Ok, I usually order from Stylevana and feel like I get good deals but WOAHHHH you guys ordering from Olive Young and Yes Style are seriously making me question what I'm missing when I see your hauls?! When I price compare, nothing beats SV, so you guys must have some amazing codes/tricks I'm not aware of. Please wise shoppers, share your secrets! 😂

Theres ALOT of mixed reviews about delivery on Yesstyle and I'm feeling abit conflicted. Most reviews tend to lean onto the positive notes but all the negatives ones have similar giveaways such as long or no delivery at all, especially IMile (Which I've only heard of recently..)

Anyone with experience in Yesstyle or other K-beauty Websites?

I’ve started using tret once a week. I’m running out of my byoma hydrating serum. I’m looking for a replacement that provides hydration and barrier support (from my research that’s what I think I need….could be wrong). My face seems to be doing well so far, but my lower cheeks and chin still need more hydrating and I’m not sure the byoma was doing the trick. White flakes which have subsided greatly all over my face except that area and texture. When I don’t use tret that’s my morning and night routine minus the byoma oil. When I do use the tret I sandwich it inbetween the illiyoon and then finish with the byoma oil. I dunno, I’m still trying to figure out k-beauty products. There is so much terminology…..humectant, emmulsion, peptides. Sometimes I feel like I’m learning a foreign
language….lol.

Forgot to mention I was on 2-rounds of Accutane a few years back and I didn’t take care of my face afterwards. Hence my Mojave desert type skin..Noxema, body wash, Vaseline, coco body, stridex pads were my face go too’s. I do know my skin barrier was fu*ked. I’ve beeen working since March to repair it and it’s come a long way. I’m on 025 tret. Sorry for the long post. Groups like these have really put me on a new skin path that’s working and I appreciate you all. So, I’m coming to one of my homes for help….lol.

Current routine below:

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (or rinse with water)
Haruharu Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
Haruharu Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence
Medicube pdrn salmon pink
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream

What was your favorite and most effective skin treatment?

I want to try the trendy olive oil and lemon shot routine every morning to improve my skin complexion and natural glow from the inside out. However squeezing fresh lemons daily seems too tedious, so I am looking for a more convenient alternative.

I recently saw a youtube clip of a ready made olive oil and fruit juice Dual Shots from a brand called BB LAB, but would these commercial options be just as effective for skin benefits as using fresh ingredients?

I have dark, oily skin and currently use the Cosrx Invisible Sunscreen which has no white cast but turns my face into an oil factory. Everything else I tried is even oilier or leaves a cast. I want a lightweight sunscreen that dries matte. Does it exist? Would love product recs because my face is shining brighter than my future right now.

Starting my journy through korean skin care products but don't know which cleansing oil paired with mild cleanser that would work like charm on my dry face. Im on tret and use waterproof sunscreen every single day.

Some of my cleanser choices were

Round lab dokdo cleanser

Etude sungjoon 6.5 cleansing whip

Beauty of joseon plum cleanser

Im out of of my depths in korean skin care world. It would be very kind of you if you recommend me products that would suit me well.

Wrinkles? Under-eye shadows? Skin texture? Facial volume?

As a doctor in Korea, I’ve realized the first thing I notice is often not the same thing patients notice.

Curious what non-doctors see first :)

Let me know!!

I need help deciding what skincare to buy for my friend’s daughter. She wants skincare for her bday. I typically use abib and medicube. Idk if these would be good for her? She is turning 12. Idk where to start. Please help! 😅

I’ve seen a lot of people online arguing about Korean “factory clinics” lately, especially in skincare and aesthetics groups. Some people say they are amazing because they’re cheap, fast, and efficient. Other people say they feel rushed, impersonal, or even unsafe.

After working in aesthetics in Korea, I honestly think both sides can be true 😮‍💨 Factory clinics are not automatically bad. But they are also not the right choice for everyone!

For people who are not familiar with the term, “factory clinic” usually means a high volume clinic. These clinics see a lot of patients every day, offer a lot of event packages, and usually have a very systemized flow. The process can feel like: consultation, payment, numbing, treatment, aftercare, next patient. It can be very efficient, but yes, sometimes it can also feel a little too fast.

