I Tested The Best Korean Skincare Brands for a Month. Here Are the Ones That Soothed My Fragile, Sensitive Skin.
Why we like it: If you're familiar with K-beauty, chances are you have heard of Beauty of Joseon. This brand went especially viral on social media. It is known for having a diverse product lineup for all skin concerns. I tested the popular Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel and the Ginseng Essence Water on my dry and sensitive skin. I highly recommend the peeling gel. Its grittiness is made of plant-based cellulose that gently exfoliates the skin and addresses texture issues. It has a slight scent, but the ingredients have never been too harsh or irritating to my skin. I love how soft my face feels after using the gel.
Who is it best for: This brand is great for those with sensitive skin, like me. I haven't had any reaction to the products that I have tested, and according to my extensive research online in K-beauty forums, this resonates with many others with sensitive skin. Since the brand has so many products to offer, this might be a good brand to try for newcomers.
Who should not get it: Those with acne-prone or extremely oily skin may be a bit wary of some of the oil-based products, especially products that contain coconut oil. It may clog pores or irritate the skin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
28 minutes ago
- News24
Out derm spot! We take a dive into the new salmon sperm skincare trend
Carmen Williams dives into the latest breakthrough in skincare, PDRN, a DNA-derived ingredient often sourced from salmon sperm, that's transforming skin repair, anti-aging, and post-treatment recovery. Get into the science behind PDRN, its proven benefits, and why South African clinics are beginning to embrace this innovative treatment. Whether you're curious about in-clinic options or topical applications, this guide has everything you need to decide if PDRN deserves a spot in your skincare routine. Retinol, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are just some of the trendy skincare ingredients we've seen in the last few years, but now there's a new supreme – and its origins might surprise you. Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), a DNA fragment most commonly sourced from salmon sperm, is being hailed as a game-changer for skin repair, anti-ageing, and post-treatment recovery. But does it live up to the hype? Are South African aesthetic clinics offering these treatments? And what should you know before trying this new miracle ingredient? News24 spoke to Dr Dilshaad Asmal, a dermatologist, and Maryke Kaasjager, aesthetician and owner of Best Laser and Skin Clinic, to unpack the science, benefits, and whether this ingredient is worth adding to your skincare routine. What exactly is it? PDRN is a DNA-derived ingredient that promotes cell regeneration, collagen production, and wound healing. Originally studied for its ability to speed up recovery in diabetic ulcers (with one Italian study showing 37.3% of PDRN-treated wounds fully healing within eight weeks compared to just 18.9% in the placebo group), it has since made its way into aesthetic medicine and luxury skincare. 'It has regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties,' explains Asmal. 'It stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen, and helps with new blood vessel formation, ensuring better nutrient delivery to skin cells.' READ | Skincare and tattoos: What retinol, acids, and vitamin C will do to your ink What surprises most people is that most PDRN in use today comes from a derivative of salmon sperm, thanks to a similarity between the polynucleotides extracted from salmon DNA and human DNA. However, plant-based alternatives are emerging, like ginseng-derived PDRN. Ginseng has antioxidant properties and may improve hydration and elasticity, but it's more commonly found in cosmetic products rather than medical treatments. Salmon-based PDRN remains the gold standard - unless you're allergic to seafood (more on that later). Kaasjager's clinic became interested in using PDRN after seeing its success overseas. 'We're always on the lookout for innovative, evidence-based treatments that deliver real results,' says Kaasjager. 'After diving into clinical studies and witnessing its success in Korean and European clinics, we decided to incorporate it into our microneedling treatments.' PDRN in skincare: What can it actually do? According to Asmal, the most proven benefits of PDRN include: Firmer, smoother, more elastic skin Reduced fine lines and wrinkles Improved hydration and skin tone Faster healing post-surgery or laser treatments Kaasjager also praises the ingredient and its benefits. But there's a catch - how you use it matters. Injected vs topical: What works better? Injected PDRN (used in clinics) penetrates deep into the dermis, activating collagen synthesis and blood vessel formation. Topical PDRN (serums, creams) has limited penetration due to the skin barrier. 'Studies support that injected PDRN is more effective,' says Asmal. So, while PDRN-infused serums may offer some benefits, in-office treatments (like microneedling with PDRN) deliver far better results. At Best Laser and Skin Clinic, Kaasjager and her team offer various treatment options, such as a microneedling serum during Dermapen treatments, radio-frequency needling, and after HIFU skin tightening. 'While still considered advanced in South Africa, awareness is growing rapidly,' says Kaasjager. Who should try PDRN? PDRN isn't just for anti-ageing; it's a great skincare multitasker that can help with: Ageing skin (boosts collagen, reduces wrinkles) Acne scars & pigmentation (improves skin tone) Post-laser or peel recovery (speeds healing) Inflammatory skin conditions (soothes irritation) Hair growth (early studies suggest scalp benefits) Post-surgery healing (used in plastic and orthopaedic surgery) Is it safe for all skin types? Kaasjager says that PDRN is generally safe for all skin types, even sensitive skin, but precautions are taken with clients who have seafood allergies, active infections, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. 