Let’s spill some tea. No, Korean tea.
You’ve double cleansed, sheet-masked, patted, tapped, layered, slugged—and possibly cried when your snail mucin serum hit $40. However, here’s the plot twist: K-beauty’s best-kept anti-aging secrets aren’t just living on your vanity. They’re steeping in your mug.
That’s right—”glow from within” is no longer influencer nonsense. For centuries, Koreans have been drinking their way to silky, glassy complexions using herbal, fruit, and root teas that are as potent as they are palatable.
So, boil the kettle, because we’re about to pour you six Korean teas that love your skin, taste like self-care, and yet perform magic.
- Barley Tea (Bori Cha)
AKA: The Hydration Hero with Zero Drama
This nutty, toasted cup of brew is essentially the Beyoncé of Korean teas, everywhere, calming, and mysteriously always perfect. Koreans sip barley tea every day, hot in the winter, cold in the summer. And the surprise?
Benefits:
- Full of antioxidants to combat free radicals (those awful little skin-agers).
- Does wonders for circulation, leaving your face with that “did-you-just-get-a-facial?” flush.
- Since this tea is completely naturally caffeine-free, it’s perfect for nighttime drinking and, consequently, for maximizing your beauty sleep.
Hot Tip: Swap your water bottle with iced barley tea for one week. Your skin will transform from “meh” to “dewy and enigmatic stranger on the subway” stat.
- Honey Citron Tea (Yuja Cha)
AKA: Vitamin C in a Cup, with a Zesty Personality
If sunshine tasted like anything, it would taste like yuja (yuzu) tea. Imagine a sweet, tangy jam you spoon into hot water. It’s what Koreanbongss give you when you’re sick, pining, or just need to be hugged from the inside out.
Skin Benefits:
- Packed with Vitamin C, the grand slam of collagen production.
- Decreases inflammation and brightens dull skin.
- It’s an immune boost and glow-up in one steamy sip.
Sassy Pairing Suggestion: Sip while scrolling through your ex’s new relationship and remind yourself you’re aging backwards.
- Ginseng Tea (Insam Cha)
AKA: The Ageless Wonder With a Kick
This earthy, slightly bitter root tea is not messing around. Ginseng is the G.O.A.T… of Eastern medicine and skincare, and it’s for a reason. It’s all about aging backwards, having energy, and being vital, your body and skin included.
Benefits:
- Boosts circulation = more oxygen = brighter skin.
- Supports your immune system and combats stress, two of aging’s best buddies.
Bonus: It’s a proven libido booster (just sayin’).
Pro Tip: Alternatively, if the earthy, ancient-forest flavor isn’t to your taste, you can drizzle it with honey or sprinkle a few goji berries on top.
- Omija Tea (Five Flavor Berry Tea)
AKA: The Sophisticated Queen of Collagen
Omija translates to “five flavors” (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent), and mysteriously, they all appear in one itty-bitty berry. Consuming this tea is akin to experiencing a moody K-drama: sweet, salty, dramatic, and completely habit-forming.
Beauty Perks:
- Rich in schisandrin, a potent antioxidant that combats oxidative stress.
- Assists liver detoxification = brighter complexion.
- Alleged to stimulate collagen production and prevent loss of skin elasticity.
If you’re in an emotional mood and also want cheekbones that could cut a croissant, this tea is the perfect match.
- Corn Silk Tea (Oksusu Suyeom Cha)
AKA: The Secret Skin Protector You Didn’t Know You Had
Although corn silk—those silky strands on corn—is typically discarded, in Korea, it’s dried and steeped into a sweet, delicate tea. In fact, it has been a favorite in hanbang (traditional medicine) for centuries.
Benefits:
- Natural diuretic, deflating puffiness and water retention.
- Supports kidney function, helping to detox (glow comes from within, right?).
- Surprisingly thirst-quenching and skin-calming.
Glow Hack: Drink after salty takeout or a late night of questionable decisions.
- Lotus Leaf Tea (Yeonip Cha)
AKA: The Zen Goddess of Glow
Lotus leaves have been a symbol of rebirth and purity for ages; likewise, their tea provides a soothing and detoxifying ritual. As a result, it’s perfect for your pre-sleep, post-meditation skincare routine.
Skin Win:
This tea is perfect for acne-prone skin, since it controls excess oil. In addition, it’s loaded with flavonoids to combat signs of aging. Furthermore, it supports liver health, which is an unsung key to skin clarity. Therefore, the recommended ritual is to steep this tea before your 10-step skincare routine, slip on your go-to lo-fi beats, and become your temple goddess self.
Tea, But Make It Beauty
So, should you dump your hyaluronic acid? Not. On the contrary, pairing your serums with strategic sips is how you level up your skincare game. Think of it this way: these Korean teas act as your internal estheticians—clearing, firming, and hydrating from the inside out—all while you live your best (and busiest) life.
Let’s Get Steamy
Tried any of these teas before? Spill your favorites below! Hot tea or iced? We’re not just talking temps, give me your juiciest skincare secrets while you’re at it. Now go forth, gorgeous, steep, sip, and slay.
