<p>Want to know more? Cool, because I highlighted some of the best Korean beauty products around—from brands like <strong>G</strong><strong>low Recipe, Dr. Jart+, Peach & Lily, and Saturday Skin</strong>—with the help of an expert, my own personal testing, and glowing interview reviews. </p>” />
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Best Korean Skincare Color Corrector
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Best Korean Skincare Color Corrector
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Pros
- Contains SPF 30
Cons
- Some testers had a hard time blending it in
We at Cosmo have a long history of lovin’ Dr. Jart’s Cicapair Tiger Grass line (we tested it, after all!). If you haven’t seen the TikTok review videos of the product, you’re in for a treat. Once I apply it to my skin and blend it out, the treatment totally neutralizes my redness and gives me a super-even skin tone. Plus, it’s got SPF 30, so win-win.
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica (tiger grass), SPF, niacinamide, glycerin
- Product type: Color-correcting treatment
THE REVIEW: “I have some redness and hyperpigmentation I’m not too thrilled about,” one tester notes. “For the longest time, I was self-conscious about this; so much so, that I used to always feel the need to wear foundation. This product perfectly helped me transition to going foundation-free a majority of the time. The color-correcting element blends perfectly into my skin and blurs the redness around my nose.”
Best Korean Skincare Luminous Serum
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Best Korean Skincare Luminous Serum
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Pros
- Layers super well with makeup and other skincare products
Cons
- If you want more hydration, you need to layer with a moisturizer
If you want glass skin (i.e., smooth, luminous skin that gives off the appearance of glass), there’s no better way to get it than with the cult-favorite Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum. This formula does everything from fading dark spots to reducing redness to hydrating the skin…need I say more?
- Key ingredients: Peach extract, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Product type: Serum
THE REVIEW: “It has everything I was looking for in a serum,” writes one reviewer. “It’s not aggressive or irritating, and I have very sensitive skin. I love that it’s fragrance-free and it feels like they really invested in the actual formula…it sinks in beautifully and layers well with my moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup.”
Best Korean Skincare Product for Blackheads
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Best Korean Skincare Product for Blackheads
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Chemical exfoliants smooth, brighten, and clarify your skin
Cons
- Can dry out your skin if you use it every single day
Blackheads: No one likes ’em, no one wants ’em, yet everybody seems to have ’em. But do you know the absolute best way to clear them up? Chemical exfoliants, my friends. This one by COSRX uses BHAs to fight those pesky blackheads and control oil all in one gentle, moisturizing formula.
- Key ingredients: Willow bark water, betaine salicylate, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide
- Product type: Chemical exfoliant
THE REVIEW: “I struggle with severe cystic acne, oily/combo skin, blackheads, etc., but now, for the first time, I don’t want to cry in the morning when I look in the mirror,” one review reads. “My pores look smaller, my blackheads much less, and my face no longer looks like an oil slick!”
Best Korean Skincare Mist
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist
Best Korean Skincare Mist
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist
Pros
- Glycerin hydrates while antioxidants protect your skin
Cons
- If you have oily skin, it’s probably too hydrating to use on top of makeup
“If you’re looking to add hydration to your routine or need a quick midday pick-me-up, this essence mist will do the trick,” says Cho. She explains that this spray delivers the finest mist and is packed with brightening ingredients, such as licorice water and root extracts. Finally, glycerin is added for hydration, and centella asiatica leaf extract soothes your skin.
- Key ingredients: Licorice water, bamboo water, centella asiatica leaf extract, glycerin
- Product type: Essence mist
THE REVIEW: “This pH Balancing mist keeps my skin so plump and supple, I use it when I need some deep hydration on those dry days or just before my time of the month will come which is when my skin is the most sensitive,” one tester writes. “Also having PCOS, it has helped to have it in my skincare routine.”
Best Korean Skincare Cooling Gel-Moisturizer
Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
Best Korean Skincare Cooling Gel-Moisturizer
Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream
Pros
- Fragrance-free formula is ideal for sensitive skin
Cons
- There’s not a ton of product for the price
My skin is patchy as hell, and it’s difficult for it to retain moisture. But, alas! I have found my cure: The Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream. The gel-like formula feels so lightweight yet still manages to pack a powerful hydration punch.
- Key ingredients: Alaskan glacier water, Iceland moss, ferment extract, amino acids
- Product type: Moisturizer
THE REVIEW: “This is a favorite of mine—I have combination skin, so it’s really dry and in some places really oily. This works well for both, and it’s lightweight, cooling, and soothing. I really like this and always order it when I get the chance,” reads one tester’s review.
