Korean beauty is already known for several different trends around the world, but Hanbang cosmetics stand out from the crowd with its closeness to nature and history. Hanbang refers to traditional Korean medicine with its roots dating back thousands of years in South Korea.
What is Hanbang beauty?
Hanbang beauty products use ancient natural and traditional ingredients used in Korean culture in various forms, such as plant extracts, herbs and roots. These ingredients are known for their beneficial and even healing properties in skin care and even medicine.
Traditional Hanbang ingredients
Here are some familiar ingredients from traditional Korean skin care products:
- Ginseng
- Centella
- Heartleaf
- Bellflower
- Mugwort
- Rice
- Goji berry
- Cherry extract
- Dong Quai
- Angelica Gigas Nakai
- Licorice root
- Schisandra berries
- Korean red pine
- Pion
- Saflori
- Korean mint
- Mandarin
The name of the products in the ingredient lists varies depending on which part of the plant is used. Here we present the most common names under which the mentioned Hanbang ingredients can be found in the INCI list.
1. Ginseng
Ginseng, a root thousands of years old, has emerged as one of the key ingredients in traditional Korean Hanbang skin care. Hanbang is known for its organic ingredients and holistic approach to health. In this article, we delve into the world of ginseng from the perspective of the Hanbang tradition and reveal why it is the secret weapon of Korean skin care.
The ginseng plant has been an important part of Korean tradition for thousands of years and is one of the most widely used ingredients in Hanbang products. It is used in various forms, such as extract, oil and powder, in both medicine and cosmetics.
Growing ginseng takes several years, usually the rhizome is harvested after about 4-6 years of growth. Ginseng grows naturally in shady forests, so its cultivation requires careful planning in terms of shading. Wild ginseng is the most valuable of all, as it is much rarer than its cultivated relative.
The most commonly used variety, panax ginseng root, can be seen in the ingredients list with names such as: Panax ginseng root extract, Panax Ginseng Root Oil and Panax Ginseng Root Powder.
The benefits of ginseng in skin care
Anti-aging effect: Ginseng contains antioxidants that fight free radicals and slow down the premature aging of the skin. Regular use of ginseng can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and maintain skin elasticity and youthfulness.
Firming effect: Ginseng improves cell renewal and promotes the growth of healthy skin and stimulates collagen production, thereby increasing skin elasticity. This makes the skin firmer and firmer, and therefore more youthful.
Brightening and skin tone-evening effect: Regular use of ginseng helps to lighten the skin tone and reduce pigment spots, making the skin brighter and smoother.
Anti-inflammatory effect: Ginseng has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness and swelling.
2. Centella Asiatica
Centella Asiatica extract is obtained from the Centella Asiatica plant, which is a herbaceous plant native to tropical Asia that has long been used as a medicinal plant throughout Asia. Centella is also known as Cica or Tiger herb.
The benefits of centella in skin care
Skin soothing effect: Centella's absolute strength in skin care is its soothing properties. The antioxidants it contains soothe irritated skin, and it has a natural anti-inflammatory effect. Centella also helps reduce skin redness.
Anti-aging effect: Centella promotes the formation of new cells and regenerates the skin. In addition, it supports the production of collagen in the skin and helps to maintain the elasticity and elasticity of the skin.
In addition, centella brightens and evens skin tone, helps the skin retain moisture and fades scars.
You can find centella in a lot of Korean skin care products, as it works perfectly with countless other ingredients.
3. Heartleaf, Houttuynia Cordata 어성초
Heartleaf is a common name for the Houttuynia cordata plant used in traditional medicine and cosmetics in Korea. The leaves of the Heartleaf plant are known for their heart-shaped appearance and are also useful in skin care. It is suitable to use as part of skin care routines both morning and evening and is especially suitable for those with acne or sensitive skin.
You can find green chameleon leaf extract in the ingredient list usually under the name Houttuynia Cordata Extract.
The benefits of heartleaf
- Soothes the skin and skin inflammations.
- Naturally antibacterial.
Heartleaf extract works well with many active ingredients, as it helps reduce skin irritation, which is easily caused by things like retinol and chemical peels. Heartleaf's soothing properties can be enhanced by using it with other anti-inflammatory agents, such as aloe vera.
4. Bellflower
Bellflower is grown in all provinces of South Korea until well into autumn. It is enjoyed in many different forms, as an accompaniment to food, as a kind of nutritional supplement in combination with, for example, pear or honey, and as tea, which is often the first remedy for Koreans to tame a cold or sore throat.
The saponins, flavonoids and phenolic acid found in bellflower effectively fight inflammation and help the skin to calm down and regenerate more effectively. Bell flower is found in hwarang' Bell Flower Cleansing Balm.
5. Mugwort, Artemisia 쑥
Mugwort is known for its effective soothing effect on skin and redness. In addition, it helps balance the skin by improving the skin's moisture balance and reducing excessive sebum secretion. It also has a therapeutic antiseptic effect.
