As a veteran beauty editor, I can tell you a few things about the best Korean skincare products. I first got into K-beauty when it gained popularity in the West in 2011, testing all the snail mucin creams, sunscreens, moisturisers, you name it. And last year, I spent three months in Seoul researching all the latest launches.
It's also no secret that the popularity of K-beauty products continues to rise – see for yourself: #koreanskincare has generated over 4.5 billion views on TikTok, while #koreanskincareproducts has over 660 million views (and counting).
From game-changing vitamin C serums to colour-correcting creams, Korean skincare is now a viral phenomenon, thanks to all the innovative ingredients and science-backed formulas. In fact, the whole “glass skin” trend is said to be achievable through (you guessed it) implementing Korean skincare products into your daily routine for maximum hydration, plumping and brightening effects.
To help you build the best Korean skincare routine, I talked to dermatologists, toured beauty research labs, and met with product developers and brand founders. Here’s what stood out most, from a de-puffing Korean eye cream, a marshmallow-like cleanser, a nourishing Korean moisturiser, a TikTok-viral exfoliating bean essence to a pillow-proof Korean face mask you can sleep in. And, so you can get a better idea of how they feel and who they work best for, they’re backed by real reviews from dermatologists, fellow K-beauty experts, and GLAMOUR editors.
Love all things K-beauty? Check out our guide on the best Korean makeup products for a K-pop-inspired look.
SKIP TO FAQs: What is the best skincare brand in Korea? | What is the best Korean skincare routine? | Why are Korean skincare products so popular? | What are some of the best K-beauty ingredients to look out for?
Meet the experts
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City.
- Christina Chung, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Pennsylvania.
- Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You skin care brand and Soko Glam online beauty retailer.
Best Cleanser: Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
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- Key ingredients: Rice powder, rice bran water, ceramide NP.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Water-activated powder cleanser; gently exfoliates; brightening and hydrating effects; can also be used as a rinse-off mask.
Why we love it: Most powder cleansers activate with water to form a claylike paste. This one’s different. Wet a small amount of the Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder, and it’ll turn into a stretchy texture that looks like melted marshmallows. The travel-friendly powder is formulated with gentle, barrier-supporting ingredients like rice powder, rice bran water, and ceramide NP. It also has a (very) mild exfoliating effect that helps subtly brighten and smooth your skin. And you can use it as a wash-off mask, too; just leave it on for 10 minutes before you rinse it off.
“I first tried this cleanser when I visited the Anua offices in Seoul last year. I couldn’t get enough of the marshmallow texture and have been using it ever since. I add more water when I use it as a daily cleanser and a little less to turn it into a weekly face mask. Whichever way I use it, it leaves my skin soft, smooth, and radiant,” says GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Cleansing Oil: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean
- Key ingredients: Grape-seed, lavender, and sunflower-seed oils.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Lightweight texture; great for removing waterproof makeup; doesn’t sting eyes; formulated with noncomedogenic oils.
Why we love it: Ma:nyo’s Pure Cleansing Oil is a cult classic in South Korea, where it’s known as the number one cleansing oil at Olive Young (South Korea’s most popular beauty retailer). The Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean edition, inspired by the success of the original, is arguably even better. It’s formulated with a mix of plant oils including grape seed, lavender, and sunflower seed to rinse off waterproof makeup without feeling heavy or greasy on your face. Dermatologists love the skin-friendly ingredients and comfortable texture. “It’s formulated with noncomedogenic oils to hydrate the skin without clogging the pores,” explains Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. “It feels incredibly lightweight and silky on my skin,” she says of the texture. “It spreads and rinses off easily too, breaking down my makeup and sunscreen without feeling too heavy. When rinsed off, it leaves my skin feeling more hydrated.”
“This lives permanently in my shower. The texture is lightweight, watery, and easy to work with. It gets even my most stubborn waterproof mascaras off without stinging my eyes,” shares GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Cleansing Balm: House of Hur Purifying Cleansing Balm
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- Key ingredients: Wild strawberry extract, cherry fruit extract, vitamin tree fruit extract.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Easy-to-use grinding dispenser; formulated with nourishing fruit extracts; moisturising feel; removes waterproof makeup; doesn’t sting eyes.
