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7. K-Beauty vs I-Beauty: What’s the Difference?

Who doesn’t long for a bright and glowing skin? Facial skin is sensitive and prone to infections and damage. And that’s why knowing the difference between your skin routines is a must.

After all the fatigue that comes with using a K-Beauty routine, not to mention the increased sensitivity from using too many products, the welcome change that is taking skin care over, is the minimalistic I-unique ingredients and unique routines, engineered to work for Indian skin types in Indian climates and Indian atmospheric conditions (aka pollution levels).

Dr. Renita Rajan, Consultant Dermatologist at RENDER Clinic highlights the main differences between the K-Beauty trends and the up and coming I- Beauty. Take a Look!

1.) K-Beauty was a trend, and was applicable only to a small proportion of Indian skin types. In contrast, I-Beauty is not a trend. Rather, it is a reconnection to a minimalistic way of skin care, where the end result matters more than the laborious process. So more than being a trend, I-Beauty is a classic way of skin care.

2.) The biggest and most obvious difference between a K-Beauty protocol and an Indian skin care routine is the number of products. Research shows that the higher the number of products on the skin, the higher is the skin sensitivity. So instead of ten steps of a beauty ritual which focuses more on the process of skin care, Indian beauty routines instead start with the objectives.

3.) What is the end result we want – clearer skin, brighter skin, reduce acne, increase skin reflectance, improve hydration, slow down aging – the Indian skin care routine starts with this. In contrast, the K-Beauty regimen has one, rather unrealistic skin goal called the glass skin care routine. The Indian beauty routine includes the glass skin routine aka increased skin hydration and reflectance, but goes on to do much more as well.

4.) As much as the I-Beauty routine is focused on the outcomes, the starting point is the current state of the skin. The Indian beauty routine focuses as much on where the skin is right now, in other words, being self aware matters more than comparing oneself with others. Unlike a K-Beauty regimen which suggests a one size fits all approach, Indian beauty skin care programs address the ground situation first, and then build a routine on that, to deliver results.

5.) There is a heavy emphasis on the naturalness of the ingredients, not to mention an increased focus on vegan and clean beauty options. Animal products like snail mucin with its dubious benefits are replaced by well-researched, plant-based ingredient options. Again, the effectiveness of a product is the deciding factor.

6.) DIY goes big in I-Beauty, embracing the goodness of hydroxy acids. Considering that exfoliation is one of the key factors against pollution-induced pigmentation, sun protection, and hydroxy acids are the two big pillars of I-Beauty routines.

7.) I-Beauty understands the diversity of Indian skin types, where not everything is about complexion, unlike K-Beauty trends. I-Beauty is about holistic skin health, including lifestyle and dietary modifications and understands the impact of these factors on beauty and skin. In other words, I-Beauty includes all the factors that work for skin health, put together in simple and sustainable ecosystems.

The Indian Beauty Routine (I-Beauty Routine) belongs to the school of thought, “where less is more!” So what’s not to cheer about the I-Beauty revolution?