iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A Korean ingredient label can often be mapped to an English ingredient name, but a successful name lookup is not the same as translating an entire product list. In a 2026 analysis of 49,843 ingredient entries from 966 Olive Young search-result products, MOON matched 96.7% of individual entries; only 641 products (66%) had every entry matched. That difference matters when comparing Korean labels with US or EU packaging: use the translated names as a data-cleaning aid, keep the Korean originals, and treat unmapped or differently named entries as unresolved rather than as proof of a formula or regulatory difference.
What the mapping measured
MOON’s 2026 project started with ingredient lists collected from Olive Young product search results. The sample contained 49,843 ingredient entries across 966 products returned by 12 keyword searches: toner, cream, sunscreen, cleanser, sheet mask, cushion, lip, shampoo, body lotion, eye cream, essence, and lotion. Because these were search results rather than curated category catalogs, some products may not have fit the searched category. This is a convenience sample of Olive Young listings, not an estimate for all Korean cosmetics.
MOON reports that 96.7% of the entries received an English name from the mapping. At the product level, 641 of 966 products—66%—had every ingredient matched. The author says the median product was fully matched, while the lowest-performing tenth had around 92% of its entries matched. A high entry-level rate can coexist with a lower complete-product rate: one unmatched item is enough to leave a product list incomplete.
The results are author-reported, not an independently validated benchmark. They describe this sample and matching method; they do not establish a national coverage rate or guarantee the same results for another retailer, time period, or product category.
#1 Best Overall
- Centella Travel Kit for On the Go Care — This centella travel kit includes five mini-sized travel essentials in a compact centella skincare set, ideal as a travel set or starter kit with TSA-friendly sizes for convenience on the go.
- Full Centella Skincare Routine Set — This Korean skincare set offers a complete routine in one travel pouch, including oil cleanser, face wash, toner, face serum, and a soothing face moisturizer.
- Hydration and Comfort with Madagascar Centella — Each product is enriched with Madagascar centella asiatica extract to help skin feel calm, hydrated, and soft, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- HOW TO USE - Apply proper amount on face and pat gently with both palms for absorption. Use as last step of skincare routine.
- THE UNTOUCHED NATURE FROM MADAGASCAR - Inspired by the pure lands of Madagascar, SKIN1004 delivers calm and comfort with ingredients that capture nature’s untouched beauty, bringing gentle balance to your skin.
How to translate a Korean ingredient list to English
A practical mapping workflow needs a reference list, careful name normalization, and a way to retain uncertainty. MOON used Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) open ingredient data. The official data portal describes fields for standard ingredient name, English name, CAS number, origin or definition, and synonyms; it offers a REST API in JSON and XML, states that it is free, and reports real-time updates with no use-scope restriction. See the MFDS ingredient-data API listing.
- Keep the original Korean string. Store the source label text unchanged alongside any cleaned or translated value. This makes it possible to review a questionable match rather than losing the label evidence.
- Try an exact lookup first. Some legitimate ingredient names include parentheses, so do not strip punctuation indiscriminately before the first match attempt.
- Normalize only when the exact lookup fails. Common cleanup needs include removing an amount attached to the name, disregarding text after a footnote marker, correcting extra spaces or stray quotation marks, and trying a second index that ignores hyphens. Labels may omit hyphens or vary Latin-letter capitalization.
- Handle synonyms without corrupting names. English alternatives may be joined by commas with no spaces. A parser can split on a comma followed by a letter, but must preserve commas that belong inside a name, such as “1,2-Hexanediol.”
- Return an explicit unmatched result. If no defensible match is found, leave the English field null or otherwise mark it unresolved while retaining the Korean text. Do not substitute a plausible-sounding marketing phrase.
- Review the full product, not just the match percentage. Count both matched entries and products for which every entry matched; the latter is more useful when a reader needs a complete list.
MOON reports building a mapping from 21,945 MFDS standard ingredient names and their English names, CAS numbers, and synonyms, resulting in about 24,000 names when synonyms were included. The author describes using one API key and 220 paged requests. Those are implementation details of that project, not requirements for every user of the data.