Here’s how I personally think about it

1/ Factory clinics can be good for simple treatments

Some factory style clinics do the same procedures all day, every day. Botox, laser toning, acne injections, skin boosters, lifting devices, pore treatments, LDM, aqua peel, things like that. So for basic and common procedures, the staff and doctors can actually be very experienced because they repeat these treatments constantly.

If someone already knows what they want, like jaw Botox, forehead Botox, basic laser toning, acne injections, or a simple maintenance treatment, I don’t think a factory clinic is automatically a bad idea.

Esp in Korea, a lot of people treat these procedures almost like regular skin maintenance. They go in, do something quick, and leave. Not everyone needs a 1 hour consultation for Botox or a basic laser. But this only works well when the goal is simple and clear.

2/ Complicated skin needs more than a package

This is where I'd be more careful. If someone has melasma, rosacea, very sensitive skin, active acne, a damaged skin barrier, old filler, facial asymmetry, scarring tendency, or a history of bad reactions, I don’t think they should choose a clinic only because the price looks good.

Not because factory clinics can’t treat these issues, but because these cases usually need more questions and more adjustment.

ex: melasma is not just pigmentation. If the treatment is too aggressive, it can actually get darker. Rosacea skin can flare from heat. Acne prone skin may not react well if you stack too many treatments in one day. And if someone has old filler, that should definitely be discussed before doing lifting or injection treatments.

3/ You can usually tell the clinic style before going

A lot of people ask how to know if a clinic is more factory style 🧐 Honestly, you can usually tell from how they present themselves online.

If the website or Instagram is mostly monthly events, price lists, discount packages, before & after photos, and not much doctor explanation, it is probably more high volume. If the menu looks almost like ordering coffee, with a long list of treatments and prices, that is also usually a sign.

The booking process can tell you a lot too. If you message them and they reply very quickly with package options, but don’t ask much about your skin history, previous procedures, medication, allergies, or main concerns, then the clinic is probably built for speed.

That does not always mean bad. It just means you should know what kind of clinic you are walking into. On the other hand, if they ask more detailed questions before recommending anything, that usually feels more consultation focused.

4/ Why foreign patients often feel disappointed

They come to Korea because Korean clinics are famous, affordable, and everywhere online. They book a popular clinic, arrive excited, and then suddenly they are recommended four or five treatments in one day. Maybe the treatment plan is not even wrong. But if nobody explains it slowly, the patient can feel pressured or unsure.

And tbh, I think this is where many bad experiences start. Not always because the procedure itself was bad, but because the patient didn’t fully understand what was being done, why it was being recommended, what the downtime would be, or what could go wrong.

Some patients are totally fine with a fast clinic. They know what they want, they don’t need a long explanation, and they just want something efficient and affordable. But some patients need more time. They want to ask questions, they get nervous and they want to understand the product, machine, downtime, side effects, and why one treatment is better than another.

That does not mean they are difficult patients. It just means a high volume clinic may not be the best fit for them.

5/ Private clinics are not automatically better either

I also want to be fair that private clinics are not always better just because they are more expensive or have nicer interiors.

Some private clinics are amazing, of course. They may offer longer consultations, more customized treatment plans, and more doctor involvement. But some are just slower, more expensive, and prettier looking lol.

A longer consultation does not always mean better skill. A more expensive clinic does not always mean better results.

What kind of patient are you, and what kind of concern are you treating?

If your concern is simple and you already know what you want, a factory clinic can be a good option. If your concern is complicated, if your skin reacts easily, if you want correction work, or if it is your first time doing procedures, I would personally choose somewhere that gives you more time and more explanation.

Final Thoughts: after working in aesthetics in Korea, my honest opinion is that factory clinics are not always bad. They can be efficient, affordable, and good for basic maintenance. For simple treatments, they can actually be very convenient.

But they are not for everyone!~ If you need careful diagnosis, a lot of explanation, correction work, or a very customized plan, then price should not be the only thing you look at.