Why we love it: The best cleansing balms are essentially cleansing oils in solid, travel-friendly form. House of Hur’s Purifying Cleansing Balm features a smart grinding dispenser that pushes out pasta-like ribbons of balm so you can easily spread it over your face. It starts melting once it comes into contact with your skin, transforming from a smooth sherbert texture into a moisturising oil. Add water, and it’ll change again into a milky cleanser that melts off makeup, sunscreen, and impurities.
“Cleansing balms leave my skin feeling softer than any other type of cleanser, and this one feels especially silky and nourishing. I’m used to traditional cleansing balms where you use a spatula or your fingers to scoop out the product, but ever since I tried these grinding-type dispensers, I can’t go back. Because the layers of cleansing balm come out thin and even, they’re much easier to spread over my skin. The formula gets all my makeup off, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and preps my skin for the next step of my double cleanse,” notes GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Toner: TirTir Milk Skin Toner
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, cica, licorice root extract, ceramides.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Nourishing milk toner; good for dry and sensitive skin; long-lasting intense hydration.
Why we love it: Korean milk toners took over TikTok with their creamy colour that makes them look — well, like a glass of milk. Among them, the TirTir Milk Skin Toner is one of the most popular. While it’s made for all skin types, its mix of hydrating ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol) make it an especially good pick for dry, normal, and sensitive skin. If you’re used to traditional toners, this will feel more nourishing and a little thicker than formulas you’ve used before. “The milky texture feels like a soft hug for my skin, instantly soothing and plumping it up with hydration,” says Cho. “I love how it preps my skin for the rest of my routine without feeling heavy or sticky. It’s perfect for days when my skin feels tight or needs extra nourishment, and it layers beautifully under serums and moisturisers.”
"I have the mini size here—the full version looks like a much bigger glass of milk. My favourite thing about this formula is how it leaves my skin looking instantly plumper and dewier. I like to pat an extra layer over my midface where I get the most dry,” says GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Toner Pads: Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads
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- Key ingredients: Collagen water, hyaluronic acid, galactomyces ferment filtrate.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Intensely hydrating toner pads; lightweight gel material sticks easily to skin; good for makeup prep and targeted masking.
Why we love it: K-beauty popularised the toner pad (presoaked cotton rounds or squares that can be swiped over your face or left on like mini sheet masks). These Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads are an upgraded version, swapping out the usual thin cotton fabric for hydrogel inspired by the brand’s TikTok-viral overnight face mask. While the Internet-famous face mask goes from white to clear as it dries, these gel pads start off clear and then turn white as the essence absorbs into your skin. They’re formulated with proven hydrators like collagen water and hyaluronic acid for a 10-minute deep moisture treatment.
"I’ve tried so many of the popular toner pads at Olive Young, and these are definitely in my top five. The hydrogel clings to my skin without slipping and feels more refreshing than other toner pads I’ve tried. I apply these on my cheeks while I do my makeup and everything — foundation, blush, highlighter — just goes on so much smoother and dewier afterward,” shares GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Essence: Mixsoon Bean Essence
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- Key ingredients: Lactobacillus/soybean ferment extract, pomegranate fruit ferment extract, pear juice ferment filtrate.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Exfoliating essence with a thick texture; hydrates while exfoliating; instant smoothing effect; gentle on sensitive skin.
Why we love it: You’ve probably seen this smoothing essence all over #KBeautyTok, where fans show how the formula makes your skin naturally slough off as you rub it in. It’s made with fermented soybean and fruit extracts that combine for gentle chemical exfoliation. “This essence is unlike anything I’ve tried before—the fermented bean extracts give it a naturally thick yet silky texture that melts into my skin,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You. “I love how it delivers deep hydration while gently exfoliating at the same time. It’s one of those products that makes my skin feel smoother and more refined after just a few uses. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, making it perfect for sensitive skin.”
'For those new to the formula, you’ll have to gently work it in for at least a few minutes before the exfoliation starts. My friends in Seoul told me to try applying this before makeup for an extra-smooth base. You have to be a little patient when using this; depending on how much dead skin you have to exfoliate off, it can take awhile before your dead skin cells start clumping up. I focus on my nose area where I get clogged pores, rub until I see tiny clumps of skin, then rinse it all off. If you don’t want the exfoliating effect, you can also apply this as you would a normal essence and get the same hydrating benefits,” says GLAMOUR Senior Commerce Editor Jenifer Calle.
