Guides

How to use the guides

Guides are the long-form part of this site. They exist to answer the question behind a purchase rather than to push a single product: what an ingredient does, what the published research supports, which skin types tend to tolerate it, and where it sits in a routine. Read a guide first when you are unsure whether a category is right for you; read a product page when you have already decided on the category and need to choose between specific formulas.

The guide types, and what each is for

Ingredient guides:

One active per guide — how it is thought to work, what the evidence does and does not establish, typical concentrations where they are disclosed, and the irritation or layering cautions worth knowing.

Routine guides:

A full morning and evening order for one skin type, with the reasoning for each step and notes on what to introduce slowly.

Buying guides:

A shortlist for one need, with the selection criteria stated up front so you can disagree with them.

Beginner guides:

Fundamentals — cleansing, barrier support, sunscreen and how to add an active without overloading your skin.

Brand guides:

What a brand tends to formulate around, how transparent its ingredient disclosure is, and which of its products we have researched.

Choosing where to start

• New to Korean skincare: start with a beginner guide, then the routine guide for your skin type.
• Reacting or sensitised: read the barrier and soothing ingredient guides before adding anything new.
• Already have a routine and want one upgrade: read the ingredient guide for the active you are considering, then compare specific products.

Every guide states its research date and lists its sources. Scoring is explained in our review methodology, and ingredient explainers cover the actives referenced throughout.