What are the best Korean skincare products?
Korean skincare has taken the beauty industry by storm, going viral on social media and seen on famous South Korean pop idols. Often referred to as K-beauty, Korean skincare has been at the forefront of beauty innovation, with many glow-giving skincare hacks originating from there. Discover new K-beauty skincare staples to add to your routine for the ultimate, healthy-looking complexion.
Here are the key ingredients to look out for in Korean skincare:
Centella asiatica: this herb is renowned for its soothing and calming effects, making it perfect for sensitive skin. Snail mucin: known for its hydrating and regenerative properties, snail mucin helps repair damaged skin and improve the appearance of fine lines. Ginseng: rich in antioxidants, ginseng enhances skin elasticity and vitality. Rice extract: hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving it smooth and radiant. Probiotics: supports the skin's microbiome, ensuring a balanced complexion.
These ingredients, combined with modern formulations and traditional Korean botanicals, have made Korean skincare a must-try for beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned 'skintellectual' or just starting your skincare journey, Korean products offer a blend of natural ingredients and cutting-edge technology that cater to various skin types and needs.
Sun protection
When it comes to Korean skincare, one of the most crucial steps is sun protection. These are our top 3 picks:
CosRX Aloe Soothing Sunscreen SPF50 PA+++ 50ml
The CosRX Aloe Soothing Sunscreen is a must-have for anyone seeking effective sun protection without the heavy feel. This lightweight sunscreen offers SPF 50 PA+++ protection, making it perfect for daily use under makeup. It features a non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly, leaving no residue or white cast. Infused with aloe vera, it not only shields the skin from UV rays but also soothes and calms it, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Its mild scent and transparent gel-like appearance ensure it blends seamlessly into the skin, providing both protection and comfort.
342
£22.00
Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ 50ml
5
£15.50
PURITO Wonder Releaf Centella Daily Sun Lotion 60ml
Designed for sensitive skin, the PURITO Daily Sun Lotion is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, perfect for sensitive skin. With a moisturiser-like custard texture, this fast-absorbing, weightless formula blocks harmful UV rays while creating a barrier against pollutants and leaving your skin dewy. Infused with Korean Centella to soothe stressed skin, this sun lotion is a must-have for dry, irritation-prone skin.
53
RRP: £23.90Current price: £20.32
Moisturisers
Ever wondered what K-pop stars’ secret to flawless, glowy skin is? It’s all about your moisturiser.
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment 15ml
Combining skincare benefits with colour correction, the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Grass Color Correcting Treatment is a gamechanger. Infused with a light lavender scent to calm the senses, this innovative cream features a colour-changing capsule that adapts to your skin tone, helping to neutralise the appearance of redness for a more even complexion.
549
£19.50
CosRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream 100ml
154
£30.99
Serums
LANEIGE Glowy Makeup Serum 30ml
Achieve glass skin with this fan-favourite Glow Makeup Serum from LANEIGE, multi-tasking as a hydrating serum and primer to lock your makeup in all day. Featuring pink diamond powder, this award-winning serum has a pearlescent luminosity to create the ultimate reflective glow on your skin. Packed with ceramides to seal in moisture, this lightweight serum absorbs excess oils for a flawless makeup base.
73
£25.00
Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum Ginseng + Snail Mucin 30ml
We told you snail mucin was Korea’s best kept beauty secret right?! Combining two powerhouse ingredients, this serum has a firming effect, plumping the skin to encourage a collagen-rich illusion. Perfect for keeping the wrinkles as bay, the Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum is a non-negotiable on your skincare shelf.
11
£15.00
CC & BB creams
For those seeking a natural, effortless look, Erborian is your go-to K-beauty brand for skin-perfecting CC and BB creams.
Erborian CC Cream 45ml
There’s a reason this CC Cream has won so many awards – fusing the consistency of a moisturiser with the sheer, natural coverage of a foundation, the formula uses encapsulated colour-correcting pigments to self-adjust to your skin tone. This bestselling hybrid is also enriched with Centella asiatica to promote elasticity and broad spectrum protection - you really can't go wrong!
A BB Cream stands for ‘blemish balm’, perfect for spot-prone skin and offering more coverage without clogging pores. The Erborian BB Cream works to conceal imperfections, mattify your base and improve skin texture, leaving the skin with a non-oily, velvety finish.
221
RRP: £41.00Current price: £32.80
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RRP: £41.00Current price: £32.80
Lip care
There’s only one brand that we can rightfully give the top spot for lip care to: LANEIGE.
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask - Vanilla 20g
Popping off all over social media, the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Masks are not to be slept on. The rich, creamy formula transforms dry, chapped lips to a luscious, soft pout. Apply overnight to wake up with long-lasting hydration and smoothness. Available in a wide array of flavours, vanilla is one of our favourites.
267
£21.00
From a young age I’ve been immersed in the beauty industry, getting my first job at a skin clinic and staying there for almost 5 years. My love for skincare was born from the constant exposure to new French pharma skincare products, award-winning supplements and revolutionary techniques to snatch your face. My go-to look is a dewy, natural base using a tinted moisturiser, enhanced by a colourful eyeliner. The Garnier SPF50+ Face Fluid and YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer are my holy grails.
