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The Korean approach to treating anything, from acne to fine lines, always focuses on hydrating, calming ingredients, and respecting the skin barrier. For that reason, you can often find active ingredients like niacinamide, green tea, hyaluronic acid, and Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) in Korean beauty products, Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Dermatology, previously told Allure.
If this all sounds appealing to you, you’re not alone. Korean skin-care brands have long upped the standards for the global beauty industry—and if we’re being honest, our standards as well. Double-cleansing has forever changed our skin (and the state of our pores), and Korean sunscreen formulas are second to none. Get comfortable because we gathered the most innovative, price-efficient, and all-around best Korean skin-care products to incorporate into your routine. Ready for glass-like skin? Dive right in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Cleansing Oil: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: The Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil is a must-try for anyone looking for a gentle yet effective cleanse with naturally derived ingredients. Made with 14 nourishing plant oils (including soybean, jojoba, argan, and sunflower), it delivers a boost of hydration while effortlessly dissolving stubborn waterproof makeup. The lightweight formula emulsifies beautifully, gliding across your skin and gently removing makeup, even around delicate areas like the eyes.
“Oil cleansing for a few minutes every single night has taken my skin from good to great. When my pores are particularly clogged, I can physically feel the sebum and dirt coming out after rubbing a couple pumps of this gentle formula into my skin. It’s the only reason my facialists are always telling me there’s no need for extractions.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- Key ingredients: argan oil, jojoba oil, soybean oil
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive, dry, or acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Cleansing Balm: Dr.Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm
Why it’s worth it: Why dip your fingers into a pot of product when you can buy Dr.Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, which features one of our favorite dispensers, possibly ever? It twists up, “shaving” the balm into petal-like sheets, so you can easily keep track of how much you’re actually using. Design aside, our editors love that this sensitive-skin-friendly formula is soothing, thanks to madecassoside and Centella asiatica extract (cica).
Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann
“My main metric for cleansing balms are how easily they remove makeup (specifically eye makeup) and how soft my skin feels afterwards Dr. Althea’s Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm checks both of those boxes. The formula emulsifies so well and melts mascara, eyeliner, and the rest off like a total dream. My skin feels baby smooth and perfectly soft every time I use it. Plus, the grinder dispensing method means no searching for an applicator spoon and no dipping my hands into a pot of product (something I’ve always found semi-gross). Genius.”
- Key ingredients: madecassoside, Centella asiatica (cica) extract
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Foaming Cleanser: Etude House SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: Once you’ve used an oil-based cleanser to break down oil-based products, follow with a water-based formula, such as Etude House’s ultra-gentle SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser. The entire Soon Jung line is formulated to have a pH of 6.5, a touch more basic than our skin’s natural pH of 5.5. This prevents skin from feeling tight, stripped, or otherwise uncomfortable. Bonus: This fragrance-free, hypoallergenic foam also contains madecassoside (derived from cica) to repair skin damage and panthenol for deep hydration.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“This airy foam is so satisfying to use and I love how gentle it is—it is, after all, fragrance-free—especially after I’ve gone to town breaking down my makeup with a cleansing balm or oil. It’s a safe cleansing bet for anyone, especially sensitive skin.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: madecassoside, panthenol, green tea extract
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Gel Cleanser: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Face Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: For a cleanser that suits the needs of combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, you can’t go wrong with Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Face Cleanser. Tea tree oil and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) dive into pores, sweeping away pollutants, dirt, and oil for a deeper cleanse—ultimately, your skin will feel softer and smoother. Primrose oil balances exfoliation with hydration, so your skin is prepped for your subsequent products. And fear not about stripping your skin because this cleanser’s pH hovers around 5.3 to 6.3.
“I love using this cleanser on days when I’m wearing an all-out makeup look. My combination skin acculumates a lot of gunk in my T-zone so I appreciate something like this that will make sure every last inkling of makeup is gone and refresh my pores. I’m not the biggest fan of the medicinal-leaning scent but I can forgive that for something that’s being promptly washed off. It’s a long-standing favorite for a reason, a.k.a. a clean-as-heck face.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: tea tree oil, BHA, primrose
- Who it’s for: people with oily, acne-prone, and combination skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Powder Cleanser: Tirtir Hydro Boost Enzyme Powder Wash
Why it’s worth it: Enzymes exfoliate your skin by dissolving dead skin cells—but only on the surface level, so there’s less potential for irritation. Tirtir’s travel-friendly Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Powder, infused with enzymes, probiotics, and mild PHA, is a dry powder that activates when you wet it. Formulated as a true cleanser (not a face scrub), it foams into a milky cleanser with just a few drops of water. Rice extract and probiotics help keep your skin moisturized, and while it’s designed to clear buildup and refine pores, it does so with especially gentle ingredients that work for a wide range of skin types.
