MARY&MAY: the K-beauty clean beauty vegan brand Houttuynia Tea Tree

In the clean beauty segment of K-beauty, MARY&MAY stands out as a rigorous reference. Its mission is summed up in a clear promise: to offer highly effective skincare products, formulated only with essential and safe ingredients. The brand excludes 16 harmful ingredients from all its formulations and complies with the EWG green-safe certification. Cruelty-free, vegan, eco-designed packaging made from recycled paper with soy-based ink. Signature slogan: “A Guide to True Clean Beauty”. A minimalist and transparent approach that appeals to ethical and demanding consumers.

At Ma Petite Corée, we have included MARY&MAY in our clean beauty catalog, convinced by the exceptional rigor in excluding harmful ingredients and the total transparency of the formulations. In this article, we thoroughly analyze the brand’s DNA. History, philosophy, key ingredients and concepts, flagship products, adapted routines: everything you need to know to understand why MARY&MAY fully deserves its place in your K-beauty routine.

MARY&MAY: the K-beauty brand guiding true clean beauty

MARY&MAY is a contemporary Korean skincare brand whose central mission is clearly stated: to offer consumers highly effective skincare products filled with skin-beneficial actives. To fulfill this commitment, the brand applies a strict ingredient exclusion rule. Sixteen ingredients considered potentially harmful or controversial are banned from all MARY&MAY formulations, including parabens, harsh sulfates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colorants, drying alcohol, mineral oil, and other components commonly associated with skin irritation or environmental concerns.

MARY&MAY’s founding philosophy is summed up by its slogan “A Guide to True Clean Beauty” — the guide to true clean beauty. This emphasis on the word True is no accident: in the face of marketing inflation around clean beauty that often clouds the picture, MARY&MAY claims a rigorous, documented, and uncompromising approach. The total transparency of formulations allows consumers to verify for themselves each product’s compliance with their own ethical and dermatological standards.

MARY&MAY commits to several complementary ethical pillars. Cruelty-free: no animal testing at any stage of development. Vegan: total exclusion of animal-derived ingredients. Eco-designed packaging: recycled paper and soy-based inks to minimize environmental impact. EWG green-safe: certification guaranteeing ingredient safety according to the Environmental Working Group’s ranking. Clinical testing: clinically tested safety and verified results on real skin. A coherent set of commitments rare in the K-beauty segment.

Houttuynia Tea Tree and Centella 95%: MARY&MAY’s signature

MARY&MAY’s central signature is its Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree line. The Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree Serum and associated Cleansing Foam combine 40.7% Korean Houttuynia cordata (a traditional plant known for purifying properties for millennia) with 6.8% Australian Tea Tree extract (a recognized natural antiseptic). This soothing and purifying synergy specifically targets sensitive, acne-prone skin seeking to calm redness without damaging the skin barrier. A formulation that rivals traditional pharmaceutical dermocosmetics in the anti-imperfection segment.

The Centella 95% line represents the other signature pillar. The Centella Asiatica Serum is formulated with 95% Centella asiatica extract, one of the highest concentrations on the market. Antibacterial, the serum soothes skin irritations while boosting regeneration and elasticity. Fast-absorbing, non-sticky formula, free of parabens, artificial fragrances, colorants, alcohol, and mineral oil. Compatible with the most sensitive skin. A signature that has made MARY&MAY famous among reactive skin types.

MARY&MAY also excels in modern technical ingredients. The Marine Collagen Serum contains 95% ultra-low molecular weight marine collagen for deep penetration and anti-wrinkle effect without greasy feel. The 6 Peptide Complex Serum combines 6 different peptides to stimulate endogenous collagen production and strengthen the barrier. The Vegan Peptide Bakuchiol Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ combines sun protection with bakuchiol (a vegan alternative to retinol), 25 types of peptides, and tocopherol. The Spicule PDRN Cream uses micro-spicules to deliver PDRN directly into the skin. A range of innovations that keeps MARY&MAY at the forefront of advanced vegan skincare.

MARY&MAY’s flagship products

MARY&MAY offers several cult products that have made its worldwide reputation. Here are the essentials.

The Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree Serum is THE signature product of MARY&MAY. 40.7% Korean Houttuynia cordata + 6.8% Australian Tea Tree, niacinamide, cica. Soothes, purifies, reduces redness and inflammation. Ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Fluid texture, fast absorption, non-greasy. The associated Cleansing Foam completes the soothing routine. A line that has become a reference for reactive skin with imperfections.

The Centella Asiatica Serum is the soothing star. 95% Centella asiatica extract, antibacterial, regenerating, improving elasticity. Fast-absorbing, non-sticky, vegan texture. Free of parabens, fragrances, colorants, alcohol, mineral oil. Compatible with the most sensitive skin. The Centella Asiatica Calming Toner ideally complements it for a complete daily soothing ritual.

The Marine Collagen Serum completes the cult trio with 95% ultra-low molecular weight marine collagen. Reduces wrinkles without greasy effect, improves skin firmness. Vegan formulation consistent with the brand’s clean beauty DNA. Signature eco-designed packaging. An accessible anti-aging must-have that rivals premium collagen serums at high prices.

