By Angeli Mamaril & Ces Andres

When we first stepped into KINTEX, Korea’s largest exhibition center, we were stunned. Imagine walking into a beauty wonderland with 790 booths from 512 companies, all proudly showcasing why K-Beauty continues to take the world by storm. From September 11 to 13, the K-BEAUTY EXPO KOREA 2025 welcomed over 40,000 visitors—and we were two of the very lucky ones.

The moment we entered, our senses were overloaded in the best possible way: dazzling displays of skincare, makeup innovations, hair treatments, spa tech, and beauty devices that looked like they came straight from the future. Everywhere we turned, people were testing, trying, and marveling at products designed to make skin glow, stay youthful, and look effortlessly flawless.

And then it hit us: so this is why Koreans have such beautiful skin! The sheer variety of serums, masks, essences, sunscreens, and high-tech gadgets—combined with a genuine culture of skincare awareness—makes beauty not just a routine, but a lifestyle.

Walking through the aisles, we couldn’t help but think of home. If only this same skin care consciousness could rub off on us Filipinos! While we’re naturally blessed with our own beauty, we sometimes neglect the basics of taking care of our skin. In Korea, it’s different. People—men and women alike—start skincare young, practice it daily, and take it seriously.

By the end of our visit, we were carrying bags full of samples, our heads full of ideas, and our hearts full of excitement. K-Beauty isn’t just about looking good—it’s about valuing yourself enough to care for your body and face every single day.

As we flew back, we made a little pact: to share what we’ve learned, try new routines, and maybe inspire others around us to see skincare not as vanity, but as self-love.

Because if there’s one thing we realized in Seoul, it’s this: beautiful skin is no accident—it’s a choice, a habit, and yes, sometimes, a 10-step process!