The 20 Best Korean Beauty Products for Radiant, Glass Skin
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Thanks to innovative ingredients, these K-beauty skincare picks are worth the hype.
InStyle / David Hattan
Skincare is a key part of Korean culture and since it's ingrained from a young age, the act is intuitive. They’ve nailed the “glass skin” look, birthed the 10-step skincare routine, and never go outside without slathering on sunscreen first. Thankfully, K-beauty has made its way stateside in a big way—in 2019, the market size of K-beauty products was valued at $10.2 billion, and that number is expected to increase to $13.9 billion by 2027.
What we love about Korean skincare practices is that they focus on treating common skin concerns, like dullness and acne, with effective, yet gentle, ingredients across a wide range of different products, rather than hiding imperfections with layers of makeup. There is a K-beauty product for every step of your skincare routine, as well as every skin concern, too. Below, we’ve asked three K-beauty experts for their top picks to shop.
Related: The 18 Best Toners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Overall: LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask
What We Love: You’ll see a noticeable boost in hydration after just one use of this soothing mask.
What We Don’t Love: This mask contains fragrance, so those with sensitive skin may experience some irritation.
Don’t let the light, gel texture of this overnight mask fool you, it’s designed to give skin a deep and powerful boost of hydration. With squalene, hyaluronic acid, and a probiotic-derived complex, the mask will mimic skin’s natural lipids and restore the moisture barrier while you sleep. Put this on as the last step in your evening skincare routine, and wake up to softer, brighter, and more supple skin.
Price at time of publish: $29
Key Ingredients: Squalene, probiotic-derived complex｜Skin Type: Dry｜Size: 2.3 oz
Best Cleansing Balm: Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm
What We Love: This balm removes even the toughest of makeup but won’t leave skin feeling tight or dehydrated.
What We Don’t Love: This balm starts off with a waxy texture, so it can be difficult to get it out of the jar without having to dig a bit and therefore contaminate the product.
There’s nothing quite like using a good cleansing balm: it’s thorough at removing makeup, dirt, and debris, washes off easily, and leaves skin feeling nourished and smooth. The bestselling Living Cleansing Balm from Then I Met You does all that — and more.
It starts as a balm, but as you massage it into your skin, it quickly becomes an oil, and when water is added, it emulsifies and washes off easily. Vitamin E, olive oil, and sea buckthorn melt makeup and impurities, leaving skin feeling fresh, clean, and hydrated.
Price at time of publish: $38
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, olive oil, sea buckthorn｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 3.17 oz
Best Cleanser: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
What We Love: This cleanser does some very heavy lifting to get all the gunk out of skin, but it’s still gentle enough to use on even the most reactive and sensitive of skin types.
What We Don’t Love: Some users don’t like the strong ginger scent.
This soothing gel cleanser is gentle yet effective. Ideal for dry and sensitive skin, it lathers into a rich foam to pull makeup, dirt, and buildup from pores, then washes away easily. The cleanser is infused with nourishing duckweed, brightening citrus peel, and hydrating chestnut shell extract to leave skin feeling thoroughly cleansed, but not stripped of moisture.
In a clinical trial, 93 percent of participants agreed that their skin felt soft after cleansing, while 80 percent said this cleanser provided long-lasting hydration.
Price at time of publish: $38
Key Ingredients: Duckweed, citrus peel, chestnut shell extract｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 6.76 oz
Related: The 17 Best Face Washes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight Moisturizer : Hanacure Nano Emulsion
What We Love: Despite its light texture, this moisturizer has serious lasting power, leaving skin supple and bouncy all day long.
What We Don’t Love: Those with dry skin want need a thicker cream at night.
“In this lightweight, ultra-hydrating moisturizer, the portulaca oleracea extract serves as an antioxidant and offers skin soothing benefits,” says board certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. “It also contains peptides and humectants, leaving the skin looking healthy and refreshed.”
This moisturizer quickly penetrates skin (via its proprietary nanotechnology) to plump and hydrate. It even helps reduce inflammation and rebalance skin tone and texture.
