The epicenter of skincare innovation, South Korea, is home to the best Korean skincare products around – many of which have made their way from east to west. Now available to shop at US and UK beauty e-tailers, K-beauty continues to be in demand. According to market research firm Mintel, South Korea’s facial skincare market is set to reach $4.3 billion in 2022, an uptick of 1.6% from 2021.
If your skincare routine is yet to feature a K-beauty product, rectify that pronto. Korean skincare focuses on creating the best skincare combinations of hydration, innovation, and protection. The main goal for Korean women is to achieve skin that looks glassy and translucent without the help of makeup (although the best Korean mascaras are absolutely worth a look) This skin goal that has inspired several viral beauty moments including slugging and glass skin. As well as spearheading the latest buzzy trends, K-beauty brands often shine a light on unlikely hero ingredients (snail slime anyone?) and new skincare steps.
Here, we break down the 10 popular K-beauty skincare steps that are often adopted in South Korea to achieve that sought-after dewy radiance. For each step, we share our pick of the best Korean skincare products that really stand out from the crowd. From hydrating rubber sheet masks to the best face oils to create glass skin and exfoliating peeling gels – expect to be won over by this lot.
How we tested these Korean skincare products
To test the best Korean skincare products, we tried a wide selection of top-rated formulas that covered every category including eye creams, cleansers, toners, essences, moisturizers, and more. We assessed each product on ingredients, innovation, texture, and results. The products that came up trumps (and are featured below) really delivered on their claims – and we saw a noticeable difference in the look and feel of our skin.
The best Korean skincare products, chosen by our beauty team
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Step 1: Cleanse
This is by far one of the best cleansers around for removing stubborn makeup. Searching ‘how to remove waterproof mascara’ on Google? Consider this the answer. Laced with several skincare actives, including brightening vitamin C, nourishing vitamin E, and hydrating hot springs water, the formula melts off the day without stripping skin of essential moisture. Instead, it replenishes moisture and leaves skin suitably soft and visibly brighter.
Housed in a tub, this cleansing balm comes with a hygienic spatula so you can scoop out the right amount without repeatedly dipping your fingers into the pot. Once you’ve got a generous scoop, massage the cleanser onto dry skin using circular motions. You’ll notice that the sherbet-like texture transforms into a silky oil on contact with the skin – making it perfect for a little facial massage. The only downside of this product is the fact that it’s scented (albeit, very lightly) so it might not be the best choice for sensitive skin.
Searching for the best cleansing oils to remove makeup without disrupting the skin’s barrier? Turn your head to this top-rated Korean formula from iUNIK. Suitable for all skin types, the gentle oil effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime without starving skin of moisture. Once rinsed off, skin feels smooth, clean, and refreshed – which is thanks to the 94% plant oil complex. Calendula and ylang-ylang oils help regulate sebum and reduce inflammation while sunflower, jojoba and macadamia nut oils hydrate and soften skin.
After just two uses, we noticed our skin felt softer and looked clearer. If you’re wondering how to incorporate this product into your daily skincare regime, we recommend using it as a first step to remove makeup before double cleansing with a water-based or foaming formula that will help clear skin. When taking this traveling, note that the bottle can leak so it’s a good idea to pack this in a separate bag that can be sealed.
Step 2: Double cleanse
Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing method that’s extremely popular in Korea. It typically involves using an oil-based cleanser first (to remove makeup, sebum, and SPF) and a water-based cleanser second (to remove sweat and dirt). A great second-step cleanser, this water-based formula from Saturday Skin gently lathers up into a frothy foam that cleans skin and removes impurities.
While certain foaming formulas can strip skin of moisture, leaving it feeling tight and irritated, this foaming formula doesn’t. Powered by coco-glucoside, a mild cleansing agent, the unique gel-cream texture transforms into a light lather that doesn’t disrupt the skin’s moisture barrier. Skin feels fresh, clean, and moisturized after use. We’re a big fan of this gentle formula and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to double cleanse. Just note that on its own, this cleanser doesn’t remove stubborn makeup as well as cleansing balms and oils.
‘How to get rid of acne?’ is a commonly asked question, no matter what skincare routine you follow. While it’s important to understand the cause before deciding on a treatment, there are several skincare products that can help. Enter Laneige’s Deep-Clean Cleanser. A two-in-one product, this cleanser combines physical exfoliants (cellulose beads) with chemical exfoliants (blueberry extract and papain enzyme) to slough away dulling dead skin cells and help decongest pores.
A key step in any Korean skincare regime, regular exfoliation can help refine skin - promoting a clearer, more supple complexion. While this cleanser can remove makeup, sunscreen, and surface debris, too – we’d recommend only using this product once or twice a week when you need a deep clean. Otherwise, over exfoliating may lead to dryness. Overall, this is a great multi-tasker for anyone whose main skin concern is congestion – just be sure to use this cleanser as and when needed.
