Arktastic Magazine | Research-Led Beauty for Real Results

Skincare and beauty is a complex world, where there is endless content for people trying to understand. Understand their own skin, what products are beneficial for them and how to use them correctly. It can become quite niche - what to use when, what can't be used with what etc etc etc.

Despite running our own beauty company, we quickly fell into the web of; well does it really work? Yes, this moisturizer is $50, but is it really better than a tube of $20 cream? Why? So, we've formed a small team of dedicated writers who love to learn about the origins of ingredients, how they are used to create synergy and explain this to our users to maximise the skincare experience.

Although there are countless beauty blogs, very few of them really explain why a product is good for you beyond a surface level. Like on a true, cellular and scientific level - why is one moisturizer better for you than another? Why does skin type matter? Why can one product be the internet's holy grail - but lead to vicious outbreaks in your skin? Simply put, we wanted the truth. We sold the stuff - surely it was partly our responsibility to make sure it was beneficial and good for you?

We wanted to cut through the hype of internet sales tactics and influencers to simplify skincare. At the end of the day, even if a serum has +50 botanical extracts, does that really make it worth the price tag? We've made some really cool discoveries within our own team and have come to understand Korean beauty far better than we thought.

Our mission has been to make beauty accessible, but also really understandable. It's not about maximising what's coming out of your wallet, but making gentle and careful choices to transform your skin. Dropping $500 on a mishmash of different face masks and creams is not likely to benefit your skin - but carefully selecting actives that help exfoliate, hydrate and cleanse skin is far better. 

We want users to feel confident in their choices, pick the right products for their skin type and make the skincare journey as easy as possible. 

Two of our blog writers have a background in biomedical sciences and are well equipped to research, distill and summarise dermatology papers. This was always a core purpose of our magazine, to give advice that is well backed by science and up-to-date medical advice.

Marketing is massive in skincare and overbearing in Korean beauty. You don't see adds for creams and serums, it's all done by influencers who are directly paid to give an opinion on the product. Therefore, finding out if it actually works can be nigh impossible. As a company, it actually matters to us that customers buy compatible skincare.

Yes, you can trick someone into buying your over-hyped serum or face mask once - but in reality, you've lost a customer. It doesn't make sense to recommend products that don't work for a specific user. This is why the science matters, because it allows us to recommend products that have been proven by science to be good for your skin. And you're more likely to see results that matter and love it. Everyone wins from honest skincare!

A big part of our blog is testing in-house products ourselves. Our writers each have a different skin type and we try it out for two weeks to record the results. It is vital for what we do; after all, how can you recommend a cream you haven't even tried? 

In our experience, you can research all you want about a product - from reviews, to ingredients to the core make-up and still not know for sure how it will be until you use it. This part is a bit of a dream for us (but can quickly turn nightmare with some products!), but if a product doesn't work we always try it out with other skin types to be sure. 

We've found very few truly bad K-beauty products - majority of the time it's just about picking the right product for the right skin. If you have oily skin, dry skin moisturizers can be hellish, cause break0uts and even be irritating. They will never be compatible. So our reviews always try to express who the product is for and exactly who should avoid it.

Have you met Pogi? He's our pride and joy at Arktastic and took a lot of work to get his knowledge into a great space. He's a personal skincare assistant that was developed as a combination of our research and intimate understanding of products. He became our ultimate end-goal from trying to make beauty as accessible as possible.

Although we love our blogs, not everyone has the time to read through them to get all their questions answered. But how to get people access to strong skincare knowledge tailored to their own skin type? That's Pogi's job. He's been educated deeply on a variety of skin concerns, skin types and products and seeks to give deep advice on the spot, whenever it's needed. 

We're excited to head into 2026 with high expectations for the newest K-beauty product releases. What new strides in technology will be made? What company will try something new? What old medicinal remedy will be revived?

If you want to keep up to date on all this and more, keep an eye out for our almost daily blogs to keep your skincare education high and keep up-to-date with the best and brightest products out of Seoul.

If skincare has felt overwhelming to you - you're not alone. We get overwhelmed too (and it's literally our job), especially when you pick a product that on paper is perfect for your skin and it doesn't work out.

These blogs are designed to help you on your journey; compiling products that we've tested and found to work for different skin types, giving extra tips and reviewing all the best products (free from the hype of influencers). Whether you are an expert in skincare (or just beginning) we're here for you! 

If you want a specific product review, brand story or more - comment below and we'll get started in the new year!

Find your perfect skincare match on Arktastic! Whether it's checking out our well-researched magazine, asking Pogi or scrolling through our carefully curated collection, we're here for you! From one team of beauty fans to you, we wish you an absolutely radiant 2026!

Begin Your Skincare Journey with Our Favourite blogs:
 

How to Build a K-Beauty Routine 

Guide to K-Beauty in Pregnancy 

How to De-Influence Your Skincare Routine 

How to Use Pogi (Your Personal Skincare Assistant) 

What is Arktastic Magazine? 
We're a research and editorial journal that focuses on making skincare accessible and beneficial to everyone. We believe regardless of gender, age, identity and health that beauty and self-care is for everyone. We focus on the science behind the world’s famous skincare products and find out, is there real benefit to your skin? We value honesty, transparency and real-time results. 

Is Arktastic Magazine Sponsored? 
No. All articles are written independently and we receive zero commissions from any of the brands covered. Not all blogs are positive (although we always try to cover the good and bad around individual products) and catering to companies will lower our ability to provide honest reviews and advice.  

How is Arktastic Magazine Different Than Other Skincare Blogs? 
A majority of skincare/beauty blogs love and are obsessed with trends. We love a good trend, but we actually want to know if it works too! All our blogs are backed by different scientific articles (with a variety of links so you can research deeper too) and aim to give genuinely good advice, rather than just what’s popular. If we have a rough experience with a product, we’re not afraid to mention it – because it might prevent you wasting your money on something that doesn’t work.  

Is This Medical Advice? 
Although backed by science, it is not ever meant to replace genuine medical knowledge; especially in the case of a vital dermatological condition. If you are struggling with your skin and it’s impacting your well-being or mood, always try to reach out to a professional. Often, they can provide long-term and real solutions to the problem and give you personal advice with their many years of training. These blogs are designed to just help supplement general skincare and elevate your routines and product picks to the next level.