TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Korean beauty, or K-Beauty, has changed how we see skincare. It gave us "glass skin" and the famous multi-step routine. K-Beauty turns daily habits into a ritual of care. It uses specific active ingredients to solve real skin concerns. This influence has made Korean products a global staple.
By 2026, K-Beauty moves toward efficiency. Science leads the way with bioactive beauty and new ingredients. The industry is also looking closer at scalp health. These trends promise cleaner skin and hair that looks thick and healthy. The focus is now on deep, biological health.
Caroline Choi, founder of Mizz Korea, calls this smart minimalism. "Skin care that’s luxurious, multitasking, and deeply intuitive," she told Elle.
Choi believes next year will focus on new ingredients and transformative textures. We will see products that change shape during use. Fun formats, like jelly nails, will also trend. Meanwhile, long routines with too many steps are fading. Consumers want results without the clutter.
Top K-Beauty Trends 2026
Here are the top K-Beauty trends predicted for 2026.
1. Hair Essence
Essence is a classic K-Beauty step for the face. It is a liquid that boosts hydration and plumps the skin. In 2026, this concept moves to hair care. People are treating their scalp like their face. They want the same care for hair follicles as they do for pores.
Dr. Jae Yong Ban, CEO of Bano Cosmetics, says the essence format is ready for hair.
"The hair essence market, in particular, seems poised for growth, with potential trends including essence products containing cica to help soothe scalp irritation and root-strengthening essences formulated to help reduce hair loss," Ban told Elle.
Early versions of these products are already appearing. They offer a light way to treat hair without heavy oils.
2. PDRN
PDRN is a substance from salmon DNA fragments. Doctors have used it for years to heal skin after surgery. Now, in 2026, it is reaching the general public. It is no longer just for clinics. It is coming to your vanity.
Dr. Ban expects PDRN to become a household name. This ingredient fights inflammation and helps the body make collagen. It speeds up skin repair. While few brands use it now, Ban predicts more PDRN creams and serums will hit the market soon. It is the next big step in regenerative beauty.
3. Exosomes
Exosomes are the latest "it" ingredient in bioactive science. Ban predicts their popularity will peak soon. These are tiny bubbles released by cells. They carry proteins and genetic data to other cells. They act like a messenger system, telling cells how to repair themselves.
In skincare, exosomes boost collagen and repair tissue. The challenge is quality. Only human-derived exosomes work well on human skin. This means the cell source and growth environment are vital. To solve this, brands are moving toward bioengineered exosomes. You can see this in treatments like AnteAGE PEARL, which combines microneedling with exosomes and PDRN.
4. Skin Barrier Focus
Protecting the skin barrier is the top priority for 2026. Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a dermatologist at UnionDerm, says barrier products will evolve. The goal is to keep the skin's natural shield strong against pollution and stress.
"This aligns with what Korean dermatologists have emphasized for years: Gentle, consistent skin care that focuses on skin health," she says.
Caroline Choi also backs this shift. She believes using the right prep products is essential. When the barrier is strong, skin is less likely to react to external triggers. Health is now more important than a temporary glow.
5. Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA)
PLLA is famous as the main ingredient in fillers like Sculptra. It stimulates the body to create its own collagen. Ban predicts that 2026 will see PLLA move into over-the-counter creams. You won't need a needle for these benefits.
Topical PLLA is not as strong as an injection, but it still works. It provides light exfoliation and deep hydration. It gives the skin an immediate smooth look. Over time, it helps the skin stay elastic and firm. It is a slow beauty ingredient that builds lasting results.
6. Plant-Based Active Ingredients
Plant ingredients are a K-Beauty staple, but the technology is improving. The 2026 approach uses functional proteins that mimic how skin works. It is about the harmony between nature and biology. Science is now extracting the most potent parts of plants.
"Oat protein has become a true star for its ability to lock in moisture, strengthen the barrier, and calm irritation, while hydrolyzed protein helps the skin appear plumper and more youthful thanks to its high absorbability," Choi explains.
She also points to Orchistem, a plant stem cell extract. "It boosts collagen production and supports skin elasticity, helping achieve that natural, glass-skin luminosity K-Beauty is known for, but in a smarter, more sustainable way," she added.
7. Shorter, Targeted Routines
The 10-step routine is officially changing. Experts say the era of "more is more" is over. Viral TikTok trends and "layering for the sake of layering" are losing fans. Consumers are tired of complicated steps that lack clear results.
"In 2026, we will see fewer, smarter steps with multi-functional products and an evidence-backed approach to skin care," says Dr. Chang.
People are becoming more selective. They want products developed by dermatologists and tested in labs. The focus has shifted to long-term health. Quality is finally winning over quantity.
ELLE | HARPERS BAZAAR
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