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Just a few years ago, most of the best Korean skincare products products were only available through specialty sites like Soko Glam, YesStyle, and Olive Young. A niche category that’s steadily made its way into the global mainstream thanks in large part to the power of social media, you can now shop K-Beauty just about anywhere—from mega retailers retailers to social media giants.
“While Amazon and TikTok are leading the K-beauty sales, the category is sure to see major growth this year as American consumers discover new products via social media, Korean culture (think: K-Pop and K-Drama), and in-store launches,” Sarah Chung Park, founder and CEO of Landing International, tells Vogue.
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Skin-Care Products
Featured in this article
But accessibility isn’t the only reason for its rise. With its innovative formulas, skin-specific solutions, and luxurious textures, K-Beauty blends modern science with time-honored tradition. “At a young age, Korean children are taught the importance of moisturizing, exfoliating, cleansing the skin thoroughly, and protecting their skin with SPF,” Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam, tells Vogue. These rituals, she explains, are passed down through generations—forming the foundation of a skin-care philosophy that’s as cultural as it is clinical.
Even if you consider yourself a novice to the category, you’ve likely already dipped your toe in without even realizing—Park notes that “sheet masks and under-eye masks are easy examples of K-Beauty trends,” along with the growing popularity of serums and toners. But those are just the tip of the iceberg. No matter your skin concern, there’s a K-Beauty formula designed to target it—often with ingredients and textures you won’t find anywhere else. Ahead, shop the best Korean skin-care products for every step of your routine.
In This Story
- Why use Korean beauty products?
- The Ideal Korean Skin Care Routine
- How We Tested
- Meet The Korean Skincare Experts
Best Snail Mucin: CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- Why We Love It: “An essence is super helpful at kick-starting hydration in the skin,” notes Yoon, citing this step as integral to any K-beauty routine, best applied post-cleanser and toner. One CosRx’s most popular offerings, the lightweight essence is powered by 96.3% snail mucin—the buzzy K-beauty ingredient made popular for its resurfacing and hydrating properties—to fade dark spots, improve hydration, calm inflammation, and smooth skin texture—leaving skin soft and dewy. Not only is this incredibly nourishing, it boasts a slime-y texture that is a sensorial experience on its own. A seemingly always TikTok-trending pick, it’s become a Vogue editor favorite for a weightless glow to normal, oily, and combination skin types.
- Key Ingredients: 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, hyaluronic acid, allantoin
- Best For: Hydration, enlarged pores, dark spots, inflammation
- Size: 100 mL / 3.38 fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, fast-acting serum | While the brand is cruelty-free, its not vegan |
| Soothing formula |
Best Spicule Serum: VT Costmetics Cica Reedle Shot 100
- Why We Love It: Dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Eunice Park and cosmetic chemist Victoria Fu cosign this serum—previously sharing with Vogue that it’s the pick that made spicule serums go viral stateside. Need a quick refresher on what spicules even are? Think of it as micro-needling in a bottle. This serum, which promotes the skin’s cellular turnover, is offered in multiple intensity levels and unless you have hyper-sensitive skin, Reedle Shot 100 is an ideal staring point (it’s a microneedle intensity of 100 out of 1,000), so you’ll get a subtle prickly feeling rather than a full-on spicy sensation. The spicules in the formula help to increase penetration levels of active ingredients: Cica, or centella asiatica, works in tandem with propolis extract to help soothe and heal skin, while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide deep hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, propolis extract, sodium hyaluronate
- Best For: Uneven texture and tone, dryness, and those who want to customize their treatment
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Enhanced product absorption | Might be irritating for sensitive skin types |
| Reduces skin texture and enlarged pores |
Best Wrinkle Cream: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream
- Why We Love It: When we think of Korean approaches to firming face creams, this Sulwhasoo option rises to the top. The brand whips a concentrated ginseng (think: ginseng saponin, peptides, and flower that board-certified dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang previously said “has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin brightening benefits.”) into a rich, silky, sinks-right-into-skin cream formulated to promote firmer, plumper skin over time. It’s been a longtime staple of mine, ensuring my skin remains bouncy and glowing after each use. I’m most fond of its gentleness, and the fact that it layers expertly with whatever active ingredients or retinoids I pair it with.