Tester feedback from Allure contributor Sarah Y. Wu
“I have combination skin that’s very dry and sensitive in my midface, but prone to excess oil and blackheads in my T-zone. I usually take a very targeted approach to exfoliants and make sure they only touch my T-zone to avoid irritating the rest of my face. But this cleanser is so gentle, I’ve found that it also works great as an allover face wash and exfoliant in one. Most powder cleansers I’ve used in the past turn into a sort of gritty paste texture when I wet them. Not this one! It transforms into a creamy, super smooth foam as soon as I add water. It doesn’t feel like a face scrub; instead, the powdered enzymes lightly exfoliate and clear my pores so that my face feels baby-soft when I rinse it off.” —Sarah Y. Wu, Allure contributor
- Key ingredients: rice extract, enzymes, probiotics, PHA, mung bean powder
- Who it’s for: normal, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hydrating Toner: I’m From Rice Toner
Why we love it: Sourced from the brown outer layer of rice, the star ingredient in I’m From Rice Toner (rice extract) provides long-lasting hydration and softens skin to pillowy-soft levels. Antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid protect against environmental damage and stabilize other ingredients, while adenosine supports skin repair and barrier health, and niacinamide perks up your complexion. All skin types can benefit from this ultra-lightweight toner, day and night.
“A hydrating toner or essence is a non-negotiable step of my daytime and nighttime routines. I’m From Rice Toner instantly plumps my skin, giving it a brighter, refreshed look and prepping it for the serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens to follow. Now that we’re in the office four days a week, I can’t be bothered to wear makeup every day—but at least my skin looks nice and glowy.”
- Key ingredients: rice extract, adenosine, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: everyone, especially those with sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Exfoliating Toner: Innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads
Why it’s worth it: Toner pads are ubiquitous in Korean skin care. They’re easy to use, pack a concentrated amount of actives, and can double as a sheet mask—what’s not to love? Innisfree’s Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads star, as you can guess, retinol and salicylic acid, to sweep away pore-clogging debris and even out texture. The key, however, is the green tea soothing complex, cica, and allantoin, which minimize irritation and strengthen your barrier. To put it simply, these swipe-and-go pads strike the ideal balance between exfoliation and hydration.
“I’ve been a fan of Innisfree’s Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Toner Pads for a while—they’re gentle yet brightening, and pair perfectly with my morning SPF routine. The K-beauty brand is well known for their sensitive skin-friendly formulas, so I knew the Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads wouldn’t freak out my skin. These retinol pads were (believe it or not) my first foray into retinol, and after two weeks of nightly use, I noticed my skin texture start to smooth out. Even though I don’t deal with breakouts, the combo of gentle retinol and salicylic acid made a visible difference in softer, more even skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: retinol, salicylic acid, green tea, cica, allantoin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: anyone who wants an gentle intro into retinol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Essence: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Why it’s worth it: A Korean beauty best-seller that’s all over your FYP and actually worth the hype it’s garnered? That’s Cosrx’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. This mega-hydrator is chock-full of, you guessed it, snail mucin to soothe blemishes, brighten acne scars, and even out hyperpigmentation. While the gooey stuff accounts for 96% of the formula, you’ll also find hyaluronic acid and allantoin to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, making it a great option if you’re after the glass-skin look.
“This is one of the first viral K-beauty products I tried all those (8ish?) years ago. While it fell off my radar for a while, I’ve been recently reminded how lovely and hydrating this formula is. The texture is so fun (and surprisingly not tacky seconds after applying) and it gives my skin lots of glow and bounce. I don’t deal with a lot of blemishes and acne scars (knock on wood) but this is a really a star in that realm, especially when coupled with acne-targeting serums.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, allantoin
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-Free: yes
Best Vitamin C Serum: Dr. Althea Vitamin C Boosting Serum
Why it’s worth it: Vitamin C has long been considered one of the gold-standard ingredients for brightening, as it decreases melanin formation, and subsequently, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Althea is a rising star in the K-beauty world, and no product encompasses that as well as the Vitamin C Boosting Serum. (Okay, fine, the 365 Relief Cream is super popular, too.) This silky serum harnesses the power of Hippophae rhamnoides water (63%), otherwise known as sea buckthorn, which is rich in vitamin C—and extra gentle, to boot. But, if you’re extremely weary of the active, Dr. Althea offers a Gentle Vitamin C Serum with 20% Hippophae rhamnoides water. Also in the mix is 2% tranexamic acid, which is another rockstar ingredient for fading dark spots. TL;DR: Brighter, more even-toned skin ahead.