'We prefer using it with microneedling treatments for better tolerance,' she says. 'Ensure you're working with a trained professional using high-quality PDRN and have realistic expectations. Best results come from a series of treatments and a holistic skincare approach,' adds Kaasjager. Can PDRN replace retinol or microneedling? The short answer? No. But it is a potent enhancer of those treatments. 'It's not a replacement, but it enhances outcomes,' says Asmal. PDRN + retinol = Better hydration and repair for sensitive skin PDRN + Microneedling = Faster collagen stimulation Kaasjager says PDRN can make for a powerful combo: 'When combined with RF microneedling or laser, PDRN accelerates healing, amplifies collagen production, and reduces downtime. It's a game-changer for achieving better textural improvements and glow.' She adds that PDRN works well with hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and niacinamide, but aggressive exfoliants should be avoided after treatment to ensure the most benefits. It is worth noting that PDRN is not suitable for those with seafood allergies, particularly an allergy to salmon. Be sure to inform your aesthetician of your allergy before treatment of any kind. What are the risks and side effects? While using PDRN is generally safe, you should watch out for: - Redness, swelling, or itching (common at injection sites); - Rare allergic reactions (especially if you have a seafood allergy because it should be avoided in that case); - Avoid if pregnant, breastfeeding, or immunocompromised. Is it just a niche fad, or will it become mainstream? While it's still a luxury treatment, Asmal believes PDRN has staying power. 'There's a growing demand for non-invasive anti-ageing treatments,' she says. 'It's being used in dermatology, plastic surgery, and post-laser care.' But she warns: 'It is not a miracle anti-ageing treatment, and it does not work immediately. Its effects are gradual, and multiple sessions are needed to see results. There is no instant gratification.' Kaasjager adds that in-office treatments can produce faster results, but they still take a while: 'With microneedling, clients typically see improved hydration within 7-10 days. Long-term benefits like improved texture and elasticity become noticeable after 3-4 sessions.' But if you're using topical treatments, look for products that have been clinically tested by reputable manufacturers. 'Professional-grade products generally have higher concentrations,' she says. 'We believe PDRN is on the trajectory to become much more mainstream, especially as regenerative aesthetics grow. It may soon become a standard skin-repair ingredient,' says Kaasjager. PDRN is more than just a skincare trend - it's a clinically backed regenerative treatment with documented benefits when incorporated into skincare routines under professional supervision. While topical products may offer some perks, the best results come from in-clinic procedures. Microneedling treatments with a dermapen at Best Laser and Skin Clinic are R1 590 for the basic treatment, but there's an additional fee of R300 if you're adding PDRN.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Iranians saw America as better friend than Russia before war: Official
(NewsNation) — Iran's Health Ministry spokesman told NewsNation that Iranians viewed America as a better friend than Russia before President Donald Trump backed Israel's attacks. 'There was no perception about America prior to this. Some didn't like America, some had no opinion, and some considered America a better friend than Russia,' spokesman Hossein Kermanpour in an interview with NewsNation. A week into their war, Israel and Iran exchanged more strikes Friday as new diplomatic efforts led by the Europeans took place in Geneva. Kermanpour said Iranians were 'very surprised' by Trump and European support for the Israeli operation, adding that it confirmed suspicions that 'America is not to be trusted.' He said the strikes came 'in the midst of fruitful negotiations.' Iran nuclear weapons claims: What we know and what we don't However, he said that Iranians do not support U.S. involvement in the conflict with Israel following the recent strikes. Iran's Health Ministry reported more than 3,000 people injured in Israeli strikes, with 90% being civilians, and about 400 killed, according to Kermanpour. Kermanpour said about 2,000 of the injured have been treated and discharged. The casualties include a 2-month-old baby who was killed and a 4-year-old boy among the wounded, making them the youngest victims and injured, respectively. The Health Ministry spokesman said the attacks occurred 'while the people were sleeping' and targeted 'more than ten provinces of the country, including Tehran,' killing what he described as 'a significant number of civilians and military,' calling them 'martyrs.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
These may be the 3 most effective non-drug ways to treat knee arthritis