- Editor’s Note: KM TO INCLUDE
- Key Ingredients: Sulwhasoo’s concentrated ginseng saponin, glycerin, squalane, licorice root extract, mango seed butter, sunflower seed oil
- Best For: Mature skin, wrinkles, fine lines, hydration
- Size: 30 mL / 1.01 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Ideal for skin plumping and brightening for mature skin types | Might be too heavy for oily to acne-prone skin types |
| Luxurious, rich texture |
Best with Ceramides: Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream
- Why We Love It: Purito’s Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream is a soothing powerhouse for sensitive and compromised skin. Formulated with 10% panthenol (vitamin B5) and Damyang bamboo extract, the light-as-air gel cream deeply hydrates and reinforces the skin barrier. Once applied, it absorbs near instantly, leaving behind a dewy finish without greasiness. Ideal for layering after actives like retinol or vitamin C, this vegan, cruelty-free cream is a gentle yet effective choice for irritated, or acne-prone skin.
- Editor’s Note: “This is my all-time favorite moisturizer because it’s completely non-comedogenic and so lightweight. It instantly absorbs and layers well under makeup without any unsightly pilling.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: 10% panthenol, bamboo extract, squalane, niacinamide, madecassoside
- Best For: Acne prone to oily skin types in need of a non-comedogenic moisturizer
- Size: 13.38 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Lightweight gel cream that’s fast-absorbing | Excessively dry skin types might prefer a thicker cream |
| Completely non-comedogenic | |
| Fragrance-free formula with soothing ingredients |
Best Sunscreen: Round Labs Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50
- Why We Love It: Both board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Catherine Chang and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eunice Park count this chemical sunscreen among their favorites, in part because of it’s silky, lightweight texture. “[Round labs’s SPF] has a smooth moisturizing texture, that feels very neutral on the skin,” Dr. Park previously told Vogue. It’s also loaded with botanicals, including allantoin and the star ingredient, birch tree sap, which is packed natural moisturizing factors like amino acids and lactic acid to bolster skin barrier health.
- Editor’s Note: “This is one of the two SPFs I rotate between most often. The texture feels like a lotion, and dries down dewy but non-greasy (essential, as I despise the feeling of heavy products on my face). Another perk? It doesn’t make my makeup pill. All that, plus it’s formula is entirely acne-safe.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Ethylhexyl triazone, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol
- Best For: Dry, combination, or acne-prone skin
- Size: 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Hydrating, lightweight feel | Might be a bit too dewy for those with oily skin |
| No white cast left behind |
Best Brightening Toner: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
- Why We Love It: Some By Mi’s viral toner is a potent, acid-packed chemical exfoliant. It pairs alpha, beta, and polyhydroxy acids (that’s three times the horse power) to refine skin and slough away dead skin cells. Plus, the addition of niacinamide “boosts skin cell turnover, brighten the skin, and reduce hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Chang, who’s a fan. Meanwhile, tea tree extract keeps excess sebum at bay, fighting against an oil slick T-zone, leaving skin clean and balanced but not overly dry.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, tea tree extract
- Best For: A powerful exfoliating toner to tackle skin texture and enlarged pores
- Size: 150 ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| An effective treatment for hyperpigmentation or congested complexions | Too strong for those with sensitive skin |
| Boasts a pH level of 5.5, the ideal level for skin health |
Best Toner Pad: Medicube Zero Pore Pads
- Why We Love It: Medicube’s pore pads have made quite the splash on TikTok for making skin texture seemingly disappear. The formula draws upon plant extracts like cypress leaf and skullcap to reduce oil products, while willow bark extract and lactic acid clear out impurities, giving the appearance of visibly smaller pores. Drawing upon traditional Korean rituals in the process to gently exfoliate skin, Glow Recipe cofounder Christine Chang notes that “a common bathhouse tradition is to splash spoiled milk onto faces after cleansing as milk contains lactic acid, which helps smooth skin texture and brighten.” Not to mention, the dual sided pads (one side smooth, the other slightly gritty) allow for you to customize your application experience.
