Seasonal Skin Care: A Comprehensive Guide to Trending Ingredients and Home Care

When the mornings and evenings turn chilly, a time comes when skin feels particularly tight and prone to breakouts. Knowing the cosmetic ingredients that Koreans look for and how to read labels whenever the seasons change will be very helpful, whether you are traveling or doing home care at home. In this article, we have summarized the popular ingredients in Korea during the change of seasons and how to check for 'functional cosmetic' labels.

🍂 Why does skin become more sensitive during the change of seasons?

As autumn approaches, both temperature and humidity drop, leading to increased moisture loss in the skin barrier. This is why skin often becomes more sensitive to irritation than usual, with increased redness or tightness. During this period, Korean dermatologists commonly recommend simplifying your routine to focus on moisturizing ingredients that replenish the barrier, rather than adding new, irritating ingredients.

💧 Ingredients good for the skin barrier

Ceramide and panthenol (a vitamin B5 derivative) are consistently used as representative ingredients to replenish and soothe the skin barrier. Recently, cosmetics containing PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) extracted from salmon have also gained popularity. However, since PDRN is originally an ingredient used in dermatological injections, the absorption method and the degree of effect are different from when it is included in small amounts in cosmetics. Since 2026, there have been increasing reports that some cosmetics featuring PDRN have exaggerated their effects (reports such as Yaksa Gongron, as of July 2026). We recommend checking the product description carefully rather than expecting the same effects as a clinical procedure just by looking at the ingredient name.

How to check for the 'functional cosmetic' label

Among Korean cosmetics, there are products with 'functional cosmetic' written on the packaging. This is a label attached only to products that have undergone review or reporting by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for specific functions such as whitening, wrinkle improvement, and UV protection. It is not a label that applies to all cosmetics, so if you are choosing a product with a specific function in mind, it is helpful to check if this label is present.

🧴 How to start your home care routine

After washing your face, it is good to start by refining your skin texture with a mild toner and then replenishing the barrier with a cream containing ceramide or panthenol. Since the suitability of ingredients varies from person to person, we recommend testing a small amount first when using a new product. If skin problems persist for a long time or if you are considering a procedure, it is safer to consult a specialist first rather than judging by cosmetics alone. Please remember that there are individual differences.

For seasonal skin, a routine that protects the barrier is more important than any single ingredient. If you would like to receive a direct diagnosis or consultation in Korea, find a nearby dermatology clinic through the AI chat in the TripDoc app and check the consultation details comfortably with the real-time translation function.