There are so many K-beauty skin care products in the market that its hard to know which one to choose when you want to try something new. So, we have compiled beauty bloggers’ and vloggers’ favorite K-beauty products in all the categories that are a part of a 10-step Korean skin care routine.
Best K-beauty SPF
MISSHA All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk
It is the favorite SPF of YouTuber Lily Hong (more popularly known as Hautedoll). Missha is quite popular in Korea, unlike Stateside. She says, “It isn’t sticky like typical sunblocks and doesn’t feel greasy, either (and so far, hasn’t broken me out). It’s perfect as the first step to prep your skin before foundation application, as it’s moisturizing as well.”
PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+
Strategist writer, Rio Viera-Newton, is a fan of PURITO Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+. According to her, it is intensely moisturizing without being too greasy. Its calming, soothing, and protective effects make her recommend the SPF to anyone with sensitive skin or has experienced breakouts because of SPF. The K-beauty SPF actively improves the skin. Rio says, “After a few uses, I noticed that some errant redness I’d had on my chin had subsided, and my skin looked glowy, hydrated, and supple.”
Best K-beauty moisturizers
Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
For K-beauty blogger and reviewer Cat of Snow White and the Asian Pear, it is one of the favorites. She says, “Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream was one of my first K-beauty loves, and has remained a staple in my skin-care stash ever since.” It is a simple product that soothes skin and speeds up the healing of any breakouts. “It’s lightweight enough to use in the heat of summer and works wonders on accidental sunburns. If my skin is irritated and won’t tolerate anything else, this is the product I reach for.”
Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream
Charlotte Cho, the founder of Soko Glam, recommends this cream if you are looking for a lighter, gel-like moisturizer. Coming from her own brand, Then I Met You, it contains three peptides that help in improving the skin texture and work on stimulating collagen production. Ceramides in the formulation help in the protection of the skin’s natural barrier.
Best K-beauty masks
Papa Recipe Rose Gold Honey Masks
K-beauty blogger Tracey E. Robey of Fanserviced-b likes these masks from Papa Recipe. They are an excellent option for a budget buy when you want to try out something new. “I bust these out after cleansing when my skin is feeling dry and irritated — or when I just want to relax,” she says. “The sheet material is super-flexible, and the hydrating, fairly thin essence smells like honey and slowly sinks in to plump up fine lines, takes care of dry flakes, and gives a great glow.”
E-nature Skin Pot Sleeping Pack
Cho is a fan of this mask from K-beauty brand E-Nature. It’s a sleeping mask that is designed to do all the hard work while you sleep. It contains hemp seed oil, which helps in soothing inflammation and improving the texture of the skin. Fatty acids in the formulation help in protecting against any free radical damage. Cho says that it works on all skin types.
Best K-beauty serums and ampoules
CNP Laboratory Propolis Energy Ampule
Robey from Fanserviced-b likes this ampoule (ultra-concentrated serum) from the K-beauty science-focused brand CNP Laboratory. It is relatively unknown in the US but gaining popularity because of its excellent product range. The main ingredient in the ampoule is propolis extract, a resin-like mixture that bees produce for the upkeep of the hive. She says, “A few drops will soften even the scaliest skin overnight. And when I want wildly glowy, K-drama-actress skin, I mix a few drops into my facial cream.”
Best K-beauty essences
Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence
For YouTuber Morgan Stewart, essences are essential to her skin care routine, and Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence is an all-time favorite. “It’s a watery product that goes on after you cleanse and tone your skin,” she says. The essence contains fermented ingredients that are responsible for keeping the skin smooth, hydrated, and bright. They also help with anti-aging and repairing damage.
Best K-beauty exfoliators
Unpa Charming Charcoal Black Gommage
Charlotte Cho recommends this gentle exfoliator from K-beauty brand Unpa. It uses charcoal to peel away dead skin cells and smoothen the skin gently. Vitamin B5 in the formulation helps in keeping the skin hydrated and protecting the natural skin barrier. Other ingredients like ginseng root and Baikal skullcap root extract help in soothing and hyperpigmentation, respectively.
By Wish Mandelic Acid 5%
Beauty blogger Eunice Cho says, “One of the secrets to healthy skin is using a darn good exfoliator.” By Wish Mandelic Acid 5% is an AHA based super mild exfoliator. Cho says, “All skin types, including sensitive skin folks like me, can use it. It helps to exfoliate skin mildly while not stripping away the moisture from the skin. I use it two to three times a week after applying my toner.”
Best K-beauty toners
Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner is a favorite K-beauty toner of Mizu Chan from Marvelika Life. It contains salicylic acid, which is a popular ingredient for tackling acne and pimples. “The toner is really hydrating. And it doesn’t make my face sting, like a lot of other popular toners,” she says.
Best K-beauty cleansers
Banila & Co Clean It Zero Cleanser
A cult-favorite cleanser is also a cleanser of choice for vlogger Michelle Choi. She loves using this cleansing balm to no only remove the makeup but also to cleanse the pores. She says, “I tend to produce a lot of sebum around my nose, and I can see some darkening from it being oxidized. The balm does a great job of melting down all the oil and dirt stuck in the pores and keeps them clean.”
Troiareuke Oil Cut Cleansing
Elisa Lee, K-beauty blogger and founder of cruelty-free K-beauty store Dot Dot Skin, loves the cleanser from Troiareuke. She uses the cleanser while traveling and recommends it to people with sensitive and acne-prone skin. “This is an oil-free all-in-one cleanser. I don’t need to double cleanse when using this; it removes all my waterproof makeup and dirt in one go while leaving my skin hydrated.” The cleanser contains aloe vera juice, portulaca extracts, and papaya extracts that work together to keep the skin calm and moisturized.
Are you a fan of any of these K-beauty products? Are you looking forward to trying out something new? Let us know in the comments below!