K-Beauty marketing reached a breaking point in 2025. Scientific language became performance, clinical procedures were mimicked with cosmetics and skincare education was replaced by spectacle. In Episode 275 of The Korean Beauty Show podcast, K-Beauty expert and industry consultant Lauren Lee examines the K-Beauty marketing trends that need to die in 2026 and why they matter for consumer trust, regulation and skin health.

This episode covers:
How exosome skincare lost its scientific meaning and why Korean regulators intervened
Why topical PDRN marketing blurred the line between cosmetics and injectable treatments
The ongoing misuse of spicules marketed as “microneedling in a bottle”
How oversized skincare PR stunts promote overconsumption and environmental waste
Why skincare theatre and viral gimmicks undermine skincare education and credibility

Lauren also explains how misleading skincare marketing creates regulatory risk, confuses consumers and has the potential to damage long-term trust in the Korean beauty industry.

For full show notes and resources, visit: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast

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

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, frameworks 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.

K-Beauty marketing reached a breaking point in 2025. Scientific language became performance, clinical procedures were mimicked with cosmetics and skincare education was replaced by spectacle. In Episode 275 of The Korean Beauty Show podcast, K-Beauty expert and industry consultant Lauren Lee examines the K-Beauty marketing trends that need to die in 2026 and why they matter for consumer trust, regulation and skin health.
This episode covers:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How exosome skincare lost its scientific meaning and why Korean regulators intervened</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why topical PDRN marketing blurred the line between cosmetics and injectable treatments</li>
<li aria-level="1">The ongoing misuse of spicules marketed as &ldquo;microneedling in a bottle&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">How oversized skincare PR stunts promote overconsumption and environmental waste</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why skincare theatre and viral gimmicks undermine skincare education and credibility</li>
</ul>
Lauren also explains how misleading skincare marketing creates regulatory risk, confuses consumers and has the potential to damage long-term trust in the Korean beauty industry.
For full show notes and resources, visit: stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast
Connect with Lauren
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Book a Consultation: <a href="http://stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy">stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty">instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">TikTok: <a href="http://tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty">tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Threads: <a href="http://threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty">threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">YouTube: <a href="http://youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast">youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Work with STYLE STORY: <a href="http://stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us">stylestory.com.au/pages/contact-us</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Shop Jelly Ko: <a href="http://jellyko.com">jellyko.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Take a Korean style skin analysis: https://jellyko.com/pages/ai-skin-analysis&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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;
A Small Request&nbsp;If you use insights, frameworks 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.