- Editor’s Note: “I’ve been loving the Medicube Zero Pore Pads! My skin tends to get textured, but these pads have made a noticeable difference. Honestly, if I skip them for even a few nights, I can see it right away—my skin just doesn’t feel as smooth. They’ve quickly become a staple in my routine.” —Molly Barstein, audience development associate manager
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid, panthenol
- Best For: Enlarged pores, blackheads, oily skin
- Size: 70 pads
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dual-textured pads | Some find this pick to be a bit sticky after application |
| Works well to reduce congestion and excess sebum |
Best Cleansing Foam: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christina Chung is a fan of this product (and so is her teenage daughter), noting it’s especially effective for teens with oily skin thanks to its deep cleaning formula. While it’s ideal for younger skin types, anyone can appreciate its creamy lather and indulgent texture. The formula includes skin-loving ingredients like rice water extract and soapwort extract. “Rice water is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients that contribute to brighter, cleaner skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Bowles previously told Vogue.
- Key Ingredients: Rice water, rice bran oil, soapwort extract
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 150/300 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brightens the complexion, leaves skin soft to the touch | May feel stripping on sensitive or dry skin |
| Budget-friendly |
Best Lip Treatment: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- Why We Love It: Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask has earned its reputation for good reason. It’s beloved by over 52 thousands happy shoppers on Amazon, and there’s plenty celebrity fans, too. From Brooke Shields to Kate Moss, this ultra-smooth balm is praised for its ability to deeply hydrate and soften lips. Its nourishing formula includes vitamin C, an antioxidant-rich berry complex, coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru butter. Though originally designed for overnight use, plenty of fans swear by it as an all-day lip savior.
- Editor’s Note: “Who says you only have to use this pick as an overnight mask? In addition to slathering it on while I get my beauty sleep, I also love to use it during the day as a lip combo with my favorite liner. The texture is rich and cushiony, while still being non-sticky. Normally fragrance in lip products is a pet peeve of mine, but this has a nostalgic, faint candy-like aroma.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, murumuru butter, vitamin C, coconut oil
- Best For: Lip nourishment
- Size: 0.7 oz / 20g
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Concentrated formula packed with moisturizing ingredients | Slightly sticky |
| Occlusive layer dissolves slowly, maximizing hydration |
Best Rich Cream: Aestura ATOBarrier365 Cream
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- Why We Love It: A gentle, fragrance-free, rich face cream designed to improve skin’s moisture levels, Aestura’s AtoBarrier365 is as good as moisturizers get. Its conditioning blend of sensitive skin-friendly ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, and allantoin help restore the skin barrier and stave off dryness all day long. It’s a crucial part of Dr. Chang’s personal nightly skin-care routine, too, who calls it her a safety net for her skin. “The formula is rich in barrier-boosting ceramides capsules which to penetrate deep in the skin and stay within the skin barrier longer,” she says. “It is also formulated with squalane, allantoin, and niacinamide to hydrate and calm the skin.”
- Editor’s Note: “I love the little ceramide beads that ‘burst’ when you rub in for that extra hydration.” —Irene Kim, production and editorial coordinator
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, fatty acids, chloesterol, squalene, glycerin, allantoin
- Best For: Sensitive skin, skin barrier repair, hydration
- Size: 80 mL / 2.70 fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Rich with ceramides, for intesive hydration | Not completely non-comedogenic |
| Eczema and rosacea safe |
Best Collagen Mask: Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
- Why We Love It: Integral to glass skin are products that not only hydrate but also visibly diminish the look of pores. One such is product the Biodance’s Bio-Collagen mask, that applies as your average milky white sheet mask but turns clear after a few hours; the opacity change signifies that the ingredients have been absorbed by the skin. The formula draws on a low-molecular weight collagen peptide, galactomyces ferment filtrate, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft, supple, bouncy, and glowing. We recommend wearing it overnight; or, like your favorite TikTokers—on your next long-haul flight.
