturizers with Ceramides
Formulated with 1,500 ppm ceramides that reinforce the skin's natural barrier and protect it from free radicals and moisture loss.
A mixture of organic rose water and oil works as a natural astringent that helps tighten pores and restore suppleness for a radiant, dewy complexion.
This face cream is made from 99.81% naturally sourced, EWG green classified and verified ingredients.
2. Benton Fermentation Essence
This face essence contains 500ppm Ceramide Np to soften and protect the skin and retain water to keep the skin healthy and supple.
With fermented ingredients Galactomyces Ferment Filtrat, sh-Oligopeptide-1, this facial care product helps to supply tired, lifeless skin with nutrients.
The powerful humectant hyaluronic acid reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the elasticity of your skin for smooth and youthful skin.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights against free radical damage. Free radicals can weaken the skin by breaking down collagen, which makes the skin less firm and can create wrinkles.
This potent ingredient is also widely used for skin lightening to reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone. These wonderful benefits make it useful in any anti aging face care regimen!
Many experts recommend topical vitamin C is best used under moisturizer and sunscreen, as sensitivity to the sun increases with use.
To learn more about the benefits of using vitamin C in skin care and what products you can use for the most dramatic results on your skin types and problems, please read our blog post How does Vitamin C Help Your Skin?
Korean Vitamin C Serum & Face Mask
1. Liz K Super First C Serum Pure Vitamin 13%
Formulated with the most potent pure form of Vitamin C, 13% Ascorbic Acid, which helps lighten and even out skin tone, reduce the appearance of dark spots and general pigmentation problems on dull and premature skin.
With a high content of antioxidants, this anti-aging serum helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and gives your skin a natural, youthful glow.
2. Nature Republic Real Comforting Mask Sheet - Vitamin C
Enriched with powerful vitamins and antioxidant ingredients, orange and tangerine oil, which effectively rejuvenate skin cells and promote clarity, radiance and suppleness.
This Korean mask works wonders by intensely hydrating thirsty skin while reducing the appearance of pigmentation and signs of aging.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, strengthens the skin's barrier, helps the skin repair damage, soothes inflammation and redness.
This popular cosmetic ingredient also offers a skin lightening effect to improve uneven skin tone and a dull face.
Studies have shown that topical application of niacinamide in aging skin improves surface texture, smoothes wrinkles and inhibits photocarcinogenesis.
Korean Face Care Products with Niacinamide
1 Klavuu White Pearlsation Revitalizing Pearl Treatment Toner
With the restorative and brightening properties of pearl extract, this daily cleansing toner helps hydrate skin and lighten skin tone for a clear and vibrant complexion.
Apple extract and niacinamide works together to promote skin regeneration and protect your skin from free radicals, and to help it maintain youthful elasticity for longer.
Enriched with Birch Sap and Triple Hyaluronic acids, this all-in-one product boast for its ability to reduce inflammation, purify, and hydrate skin.
It helps speed healing of acne and blemishes, soothes irritation and dry sensitive skin, while balancing oil and water levels for the best for your skin.
Thanks to niacinamide, this multifunctional essence brightens skin tone and improves pigmentation for a more even complexion.
Snail Mucin
This unique ingredient is very popular in Korean cosmetics industry for its anti-aging, hydrating, and soothing properties!
Snail Mucin has a seemingly huge list of benefits from fading dark spots, wound healing, plumping up fine lines, and increasing collagen production for firmer skin!
Snail slime is packed with nutrients like hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, antimicrobial and copper peptides, and proteoglycans, which makes it wonderful to take your facial care regimen to the next level.
Best Korean Snail Mucin Essences
1. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Powered with 96% snail secretion (mucin) filtrate, a powerful ingredient known for improving skin repair, moisture level, uneven skin tone and texture.
Snail mucin is rich in multivitamins, elastin, proteins, copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol with antimicrobial properties that make the skin healthier and more radiant.
This ‘cult-classic’ product effectively helps increase elasticity, strengthen the skin's natural moisture barrier and reduces the appearance of fine lines, breakouts and acne scars on damaged skin areas.
2. Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
A skin essence contains a great combination of two well-known Korean cosmetics ingredients, snail slime and bee venom.
Snail secretion filtrate calms redness, irritation, and breakouts, while bee venom is known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
This facial essence helps to increase collagen production and cell renewal to reduce the visibility of fine lines and pigmentation, and to deliver firmer, smoother and more radiant skin.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
AHA exfoliates and loosens dead skin cells on the skin's surface and stimulate the skin's cell regeneration process. They help smooth out pigment spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars while brightening and smoothing your skin.
The common forms of alpha hydroxy acid are Glycolic acid and lactic acid. If you want to learn more about AHA and how to use it in your skin care routine, check out this blog post: Which Acid is Right For You? AHA, BHA, or PHA?
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is one of the best known and most widely used alpha hydroxy acids, often obtained from plants such as sugar cane and pineapple, but also found in snail slime.
The most effective AHA acts as a chemical peel and humectant to get rid of dead skin cells and reduce scars, rough textures, and signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
The exfoliating properties of acid help loosen the top layer of skin and break up dead skin cells that have stuck together, resulting in a smoother texture and lighter skin tone. As a result, your skin can better absorb other treatments such as ascorbic acid, retinol, or peptides.
Glycolic acid is recommended for those who have problems with acne, blackheads, or who have dull complexions due to the accumulation of sebum and proteins clogged with your pores.
