By now, we all know the deal with Korean beauty. Whether it’s a skin-care routine, SPF or hair product, the philosophy of gentle yet effective rings true. Korean body care is designed with the same intentional point of view. Packed with skin-loving ingredients and potent botanicals, K-beauty body products offer a slew of benefits while turning your routine into a sensorial experience. Like K-beauty-focused skin care, body products prioritize lightweight formulas and cosmetic finishes over actives. They treat the skin below your neck with just as much care and aim to protect it at all costs. From barrier-supporting creams to gentle exfoliants, Korean body care has lots to offer for every skin type.
Featured experts
- Chloe Joung is the founder of BAZZAAL and Kijibae
- Sarah Hicken is the head of education at Voesh
What is Korean body care?
Taking the thoughtfulness from head to toe with skin care is what sets many of the K-beauty body products apar, and it’s common thread that runs throughout the K-beauty sector. Chloe Joung, founder of K-beauty brands BAZZAAL and Kijibae, shares that while many body care brands opt for a more-is-more approach, Korean body care takes a skin care first approach. “The body products aren’t geared toward specific dermatological issues, formulated with actives or made with an emphasis on fragrance,” says Joung. Instead, they’re made to treat the body gently, through daily use of effective ingredients—think products targeting dryness and barrier support instead of those packed with retinol and AHA/BHAs. “The idea is to be proactive about long-term skin wellness, not quick fixes,” says Sarah Hicken, head of education at Voesh, which offers South Korean-made products. Many body products include ceramides, probiotics and fermented botanicals intended to harmonize with your natural microbiome. The formulas also have the added benefit of being a true sensorial experience.
What are the benefits of Korean body care?
The benefits of these formulas go beyond simply softening the skin. Most products are designed to mimic the skin barrier’s natural lipids, providing hydration and soothing the skin while deeply moisturizing it. “You can expect K-body care to promote stronger, calmer and more resilient skin,” says Hicken. She explains that some products also pair gentle exfoliants, like glycolic or lactic acid, with ceramides and probiotics to improve texture and tone over time.
How to approach Korean body care
According to Hicken, a good body care routine starts in the shower. Body washes and exfoliants are the first step and should cleanse without stripping your skin’s natural oils. For a more elevated experience, she recommends using a gua sha or gua sha body bar to stimulate circulation. Post showering, your routine should continue to focus on gentle care, layering lightweight products instead of slathering on body oils and rich butters. Joung says that thick body moisturizers are not widely used in Korean body care, allowing the texture and application experience to be the focus. Body lotions and creams should sink into the skin and lock in moisture, leaving your skin smooth, not greasy. “Each step of this routine is designed to nourish beyond the surface while also being a ritual to support long-term skin health,” says Hicken.
Korean body care products to try
