Korean Skincare History: The Origins of K-Beauty

The history of Korean skincare stretches back more than two thousand years, long before K-beauty became a global phenomenon. That success rests on an ancient past, when skincare was treated as a holistic ritual for both body and mind. As a contemporary skincare brand, BEIGIC blends these time-tested botanicals with modern science to honor the evolution of the Korean skincare ideology.

The origins of Korean skincare

The origins of Korean beauty and skincare rituals date back to antiquity. According to the Dangun myth, the first settlement of Korean people was near birch trees, suggesting that fragrances were closely integrated in their daily life. It appears that methods for skin whitening were developed during the Gojoseon period: mugwort and garlic were used as cosmetic ingredients to lighten the skin. The origins and evolution of cosmetics can be clearly observed at the Coreana Cosmetics Museum as it unveils the cultural richness and historical evolution of Korean cosmetics, presenting a collection of over 5,300 items that narrate this history from antiquity to the modern era.

In the past, Koreans believed that their appearance influenced their inner selves, attributing significant importance to it, called ‘yeong-yuk-il-chi-sa-sang’ (영육일치사상). Thus, both men and women devoted themselves to their looks , shaping a distinctive culture around cosmetics and accessories. They crafted scrubs, lotions, creams, facial oils, as well as colored powders, lipsticks, and brow ink, showcasing true expertise in the art of embellishment.

Koreans used a variety of natural elements to create the products that they needed; ground rice bran, red beans and mung beans ('Jodu' in Korean), which were used in the production of cleansing soap by mixing the obtained powder with water. Post-facial cleansing lotions were crafted from plant juices, including pumpkin stems.
Oils or extracts from plant seeds, such as castor oil and camellia oil, were frequently used, cherished for their delicate fragrance and non-sticky texture. Apricot and peach oils were favored for fading pigmentation spots, while safflower oil, rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, was used to enhance skin hydration and radiance.  

Traditional cosmetics made from herbs and grains emitted distinct scents. Therefore, Korean women added fragrance, primarily crafted from dried clove buds, acting as a medicinal deodorant during baths and believed to reduce stress and mental fatigue. Various perfume methods are mentioned in the "Gyuhap Chongseo" (규합총서, Encyclopedia of Women) from 1809, written during the Joseon Dynasty.

1. Korean beauty in the Three Kingdoms era (57 BCE–668 CE)

The history of Korean makeup traces back to 57 BCE during the Three Kingdoms period of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla). In the Three Kingdoms, earthenware predominated as the container material, but the emergence of celadon culture during the Goryeo era led to an abundance of containers dedicated to cosmetics.

2. Cosmetics of the Unified Silla Period (668-918)

After conquering Baekje and Goguryeo, Silla took control of the Korean Peninsula in 668. This marked the beginning of the Unified Silla period, during which the peninsula was under the rule of the Silla kingdom. Exchanges between China and Silla were becoming more frequent, and makeup trends were influenced, becoming more extravagant. With the increasing popularity of braided and tied hair, cosmetics, gold headbands, and rings, the cosmetic industry grew significantly, attracting women's enthusiasm for luxury products. Powders were made from lead, tin and other minerals mixed with fragrant substances. They used cinnabar powder to be used as facial or lip rouge and drew their eyebrows with graphite.

3. Sophisticated Skincare in the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392)

During the Goryeo Dynasty, cosmetic techniques reached a remarkable level of sophistication. The enthusiasm for cosmetics during this time was demonstrated, notably with the creation of more elaborate bronze mirrors. The concept of cleanliness was emphasized and according to Xu Jing, a Song Dynasty envoy, men and women bathed together in the same stream and strove to maintain physical cleanliness.

In addition, various methods were advised to preserve fair skin such as full body bathing in perfumed water. They also used to apply a skin protecting and whitening lotion called 'myeonyak' (면약), which was used by both men and women.

Elegance was highlighted as a key feature of beauty and women preferred a natural style of makeup. This trend started because Gisaengs wore heavy and colorful makeup which started a discriminatory stereotype, shifting the beauty standards to an ideal of subtle makeup. Women’s eyebrows were also expected to be drawn thick and arch-shaped, matching the diameter of the eyes. According to ancient paintings, women of the upper-class used peach colored blush and applied 'yeonji' (연지), a red paste made of safflower on their lips, and put them on their cheeks and foreheads for special occasions such as weddings, which was called 'gonji' (곤지).

4. Minimalist Beauty & Gisaeng Makeup in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897)

During the Joseon Dynasty, Confucianism formed the foundation of Korean society.
For women, modesty and simplicity prevailed, continuing Goryeo’s trends: discreet elegance, a neat appearance, and very minimal makeup. The most important criteria that Joseon women followed were 'sambaek' (삼백), 'samheuk' (삼흑) and 'samhong' (삼홍). 
The first one ‘sambaek’ means the three whites, referencing the necessity for the sclera, skin and teeth to be white. In addition, the three blacks ‘samheuk’ emphasized black hair, eyebrows and pupils. Lastly the ‘samhong’ meant the three reds, illustrating the red lips, cheeks and fingernails.

However, the Gisaengs challenged these conservative norms with their bold, defined makeup styles despite the harmful stereotypes associated with them. Over time, women of the upper class began subtly imitating their look, a style characterized by strong eyebrows paired with a  clear complexion. This blend of minimalist skin prep and subtle contrast continues to define modern Korean beauty standards today. 