“I surprisingly haven’t discovered many Korean vitamin C serums I like but Dr. Althea’s is the exception. A true gem. The silky texture sinks in seamlessly with no greasy residue and, equally important, the scent is actually fresh and pleasant. (I can’t deal with anything that smells like ‘hot dog water,’ period.) The packaging isn’t opaque, however, so please keep this bottle away from sunlight to prevent oxidation. (Mine sits safely in my bathroom mirror cabinet.) The main form of vitamin C is 63% hippophae rhamnoides water, a.k.a. sea buckthorn water, which I find to be super soothing. I can’t imagine my a.m. skin-care routine without it!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Hippophae rhamnoides water (63%), niacinamide (5%), tranexamic acid (2%), cica
- Who it’s for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hydrating Serum: Torriden Dive In Low-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why it’s worth it: Nothing makes a splash quite like Torriden’s popular Dive In Low-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which is as refreshing and hydrating as its name implies. It goes all-out with not one, not two, but five molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid—each of which can reach a different layer of skin to plump and smooth it from the inside out. Its watery texture doesn’t leave any residue, making it a seamless step ahead of moisturizer, not to mention great for layering with other serums.
“This isn’t any run-of-the-mill HA serum. No, it has a 5D Hyaluronic Acid Complex, which translates to five types of HA molecules that penetrate your skin at different levels for instant and long-lasting hydration. It’s a serum I’d recommend to just about anyone—the silky textures dries down almost immediately and my skin always feels bouncier with each application.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, witch hazel, madecassoside
- Who it’s for: dry and dehydrated skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Retinol Serum: Iope Retinol Super Bounce Serum
Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking to start retinol, the gold-standard ingredient for speeding skin cell turnover and boosting collagen production, but are worried about irritating side effects, we’ve got you. Despite the stacked retinoid lineup, Iope’s Retinol Super Bounce Serum—which is inspired by radio frequency treatments—is extremely gentle because it incorporates encapsulated, time-released retinol as well as granactive retinoid, which doesn’t need to undergo conversions, thus reducing irritation. Additionally, squalane, shea butter, cypress leaf, and lactobacillus ferment lysate act as buffers against irritation and flaking, helping to strengthen your barrier. The result is a dream for people who want to guard their skin against signs of aging.
This serum has been through 10 iterations since its conception almost three decades ago, so you know it’s been thoroughly tested and perfected. (Korean brands, if you didn’t already know, are always reformulating and improving formulas based on the latest technologies.)
- Key ingredients: pure retinol, encapsulated retinol, granactive retinoid, bio-selentoid, lacobacillus ferment lysate, shea butter, squalane, cypress leaf
- Who it’s for: anyone (in their late 20s or higher) concerned with signs of aging
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Post-Procedure Serum: Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule
Why it’s worth it: Forget plant stem cells. The primary active ingredient in Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule is a growth factor derived from wild salmon, says Julie Chung, MD, cofounder of T3 Micro and board-certified ophthalmologist at Advanced Vision Care in Los Angeles, California, who notes that it’s all the rage in Korea right now. “It can be injected into the skin, but is also thought to be effective topically. It increases skin elasticity, decreases wrinkles, and improves hydration,” Dr. Chung says. “I’ve been using this product for about three weeks now and do feel that my skin is now quite supple—but time will tell if it actually makes my face look more lifted!”
It can be used after laser resurfacing and chemical peels to speed up your recovery and reduce scarring.
- Key ingredients: blackberry leaf extract, licorice extract, adenosine
- Who it’s for: anyone who wants to address multiple concerns.