Best Ampoule: CNP Laboratory Propolis Rescue Ampoule
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- Key ingredients: Jeju propolis extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, madecassoside.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Nonsticky lightweight texture; dermatologist-loved soothing ingredients; good for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Why we love it: A cross between a hydrating essence and skin-boosting facial serum, ampoules are another popular step in Korean skincare routines. The CNP Laboratory Propolis Rescue Ampoule is a great choice for all skin types — and dermatologists love it too. “This ampoule is formulated with propolis, a natural antioxidant and antibacterial ingredient known for soothing and healing properties, as well as skin soothing niacinamide and madecassoside,” says Dr. Chang. “It also contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and panthenol to provide deep hydration. It’s great for those with dry, sensitive, red, or acne-prone skin.”
"I love the nonsticky texture and calming properties of this ampoule. It’s a watery ampoule that I use whenever my skin’s inflamed or breaking out. It has a refreshing sensation on application and instantly tones down any redness from blemishes without causing dryness or tightness,” shares GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Peptide Serum: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster
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- Key ingredients: Six types of peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Fast-absorbing watery texture; affordable peptide serum; dermatologist-recommended for all skin types; plumping and hydrating effect.
Why we love it: You probably know CosRx for popularising snail mucin skincare (the COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence remains a steady seller on Amazon). The brand also makes a seriously good peptide serum, which has a weightless texture that’s easy to layer. Cho loves the mix of six peptides in the formula “to target fine lines and elasticity,” as well as “how lightweight and fast-absorbing it is — there’s no sticky or heavy feeling, just a smooth, hydrated finish.” Dr. Chang recommends it as an affordable peptide serum “for all skin types and for all seasons” to “help plump and hydrate the skin.”
"I love peptides as a skin-plumping ingredient, but a lot of peptide serums can be expensive. This is one of my favourite affordable options. It makes my skin look instantly hydrated and bouncy, which is exactly what you want peptides to do,” says GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Vitamin C Serum: Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
- Key ingredients: Hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, Centella asiatica leaf water, niacinamide.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Nonsticky, nongreasy texture; visible brightening effect over time; lightweight and comfortable; no strong scent.
Why we love it: If your vitamin C serums feel sticky, swap them out for this K-beauty favourite. Dr. Althea’s Vitamin C Boosting Serum is formulated with hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, also known as sea buckthorn berries, which studies show contain high levels of vitamin C. It’s blended with cica (or Centella asiatica, a popular ingredient in Korean skincare with proven soothing properties). Together, they create a powerful vitamin C serum that’s watery, lightweight, and effective.
"I’m absolutely obsessed with every vitamin C serum I’ve tried from this brand, including the now-discontinued original and the green vitamin C serum for sensitive skin. I got my hands on the newest version when it launched in South Korea last year. It contains the brand’s highest concentration of hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract yet (63%), doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, absorbs in seconds, and visibly brightens dark spots from old breakouts with regular use. I apply this every single day and am already on my third bottle,” shares GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin: Then I Met You Bong² Bounce Cream
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- Key ingredients: Hallabong extract, ceramides squalane, omega fatty acids.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Lightweight barrier-supporting gel cream; rich in vitamin C; radiant dewy finish; gentle citrus scent (from fruit extracts, not from fragrance).
Why we love it: This Korean moisturiser was formulated as a lightweight alternative to thicker barrier creams. Then I Met You’s Bong² Bounce Cream is perfect if you want rich, lasting hydration that still layers well under makeup. “Its key ingredients include hallabong extract, which is abundant in vitamin C, sea buckthorn oil, ceramides, squalane, and honey to hydrate and repair the skin,” says Dr. Chang, who personally uses and loves the formula. “As soon as I touched this moisturizer, I knew where it got its name,” she says. “It feels lightweight and bouncy while leaving my skin with a radiant finish. It also has a fruity, fresh scent that is not at all overbearing but rather calming.”
