For years, Korean beauty products have had an underground following by skin care gurus. Recently, K-beauty has exploded into the mainstream with Korean companies expanding their distribution and other established skin care lines releasing their own K-beauty inspired products.
With so many products available, it’s difficult to decide what’s worth purchasing and what’s over-hyped. Whether you’re looking for an introduction into K-Beauty or a seasoned buyer looking for quality products, below is a list of the top ten best Korean skin care products on the market.
1. Skinfood Peach Sake Serum
Skinfood, known for some of the best Korean skin care products, utilizes food-based ingredients. Its Peach Sake Serum gives skin a matte finish and is comprised of peach extract, rice sake, and silica powder. Peach contains vitamin A and vitamin C, rich in antioxidants known for their anti-aging benefits. The rice sake, an skin care ingredient popular in Japan, stimulates blood circulation resulting in brighter and tighter skin.
Price: $16.00.
2. MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule
Snail mucin is one of K-beauty’s most famous and unique ingredients. The MIZON Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule has an 80% concentration of snail filtrate, helping to heal and hydrate skin. The serum also contains other potent ingredients, such as barberry root extract and pomegranate extract. Barberry extract works to create an even skin tone, minimizing hyperpigmentation and scars, while the pomegranate extract calms sensitive skin.
Price: $14.00.
3. Dr. Jart+ Bright Lover Rubber Mask
Adapted from one of the best Korean skin care products, the sheet mask, this system works in two steps to give skin a radiant glow. The ampoule serum is applied, then cover with the rubber mask to allow absorption of the active ingredients into the skin. The mask itself is made from algae, which cools and soothes the skin. Other ingredients in the Dr. Jart+ Bright Lover Rubber Mask that help with natural collagen production are vitamins A, B, C, and E.
Price: $12.00.
4. Banila Co. Clean It Zero
This unique cleanser is a great substitute for harsher make-up removers. The Banila Co. Clean It Zero is a sherbet cream and that melts into an oil balm as its massaged into the skin. The cleanser breaks down makeup and daily grime, leaving skin fresh and supple. It contains exfoliating papaya extract and raspberry leaf extract, rich in antioxidants, to tone and protect skin.
Price: $19.00.
5. Too Cool for School Egg Mouse
The Too Cool for School Egg Mouse facial mask is a quick fix that harnesses the power of eggs to purify and brighten skin. A fluffy, whipped consistency, the mask is lightweight and unlike other masks, it only needs to sit for five minutes to take effect. The egg white extract aids in creating smooth, luminous skin, while the egg yolk extract nourishes the skin by locking in moisture.
Price: $20.00.
6. Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch
The Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch affordable patches are a quick acne fix that treat pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads in the span of a few hours without drying out skin like other acne treatments. The clear hydrocolloid patch adheres to the skin and soaks up any fluid from the acne by trapping it in the patch’s gel, eliminating bacteria that can often cause infection. Each pack includes three different sizes of patches to fit any pimple or breakout.
Price: $5.00.
7. I Dew Care Disco Kitten Mask
This bestselling mask has a fun-to-apply peel-off formula. With its shimmering, silvery, diamond sheen, the I Dew Care Disco Kitten Mask has a cult-like following with many users flaunting their face on Instagram while wearing it. This 20-minute treatment contains exfoliating pearl powder and illuminating diamond power. The mask also contains rice bran extract, rich in vitamins, that smooths skin texture while moisturizing. Other powerful ingredients include lily, orange flower, jasmine, elderflower, and magnolia that have powerful toning effects.
Price: $23.00.
8. TonyMoly Panda’s Dream So Cool Eye Stick
The TonyMoly Panda’s Dream So Cool eye serum stick is easy to apply and wakes up tired eyes by brightening and hydrating. When applied, this serum has a instant cooling effect that de-puffs and moisturizes the delicate skin around the eyes. The serum also minimizes the appearance of fine lines. The key ingredient in this quick fix eye stick is the hydrating bamboo extracts. Its compact size and adorable packaging makes it easy to take on the go.
Price: $12.00.
9. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Toner
The Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Toner harnesses the power of Jeju green tea to refresh and hydrate skin. What makes the Innisfree brand unique is that they own the green tea fields where their ingredients are gathered. They can ensure their USDA-certified organic ingredients are fresh, being steamed for extracts within an hour of harvest. The toner also consists of betaine, which eliminates any excess oil and shine.
Price: $16.00.
10. April Skin Magic Stone Cleansing Soap Original
Long-held as one of the best Korean skin care products on the market, this bar cleanser’s popularity has sky rocketed since the start of international distribution. The April Skin Magic Stone Cleansing Soap Original deep cleanses pores and doesn’t leave skin dry like most cleansers. The soap bar’s ingredients of coconut, olive, and sunflower oil help to hydrate and other herbal extracts that gives this soap a garden-like aroma. The bar of soap disintegrates within 24 hours of soaking in water, which also makes it more environmentally friendly than other cleansers and their packaging.
Price: $11.00.
Summing Up
There are many reasons to delve into the world of Korean beauty. The best Korean skin care products rely on the rules of traditional Eastern medicine, which means more natural, plant-based products. Korean brands take pride in using high quality ingredients. K-beauty is known for its intensive 10-step skin care routine, but don’t let that intimidate you. K-beauty can still be for you. This list of the best Korean skin care products can point you to items worth introducing into your skin care regimen.