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Ampoule: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule
Why it’s worth it: Skin1004 brings the powers of Centella asiatica straight from the island of Madagascar to your skin-care routine. The Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule is packed with soothing cica to calm and repair your skin, plus probiotics to strengthen your barrier, ceramides to drench your skin in hydration, and peptides to keep things firm and bouncy. It’s lightweight, fast-absorbing, and perfect for tackling redness, dryness, dullness, and acne, as contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai attests below.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“This soothed my breakout-prone skin and even seemed to take down the redness of an active zit. After applying this before bed, I woke up to brighter, clearer skin.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, ceramides
- Who it’s for: people with sensitive or acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Wash: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Body Cleanser
Why it’s worth it: This isn’t just any body wash—Some By Mi’s AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser is formulated with salicylic, mandelic, and citric acids to unclog pores and smooth uneven texture—ideal for anyone who deals with annoying body acne. While it sounds harsh, given the trifecta of acids involved, it’s surprisingly gentle—a calming trio of tea tree extract, eucalyptus, and truecica minimizes irritation. The same ingredients lend themselves to a refreshing, spa-like herbal scent. To sum it up, this is a necessary addition to your everything shower.
- Key ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, Truecica, Houttuynia cordata extract
- Who it’s for: people with acne
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Body Lotion: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
Why it’s worth it: If Illiyon isn’t already on your radar, allow this all-purpose formula to be your introduction to one of Korea’s top body-care brands. The Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream provides even the most sensitive skin with moisture and irritation relief. The decadent nourishing cream contains barrier-repairing ceramides to help keep your skin feeling hydrated all day long, says board-certified dermatologist Yunyoung Claire Chang, MD. “As we mature, our skin’s ceramide level decreases, so it’s important to replace this [loss] with ceramide-containing skin-care products,” she adds. We also love how you can choose from several sizes, including a travel-friendly tube and a hefty tub.
Tester feedback from contributor Devon Abelman
“My legs are a hot spot for eczema, so I have to be extremely careful about the body-care products I use or I will be up all night scratching at my skin. Illiyoon’s Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream is a no-brainer with its fragrance-free formula that blankets skin in comforting moisture and never annoyingly transfers onto clothes.” —Devon Abelman, contributor
- Key ingredients: ceramides, ginseng root water, soybean oil
- Who it’s for: everyone, even those with sensitive and reactive skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Why it’s worth it: An intensely soothing formula that’s perfect for sensitive skin, Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is powered by a blend of inflammation-fighting tiger grass, oat kernel extract, and comfrey leaf. It provides an instant burst of coolness upon application, but the benefits of skin-plumping glycerin and squalane last for the entire day. This gel-like cream feels like a refreshing drink that skin slurps up, making it great for year-round use, but especially during warmer weather. “During the summer, The True Cream Aqua Bomb’s consistency is a hydrating, lightweight dream come true,” reports one tester. “The gel-like formula absorbs in seconds, leaving skin feeling instantly refreshed.”
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“Belif’s Aqua Bomb gives me the experience of drinking ice-cold water after being outside in the hot sun—it truly breathes life and hydration into my skin instantly! I love the light and airy texture, like a cloud absorbing into my cheeks. It preps my skin incredibly well for makeup or to wear naturally.”—Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
- Key ingredients: plantin, ceramides, shea butter
- Who it’s for: those with combination or oily skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream
Sulwhasoo
Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream
Why it’s worth it: Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream contains a proprietary Ginsenomics blend, which features ginseng in the form of saponin, peptides, roots, and flowers to visibly hydrate and lift skin. For the unfamiliar, ginseng is a do-it-all ingredient that addresses fine lines and wrinkles by boosting circulation, which then ramps up collagen synthesis, leading to firmer, plumper skin. Ginseng also guards your skin against environmental stressors like free radicals that could lead to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as dark spot-causing pollutants, as explained by New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD.
Ginseng’s gentle profile makes it a great option for beneath the eyes. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, says that Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream is ideal for anyone who needs extra hydration around their eye area.
- Key ingredients: ginseng peptides, squalane, Korean ginseng actives, vitamin C derivative
- Who it’s for: mature or very dry skin
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Retinol Eye Cream: Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal
Why it’s worth it: One of the buzziest K-beauty products, full-stop, is Beauty of Joseon’s Revive Eye Cream Ginseng + Retinal, whose fans include board-certified dermatologist Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Jersey, and cosmetic chemist Ramón Pagán. “I love the ultra-nourishing and soothing formula with the added (gentle) kick of retinal,” Pagán tells Allure. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginseng help minimize puffiness, while liposome-encapsulated (and therefore stabilized) retinal brightens and smooths. According to Dr. Koh, retinal “only requires a one-step conversion to the active form of retinoic acid, unlike retinol, which requires a two-step conversion.” In other words, it’s more effective and less irritating than your traditional retinol.
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