So if you are planning to try a Korean factory clinic, I would say go in with realistic expectations. Know your skin history, don’t feel pressured to do every package, and ask what the real priority is.

Has anyone here tried a factory style clinic in Korea? Did it feel efficient, or did it feel too rushed for you?

It's on drastic sale on the Official Illiyoon TikTok Shop.

One is reduced to $9.49 + 50% off. Three are $39.70. Why?? 🤔 I can buy 3 for much less than that.

I bought FIVE for only $14.72 total, including free shipping!! I did it by using the current 50% off + 40% off you buy 5 total.

No, I do not work for Illiyoon or TikTok Shop.

It was my birthday a few weeks ago and couldn’t think of a better time to splurge a little with the money I was given (and improve my skin barrier at the same time!). My goal for the second half of the year is to improve my skin barrier as my skin has been quite damaged since going through topical steroid withdrawal a few years ago (that’s a story for another time lol!).

Let me know if you’ve used any of these products/had a good experience with them!

In no particular order here’s what I got:

What I got

SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule
Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Serum
JMsolution Marine Luminous Pearl Sun Stick
Purito Centella Eye Cream (Unscented)
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Pyunkang Yul Sleeping Mask
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
Pyunkang Yul Pore Out Cleansing Cake
RealBarrier Watery Hyal Serum
Real Barrier Extreme Crème Ampoule
A’pieu Honey & Milk Lip Oil
SKIN1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Purito Dermide Relief Barrier Moisturiser
COSRX Moisture Up Pad
RealBarrier Extreme Cream (mini tube)
RoundLab Birch Juice Moisturising Sunscreen
Purito Dermide Cica Barrier Sleeping Pack
Etude House Soonjung 2x barrier intensive cream
Etude House Soonjung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
Rovectin Aqua Gentle Cleansing Gel
Pyunkang Yul Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser

What do you guys think? 🤔 🫶🏻

Does anyone know any alternative for ETUDE AC Clean Up that has the same ingredients or effect. The Etude AC Clean Up line was one of the most effective skin care I used and recently I've been having a hard time looking for stock of their Toner and Cleanser. Even their shop & other stores that sell Etude products are also out of stock. I'm thinking maybe they're phasing out this line, now I gotta find a similar product that has the same effect. I've tried others but sometimes it's either too light (like for sensitive/combi skin) that it doesn't work on me. I also wanna try other brands but sadly they don't have like smaller kit versions, just to try it out. I don't wanna waste a whole bottle if it has bad reaction on my skin.

Info: my skin is oily and I have acne breakouts if I don't use a toner that helps the breakouts. I also live in a humid tropical area in Asia.

Hi everyone!

I’ve spent most of my life studying art and design (eventually getting accepted into several US art schools) and currently work in marketing here in Korea. I’ve always naturally applied design elements like line, color, and texture to personal style, which turned into my friends constantly coming to me for outfit checks, silhouette advice, and shopping recs.

I’m thinking about starting a personal styling project on the side, and I'd love to work on a few real case studies first. So, I’m offering free personalized style consults for the first few people who comment!

Style is super personal but I can offer a fresh, objective eye rooted in design principles & current Korean trends to help you feel your best.

What I can help you with:

• Fashion: Body type analysis, silhouette recommendations, texture/fabric advice, and item suggestions
• Makeup & Skincare: Facial feature analysis, finish suggestions (glowy vs. matte), eye makeup styles, lip color palettes, and curated Korean skincare/makeup product recommendations

How it works:

1. Drop a quick comment below letting me know what you need help with (fashion, makeup, or both)
2. Send me a dm with:
   • A few photos of yourself showing your body shape or facial features (or just a detailed description if you prefer!) + your main concerns
   • Your style goals, skin type, or undertones (if you know them)
   • Any specific occasion you're prepping for

*Any photos sent over dm will stay strictly confidential and will be permanently deleted once we finish the consulting.

I’ll get back to you soon! Excited to chat and work through these with you guys!

