The Best Korean Body Care Brands To Know And Shop Now
From cult-favourites to under-the-radar names to watch, these are the body care brands to know and shop.
By Nicole Ng - published
The beauty industry in South Korea locks in when it comes to body care, and much like their approach to skincare and makeup, many products are made for specific purposes to target issues such as body acne and loss of elasticity. That means you can expect multitasking items that do more than just cleanse or moisturise. From holy grail-status body lotions and serums fitted with a guasha-like applicator for muscle relief to sunscreen developed specially for your hands, these are all the Korean body care brands that you can shop from the comfort of your home.
1. Illiyoon
Illiyoon has remained at the top of Olive Young’s bestseller list for years thanks to its hero product, the Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream. Vegan, fragrance-free and safe enough for even infants to use, the lotion contains tiny ceramide capsules that melt as you use it, providing 120 hours of hydration.
The brand has also since launched the Ceramide Ato Cream (a lightweight version of the original), a sun lotion, body washes and more.
Our tip? Keep an eye out for its 1+1 deals, where you get two bottles or tubes of product for almost half the price, and get the mini travel-sized tubes while you’re at it—your skin will thank you later.
Where to buy: Olive Young | Watsons | Guardian | Shopee | Yesstyle
Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream, $18, Illiyoon at Olive Young
Related article: 15 Best Moisturisers For Oily Skin That Keep Skin Hydrated But Balanced
2. Nutseline
The guasha obsession lives on. Nutseline’s guasha serum combines a silky body serum with an innovative applicator that acts like the traditional massage tool, so you can glide away swelling and tension while keeping your hands clean. The magic lies in the serum, which contains plant-based retinol and vegan collagen, to help brighten and firm skin all over the body. There’s even a new cooling version designed for the workout enthusiasts who need muscle relief, and a version with soy nut protein designed to lift skin and define the contours of the face.
Other unique offerings from the brand include an oil body wash that cleans, nourishes and doubles as a massage oil, as well as a calming cica balm.
Where to buy: Olive Young | Guardian | Yesstyle
Aroma Nut Slim Fit Body Guasha Serum, $29, Nutseline at Yesstyle
3. Aestura
Aestura is another South Korean brand with a cult-like following. If dry and sensitive skin as well as a weakened skin barrier are concerns for you, K-beauty enthusiasts swear by a tube of the brand’s Atobarrier 365 cream. The rich cream contains long-chain ceramides for improved moisturising and barrier strengthening power, and is free of artificial fragrances and colour.
Already own the Atobarrier cream? Try other bestsellers from Aestura such as its Atobarrier 365 Capsule Toner, an innovative formula that sees ceramide capsules suspended in a water-based phase to gently hydrate and strengthen your skin without any stickiness or heaviness.
Where to buy: Olive Young | Yesstyle | Lazada
Atobarrier 365 Cream, $43, Aestura at Olive Young
4. Graze Point
Body care routines don’t have to be boring, and Graze Point is proof of that. The relatively new brand offers unique products, of which its aluminium-free deodorant that promises to neutralise odour and cool the skin without any stains is its bestseller. The product comes in two variations, the brightening White Deo Shot with the brand’s fresh and floral Sunday Moon fragrance, and the Sunshine Perfume Deodorant that has a stronger cooling effect. The latter is scented with fresh and woody notes.
Another item that caught our eye? The hand sun cream, a silky hand cream that moisturises and protects them from the sun with SPF20, because your hand deserves just as much TLC as the rest of your skin does.
Where to buy: Olive Young
Deo, $23, Graze Point at Olive Young
5. Not4u
Not4u is the answer to your skin troubles. The Clear Body Mist, which has placed first on Olive Young’s body mist rankings for six consecutive years, is a watery mist packed with cica to soothe irritated skin and calm acne flare-ups, while exfoliating dead skin cells gently with the help of a combination of acids to help reduce future blemishes. The product has gone through a renewal recently and is now fragrance-free with an additional wrinkle care function.
Something else from Not4u that is on our wishlist: The Ampoule Shower Kit, a shower head attachment with a filter unit filled with a skincare ampoule that will help calm your skin or help it glow even more.
