Welcome to I Swear By This, an interview series where we chat with our favorite fashion and beauty insiders about the beauty products they use down to the last drop. This week we asked Charlotte Cho, the founder of the e-commerce platform Soko Glam, to share all her K-beauty skin-care favorites.
It's been almost 10 years since Charlotte Cho launched the e-commerce platform Soko Glam, helping bring K-beauty to the States. And even though nearly a decade has gone, the ethos behind the website remains the same: a skin-first approach. K-beauty—and Soko Glam—helped to push people to see their skin-care routines as a part of their self-care rituals while also bringing new, innovative ingredients and formulations to the forefront of the beauty conversation with the goal of getting to the root of the problem rather than just covering it up.
Cho sees skin care as a journey, not just a means to an end: "Don't expect changes to appear overnight," she says. "It takes time, consistency, and constant research to see actual, long-lasting results from your routine." Below, Cho shares the K-beauty products that she's fallen in love with along the way.
Birch Milk Refining Toner
"This is by far my favorite Then I Met You product! With a combination of birch juice, AHAs, and PHA, this toner clears out my pores and prevents breakouts while hydrating my skin at the same time."
Real Ferment Micro Essence
"As a product category, essences were created in Korea, so you know K-beauty does them well. This iteration uses the power of fermented ingredients to hydrate the skin."
Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Sheet Mask
"Mediheal is Korea's number one sheet mask brand! Their Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control sheet mask is one of the rare sheet masks that actually helps treat breakouts."
Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Drop
"With 5 percent ascorbic acid, this brightening serum is designed for all skin types—yes, even sensitive skin. It tackles hyperpigmentation while also minimizing the look of fine lines."
Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask
"This mask pairs AHAs and BHAs with hydrating damask rose petals and antioxidant-packed resveratrol to resurface the skin. It's the perfect at-home mask for fully indulging in your nightly skin-care rituals."
Day-light Protection Airy Sunscreen
"Formulated with over 20 plant extracts, this sunscreen provides SPF 50 protection. I love applying this one for a few reasons: It sinks into the skin quickly, it's not greasy, and there's no white cast."
Soft Shield Pimple Patch
"Pimple patches are unique K-beauty innovations that work to absorb the impurities present in pimples. Plus, they keep your fingers from picking at your zits. These are nearly invisible, so they can be worn out and about."
Photo: Courtesy of Then I Met You
Want more stories like this?
Meet Hanbang: The Latest K-Beauty Trend That'll Level Up Your Skin
You Thought Korean Skin Care Was Intense? Try Korean Hair Care
This Black-Owned Brand Wants to Make K-Beauty More Inclusive