Dear readers,

Just like that, when we thought it was finally summer, the gloomy/rainy phase is back in New York. As always, I hope your skin is in a good place, but if it's going through a moment, which it often does, I hope you're accepting it with generosity rather than stress. 

Today’s post might be especially timely if you and your skin are looking for a little extra support. We're diving into the world of innovative skincare ingredients and why K-beauty continues to be a global top performer in this space.

In fact, did you know that K-beauty has now overtaken French cosmetics in popularity in the U.S.? As of Q1 2025, Korean skincare has surpassed French imports, fueled not just by product efficacy but by the growing influence of Korean culture - K-pop, K-dramas, food, and now, beauty practices that prioritize natural gentleness, layering, and deep skin nourishment. 

(Why the hype about K-beauty? You can read our full breakdown [here].)

Let’s explore three standout ingredients that reflect this innovation:

1. PDRN 

If you've noticed a wave of products featuring PDRN lately, you're not imagining it. This powerful ingredient, originally derived from salmon sperm DNA - is known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. While it might sound intense, many brands are now formulating vegan alternatives to PDRN, offering the same benefits without animal derivatives. 

2. Mucin

Most skincare lovers are familiar with snail mucin, a complex of snail secretion filtrate and deeply moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and allantoin. It's praised for promoting elasticity, healing damaged skin, and delivering deep hydration. Again, as veganism grows within the skincare area, alternatives like phyto mucin or wild yam root extract are offering similar benefits in plant-based forms. 

3. Mugwort
Due to its long use in traditional Korean medicine, mugwort has continued its life in modern skincare and is a popular skincare ingredient among Koreans. Mugwort is rich in antioxidants and celebrated for its calming, barrier-supporting properties, which makes it ideal for sensitive or inflamed skin. 

These three ingredients are just the surface of K-beauty’s innovation, saying that powerful skincare can come from the unexpected. We’d love to know: which ingredient surprised you most? Or even better, which one has worked for your skin?

On that note, we're excited to share some exciting news: we’ve been working on a new skincare line that brings these types of next-gen ingredients together in a thoughtful way to support your evolving skin needs. Please remain tuned!!! 

Until then, here’s to healthier skin and yourself. 

Warm wishes,  

KNOURS