Best Korean Skincare Mask for Acne
Mask Science Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Sheet Mask
Best Korean Skincare Mask for Acne
Mask Science Mediheal Tea Tree Essential Blemish Control Sheet Mask
Pros
- Calms the skin without drying it out
Cons
- The physical sheet may dry out rather quickly, some reviews say
“Mediheal masks are a go-to of mine,” says Cho, adding, “these are packed with ingredients that will help soothe the skin and treat acne.” Willow bark, rosemary, and tea tree oil help to soothe, exfoliate, and target breakouts, while chamomile works to calm redness, she explains.
- Key ingredients: Willow bark, rosemary, tea tree oil, chamomile
- Product type: Sheet mask
THE REVIEW: “I really swear by this sheet mask,” writes one reviewer. “It’s my go-to for any acne/redness or onset of breakouts. I’m not sure I’ve noticed a reduction in acne marks, but my skin definitely looks much calmer the next day.”
Best Korean Skincare SPF
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence
Best Korean Skincare SPF
Thank You Farmer Sun Project Light Sun Essence
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Super lightweight formula that doesn’t feel greasy
Cons
- May take a moment to fully absorb into the skin for that lightweight feel
Skin health and protection are at the forefront of the Korean skincare philosophy, so you can bet there are some pretty damn good K-beauty SPFs on the market. This broad-spectrum sunscreen leaves a semi-matte finish so your skin will look glowy yet not greasy. It also uses hero hydrator, glycerin, as well as aloe vera to soothe your skin and reduce redness. The best part? It’s a super lightweight formula.
- Key ingredients: SPF, aloe vera extract, glycerin
- Product type: Sunscreen
THE REVIEW: “I have sensitive combination skin, and I have tried dozens of sunscreens—this takes the cake every time,” one tester’s review reads. “It is lightweight, but moisturizing, and rubs right into the skin like a dream. It doesn’t leave a cast and it doesn’t pill under makeup. I don’t break out while using this either. It feels like a second moisturizer.”
Best Daily Korean Skincare Toner
Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner
Best Daily Korean Skincare Toner
Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner
Pros
- Gentle enough for daily use due to a slew of hydrators
Cons
- You may run out of product rather quickly
“I’ve suffered from hormonal acne for years, and since incorporating the Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner into my routine every day, I’ve seen my acne disappear,” says Cho. It’s formulated with hydrating milky birch juice and the optimal 1 percent AHA/PHA that can be used daily without over-exfoliation or drying out your skin. As a result, breakouts will be minimized, and your skin will feel smooth and soft to the touch.
- Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycerin, squalane, sodium hyaluronate
- Product type: Toner
THE REVIEW: “The other day I walked into a sandwich shop and the woman at the front counter said, ‘your skin is literally glowing,'” one tester writes. “That’s how I know this line is the best—I have sensitive, acne-prone skin that endured a lot of sun damage during my teen years. Then I Met You + Sunscreen and two years later…my skin is like new.”
Best Korean Skincare Moisturizer with Snail Mucin
Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-In-One Oil Free Moisturizer
Best Korean Skincare Moisturizer with Snail Mucin
Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-In-One Oil Free Moisturizer
Pros
- Hygienic due to the tube dispenser
Cons
- If you have drier skin, you may need something with more emollient ingredients
If you haven’t heard all the hype about superstar skincare ingredient snail mucin, where have you been? Though there’s not a ton of research behind it, it’s been said to contain hyaluronic acid, allantoin, antioxidants, zinc, manganese, glycosaminoglycans, and growth factors, which are all great for hydrating and plumping your skin.
- Key ingredients: Snail mucin, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid
- Product type: Moisturizer
THE REVIEW: “I absolutely love this moisturizer for my dry/sensitive/acne-prone skin,” one reviewer writes. “That combination is not necessarily normal, so finding a moisturizer to meet those needs is hard to come by. This hits every mark! I do not have any breakouts from using this product, I gain moisture in the areas I need it, and I do not get any reactions.”
