7 Konglish K-Beauty Skincare Terms — From Skin (스킨) to Sun Cream (썬크림)

💝Lost in Translation? Korean English Words – Part 3: Beauty & Skincare Basics


Konglish K-Beauty skincare basics terms — skin, essence, ampoule, lotion, sun cream, sunscreen, mist, pack

안녕하세요. I'm Hangeulia ^-^

In Korea, many skincare words look like English — but the meaning can be totally different. That’s why phrases like “skin,” “lotion,” or “pack” often confuse visitors and K-beauty fans alike.

In this post, we’ll look at real-life K-beauty Konglish — the words Koreans actually use when shopping at Olive Young, talking with friends, or doing their nightly skincare routine.

This isn’t about textbook translation. It’s about understanding what these words mean in natural, everyday English — so you can shop, chat, and enjoy K-beauty without second-guessing yourself. ^^



💜 Skin (스킨)


Situation
At home, two friends are chatting about their skincare steps.

Dialogue
A: 너 스킨 바를 때 화장솜 써?
(neo seu-kin bal-eul ttae hwa-jang-som sseo?)
B: 아니, 나는 그냥 손으로 흡수시키는 게 더 좋아.
(a-ni, na-neun geun-yang son-eu-ro heup-su-si-ki-neun ge deo jo-a)

Natural English
A: Do you use a cotton pad when you apply toner?
B: No, I prefer to pat it in with my hands.


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 스킨 (skin) = toner. It’s the watery product you use right after cleansing to prep your skin. In English, if you say “skin,” people will usually think you mean your actual skin (피부) — so this one causes lots of confusion.

👉 Many Koreans also know the English word toner, but in everyday talk, they’ll simply say “스킨.”

  • Skin (스킨, seu-kin) = toner 💧
  • English “skin” = your actual skin (피부)


💜 Essence (에센스)


Situation
Friends browsing skincare at Olive Young.

Dialogue
A: 이거 에센스 써봤어?
(i-geo e-sen-seu sseo-bwat-seo?)
B: 응. 이거 촉촉하고 좋아. 미백·주름 기능성도 있고.
(eung. i-geo chok-chok-ha-go jo-a. mi-baek·ju-reum gi-neung-seong-do it-go)

Natural English
A: Have you tried this serum?
B: Yeah, it’s really hydrating. It even has brightening and wrinkle care benefits.


💛 Story Note
In Korean skincare, 에센스 (essence) usually means a light serum step used after toner and before moisturizer/cream. In everyday English, people most often say serum (or “treatment”), so when Koreans say “에센스,” think of it as a serum in their routine.

  • Essence (에센스, e-sen-seu) = serum 💧
  • Common K-beauty step after toner


💜 Ampoule (앰플)


Situation
Two friends browsing skincare, one mentions a new release.

Dialogue
A: 이거 신상 기미 앰플이래.
(i-geo sin-sang gi-mi aem-peul-i-rae)
B: 그래? 엄마 사다 드릴까?
(geu-rae? eom-ma sa-da deu-ril-kka?)

Natural English
A: They say this is the new dark-spot serum.
B: Really? Should I get one for my mom?


💛 Story Note
In English, “ampoule” usually means a small sealed vial of medicine. But in K-beauty, 앰플 (aem-peul) = a high-concentration serum, often marketed for specific concerns like brightening, wrinkles, or pigmentation. It’s usually considered a stronger, more targeted step than essence.

  • Ampoule (앰플, aem-peul) = high-concentration serum 💧
  • Often used for targeted care (e.g., spots, wrinkles, brightening)

Feature Essence (에센스) Ampoule (앰플)
Texture Light, watery, quickly absorbed Thicker, more concentrated
Purpose Hydration, skin prep Targeted care (e.g., brightening, wrinkles)
Step After toner, before moisturizer/cream After essence/serum, as a booster
Everyday use? Yes, daily Often 2–3 times a week or as needed


💜 Lotion (로션)


Situation
Two friends shopping for skincare.