A knee brace appears to be one of the more effective ways to treat the pain - as well as improve function and stiffness - from osteoarthritis, the common degenerative process where the cartilage cushioning the joint deteriorates over time. Researchers in China ranked the relative effectiveness of a dozen treatments, ranging from laser and ultrasound therapy to wedged insoles and kinesiology tape, studied in 139 randomized controlled trials. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Based on the results from 9,644 participants, the simple knee brace ranked highest in effectiveness to alleviate symptoms of arthritis, the researchers concluded. However, 'the challenge,' said Prakash Jayabalan, the director of musculoskeletal research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, 'is getting patients to actually wear knee braces.' Jayabalan and other clinicians who weren't involved in the study said knee braces can provide certain people immediate relief by supporting the load on the joint. But, some patients find braces uncomfortable to wear. Hydrotherapy and exercises such as weightlifting and yoga placed second and third in the meta-analysis ranking. Hydrotherapy, also known as water exercises or aquatherapy, is a treatment approach designed to improve symptoms. And experts said staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are the most effective ways to relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. 'Both of those can improve symptoms and slow the progression of arthritis,' said Morgan Jones, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Mass General Brigham. The peer-reviewed study published in PLOS One on Wednesday. It was led by Yuan Luo, a researcher in the department of rehabilitation at the First People's Hospital of Neijiang, China, who did not respond to questions by the time of publication. - - - What causes knee osteoarthritis? When cartilage in the knee breaks down, the joint is left with 'bone on bone motion,' Jayabalan said. Cartilage can't repair itself like other tissues in the body and, oftentimes, people don't know they've lost the cartilage in their knee until it's gone, he said. There are two common risk factors for knee arthritis - a previous knee injury such as an ACL tear and unhealthy weight gain, said Steve Messier, the director of the J.B. Snow Biomechanics Laboratory at Wake Forest University. Every pound of additional body weight amounts to four pounds of stress on the knees when a person is walking, Messier said. Once someone has arthritis in their knee, they need to make broad lifestyle changes with regular exercise to manage the pain, he said. 'It really doesn't matter what type of exercise you do, just so you're being active,' Messier said. 'They all will reduce pain.' Other clinicians agree staying active is one of the best ways to relieve knee arthritis pain. It's the first recommendation in guidelines published in 2019 from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Around 33 million U.S. adults have osteoarthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People commonly take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to relieve the symptoms. But, these pain-relievers can damage the lining of your gut. Jayabalan said he recommends people use NSAIDs for no more than 10 days when they're experiencing 'debilitating pain' that is impacting their function. 'You should not be taking these every day,' he said. Knee replacements have long been the gold standard for damaged joints, but it can take up to a year for some people to fully recover from surgery. Emerging alternatives target the nerves to stop the knee pain and block blood flow to reduce inflammation. 'Two people can have the same amount of structural damage in their knee and have totally different pain profiles,' said Jones, also an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. 'The decision for knee replacement ends up being really individualized, and the focus is on the person's symptoms.' - - - What did the study find? The knee brace ranked best on various scores of pain, stiffness and function, and had the 'highest probability of being the best technique,' the researchers wrote. Jones said a knee brace can be 'very effective' in people who have arthritis in certain compartments of the knee because the brace can shift the load to another part of the joint. 'But, if somebody has arthritis throughout their knee, an unloader brace is not as likely to be helpful,' he said. 'They don't have a more-normal area to off-load the force to.' The researchers compared a dozen interventions: low-level laser therapy, high-intensity laser therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, interferential current, short wave diathermy, ultrasound, lateral wedged insole, knee brace, exercise, hydrotherapy, kinesio taping and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Hydrotherapy ranked second in some scores. Water buoyancy takes pressure off the knee joints and helps improve range of motion for some people, Jayabalan said. Ultrasound pulse therapy to treat knee arthritis 'remains contentious' and performed the worst across multiple scores, the researchers wrote. And, they concluded that wedged insoles, which attempt to shift the load on the knee by lifting one side of the foot, did not 'outperform neutral devices in pain reduction.' Insoles used to be a popular therapy for knee osteoarthritis but 'multiple studies' have shown they don't help, Jones said. - - - The study's limitations Many of the studies in the meta-analysis are short, six to 12 weeks, Messier said. Therefore, the results support only short-term pain relief from these treatments. 'It may relieve pain for a little while, but it's not going to change pain in the long run,' Messier said. 'The most effective thing they have here is exercise.' Jayabalan said none of the studies are looking at whether the treatments led to mechanistic improvements in the knee - 'they were not regrowing cartilage, or something like that.' Instead, the studies recorded clinical observations that these treatments may provide a potential benefit. And, many of the randomized controlled trials were conducted on small groups of participants, Jones said. 'There's a lot of variability in the studies and how long they follow their patients,' he said. Related Content 3-pound puppy left in trash is rescued, now thriving How to meet street cats around the world 'Jaws' made people fear sharks. 50 years later, can it help save them?
