Korean skincare and beauty products (or K-Beauty) were once the elusive, little-known secret to glass-like skin. But, if you’ve spent any time at all in the skincare world of TikTok, K-Beauty is now everywhere, and for good reason. Unlike the myriad of products popular in the U.S. and the Western side of the world full of acids and actives, most K-Beauty focuses on a few specific targeted skincare benefits—they aim to hydrate, calm, and soothe. This means that the products work for every skin type from dry to oily, and are especially good for those who struggle with acne. Plus, they are notoriously cheaper than skincare you might find in Sephora or Ulta!
Diving into the Korean skincare world can be overwhelming with so many products and ingredients to choose from, so we’ve covered the best and most effective from cleansers to SPF. Ahead, the K-Beauty products that will make you ditch your old skincare routine and completely transform your skin.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
This cleanser is Gazette Gal Co-Founder Sheenu Kaur’s go-to for her reactive and sensitive skin. “The idea of oil cleansers has always intimidated me because I despise the purge that some products put your skin through.” But Beauty of Joseon’s cleansing oil is gentle, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores!), and will leave your skin balanced and refreshed, making it the perfect first step in a double-cleansing routine. “I use it in the evening when I double cleanse,” she adds. “Start off with dry skin (because if you know anything about science…oil pulls oils) to melt down impurities, then slowly add a bit of water to emulsify.”
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
Infused with mineral-rich deep seawater, this cleanser cleanses your skin while replenishing it with essential nutrients for a radiant complexion. Ingredients like Panthenol, allantoin, and ceramides come together to create a protective barrier over the skin and seal in moisture.
BANILA CO Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
If you’re a waterproof makeup fanatic, meet your match: Banila Co’s cleansing balm easily dissolves stubborn makeup and doesn’t leave your skin with that tight, stripped feel. Super silky and good for all skin types, it has papaya and acerola extracts that help to naturally exfoliate and brighten skin with Vitamin C.
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Anua's Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner will do exactly what the name says. Again featuring soothing heartleaf extract, this alcohol-free toner will calm irritation and hydrate, preparing your skin for the serums and essences that follow.
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Gently exfoliation is always the way to go. When you can pair that with hydration such as in Anua's BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner, you’ll refine your skin texture while promoting a radiant complexion with every application.
Toner pads are incredibly popular in Korean skincare. Mediheal Watermide Toner Pads are super convenient, being pre-soaked to deliver a burst of hydration and will have your skin refreshed and primed for further skincare steps.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Those who know her, love her. COSRX's snail mucin essence has a cult-like following, especially with those who are acne-prone. This lightweight essence nourishes and hydrates, reduces redness, repairs skin damage, and improves texture and pigmentation. It’s also good for fine lines!
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Our Co-Founder Sheenu is a huge fan of this essence for its gentle but effective formula, which contains 80% ginseng to nourish and brighten as well as promote and maintain the skin’s moisture. “It’s almost as if I can feel it prepping my pores for skincare. I use it after cleansing,” she says.
I'm from's Mugwort Essence is infused with the calming properties of mugwort, known for its detoxifying effects. This essence soothes and revitalizes your skin since it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and tannins.
SKIN 1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule
Centella asiatica is a popular Korean skincare ingredient you probably won’t find on your skincare shelf at home. However, this powerhouse ingredient featured in this concentrated serum calms and rejuvenates, controls oil balance, and repairs your skin’s barrier.
numbuzin No. 3 Skin Softening Serum
Have a lot of noticeable skin texture? numbuzin's No. 3 Skin Softening Serum will hydrate and soften using galactomyces and bifida to boost skin elasticity and target bumpy, rough, and dry texture as well as enlarged pores.
JUMISO All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Facial Serum
A.K.A, the vitamin C serum that will make you throw out all of your other vitamin C serums. Packed with vitamins, JUMISO's All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Facial Serum is a watery, nonsticky formula enriched with extracts to soothe skin. It also features hyaluronic acid to moisturize, and chamomile extract to control sebum production.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Serum
Beauty of Joseon has a host of great serums, but the Revive Serum is one that truly is skincare staple. This nourishing serum restores and replenishes, has a lightweight feel, and is enriched with ginseng root water and snail mucin content to repair damaged skin, improve the appearance of wrinkles, and boost elasticity.
Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
For a nonsticky and fast-absorbing eye cream, Beauty of Joseon’s Revive Eye Serum is the way to go. This lightweight yet potent serum is a treat for your delicate eye area, diminishing signs of fatigue, and leaving your eyes refreshed and revitalized.
Saturday Skin Yuzu Vitamin C Bright Eye Cream
I’m a little biased since this is my personal favorite eye cream, but Saturday Skin knocked it out of the park with their Vitamin C Bright Eye Cream. Formulated with brightening Yuzu, this cream diminishes dark circles. It also beautifully primes your under eyes for makeup!
Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream
Dive into hydration with Torriden's DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Soothing Cream. This watery, gel-like moisturizer features skin-loving ingredients such as trehalose and panthenol which help maintain skin’s moisture levels and soothe irritation.
Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream
If you struggle with constant irritation, this is the moisturizer for you. Dr.G's R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream will leave you with blemish-free, calmed skin, and a clearer complexion.
AESTURA Ato Barrier 365 Cream
AESTURA's Ato Barrier 365 Cream is the perfect shield for your skin. Formulated to protect and nourish using ceramides and fatty acids, this cream provides long-lasting hydration for a healthy and resilient skin barrier.
Safeguard your skin with the viral Beauty of Joseon's SPF 50 Sun Relief. Our Co-Founder Sheenu raves about this sunscreen as one of the best she’s ever used. “And I’ve gone through more than you can name,” she adds. “No white cast, very lightweight, can easily be used under makeup, and perfect for sensitive skin. It’s never broken me out and doesn’t pill.”
Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick
Beauty of Joseon also offers their Matte Sun Stick, which is convenient for reapplying SPF on the go (which you should be doing!). This SPF 50 sun stick leaves skin with a matte finish since it absorbs excess sebum.
ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen
Hydrate and protect with ROUND LAB's Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen. This sunscreen not only shields your skin but also quenches its thirst, leaving it soft and guarded against environmental stressors.
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
You might be tired of hearing about Beauty of Joseon at this point, but we promise the brand is just that good. This red bean mask is ultra-pampering as it refines pores and revitalizes your complexion.
Laneige is one K-Beauty skincare brand that has become widely popular outside of Korea for their lip masks. Their Water Sleeping Mask is a lesser-known overnight powerhouse hydrator that will become a bedtime essential once you try it. It’s also great to refresh your skin with during travel!
Besides brands like Laneige, you won’t find Korean skincare in most stores. If you’re looking to purchase any of these products, you’ll have to do so online through sites such as YesStyle, Soko Glam, or Amazon. However, these sites often have great sales to complement the product’s already low price. Be warned, however—once you try these Korean skincare products, you won’t want (or need!) any others.
