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Mung Bean Skincare: The Quiet K-Beauty Fix for Congested, Oily Skin
One humble legume, four products, and a pore-care routine that actually respects your barrier. Introduction If you have oily or congestion-prone skin, you already know the trap: strip your face to feel "clean," and your skin panics and produces even more oil by lunchtime. Reach for something gentler, and the buildup, blackheads, and dull texture creep right back. It can feel like there's no way to actually calm congested skin without also drying it out. K-beauty's answer to this has never been a stronger acid or a harsher foam — it's mung bean. Long used in traditional Korean skincare to cool, purify, and de-puff the skin, mung bean has quietly become one of the most trusted pore-care ingredients in Korean formulation, precisely because it clears congestion without disrupting the skin barrier. Korean clean beauty brand Beplain has built its entire product line around this one ingredient, which makes it a genuinely useful case study in what mung bean can (and can't) do for skin. In this edit, we're breaking down Beplain's full mung bean lineup — a cleansing oil, a pH-balanced foam, a peeling gel, and a clay mask — and showing you how to build them into a real, sustainable pore and oil-control routine. The Routine Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil — $29.00 USD | 200ml Best for: Oily and congested skin, daily SPF or makeup wearers Beplain's whole philosophy is summed up in its name: skincare should be plain, uncomplicated, and stress-free. This cleansing oil is a good example of that in practice — it's a lightweight, emulsifying oil built to dissolve waterproof makeup and sebum without leaving the greasy film that heavier balms can. The formula leans on Camellia Sinensis (green tea) Seed Oil alongside a full complex of mung bean sprout, seed, and whole extracts, which is where most of the ingredient story lives here — mung bean has documented free-radical-scavenging and pore-clearing properties, and using it inside an oil cleanser means it's working on congestion from the very first step of the routine, rather than only in a rinse-off treatment. Panthenol and allantoin round the formula out, keeping the skin from feeling tight after rinsing. In use, it emulsifies cleanly with water and rinses without residue, which matters most for anyone who's tried an oil cleanser and been put off by that stubborn film — this isn't that. Key ingredients: Mung Bean (Phaseolus Radiatus) Sprout & Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Panthenol, Allantoin pH: N/A (oil-based formula) Best used: AM + PM, first cleanse 💡 Routine tip: Massage any cleansing oil on completely dry skin for 30–60 seconds before adding water. That massage time — not the oil itself — is what actually breaks sunscreen and sebum down enough to rinse away cleanly. Beplain Mung Bean pH-balanced Cleansing Foam — $9.90 USD (61% off, reg. $26.00) | 160ml Best for: Oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin This is Beplain's award-winning second-cleanse step, and it's built around a genuinely high concentration of mung bean — 33% Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, plus milled mung bean seed powder for very mild physical polishing. Both work on the same problem from two angles: the extract helps regulate excess sebum, while the fine powder lifts away the surface debris that clogs pores in the first place. What keeps this from tipping into "stripping foam" territory is the sub-acidic, skin-mimicking pH and the amino-acid-based surfactant base, which cleanses without the tight, squeaky-clean feeling that sulfate foams leave behind. Centella Asiatica, Ceramide NP, and Sodium Hyaluronate are layered in specifically to offset any dryness from the cleansing step itself. Key ingredients: Mung Bean (Vigna Radiata) Seed Extract (33%), Mung Bean Seed Powder, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate pH: 5.5 Best used: AM + PM, second cleanse Beplain Mung Bean Milk Peeling Gel — $8.90 USD (59% off, reg. $22.00) | 120ml Best for: Dull, textured skin that still needs a gentle hand This is a polymer-based peeling gel, not a scrub — meaning the "clumping" texture you see as you massage it in is dead skin and product residue balling up against a soft exfoliating polymer, not abrasive grains dragging across your face. That distinction matters for anyone whose skin reacts badly to physical scrubs but still wants to see visible flaking buildup lift off. It's enriched with mung bean soy milk, which functions here mainly as a moisture cushion so the exfoliation doesn't leave skin feeling stripped afterward — a common problem with peeling gels that lean too hard into the polish and forget the hydration. Key ingredients: Mung Bean Soy Milk Extract, gentle exfoliating polymer pH: 2.0–4.0 Best used: PM, 1–2x per week Beplain Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask — $9.90 USD (58% off, reg. $24.00) | 120ml Best for: Enlarged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and general oiliness This mask is the most concentrated pore-care step in the lineup, built on a six-clay complex — Kaolin and Bentonite are the two workhorses — that draws out sebum and dirt without the tightness some clay masks leave behind. A biodegradable coconut shell powder adds very mild physical polishing on top of the clay's absorbent action. The mung bean complex here does double duty: mung bean powder gives it gentle exfoliation, while the extract and sprout extract are there mainly to cool and calm skin that's just had sebum and impurities pulled out of it, so the mask doesn't leave a reactive, flushed feeling behind. 