Where to buy: Olive Young | Musinsa
Clear Body Mist, $28, Not4u at Olive Young
Related article: The Best Editor-Approved Serum Mists For Every Skin Type
6. Knock
Don’t knock it till you try it. Knock is making shower routines extra fun and aesthetically pleasing, and is basically South Korea’s answer to trendy American body care brands like Vacation and Soft Services. Touting innovative body care products that borrow inspiration from facial skincare technology, it offers a range of body washes, bi-phase serum mists and a moisturising perfume oil that you can use all over, from your wrist and hair to your cuticles. Moving away from the typical selection of fresh fragrances, you’ll see more gourmand-forward scents such as the signature nutty Pistachio; the dessert-y Caramelt that blends caramel, vanilla and musk; and the aromatic Zesty, where orange zest and lemon juice is balanced by buttermilk.
Its star product is the Melt In Body Toner, a milky essence that absorbs instantly but leaves you with a long-lasting scent, perfect if you prefer lightweight moisture that won’t leave you feeling sticky.
Where to buy: Yesstyle
Melt In Body Toner Mini, $21, Knock at Yesstyle
7. Derma:B
Derma:B serves up a whole line of family-friendly body care products at affordable prices, and is a name that many in the skincare community trust. Among its bestsellers is the Daily Moisture Body Lotion, which features a fast-absorbing formula with Multi-Lamellar Emulsion, a technology that mimics the healthy lipid structure of the skin to hydrate, soothe irritated skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
If you need something more intensive to combat itching or severe dryness, the label has your back with its CeraMD Repair Lotion, which features shea butter, panthenol, ceramide and grape seed oil and can be used all over, from your face to your hands and body.
Where to buy: Yesstyle | iHerb | Zalora | Olive Young
Daily Moisture Body Lotion, $31, Derma:B at Yesstyle
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8. Kundal
You’ve probably heard of Kundal or seen its popular and cost-effective body washes at a drugstore around town, but did you know that its range of products also include other bestsellers such as the award-winning Rich Soy Milk Body Cream? The popular moisturiser is designed for long-lasting moisture using gentle ingredients, and reviewers love it for its non-sticky finish and comforting vanilla fragrance.
To cool down from the sun outside, try the cooling body wash, which refreshes your skin without drying it out. For the trinket collectors, check out the solid perfume balm, released under its sub-brand, Objet by Kundal. The metallic case comes fitted with a gem, and houses a scented balm that comes in five fragrances: Bare Berry Cream, Rose Petals, Stay Wood, Naked Cream and Green by White Tea.
Where to buy: Lazada | Guardian | Shopee | Olive Young
Cool and Clear Ice Boosting Cooling Body Wash, $16, Kundal at LazMall
9. Aromatica
You deserve to have a fabulous post-work bath routine. Aromatica may be known for its innovative haircare products, such as a salt scrub shampoo or its PDRN scalp serum, but the brand also offers body washes with luxurious scent combinations like neroli and patchouli and lavender and marjoram (an earthy herb) as well as weightless body oils with matching fragrances. Formulated with essential oils, these products are designed to destress while softening and moisturising your skin.
Where to buy: Sephora | Olive Young
Mellowness Magnolia & Sandalwood Body Oil, $38, Aromatica at Sephora
Related article: 10 Best Korean Shampoos For Glass Hair
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I shop the full range of products from each brand?
More popular brands on this list are readily available on platforms that you probably already frequently use, such as Shopee and Lazada. You may even find a different variety of products on each site. Kundal’s flagshio store on LazMall, for example, stocks the brand’s perfumed hair mist and even a violet shampoo, which are not available on Olive Young’s global site.
However, products from newer or niche brands such as Not4u and Knock may be more difficult to find if you’re shopping online. Stick to trusted retailers such as Olive Young and Musinsa to ensure you don’t get counterfeit items.
What other body care products are popular in South Korea?
Interestingly, South Korean beauty enthusiasts also often reach for body care items from other countries. The Dove body scrub is particularly beloved, and counts TWICE’s Nayeon as a fan. The scented soothing cream from Italian heritage label Borotalco also garnered a large fanbase for its cosy powdery scent and velvet-like finish.
This article contains products independently selected by our team of editors and writers. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices listed are accurate at the time of publishing.