6. Rice
The use of rice in skin care dates back thousands of years and has maintained its popularity over time as part of traditional Hanbang skin care due to the many benefits it offers the skin. In this article, we discuss the benefits of rice in skin care products and why it is an important part of the Hanbang tradition.
The benefits of rice in skin care
Moisturizing effect: Rice contains lots of vitamins and minerals that help deeply moisturize the skin. Using rice water in skin care products can help maintain the skin's moisture balance, making the skin soft and supple.
Brightening effect: Rice has natural brightening properties that help even skin tone and reduce the effects of hyperpigmentation.
Antioxidant properties: Rice is a source of antioxidants that protect the skin from the harmful effects of the environment, such as UV radiation and air pollution. Antioxidants also help prevent premature aging and promote skin health.
Prevents impurities: Rice helps gently cleanse the skin of impurities and excess sebum.
7. Goji berry 구기열매
Goji berries are full of vitamins and antioxidants that have a skin brightening effect. In addition, antioxidants protect the skin from external harmful factors that cause premature aging of the skin.
8. Cherry blossom extract
There is no standardized name for cherry blossom extract and it may be called by different names depending on the brand name or ingredient list. However, you can find it on the INCI list under names such as Cherry Blossom Extract, Sakura Extract (sakura refers to the flowering time of cherry blossoms in Asia), Prunus Serrulata Extract (the scientific name for the cherry tree) or Flower Extract.
Beot-kott is cherry blossom season in Korean, which is a very significant spring event. The short lifespan of flowers symbolizes the beauty and fragility of life. When the flowers bloom, many Koreans participate in traditional picnics and parties in parks and streets. This tradition has given cherry blossoms a special symbolic meaning associated with joy and community.
The benefits of cherry blossom extract
- Illuminates, brightens and helps even skin tone.
- The antioxidant effect protects the skin from free radicals.
- Soothes and treats irritated skin.
- Moisturize.
9. Dong Quai, Angelica Sinesis aka Chinese Bear Pipe 당귀
The extract obtained from the blackberry subspecies is an ancient ingredient used as medicine in Korea, China and Japan, which has also gained popularity as an ingredient in skin care products in recent years.
- Antioxidant, protects the skin from free radicals.
- Moisturize.
- The anti-inflammatory effect reduces skin redness and irritation.
- Brightens skin tone.
10. Angelica Gigas Nakai
Like Dong Quai, the Korean ingredient Angelica Root also soothes the skin, but it is also suitable for controlling acne. It is also used to maintain the well-being of the scalp and promote hair growth.
11. Licorice root 기초
Licorice root extract is obtained from the Glycyrrhiza glabra or licorice plant. Root extract is used in skin care for its brightening and anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially used in the treatment of pigment changes and to soothe irritated skin.
12. Schisandra chinensis 오미자
Schisandra berries are an excellent source of antioxidants that protect the skin from external harmful factors. Schisandra also soothes skin redness and irritation.
13. Korean red pine bunches 송이
Korean red pine extract is used for its anti-aging properties. It helps promote skin elasticity and fade lines.
14. Peony 모련
Peony is known not only for its antioxidant properties, but also for its skin soothing and brightening properties.
15. Safflor
Safflower or safflower is a highly moisturizing ingredient in skin care products and is particularly suitable for aging skin.
16. Korean mint 향년
An excellent anti-aging ingredient, which according to research has, among other things, a wrinkle-reducing effect. In addition, Korean mint has antioxidant, cooling and soothing properties.
17. Tangerine
Tangerine has emerged as one of the most fascinating skin care ingredients in Hanbang's skin care tradition. Hanbang refers to traditional Korean medicine, which uses ingredients from nature to balance and treat the body and mind.
Tangerine has begun to establish its place in many skin care products due to its many beneficial properties. In this article, we will go over why tangerine is a great addition to your skin care routine and how it promotes skin health in the Hanbang tradition.
In the Hanbang skin care tradition, tangerine is believed to balance the skin's Qi (life energy), promoting the skin's natural regeneration and vitality. The natural compounds it contains support the health of the skin in a holistic way, making mandarin a valued ingredient in Korean skin care.
The benefits of tangerine in skin care
Antioxidant properties: Tangerine is rich in vitamin C and a rich source of antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. Antioxidants also help prevent premature aging of the skin.
Skin brightens: The vitamin C in tangerine promotes the production of collagen, which helps maintain the skin's elasticity and youthfulness. In addition, it helps brighten skin tone and fade pigmentation, leaving skin radiant and even.
Moisturizing effect: Tangerine also has properties that help bind moisture to the skin and thus promote the skin's moisture balance and reduce the feeling of dryness.
Anti-inflammatory effect: Tangerine's anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritated and inflamed skin, reducing redness and swelling.