Price at time of publish: $100
Key Ingredients: Portulaca oleracea, Ruby of the Forest mushroom extract｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 3.4 oz
Best Mask: innisfree Volcanic AHA Pore Clearing Clay Mask
What We Love: Unlike many deep-cleansing or exfoliating masks and treatments, this clay mask does not leave skin feeling dry or tight.
What We Don’t Love: This mask has a clay base, so it will dry out in the jar over time.
This bestselling creamy clay mask from Innisfree is the key to gentle, but effective cleansing and exfoliation. Formulated with Jeju volcanic clusters and AHA, it sloughs away dead skin cells, absorbs excess oil, and reduces the appearance of pores — all in just 20 minutes. Skin feels cleaner, smoother, and softer after just one use.
Price at time of publish: $16
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, Jeju Island volcanic clusters｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 3.38 oz
Best Essence : COSRX Advanced Snail 96% Mucin Power Essence
What We Love: This essence is great for all skin types, but it especially works wonders for very dry or mature skin.
What We Don’t Love: Because this essence is full of moisture, it can feel a bit sticky initially following application.
Snail mucin is an extremely popular ingredient in K-beauty products, but it’s also the ingredient that’s generated the most shock and awe in the United States. Even so, the last few years have proven snail mucin’s value as a powerful hydrating and resurfacing agent — and that’s in large part thanks to CosRx’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. The lightweight essence, which contains 96 percent snail mucin, nourishes, repairs, and pumps skin full of moisture, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and revealing a natural glow.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, arginine｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 3.38 oz
Best Toner: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow BHA + PHA Pore-Tight Toner
What We Love: Because this toner works to cleanse skin on a deep level, it can help reduce the appearance of pores.
What We Don’t Love: Some may find the watermelon scent overwhelming.
This Glow Recipe toner is a beloved fan favorite for the dewy glow it delivers. Formulated with PHAs, BHAs, watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid, and cactus water, the lightweight liquid gently exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates, and soothes skin, preparing it for the skincare products and steps that follow. Plus, the natural watermelon scent smells amazing.
Price at time of publish: $34
Key Ingredients: PHA, BHA, hyaluronic acid｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 5.07 oz
Best Sunscreen: NEOGEN Dermalogy Day-Light Protection Sunscreen SPF 50/PA+++
What We Love: It’s really lightweight and almost undetectable when you’re wearing it.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not very moisturizing.
According to Cho, the DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB UVA/UVB SPF50 Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen is one of Soko Glam’s best-selling sunscreens and is incredibly popular on TikTok, too. “Neogen's Airy Sunscreen is light with zero white cast, and it feels absolutely weightless on your skin,” she explains. “Most importantly, it is FDA-approved for sale in the US, with independent labs verifying its SPF 50 broad spectrum protection, which is not the case for many viral Korean sunscreens.”
While the formula is really lovely and airy, it’s important to note that this sunscreen isn’t super moisturizing, and shouldn’t replace your everyday moisturizer. Cleanse your face, apply any toners and/or serums, slather on your moisturizer, and then apply this sunscreen on top.
Price at time of publish: $32
Key Ingredients: Fruit extracts｜Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Combination｜Size: 1.69 oz
Best for Dull Skin: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
What We Love: This fragrance-free serum is made with clean ingredients and comes in a sustainable, easy-to-use bottle.
What We Don’t Love: Those with dry skin may need to layer a more hydrating serum on top.
This lightweight serum from Peach & Lily is a classic K-beauty staple, thanks to its incredible brightening abilities. It’s formulated with peach extract, niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and East Asian mountain yam, which work together to visibly firm, hydrate, and brighten dull skin. The gel texture easily glides on skin to give a radiant, glassy complexion that is immediately visible after applying. Even better, it also works over time to improve elasticity and bounce.
Price at time of publish: $39
Key Ingredients: Peach extract, peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid｜Skin Type: Dull, normal｜Size: 1.35 oz
Best Serum: Innisfree Intensive Hydrating Serum with Green Tea Seed
What We Love: This serum is lightweight, but even a little goes a very long way.
What We Don’t Love: The serum penetrates skin deeply, but can feel a little sticky at first.
