12/02/2021
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Just as you watch your diet for your health, you need to choose the right basic ingredients for your skin health. Chemical-free skincare products made with precious medicinal herbs will help to regenerate your skin and strengthen your skin barrier.
You cannot emphasize enough the importance of the ingredients because you apply your skincare products directly to your skin. A few years ago, there was a news coverage on the harmful ingredients of skincare products. Since then, many people have been paying attention to chemicals or allergens included in skincare products. If you have more sensitive skin than others or suffer from dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis or acne, you might want to use skincare products more gentle on your skin. Given that, how about making your own chemical-free skincare products with naturally derived plant-based ingredients?
SKYLAKE is a cosmetics café where you can use medicinal herbs to create your own skincare products. It is run by SKYLAKE, a cosmetics brand headquartered in Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do. Unlike most skincare product manufacturers that build factories in the metropolitan area, SKYLAKE settled down in Geochang neighboring Deogyusan and Jirisan Mountains known for their clean environment so that it can get hold of fresh, high- quality ingredients. Strictly following the rules on the ingredients, SKYLAKE uses clean water, high-quality medicinal herbs, and naturally derived ingredients to create skincare products. Particularly, it uses the special herbal water created by using steam distillation to extract essential oils from high-quality medicinal herbs that have been aged and fermented. Since its products do not contain preservatives, alcohol, or chemical additives, they can be used by anyone with sensitive skin regardless of age and gender.
If you want to make your own skincare products, you must make a reservation in advance. Before participating in the activity, you will be asked to put on a bandana and an apron made of red clay-dyed cloth. It is a reinterpretation of traditional costumes from the Korean drama Dae Jang Geum, which is particularly popular among foreign tourists. You will listen to the host’s instructions and watch a video before joining the activity. The activity takes place in groups of two and involves making your own herbal emulsion, serum, cooling spray, or shampoo. First, you will pour the “special herbal water” into a bowl. This is the basic ingredient used in all products available at SKYLAKE. The special herbal water is made by preparing and distilling a decoction of 18 medicinal herbs including kneeling angelica and giant angelica good for blood circulation and Wolfiporia extensa good for boosting immunity. It is believed to be good for skin detoxing, soothing, and brightening while strengthening the skin’s barrier.
The special herbal water plays the role of purified water used in most skincare products in general. It is safe enough to drink. It takes up 80% of the serum made at SKYLAKE. Then, a naturally derived yeast “galactomyces” will be added to the herbal water. You will add “bifida” good for anti-aging and skin elasticity, “hyaluronic acid” for skin moisturizing, and about two other natural essential oils in turn. Then, you will choose between “collagen” for skin elasticity and “arbutin” for skin brightening. Now, you are about to finish making a serum.
All you have to do is to choose one of the four essential oils depending on your taste and mix it well with other ingredients. Place the serum in a container, and you will have the finished product. Since it is a natural skincare product without preservatives, it can last for up to six months.
Even if you are done with skincare product-making, you have still more to do as part of this program. You can also learn how to keep your skin healthier. If you have any conditions or rough skin, it would be a good idea to seek help. Recently, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the program might not be available. So, please contact the branch of your choice before visiting it in person.
After making your own skincare products, you can take a walk around the garden at SKYLAKE. Surrounded by mountains in all directions, you will get a sense of refreshment just by looking at the green lawn spreading out. There is also an outdoor foot bath. Once you soak your feet in the cool water and enjoy the open view of the well-groomed garden, you will no longer feel tired. You can also find a café that offers herbal tea, coffee, and healthy smoothies.
If it is your first time try making a skincare product, you might want to begin with the simple ones such as herbal emulsion, cooling spray, or mosquito repellent. Then, you can participate in the serum- or shampoo-making class for beginners. If you sign up for making two or more products, you can get a discount.