Dialogue
A: 오빠가 로션 사다 달라고 했는데.
(op-pa-ga ro-syeon sa-da dal-la-go haet-neun-de)
B: 그래? 이거 어때? 올인원이래.
(geu-rae? i-geo eo-ttae? ol-in-won-i-rae)

Natural English
A: My brother asked me to get him a moisturizer.
B: Really? How about this one? It’s all-in-one.


💛 Story Note
In English, “lotion” often means body lotion. But in Korea, 로션 usually means a facial moisturizer — a lighter moisturizer you use after toner/essence. You’ll also see “올인원 (all-in-one)” lotions, especially in men’s skincare, combining multiple steps in one product.

  • Lotion (로션, ro-syeon) = facial moisturizer 💧
  • English “lotion” often implies body lotion

Feature Lotion (로션) Cream (크림)
Texture Light, watery Thicker, richer
Usage Daily hydration Extra nourishment, night care
Skin Type Good for oily/normal skin Better for dry/mature skin


💜 Sun Cream (썬크림)


Situation
Two friends before going out together.

Dialogue
A: 아차, 나 썬크림 다 떨어졌어.
(a-cha, na sseon-keu-rim da tteol-eo-jyeot-seo)
B: 이거 어때? 난 썬쿠션이 편하던데.
(i-geo eo-ttae? nan sseon-ku-syeon-i pyeon-ha-deon-de)

Natural English
A: Oh right, I just realized I ran out of sunscreen.
B: How about this one? I find sun cushion more convenient.


💛 Story Note
In English, “sun cream” isn’t very common — people usually say sunscreen (or sometimes sunblock). But in Korea, 썬크림 is the everyday word. So if you hear it, just think “sunscreen.”

💛 Cultural Note
In Korea, people use the word 썬크림 not only for cream-type products, but also for different forms of sunscreen:

  • 썬쿠션 (sun cushion): sunscreen in a compact case, applied with a puff (great for touch-ups).
  • 썬스틱 (sun stick): a solid stick form you can swipe on your face or body (very portable).

👉 In English, all three would be called “sunscreens,” but in Korea they’re often grouped together as “썬크림.”

  • Sun cream (썬크림, sseon-keu-rim) = sunscreen (cream/lotion type)
  • Sun cushion (썬쿠션, sseon-ku-syeon) = cushion-type sunscreen
  • Sun stick (썬스틱, sseon-seu-tik) = stick-type sunscreen

Type How to Use Pros Cons
Sun cream (썬크림) Apply like lotion/cream Even coverage, moisturizing Can feel sticky, messy to reapply
Sun cushion (썬쿠션) Tap on with puff Quick, easy to reapply, less mess Compact runs out faster
Sun stick (썬스틱) Glide on like a stick Portable, no hands needed Might miss spots if not careful


💜 Mist (미스트)


Situation
Friends inside Olive Young, trying out a tester.

Dialogue
A: 근데 여기 온풍기 때문에 너무 건조하다.
(geun-de yeo-gi on-pung-gi ttae-mun-e neo-mu geon-jo-ha-da)
B: 응. 여기 미스트 좀 뿌리자.
(eung. yeo-gi mi-seu-teu jom ppu-ri-ja)

Natural English
A: This heater makes the air so dry in here.
B: Yeah, let’s spray some of this face mist.


💛 Story Note
In English, “mist” just means a light spray of water or fog. But in Korea, 미스트 almost always means a facial mist — a moisturizing face spray you keep in your bag to refresh your skin. It’s especially popular in dry winter or in air-conditioned places like classrooms and offices.

  • Mist (미스트, mi-seu-teu) = facial mist / face spray 💦
  • English “mist” = a light spray/fog


💜 Pack (팩)


Situation
Two friends checking out near the cashier.

