The morning sun poured into the beach house where we stood, looking out over the clear, cooling sea. Inside, Richard Kim introduced his new skincare line: Hyeja. A fitting place to begin, as he’s originally from Jeju Island. I told him I knew the island from K-dramas, from its seafood traditions, and from the haenyeo — women who dive without oxygen tanks, harvesting shellfish with grace and control. Jeju is volcanic and serene, a place shaped by natural contrast. That sense of balance, he told me, is exactly what he wanted to bring into his skincare.
Hyeja [惠慈] means graceful compassion, a name rooted in kindness, clarity, and care. The line blends Korean minimalism with traditional ingredients and contemporary skin science. At its heart is the Wabi-Sabi mindset: the Japanese aesthetic that embraces imperfection and the beauty of simplicity. Translated into skincare, it becomes a daily meditation for skin and mind. The brand’s visual identity, created by 1of1 Studio, reflects that same sensibility. It’s inspired by the architecture of the traditional hanok, the Korean house. The range is small, vegan, and dermatologist-tested in Korea. These products prioritise balance over transformation.
My favourite? The Matcha Gentle Mud Cream Mask.
Creamy, clarifying, and unexpectedly comforting. Matcha gently draws out impurities while softening the skin. A fine weekly ritual.
“This mask echoes the Wabi-Sabi philosophy — a moment of reflection, and softness in between everything else.” – Richard Kim
Discover more:
www.hyejaskincare.com
Coming soon at: www.skins.nl
Image, courtesy of Hyeja Skincare.