📌 Ingredient note: This mask also contains Niacinamide — it isn't mung bean-derived, but it's a well-tolerated brightening ingredient with no known conflicts with anything else in this routine, so it layers in as a bonus rather than a redundant or competing step. Key ingredients: Mung Bean Complex (Extract, Seed Powder, Sprout Extract), Kaolin, Bentonite, Niacinamide, Coconut Shell Powder pH: N/A (rinse-off clay formula) Best used: PM, 1–2x per week 💡 Pro tip: Don't use the Peeling Gel and Clay Mask on the same night. Both are actively working on the skin's surface and pores — space them out across the week (for example, Peeling Gel on Tuesday, Clay Mask on Friday) so you're never asking your skin to handle two exfoliating or pulling steps at once. Routine Summary Step Product When Key Concern 1 Mung Bean Cleansing Oil AM + PM Makeup, SPF & sebum removal 2 Mung Bean pH-balanced Cleansing Foam AM + PM Daily impurities & pore congestion 3 Mung Bean Milk Peeling Gel PM, 1–2x/week Dead skin buildup & dull texture 4 Mung Bean Pore Clay Mask PM, 1–2x/week Enlarged pores, blackheads & oil control Why K-Beauty Builds Routines This Way Mung bean isn't a new discovery — it's been used in Korean beauty and traditional medicine for generations to cool and calm skin, long before "pore care" was a marketing category. What's changed is the formulation science: modern extraction lets brands like Beplain isolate and concentrate the parts of the bean (sprout extract, seed powder, whole extract) that do the most for oil regulation and gentle exfoliation, without the parts that would otherwise be irritating. That single-ingredient approach is also a philosophy, not just a shortcut. Building a whole routine — cleanser, foam, exfoliant, mask — around one well-understood, gentle ingredient means there's no guesswork about how the steps interact with each other. Nothing here is fighting for the same job, and nothing is likely to conflict. It's a quieter, more coherent way to approach oily and congested skin than layering four different actives from four different brands and hoping they play nicely together. You can read more about how K-beauty treats sebum and congestion in our Korean acne skincare guide, and if your skin leans reactive on top of oily, our Barrier Repair guide covers how to protect the barrier while still working on breakouts. Final Thought Oily and congestion-prone skin doesn't need to be punished into behaving — it needs consistent, gentle pore care that doesn't overcorrect. Beplain's mung bean line is a genuine holy grail for exactly that: a full routine, four products, one ingredient doing the work from first cleanse to weekly mask, without a single step that leaves skin tight or reactive. Shop the full Nuriglow Beplain Collection and build a pore-care routine that never overcorrects. All products are available at nuriglow.com! FAQ Q. What does mung bean actually do for skin? A. Mung bean extract and powder help regulate excess sebum, gently lift away pore-clogging debris, and calm skin — its phenolic compounds and flavonoids give it antioxidant and soothing properties on top of the physical pore-care benefit. Q. Is mung bean skincare good for oily and acne-prone skin? A. Yes. Mung bean works on oil and congestion without the harshness of stronger actives like salicylic acid, which makes it a good option for oily skin that's also easily irritated. Q. Can I use a clay mask and a peeling gel in the same routine? A. You can, but not on the same night. Alternate them across the week so you're never doing two pore-focused or exfoliating steps back to back. Q. Is Beplain's mung bean line safe for sensitive skin? A. The cleansing oil and foam are formulated to be low-irritation and fragrance-free, and are generally well tolerated by sensitive skin. The peeling gel and clay mask are still active pore-care steps, so sensitive skin should patch-test and start with once-weekly use. Q. What's the best Korean cleanser for oily skin? A. Look for a sub-acidic, amino-acid-based foaming cleanser rather than a sulfate-heavy one — it will cleanse oily skin effectively without triggering the rebound oil production that over-stripping causes. Beplain's Mung Bean pH-balanced Cleansing Foam is one well-tested example. Q. Do I need every product in this line, or can I just pick one? A. You'll get the most out of the ingredient by pairing at least one cleansing step with one weekly treatment (peeling gel or clay mask), but each product also works as a standalone addition to an existing routine. References Images: Beplain Written by Sena Lee for the G-Log — Nuriglow's K-beauty edit for real skin.
