Beauty / Favourites

21 of the best Korean beauty brands to have on your radar

We have Korea to thank for many things; K-pop and our undeniable adoration for all four members of BLACKPINK to name a couple. But running the game in fashion, food and lifestyle aside, if there is one area we are truly excited about here its Korean beauty. Over the past few years, K-beauty has become a mainstay in our bathroom shelves. Cult brands like Laneige are constantly recommended by your favourite beauty influencers. In fact, as soon as its life-changing lip sleeping mask range went viral on TikTok, we knew the label wasn't going anywhere soon.

As many of the industry founders will tell you, Korean beauty has always been about quality first, and making their ingredients more accessible worldwide. Very much a skin-first ethos, the now billion-dollar industry is all about about utilising skin-loving, inflammation-reducing ingredients like niacinamide, yuzu, birch, ginseng and much more.

Natural extracts from plants and animals, like snail mucin, continue to dominate the Korean beauty market space and have done for many years, thanks for their ability to give glass skin-like results. One thing is for sure, treating irritated skin, improving blood circulation to removing dead cells, using K-products in a daily skincare routine will undeniably help yield the best results.

With all that said, we've compiled a list of all the best of the Korean beauty favourites to consider adding to your cart. No need for any shipping fee.

 

1. Sulwhasoo

Pronounced “Suhl-ha-soo," this skincare brand was founded on the philosophy of balance. Utilising Korea's finest natural ingredients, Sulwhasoo is one of the best selling Korean brands on the market. In keeping with the brands holistic approach, you won't find any nasties or overpowering scents.

Fan-favourite product: The First Care Activating Serum VI, for plump, hydrated skin with every application.

 

2. Laneige

 

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Not for nothing, this cult favourite brand has most of beauty TikTok in a chokehold. The aforementioned lip mask is one of the highest selling on the market for a reason. But it doesn't stop there, its serums laden with goodies like niacinamide are genuine skin savers.

Fan-favourite product: Have you really tried Laneige if you haven't dipped into one of their Lip Sleeping Masks?

 

3. Peach and Lily

 

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Founded by Alicia Yoon, the brand has been going from strength to strength since its launch in 2021. Recently, they've grown their offering to include skincare-infused makeup, beginning with the Glass Skin Luminizing Stick. Yes please.

Fan-favourite product: The Brightening Vitamin C is a stand out, helping aid persistent dark spots and sun damage.

 

4. Tamburins

There's still skin on our hands and lips. Tamburins is responsible for elevating the fragrance, balm and lotion game in Seoul and beyond. It's also incredibly chic (and beloved by one Jennie Kim).

Fan-favourite product: We stan the Egg Lip Balm, purely for the futuristic packaging (it also works incredibly well).

 

5. Glow Recipe

 

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After working together for L’Oreal, Christine Chang and Sarah Lee founded the fruit-infused brand in 2017. What started as a Korean skincare market place has evolved into what is now referred to as Glow Recipe, which each product highlighting the benefits of a singular fruit.

Fan-favourite product: The Watermelon Glow Drops have a cult following, and for good reason.

 

6. Innisfree

What can we say? Any brand inspired by a Yeats poem can only be poetry in motion for us. Innisfree is a holistic skincare brand, using the natural ingredients found on Jeju island to enhance skin in the cleanest way possible. With an array of moisturisers, clay masks and serums, they truly have everything covered.

Fan-favourite product: If it's seriously hydrated skin you're after, look no further than the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Cream.

 

7. Some By Mi

 

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There are not enough hours in the day to praise this brand. Using a truly innovative array of natural ingredients, the AHA serum is certifiably insane for how rebalancing it is; evening out the skin and giving it an extra boost of hydration.

Fan-favourite product: Worth it to the last drop, the Matcha Pore Tightening Serum ranks very high on our list,.

 

8. Dr. Jart+

Since it was founded in 2004, Dr. Jart+ has fostered a prolific presence in the land of beauty. The name is an abbreviation of "doctor joins art," which captures the way the brand aims to marry dermatological science and art. If you're looking to ease your way into its product range, we suggest starting with one of the popular Rubber masks, before proceeding onto its Cicapair line infused with soothing tiger grass.

Fan-favourite product: The brand's BB Cream marries skincare and makeup, cleverly injected with niacinamide and SPF.

 

9. Saturday Skin

 

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As its name suggests, Saturday Skin's philosophy is all about the relaxed, stress-free pace of the weekend. Every product works hard, so you can take the day off.

Fan-favourite product: Formulated with seven potent peptides, we're big fans of the Waterfall Glacier Water Cream and its affordable price point.

 

10. Then I Met You

 

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The brainchild of Soko Glam co-founder, Charlotte Cho, Then I Met You was born in 2018 and is loosely based around the Korean concept of jeong which, put simply is the rapport, affection and attachment born between two people or a community. The range is small and carefully curated with hero ingredients like persimmon, ginseng, and fermented rice.

Fan-favourite product: The Living Cleansing Balm is worth trying for a deep, nourishing clean.

 

11. Beauty of Joseon

As is a common theme in K-beauty, Beauty of Joseon operates on the belief that skin-healing is achieved through application of traditional herbal ingredients and plants. The serums are a crowd favourite and the Dynasty Cream is a holy grail product for a close friend, who has replenished her stock four times.

Fan-favourite product: We're eyeing off the newly-introduced Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen, the brand's first 100% mineral tinted sunscreen  that hydrates and conceals as it protects.

 

12. Abib

 

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Abib stands for "the first month", a sentiment that strives towards pure cosmetics from the very foundation of your skincare regimen. With external pollutants and general wear and tear, Abib aims to return the skin cycle back to its prime, natural complexion. It's minimalist, thoughtfully-designed packaging is a drawcard, and the high-efficacy products are enough to keep you refilling, time after time.

Fan-favourite product: We have to give a shout out to the viral Quick Sunstick Protection Bar.

 

13. Isntree

 

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The brainchild of skin-blogger turned entrepreneur, