Ingredient Glossary
The ingredients you see most on Korean skincare labels: what they are, how they work, which skin types they suit and which K-LAB products contain them.
PDRN
An ingredient made from salmon DNA that moved from wound-healing research into skincare.
🛡️
Ectoin
A moisture-holding, soothing molecule that salt-lake bacteria make to protect themselves.
🐌Snail Mucin
One of K-beauty's best-known ingredients, used to hydrate and soothe.
🌿Centella Asiatica
Known in Korea as "cica", the go-to plant for sensitive and red skin.
🍃
Niacinamide
One of the most researched ingredients for dark spots, pores, oiliness and the skin barrier.
💧
Hyaluronic Acid
The basic hydrator that binds water to moisturise the top layer of skin.
🧬
Peptides
Short amino-acid chains designed to send skin a "make collagen" signal.
✨
Glutathione
An antioxidant the body makes itself, used in cosmetics as a brightener.
🌱Bakuchiol
A plant ingredient with retinol-like results and less irritation.
🍊Yuja
The citrus Koreans know from yuja tea, used in skincare as a brightener.
🌱
Ginseng
Korea's best-known plant, used in revitalising and anti-aging skincare.
🌾
Rice Extract
A gentle hydrator and brightener used in East Asia for generations.
🔬Exosomes
One of the most talked-about new ingredients, and one of the least understood.