“I emptied two pots of the vitamin-C-spiked formula. It’s one of those K-beauty products that makes skincare feel like a special ritual. I love the sunny colour of the formula, how cushiony it feels on my skin, and the way it makes my face look brighter and intensely hydrated,” says GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Sunscreen: Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 with Hyaluronic Acid Colour
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- Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, squalane, cica.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: SPF 45 UV protection; FDA-approved mineral sunscreen filters; colour-corrects redness with a subtle green tint.
Why we love it: Korean sunscreens are known for being more lightweight and comfortable than most of what’s on offer Stateside. That’s due to their use of sunscreen filters that aren’t on the short list approved by the FDA. The Innisfree Daily UV Defense Mineral Sunscreen is a rare example of a Korean sunscreen that uses FDA-approved filters and still wears comfortably. “This is a popular eco-friendly brand that I saw everywhere when I was in South Korea last summer,” says Dr. Chung. “I love this product because of how it goes on and the finish it leaves on the skin. What makes this really special is there is a slightly green tint that helps to offset any redness. This is my go-to product for my patients with mild rosacea.”
This formula also won a spot on our list of best Korean sunscreens. “I have combination skin and sometimes get red around my cheeks. The green (though it’s more like a jade colour) diminishes any redness. But, you do have to rub it in pretty well to avoid any white cast since it’s a thick consistency. Apart from the colour-correcting sunscreen, I also use Innisfree’s Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscreen (seen in this video),” says Jenifer Calle, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Editor. Calle ranks this among her favourite sunscreens because of its “glowy finish.”
Best Face Mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, vitamin E, niacinamide.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Goes on as clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes; meant to be worn overnight and peeled off the next morning; visible brightening and hydrating; nourishing effects.
Why we love it: If you want to know how popular Medicube’s Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is, the brand says it’s been counterfeited so many times that they’ve recently updated the packaging from translucent to opaque to avoid fakes. (If you have an old version, don’t panic: Just check that it matches the brand’s official product images.) It made our list of best Korean face masks thanks to its innovative peel-off format and glass-skin effect. Dr. Chang says the formula is great for hydration with its lineup of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E and niacinamide. This overnight mask goes on as a clear gel and dries down in 15 minutes, “wrapping” your skin in moisture as you sleep. “It should be applied with a brush or spatula,” she says. “You can peel it off in the morning and rinse your face. It’s comfortable to sleep in and leaves skin feeling softer and smoother.”
"TikTok got me again with this one. It balls up as I peel it off so I don’t feel like I’m taking a layer of my skin with it, and makes my skin look more hydrated and glowy the next morning. Sometimes I leave it on overnight—you really can sleep with this one without noticing it since it dries down—and sometimes I peel it off after half an hour. It’s definitely the most fun face mask I own,” shares GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Best Lip Treatment: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
- Key ingredients: Berry mix complex, coconut oil, shea butter, murumuru seed butter, vitamin C.
- Fragrance-free: No.
- Fast facts: Celebrity favourite overnight lip mask; can be applied throughout the day as lip balm; thick texture; intense lasting hydration; popular for its range of flavors (some only available in South Korea).
Why we love it: Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask is an iconic celebrity favourite. Even Twice’s Nayeon, one of South Korea’s most popular K-pop stars, is obsessed with the thick, cushiony formula that stays on overnight and smooths chapped, peeling lips. “I tried many different ones but ultimately I always come back to this,” she previously told Glamour. “It takes me a while to finish one but I always get a new one so that I don’t run out of it.”
Dermatologists approve too. “The formula’s shea butter and berry-complex formula applied with the tiny spatula is both luxurious and really hydrating,” says Dr. Chung. “I usually pair this at night with a humidifier on cold nights and I wake up with dewy lips!”
Best Body Lotion: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Soothing Gel
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- Key ingredients: Tocopherol (vitamin E), squalane, ceramide NP.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Fast facts: Gentle formula; good for sensitive and easily irritated skin; fast-absorbing gel texture; soothing refreshing feel; lasting deep hydration; can be used on face and body.
Why we love it: If you want to expand your Korean skincare routine to body care, start with Illiyoon. The brand is known in South Korea for its gentle Ceramide Ato line, which you can find in every supermarket. Formulated with ceramide NP, a popular ingredient for hydrating and supporting your skin barrier, the Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Soothing Gel can be used on both your face and body for nourishing moisture. The fragrance-free formula is designed with sensitive skin in mind, so it’s also a great choice for skin that’s irritated or inflamed.