- Editor’s Note: “I fell in love with this mask at first use. While the application process is cool, what’s most notable is how the combination of low molecular weight collagen, galactomyces, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide delivers deep hydration, while reducing enlarged pores and illuminating the skin after just one use. Yes, I’m still obsessed with it one year later.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Low-molecular weight collagen peptides, galactomyces, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Best For: Hydration, reducing pore size, boosting skin elasticity, glass skin
- Size: 4 sheet masks per pack
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brightening and plumping formula | Not meant to be worn for short periods of time |
| Bio-cellullose sheet mask boasts excellent adherence for comfortable wear |
Best Collagen Cream: Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream
- Why We Love It: For days when you’re in search of weightless moisturizer (say to accommodate oil-prone skin or to set the stage for perfect makeup application), Medicube’s cream comes to the rescue. Its bouncy, jelly-like texture sinks instantly into skin, revealing a glowing, soft complexion in the process. And beneath skin’s surface, the cream’s mixture of hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, squalane, and elastin come together to strengthen the skin barrier, improve firmness, and deliver long-lasting hydration. “This is beneficial for those with dry or aging skin, as it helps improve elasticity and promotes long-lasting hydration,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman previously shared of the formula, consigning one of our favorite jelly collagen face masks.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hydrolyzed collagen, squalane, hydrolyzed elastin
- Best For: Hydrating, firming, boosting skin elasticity
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz / 50 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Plumping while imparting weightless hydration | Not an entirely acne-safe formula |
| Layers well with other products, and even under makeup |
Best PDRN Serum: Innisfree Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skinbooster Serum
- Why We Love It: Say you’re intrigued by the PDRN craze, but don’t particularly love the idea of salmon sperm in your skincare—Innisfree offers an alternative. It combines retinol—a trusted anti-aging ingredient—with green tea-derived PDRN, niacinamide, and Lactobacillus ferment lysate to help firm, hydrate, and rebalance the skin. Best of all, the formula sinks in almost instantly, leaving no residue behind. If you re new to retinol, take it slow: start with one pump at night to let your skin adjust gradually.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea–derived PDRN, 1% triple retinol complex, niacinamide
- Best For: A vegan alternative to PDRN serums
- Size: 0.84 fl. oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Anti-aging benefits | Potential for irritation with acne-prone or sensitive skin types |
| Lightweight and fast absorbing | |
| A vegan alternative to salmon-derived PDRN |
Best Glow Serum: Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Why We Love It: If you’re after a brightening serum that feels ultra-light yet delivers the “glass skin” effect, Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Deep Serum is a worthy contender. With 68% rice bran water, alpha-arbutin (a natural antioxidant), and niacinamide, this brightening trio helps fade dark spots and improve overall clarity without harsh exfoliation. The texture is watery and fast-absorbing, making it comfortable on the skin and ideal for layering under your moisturizer.
