The best Korean skincare and beauty products to add to your self-care routine
CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power essence, $28.81, iHerb
If you are yet to try the viral snail mucin essence then take this as your sign to add to cart immediately. This lightweight formula will instantly hydrate and nourish your skin using the magic that is found in snail secretion, yes snail secretion. It helps to brighten dull skin and tackle texture and damage while providing a glow all day long.
Mediheal Medecassoside blemish pad, $39, BONIIK
Another product that took social media by storm, Mediheal's range of toner pads comes in an array of formulations to suit your skin needs. From minimising blemishes with the Madecassoside, encouraging elasticity of the skin with Collagen Ampoule or gently exfoliating and buffing using the Phyto-Enzyme peeling pad, the options are truly endless.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $31, Adore Beauty
A cult-classic and award-winning lip mask that will leave you with a picture-perfect pout overnight, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a must-try k-beauty hack that you're guaranteed to love. Pick from an array of flavours and get your beauty sleep to awaken sans flakiness and dryness.
Innisfree Black Tea Youth skincare enhancing ampoule serum, $43.40 (was $62), Sephora
Innisfree has certainly become a favourite when it comes to the world of K-beauty, their selection of serums and treatments are unmatched and we love this anti-ageing ampoule which helps with the appearance of fine lines and dull skin.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum, $29.48, iHerb
If you're after a healthy glow to your skin the Beauty of Joseon serum uses propolis extract and niacinimide to hydrate and nourish, reducing the appearing of pores and aiding with inflammation.
I'm From Honey Mask, $60, Adore Beauty
Honey has long been hailed as a skincare saviour, included in any homemade mask recipe for actual centuries. It offers countless benefits including healing properties, moisturisation and antioxidants that protect against free radicals that contribute to the appearance of ageing. I'm From has tapped into this and created a deliciously nourishing mask using South Korean honey to restore your glow.
Banila Co Clean It Zero cleansing balm, $29.11, Amazon
A cleansing balm is a must-have for any skincare routine, Banila Co's Clean It Zero will remove all traces of makeup and grime leaving you fresh faced and hydrated.
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, $39, BONIIK
Packed with vitamin C this serum is gentle yet effective when it comes to brightening and improving skin tone and texture. It's a great option for those with sensitive skin with a preference for clean ingredients, it's also hypoallergenic.
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI, $119, Sephora
The latest iteration of this powerful serum, Sulwhasoo leverages Ginseng technology to promote your skin's natural radiance, boasting a fast-absorbing, skin-friendly formula that will leave you looking lit from within.
Some By Mi Retinol Intense reactivating mask, $5.90, Adore Beauty
Korean beauty is often known for its face masks, and this innovative formula infused into a classic sheet mask uses retinol and rejuvenating ingredients to target anti-ageing and encourage firmness in your skin whilst leaving it soft and supple.
What is special about Korean beauty?
Well, there are many reasons K-beauty has taken the world by storm. It has a major focus on clean ingredients and innovative formulas, think ginseng, snail mucin, and an array of plant extracts, crafting original skincare and beauty products that work wonders.
As a whole, the industry encourages multi-step rituals to target skin concerns and find products that work in conjunction with each other to reach that desired result. often including cleansing, toning, moisturising, and targeted treatments.
It champions dewy, youthful skin through deep hydration, sun shielding, and a gentle touch of exfoliation that promises a radiant complexion every time, no wonder it's such a hit.
What is the difference between ampoules and serums?
Ampoules pack a punch with high concentrations of actives, zeroing in on specific skin issues in short, powerful bursts. They're more short-term treatments with higher doses of vitamins, antioxidants, or peptides to revitalise your skin.
Meanwhile, serums play the long game—lighter and versatile, they offer daily TLC with lower active levels, tackling hydration, brightening, and anti-aging.