Green tea has been making the rounds as a hero ingredient for some years now — and for good reason. The powerful antioxidant is the star of this hydrating serum from Innisfree, where it’s coupled with hyaluronic acid to visibly soothe skin and support moisture barrier. Jeju green tea tri-biotics and extracts offer a heavy dose of amino acids to hydrate and strengthen skin, while five different types of hyaluronic acid amplify hydration for up to 24 hours.
Price at time of publish: $30
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea tri-biotics, green tea extracts｜Skin Type: Dry, combination｜Size: 2.7 oz
Best Cream: I’m From Mugwort Cream
What We Love: This cream is lightweight enough to use in the warmer months, but hardworking enough to also use in the depths of winter.
What We Don’t Love: The inclusion of mugwort extract in the formula makes it highly effective, but also slightly smelly.
Mugwort extract is another one of those ingredients that seems pretty out there, but it actually has a long history of being used in Korean skincare. The plant’s extract is known as a powerful anti-inflammatory, plus it’s rich in antioxidants and helps prevent premature aging from environmental damage. It’s also what accounts for 73.55 percent of this cream from I’m Best, which offers a gentle formula that’s fast-absorbing and hardworking. The moisturizer nourishes tired or dry skin and restores softness without leaving a sticky residue behind.
Price at time of publish: $22
Key Ingredients: Mugwort extract, evening primrose flower extract｜Skin Type: All｜Size: 1.76 oz
Best Eye Cream: Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb
What We Love: This eye cream is refreshing and cooling on skin, making it a great way to awaken tired skin after a sleepless night.
What We Don’t Love: It may be too light for mature or very wrinkled skin.
Don’t let the lightweight texture of this eye cream deceive you, it packs a big punch. Infused with squalene, ceramides, and centella asiatica extract, it offers skin a 26-hour boost of hydration. It also works to improve the skin's elasticity and increase firmness. Plus, it has a silky feel that blends into skin easily. We particularly love the way it smooths our under eye skin for an easy makeup application.
Price at time of publish: $48
Key Ingredients: Squalane, ceramides, centella asiatica extract｜Skin Type: Normal, oily, combination｜Size: 0.84 oz
Related: The 17 Best Eye Creams for Dry Skin of 2023
Best Sheet Mask: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Calming Serum Mask
What We Love: Although this sheet mask is truly dripping in serum, it wraps around the face and stays put.
What We Don’t Love: Those who are sensitive to essential oils should avoid this sheet mask.
The Dr. Jart+ Cicapair sheet mask is soaked in serum with ingredients to reduce irritation and redness. “This mask is especially good for those with sensitive skin, as it is soothing on the skin while also moisturizing the skin and improving overall dryness,” says Dr. Garshick. “It contains Centella asiatica, which can be calming, soothing and hydrating on the skin. By also strengthening the skin barrier, this mask also works to helping to lock moisture in.”
Price at time of publish: $9
Key Ingredients: Tiger grass extract, allantoin, niacinamide｜Skin Type: Dull, dry｜Size: 0.88 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
What We Love: This cream is great for post-inflammatory care, so reach for it after intense sun exposure, an acne or eczema flare up, or any other trauma to the skin.
What We Don’t Love: Some may find this cream too thick for everyday use.
This moisturizer has a gorgeous, creamy texture, and it’s extremely gentle. Ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin, the Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream is packed with guaiazulene, a hydrating ingredient derived from chamomile oil, alongside centella asiatica, which helps regenerate cell turnover in damaged skin. You can use it as a spot treatment when your skin is especially irritated, or you can slather it all over to calm and strengthen the moisture barrier.
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Guaiazulene, centella asiatica extract｜Skin Type: Dry, irritated｜Size: 1 oz
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
What We Love: This serum is super hydrating, but won’t leave skin feeling greasy or sticky.
What We Don’t Love: The pipette occasionally gets bubbles in it, making it difficult to get enough serum.
This hydrating serum was formulated with acne-prone skin in mind to help heal and calm flare ups. Rich in propolis extract, a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, the Beauty of Joseon serum helps soothe angry skin, while boosting cell turnover to fade hyperpigmentation. The formulation also contains niacinamide to brighten and revive the complexion overall, along with turmeric to fight damage from free radicals.
Price at time of publish: $17
Key Ingredients: Propolis extract, niacinamide｜Skin Type: Acne-prone｜Size: 1.01 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: ATOPALM MLE Lotion
What We Love: It’s a great lotion for folks with super sensitive skin.