Best Glowy Korean Skincare Product
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Best Glowy Korean Skincare Product
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Pros
- Multi-purpose product that can be used as a serum, highlighter, or primer
Cons
- May feel slightly tacky until it dries down
Another viral Tiktok beauty bb is this lil guy from Glow Recipe. The best part about these dew drops? They can be used as a serum, highlighter under or over makeup, or even as a primer. Plus, humectant ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate give your skin a big dose of hydration. Remember that glass-like glow that we were talkin’ about? This is the perfect product to deliver.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate
- Product type: Glow serum drops
THE REVIEW: “This stuff is literally one of my favorite skincare products ever,” writes one tester. “I’ve gone through like five bottles! Makeup blends flawlessly with this as your base.”
Best Healing Korean Skincare Product
I’m From Mugwort Cream
Best Healing Korean Skincare Product
I’m From Mugwort Cream
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Won’t feel tacky upon application
Cons
- Not a super mattifying formula, if that’s what you prefer
So, errrr, ‘mugwort cream,’ definitely may not sound the most…appealing? Clean? Like something you want to slather all over your face? But before you toss it aside, mugwort is a plant—not a slimy creature (yet don’t rule that out, see: snail mucin)—and it’s used traditionally in K-beauty thanks to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. This cream also contains hydrating glycerin and soothing panthenol for some extra skin-loving benefits.
- Key ingredients: Mugwort extract, glycerin, panthenol
- Product type: Moisturizer
THE REVIEW: “So, I have been looking for a new moisturizer forever,” one review reads. “I have a combination/sensitive skin with eczema. This cream has satisfied all areas [of my face] without any problems. It feels light like a gel-cream, but my skin absorbed it and it feels like normal skin. No redness, no sensitivity, no stickiness, no random dryness—just happy skin.”
Best Korean Beauty Cleanser
Zeroid Foaming Cleanser
Best Korean Beauty Cleanser
Zeroid Foaming Cleanser
Pros
- Deeply cleanses without stripping your skin
Cons
- Can sometimes be hard to find in stock
Foaming cleansers are notorious for drying out your skin because they contain surfactants (i.e., the active foaming agent that penetrates your skin) that work to lift dirt and debris from your pores quite rapidly. What makes this foaming cleanser so different is that it balances your pH and blasts it with a shot of moisture thanks to the ceramides, so you won’t have to worry about it lacking moisture.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, botanical extracts, ceramides, and orange extract.
- Product type: Cleanser
THE REVIEW: “This is actually—and truly—a mild care cleanser for sensitive and dry skin,” one reviewer writes. “Who knew it actually does what it says on the bottle?! This gets my first vote for cleaning my face without making me feel like [my skin is stripped]. Second vote for honest marketing—is there such a thing nowadays, or ever has been?”
Best Korean Skincare Aloe Product
Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Best Korean Skincare Aloe Product
Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Contains soothing ingredient, allantoin
Cons
- May feel a bit sticky and tacky upon initial application
You’ve heard it from your momma, your grandma, and a million others, but aloe vera is just that damn good. This fragrance-free gel moisturizer is great for soothing irritated skin (see: sunburn), fading acne scars, brightening your skin, and adding loads of hydration. It’s a miracle product, amiright?
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera, glycerin, allantoin
- Product type: Soothing gel
THE REVIEW: “This is a great aloe product—it doesn’t have a scent!” one review reads. “It absorbs nicely, and I keep it in my refrigerator, and especially in the summer, I apply it after being in the sun all day. It’s very soothing!”
Best Korean Skincare Clay Mask
Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask
Best Korean Skincare Clay Mask
Innisfree Pore Clearing Clay Mask
Pros
- Deeply exfoliates pores thanks to the lactic acid
Cons
- Should avoid use if you have particularly dry skin
Are you someone with oily or acne-prone skin? Then you may have heard that a clay mask is a product you should have in your beauty arsenal. Clay is great for oily skin types due to its ability to absorb excess oil. Reviewers love this clay mask specifically because it also includes AHAs that chemically exfoliate your skin, so it does a double-whammy on those pores and blackheads of yours.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, lactic acid, glycerin
- Product type: Mask
THE REVIEW: “It cleans my face, gets rid of excess oil, and makes my skin feel smooth!” one tester writes. “I would 100% recommend this mask because it is not just a one-use wonder, so far I have used this face mask five times and I am not even a quarter of the way through the jar.”