- Key Ingredients: Rice bran extract, alpha-arbutin, niacinamide, panthenol, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, soybean extract
- Best For: Brightening uneven or dull complexions
- Size: 1 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Brightening and fast-absorbing serum | Not suitable for those with significant hyperpigmentation |
| Gentle active ingredients | Soybean extract isn’t suitable for acne-prone skin |
| Affordable price point |
Best Gel-Cream: Superegg Sound Renewal Serum Cream
- Why We Love It: For Erica Choi, licensed esthetician and founder of skin-care brand Superegg, achieving glass skin requires gentle exfoliation and deep hydration. Exfoliation, she says, helps remove dead skin cells—allowing “skin-care products penetrate more effectively.” So, when you use her label’s Sound Renewal Serum Cream, the featured PHA unclogs pores while the nourishing agents like panthenol, botanical extracts, and squalane hydrate and repair the skin with ease. While this vegan, cruelty-free face moisturizer is suitable for all skin types, its best for those looking to address enlarged pores and skin dullness in order to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol, squalane, PHA, glycerin, centella asiatic extract, vitamin E, ceramides, chicory root extract, mushroom extract, beta-glucan
- Best For: Enlarged pores, hydration, brightening
- Size: 60 mL / 2.2 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and fast-absorbing | Some have a difficult time squeezing the firm, circular bottle |
| Clean formula |
Best Oil Cleanser: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
- Why We Love It: Any double cleansing enthusiasts here? Board-certified Mohs surgen and dermatologist Dr. Whitney Hovenic recommends this oil cleanser to patients with sensitive skin. The formula is packed with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial ingredients like turmeric and heartleaf extract. “It contains heartleaf extract to calm inflammation and a blend of lightweight oils that help clear out excess sebum and buildup,” she previously told Vogue. Conditioning jojoba, grapeseed, and olive oils power the formula’s hydrating feel.
- Editor’s Note: “This was my first K-Beauty cleansing oil, which I discovered on Amazon during Prime Day. No, it didn’t melt away my black heads like those on TikTok claimed it would after determined massaging. It does, however, remove makeup and SPF with total ease. Plus, I like how the texture is more liquid-y and slippery than thick.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Heartleaf extract, sunflower seed oil, olive fruit oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, turmeric root extract, moringa seed oil
- Best For: Blackheads, removing makeup, double cleansing
- Size: 200 mL / 6.76 fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients | Olive oil can be potentially pore clogging |
| Easily breaks down makeup, SPF, and impurities |
Best Cleansing Balm: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: “Cleansing with an oil-based cleanser and following up with a water-based cleanser is called a double cleanse and is a foundational part of an effective multistep skin-care routine,” Soko Glam co-founder Charlotte Cho tells Vogue. She prefers cleansing balms to remove makeup and oil-based impurities—cleansing and conditioning simultaneously. A sorbet-textured balm infused with vitamin E, olive oil, persimmon extract, and sea-buckthorn oil, Then I Met You’s cleansing balm is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, lending skin some much-needed moisture, setting the stage for a hydrating routine to follow. While those with oily or acne-prone skin might follow this with a resurfacing cleanser, someone with dry skin might appreciate the soft, conditioning feel the cleansing balm achieves. Not to mention, it boasts a delightful citrusy scent. It’s worth noting, one dollop is all you need.
- Key Ingredients: Seabuckthorn oil, persimmon extract, olive oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin E, grapefruit seed oil
- Best For: Cleansing, double-cleansing
- Size: 3.17 fl. oz / 90g
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| An ultra-hydrating cleansing balm | Better for normal to dry skin types, rather than acne-prone complexions |
| The unique sorbet-like texture lathers with ease |
Best Essence: Mixsoon Bean Essence
- Why We Love It: Mixsoon’s approach to an essence is more multi-tasking than most. Upon application, you’ll notice a veil-like film coat the skin for instant hydration. Over time, however, you ll realize it’s the botanical ferments that also help to gently exfoliate skin texture and even tone. The viscous formula is powered by four plant ferments (soybean, barley, pomegranate, and Korean pear to name a few) and works wonders to rejuvenate skin in a single use.