What We Don’t Love: It smells a bit like diaper rash cream.
According to Charlotte Cho, cofounder of Soko Glam, Korea is not only credited for creating the first barrier creams through Multi-Lamellar Emulsion (MLE) technology, but MLE technology is an innovative skincare formulation method that has significantly advanced the concept of barrier creams today.
Cho likes this lotion because it acts as a "second skin" when applied to the skin's surface, creating a protective barrier that effectively locks in moisture and prevents water loss. “This process helps to reinforce the skin's natural barrier function, promoting long-lasting hydration and a healthier complexion,” she explains.
The only real issue we have with this product is that it smells similar to a diaper rash cream. Thankfully, the scent fades away pretty fast. Also, you might even like the scent of diaper rash cream—in that case, this pick is a great option for you!
Price at time of publish: $25
Key Ingredients: Ceramides and hyaluronic acid｜Skin Type: Sensitive｜Size: 6.8 oz
Best Gel Mask: MIZON Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel
What We Love: You can actually see your dead skin cells peeling off your face.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not ideal for sensitive skin.
This is one of those innovative formulas that allows you to actually see all your dead skin that rubs off after you’ve left this peel on for one to two minutes. It contains ingredients like cellulose fibers, tannin acid, and fruit extracts to gently exfoliate and smooth out skin.
Dr. Eunice Park, a dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Airem Modern Beauty Rituals, recommends this mask to her patients. “The Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel is an oldie but goodie, and one of my all-time favorites,” she explains. “It is an effective but gentle exfoliator—it removes dead skin cells for a soft and fresh complexion.”
Some folks with sensitive skin report that this peel is too aggressive. If you have easily-irritated skin, you might want to try out another K-beauty mask.
Price at time of publish: $10
Key Ingredients: Tannin acid, fruit extracts｜Skin Type: Normal, Combination, Oily, Congested｜Size: 4.1 oz
Best for Skin Barrier Protection: AIREM Essentials Lunamide Ceramide Serum
What We Love: It has minimal ingredients that work to build up and protect your skin barrier.
What We Don’t Love: It can be difficult to get your hands on.
Sometimes, our skin really needs a break from all those exfoliating acids and scrubs we use regularly. Healthy-looking skin requires a healthy skin barrier, and this serum from AIREM Essentials does just that. Loaded with ceramides to protect your skin barrier and boost hydration, this pick is ideal for anyone who has easily irritated skin or just needs some skin TLC.
Dr. Park likes this product because of its weightless feel and the smooth and silky texture it leaves on skin. “It is a nourishing ceramide serum that I recommend using after topical vitamin C serum and before moisturizer, morning and night,” she explains.
Unfortunately, this product is only available on the brand’s website and in their store, so it’s not easily accessible.
Price at time of publish: $45
Key Ingredients: Ceramides｜Skin Type: Irritated｜Size: 0.33 fl oz
Best For Redness: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
What We Love: It covers up redness really well.
What We Don’t Love: It tends to cause breakouts on some folks.
For the folks who “look like a tomato” after exercising, or deal with rosacea daily, the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 is a great option for you. Jane Yoo MD, PLLC, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City, recommends this product to all her rosacea patients or her patients who tend to get red in certain situations.
“A little goes a long way here,” she explains. “You don't have to use a ton, otherwise you end up looking like a white ghost.” According to Dr. Yoo, she has some patients who have tried the prescription topicals for redness, and they don’t work for them, or they are not willing to spend money on laser treatments—so this pick is an affordable alternative that does the job of covering up redness.
One issue we don’t love with this product is that it tends to cause breakouts in some people. If you are really acne-prone, you might want to try a small sample size of this product before purchasing the whole container, just to make sure that your skin tolerates the ingredients well.
Price at time of publish: $54
Key Ingredients: Mineral sunscreen｜Skin Type: Red, Rosacea, Irritated｜Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Atopic Dermatitis: AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Bubble Cleanser
What We Love: It’s super gentle and ideal for anyone with really sensitive skin, eczema, or atopic dermatitis.
What We Don’t Love: It tends to be a little bit drying.