Best Korean Exfoliants with Glycolic Acid
1. Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid
Formulated with apple water (Pyrus malus), which contains natural AHA and 7% glycolic acid, which clears away dead skin cells and excess sebum from pores to eliminate blackheads and blackheads.
The face peeling product works well on brightening skin tone and the appearance of fine lines and age spots is reduced and even acne scars.
2. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
This high-concentrated serum contains three different exfoliating acids that help dissolve dead skin cells, excess sebum and clogging impurities without drying out the skin.
Powered with a great blend of 14.5% Centella asiatica and tea tree extract (10.0000ppm) that is rich in antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The soothing serum soothes the skin, reduce the appearance of pores, and boosts cell turnover for smoother, clearer skin.
Lactic Acid
Another type of AHA, lactic acid, is a mild version of glycolic acid, so it's gentler and less irritating, making it ideal for dry, sensitive skin and those prone to the irritation.
Similar to other forms of alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid offers general exfoliating and skin lightening benefits and can increase the moisturizing factor because it acts as a humectant as well.
Korean Exfoliating Toner with Lactic Acid
1. Cosrx AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive
Infused with CentellAC-Rx formula and a blend of BHA and AHA that helps remove clogged debris, dead skin cells and excess oil to clarify and refresh the complexion.
Propolis, an anti-inflammatory and regenerative ingredient, helps balance, heal and soothe problematic skin while promoting skin cell regeneration. Ideal for those who have skin concerns with acne, signs of aging and rough texture.
2. Cosrx Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol
An exfoliating toner contains 60% Black Bee Propolis, AHA, and Natural BHA to soothe, restore, and hydrate skin while removing dead skin cells, clogged impurities, and excess oil.
Propolis has anti-inflammatory, healing, and anti-aging properties that help even out and soothe troublesome skin, and protect it from acne-causing bacteria to help prevent future breakouts.
This gentle formula works effectively in decongesting pores and reducing sebum glands to mattify the skin and make your skin clear, brighter and smoother.
Green Tea
Green tea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling, and help treat acne and cleanse pores.
This natural ingredient contains high levels of polyphenols, which act as natural sun protection and help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thus helping to slow down the premature aging process and reduce sagging skin and wrinkles.
Studies have shown that green tea offers the power of antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals and reduce cell damage by impeding the harmful effects of sun exposure. Be sure to use sunscreen to double-protect your skin.
Green Tea Korean Skin Care Products
1. Cosrx One Step Green Hero Calming Pad
An exfoliating pad contains 75% green tea water, rich in antioxidants, and has anti-inflammatory properties that protect the skin from harmful free radicals that can cause signs of premature aging.
With its antibacterial and healing properties, this facial toner helps restore skin balance and controls sebum production while gently exfoliating and retexturing your skin with the mildest exfoliating component of PHA.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, relieve irritation, redness, soothes inflamed pimples and sensitive skin.
2. Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser
Filled with fermented green tea, this cleansing foam gently removes all waste, and debris without irritation or stripping your own natural oils.
This gentle face cleanser helps remove excess sebum, lighten the skin, and tighten pores, leaving skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.
It's an amazing water-based facial cleanser that can be used as the first step in the double cleansing method.
Retinol
Retinol, also known as a vitamin A derivative, is one of the powerful skin-transforming ingredients that can increase cell turnover and help improve skin texture, fine lines and dark spots.
Retinoid helps fight free radicals and stimulates skin cell repair by increasing collagen and elastin production.
If you are new to a product containing vitamin A, retinol is a great start to your skin transition before using retinoid, tretinoin, or similar products.
This powerful ingredient can be used with niacinamide to soothe and reduce irritation or with ceramides to strengthen the skin's barrier and keep it moisturized. For best results and fewer negative reactions, it's best to use it in your nighttime skin regimen.
Why does Korean skincare not use retinol?
Retinol is an excellent beneficial skincare ingredient for anti-aging skin care products. However, when you start to add it to your skincare routine, it could cause irritations, redness, flaking and peeling.
Since Korean skincare tends to avoid harsh ingredients, you'll find alternative products with gentler ingredients such as niacinamide, snail mucin, and all the great ingredients mentioned above.
Retinol is an excellent beneficial cosmetic ingredient in anti-aging skin care products. However, when you add it to your skin care routine it can cause irritation, redness, peeling, and flaking.
Since Korean skin care therefore tends to avoid harsh ingredients, they use alternative gentler ingredients of vitamin A derivative like niacinamide, snail mucin, and all of the great ingredients mentioned above.
Best (Korean) Retinol Serums
1. Cosrx Real Fit Retinol Serum
A firming serum is fortified with 0.5% stabilized retinyl palmitate to refine uneven skin texture, treat signs of sun damage, wrinkles, and surface imperfections such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Calendula officinalis extract is also present to soothe and calm the skin, and to offset any side effects of vitamin A derivatives. Suitable for first-time users of retinol or sensitive skin for firmer, younger looking skin.
2. Drunken Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Formulated 1% a pure form of vegan retinol, potent peptides with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that reveal a glowing, supple, healthy complexion.
With fatty acids and vitamin F, this retinol moisturizer improves the skin structure and promotes the renewal of skin cells and the production of collagen.
3. Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol
Enriched with blends of pure retinol and powerful antioxidants that make the skin firmer, smoother and softer, and moisturize the skin to keep it looking radiant and revitalized.
This great formula fights the appearance of wrinkles, improves the feeling of firmness, uneven skin tone and red spots and leaves the skin perfectly glowing.
(A related blog post: 10 Best Korean Anti-Aging Skincare Products (for 30’s) )