Step 3: Exfoliator
Gel peels have taken the Korean skincare sphere by storm. These innovative exfoliators contain ingredients that interact with the oil on your skin, creating friction and balling up as you rub in the product. These little balls will then lift oil and remove dead skin cells to reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion. Essentially a gentle physical exfoliator, these gel peels are usually suitable for all skin types – including sensitive. This one from K-beauty brand CORSX contains mild chemical exfoliants (PHAs) too, to aid exfoliation.
Although we assumed this product would be a leave-on overnight peel, it’s actually a rinse-off gel that’s supposed to be used before bed. You simply apply the product onto damp skin, massaging it in so the product pills, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Skin instantly feels softer and come morning, expect to see a more radiant complexion. A great addition to any facial at home, we found the physical exfoliation super satisfying and non-irritating. If, however, your skin is especially sensitive, we’d recommend using this once or twice a week only.
The biggest selling point of these Neogen Peeling Pads is how convenient they are. You simply slot your fingertips into the sleeve and use the rough side for manual exfoliation before turning it around and using the soft side to pick up the remaining debris. No rinsing is required. Soaked in AHA-based red wine extract, these pads dissolve dead skin cells while moisturizing the skin to reveal a more radiant complexion.
Perfect for travel, these pads are a great solution for exfoliating on the move. Pack them for weekends away, long-haul holidays, and camping or glamping. As well as being super convenient, they also really do work. After a few uses, we noticed an overall improvement in the appearance of blackheads – especially around the nose area. Our skin also looked healthier with a spa-like glow that encouraged us to go for a barely-there, natural makeup look. It’s safe to say - we’re hooked!
Step 4: Toner
Many of today’s best toners are inspired by Korean beauty trends. No longer loaded with drying alcohol, the latest K-beauty-approved toners to hit the market boast hydrating properties as well as exfoliating benefits. This one, from K-Beauty brand Son & Parker, is jampacked with kind-to-skin ingredients. There’s papaya extract to sweep away dead skin cells, witch hazel to calm and soothe as well as lavender water, rose water, and orange fruit extract to hydrate skin.
A great morning pick-me-up, we applied this toner post-cleanse to prepare our skin for makeup application. It can also be used as part of your skincare night routine or throughout the day whenever your skin needs a quick refresh. Lightweight, non-irritating and hydrating – this refresher is suitable for most skin types. Our only gripe is that the scent is a little overpowering.
Dry skin? Add this toner to your K-beauty routine, pronto. Specifically formulated for dry, irritated skin – this water-based product has a lightweight, gel-like texture that instantly cools and soothes skin on application without leaving behind a sticky residue. Once absorbed, the skin feels fresh and has a dewy glow. As for ingredients, the formula is brimming with organic Jeju green tea leaves and green tea seeds which are rich in minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.
If it’s an exfoliating toner that you’re after, look elsewhere. But for a hefty dose of hydration and long-lasting moisture, this is the toner for you. Alongside green tea extracts, it also contains hyaluron to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. Overall, it’s a great, simple product that can be used both morning and night, on freshly cleansed skin, to help maintain a healthy hydrated complexion. We especially love using this in winter when skin is parched from harsh weather and central heating.
Step 5: Essence
Essence is a popular K-beauty skincare product that’s typically applied after toner. Best described as a toner meets serum, this lightweight water-based product adds an additional layer of hydration to the skin. While certain essences target dry and sensitive skin, others tackle dullness and sun damage. Falling into the latter is this Ginseng Essence Water from Beauty of Joseon. Rich in antioxidants, ginseng (the star ingredient) helps ward off damage from environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution.
The perfect product for city-dwellers, this essence also contains 2% niacinamide to brighten skin alongside sodium hyaluronate and glycerin to add hydration. As for the texture, we love how lightweight this product is – just be careful not to dispense too much (a little goes a long way). For best results, we recommend gently patting this into the skin before waiting a little while for the product to fully absorb before applying your next skincare step.
If you’re not yet familiar with the ingredient mugwort, let us introduce you. Commonplace in Korean skincare products, mugwort is a herb that’s famed for its skin-soothing abilities. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, mugwort can calm irritation, reduce redness and take down inflammation. It’s also believed to kill bacteria, making it an effective treatment for breakouts, too. Sold on the green stuff? Find it in abundance in I’m From Mugwort Essence, which is formulated with 100% mugwort extract, harvested from Ganghwa County in Korea.
A top-rated sensitive skin beauty solution, this watery essence gets to work in a few days, calming irritation and soothing skin. If, for example, you’ve overdone it on retinol products and your skin is crying out for some moisture, treat it to this essence that will provide instant relief. Skin prone to redness? Apply this morning and night to calm your complexion and lock in moisture. Essentially, this is a great product (albeit with a slightly medicinal scent) for whenever your skin needs a little TLC. We’re calling it the Tea Tree Oil of Korea.