Why Your First Cleanse Deserves a Better Formula: The K-Beauty Cleansing Oil Edit
The oil-first double cleanse isn't just tradition — it's free real estate for actives most cleansers waste. Introduction Every K-beauty routine's most repeated rule is "double cleanse" — and yet the first half of that instruction, the oil step, is the one most people rush through or skip entirely. That's a mistake, because the oil-first cleanse is one of the few skincare steps where more contact time automatically means more benefit: while the oil is dissolving your makeup and sunscreen, it's also sitting on your skin long enough to deliver whatever actives the formulator built into it. Korean cleansing oils have leaned into that window hard. Instead of treating the first cleanse as a purely functional step, K-beauty formulators pack it with the same kind of ingredient thinking that goes into a serum — pore-care botanicals, brightening extracts, barrier-supporting actives — so the 30 to 60 seconds you spend massaging isn't wasted. This week's G-log rounds up three Korean cleansing oils currently on Nuriglow, each built around a different "something extra": pore care, gentle nourishment, and brightening on a budget. Here's what each one brings to the table — and how to pick the right one for your skin. Three Korean Cleansing Oils Worth Adding to Your Routine All three of these dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum on contact — that part is table stakes. What sets them apart is what else they're doing while they're on your skin. 💡 Routine tip: All three are formulated for the oil-first step of a double cleanse. Follow up with a gentle foam or gel cleanser to fully clear away any residue, especially if you're using sunscreen daily. Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil — $29.00 USD | 200ml Best for: Oily, acne-prone, and blackhead-congested skin Beplain built its entire identity around the mung bean — a K-beauty pore-care staple most Western brands have never touched. This cleansing oil leads with Mung Bean Extract to purify clogged pores and manage excess sebum, then backs it up with Panthenol and Allantoin so the barrier stays protected instead of stripped. The lightweight oil melts on contact and rinses clean, with zero sticky residue. Key ingredients: Mung Bean Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin Best used: PM (as the first step of double cleansing) Certifications: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Non-Comedogenic, Fragrance-Free, Clinically Tested NEEDLY Mild Deep Cleansing Oil — $27.00 USD | 240ml Best for: Normal, sensitive, and easily-irritated skin NEEDLY takes the plant-oil-blend route — Camellia, Green Tea Seed, Argan, Sunflower, Olive, and Rice Bran oils layered together for a formula that feels more like a facial oil than a makeup remover. It's built specifically as the opening move of a double-cleanse routine, dissolving sunscreen and blackhead buildup without the tightness that stronger surfactant-based removers can leave behind. Key ingredients: Camellia Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Jojoba Oil Best used: PM (as the first step of double cleansing) Certifications: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Non-Comedogenic, Fragrance-Free, Clinically Tested SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Double Cleansing Ampoule Oil — $9.90 USD (60% off as of July 9, 2026, regular $25.00) | 200ml Best for: Congested, oily, and dull or uneven-toned skin Sungboon Editor takes a different route into the first-cleanse step, leading with a 10,000ppm concentration of Green Tomato Fruit Extract rather than a single calming botanical. Paired with the brand's pore-focused "Anti Sebum P" complex — Pine Needle, Elm Bark, Evening Primrose, and Kudzu Root extracts — the formula is built specifically to target sebum buildup and congestion at the source, not just wipe it away. Turmeric Root Extract adds an antioxidant, brightening note that's unusual to see in a cleansing oil, while Jojoba and Moringa Seed Oils keep the massage step from feeling stripping. Multiple forms of Hyaluronic Acid are folded into the formula to backfill moisture the instant the oil rinses away, so congested or oily skin doesn't have to trade "clean" for "tight." At well under half the price of the other two picks here, it's proof that budget-friendly K-beauty doesn't mean a stripped-down formula. Key ingredients: Green Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Fruit Extract, Turmeric Root Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Moringa Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid Best used: PM (as the first step of double cleansing) Which One Should You Pick? Product Best For What It Adds Beyond Cleansing Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil Oily, acne-prone, congested skin Pore care + sebum control NEEDLY Mild Deep Cleansing Oil Normal, sensitive skin Nourishing multi-oil blend, zero tightness SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Double Cleansing Ampoule Oil Congested, dull, uneven-toned skin Pore + sebum complex, brightening turmeric Your First-Cleanse Routine at a Glance Step 1 is a choice, not a sequence — pick the oil that matches your skin's biggest complaint, then follow with Step 2 to fully clear residue. Step Product When Key Concern 1 Beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil PM Pore congestion + sebum control 1 NEEDLY Mild Deep Cleansing Oil PM Gentle nourishment, zero tightness 1 SUNGBOON EDITOR Green Tomato Double Cleansing Ampoule Oil PM Sebum + brightening on a budget 2 Follow with a gentle foam or gel cleanser PM Clear remaining residue Note: All three Step 1 options do the same core job. Choose based on your skin's biggest concern — sebum control, sensitivity, or budget-friendly brightening — not on