8 K-Beauty Products Perfect for Deeper Skin Tones

K-Beauty’s Journey Towards Inclusivity

A few years ago, I tried a K-beauty cushion foundation for the first time, only to end up looking like I’d fallen into flour. Despite being labeled "tan-warm," it didn’t suit my skin tone. This frustration was common among those with deeper skin tones, as K-beauty traditionally catered to fairer complexions, often neglecting the undertones needed for darker skin.

However, change has been happening. In 2024, during K-beauty’s "second wave" in the U.S., brands started to embrace inclusivity. Influencers and communities of color called for broader shade ranges, pushing brands to adjust their approach. Notably, foundations began to feature warmer undertones, and lip products offered richer pigments suited to darker skin.

Brands like Beauty of Joseon expanded their product ranges, and collaborations with diverse community members helped improve product formulation. Melody Yuan, founder of Skin Cupid, emphasizes the positive shift driven by global demand for inclusivity, though she acknowledges there’s still progress to be made.

Skin Cupid, among other platforms, highlights diverse K-beauty products and fosters spaces for a broad audience. K-Beauty World engages consumers through events and pop-ups, further promoting this inclusive evolution.