Dialogue
A: 여기 팩 세일하는데 좀 살까?
(yeo-gi paek se-il-ha-neun-de jom sal-kka?)
B: 그러자. 오늘 자기 전에 붙여야겠어.
(geu-reo-ja. o-neul ja-gi jeon-e but-yeo-ya-get-seo)

Natural English
A: They’ve got face masks on sale here. Should we grab some?
B: Yeah, let’s do it. I want to put one on before bed tonight.


💛 Story Note
In English, “pack” usually means a bag or a bundle of items. But in Korea, 팩 (paek) = a face mask. That includes sheet masks, wash-off packs, and even sleeping packs. So if a Korean friend says “팩 했다,” it means they used a face mask — not that they packed a suitcase ^^

  • Pack (팩, paek) = face mask
  • Korean 팩 can include sheet masks, wash-off masks, and sleeping masks

Korean term Meaning in English Usage
마스크팩 (mask pack) Sheet mask Everyday or 2–3 times a week
머드팩 (mud pack) Mud mask / clay mask Weekly for deep cleansing
석고팩 / 모델링팩 (modeling pack) Rubber mask / modeling mask Occasional spa-like treatment
슬리핑팩 (sleeping pack) Sleeping mask / overnight mask Overnight, 1–2 times a week


💜 FAQ: K-Beauty Konglish Terms (Quick Answers)


1) If I say “skin” in English, will people understand I mean toner?

Not really. In English, “skin” usually means your actual skin (피부). If you want to be clear in English, say toner. In Korea, though, saying 스킨 is totally normal in daily talk.

2) Are essence (에센스) and ampoule (앰플) the same thing?

They’re similar, but not exactly. In Korea, essence is often a lighter serum step, while an ampoule usually implies a more concentrated, targeted serum. (Brands use these words differently, so the texture and strength can vary.)

3) Does “lotion (로션)” mean body lotion in Korea?

Often, no. In Korea, 로션 frequently means a facial moisturizer. For body care, people are more likely to say 바디로션 (body lotion).

4) Is “sun cream (썬크림)” the same as sunscreen?

Yes. In English, people usually say sunscreen. In Korea, 썬크림 is the everyday word — and it can include sun sticks and sun cushions, too.

5) What does “팩 했다” mean?

In Korea, 팩 (pack) means a face mask (sheet mask, wash-off mask, or sleeping mask). So “팩 했다” means “I used a face mask,” not “I packed something.” ㅎㅎ



💜 Quick Recap


So, here’s a quick recap of today’s K-beauty Konglish terms ^^

  • 스킨 (seu-kin) = toner
  • 에센스 (e-sen-seu) = serum
  • 앰플 (aem-peul) = high-concentration serum
  • 로션 (ro-syeon) = facial moisturizer
  • 썬크림 (sseon-keu-rim) = sunscreen
  • 미스트 (mi-seu-teu) = facial mist
  • 팩 (paek) = face mask


💜 Final Thoughts


That’s our skincare Konglish set! Now you know what Koreans really mean when they say “skin,” “lotion,” or “pack.” It’s not just English — it’s K-beauty English. And once you get the hang of it, shopping and chatting about skincare in Korea becomes way more fun ^^

👉 Next time, in Part 4: K-Beauty Makeup Terms (톤업크림, 쿠션팩트, 블러셔...), we’ll dive into the colorful world of K-beauty makeup terms!


With love,

한글리아



Part 3 of the Konglish series — ← Previous: Part 2. 10 Korean English Words You’ll Hear in Everyday Items – From Hand Phone (핸드폰) to Remote Control (리모컨) | Next → Part 4. 7 Konglish K-Beauty Makeup Terms — From Tone-Up Cream (톤업크림) to Shading (섀딩)



Skincare is just the beginning ^^ If you want to understand the secret behind that glowy Korean look, start with 💧Korean Glass Skin (물광피부) tips — the heart of every K-beauty routine . And if you’re curious about how Koreans create that famous babyface look,
click here 💄Korean dongan (동안) makeup tips .



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