Best Korean Beauty Lip Mask
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Best Korean Beauty Lip Mask
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Pros
- Contains a slew of moisturizing and hydrating ingredients
Cons
- There’s no place to store the applicator
No K-beauty list would be complete without the OG Laneige lip sleeping mask. (I mean, does it even need an introduction?) The cult-favorite lip mask uses a mix of humectants (hi, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate), and emollients (hi, coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter) to deliver major doses of hydration and moisture.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru seed butter, vitamin C
- Product type: Lip mask
THE REVIEW: “The best lip mask on the market, hands down,” one review reads. “The price is great, and the product? Even better. The one I bought this time last year is about out and I use it every night!”
Best Korean Skincare Eye Cream
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
Best Korean Skincare Eye Cream
Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
Pros
- Super refreshing and cooling
Cons
- Won’t necessarily address dark circles
Got yourself some bags, fine lines, or puffiness?! Hi, same. That’s why you need an eye cream that packs a punch. Not only is Belif’s formula incredibly moisturizing (hi, squalane), hydrating (hi, glycerin), and it is also extremely refreshing. It’s like jumping in a cold shower to wake you up, but, actually feels nice. Feel me?
- Key ingredients: Squalane, glycerin
- Product type: Eye cream
THE REVIEW: “I love this eye cream—I’ve had dry patches around my eyes for so long and applying this cream makes the skin around my eyes feel so soothed,” one reviewer writes. “It’s so hydrating and a must-have before bed.”
Best Korean Skincare Essence
Dermalogy by Neogenlab 93% Natural Fermented Facial Essence
Best Korean Skincare Essence
Dermalogy by Neogenlab 93% Natural Fermented Facial Essence
Pros
- Provides that extra dose of hydration
Cons
- Costly to use an essence everyday
An essence is a staple in Korean beauty, but it’s a bit hard to claim they are just one thing because each brand can define them differently. In this case, if you have dry or combination skin, you can totally benefit from this naturally fermented essence which provides great hydration (hi, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid). Simply pat it on after your cleanser/toner.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Product type: Essence
THE REVIEW: “I [have] cystic hormonal acne, eczema, and combination skin,” reads one tester’s review. “I use both the serum and liquid 2x per day. Both of these add moisture deep into the skin without irritating acne or other skin conditions. They also fade marks from past acne fast.”
Best Korean Beauty Cleansing Oil
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
Best Korean Beauty Cleansing Oil
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
Pros
- Super gentle on the skin and won’t make you break out
Cons
- There are more affordable cleansing oil options
Double-cleansing means washing your face twice—generally once with an oil-based cleanser and once with a water-based one—and it is a staple K-beauty ritual. This process is said to result in cleaner skin that absorbs products more effectively. Need a great place to start? Try this cleansing oil by Sulwhasoo, which is a fan favorite.
- Key ingredients: Apricot-kernel oil, squalane
- Product type: Cleansing oil
THE REVIEW: “This is a great cleansing oil when I use it as part of my double-cleanse routine at night!” one review reads. “I love it. I have sensitive, reactive, normal to dry skin, and this oil is really nice for taking off basic makeup/sunscreen. No stinging, super gentle, and doesn’t strip the skin.”
Best Korean Beauty Glow Serum
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Best Korean Beauty Glow Serum
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Pros
- Skin glows without looking oily
Cons
- There’s not a ton of included product
If you have acne-prone skin, the last thing you probably want is anything that will make you shinier, I get it. But you can’t deny that it would be amazing to have a product that makes your skin glowy without that dreaded oil-slick look, right? Well, your search for that *magic* product ends right here with this glow serum specially formulated for acne-prone skin. The product calms and heals flare-ups, while also using brightening ingredients for that glass glow.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide
- Product type: Glow serum
THE REVIEW: “I use this in the morning and my skin has really evened out. I’ve tried many products, but this one works the best for my skin and hormonal breakouts,” one review reads.
Best Korean Beauty Body Wash
Medicube Red Body Wash
Best Korean Beauty Body Wash
Medicube Red Body Wash
Pros
- Exfoliates gently yet effectively
Cons
- If you have dry skin, a good moisturizer is needed
Skincare should never stop with the face—that body of yours needs just as much love, especially if you struggle with body acne. This body wash by Medicube includes a sh*t ton of powerhouse ingredients (hi, chemical exfoliants and niacinamide) that exfoliate the skin gently while also locking in moisture.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
- Product type: Body wash
THE REVIEW: “This has cleared up any slight breakout problems I would get and prevents them as well,” writes one reviewer. “My esthetician even complimented how good my skin looks. It’s not harsh on my skin and I have slightly sensitive skin.”
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC’s newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you’ll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
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