The 11 Best Korean Skincare Products to Try Now, According to Experts (2024)

No routine is complete without sun protection. This popular K-Beauty formula has thousands of rave reviews from shoppers for its fast-absorbing, light-as-air texture—and Cho can vouch for the hype. "I love how lightweight and truly 'airy' it feels on the skin," she says. Its chemical formula offers SPF 50 protection from UV rays and is infused with plant extracts, like aloe, hibiscus, and avocado, to calm and nourish skin.

One satisfied customer writes: "This is my 5th bottle and I recommend to my friends as well. It’s the perfect sunscreen. Best protection, wonderful moisturizer, zero white cast." —Marcella

Looking to quickly shrink zits down to size? Tack on one of CosRx's handy pimple patches to set it and forget it. Not only will these waterproof hydrocolloid dressings guard against pimple picking, but they also create a sterile environment that keeps out bacteria and speeds up their healing process.

This beauty writer prefers using a few of these patches to minimize pimples that randomly pop up on my chin. And on top of their ability to absorb excess oil, I appreciate that each sheet comes with patches in a range of sizes to accommodate my needs.

One satisfied customer writes: "These are simply the best. They are effective, stay on even through water and sweat—and one of the most translucent! By the morning you can see how much was pulled from the blemishes." —sherylnyc

A suitable choice for all skin types, this coveted eye cream from Acwell is packed with peptides and antioxidants to address signs of aging. It also uses caffeine to deflate under-eye bags and lingering puffiness.

"Licorice is my favorite natural brightener, so having it be the main ingredient in this creamy eye cream has given me great brightening and hydrating results for my sensitive eye area," Cho says.

One satisfied customer writes: "I have been using this for about a year now and have definitely noticed some brightening under the eye. Also the skin appears smoother and moisturized. Would recommend." —Jole

Board-certified dermatologist David Kim says this gentle moisturizer pick is a great option for those with dry or eczematous skin, especially in fall and winter. "It's a simple formula packed with ceramide and fatty acids, and the texture is amazing—it just melts on your skin," he explains.

One satisfied customer writes: "I absolutely love this moisturizer for my sensitive skin, acne-prone skin! It's not too heavy and leaves my skin so soft and moisturized. The texture is very creamy, but spreads so easily on the skin without that greasy feeling!" —Alanis

Dry, flaky lips are no match for this highly popular and fast-acting lip mask. Available in several delectable scents (including gummy bear!), the mask deeply hydrates dry lips with its blend of coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter. It also features a blend of antioxidants to protect against environmental aggressors and nicely includes a mini spatula for mess-free application.

One satisfied customer writes: "This lip mask provides immediate hydration and makes my lips feel so much softer and smoother! I actually use it both during day (as a lip balm) and at night as well. If you have dry, flaky lips this is the one you definitely need. So glad I got this during the Prime day deal and can't wait to try the other flavors!" —LR

If you're looking for an exfoliator that tackles clogged pores and dullness, Charlotte Cho points to Then I Met You's Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask. "I use this for 10 minutes a week, once a week, and it gets me softer skin and reduced pores," she explains.

The wash-off mask is formulated with a six percent AHA blend of glycolic and lactic acids, plus a BHA rose complex, that sloughs off dead skin cells, smooths uneven texture, and boosts overall radiance in minutes.

One satisfied customer writes: "It does tingle when you put it on, but it leaves my skin so soft and refreshed! My pores look so much better after I use the mask. Just overall it leaves my skin looking so much better and fresh." —Christine K.

If you're not already using an essence in your K-Beauty routine, Alicia Yoon, esthetician and the founder and CEO of Peach & Lily, suggests adding this one from Beauty of Joseon to boost your skin's hydration levels. "When skin is well hydrated, so many other skin issues can be improved," she says. The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water combines ginseng water and niacinamide to balance oil production and tighten pores in one easy step.

One satisfied customer writes: "Love the whole range. My skin is glowing and never been smoother." —Prasan

Packaged in a convenient and resealable pouch, this creamy, rinse-off face mask is another K-Beauty favorite of Kim's. He notes that using it just once a week can "keep your skin hydrated and supple." Its star ingredient is rice bran extract that helps soothe and moisturize your. Fans of the formula claim it leaves their skin looking smoother, softer, and refreshed.

One satisfied customer writes: "The best moisturizing and purifying mask I have ever used. So grateful for this" —Fanni M

While the total number of steps in a Korean skincare routine can vary, Yoon says the first step typically involves using an oil-based cleanser. This one from Peach & Lily, "Massages easily over skin and effortlessly melts oil-based impurities away with zero residue and grease without clogging pores or causing breakouts," she adds.

One satisfied customer writes: "I’ve used a lot of oil cleansers and this one is my absolute favorite. Nice thick texture but not sticky or overwhelming. Goes on so smooth and lightweight!" —Samantha

Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo is well-known for its signature use of ginseng, which is found in this beloved serum from the brand. Yoon also gives this essential her stamp of approval, noting that the serum "brings instant vitality and glow to the skin." Its formula has a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that supports the skin barrier and quickly boosts hydration.

One satisfied customer writes: "This is my little secret in my skincare routine. When I use this consistently for a few days my skin is softer and looks brighter. I use it directly after washing and it feels like it helps everything else I layer over it to work better." —Libby G.

• Alicia Yoon is an esthetician and the founder and CEO of Peach & Lily.
• Charlotte Cho is an esthetician, co-founder of Soko Glam, and skincare brand, Then I Met You.
• David Kim, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City and the founder of Lightsaver.
• Caroline Choi is the founder and CEO of Mizz Korea.

It's easy to become overwhelmed by product options if you've never shopped for Korean skincare before, In fact, according to Yoon, there are over 20,000 verified Korean skincare brands to choose from.

"Narrowing down what Korean skincare product is right for you is much like approaching any other skincare decision," she says. "Start with your skin type, your specific skin priority, and keep track of what ingredients work well for you and which don't."

A classic Korean skincare routine is often described as having 10 steps, but that's not a hard-and-fast rule. "Korean beauty routines can range in the number of steps, but the hallmark of a Korean beauty routine is centered on being gentle, delivering ample hydration, and personalizing a skincare routine," Yoon continues.

If you do want to follow all 10 steps, Yoon says they typically follow the order below.

1. Oil-based cleanser
2. Water-based cleanser
3. Exfoliator
4. Toner
5. Essence
6. Serums/Ampoules
7. Eye cream
8. Moisturizer
9. SPF
10. Masks (weekly bonus product)

Instead of following every buzzy K-Beauty trend, Kim recommends shopping for products that cater to your specific skin type and concerns. "You can make your skin worse by trying products for the sake of following trends," he says.

And just because a product is gaining traction on social media, doesn't mean it's the best formula out there. "Keep in mind that not everything that is the most hyped up on TikTok is necessarily the best product for your unique skin needs," says Yoon. "A tiny fraction of a fraction of Korean beauty products are TikTok-famous—and many of the most loved products are not discussed much on TikTok." Instead, Yoon recommends browsing reputable Korean skincare shopping sites and reading non-incentivized reviews that detail others' experiences with the formula.

Another important factor to consider? Cost doesn't necessarily equal value or efficacy. "When it comes to shopping for Korean beauty products, it’s important to keep in mind that the most expensive isn’t always the best," Caroline Choi, founder and CEO of skincare brand Mizz Korea explains. "There can be companies that spend so much money on glass bottles and branding that it eats into the cost of the consumer without necessarily delivering the most effective product."

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