Korean skincare has been all the rage for a while now, and there are many reasons to justify the buzz. From the packaging to the innovative formulas with unique ingredients at a reasonable price, the best Korean skincare products have a lot to offer. Sometimes it’s hard to resist buying everything! Safe to say, it is equally hard to know what products to buy and where to begin with an all-Korean skincare routine. To help you on your journey, we’ve selected some of the best Korean skincare brands you may or may not have heard of, along with some popular products from each.
From cleansing oils and overnight masks to serums and sunscreens, there’s a lot to choose from!
Beauty of Joseon
Beauty of Joseon is a Korean brand known for developing skincare products inspired by Hanbang–traditional Korean medicine based on natural ingredients. The brand reclaims this wisdom and develops products with traditional ingredients such as rice bran water, ginseng root water, ginseng extract, and green plum water, among others. The products are gentle on the skin and blend traditional know-how with elegant, indulgent formulas.
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+ is the brand’s most iconic sunscreen: creamy, yet lightweight, and extremely easy to apply, this sunscreen combines very high sun protection with a soothing blend of traditional Korean ingredients, such as rice extract and fermented grain extracts. The result is dewy, bouncy skin after each application, without the white cast! And if you really want to pursue the goal of glass skin, try the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum Propolis + Niacinamide. Formulated with niacinamide and propolis extract, this serum helps rebalance the skin while promoting deep hydration, minimizing the appearance of fine lines for a soft and pillowy appearance, with a radiant, dewy glow.
Round Lab
At Round Lab, inspiration for developing new skincare products comes from the wonders and natural resources of the Korean peninsula. From the deep sea waters around Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands, rich in natural nutrients and minerals, to the peaks of the Taebaek Mountains, Round Lab searches high and low for natural ingredients that will refresh, revitalize, and restore health and well-being to the skin.
The Round Lab Birch Juice Sunscreen SPF50 is an award-winning sunscreen that combines high sun protection with the comfort of a daily moisturizer. The creamy formula is easy to apply, leaving a comfortable but non-greasy finish, enveloping the skin in a feeling of enduring comfort. Another star product is the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner, a rebalancing toner with a water-light texture. Formulated with hydrating panthenol and soothing allantoin, as well as vitamin-rich deep sea water from the island of Ulleungdo, this toner replenishes moisture while soothing the skin, for a soft, smooth finish.
Banila Co
Banila Co is a Korean brand best known for its wide selection of cleansing balms, each designed to cater to a different skin type and concern. The formulas combine traditional Korean plant ingredients with patented Zero Balance Technology™, all to provide a cleansing experience that’s both effective and gentle on the skin, without compromising the skin barrier. The products are a cult favorite around the world, proving once and for all that cleansing balms can be for everyone!
Let’s start with the Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original: a rich, melting balm that removes makeup and impurities while moisturizing the skin, all in one simple step. The formula combines soothing botanicals with antioxidant vitamins C and E, ensuring skincare benefits even while cleansing. If you have combination to oily skin, you may also want to try the Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Pore Clarifying, a cleansing balm specifically formulated for your skin type. Formulated with tea tree oil and tea tree extract, this balm is ideal for removing not only makeup and impurities, but also excess sebum, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and purified.
Anua
Anua‘s mission is to develop products with gentle yet effective formulas, combining soothing natural ingredients with active ingredients that address specific skin concerns. By focusing on maximizing the benefits of mild plant-based ingredients, the brand aims to achieve the perfect balance: skincare that produces real results yet feels comfortable on all skin types, without sensitizing or irritating sensitive skin.
You’ve probably heard of the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, a serum that helps rebalance the skin and maintain its moisture barrier while evening out the skin tone, for a more even complexion. The formula combines 10% niacinamide and 4% TXA (aka good old tranexamic acid). We also like the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, a cleansing oil that helps remove makeup and impurities, gently purifying your skin as the first step of your double cleansing routine.
Biodance
Famous for its TikTok-famous face masks, Biodance is a Korean brand dedicated to creating science-based skincare products that work for all skin types, including the most sensitive. Focusing on creating gentle, mild formulas that use only the most effective and essential ingredients, the brand strives for long-lasting results that extend beyond the temporary effects offered by many viral products today.
The Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask is a viral success that basically needs no introduction: it’s a hydrogel mask that deeply moisturizes the skin, smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boosting skin elasticity for a radiant, bouncy look. We also recommend the Biodance Hydro Cera-Nol Real Deep Mask, which promotes in-depth hydration along with a soothing effect that, in the long term, helps strengthen the skin barrier.
Medicube
Medicube may be known as a leading beauty device brand in Korea, but the brand’s skincare products are also impressive in their own right. With Medicube, you get clinical-grade skincare powered by a uniquely Korean blend of cutting-edge technology and naturally sourced ingredients. By targeting specific skin concerns, Medicube products are designed to provide real results that work with your skin, never against it.
If you’re curious about the brand, start with the viral sensation that is the Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask: an overnight peel-off face mask that delivers intense hydration while you sleep, ensuring enhanced skin elasticity and a radiant glow in the morning. If your skin concerns focus more on excess sebum, skin imperfections, and enlarged pores, try the Medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild instead. Created for combination to oily skin that’s also sensitive, these toner pads provide a dual benefit through the action of exfoliating gluconolactone and soothing madecassoside.
Now that we’ve shared a sneak peek of what’s out there, it’s your turn to explore our full selection of K-Beauty products to find the best options for your needs!