format alone. Why K-Beauty Treats the First Cleanse as a Skincare Step The core principle is simple chemistry: oil dissolves oil, so an oil-based first cleanse will always outperform a water-based one at removing sunscreen, sebum, and makeup — that part isn't up for debate in either hemisphere. What's specifically Korean is the decision to not waste that contact time. Since the oil is already sitting on skin for 30–60 seconds of massage before it's ever rinsed away, K-beauty formulators treat that window as free real estate for actives — botanical extracts, hyaluronic acid, brightening agents — that would otherwise need a separate serum step to deliver. It's the same "why do one thing when a formula can do three" mentality that shows up throughout Korean skincare, from toner pads to sheet masks. None of it makes the cleanse itself gentler by accident; it's a formulation choice made on purpose, which is why K-beauty's oil-first philosophy has been quietly reshaping how the rest of the world thinks about step one. Final Thought If all you want out of a first cleanse is "makeup gone," any well-formulated cleansing oil will get you there just fine. But if you want that step to also do something for your skin, that's where the ingredient list actually matters — pore care, gentle nourishment, or brightening on a budget. Pick the oil that matches your skin's biggest complaint, not just your makeup load. And if sebum control and pore congestion are a bigger priority than which format you cleanse with, our Korean acne skincare guide digs deeper into K-beauty's full approach to breakout-prone skin. Shop the full Nuriglow Cleansers Collection and find the first-cleanse formula that's actually doing something for your skin. All products are available at nuriglow.com! FAQ Q. What's the difference between a cleansing oil and a cleansing balm? A. Mostly texture. A balm starts solid and melts into oil on contact with warm hands; a cleansing oil is already liquid. Both dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum the same way, and both should always be emulsified with water before rinsing — so the right pick comes down to formula and feel, not format. Q. Can oil cleansers be used on oily or acne-prone skin? A. Yes — "oil cleanses oily skin" isn't a contradiction. Oil dissolves oil, which is why formulas like Beplain's mung bean oil are specifically built for congested, sebum-heavy skin. Skipping the oil step and going straight to foam cleanser often leaves sunscreen and sebum only partially removed. Q. Do I need to double cleanse every day? A. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, yes — an oil-based first cleanse is the most reliable way to fully remove SPF, which foam cleansers alone can't always break down. If you're bare-faced, a single gentle cleanse is fine. Q. Which of these is gentlest for sensitive skin? A. The NEEDLY Mild Deep Cleansing Oil, thanks to its fragrance-free, multi-plant-oil formula with no exfoliating or brightening actives that could sting. The Beplain oil is a close second — just patch-test first if your skin reacts to mung bean or panthenol-forward formulas. Q. How long should I massage a cleansing oil before rinsing? A. Most K-beauty cleansing oils, including all three here, are designed for a 30–60 second massage on dry skin before adding water to emulsify. Rushing this step is the most common reason people feel like oil cleansers "don't work" — the massage time is what gives the oil a chance to fully bind to makeup, sunscreen, and sebum before it's rinsed away. Q. Can a cleansing oil replace makeup remover wipes? A. Yes, and it's the better option. Wipes drag across the skin and often leave a film of unremoved makeup and preservative residue behind, especially around the eyes. A properly emulsified cleansing oil rinses completely clean and is gentler on the delicate eye area — one of the easiest single swaps for anyone still using wipes as their main makeup removal step. References Images: Unplash Written by Sena Lee for the G-Log — Nuriglow's K-beauty edit for real skin.
Fermented Black Rice The K-Beauty Ingredient haruharu wonder Built an Entire Routine Around
Most K-beauty brands feature fermented ingredients as a supporting note. haruharu wonder made fermented black rice the through-line of every single product they make — and there's a good reason why. Fermentation is one of those K-beauty concepts that sounds like a trend but is actually rooted in centuries of Korean practice. The fermentation of crops and botanicals for skin and health goes back to the Joseon era, where fermented rice water was used as a daily skin treatment. What's changed is the science: modern fermentation technology can now isolate and concentrate specific bioactive compounds from ingredients like black rice in ways that weren't possible even twenty years ago. haruharu wonder is a brand that has taken this idea and committed to it fully. Unlike many K-beauty brands that treat fermented extracts as one ingredient among many, haruharu wonder uses fermented black rice — specifically, Oryza Sativa (Black Rice) Extract processed through their proprietary fermentation method — as the base of their entire lineup. Every product in the range starts from the same place: the fermented grain that's been a part of Korean food and wellness culture for centuries. This week's G-log walks through three haruharu wonder products that are new to Nuriglow, plus a brief look at two others from the line you may have seen here before. Together, they build a complete routine from cleanse to treatment — all built on the same fermented foundation. The haruharu wonder Routine haruharu wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel — $17.00 USD | 100ml Best for: All skin types — especially sensitive, dehydrated, or barrier-compromised skin that dries out after