Rank #2
- [3-Step Glass Skin Routine ] Achieve visibly radiant, smooth glass skin with this beginner-friendly set
- [Step 1: Deep Cleansing Oil] Non-Comedogenic, effective in removing makeup residue and sebum.
- [Step 2: Gentle Cleanser] Daily gentle hydrating foam cleanser with heartleaf extract for comfortable double cleansing
- [Step 3: Viral TXA Serum] Dark spot care daily serum with TXA and niacinamide, lightweight and fast absorbing
- [Suitable for daily use] Patch test recommended and avoid the eye area
Why exact-name matching breaks
Ingredient lists are written for people and packaging, not necessarily in the exact standardized form used by a database. MOON found that direct exact-name lookup failed on strings with amounts attached, parenthetical concentration notes, footnote markers, omitted hyphens, case variation, extra spaces, and spreadsheet-copy quotation marks. A robust matcher should preserve the raw string, try a literal match, then apply limited normalization and record which step produced a match.
Some failures are not simple formatting problems. The author attributes unresolved entries mainly to label typos, nonstandard marketing wording such as “plant-derived squalane,” colorant lakes, and makeup shade-list leftovers. Long shade-by-shade lists in makeup performed worse than skincare lists. A result left unmatched is more honest than converting an ambiguous phrase into a standardized ingredient identity without evidence.
Rank #3
- Infused with 0.1% retinal, the advanced form of retinol, combined with A-Shot, designed to directly penetrate pores and enhance absorption, delivers retinal deep into the skin to target wrinkles and enlarged pores, helping minimize the look of pores while promoting smoother, firmer-looking skin and skin tightening with advanced retinoid technology. As an effective pore minimizer for face, it is gentler and less irritating than tretinoin cream while delivering powerful results.
- Innovative korean skin care product with high-strength retinal and Matrixyl 3000 that addresses skin concerns such as wrinkles, uneven texture and enlarged pores. Designed to complement your k beauty anti aging routine, this concentrated formula provides targeted care for those looking for the benefits of a wrinkle cream or retinol cream in a lightweight booster format.
- A refined micro-particle ingredient, 16 times thinner than pores, is designed to penetrate directly into pores and enhance the absorption of active ingredients. Through high-purity separation and refinement, the particles are uniformly sized, reducing skin irritation and focusing on pores and skin texture. Infused with high concentrations of retinal, a more advanced form than retinol, and MATRIXYL, just a single drop provides deep elasticity to troubled areas such as wrinkles or enlarged pores while complementing your skin serum routine.
- If you are new to using retinol or retinal, apply it every other night for the first two weeks. Apply a small amount to the targeted areas. If irritation occurs, reduce the amount and frequency, and use a moisturizer containing soothing ingredients. The retinal may cause your skin to appear slightly yellow after application. It will wash off completely with cleansing.
- Avoid contact with eyes, and wash your hands thoroughly after application. This product is for Night Time use only, and sunscreen must be applied the following day. Applying too much at once may cause skin irritation.
What the sample’s category results show
The following figures describe the products returned by MOON’s 12 Olive Young keyword searches in 2026. They are frequencies within that sample, not prevalence estimates for Korean products generally.
| Sample finding | What it means |
|---|---|
| Water appeared in 94% of sampled products | Common names dominated the lists in this sample. |
| Glycerin appeared in 84%; Butylene Glycol and 1,2-Hexanediol each appeared in 81%; Ethylhexylglycerin appeared in 68% | These are author-reported product frequencies across the sampled listings. |
| Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate appeared in 68% of sampled sunscreen search results; Ethylhexyl Triazone appeared in 67% | The figures apply to the sunscreen search-result subset, not all Korean sunscreens. |
| Niacinamide appeared in 90% and Adenosine in 86% of sampled cushion results | These frequencies apply to cushion search results in this sample. |
| Salicylic Acid appeared in 55% of sampled shampoo results, compared with 4% across the other sampled categories | The author reports this category contrast for the analyzed listings. |
MOON also compared the two sunscreen ingredients with the FDA’s permitted sunscreen active ingredient list and noted that they were not on it. That comparison is the author’s analysis, not a regulatory determination for a particular product or market. Regulatory lists can change, and a US-versus-Korean product comparison requires checking current, market-specific requirements rather than treating a database translation as a compliance check.
