Korean cosmetics are known worldwide for their innovative and interesting products, but for centuries in Korea, beauty care has always focused on one thing above all: balance. In this article, we will go through the history of Korean cosmetics and the significance of Korean traditional medicine, that is hanbang, in beauty care. We will also explore a few popular hanbang ingredients and what results they can offer for your skincare.

This is also the first part of our new article series: Yeppo Glow Guide, where we go step-by-step through the secrets of Korean cosmetics! ✨

What is Hanbang? 🫚

Hanbang refers to Korean traditional medicine, whose roots go back thousands of years and which was shaped long ago based on Chinese medicine. The oldest texts found in hanbang come from the Joseon dynasty, 17th century, from the Korean medical book Donguibogam. This extensive medical opus lists health care methods and techniques as well as tips for achieving soft and smooth skin. Donguibogam is divided into five parts, one of which is Oehyeong, treatment of the body’s external parts. This referred to, among other things, the face, skin, and hair.

Korean traditional medicine is based on balance, the mutual harmony of yin and yang, and holistic care of the whole body. Hanbang’s focus is primarily on restoring the body’s balance and slowing aging. Hanbang is still commonly used as a medical treatment in Korea today and legally in Korea, it is equivalent to Western medical treatments and medicines. 

Hanbang therefore does not only refer to beauty care, but its principles and effective ingredients have inspired many cosmetic brands today. 

Photo credit: The Unesco Courier 2018. Donguibogam, precious book of Korean medicine. Accessed 17.2.2026.

What is hanbang cosmetics? 🧴

Hanbang cosmetic products use old, traditionally utilized natural and traditional ingredients in Korean culture in various forms, such as plant extracts, herbs, and roots. These ingredients are known for their beneficial and healing properties in skincare and even medicine. Ingredients used hundreds of years ago, for example, to soothe inflammations, are now used as skin-soothing ingredients in cosmetics. 

Hanbang is often a source of inspiration for a brand or the use of one or more hanbang ingredients in a cosmetic product. Many hanbang ingredients are very popular and widely used in Korea for both beauty and health care. The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set a limit that a product must contain at least 1% hanbang ingredient to be advertised as hanbang cosmetics. 

If you want skincare that focuses more on the benefits of these natural ingredients, especially keep in mind these Korean brands: [hwarang'], Beauty of Joseon, Ma:nyo, SKIN1004, and K-Secret.

Hanbang ingredients by skin problems 🌿

Although hanbang focuses on the balance of the whole body, and traditional hanbang cosmetics do not focus on a single skin problem, it is easier for us to look at it from these perspectives. Therefore, we have divided these most popular Korean hanbang ingredients according to which skin problem they are best at solving! 

There are hundreds of natural ingredients used in hanbang, and they are either parts of plants, such as roots, leaves, berries, or minerals, or animal-derived ingredients. In cosmetics, plant-based ingredients are the most typical.

The naming of products in ingredient lists varies depending on which part of the plant, root, etc., has been used. We present the beginnings of the most common INCI names in parentheses after the ingredient, where the mentioned hanbang ingredients can be found in the ingredient list.

Well-aging ingredients:

Ginseng

Ginseng (panax ginseng) is one of the best-known ingredients in hanbang and has been used in Asia and Europe for hundreds and even thousands of years. It is used in beauty care primarily for its firming and revitalizing properties. In addition, ginseng has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness and swelling. Discover the wonderful ginseng, for example, in Beauty of Joseon's popular Ginseng essence water or the K-secret line utilizing black ginseng.

You can find more information about ginseng in the dedicated article.

Safflower 홍화

Safflower or colored safflower is a highly moisturizing ingredient in skincare products and is especially suitable for aging skin. Find safflower, for example, in Dr.Different's retinal serums. Safflower together with retinaldehyde is an effective package in the fight against signs of aging.

