Bellflower: Hanbang ingredient in skincare

One of our favorite ingredients in Korean Hanbang and K-beauty is the beautiful bellflower. In Hanbang, there are many ingredients derived from various flowers, plants, and roots, but in this article, we take a brief look at the benefits of bellflowers.

👉🏼 What does Hanbang mean? Read our article, which explains the history of Korean skincare and the significance of Hanbang ingredients.

Bellflower is a lesser-known ingredient in the Western world, but in Korea, it is a popular Hanbang ingredient that has been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. Bellflower has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is often used to relieve cold symptoms.

In Korea, for example, bellflower tea flavored with pear juice is often drunk during colds to ease symptoms such as cough and chest pain. Bellflower root is also used in various dishes, such as doraji-muchim (도라지무침), a spicy dish with marinated bellflower root.

The effects of bellflower on neurology have also been studied, and some studies have shown that bellflower may have positive effects related to Alzheimer's disease.

The benefits of bellflower have been known in Asia for a long time, but its use in skincare is relatively new. Let’s dive into bellflower and explore its nurturing properties.

Benefits of Bellflower

Bellflower, also known as Platycodon grandiflorus, is a perennial flowering plant that blooms during summer and autumn. It is very hardy and easy to grow, making it an excellent useful plant. Bellflower is considered a true superfood filled with ingredients that nurture both body and mind.

It has traditionally been used to treat various ailments such as colds and digestive problems. Bellflower is also used as a natural dye to give food, drinks, and other products a beautiful purple hue.

What are the benefits of bellflower in skincare?

Bellflower contains, among other things, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acids, and fatty acids such as linoleic acid. All of these are often used in cosmetics and are known to support skin health.

In skincare, bellflower is mainly appreciated for its soothing and antioxidant properties. More studies on its effects have been published in recent years, so we will likely learn even more about its benefits in the future.

A promising property that has been studied is bellflower’s impact on melanogenesis, which could make it a potential ingredient to help reduce hyperpigmentation.

Which skin types or skin concerns is it suitable for?

Try products containing bellflower if:

• Your skin is very sensitive and easily irritated
• You are looking for gentle care to even out skin tone
• You have issues with impurities or redness

Bellflower generally suits all skin types, making it beneficial for many!

Products with Bellflower

No one uses bellflower in skincare quite like hwarang' does!

Bellflower root is the main ingredient in hwarang' Bellflower Cleansing Balm. The light purple color comes naturally from guaiazulene, which is also known for its soothing properties.

You will also find soothing bellflower in Hwarang’s acne patches. Especially hwarang' Night Patch has drawn inspiration from bellflower in its design.

Bellflower is an excellent ingredient in acne patches because it helps calm inflammation and can also help reduce marks from pimples (our enemy: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, also called PIH).

Hwarang' also uses bellflower in their barrier-strengthening moisturizer. Hwarang' Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream is a soothing, strengthening, and hydrating cream that also suits sensitive skin.

Published 01.06.2026. 

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