The latest trend out of Korea takes place on an island located off the southern coast of the country’s peninsula, about a one-hour flight from Seoul. The place: Jeju, a volcanic hot spot that, that besides being a treasure trove of picturesque waterfalls, well-preserved forests and pristine green hills that overlook the sea, is also making its name as a major source for skin-care ingredients (thanks to its abundance of plants, sea algae, organic farms and volcanic clay, for starters) and some of them are starting to pop up in stateside products. Here are three on our radar:
Why is This Korean Island Getting So Much Beauty Buzz?
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Peter Thomas Roth Blue Marine Algae Intense Hydrating Mask
Utilizing energizing Jeju Island tea for a mega moisture surge, this gel-like, intensive mask is a skin care slamdunk for curbing dehydrated—and depleted—skin. With just one application, it makes skin look and feel smoother and more hydrated and even helps soften the look of lines and wrinkles. $52, ulta.com
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Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge
Made from the island’s konjac root (a sort of fiber-rich dietary staple that acts as an exfoliator when used topically), this naturally alkaline sponge balances skin while removing it of dirt and oil. $15, sephora.com
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AmorePacific
AmorePacific is known for incorporating antioxidant-packed green tea in a lot of its products, and the brand’s exclusive green tea fields are located on Jeju Island, where they are harvested and handpicked. What makes this green tea different? According to the company, the area is the source of some of the purest spring water and mineral-rich volcanic soil, which makes it the perfect setting for the green tea plant to grow. amorepacific.com
