Retinol is probably one of the most beneficial ingredients for your skin, and it’s no wonder everyone seems eager to incorporate some form of retinoid into their skincare routine! Retinol has powerful well-aging properties and can fade hyperpigmentation and fight acne. Research also suggests retinol is the most effective ingredient for fading fine lines and … Read more
I’m not going to lie. The Korean beauty market can get saturated at times. With one release after another, it can be challenging to keep up—and our wallets get a beating, too! Popular brands like COSRX, Beauty of Joseon, and Benton already have a cult following, not to mention their bestselling products, which have become staples in our routines, … Read more
The word acid gets a bad rap for apparent reasons. Pair it with skin, and it sounds like a terrifying combo. It’s a match that makes for heavenly skin — but only if done right. Navigating the world of chemical exfoliators can be complicated, especially if you’ve never tried one. But they’re entirely worth the … Read more
You might have heard rumors that sodium benzoate and Vitamin C form a carcinogen. Without careful examination, this looks like a story worthy of the front page of The New York Times! Vitamin C and sodium benzoate, a preservative, will together form benzene, which has been associated with cancer. For the ultra-scientific, benzene is associated … Read more
After noticing the warm hospitality a couple of vitamin C derivative-based serums received on my skin, I figured it was finally time to take the plunge and test out the ‘big brother’ himself. Isntree Hyper Vitamin C 23 Serum was a no-brainer purchase in this category, mainly for the positive reviews across all the media platforms … Read more
I am a packaging person when it comes to skincare. I often buy a product because it looks too cute to be resisted. And this usually ends in disappointment. It was not until I met COSRX that I changed my mind about how skincare brands can be non-cute and non-fancy but effective. Besides, non-fancy packaging … Read more
Now that I am a pushing-30-grown-up-woman-child, it’s high time I get my nutrition right. I’ve been trying to binge on vitamin-rich veggies at least once a week, but the rest of my days belong to leftover spaghetti or something equally glutinous. Now and again, I remember to pop a multivitamin. But to forget to put … Read more
Propolis and honey, Centella Asiatica, Green tea, Licorice root extract, and snail mucin are unique ingredients that define Korean skincare products. So many Korean skincare products contain one or possibly more of these ingredients. Snail mucin is one of the most popular and intriguing ingredients in the Korean skincare scene. You’ll find that most people … Read more
This past week, I’ve encountered many people asking about AM skincare routines, especially “anti-aging” routines. While I’m not sure I’m on board with “anti-aging” as a concept (although I am on board with more specific goals, like “wrinkle-smoothing”), I have a sense of what people are getting at when they say it. Typically, they mean … Read more
It is no secret that I love using toners and serums. Since returning home, my skin hasn’t been behaving as it is taking its time to adjust to the dead cold Chicago winters, and I have found that using Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum has helped my skin. Serums provide my skin with much-needed … Read more
Garden of muses
Welcome, skintellectuals, to the Garden of Muses!
A science-based skincare magazine covering everything from ingredient spotlights, reviews, skincare guides, and routines to busting myths, finding dupes, and breaking down trends.
Our passionate and knowledgeable editors review their beauty crushes.
