Lauren shares the worst K-Beauty products and formats she personally tried in 2025 and explains why they failed in real-world use. This episode is a follow-through from the previous discussion on K-Beauty marketing trends that need to die in 2026, focusing on how hype, sensation and viral appeal often break down when products meet real skin.

For full show notes and resources, visit STYLE STORY 

This episode covers:
The positioning of grinding cleansing balms on social media versus actual use 
Cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) being linked to one of Korea (and Lauren’s) most beloved lip tints
Why “mineral” sunscreen marketing can be misleading and why it matters for those with sensitive skin and conditions like rosacea 
How K-Beauty marketing increasingly rewards spectacle and sensation over routine-friendly design

Lauren also explains why these experiences are not isolated product failures, but oftentimes symptoms of a broader K-Beauty marketing problem. In the last few years a lot of products have been optimised for novelty, texture shots and performance on short form social media rather than optimised for daily use.

This episode is not about shaming brands or people who might love the products but about understanding how skincare claims, formats and ingredient choices interact with real skin biology.

 

Products Mentioned in this Episode

Dr. Melaxin Eyephalt Cream

Grinding cleansing balms 

Rom&nd lip tints

Some By Mi mineral sunscreen

 

Connect with Lauren

Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis 

Book a Consultation: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy

Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty

TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty

Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty

YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast

Work with STYLE STORY: stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us

Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com

 

Affiliate Disclaimer

Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show. 

 

A Small Request If you use insights, details or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.

Lauren shares the worst K-Beauty products and formats she personally tried in 2025 and explains why they failed in real-world use. This episode is a follow-through from the previous discussion on K-Beauty marketing trends that need to die in 2026, focusing on how hype, sensation and viral appeal often break down when products meet real skin.
For full show notes and resources, visit <a href="https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast/exposing-the-worst-k-beauty-products-i-tried-in-2025">STYLE STORY&nbsp;</a>
This episode covers:
<ul>
<li>The positioning of grinding cleansing balms on social media versus actual use&nbsp;</li>
<li>Cheilitis (inflammation of the lips) being linked to one of Korea (and Lauren&rsquo;s) most beloved lip tints</li>
<li>Why &ldquo;mineral&rdquo; sunscreen marketing can be misleading and why it matters for those with sensitive skin and conditions like rosacea&nbsp;</li>
<li>How K-Beauty marketing increasingly rewards spectacle and sensation over routine-friendly design</li>
</ul>
Lauren also explains why these experiences are not isolated product failures, but oftentimes symptoms of a broader K-Beauty marketing problem. In the last few years a lot of products have been optimised for novelty, texture shots and performance on short form social media rather than optimised for daily use.
This episode is not about shaming brands or people who might love the products but about understanding how skincare claims, formats and ingredient choices interact with real skin biology.
&nbsp;
Products Mentioned in this Episode
<a href="https://amzn.to/3NtHsJX">Dr. Melaxin Eyephalt Cream</a>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4sQrKIV">Grinding cleansing balms </a>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4jO5CuV">Rom&amp;nd lip tints</a>
<a href="https://amzn.to/4jO5CuV">Some By Mi mineral sunscreen</a>
&nbsp;
Connect with Lauren
Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis&nbsp;
Book a Consultation: <a href="http://stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy">stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy</a>
Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty">instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty</a>
TikTok: <a href="http://tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty">tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty</a>
Threads: <a href="http://threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty">threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty</a>
YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Work with STYLE STORY: <a href="http://stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us">stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us</a>
Shop Jelly Ko: <a href="http://jellyko.com">jellyko.com</a>
&nbsp;
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links we share may be affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps to offset the cost of producing the show.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
A Small Request&nbsp;If you use insights, details or research from this episode in your own content, we ask that you kindly credit The Korean Beauty Show and tag us where possible. It helps others find the original source and supports the work that goes into creating these episodes.

Want to keep up to date with all things Korean beauty? Join host Lauren Lee, founder of K-Beauty platform STYLE STORY as she talks K-Beauty live from Seoul, South Korea. If you want an insight into the products, ingredients and trends you’ll be seeing next in beauty as well as how to perfect your own K-Beauty routine, then this is the podcast for you.

Want to keep up to date with all things Korean beauty? Join host Lauren Lee, founder of K-Beauty platform STYLE STORY as she talks K-Beauty live from Seoul, South Korea. If you want an insight into the products, ingredients and trends you&rsquo;ll be seeing next in beauty as well as how to perfect your own K-Beauty routine, then this is the podcast for you.