On Dec. 11, the former Manchester United star posted an Instagram story showing off a carry-on full of Korean skincare products, featuring cult favorites like Torriden sheet masks, ISOI products, eye creams, moisturizers and serums. Lingard, 31, was preparing to return to the UK after playing his last match in the AFC Champions League Elite, where he captained the team and scored the club’s only goal.
But her skincare habits were no surprise to fans who followed her trip to Korea. During her stay, Lingard often shared glimpses of her meticulous skincare routine, both at home and at local spas.
Her admiration for K-beauty took center stage on the Dec. 14 episode of I Live Alone, where viewers saw her daily life for the first time. Waking up in an apartment overlooking the Han River, Lingard started her day by gently cleansing her face with OliveX wet wipes, expressing love for ingredients like retinol and PDRN.
Even after training, she found time to visit a K-beauty store, carefully reading product labels before choosing sheet masks. “Who doesn’t want glowing skin?” he joked when asked what his criteria were.
Lingard’s bag full of skincare products went viral not only because it broke typical footballer stereotypes, but also because it reached an emotional turning point. After joining FC Seoul in February 2024 in a record-breaking contract, he decided not to renew, citing a desire for a “bigger stage”. His two-year trip to Korea, filled with personal growth and cultural immersion, ended on a high note at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where he thanked fans for their support.
Having returned to the UK, the midfielder plans to spend holidays with his family before deciding on his next club in January, with a return to European football very likely.
“Seoul will always have a place in my heart,” Lingard wrote in a farewell message.
However, her enthusiasm for skincare has also sparked broader conversations about beauty standards and skin health. Dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, in her book Beyond Soap, warns against excessive cleansing, which can destroy the skin’s natural barrier. He emphasizes a balanced approach: “There is a difference between being clean enough to avoid disease and being excessively clean due to social pressure.”
As Lingard reinvents himself on and off the pitch, his devotion to self-care – from fitness to flawless skin – may be his most unexpected flexibility.
Sources: Znews
