Skin Care for Teens and Twentysomethings
What are global Gen Z’s beauty trends? Skin care strategies for teens and people in their twenties in Korea, the US, China, and Thailand
K-beauty trends are spreading rapidly worldwide through social media, especially TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Korean idols in particular have become icons leading beauty standards, while K-beauty ranks first among the interests of global teens and twenty-somethings. Yet, as quickly as trends are adopted, Gen Z's standards in different countries are diverging faster and more clearly.
Gen Z in the United States, China, Thailand, Japan and elsewhere consumes similar social-media content but pursues images suited to its own tastes and individuality. Today's generation knows exactly what its desired aesthetic is, rather than blindly chasing trends. Skilled at spotting trends and with strong purchasing power, they quickly identify and select needed products and procedures. So what are global Gen Z consumers applying and which procedures are they receiving now?
① Korea: “Jang-Ka-Seol” sets the standard! Small, sharply defined faces
Korean Gen Z takes K-pop idols, particularly small-faced stars such as Jang Won-young and Karina, as its desired aesthetic. An almost vanishingly small face, compact refined contours and smooth texture matter. Reflecting this taste, lifting procedures such as Ulthera have recently become mainstream in Korea. Ulthera delivers HIFU energy to the SMAS fascial layer, pulling the skin and defining facial lines. Thermage is also popular. It sends radiofrequency energy into the dermis to contract collagen, then induces natural regeneration, making skin soft and firm.
② United States: #glassskin #cleanlook #skinbooster
American Gen Z beauty trends can be summed up as “celebrity beauty.” Brands launched by stars popular with Gen Z—Hailey Bieber's Rhode, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty and Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty—share an emphasis on health. For healthy-looking skin that seems naturally born that way, hydration injections, Shining Rejuran and Baby Collagen, which improve tone and texture together, can be considered. IPL, toning lasers and Genesis, which improve blemishes and redness, are also widely considered by Gen Z dreaming of a foundation-free look.
③ China: Distinct features like a “wanghong”
Chinese Gen Z prefers faces combining a strong impression and cuteness, like Chinese influencers known as wanghong. Large, open-looking eyes and fullness in the forehead and temples are considered an auspicious face. Forehead and temple fillers therefore remain popular. They are also sensitive to skin tone, creating substantial demand for brightening lasers for an even, light complexion. Distinctive, clearly defined features like (G)I-DLE's Yuqi are aspirational among the young; alongside contour lifting, skin boosters for bright, glowing skin are actively used.
④ Thailand: Tone + texture + glow
In Thailand, glow skin is a central beauty trend pursued by Gen Z. The standard has become skin with visible vitality in its texture and a luminous sheen, not simply white skin. Rejuran, Shining Rejuran, Baby Collagen and Silky Pore Injection, which refine texture and restore radiance, are in vogue. Brightening lasers remain in demand, but radiance lasers and skin boosters that increase hydration are gaining particular attention.
■ Today's Gen Z makes sure to get these!
#SuperMiracleHydrationInjection Powerful hydration, elasticity and tone improvement. A combined hyaluronic-acid + PDRN formula creates a true dewy glow. #Ulthera The classic ultrasound lift. Targets the deep SMAS layer for strong lifting and elasticity. #Thermage A leader in radiofrequency lifting. Precisely improves loose skin, pores and fine lines. #ShiningRejuran Adds brightening ingredients to Rejuran for enhanced tone-up and regeneration. Soothes redness after lasers and improves inner dryness and dullness together.