First Boba Tea, Now Boba Creams – This Is Skincare’s Sweet New Obsession, But Does It Really Work?
Skincare breakthrough or social media gimmick? Expert evaluates this Korean beauty hack
Move over bubble tea, boba is now bubbling up in skincare routines!
If you’ve scrolled through BeautyTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely spotted the latest skincare trend every influencer is trying: boba creams. These colourful, dessert-like moisturisers are packed with tiny gel capsules that pop as you rub them in, promising glowy, glass-like skin. But are they truly the skincare miracle they’re hyped up to be, or just another sugary-sweet gimmick?
Below, Ryan Porter from Fat Cow Skincare, a brand dedicated to creating natural, grass-fed, tallow-based skincare products, evaluates this latest skincare trend from Korea and gives his expert verdict.
What Are Boba Creams?
Despite the food-inspired name, you won’t find tapioca pearls in these jars. These boba creams are actually gel or cream-based moisturisers that contain small, encapsulated beads, usually filled with active skincare ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide. The idea is that these beads burst upon application, delivering fresh, concentrated doses directly to the skin. Think of them as tiny skincare bombs that look as fun as they (allegedly) feel.
“One of the most viral examples of a boba cream is Medicube’s Deep Vita C Capsule Cream,” Ryan tells us. “A quick swipe across socials reveals influencers piling on the beads in thick layers, but this is just to get a ‘wow factor’ look for their thumbnails. Due to the active ingredients, you should use just one or two capsules daily.”
Why Is Everyone Obsessed?
The popularity of boba creams can be chalked up to a few things: visual appeal, novelty, and, of course, influencer marketing. Their jelly-like texture, vivid colour, and ASMR-style “pop” make them incredibly TikTok-friendly. Add promises of “glass skin,” brighter complexions, and hydration without heaviness, and it’s no surprise they’ve shot to the top of skincare wishlists.
But beneath the aesthetic, what’s actually going on inside these pretty little beads?
The Key Ingredients: What’s Really In The Mix?
While different brands vary in formulation, here are the top ingredients commonly found in boba creams:
1. Vitamin C (often Ascorbic Acid or a derivative): A brightening powerhouse that targets hyperpigmentation, dullness, and uneven tone.
2. Niacinamide: A multitasker that helps minimise pores, even skin tone, and improve the skin barrier.
3. Hyaluronic Acid: Attracts moisture and delivers deep hydration without feeling greasy.
4. Fragrance: Often included for that ‘sweet dessert’ scent. On the downside, it’s a common trigger for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
5. Ethylhexyl Palmitate: A skin-softening agent that adds slip, though some users say it’s comedogenic (i.e., might clog pores).
The Pros And Cons
Below, Ryan breaks down the pros and cons of diving head-first into the boba cream craze.
Pros
- Aesthetic appeal: Let’s be honest – it’s satisfying to pop those little beads!
- Targeted dosage: You control how much product you use, capsule by capsule.
- Effective ingredients: When used consistently, vitamin C and niacinamide are backed by research.
- Layer-friendly: Many users say boba creams play nicely under makeup or SPF.
Cons
- Sticky finish: Some reviews say the texture can feel tacky or thick if too much is applied.
- Breakouts: The fragrance and some base ingredients have caused flare-ups, especially in acne-prone skin.
- Price tag: Many boba creams are marketed as luxury items, with a higher cost per ml than traditional moisturisers.
- Influencer exaggeration: Videos showing 5–10 capsules per application could mislead users and waste product.
So… Do They Actually Work?
The verdict is still out. Some users swear by the Medicube vitamin C version, claiming it smoothed their skin and brightened their tone within weeks. Others found it overpriced, sticky, or irritating, especially those sensitive to fragrances or prone to breakouts.
“What’s clear is that the results you get from using boba cream vary widely depending on skin type, how much you use, and what else you’re pairing it with in your routine,” says Ryan.
Ryan Porter says: “Boba creams are cleverly marketed and visually interesting, but from a dermatological standpoint, there’s nothing uniquely effective about putting actives into beads versus mixing them into a traditional cream. The delivery system may help preserve ingredient potency, but it doesn’t automatically mean better results.
“What concerns me is the fragrance and sweet scent, which can irritate those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Also, the trend of over-applying the beads for aesthetic content could mislead viewers, making them believe they need to use as much product as the influencers do with each application. In reality, using too much of the boba cream could irritate your skin or cause breakouts.
“If you want to try it, treat it like any new skincare step: patch test first and introduce it slowly. It’s not magic, but it might be fun – just remember that glowing skin comes from consistency, not just a clever capsule.”