"I’ve tried all of the lotions from this line, and this would be my top recommendation if you prefer a body lotion with a lighter texture. Unlike some of the brand’s thicker creams, this one is a gel cream that sinks in fast and doesn’t leave any residue behind. You can also use it on your face, so it’s a true head-to-toe lotion. I get flaky patches on my legs sometimes and this formula smooths them out after just a couple of applications,” says GLAMOUR contributor Sarah Y. Wu.
Your Korean skincare questions, answered
What is the best skincare brand in Korea?
If you’re curious about the most popular skincare brands in South Korea, you’ll want to check the Olive Young Awards and Hwahae. The former is South Korea’s leading beauty retailer, which issues its coveted beauty awards every year. The latter is an online review platform that shows which best-selling Korean beauty products are trending in real time.
That said, popularity in South Korea is just one of many indicators that a product is worth trying. “While this can be a strong indicator of a product’s potential success, it’s not the only factor—I dig deeper to understand why something is trending,” says Charlotte Cho, a licensed aesthetician based in New York City and cofounder of Then I Met You and Soko Glam.
To curate the best Korean skincare products for Soko Glam, an online K-beauty retailer, she also pays attention to “delivery systems, absorption technology, and the way a formula interacts with the skin.” She also looks beyond what’s popular in South Korea to what’s trending globally, which can differ. “With the embrace of Korean products by US consumers, we have now reached a point where its popularity in the US is actually more important now than the popularity or trend that originates in Korea,” she says.
Why are Korean skincare products so popular?
Why are Korean skincare products so popular in the Western world, you ask? “Because [they’re] simple, effective, and offer formulations and innovations that are ahead of their time,” says Julia Marinkovich, UK representative at COSRX.
According to Julia, in South Korea, skincare is considered as a great investment and is as vital to people as good nutrition and exercise. “Clear, glowing skin is a sign of skin health, and everyone strives for this,” she says. “That’s how trends like glass skin have taken off across the globe.”
She also highlights that Korean products tend to have straightforward formulas with minimal sets of ingredients that instead focus on using highly effective natural ingredients. “Western skincare typically focuses on exfoliating to re-new our complexion, whereas Korean skincare is centred around adding essential nutrients back into the skin,” Julia explains. “ It’s much gentler, as it uses a hydration-first approach, rather than a prominent focus on acids and retinols.”
What are some of the best K-beauty ingredients to look out for?
There are a wide range of ingredients that Korean beauty brands turn to that are not so common to see among Western brands. One of these – brace yourself – is snail mucin.
“While some may be repulsed by the idea of snail mucin, most are amazed at the skin-boosting benefits of it,” shares Julia. “Not only does it provide intense hydration and nourishment, but it also helps to build up the skin’s moisture barrier to plump and soothe skin.”
You may have also seen that some Korean beauty products contain Centella Asiatica (AKA Cica/Centella), a plant that has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries to help treat wounds and care for the skin, thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. “It has many natural benefits from being packed full of amino acids, beta-carotene, fatty acids, and phytochemicals, including vitamins C, A, B1, and B2,” Julia adds.
Other examples can also include rice extract, propolis and plants such as heartleaf and mugwort, as well as galactomyces, which is a byproduct of fermented sake and a popular ingredient in Korean skincare that can help hydrate, brighten and smoothen your complexion all in one go.
What is the best Korean skincare routine?
Let’s clear one thing up: You don’t need every product on this list to build a Korean skincare routine. Nor do you need 10 steps, as was once popular in the early days of K-beauty. “The 10-step routine introduced many people to the concept of layering skincare and the potential steps one could use to achieve their skin goals, but it was never meant to define a skincare ritual or force a set structure,” says Cho.
“In 2025, we’re seeing a shift toward intentional skincare – fewer steps, but more effective, multifunctional formulas. Skin-barrier support, hydrating layers, and targeted treatments are now key pillars.” That’s why our list includes plenty of products that target multiple needs, like a sunscreen that doubles as a skin tint, a cleanser you can use as a face mask, and a face serum that helps brighten and calm simultaneously.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