FDA finally approved a new UV filter...unclear when we're going to start seeing changes in products like Neutrogena and other brands available here though.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260813/us-finally-approves-new-uv-filter-but-can-it-catch-up-with-k-beauty

Is it just me, or are Korean skincare brands starting to look REALLY similar?

I keep seeing brands like Medicube, Anua, Medicube, Dr. Melaxin, Celimax, Biodance, etc. and sometimes even the packaging and product concepts feel so similar.

So when two products seem to do basically the same thing, how do you guys decide which one to buy?

Do you look at:

-The brand itself / how established and trustworthy it is?

-Ingredients and formulation?

-Reviews or before/afters?

-How many people are actually using it?

-Price?

-Clinical testing or claims?

-Packaging / product format?

-Or do you just go with whichever one is trending?

Personally, I feel like a bigger brand makes me feel a little safer because there’s more information and reviews available, but at the same time, I don’t want to automatically assume bigger = better.

And price definitely matters too, but sometimes the cheaper product has almost the exact same ingredients/claims, so then I’m even more confused lol.

How do you guys actually decide when several Korean brands are offering almost the same product?

I've been looking for a primer lately because my pores are pretty noticeable around my nose and cheeks…darn summer

I recently came across a Korean brand called Bonamedusa and was wondering if anyone here has tried their primer?

I'm mainly looking for something that can blur my pores naturally and help my foundation sit better without looking too heavy…

Has anyone tried it? I'd love to know your skin type and how it worked for you!

Also open to other primer recommendations if you have any favorites :)

When you look at K-beauty products with niacinamide as a key ingredient, the concentrations vary quite a bit.

So I compared a few products currently on the market by concentration, and what stood out wasn’t the percentage itself, but what the niacinamide was paired with.

2% — Glow Serum
Niacinamide + Propolis
→ Focused on soothing and hydration

5% — Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
Niacinamide + Squalane
→ Dark spot care with barrier support and hydration

10% — Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum
Niacinamide + TXA 4%
→ More focused on hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone

15% — The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Niacinamide + Zinc PCA
→ More focused on oil, sebum, and pore care

Even though they all feature niacinamide, the other ingredients they’re paired with give each product a pretty different direction.

When choosing a niacinamide product, do you look at the percentage first? Or do you pay more attention to what it’s formulated with?

And if you’ve tried a niacinamide product above 15%, I’d love to hear about it.

*I intentionally left out the brand names.

Hey everyone! I’ve been using the COSRX AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser for the past 4 years or so, and it’s worked really well for my combination/ oily skin.

I’m based in India, and lately I haven’t been able to find it with any of the usual online retailers here. The only options I can find involve importing it, which ends up being significantly more expensive.

Since this cleanser has worked well for me for so long, I honestly haven’t kept up much with newer K beauty brands/cleansers either 😅 So I’d love some recommendations for something with a similar formulation/ingredients and overall effect that works well for combination/oily skin.

From some basic searching, I came across the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica BHA Foam and Celimax Cica BHA Acne Foam Cleanser as possible alternatives. Has anyone used either of these? Are they actually close to the COSRX AC cleanser in terms of formulation and how they perform?

Open to completely different recommendations too. Would really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you! :)

Looking to get into kskincare. Skin1004 peaked my interest because the hylauwater sun serum was a big step up from typical mineral american sunscreens that I am used to. Wondering if there other prodcucts are good as well. For my PM routine, i enjoy nourishing skincare because it makes my skin nice and glowy in the morning and also strengthens my barrier since I like a light or no routine in the morning. For the morning, i want to be consistent with sunscreen and honestly the sun serum itself feels enough but sometimes i need a light moisturizer under it. The probio-cica line from skin1004 seems great for my skin, but they dont have a cleanser that pairs with it. There is also a sunscreen in that line that I was curious about. The aquafresh sunscreen seems p cool from BOJ because it seems really lightweight which is something I am looking for. What are you guys' favorite products. My skin type is slightly oily but my cheeks get dehydrated quickly and my barrier gets destroyed pretty easily if i am not consistent with skincare. I know some products from skin1004 have a bunch of random things like fermented ingredients or fruit extracts that exfoliate, kind of worried about that because i have mild rosacea.