If you suffer from any type of skin sensitivity or condition, you know how hard it is to find a cleanser that doesn’t irritate the heck out of your face. This pick from AESTURA is one of Dr. Yoo’s favorites.
“As someone who has atopic dermatitis, this cleanser is very gentle enough to use, and does a great job of even taking off the heaviest makeup after a night out on the town (especially eyeliner),” explains Dr. Yoo. “I love that it’s super gentle but efficacious.”
Although we find this formula to be really gentle, some folks have complained that it’s a little bit too drying. Make sure that you moisturize after using this pick.
Price at time of publish: $21
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E and Green Tea Extract｜Skin Type: Eczema or Dermatitis｜Size: 5.07 oz
What to Keep in Mind
Your Skincare Routine
First, you’ll want to think about the sort of skincare routine you have or want to have. When K-beauty first took off in the United States, one of its most notable qualities was the long, multi-step regimen, with some including up to 20 products. In the years since, however, we’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need a dozen or more steps to get great results. So, instead, focus on the staples, and try not to get distracted by novelty. If you use an essence, but not a toner, you don’t need to add in the latter unless you’ll really benefit from it. And if you prefer a cleansing balm on its own rather than in tandem with a cleanser, don’t feel the need to expand your lineup if you don’t need to.
“What works for one person may not necessarily work for everyone, so it is especially important when building your skincare routine that you introduce new things slowly to make sure your skin doesn’t get irritated or sensitive to a new product,” says Dr. Garshick.
Ingredients
There are many ingredients in Korean skincare that you may not have used before, so it’s wise to tread lightly when incorporating them into your regimen.
“Look for the hydrating and calming ingredients such as niacinamide, green tea, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson, a board certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut. “You’ll also notice soothing and inflammation-reducing herbs and essences.”
At night, you should opt for ingredients that encourage skin renewal and restoration, and during the day, look for ingredients that help protect the skin.
Your Questions, Answered
What is Korean skincare known for?
There are many things that set Korean skincare apart from American skincare, namely its use of wide-ranging ingredients.
“Korean skincare is known for the use of various, often unique and natural ingredients, designed to effectively improve the overall appearance of the skin as well as customized, often extensive routines that layer various products including toners, essences, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens and more,” Dr. Garshick says.
“Korean skincare is committed to constant innovation and to making skincare enjoyable through products that are easy and enjoyable to use, while focusing on hydration and gentle exfoliation to achieve glowing skin.”
It also tends to be much gentler, prioritizing skin support and nourishment over collagen stimulation through ‘controlled injury.’
What products does a typical Korean skincare routine include?
Generally speaking, a Korean skincare routine has quite a few more steps than Americans may be used to, and it often includes more individually focused products than the multitasking products the Western world gravitates towards.
“Typically, the routine kicks off with an oil-based cleanser (double cleansing is popular), a chemical exfoliant (at night), a series of ampoules of active ingredients like Vitamin C and HA, serums, moisturizer, mineral SPF (in the morning),” Dr. Mraz Robinson explains. “In the evening, it’s also popular to do something called ‘slugging,’ which involves applying a layer of an occlusive, like petroleum jelly, overtop of your skincare routine to lock in the actives underneath.”
Where are the best places to shop Korean skincare?
Luckily, there’s no shortage of Korean skincare available in the American market, from specialized shops to legacy beauty and department stores. That said, if you’re looking to really hone in on all things Korean skincare and only Korean skincare, you should check out a K-beauty retailer. SokoGlam is one such K-beauty destination, with over 85 Korean brands and many of the leading product options.
Additionally, you can find Korean skincare at big-box retailers, like Sephora, Ulta, Amazon (providing it’s an authorized seller), and even Target. “I think it’s also important to get it from the source,” Dr. Mraz Robisnon says. “Seek out Korean Skincare influencers on social media to discover new brands coming stateside!”
Why Shop With Us
Gabby Shacknai is a freelance writer who has been covering beauty for more than six years. She writes about all things skincare and is particularly interested in the global influence of beauty. For this story, she consulted two board certified dermatologists, Dr. Deanne Mraz Robinson and Dr. Marisa Garshick, and tested dozens of products to bring you the best of the best.
Related: The 12 Best Face Masks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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