Almost every day, I scroll through Olive Young\u2019s Korean website like it\u2019s TikTok. I\u2019m always on the hunt for emerging K-beauty trends, and the best-selling products and ingredients at the South Korean mega-retailer tend to influence beauty shelves here in the US months later.<\/p>\n
In February, I started noticing an onslaught of sky-blue formulas designed for sensitive skin hitting Olive Young\u2019s virtual shelves. They all touted the same ingredient: azulene. (You might see it listed on product labels as guaiazulene, the stabilized form most commonly used in skin care, says Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.)<\/p>\n
Intrigued, I reached out to Hee Jin Kim, MD, one half of a sister duo that runs PureenMD Skin and Well-Aging Center, with locations in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Seoul, to find out whether azulene is poised to be K-beauty\u2019s next trendy ingredient based on what she’s seeing in her South Korea office.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, very much so,\u201d confirmed Dr. Kim. \u201cMany Korean beauty [content creators] have been actively reviewing azulene-containing products recently, particularly those focused on calming and post-procedure care.\u201d One creator in particular, Inssi, is often credited for sparking the rising popularity of azulene. She has posted several videos over the past year highlighting the ingredient\u2019s skin-cooling and blemish-soothing powers.<\/p>\n
I marveled at how quickly the products visibly calmed her redness. Much like a dog that barks at every little noise and passerby, my skin is reactive. The wind, temperature changes, and even a light touch can trigger redness and sensitivity. I\u2019m also prone to painful hormonal breakouts, so my skin is the ultimate litmus test for any new calming ingredient, and I immediately knew my routine needed some azulene.<\/p>\n
![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/media.allure.com\/photos\/69ea5c63d043db9be4000062\/3:4\/w_748%2Cc_limit\/Dr.%2520Althea%2520Aqua%2520Marine%2520Deep%2520Serum.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nDr. Althea<\/p>\n
Aqua Marine Deep Serum<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
One problem: Many of Korea\u2019s buzziest azulene formulas aren\u2019t available just yet stateside, but there are a few options available to US consumers. I got my hands on the Dr. Althea Aqua Marine Deep Serum. My skin loved the cobalt-blue formula so much that I recommended it to my sister, whose skin is even more reactive than mine. She went through a whole bottle in less than a month because she was reaching for it every morning, night, and after working out.<\/p>\n
Ahead, experts explain exactly what azulene is and how it works to soothe skin.<\/p>\n