As we explore the world of beauty products, Korean skin-care items are always at the forefront. Why? Charlotte Cho, cofounder of the marketplace Soko Glam, explains that great skin care is deeply rooted in Korean culture.
Rice + Probiotic SPF50+ PA++++
It is a lightweight sunscreen infused with SPF 50+ and 30% rice extract and grain fermented extracts. Easily one of the most acclaimed Korean sunscreens out there, Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun is everything one could want in a UV protectant. SPF 50+ shields from sun rays, while the featured rice and grain fermented extracts are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your healthiest, most hydrated skin yet. Not to mention, it’s earned dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang, MD’s stamp of approval.
Thanks to its light, cushiony formulation and zero white cast, this sunscreen-moisturizer works well on all skin types. Key Ingredients in thissunscreen product include rice extract 30%, grain fermented extracts, coconut fruit extract, gingseng root extract, kelp extract, camellia leaf extract.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This lip mask is packed with Laneige’s antioxidant-rich Berry Mix Complex, vitamin C, coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru butter. Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask has earned cult-favorite status, praised by everyone from Vogue editors (former beauty director Celia Ellenberg and associate fashion editor Charlotte Diamond) to celebrities like Brooke Shields and Kate Moss. It’s loved for its ability to nourish and smooth lips.
Ideal for anyone seeking a softer, smoother, and more hydrated pout, this mask is designed for overnight use, though many reach for it during the day as well. Personally, I like to pair it with my favorite lip liner for the perfect daytime lip treatment.
CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This lightweight essence is formulated with 96.3% snail mucin, the popular K-beauty ingredient known for its resurfacing and hydrating benefits. “Essences are great for kick-starting hydration in the skin,” says Yoon, highlighting this step as a key part of any K-beauty routine. Applied after cleansing and toning, it helps fade dark spots, boost hydration, calm inflammation, and smooth skin texture, leaving your skin feeling soft and dewy.
Packed with 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, hyaluronic acid, and allantoin, this essence is not only deeply nourishing but also features a unique, slimy texture that adds a sensorial touch. A TikTok favorite, it has quickly become a go-to for Vogue editors, delivering a weightless glow that works well for normal, oily, and combination skin types.
Aestura ATOBarrier365 Cream
This gentle, nourishing face cream is designed to enhance the skin’s moisture levels. Aestura’s AtoBarrier365 stands out as an exceptional moisturizer, especially because it works well for all skin types. Its blend of ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, and allantoin, all chosen for their skin-friendly qualities, helps restore the skin barrier and combat dryness throughout the day.
Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner Pads
This set of toner pads is infused with PHAs to help minimize pore size, reduce blackheads, and control sebum production. Powered by 77% heartleaf extract grown and harvested in Korea, the formula offers soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits. When combined with the exfoliating properties of PHA, it helps control excess oil, smooth enlarged pores, and prevent blackheads without irritating the skin. These pads are perfect for those with blemish-prone skin or rough, uneven texture.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum for Acne-Prone Skin
This serum is specially formulated for acne-prone skin, featuring a blend of propolis extract and niacinamide. Balancing sebum production while keeping skin hydrated is a challenge, but Glow Serum’s honey-like elixir makes it effortless. With 60% propolis extract and 2% niacinamide, this viscous, syrupy serum helps control surface oils while giving the skin a radiant glow.
Perfect for stressed skin, this serum not only calms and soothes but also brightens the complexion and protects against free-radical damage.
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
This lightweight serum combines peach extract, niacinamide, East Asian mountain yam, madecassoside, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. “It’s become a cult favorite for its visible hydrating, firming, smoothing, clarifying, and brightening effects—all in one easy bottle,” says Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily.
Ideal for sensitive skin, the serum is praised for addressing dark spots and improving elasticity, promoting an even-toned, supple complexion. In our experience, it absorbs quickly into the skin, layers seamlessly with other products, and gradually enhances your skin’s radiance.
Superegg Sound Renewal Serum Cream
This gel-cream, milky lotion is formulated with vitamin B5, squalane, ceramides, and exfoliating acids to repair the skin barrier and minimize pore size. According to Erica Choi, licensed esthetician and founder of Superegg, achieving glass skin requires both gentle exfoliation and deep hydration. Exfoliation, she explains, helps remove dead skin cells, allowing skincare products to penetrate more effectively. In her Sound Renewal Serum Cream, the PHA works to unclog pores while nourishing ingredients like panthenol, botanical extracts, and squalane hydrate and repair the skin effortlessly.
This vegan, cruelty-free moisturizer is suitable for all skin types but is especially effective for those looking to address enlarged pores and dullness, revealing a brighter, smoother complexion.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original
This set of pimple patches is made with medical-grade hydrocolloid gel. Stubborn blemish? Just apply a Mighty Patch to the affected area and remove it once the patch turns white. Hydrocolloid draws out impurities in just six to eight hours, leaving behind a smaller, flatter pimple.
Perfect for acne-prone skin, these patches are a must-have for anyone dealing with breakouts. Use them to reduce the appearance of pimples or simply to prevent touching them—remember, it’s best to avoid touching an active breakout as much as possible!Top of Form