Peony 모란

Peony is known not only for its antioxidant properties but also for its skin-soothing and brightening effects. A hanbang ingredient that revitalizes and firms the skin, it has long been a beloved part of Korean culture. It has been used in Korean medicine for various hormonal and circulatory ailments as well as for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Discover the delightful peony in the [hwarang'] Peony Grinding cleansing balm! 

Skin brightening ingredients:

Yuja 

Yuja (citrus junos), also known as Yuzu, is a citrus plant rich in antioxidants. Find this antioxidant-rich ingredient in, among others, the [hwarang'] Yuja Sweet Lip Volumizer lip mask and the Heveblue's Black Yuja line. 

Licorice Root extract 감초

Licorice root extract (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is obtained from the licorice plant and has long been a popular ingredient both in Asia and the West. Licorice root extract is used in skincare for its brightening and anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially utilized in treating pigmentation changes and soothing irritated skin. You can find licorice root extract in many of our products, such as the Some By Mi Retinol Reactivating serum. 

Omija or Schisandra berry 오미자

Omija berry (Schisandra Chinensis) is an excellent source of antioxidants that protect the skin from external harmful factors. Omija also soothes skin redness and irritation. You can find Omija in [hwarang']’s viral Omija Glow Lip Mask lip mask, which also gives it its natural red tint ❤️

Rice

Ingredients that strengthen and soothe the skin:

Centella Asiatica

Gotu kola (centella asiatica) is one of the most familiar ingredients in Korean hanbang beauty care. It is a true K-beauty powerhouse ingredient, especially used in products that calm the skin. Many who suffer from skin redness, irritation, and sensitivity benefit from centella asiatica. That’s why we have dedicated a separate article to it: Read more about Centella, or gotu kola extract.

Various compounds are also derived from Centella Asiatica, concentrating the properties of centella. These are found under names such as madecassoside and asiatic acid. Especially the cult-favorite Madeca Cream Time Reverse moisturizer from Centellian24 contains many ingredients extracted from centella asiatica that both soothe and promote the maintenance of healthy and youthful skin. 

Bellflower 

Bellflower is grown in all provinces of South Korea until late autumn. It is enjoyed in many different forms, such as a side dish, a kind of dietary supplement combined with pear or honey, and as tea, which is often the first way Koreans soothe a cold or sore throat.

The saponins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids contained in bellflower effectively fight inflammation, helping to soothe the skin. You can find bellflower in products like [hwarang'] Bellflower Moisturizing Barrier Cream and [hwarang'] Bellflower Cleansing Balm

Mugwort, Artemisia or mugwort 쑥

Mugwort is known for its effective soothing effect on the skin and skin redness. In addition, it helps balance the skin by improving skin moisture balance and reducing excessive sebum secretion. It also has a cleansing antiseptic effect.

You can find mugwort in several products from our selection, such as [Round Lab] Mugwort Calming Cream, [Isntree] Real Mugwort Clay Mask, and [Axis-Y] Mugwort Green Vital Energy Complex Sheet Mask.

Korean Red Pine 송이

Korean pine (Pinus Densiflora) is an antioxidant as well as a skin-soothing and balancing ingredient used in Korean healthcare for many purposes, including wound care. According to some studies, it may also have good skin tone evening properties. Find Korean pine extract, for example, in K-Secret products

Ingredients suitable for oily skin:

Red bean

Red bean (Phaseolus Angularis) is one of the earliest ingredients in Korean beauty care. Its naturally occurring saponins have made it an easy and simple cleanser when used with water, and it has a skin-cleansing and balancing effect. Find purifying red bean in the Beauty of Joseon face mask, which is a perfect clay mask for oily skin. 

Green plum 매실

Green plum (Prunus Mume) is not only a popular cosmetic ingredient but also widely used in cooking and drinks. In skincare, its naturally occurring acids help gently exfoliate the skin while providing antioxidant benefits. Find green plum in Beauty of Joseon products! 

Are you already curious to try hanbang ingredients?