The Best Korean Beauty Products

Korean beauty's “skin first” philosophy encourages people to get to the root of their skin concerns and focus on creating a healthy, glowing complexion rather than covering it up with makeup. And with the current trend of turning your skincare routine into more of a self-care ritual, it's the right time to jump on the Korean beauty philosophy. “Skincare routines are now being used as a moment of daily meditation and comfort which is synonymous with K-beauty’s ‘skin first’ philosophy,” says Charlotte Cho, co-founder of K-Beauty retailer Soko Glam and skincare line Then I Met You.

K-beauty’s popularity can also be attributed to its accessibility in terms of pricing, and innovations when it comes to product packaging, ingredients, and formulations. Alicia Yoon, CEO and Founder of Korean skincare line Peach & Lily, tells Women’s Health, “Korean skincare is known for powerhouse natural ingredients like snail mucin, centella asiatica, and fermented ingredients, to name a few, that offer differentiated and effective solutions to many different skin-care issues.” Multi-step skincare routines reinforce the notion that our skin, the largest organ of the body, should be treated with as much care and respect as our internal organs. Instead of searching for quick fixes, skincare provides the skin with a comprehensive set of elements needed to thrive, “and that element of empowered self-care resonates with people,” says Yoon.

Some Korean skincare products, such as Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask and Banila Co’s Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm, have gained so much popularity that they have an almost cult-like following. With increasing demand for Korean skincare products in the states, Korean beauty importers and marketplaces such as Soko Glam and Peach & Lily are introducing consumers to the best of the best of K-beauty, while also making sure what’s in your cart is 100 percent authentic.

These are 25 of the best Korean skin-care products that you should have on your radar: