Find out how Korean facials are different from American facials, and the pros and cons of each.

We’ve all seen the “Korean versus American” makeup tutorials, and the different trends emanating from both regions are truly fascinating! Americans are all about that dramatic eye makeup and chiseled, contoured face while Koreans opt for a more natural, bright-eyed, child-like visage. If you’re unfamiliar, we wrote about it here, and makeup artist Lisa Eldridge’s East Meets West video offers an informative, detailed example, as well.

What gets less attention than the makeup differences are the ways in which these two parts of the world vary when it comes to a proper facial. Each has their unique own approach, and today we’re breaking down the primary differences between the two.

How facials are viewed differently in Korea and America:

For many Americans, facials are considered a luxury splurge and often entail an enormous amount of whole-body pampering with an emphasis on #treatingyourself. Think “spa day” where you plan an entire day, week, or month around the facial, have it done, and then go about your business without another facial for the foreseeable future.

This is vastly different from the Korean approach, where people often get regular facials as part of their “beauty maintenance.” Given Korea’s current influence in the skin care market, it should come as no surprise that facials are extremely valued in their culture.  Spas and bath houses (jimjilbangs) are an integral part of everyone’s lives (man, woman, child, and grandparents), and it’s been this way for thousands of years.