- Editor’s Note: “Mixsoon’s Bean Essence embodies K-beauty’s ‘gentle exfoliation’ ethos. The formula’s lead ingredient, soybean ferment extract, is an exceptional resurfacing agent—improving skin’s texture, tone, and radiance without any harsh side effects. When paired with a handful of other fermented extracts, glycerin, and propanediol, you get a deeply nourishing, sticky essence that your skin will drink up. I don’t go a single week without using it!” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Fermented soybean, barley, pomegranate, and Korean pear
- Best For: Exfoliating, enlarged pores, dry skin
- Size: 50 mL / 1.69 fl. oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Provides incredibly gentle exfoliation | Some dislike the sticky feel |
| Adds instant hydration to parched skin | Soybean is potentially pore clogging for those with acne-prone skin |
Best for Sensitive Skin: I’m From Mugwort Cream
- Why We Love It: A sumptuous moisturizer powered by 73.55% mugwort extract, an ingredient that Cho explains has long been used in Korean medicinal and wellness practices. “It’s also highly regarded for its healing properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits,” she says. The mugwort extract isn’t the only reason we covet this cream—it’s soothing, calming, and plumping, too. With its healing properties in mind, this cream is meant to nourish and soothe stressed, sensitive skin while protecting against environmental stressors and stimulating collagen production.
- Key Ingredients: Mugwort extract, panthenol, shea butter, pinus palustris leaf extract, ulmus davidiana root extract, evening primrose flower extract, allantoin
- Best For: Hydration, skin barrier repair, soothing
- Size: 50 mL / 1.76 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
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| Antioxidant-rich and calming formula | The naturally earthy scent of this pick isn’t for everyone |
| Hydrating and formulated without harsh ingredients | Shea butter isn’t ideal for ance-prone skin |
Best Anti-Aging Eye Cream: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Bakuchiol Eye Cream
- Why We Love It: A common denominator in Korean skin-care products is an emphasis on fermented ingredients, black rice, and retinoids. This one does a quick remix on the notion of retinol, bakuchiol—a plant-based option well-loved for its ability to stimulate collagen production sans irritation. “Given the lower risk of irritation when compared to retinol, bakuchiol may be a more appropriate choice for people with sensitive skin, including those with rosacea and eczema, who desire the skin-care benefits of retinol but cannot tolerate it,” dermatologist Dr. Mina Amin previously shared. And when paired with fermented black rice extract and bamboo shoot extract, you have an eye cream great for combatting crow’s feet and dark circles with consistent use.
- Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, fermented bamboo extract, fermented black rice, niacinamide
- Best For: Evening skin tone, reducing fine lines
- Size: 0.67 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| A gentle yet effective alternative to retinol | Some experience a slight white cast after application |
| The plant-powered formula is safe for sensitive skin |
Best Retinol: Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum
- Why We Love It: Those in search of a Korean approach to retinol will quickly fall in love with Iope’s Super Bounce Serum—a formula both Cho and board-certified dermatologist Dr. David Kim rave about. Powered by the brand’s Quadruple Retinoid Complex blend of encapsulated retinol, granactive retinoid, and bio-seletinoid, it remains exceptionally gentle despite its potency. To wit, Cho said this is “highly effective, smoothing fine lines while keeping skin plump and hydrated” without irritation.
- Key Ingredients: Retinol, encapsulated retinol, granactive retinoid, Bio-Seletinoid, shea butter
- Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines
- Size: 30 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| A beginner-friendly retinol | A pricier pick per product mL |
| Improves skin-tone, clarity, and fine lines |
Why use Korean beauty products?
Cho notes that many of the ingredients we’ve come to associate with K-beauty products come from hanbang, or traditional Korean medicine, like ginseng, green tea, and lotus. These traditions are coupled with innovative technologies to create products that are beneficial to treating an array of concerns. The result? The entrance of new ingredients like snail mucin or categories like essences.
Beyond the ingredients, Glow Recipe’s other cofounder, Sarah Lee, explains how K-beauty also preaches tackling your specific skin-care concerns day by day. “Skin is different every day, and instead of boxing yourself into a set skin type, it’s so important to listen to our skin and treat that day’s concerns with the right products,” she says. “Your skin will tell you how it feels each day and is influenced by many factors—how much sleep you had the night before, the climate, stress, and environmental aggressors can all affect your skin in a different way each day.”
