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Evidence for Anti-Aging South Korean Cosmeceuticals.

Ellinor R Quay, Yunyoung C Chang, Emmy Graber

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD

|April 14, 2017

Summary

South Korean skincare ingredients show modest anti-aging and whitening effects, but high-level evidence is lacking. Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these popular cosmeceuticals.

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Area of Science:

Dermatology
Cosmeceuticals
Pharmacology

Background:

The global market for South Korean skincare is expanding.
Consumers are seeking dermatological advice on product efficacy.
Popular South Korean skincare ingredients require scientific validation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and critically evaluate the evidence for anti-aging and skin whitening properties of popular South Korean skincare ingredients.
To identify top-selling South Korean cosmeceutical brands and their key ingredients.
To grade the efficacy of nine popular ingredients based on available literature.

Main Methods:

Industry profit data from Euromonitor identified top brands.
Ingredient analysis of best-selling products from brand websites.
Literature search on PubMed for anti-aging and whitening efficacy of nine ingredients (licorice, niacinamide, beta-glucan, snail mucus, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, green tea, pomegranate, soy).

Main Results:

Niacinamide, green tea, licorice, and soy demonstrated the most published data for anti-aging and whitening.
The available literature indicates modest results for these ingredients.
Small sample sizes in existing studies limit the interpretation of efficacy.

Conclusions:

High-level evidence supporting the anti-aging and skin whitening claims of popular South Korean skincare products is currently lacking.
While some ingredients show promise, further rigorous research is necessary.
Dermatologists should be aware of the limited scientific backing when advising consumers.

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