K-Beauty Updates 2026

The new shift in K-beauty!

Right now, we're in the middle of an exciting K-Beauty shift. It's not about a single ingredient or another trend that comes and goes, but about how the whole category is moving forward. Towards more thoughtful formulations, greater focus on the skin's function and products that are meant to work over time - not just deliver quick results.

From intensity to stability

One clear change we've seen in recent years is how the focus has slowly but surely shifted from intensive treatments to more stable skincare.

Many customers describe the same thing:
skin is more sensitive, more reactive and less forgiving than before. At the same time, there is more interest in long-term skin quality than in quick 'wow' effects.

As a result, more and more brands - especially in K-beauty - are prioritizing formulations that:

strengthen the skin barrier
help skin recover between active periods
are adapted for continuous use

It is in this context that we see an increased focus on ingredients such as PDRN, peptides and growth-supporting ingredients such as EGF.

Ingredients we see more of and why

Instead of chasing new, extreme active ingredients, we see several well-studied components being used in smarter ways.

PDRN is increasingly appearing in formulations that focus on recovery and overall skin quality. It's an ingredient often used when skin has been stressed, treated or out of balance - and fits well into longer-term routines.

Peptide complexes are increasingly used to support skin structure and function over time. It is not a 'quick-fix' ingredient, but rather something that builds stability into the routine.

EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) is another example. It is used to support the skin's natural renewal processes. It's an ingredient that requires patience - but one that many appreciate for that very reason.

Here are some products in our range that clearly reflect this trend:

Klairs - Freshly Juiced Vitamin Essence Toner
Contains vegan PDRN (Sodium DNA) and is designed to support skin recovery, moisture balance and barrier.
A product that is often appreciated precisely because it is easy to use daily, even when the skin feels sensitive.

COSRX - The 6 Peptide Skin Booster
A concentrate with several peptides that focuses on the structure and long-term quality of the skin.

GLOWiD - Glow & Plump Chok Chok Serum
In addition to its soft, moisturizing texture, it also contains a 9x peptide complex.
A great example of how experience and function can be combined without compromising either.

Saturday Skin - Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
Contains EGF ingredients and several supportive polypeptides.
A lightweight gel-cream that many choose precisely for its balance between advanced content and lovely use.

Klairs - Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop
Also contains EGF !
A more concentrated product for those who want to focus on skin renewal and long-term skin health.

Here's how to use it:
Drip 1-2 drops immediately after cleansing your skin and pat in. Then continue with toner and the rest of your routine.

Sensorial skincare

In parallel with the science-led beauty shift, we see how the feel of the skin has become increasingly important. It's not about products being 'fun', but about texture and after-feel actually affecting how consistently we use our skincare.

Jelly-like, cooling and easily absorbed textures make it easier to:

apply multiple layers without skin feeling heavy
use the products daily
adapt your routine to your skin's daily condition

Products that we think fit very well in this context:

These are products that combine function with a pleasant user experience - something that has become increasingly important to many.

K-Haircare

Another clear development is how hair care is becoming more and more like skin care - especially when it comes to the scalp.

A clear sign of how scalp care has become a natural part of K-beauty is that COSRX has now launched its very first hair care series. With the Peptide-132 Hair Care Collection, the brand is bringing its clinical, minimalist skincare philosophy into the world of K-Haircare!

The launch reflects a wider movement in the beauty industry where more and more people are embracing what is often referred to as the skinification of hair - an approach where the scalp is treated with the same care as the skin. For us, it feels less like a trend and more like a logical next step in K-beauty!

Products that fit into this development

Small changes in how you care for your scalp often make a bigger difference than you think - especially over time.

What's next?

For 2026 we see a clear focus on:

more elaborate formulations
products that are meant to be used for a long time
less stress on skin and hair

We have a lot of news coming up that clearly reflects all of this - and several launches we are really looking forward to sharing with you!

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Lots of love,
Team GLOWiD!