The types of cosmetics and concepts of makeup during the Joseon Dynasty can be understood through the novel “The Tale of the Land of Women’s Beauty” (여용국전). This novel recounts women’s cosmetics and beauty tools: it features over 20 types of items, including mirrors, tweezers, handkerchiefs, dressing tables, and cosmetics like powder, rouge, hair oil, perfume, and facial wash.

5. The birth of modern Korean cosmetics 

At the end of the 19th century, new styles and makeup products emerged with the growing influence of Western culture, aiding in the development of Korean cosmetic culture.
The "Bakgabun" (박가분)  powder was the first cosmetic product to be mass-produced in Korea, becoming a best-seller from 1916 to 1930 and even inspired the creation of more Korean cosmetics. It was later discovered that it actually contained lead powder and the negative side effects consumers were having was due to lead poisoning. Consequently, sales experienced a significant decline over time and the powder was eventually discontinued.

In the 1920s, Japanese brands dominated the cosmetics market, slowing the development of the Korean cosmetic industry. After the liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the Korean cosmetics industry was able to resume, but the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 once again dashed hopes of industry expansion. However, around 1961, the enforcement of a law prohibiting the sale of foreign products marked the beginning of prosperity for the Korean cosmetics industry.

6. The Rise of Modern K-Beauty and Global Skincare Innovation

After the 1961 ban on imported goods, Korea's cosmetics companies had a protected home market in which to grow. They spent the following decades reinvesting in research and manufacturing, and by the 1990s the country had a mature domestic industry with real technical depth.

Around 2000, the way skincare was sold changed. Single-brand skincare boutiques emerged as a format of their own, and a daily skincare routine shifted from an occasional indulgence at a department-store counter into an everyday habit. It also became a source of real invention. In 2008, Korean labs created the cushion compact: a sponge soaked in foundation and skincare, applied with a puff, which made coverage quick to reapply through the day. Sheet masks and lightweight essences followed, to name only two which are now found in routines around the world.
The global breakthrough came with Hallyu. As K-pop and K-drama found international audiences, the clear, luminous complexion associated with Korean beauty became something people everywhere wanted to understand and reproduce.

Behind all of it lies a particular way of formulating. Korean skincare pairs botanical ingredients drawn from tradition, with modern active compounds, and favors gentle, preventive care. This is the approach BEIGIC was built on.
Our own version of it is the green coffee bean. Unroasted coffee beans are rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids and vitamin E, and we use them as the single hero ingredient across everything we make.

The BEIGIC Lucent Oil brings that lineage together in one formula. It blends green coffee bean oil with camellia seed oil, prized centuries ago in Korea for its delicate scent and non-greasy feel, alongside a range of other plant oils, from jojoba and rosehip to argan and squalane. Its aroma is botanical too, drawn from bergamot, geranium and orange. The oil carries no artificial fragrance or color, sinks in quickly with no greasy finish, and works with the skin's own lipids to support the moisture barrier. It is also clinically shown to improve elasticity by 47.4% and boost antioxidant defense by 62.5%.

This blend of centuries-old botanical tradition and modern formulation science is the foundation BEIGIC was built on. Discover the BEIGIC Philosophy to see how these ideas continue to shape every product we make.

Korean skincare history: frequently asked questions 

When did K-beauty start?
Korean skincare dates back over two thousand years. Clear evidence of beauty and skincare rituals appears in the Three Kingdoms era (from 57 BCE), while modern K-beauty took shape after 1961, when a ban on imported goods let a domestic industry grow. Its global rise came in the 2000s and 2010s.

What did Koreans use for skincare in the past?
Traditional Korean skincare relied on natural ingredients: ground mung beans, red beans and rice bran (jodu) as a cleansing powder, plant-seed oils such as camellia and castor, and safflower oil for hydration and radiance. Skin was cleansed, softened and protected using what nature provided.

What is the philosophy behind Korean skincare?
Korean skincare grew from the idea that outer and inner beauty are one, the Silla-era belief that a well-cared-for body is home to a beautiful mind. Care of the skin was treated as care of the self, a holistic ritual for body and mind rather than mere decoration.

Why is Korean skincare so popular today?
Korean skincare is prized for pairing traditional botanical ingredients with modern formulation science, and for favoring gentle, preventive care over heavy correction. This focus on skin-barrier health and clean, effective formulas, amplified by the global Hallyu wave, made K-beauty a worldwide benchmark.

What is the difference between K-beauty and Korean makeup?
K-beauty usually refers to skincare, the cleansing, hydrating and treatment steps that build healthy skin. Korean makeup covers color cosmetics like powder, blush and lip tint. Historically the two developed together, but Korean beauty culture has always placed skincare first.

Sources

• Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (한국민족문화대백과사전), "Cosmetics" (화장), by Jeon Wan-gil 
• Jeon Wan-gil, A Cultural History of Korean Cosmetics (한국화장문화사), Youlhwadang, 1987.
• Gyuhap Chongseo (규합총서, "Women's Encyclopedia"), 1809, Joseon dynasty 
• Samguk Sagi (삼국사기) and Samguk Yusa (삼국유사) 
• Goryeo Dogyeong (고려도경), by Xu Jing, 1123 
• Coreana Cosmetics Museum, Seoul 
  
• The Tale of Women's Beauty (여용국전), by An Jeong Bok (안정복)