The 9 Best Korean Skincare Products for Your Entire Routine
Switch up your routine with one of these genius products.
There’s a reason the buzz has yet to subside on all things K-beauty: The products continue to be both cutting edge and highly effective. And although the industry is known for incredible face masks, Korean skincare has far more to offer. From facial essences to pimple patches, seemingly half (or more, let's be honest) of our essentials these days originated first in Korea. If you’re looking to try the best of the best when it comes to Korean skincare, these 9 products are a great place to start. Ahead, our favorite K-beauty cleansers, moisturizers, masks, and more.
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The double cleanse—that is, using an oil-based formula followed by a water-based formula—is a Korean beauty mainstay. This oil cleanser gently removes makeup as it moisturizes with ingredients like jojoba leaf and willowherb.
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BEST CLEANSING BALM: Living Cleansing Balm, about S$70, Then I Met You at Cult Beauty
Cleansing balms are another fantastic option for your double-cleansing needs. The butter-like formula melts into skin, gently removing makeup and other grime as it leaves skin unbelievably soft and nourished.
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BEST CLAY MASK: Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial, S$60, Glow Recipe at Sephora
Everything Glow Recipe creates seems to become a viral sensation, and their new clay mask is no exception. It has BHA, PHA, and watermelon enzymes to gently exfoliate and clears pores, along with hyaluronic acid to prevent skin from drying out.
You won't find harsh face scrubs in K-beauty. Instead, there are gentle yet effective formulas like this one from Saturday Skin: Containing papaya and pineapple enzymes to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, it softens skin without irritation.
The opposite of the toners you grew up with, this water-based formula hydrates, plumps, and brightens as it preps skin for the rest of your routine.
BEST HYDRATING SERUM: Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Serum, S$143, Amorepacific at Nordstrom
Amorepacific has roots dating back to the 1930s, and their products are still some of the most highly sought-after to this day. This lightweight serum plumps up fine lines, hydrates, and fortifies skin with continued use.
Not many products can claim to define an entire skincare movement. But this serum is synonymous with "glass skin," the concept of super-dewy skin that got its start in K-beauty. In addition to that signature dew, the formula also contains niacinamide to brighten dark spots, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and a peptide complex to plump fine lines.
Belif's soothing gel-cream is like a glass of ice water for dehydrated skin, but soothing and weightless enough for just about any skin type.
Laneige’s masks are renowned for their moisturizing power, none more so than their Lip Sleeping Mask. Its restoring, moisturizing powers go beyond what you can expect from a standard lip balm, and it comes in five craveable flavors, too.
A version of this article first appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US