cleansing A lot of cleansers that claim to be gentle still disrupt the acid mantle by washing at too high a pH, which leaves your toner and serum working harder to compensate. This one formulated specifically to avoid that: the pH is 5.35, which sits just below the skin's natural range and supports a healthy acid mantle rather than disturbing it. The surfactant base is coconut-derived (Coco-Betaine and Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate), which is a gentler choice than typical sulfate-based cleansers, and it creates a mild lather that lifts impurities without feeling stripping. Fermented Black Rice Extract and Bamboo Extract add the brand's signature antioxidant and brightening properties even at the cleanse step, while Beta-Glucan and Trehalose support barrier function and moisture retention through the rinse. The inclusion of Panax Ginseng Root Extract is worth noting — ginseng is a trusted K-beauty ingredient for its antioxidant content and long association with skin revitalization. It's a small but deliberate nod to the brand's Korean botanical roots, and another example of how haruharu wonder layers purpose into what most brands treat as a purely functional step. Key ingredients: Fermented Oryza Sativa (Black Rice) Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark (Bamboo) Extract, Beta-Glucan, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Trehalose, Coco-Betaine (coconut-derived surfactant) pH: 5.35 Best used: AM + PM 💡 Pro tip: Pair this with a cleansing oil as your first cleanse to double-cleanse properly — haruharu wonder recommends their own Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil as a pre-step for a complete oil-to-gel routine. haruharu wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Free of Alcohol Fragrance — $18.00 USD | 150ml Best for: Sensitive, reactive, or fragrance-intolerant skin that needs reliable deep hydration without any potential irritants This is the alcohol-free and fragrance-free version of haruharu wonder's bestselling Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner, built for those who react to even the trace amounts of alcohol or fragrance often present in essence-type toners. It uses a highly concentrated essence-type formula rather than a watery base, which makes it feel noticeably more substantial than typical first-step toners. Fermented Black Rice sits as the primary active alongside multiple forms of Hyaluronic Acid for layered hydration at different skin depths. Bamboo Shoot Extract adds its own moisture-binding properties alongside antioxidant support, and Ginseng Root Extract continues the brand's consistent anti-aging nod through the line. The result is a toner that functions closer to an essence: plumping, slightly viscous, and immediately visible in how it affects the next product's absorption. For the sensitive skin community in particular, this has become a reliable staple — it's free of alcohol, artificial fragrance, drying sulfates, mineral oil, and the full list of K-beauty 'seven free' criteria. The absence of those potential triggers doesn't make it a lesser product; the formula just puts the active ingredient budget toward things that actually help skin rather than things that make it smell nice. Key ingredients: Fermented Oryza Sativa (Black Rice) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Bamboo Extract Best used: AM + PM 💡 Routine tip: Apply two thin layers of this toner rather than one heavier coat — the 2-3-4 skin method of layering lightweight hydration gives fermented actives more contact time with skin, which improves absorption versus one thick application that sits on the surface. haruharu wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist — $22.00 USD | 80ml Best for: All skin types looking for an anti-aging treatment step that doubles as a hydrating mist — especially useful for travel or on-the-go routines A serum mist is a format you see occasionally in K-beauty but rarely executed with this much ingredient density. This one contains 2% NAD+ — the cellular coenzyme we covered in last week's G-log on EQQUALBERRY's NAD+ line — alongside a 5 Ceramide Complex, two strains of probiotics (Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate and Bifida Ferment Filtrate), fermented black rice, Panthenol, and Squalane. For reference, 2% is a higher NAD+ concentration than most leave-on serum formulas. The probiotics in this formula are worth singling out. Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate is one of the most well-studied ferment filtrates in K-beauty, clinically shown to improve skin radiance, reduce sebum, and refine surface texture. Bifida Ferment Filtrate specifically targets the skin microbiome, supporting the beneficial bacteria that maintain a balanced and resilient barrier. Together they form a probiotic layer that most serums — and essentially all mists — simply don't include. Functionally, it can slot into the routine wherever you need it: after toner as a serum step, over makeup as a midday refresh, or spritzed on during travel to rehydrate depleted skin. The ultra-fine mist format means it absorbs without disrupting anything underneath, which makes it one of the more genuinely versatile products in the haruharu wonder lineup. Key ingredients: NAD+ (2%), 5 Ceramide Complex, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate (Probiotics), Fermented Black Rice Extract, Panthenol, Squalane Best used: AM + PM — or as a midday refresh over or under makeup Want the Full Routine? Two More haruharu wonder Products to Know These two haruharu wonder products have been featured in depth in previous G-log articles. If you're building the complete routine shown in the table below, they complete it — but follow the links to read the full breakdowns. 