Good pores and skin has lengthy been seen as a marker of well being in Korean society. Even throughout the historic Three Kingdoms Period, which started in 57 BCE, folks used rice water to melt their pores and skin and camellia oil to hydrate. Centuries later, throughout the Joseon Dynasty of the 14th century, mung beans have been used for exfoliation, whereas apricot seed oil helped add moisture.
Given these deep roots, it’s no shock that Korean skincare is now revered around the globe. The worldwide Korean magnificence market is on observe to exceed a worth of $252.4 billion by 2033. One model driving the Ok-beauty increase within the US is OlivaUmma, a vegan skincare firm with the tagline “born in Korea, raised in Miami.”
OlivaUmma
Founder Hye Younger Kim, who, because the slogan suggests, was born in Korea however now lives in Miami, created the model as a tribute to her relationship together with her daughter. In Korean, OlivaUmma actually interprets to “Olivia’s mother.”
However Kim additionally wished to develop merchandise that mirror Korea’s deep respect for skincare, combining extremely environment friendly formulation with the emotional expertise of utilizing them. The founder is aware of that the way in which a product seems and feels may be simply as essential because the elements themselves.
“I didn’t need simply one other skincare model,” she advised Ipsy. “I wished one which constantly delivered each outcomes and pleasure.”
All of that dedication has paid off: OlivaUmma is about to launch two of its vegan merchandise in Sephora.
OlivaUmma
From Sephora Speed up to the cabinets
The transfer is a pure subsequent step for Kim, who took half within the Sephora Speed up 2025 program. The initiative mentored Kim alongside seven different BIPOC founders, together with Aziza El Wanni of vegan haircare model The Potion Studio and Christal Alert of cruelty-free, sun-safe cosmetics model Tonal Cosmetics.
OlivaUmma has a number of best-selling merchandise, together with serums and cleansers in its Glass Pores and skin Tanghulu vary. These have been among the many first merchandise developed by the model, impressed by tanghulu, a shiny, sugar-coated fruit snack in style throughout Asia.
OliviaUmma
The primary two OlivaUmma merchandise to launch via Sephora are its Milky Resurfacing Brightening Toner Pads and Cloud Foam Hydrating Cleanser, each beloved for his or her skin-nourishing advantages. Each might be obtainable on-line, however the toner pads may even be obtainable in practically 270 Sephora shops throughout the nation.
“We’re so excited to debut OlivaUmma at Sephora,” Kim mentioned in a press release. “[We’re] introducing our highly effective Ok-beauty skincare and constructive vitality to a complete new viewers.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and author primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
