There’s nothing we love more than an influencer who loves Korean beauty. Especially when that influencer is also super inspired by our editor-in-chief, Charlotte Cho! Meet Asia Jackson. She’s a model, actress, and YouTube vlogger who discovered the K-beauty routine after she read Charlotte’s The Little Book of Skin Care.
Ever since reading Charlotte’s book, Jackson’s been completely devoted to the K-beauty ten step routine. Here, we chat with her about her favorite Korean skin care products that fix hyperpigmentation and help combat her acne.
Why did you decide to explore Korean beauty?
In January of 2016 I was experiencing really bad breakouts, so I was literally on Amazon researching skin care stuff, and I came across Charlotte’s book in one of the recommended products. I did some research about the book and I immediately went to Barnes and Noble to buy it because I didn’t want to wait for shipping.
What resonated with you about Korean beauty after reading The Little Book of Skin Care?
The idea of having a skin care routine in general, because before reading that book I didn’t really have one. The double cleanse has been the biggest lightbulb moment for me. Before I found out about the Korean skin care routine, I literally just washed my face with one cleanser and didn’t really pay attention to whether it removed makeup, but I feel like after I started double cleansing, it’s done a lot to help brighten my complexion and make it so that the makeup and bacteria doesn’t just sit in my pores.
You’re African-American and Filipino. How has the Korean skin care routine helped with your particular skin type?
One of my biggest skin concerns is hyperpigmentation and I really like that Korean skin care focuses on brightening, because as a woman with brown skin, hyperpigmentation can get really annoying. I really like that Korean brands and products have a huge selection of products to choose from to help with brightening my overall complexion.
What was the first Korean beauty product you bought?
The first Korean product I bought was the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum. I thought the packaging was so cute, and every time packaging is cute, I’m so tempted to buy it. But I also really like the fact that it helps to brighten hyperpigmentation. When I read about it, I was like “Girl, sign me up!,” since hyperpigmentation is one my biggest skin concerns.
What are your favorite Korean skin care products that fix hyperpigmentation?
The Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid really helps. I also really love the Missha Cell Renew Snail Cream because it has snail mucin in it. I didn’t really know what snail mucin was, and I researched a little about it and I was like, “This is interesting.” Then I found out that Soko Glam sold this Missha moisturizer that has snail mucin in it and I was like, “Well I might as well try it,” and it worked really well. Now, it’s one of my favorite moisturizers of all time. It really hydrates my skin but it’s also light since it has a gel consistency. I also have oily skin and it really works well with my oily skin.
I also really love the Klavuu Pure Pearlsation Revitalizing Facial Cleansing Foam that came in The Klog Box. It brightens my complexion and it doesn’t strip my skin. Usually when I use facial cleansers it feels tight and dry, and this doesn’t do that. It feels very hydrating.
In your YouTube video where you demonstrate your Korean skin care routine, you use a foaming cleanser that includes benzoyl peroxide in your double clease to combat your acne-prone skin. How does the K-beauty routine help with your acne?
I use a foaming cleanser that has five percent benzoyl peroxide and that works really well to help with my acne. But since benzoyl peroxide can be a pretty drying ingredient, I always make sure to use a hydrating essence. Korean brands are the best at creating moisturizing products. Whenever I use really drying ingredients, I like to use Korean products to rehydrate my skin. I love the Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence and the Mizon Mela Defense White Capsule Essence.
How do you find Korean beauty products?
I love K-beauty blogs, and I read The Klog. I watch a lot of K-beauty bloggers on YouYube and I also follow the Asian Beauty subreddit. I read through that thing a lot. There’s a lot of good information there.
Do you use any Korean makeup?
I’d love to try some Korean makeup. I’ve been really interested in the cushion foundation. I think that’s such an interesting concept, but they don’t really have a wide range of shades. I hope as Korean beauty globalizes, they’ll roll out more shades.
Who do you think the Korean skin care routine is for?
The Korean beauty routine is for anyone and everyone who truly wants to invest in their skin!
Check out Asia’s full ten step Korean skin care routine:
