WHEN IT COMES to skincare, men have often been left out of the conversation – or told to keep it basic. But over in South Korea, that stereotype has been turned on its head. Welcome to The Menaissance: a movement led by Korean men who are not just embracing skincare but dominating it.
In fact, South Korean men rank number one globally in beauty product spending – outpacing Denmark (ranked second) by nearly four times. Skincare is more than just self-care in Korea; it’s a cultural norm, a daily ritual, and, for many, a point of pride. As Dr Christine Hall explains, there’s even an old Korean saying: ‘Young yook il chi sa sang’ – which translates to ‘within a beautiful body rests a beautiful soul.’ In other words, looking after your appearance isn’t vanity, it’s respect.
Does Korean skincare work for men?
”K-Beauty routines focus on nourishing and hydrating the skin, which is key for all skin types,’ explains Dr Hall. ‘Men in general have thicker and oilier skin, and often face issues like shaving irritation, breakouts, or excess oil production.’
She explains that Korean skincare doesn’t ignore these differences. ‘It addresses them head-on with calming, non-irritating ingredients like Centella Asiatica, beta glucan, and niacinamide – all known for improving skin texture, supporting the barrier, and reducing inflammation. These ingredients help soothe the skin and improve texture without causing irritation.’
How do Korean guys have such good skin?
It’s a common question – and a trending Google search term. And according to Dr Hall, there’s truth behind the stereotype. ‘The idea that Korean men have particularly good skin isn’t just a stereotype, it’s largely true,’ she says.
A big part of that comes down to cultural values. ‘There is an age-old belief in Korea that presenting the best version of yourself is a sign of respect to others,’ says Dr Hall. ‘Koreans have been innovating and creating things to elevate beauty for thousands of years.’
In practice, that means men in Korea start skincare early, follow consistent routines, and treat it as self-respect, not self-indulgence. There’s also greater access to, and cultural acceptance of, aesthetic treatments like skin boosters and lasers. Even daily essentials like lightweight foundation or CC creams are widely used to create the now-iconic ‘glass skin’ look.
‘Consistent skincare routines, early adoption of good habits, and the use of high-quality ingredients also contribute to great skin,’ Dr Hall adds.
How to get started with Korean skincare for men
There’s long been a misconception in the West that K-beauty is overly complex, but that’s not quite accurate. ‘Korean beauty became synonymous with the ten-step skincare routine but this is, in fact, an American marketing term developed to help upsell a number of products,’ says Dr Hall. ‘Ask a Korean person about it and they won’t know what you’re talking about.’
Instead, Korean skincare is rooted in efficiency and performance. It pioneered the concept of hybrid products: think serum-moisturiser hybrids and SPFs with built-in skincare benefits, delivering multiple results in fewer steps. ‘South Korea was actually one of the pioneers in hybrid skincare,’ Dr Hall explains. ‘These are single products that multitask – the kind of thing men really respond to.’
- Double cleanse: Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove impurities and excess oil, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt or sweat. That way you’re removing all impurities that are both water and oil soluble and ensuring your skin is thoroughly clean without being stripped of its natural oils.
- (Optional) Toner: Apply a hydrating toner to restore the skin’s pH balance and prep it for deeper treatment – although this step is not essential.
- Serum: A vitamin C is a great place to start for your morning routine. As an antioxidant, it helps to prevent the appearance of visible signs of ageing.
- Moisturiser: Lock in moisture with a good moisturiser to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
- SPF: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen every morning, with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 50, to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
At night, she recommends adding retinol to target ageing – ‘the ultimate anti-ageing ingredient.’
And if you’re near a K-beauty store? ‘If you are lucky enough to be based in a city where there are K-Beauty stores, you will find them packed with helpful staff who will be able to guide you through what is available,’ says Dr Hall.
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health UK.
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