Rank #4
- Snail 96% Peptide Booster Serum: The famous Snail 96 Essence, but with a boost! Boost all benefits of the Snail 96 Essence with the Peptide Booster Toner.
- The Real Snail Essence: Formulated with 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate, this essence repairs and rejuvenates the skin from dryness and aging. It improves skin vitality by reducing dullness and soothing dehydrated skin.
- Skin Booster Peptide Toner Serum: Skin Boosting Toner Serum with 6 Peptides that improve skin elasticity, fine lines, pores, and radiance. Boost your skin's condition and achieve multiple benefits with this toner.
- How to Use: 1. After cleansing, apply 2-3 pumps of the Peptide Booster Serum and gently pat to aid absorption. 2. Apply 2-3 pumps of the Snail 96 Essence. 3. Finish up with your favorite mosturizer if needed.
- Patch Test Recommended: Perform a Patch Test on the body before using on the face. Proceed to using on the face if no irritation occurs in 24 hours. Consult with your doctor immediately if irritation occurs.
Why an English name may differ from US or EU packaging
The MFDS mapping returns the English name supplied by that Korean source; another market or labeling system may prefer a different name. MOON gives “Aqua” and “Water” as an example of differing English nomenclature. A name difference therefore does not, by itself, prove that two products use different substances or that a translation is wrong. Compare the underlying identity and context where possible, and preserve both label wording and the reference source used.
Recommended Free Tools
When comparing a Korean label with a US or EU ingredient list, treat the task as reconciliation rather than a one-to-one guarantee. Check whether the names are synonyms, whether the Korean list includes a concentration or footnote attached to a name, and whether an ingredient is missing from one list. A missing database match is an unresolved mapping—not evidence that the ingredient is absent from the formula.
Best Value
- Daily Repairing Cream: Infused with 92% of Snail Mucin (Snail Secretion Filtrate), this cream builds a moisture barrier to plump, hydrate, and soothes skin. This everyday multi-solution cream glides onto the skin and revives skin radiance without leaving a sticky residue.
- Supercharged Repairing Moisturizer: A light-weight, gel-type cream that repairs and soothes irritated, sensitized skin after breakouts like rosacea. This cream moisturizer is powered by Snail Mucin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Betaine to strengthen the skin's barrier by replenishing moisture.
- Key Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate contains "Mucin"- an EFFECTIVE ingredient for enhanced moisturization and gentle exfoliation that can be used on all skin types, even senstive. It instantly soothes damaged skin and delivers moisture deep into your skin. Key components of Snail Mucin include Collagen, Elastin, Glycolic Acid, and Allantoin.
- NO Snails are Harmed: Snail Mucin is obtained in a safe and environmentally friendly way in a favorite environment of snails and then processed as a cosmetic material. 100% Natural, Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist-tested, Not Tested on Animals.
- Patch Test Recommended: Perform a patch test on the body before using on the face. Proceed to using on the face if no irritation occurs in 24 hours. Consult with your doctor immediately if irritation occurs.
A translated name is not a safety or legality assessment
Name standardization answers a vocabulary question. It does not establish an ingredient’s purpose, safety, permitted use, or the legality of a finished product. The Korea Cosmetic Association says its ingredient dictionary standardizes ingredient names and does not judge their purpose or whether they may be used; see its ingredient dictionary. A separate technical data dictionary warns that a missing ingredient match does not prove the ingredient is permitted or unregulated, and that CAS matches for botanicals can be ambiguous; see the INCIDB data dictionary.
For an actual safety or regulatory question, use the relevant authority’s current rules for the country where the product is sold and account for the finished formula and intended use. The ingredient-name mapping is a useful starting index, not a substitute for that evaluation.
Reproducing the Olive Young mapping approach
MOON describes the mapping as part of an Olive Young Scraper on Apify. The sample input requests search mode, keywords, product-detail inclusion, and a maximum item count. Its output keeps Korean and English ingredient arrays in the same order and provides an ingredient count and the number of English matches. That structure is useful for auditing because every translated value can be aligned with its original entry. The service listing and current API behavior were not independently verified, so availability or behavior should not be assumed from the reported project alone. The project’s method and sample are described in MOON’s 2026 article.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
