There are beauty ingredients trending on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. From volcanic stone to hyaluronic acid, let's examine 7 popular ingredients known to improve skin and overall health along with scientific evidence. By accurately understanding the actual efficacy of each ingredient and precautions for use, you can make choices that suit your skin type and health condition.

Beauty Effects of Volcanic Stone

Volcanic stone is widely used in skincare products due to its porous structure. The minerals contained in volcanic stone include magnesium, calcium, and silicon, which are effective at maintaining the skin's pH balance and removing impurities deep within pores.

The main advantages of volcanic stone when used as a beauty product are:

  • Gentle exfoliation as a natural scrub ingredient
  • Low skin irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin
  • Improved skin tone through promoted blood circulation
  • Helps regulate skin oil after cleansing

Volcanic stone scrub products should be used 2-3 times per week, and for sensitive skin or severe acne, it's advisable to consult with a dermatologist before use.

Moisturizing Function of Squalene

Squalene is a lipid component that naturally exists on the human skin surface. It is extracted from deep-sea shark liver oil or from plants like olives and amaranth, and recently, plant-based squalene has been predominantly used.

The skin benefits of squalene are as follows:

  • Enhanced moisture retention in the stratum corneum (30% improvement in moisturizing observed)
  • Improved fine lines through increased skin elasticity
  • Antioxidant action prevents free radical damage
  • Strengthened skin barrier blocks external irritants

Squalene is lightweight and absorbs quickly, making it suitable for all skin types. It shows excellent results especially on dry and sensitive skin, and delivers optimal effects when used morning and evening in serum or essence form.

Antibacterial and Regenerative Effects of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey, harvested only from the Manuka tree in New Zealand, has antibacterial properties more than 20 times stronger than regular honey. Rich in methylglyoxal (MGO), it effectively inhibits bacterial growth.

Skin health benefits of Manuka honey:

  • Reduces acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) to improve acne
  • Promotes wound healing to help improve scars
  • Prevents skin aging with antioxidant components
  • Maintains skin moisture with natural humectants
  • Calming effect on inflamed skin

Manuka honey is used in mask pack or toner form, and pure Manuka honey can be applied directly to the skin. Choose products with a UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) of 10 or higher for effectiveness, and those with honey allergies should conduct a patch test before use.

Regenerative and Moisturizing Action of Snail Mucin

Snail mucin is one of the most highlighted ingredients in the K-beauty industry recently. This mucin is rich in glycosaminoglycans, proteins, and antioxidant enzymes, showing excellent efficacy in skin regeneration and moisture.

Main functions of snail mucin:

  • Promotes collagen production to increase skin elasticity
  • Improves moisture retention with hyaluronic acid content (absorbs moisture up to 1000 times its weight)
  • Recovers UV damage with antioxidant components
  • Shortens skin regeneration time (40% faster than standard products)
  • Improves pigmentation and evens out skin tone

Snail mucin products are used morning and evening in essence or essential emulsion form. While no specific order is necessary, it's best to apply lighter textured products first when using serums. There may be a distinctive smell from the snail component, but this is evidence of high product purity.

Calming and Repair Function of Centella Asiatica

Centella (tiger grass, Cica) is a medicinal plant grown throughout Southeast Asia that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Its efficacy has been proven in modern dermatology, and it contains bioactive components such as madecassic acid.

Skin health benefits of Centella:

  • Calms inflamed acne through reduced inflammatory response (65% improvement within 24 hours)
  • Promotes collagen and elastin production
  • Improves skin tone through enhanced blood circulation
  • Strengthens sensitive skin to reduce irritation responses
  • Accelerates wound healing and improves scars

Centella is included in various product forms such as toners, essences, creams, and mask packs, and is particularly effective for skin recovery after UV damage in summer. It is safe to use daily in lotion or essence form, and can be used even for sensitive skin or eczema-prone conditions.

Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Science

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide that naturally exists in the human body and is a powerful moisturizing ingredient capable of absorbing moisture up to 1000 times its own weight. While it exists abundantly in the dermal layer of skin, it decreases with age, making external supplementation important.

Skin effects of hyaluronic acid:

  • Increases moisture content in the stratum corneum for immediate hydration
  • Improves fine lines through enhanced skin elasticity
  • Multi-layered moisturization based on molecular size (high molecular weight: epidermis hydration, low molecular weight: deep penetration)
  • Maintains skin pH balance
  • Promotes absorption of other active ingredients

When choosing hyaluronic acid products, it's important to check the molecular size of the product. Crosslinked polymer hyaluronic acid (1.2 million Da) handles surface moisturizing, while low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (3-10kDa) is responsible for deeper skin layer hydration. It's most effective when applied after toner or essence, and in dry environments, finish with a moisturizing cream to prevent water loss.

Summary: Correct Selection and Use of Each Ingredient

The 7 trending beauty ingredients on TikTok each have unique mechanisms of action. Volcanic stone provides physical exfoliation, squalene offers lightweight moisturizing, Manuka honey provides antibacterial and calming effects, snail mucin promotes regeneration, Centella calms inflammation, and hyaluronic acid delivers powerful hydration.

Recommendations by skin type:

  • Oily/Combination: Volcanic stone, squalene, Manuka honey
  • Dry: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, Centella
  • Sensitive/Acne-prone: Centella, Manuka honey, snail mucin
  • Aging skin: Combined collagen-boosting ingredients (snail mucin + Centella)

Important precautions: Always conduct a 24-hour patch test before using new products. If you have severe skin conditions, allergic reactions, or persistent skin problems, please consult with a dermatologist. Rather than simply following social media trends, choosing ingredients that match your skin condition and needs is the wisest skincare approach.