Understanding key skincare terms is essential when exploring the world of K-beauty. This guide focuses on how to discuss “retinol” in Korean, covering essential vocabulary, useful phrases for shopping and usage, and cultural context surrounding this popular ingredient.
Table Of Content
Core Term
-
Expression: 레티놀
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol
Meaning: Retinol (The direct Korean transliteration of the English word)
Basic Skincare Terms
-
Expression: 피부
Pronunciation: pi-bu
Meaning: Skin -
Expression: 스킨케어
Pronunciation: seu-kin-ke-eo
Meaning: Skincare -
Expression: 주름
Pronunciation: ju-reum
Meaning: Wrinkle -
Expression: 노화 방지
Pronunciation: no-hwa bang-ji
Meaning: Anti-aging -
Expression: 성분
Pronunciation: seong-bun
Meaning: Ingredient -
Expression: 탄력
Pronunciation: tan-lyeok
Meaning: Elasticity / Firmness -
Expression: 여드름
Pronunciation: yeo-deu-reum
Meaning: Acne / Pimple -
Expression: 민감성 피부
Pronunciation: min-gam-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Sensitive skin -
Expression: 건성 피부
Pronunciation: geon-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Dry skin -
Expression: 지성 피부
Pronunciation: ji-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Oily skin -
Expression: 복합성 피부
Pronunciation: bok-hap-seong pi-bu
Meaning: Combination skin -
Expression: 화장품
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-pum
Meaning: Cosmetics / Skincare products
Using Retinol Products
-
Expression: 레티놀 세럼을 바르다
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol se-reom-eul ba-reu-da
Meaning: To apply retinol serum -
Expression: 레티놀 크림을 사용하다
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol keu-rim-eul sa-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To use retinol cream -
Expression: 저녁 스킨케어 루틴
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok seu-kin-ke-eo ru-tin
Meaning: Evening skincare routine -
Expression: 낮은 농도부터 시작하세요.
Pronunciation: na-jeun nong-do-bu-teo si-jak-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Start with a low concentration. -
Expression: 일주일에 두 번 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: il-ju-il-e du beon sa-yong-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Use it twice a week. -
Expression: 피부 자극이 있을 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu ja-geug-i it-seul su it-seo-yo
Meaning: There might be skin irritation. -
Expression: 보습제를 꼭 바르세요.
Pronunciation: bo-seup-je-reul kkok ba-reu-se-yo
Meaning: Make sure to apply moisturizer. -
Expression: 낮에는 선크림을 사용해야 해요.
Pronunciation: na-je-neun seon-keu-rim-eul sa-yong-hae-ya hae-yo
Meaning: You must use sunscreen during the day. -
Expression: 레티놀 사용 빈도를 늘리다
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol sa-yong bin-do-reul neul-li-da
Meaning: To increase the frequency of retinol use -
Expression: 레티놀 부작용
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol bu-jak-yong
Meaning: Retinol side effects -
Expression: 피부가 적응할 시간이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-ga jeog-eung-hal si-gan-i pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: Your skin needs time to adapt. -
Expression: 레티놀은 밤에만 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol-eun bam-e-man sa-yong-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Use retinol only at night.
Shopping for Retinol
-
Expression: 레티놀 제품 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol je-pum chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please recommend a retinol product. -
Expression: 이 제품에 레티놀 들어있나요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum-e re-ti-nol deul-eo-it-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this product contain retinol? -
Expression: 레티놀 함량이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol ham-lyang-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the retinol concentration/content? -
Expression: 초보자에게 좋은 레티놀 제품은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-e-ge jo-eun re-ti-nol je-pum-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s a good retinol product for beginners? -
Expression: 민감성 피부용 레티놀 있어요?
Pronunciation: min-gam-seong pi-bu-yong re-ti-nol it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have retinol for sensitive skin? -
Expression: 이 레티놀 세럼은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i re-ti-nol se-reom-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this retinol serum? -
Expression: 성분 목록을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: seong-bun mong-lok-eul bol su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the ingredient list? -
Expression: 레티놀이랑 같이 쓰면 안 되는 성분이 있나요?
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol-i-rang ga-chi sseu-myeon an doe-neun seong-bun-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any ingredients that shouldn’t be used with retinol? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 레티놀 제품은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun re-ti-nol je-pum-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular retinol product? -
Expression: 레티놀 샘플 있나요?
Pronunciation: re-ti-nol saem-peul it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have retinol samples? -
Expression: 이 브랜드의 레티놀 제품은 처음 써봐요.
Pronunciation: i beu-raen-deu-ui re-ti-nol je-pum-eun cheo-eum sseo-bwa-yo
Meaning: It’s my first time trying this brand’s retinol product.
