The Korean words worth knowing on a skincare box

A short vocabulary unlocks most Korean packaging: 수분 (hydration), 진정 (soothing), 미백 (brightening), 주름개선 (wrinkle improvement), 각질 (dead skin), 모공 (pores), 저자극 (low irritation), 무향료 (fragrance-free) and 민감성 (sensitive skin).

Concern words

수분 means hydration or moisture and marks the enormous Korean hydration category. 진정 means soothing or calming, the word on every cica product. 각질 means dead surface skin and appears on exfoliants. 모공 means pores. 탄력 means elasticity or firmness.

Claim words

미백 is brightening, 주름개선 is wrinkle improvement, and 자외선차단 is UV protection — the three main functional-cosmetic claim categories, each requiring review before it may appear.

Suitability words

저자극 means low irritation, 무향료 fragrance-free, 무알콜 alcohol-free, and 민감성 sensitive skin. For reactive skin these four are the most useful words on the box, and they are usually printed together.

Format words

스킨 is what Korea calls toner, 에센스 essence, 앰플 ampoule, 로션 a light emulsion rather than a Western body lotion, and 크림 cream. Knowing 스킨 means toner resolves most of the confusion Western shoppers have with Korean routines.

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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.