MARY&MAY for whom? Adapting the brand to your skin

MARY&MAY primarily targets consumers committed to the values of clean beauty, animal ethics, and environmental responsibility. Sensitive and reactive skin will particularly appreciate the exclusion of 16 harmful ingredients and the EWG green-safe certification. Acne-prone skin with redness will find targeted care in the Houttuynia Tea Tree line without aggression. Mature skin will opt for the Marine Collagen Serum or the 6 Peptide Complex Serum for accessible anti-aging action.

Skin with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or pigmented dark circles will turn to the Tranexamic Acid Glutathione Eye Cream for spot treatment. Tired skin with early signs of aging will appreciate the Calendula Peptide Ageless Sleeping Mask and the Idebenone Blackberry Complex Serum, a powerful antioxidant. Fans of modern biotech ingredients will find recognized innovation in the Spicule PDRN Cream. Strict vegan consumers appreciate the brand’s overall certification. Beginners in clean beauty will find in MARY&MAY a coherent and rigorous entry point, with affordable formulations for serious ethical commitments.

Building your complete MARY&MAY routine

A complete MARY&MAY routine starts with gentle cleansing. In the morning, use the Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree Cleansing Foam for blemish-prone skin, or the White Collagen Cleansing Foam for mature skin seeking firmness, for a cleansing that does not dry out. Apply your usual toner to prepare the skin to receive actives.

Continue with the Houttuynia Cordata Tea Tree Serum for sensitive and blemish-prone skin, or the Centella Asiatica Serum for very reactive skin, to soothe. Then add a targeted serum according to your concerns: Marine Collagen Serum for firmness, 6 Peptide Complex Serum for anti-aging, Idebenone Blackberry for antioxidant. Apply your usual moisturizer. Finish with the Vegan Peptide Bakuchiol Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++, an all-in-one anti-aging sun protection ideal in stick format for touch-ups.

In the evening, double cleanse with your cleansing oil then the MARY&MAY cleansing foam of your choice. Repeat the routine without SPF. For mature skin, use the Calendula Peptide Ageless Sleeping Mask as the last step 2-3 times a week for intensive night action. For spots or dark circles, apply the Tranexamic Acid Glutathione Eye Cream locally as a targeted treatment. For acne-prone skin, add the Vegan CICA Teatree AHA PHA Blemish Toner as a gentle exfoliating step twice a week. MARY&MAY recommends staying consistent with a routine for 4-8 weeks to observe cumulative effects, as the clean beauty approach bears fruit over time by progressively respecting the skin barrier.

Frequently asked questions about MARY&MAY

How to recognize an authentic MARY&MAY product?

Authenticity of a MARY&MAY product involves several simple checks. First, the packaging must be perfectly clean, without spelling mistakes or blurry prints — counterfeits often have subtle but noticeable visual defects. Next, the barcode must correspond to a product listed in official Korean databases. Finally, the printed batch number allows verification of the manufacturing date and traceability. At Ma Petite Corée, all our products are sourced directly from South Korea through official channels, eliminating any risk of counterfeiting.

How to store your MARY&MAY products daily?

Optimal storage of Korean cosmetics relies on a few simple rules. Store your MARY&MAY products away from direct light and temperature fluctuations, ideally between 15 and 25°C. The bathroom, often humid and warm, is not ideal for sensitive actives like vitamin C or retinol. Always close caps tightly and avoid contaminating jars with fingers: use a clean spatula. Respect the expiration date after opening (PAO) indicated on each package, generally between 6 and 12 months depending on the product.

Our MARY&MAY selection at Ma Petite Corée

At Ma Petite Corée, we carefully select each MARY&MAY reference. All our products come directly from South Korea, through verified short supply chains. Here is our favorite selection, available in stock and shipped from Seoul to mainland France in just a few days.

Why choose MARY&MAY at Ma Petite Corée?

Buying Korean products in Europe can hold unpleasant surprises on general marketplaces. Counterfeits, expired products, poor storage in non-air-conditioned warehouses: the risks are real. At Ma Petite Corée, we import every MARY&MAY product directly from Korea. Our team based in Seoul checks each batch before shipping to guarantee absolute authenticity and freshness of the formulas.

We also offer exclusive references rarely distributed in France. Korean novelties, limited editions, special formats unavailable elsewhere: our catalog is constantly evolving with new products selected by our Franco-Korean team. We test products beforehand to offer you only what really works in practice, without giving in to passing marketing trends.

MARY&MAY embodies true clean beauty K-beauty with its rigorous exclusion of 16 harmful ingredients, its EWG green-safe and vegan certifications, and its effective formulations proving that ethics and efficacy can combine without compromise. Find the entire MARY&MAY range at Ma Petite Corée and let yourself be tempted by this brand that represents an essential facet of contemporary K-beauty.

Also explore our other Korean skincare brands, our K-beauty makeup universe, and discover our new arrivals imported from Seoul every week.

— Yeseo, Ma Petite Corée team