📌 Previously featured: Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence ($28 | 120ml) — featured in our Glass Skin guide. The ceramide-forward essence that builds the barrier foundation the rest of the routine layers onto. A triple-ceramide complex (3:1:1 ratio), Galactomyces, and Bifida Ferment Filtrate for elasticity and texture. Read the full breakdown in our Glass Skin guide on the G-log. 📌 Previously featured: Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream ($24 | 50ml) — featured in our Mugwort & Pore Care guide. An encapsulated 5-ceramide moisturizer that releases into the lipid barrier on contact for targeted repair. Fragrance-free, pH 6, and compatible with every step in this routine. Read the full breakdown in our Mugwort guide on the G-log. The Full haruharu wonder Routine at a Glance Step Product When Key Concern 1 Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel AM + PM Barrier-safe cleanse + antioxidant prep 2 Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner AM + PM Deep hydration + elasticity 3 Black Rice Probiotics Barrier NAD+ Serum Mist AM + PM Cell renewal, barrier reinforcement 4† Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence AM + PM Barrier foundation (see Glass Skin guide) 5† Black Rice 5 Ceramide Barrier Moisturizing Cream AM + PM Seal + long-term barrier repair † Previously featured products. Start with Steps 1–3 if you're new to the line; add Steps 4 and 5 to build out the full barrier-focused routine. Why Fermented Black Rice Specifically? Black rice — called 'forbidden rice' in ancient China because it was reserved for royalty — is nutritionally distinctive among grains because of its exceptionally high anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are the pigments that give the grain its deep purple-black colour, and they're also potent antioxidants with well-documented anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. The fermentation process takes those compounds and breaks them down further, increasing their bioavailability — meaning the skin can actually absorb and use more of what the ingredient contains rather than having it sit at the surface. Fermentation also produces additional beneficial byproducts: organic acids that gently exfoliate and refine texture, amino acids that support barrier proteins, and postbiotics that contribute to skin microbiome balance. In practice, that means fermented black rice extract is doing something more complex than simply delivering antioxidants — it's also refining the surface, supporting barrier structure, and contributing to the microbial environment that healthy skin depends on. For a broader look at how fermentation shows up across K-beauty brands and ingredients, our Barrier Repair guide and Sensitive Skin routine guide both cover products and approaches that share a ferment-forward philosophy. Final Thought haruharu wonder's approach — building every product on the same fermented base, then layering complementary actives (NAD+, ceramides, probiotics, hyaluronic acid) on top of it — results in a line where every product reinforces every other product. There's no ingredient conflict to worry about, and no step that feels like it belongs to a different routine. That kind of internal coherence is genuinely rare, and it's part of what makes the brand worth committing to fully rather than picking up a single product. Shop the full haruharu wonder collection at Nuriglow and find the routine that fits your skin. All products are available at nuriglow.com! FAQ Q. What is fermented black rice extract and why is it used in skincare? A. Fermented black rice extract is derived from Oryza sativa (black rice) through a controlled fermentation process that increases the bioavailability of the grain's natural compounds — anthocyanins, amino acids, and organic acids. Fermentation breaks these down into smaller molecules that the skin can absorb more readily, making the antioxidant, brightening, and barrier-supportive properties more effective than unfermented extract. Q. Is haruharu wonder suitable for sensitive skin? A. Yes — it's one of the more consistently sensitive-skin-friendly brands in K-beauty. All five products at Nuriglow are fragrance-free, free of drying alcohol, and clinically tested for low irritation. The Hyaluronic Toner and Cleansing Gel specifically are formulated to the highest sensitivity standards in the lineup. Q. What makes the NAD+ Serum Mist different from a regular face mist? A. Most face mists are primarily water or floral water with minimal actives. This one is formulated at serum density — 2% NAD+, two probiotic strains, five ceramide types, fermented black rice, and Squalane — in an ultra-fine mist format. It functions as a treatment step, not just a hydration top-up. Q. Do I need to use all five products, or can I start with just a few? A. The three new products — Cleansing Gel, Toner, and NAD+ Serum Mist — work well as a standalone cleanse-tone-treat routine. The Barrier Essence and Ceramide Cream add a more comprehensive barrier-repair layer and are worth adding as the next step if you want a full five-product routine. Q. Is haruharu wonder cruelty-free and vegan? A. Yes. haruharu wonder is certified vegan and cruelty-free. Their 'Better Vegan for All' brand philosophy extends to all five products currently available at Nuriglow. Q. Can I use the haruharu wonder line alongside other K-beauty actives like vitamin C or retinol? A. Generally yes. The fermented black rice base and the ceramide and hyaluronic acid layering in this line are compatible with most actives. If adding vitamin C or retinol, introduce them separately and patch test — not because of the haruharu wonder products specifically, but as standard practice when mixing actives from different brands. References Images: haruharu wonder Written by Sena Lee for the G-Log — Nuriglow's K-beauty edit for real skin.