This versatile, customized approach to treating skin can certainly aid anyone’s regimen. With that, I’ve tapped our industry experts and Vogue editor’s experiences to curate this edit compiling the best Korean skincare brands to add to your routine.
The Ideal Korean Skin Care Routine
Now that you have the lowdown of the best K-beauty products, the next step is curating your ultimate Korean skin care routine. To do this, we asked Yoon for guidance. Her M.O.? Overall skin health and long-term results centered around gentle formulations, ample hydration, and of course, a personalized regimen.
- Step One: Oil-based cleanser: “Oil and water repel, so an oil-based cleanser is used to effectively dissolve and remove oil-based impurities from skin, like excess sebum, makeup and SPF,” she says. Another pro tip? “Massage onto dry skin for about a minute to thoroughly dissolve and remove impurities for sparkly clear pores.”
- Step Two: Water-based cleanser: A gentle, water-based cleanser to remove impurities like sweat and dirt is next. “Opt for a sulfate-free, pH-balanced cleanser to keep your skin barrier in tip top shape,” she says.
- Step Three: Exfoliator: Yoon explains that exfoliators come after cleansing. While she loves an enzyme powder, peels and liquids are suitable, too. Just steer clear of over-exfoliating and keep to a once or twice a week minimum.
- Step Four: Toner: Step four, toner, and step five, essences, can be combined or used separately. “A toner’s main job is to help balance the skin’s pH to keep the skin barrier in a happy place and also to help prep for next steps,” she says. “Meanwhile, an essence is meant to super-drench skin with hydration to optimize health and also to increase absorption of the products that follow.”
- Step Five: Essence: “In my experience as an esthetician, deep hydration is hard to achieve given external stressors and various micro-climates that can be drying—A.C., heat, travel,” Yoon says. “When hydration goes, many other skin issues can crop up. I think of essences as a hydration insurance-policy. Plus, they give skin a plumped up glow.”
- Step Six: Serums and ampoules: Per Yoon, this is where hyper-targeted treatments come into play. “Serums and ampoules are formulated to be concentrated treatments with active ingredients targeting specific skin concerns,” she says. “Depending on the formula, you can cocktail formulas together or use a single one.” But remember: less is more.
- Step Seven: Eye Cream: “The eye area is delicate and thin and can have its own set of issues – dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, dryness,” she says, so choose an eye cream with ingredients that target whatever concern you re after; our guide to eye creams is a worthwhile read if you don’t already have a go-to.
- Step Eight: Moisturizer: When it comes to picking a face moisturizer, dry skin types should opt for something more emollient while oily skin types should seek out formulas that are lightweight and oil-free.
- Step Nine: SPF: “An essential last step, Korean SPFs are able to incorporate more diverse filters than U.S. SPFs, and there are plenty of fantastic options that will look and feel great on skin making them more wearable,” she says.
- Weekly Bonus: Masks: While not necessary everyday, face masks can make it easier to achieve all your skin goals—especially if you incorporate them once a week. “Make your masking moment perfect for you whether that s leaning into an ambience of relaxation or a moment of fun while you treat skin with an extra boost of TLC to pick up skin and your mood,” Yoon says.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and K-beauty founders—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to Korean skin-care products, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, finish, and the skin care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Dr. Catherine Chang, MD, FACS is board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Beverly Hills.
- Christine Chang is the cofounder of K-beauty brand Glow Recipe.
- Charlotte Cho is the cofounder of marketplace Soko Glam.
- Dr. Christina Chung, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at Schweiger Dermatology group in Pennsylvania.
- Victoria Fu is a cosmetic chemist and the cofounder of the podcast Chemist Confessions.
- Sarah Lee is the cofounder of K-beauty brand Glow Recipe.
- Eunice Park, MD is a double-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of AIREM in New York.
- Alicia Yoon is a Korean skin care expert and founder of Peach Lily.
