The Korean Beauty Show Podcast

Lauren shares a global K-Beauty industry roundup spanning Australia, China, Germany, the U.S. and Canada, breaking down why 2026 marks a maturity shift for the category. This episode explores the major partnership signalling K-Beauty’s next phase, what happens when hype and expectations aren’t managed properly, and why trust is becoming the real currency of global growth.
For full show notes and resources, visit STYLE STORY
Question of the Month
A listener asks: How strict are skincare expiration dates? Is two years past expiry too long? Why do products often last far beyond the printed date?
Products Mentioned in This Episode
SANA Nameraka Honpo Soy Milk Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream
Aestura Retinoid Eye Serum
COSRX AHA BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum
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, data 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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exosomes are the hottest topic in K-Beauty right now and one of the most misunderstood. In this deep-dive episode, host Lauren Lee breaks down what exosomes actually are, how brands are using the term, what the regulations says, and why Korea’s MFDS has officially banned “exosome” claims in cosmetic ads from 2025.
Lauren also explains how this trend spread through clinics and TikTok, the difference between human-derived and plant or milk vesicles, and what regulators across the US, EU/UK, Australia and Korea are doing about it. Learn how to spot red-flag claims and separate hype from evidence in the next wave of regenerative skincare.
Access Full Show Notes: https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast/why-korea-banned-exosome-skincare-ads-and-what-it-means-for-the-industry
CONNECT WITH US
Book a K-Beauty Consultation for Your Business: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
Watch the Show on YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com.au
K-Beauty Newsletter: stylestory.com.au/pages/free-gift-signup
Product Finder Quiz: stylestory.com.au/tools/perfect-product-finder/find-your-perfect-k-beauty-product#/
BRIEF SUMMARY
What exosomes are vs how beauty marketing uses the term
Why exosomes are trending
Evidence so far and the limitations
Human-derived vs plant / milk / synthetic vesicles
Regulation round-up
Takeaway: real science meets marketing hype
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did one of Korea’s most-loved lip tints secretly torch thousands of customer's lips? In this week’s K-Beauty News Update, host Lauren Lee breaks down the Rom&nd Juicy Lip Tint scandal and what the brand is doing to manage it.
Plus, we’re exploring how refill packs are changing the way we travel with skincare and the new stat proving Australia’s K-Beauty obsession and what it means for global trends. A listener wants tips for dry hands, fading stretch marks and affordable hair care that actually works.
Lauren also gives her honest reviews of the best Korean makeup fixers and how to find the perfect skin clinic if you're heading to Korea for treatments.
Access Full Show Notes for this Episode: https://stylestory.com.au/blogs/podcast/from-viral-to-vulnerable-the-rom-nd-lip-tint-controversy-explained
CONNECT WITH US
Book a K-Beauty Consultation for Your Business: stylestory.com.au/pages/k-beauty-consultancy
Instagram: instagram.com/lauren.kbeauty
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stylestory_kbeauty
Threads: threads.net/@lauren.kbeauty
Watch the Show on YouTube: youtube.com/@thekoreanbeautyshowpodcast
Shop Jelly Ko: jellyko.com.au
K-Beauty Newsletter: stylestory.com.au/pages/free-gift-signup
Product Finder Quiz: Find your perfect K-Beauty product
Products Mentioned in this Episode:
So Natural All Day Tight Make Up Setting Fixer General Mist Mini
Jung Saem Mool Essential Mool Micro Fitting Mist
Tsubaki Fino Hair Mask
Fino Hair Oil
Dr Jart Ceramidin Hand Cream
Atopalm Stretch Mark Cream
Jelly Ko Bubble Tea Steam Cream Refill
Jelly Ko Dewy Glaze Toner Refill
Romand Juicy Lasting Tint
Jelly Ko Bubble Tea Steam Cream
Jelly Ko White Truffle SOUFFLÉ Serum Refill
Recommendation of the Week:
Find the Right Korean Skin Clinic Consultation

All products recommended on the Korean Beauty Show podcast are selected by us. Some of our Show Notes may include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. These links helps us to offset the costs associated with producing, editing and distributing the podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.