NAD+ Skincare: The Anti-Aging Coenzyme K-Beauty Is Already Building Routines Around
Before NAD+ supplements took over the wellness aisle, K-beauty labs were already formulating the coenzyme into toners, serums, and creams — here's what it actually does for skin, and where to start. If you've spent any time on skincare or longevity TikTok in the past year, you've probably seen NAD+ mentioned — usually in the same breath as supplements, IV drips, and cellular aging. What's gotten less attention is that NAD+ skincare has quietly been developing in Korean labs for a while now, formulated into leave-on toners, serums, and creams rather than pills or injections. That's a very K-beauty move. Korean formulators have a track record of taking ingredients with strong cellular-level science — PDRN, peptides, fermented actives — and finding a way to deliver them topically, then layering them with complementary actives so the whole routine works together instead of relying on one hero ingredient to do everything. This week's G-log covers a full NAD+ anti-aging routine built entirely around EQQUALBERRY's NAD+ Peptide Boosting line, plus one supporting product that fills a gap the NAD+ formulas don't cover. We'll break down what NAD+ actually does in skin, how to build the routine, and whether it's worth adding to what you're already doing. The NAD+ Peptide Lineup EQQUALBERRY NAD+ Peptide Boosting Toner — 21.99 USD | 150ml Best for: First signs of sagging, dehydration, and dullness — anyone starting an anti-aging routine from scratch This toner is the entry point to the whole NAD+ line, and it's doing more work than a typical first-step toner. Past the usual hydrating base, it's formulated with NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) alongside niacinamide and a 12-peptide complex, so the anti-aging signal starts at the very first step of the routine rather than waiting for serum. The supporting cast matters here: ceramide NP for barrier support, adenosine (a well-studied wrinkle-softening ingredient in its own right), and a blend of pomegranate, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry extracts for antioxidant coverage. There's also a small dose of stable vitamin C derivative and B-vitamins, which is a nice touch — most toners this hydration-focused skip brightening support entirely. Texture-wise it's a light, slightly viscous toner with a soft pink tint (a EQQUALBERRY signature). It preps skin without any tackiness, which matters since it's meant to be layered under a serum and cream from the same line. Key ingredients: NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), Niacinamide, 12-Peptide Complex, Ceramide NP, Adenosine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Pomegranate & Berry Extract Blend Best used: AM + PM 💡 Routine tip: Apply this toner with your hands rather than a cotton pad — patting it in helps the peptide and NAD+ actives absorb instead of sitting on the surface where a pad could whisk them away. EQQUALBERRY NAD+ Peptide Boosting Serum — 24.99 USD | 30ml Best for: Fine lines, loss of elasticity, and sagging along the jawline or cheeks This is the centerpiece of the line, and the one getting the most attention online for its hot-pink bottle and ingredient list. It pairs NAD+ with NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) — both coenzymes involved in cellular energy production — alongside a 14-peptide complex that includes Copper Tripeptide-1, a well-researched peptide known for supporting collagen, elastin, and overall tissue repair. What makes the formula feel complete rather than just trend-chasing is the supporting structure: five ceramide types plus vegan collagen for barrier reinforcement, and the same pomegranate-and-berry antioxidant blend found in the toner, so the line builds on itself rather than repeating actives without purpose. Squalane keeps the texture lightweight and fast-absorbing, which makes it easy to layer under a heavier moisturizer without feeling greasy. Reviewers consistently mention the same thing: a noticeably firmer, bouncier feel within the first few weeks, even before any visible line-softening shows up. That tracks with how peptides typically perform — texture and firmness changes tend to show before deeper wrinkle changes. Key ingredients: NAD+, NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide), 14-Peptide Complex, Copper Tripeptide-1, 5 Ceramide Types, Vegan Collagen, Squalane Best used: AM + PM EQQUALBERRY NAD+ Peptide Boosting Cream — 25.99 USD | 50ml Best for: Sealing in the routine — best for normal to dry skin that needs the firming actives locked in with a richer texture The cream closes out the NAD+ trio, and its job is less about introducing new actives and more about making sure everything underneath actually stays put. It carries NAD+ and a 13-peptide complex forward from the serum, plus niacinamide and the same pomegranate fruit juice for continued antioxidant support, all suspended in a richer base built around plant extracts (mushroom, jute, yam, and lotus root among them) that Korean formulas often use for their moisture-binding and skin-conditioning properties. The texture sits in that satisfying middle ground — rich enough to feel like a proper moisturizer, but not so heavy that it pills under makeup. For drier skin types, it's substantial enough to be a one-step moisturizer; for normal or combination skin, it works well as a PM-only finishing step over the serum. Key ingredients: NAD+, 13-Peptide Complex, Niacinamide, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Juice, Phyto-Mucin Plant Extract Blend Best used: AM + PM 💡 Pro tip: If you only have budget for one product to start with, the serum is the highest-concentration NAD+ step. Add the toner and cream once you know your skin tolerates the line well. The Supporting Product EQQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Serum — 24.99 USD | 30ml Best for: Anyone who wants a retinol-alternative cell-turnover step alongside the NAD+ routine, especially sensitive or retinoid-cautious skin 📌 Note: This product does not contain NAD+ or NMN. It's included here as a cell-turnover companion, not a NAD+ delivery step. Bakuchiol works through a different mechanism — gene-expression activity similar to retinol, without the irritation — and its niacinamide, peptide, and ceramide base means it layers cleanly with the NAD+ line without any compatibility concerns or pH conflicts. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound from Psoralea corylifolia seeds, and it's earned its 'gentle retinol alternative' reputation honestly: clinical comparisons have found that 0.5% bakuchiol used twice daily performs comparably to 0.5% retinol for fine lines and photoaging, with meaningfully less irritation. This serum uses bakuchiol at 5,000ppm (0.5%), the concentration most of that research is based on. Where it earns its place in this routine specifically: the NAD+ line is built around coenzymes, peptides, and antioxidants, all of which support collagen indirectly. Bakuchiol adds a direct cell-turnover signal that the NAD+ products don't provide, which is the one gap in an otherwise complete routine. It shares the same niacinamide-and-ceramide base as the rest of the EQQUALBERRY lineup, so there's no risk of layering conflicts. Key ingredients: Bakuchiol (5,000ppm), Niacinamide, 13-Peptide Complex, 5 Ceramide Types, Adenosine, Allantoin Best used: PM, 3–4x per week to start Your NAD+ Anti-Aging Routine at a Glance Step Product When Key Concern 1 NAD+ Peptide Boosting Toner AM + PM Hydration foundation + first NAD+ delivery 2 NAD+ Peptide Boosting Serum AM Firming, collagen signaling, elasticity 3 Bakuchiol Plumping Serum PM (3–4x/week) Cell renewal, fine lines, pore tightening 4 NAD+ Peptide Boosting Cream AM + PM Barrier seal, moisture lock, long-term firmness Note: Bakuchiol and the NAD+ serum can both be used at night — alternate them rather than layering both on the same evening while your skin adjusts. Why K-Beauty Gets to NAD+ Before Everyone Else NAD+ (and its precursor NMN) have been wellness-world buzzwords for a few years now, mostly tied to supplements and IV therapy aimed at cellular energy and longevity. Korean skincare's contribution has been figuring out how to put that same coenzyme science into a leave-on topical — something the supplement industry, focused on oral and intravenous delivery, hasn't prioritized. That reflects a broader pattern in K-beauty formulation: take an ingredient with strong cellular-level research, then build the rest of the formula around making it work topically and pairing it with synergistic actives — peptides for collagen signaling, ceramides for barrier support, antioxidant fruit extracts for environmental protection — rather than launching a single-active product and calling it done. EQQUALBERRY's own brand philosophy (the name blends Equal, Quest, and Berry) leans into that same idea of balance over a single hero ingredient. For more on how K-beauty layers actives for compounding results, see our Peptides in K-Beauty guide and our PDRN skincare guide on the G-log, both of which cover other cellular-science ingredients K-beauty got to first. Final Thought NAD+ skincare is still new enough that the long-term topical research is thinner than it is for retinoids or peptides on their own — but the early signs are promising, and the formulation logic here is sound: pair a cellular-energy coenzyme with proven peptides and a barrier-supporting base, then add a direct cell-turnover step alongside it. This four-product routine covers all of that without a single redundant step. Shop the full Nuriglow Anti-Aging Collection and find the NAD+ and bakuchiol formulas that fit your skin. All products are available at nuriglow.com! FAQ Q. What does NAD+ actually do for skin? A. NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production and DNA repair. In skincare, it's used to support cell renewal and resilience, and is typically paired with peptides and ceramides to provide visible firming and barrier benefits alongside its cellular-level effects. Q. Is NAD+ skincare the same as NAD+ supplements or IV therapy? A. No. Supplements and IV NAD+ work systemically to support cellular energy throughout the body. Topical NAD+ skincare is formulated to act at the skin's surface and upper layers, and is better thought of as a topical antioxidant-and-peptide-support ingredient than a substitute for systemic NAD+ therapy. Q. Can I use NAD+ skincare with bakuchiol? A. Yes — they work through different mechanisms and don't conflict. Many K-beauty routines layer a coenzyme/peptide step with a separate cell-turnover step like bakuchiol or retinol, similar to how niacinamide and Vitamin C are commonly paired. Q. Is NAD+ skincare safe for sensitive skin? A. Generally yes. NAD+, peptides, and ceramides are well-tolerated by most skin types. Bakuchiol is also considered gentler than retinol, though as with any new active, patch testing is recommended before full use. Q. How long does it take to see results from a NAD+ routine? A. Most people notice firmer, bouncier-feeling skin within 3 to 4 weeks. Visible changes to fine lines and elasticity typically take 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use, which is in line with how peptide-based anti-aging routines generally perform. Q. Do I need to use all four products, or can I start with just one? A. The serum carries the highest concentration of NAD+ and peptides, so it's the best single starting point. The toner and cream build on that foundation, and the bakuchiol serum is optional depending on whether you want a direct cell-turnover step alongside the coenzyme-based routine. References Images: Eqqualberry Written by Sena Lee for the G-Log — Nuriglow's K-beauty edit for real skin.