Korean Skincare Culture Notes
Retinol has gained significant popularity in Korean skincare for its anti-aging and skin-renewing benefits. Korean consumers are often very knowledgeable about ingredients, and retinol (레티놀 – re-ti-nol) is frequently discussed in online communities and beauty shows.
Korean brands often formulate retinol products with soothing and hydrating ingredients to minimize potential irritation, catering to the common concern for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.
There’s a strong emphasis on starting slow with retinol (낮은 농도부터 시작 – na-jeun nong-do-bu-teo si-jak – starting from a low concentration) and consistent sunscreen use (선크림 사용 – seon-keu-rim sa-yong – using sunscreen) when incorporating it into a routine.
While readily available, consulting with dermatologists or experienced skincare advisors at beauty stores (화장품 가게 직원 – hwa-jang-pum ga-ge jig-won – cosmetics store employee) before starting retinol is common, especially for those with sensitive skin.
You’ll find various types of retinol products, from serums (세럼 – se-reom) and creams (크림 – keu-rim) to eye creams (아이크림 – a-i-keu-rim), often clearly labeled with their retinol concentration (함량 – ham-lyang).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is asking a store employee at a Korean cosmetics shop about retinol products.
Roles: A: Customer, B: Store Employee
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 레티놀 제품을 찾고 있어요. 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, re-ti-nol je-pum-eul chat-go it-seo-yo. chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, I’m looking for retinol products. Could you recommend one? -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요! 레티놀 처음 사용해 보세요? 아니면 기존에 쓰시던 제품이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! re-ti-nol cheo-eum sa-yong-hae bo-se-yo? a-ni-myeon gi-jon-e sseu-si-deon je-pum-i it-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello! Is this your first time using retinol? Or do you have a product you’ve used before? -
Expression: A: 처음 써봐요. 그래서 좀 순한 걸로 시작하고 싶어요. 민감성 피부이기도 하고요.
Pronunciation: A: cheo-eum sseo-bwa-yo. geu-rae-seo jom sun-han geol-lo si-jak-ha-go sip-eo-yo. min-gam-seong pi-bu-i-gi-do ha-go-yo.
Meaning: A: It’s my first time. So I want to start with something mild. I also have sensitive skin. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 그럼 이 제품은 어떠세요? 레티놀 함량이 낮고 진정 성분도 같이 들어있어서 초보자나 민감성 피부이신 분들께 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. geu-reom i je-pum-eun eo-tteo-se-yo? re-ti-nol ham-lyang-i nat-go jin-jeong seong-bun-do ga-chi deul-eo-it-seo-seo cho-bo-ja-na min-gam-seong pi-bu-i-sin bun-deul-kke in-gi-ga man-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, I see. Then how about this product? It has a low retinol concentration and also contains soothing ingredients, so it’s popular among beginners and those with sensitive skin. -
Expression: A: 좋아 보이네요! 이건 어떻게 사용해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: jo-a bo-i-ne-yo! i-geon eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: It looks good! How should I use this? -
Expression: B: 저녁 스킨케어 때 소량만 얼굴 전체에 얇게 펴 발라주시고, 처음에는 일주일에 두 번 정도만 사용해 보세요. 피부가 적응하면 빈도를 조금씩 늘리시면 됩니다. 그리고 낮에는 꼭 선크림을 사용하셔야 해요!
Pronunciation: B: jeo-nyeok seu-kin-ke-eo ttae so-lyang-man eol-gul jeon-che-e yal-ge pyeo bal-la-ju-si-go, cheo-eum-e-neun il-ju-il-e du beon jeong-do-man sa-yong-hae bo-se-yo. pi-bu-ga jeog-eung-ha-myeon bin-do-reul jo-geum-ssik neul-li-si-myeon doem-ni-da. geu-ri-go na-je-neun kkok seon-keu-rim-eul sa-yong-ha-syeo-ya hae-yo!
Meaning: B: Apply a small amount thinly over your entire face during your evening skincare routine, and try using it only about twice a week at first. Once your skin adapts, you can gradually increase the frequency. And you must use sunscreen during the day! -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 이걸로 할게요. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Okay, I understand. I’ll take this one. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Now you know how to talk about retinol in Korean! Try practicing the pronunciation of 레티놀 (re-ti-nol) and related terms like 주름 (ju-reum) and 노화 방지 (no-hwa bang-ji)~
Next time you’re shopping for K-beauty products online or in Korea, try using phrases like 레티놀 제품 추천해 주세요 (re-ti-nol je-pum chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo) or asking about the concentration 레티놀 함량이 어떻게 되나요? (re-ti-nol ham-lyang-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?). Reading product descriptions and ingredient lists in Korean is also great practice!
Don’t be afraid to use these expressions. Consistent practice is key to improving your Korean conversation skills. 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
