What Does Red Bean Do in Your Skincare Routine?
Learn how this Hanbang ingredient can purify your complexion.
If you’ve only experienced red bean in desserts, you haven’t yet tapped its full potential. Red bean’s skincare benefits are plentiful, and this Hanbang ingredient is actually a time-honored secret to softer, more radiant skin. Centuries ago, Korean women ground red beans into a fine powder to smooth and beautify their complexions. Today, we make things much easier by directly infusing this powerful ingredient into some of our best-selling formulas.
Read on to discover what red bean can do for your skin, plus our favorite ways to incorporate it into your daily routine.
What is red bean?
Red bean (also known as the adzuki bean) is a plant-powered ingredient that offers a blend of beneficial skincare properties. Known for its natural purifying properties, it was often used in combination with ground mung beans to cleanse and soften the skin during the Joseon Dynasty.
The key to the magic of red bean comes from its saponins, which help absorb excess oil and leave skin perfectly hydrated and balanced. When finely ground, red bean powder can also be used for gentle, non-abrasive exfoliation. Lastly, these beans are packed with antioxidants that can help shield your skin from UV rays and environmental stressors, making them the ultimate ingredient to incorporate into your routine.
Red Bean Benefits in Skincare
We like to refer to red bean as a pore purifier, but it does a lot more than just help maintain your oil-moisture balance. Anyone can benefit from this saponin-rich ingredient, but you should definitely consider adding it to your skincare if your complexion feels tired, congested, overly greasy, or rough. Here are a few ways red bean can target your skin concerns:
Absorb excess sebum
The saponins in red bean work like magnets for excess oil on your skin, drawing out just the right amount to leave you balanced (not too dry, not too greasy.)
Gently exfoliate
Ground-up red beans can gently remove dead skin cells and smooth rough texture through physical exfoliation—all without tearing or damaging your skin. It’s the secret to smoother-looking, brighter-looking skin.
Support your
natural moisture barrier
Ground-up red beans can gently remove dead skin cells and smooth rough texture through physical exfoliation—all without tearing or damaging your skin. It’s the secret to smoother-looking, brighter-looking skin.
Target signs of aging
A stronger moisture barrier doesn’t just keep skin hydrated; it also improves the appearance of wrinkles and dullness, making your skin look more radiant and youthful.
How to Use Red Bean in Your Skincare Routine
So you’re ready to get in on the many benefits of red bean. Here’s how to easily incorporate it into your daily skincare routine using some of our Beauty of Joseon community favorites.
1. Start with clean skin. Effective skincare starts with proper cleansing, so start by making sure your base is fresh and prepped for the rest of your routine. Melt away any makeup with our Radiance Cleansing Balm, then follow with our Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser to remove any impurities and thoroughly double-cleanse your face.
2.Mask with red bean. Masks are one of our favorite ways to incorporate this Hanbang ingredient into our routine. Twice a week (or whenever your skin is feeling dull), treat yourself to our Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask after cleansing. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off to reveal smoother, more hydrated, clear skin.
READ MORE: BOJ Recs: How to Care for Dull Skin
3. Moisturize with red bean. If you want to use red bean in your routine daily, there’s no better way than grabbing our Red Bean Water Gel. This lightweight moisturizer is formulated to hydrate without heaviness and help keep oil-moisture levels in check, so you don’t get greasy.
Which skin types is red bean best for?
We recommend red bean for all skin types, but it’s especially beneficial for balancing oily and combination skin. Here’s how it can help other skin types, too:
Oily and Combination Skin Red bean in skincare helps regulate sebum production and keep shine at bay for oily and combination skin types. Plus, it does it without stripping skin of essential moisture and triggering dryness.
- Anyone With Enlarged Pores
If your pores get easily congested, the gentle exfoliating properties of red bean can help keep them clear and make them look less visible.
- Anyone With Rough, Uneven Skin
Finely ground red bean is one of our favorite exfoliants to gently buff away rough patches and uneven texture, leaving your skin feeling baby-soft.
Our Best Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Products
If you’re new to our red bean collection, here’s a quick rundown on our best-selling purifying mask and balancing moisturizer.
Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
Take 10 minutes to add this multitasking mask to your day. The creamy, non-drying formula gently exfoliates with red bean powder while absorbing excess oil and clearing pores. Use it twice a week for best results, and you’ll notice smoother, clearer skin with regular use.
Red Bean Water Gel
If your skin could use some hydration, but you don’t like the rich feeling of traditional creams, this formula is for you. The lightweight gel texture absorbs in seconds, while red bean balances your oil-moisture levels and helps block unwanted shine.
As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to discover how this Hanbang hero ingredient can transform your complexion, purify your pores, and balance your skin. Add it to your skincare lineup, and you’ll see exactly why red bean has stood the test of time.
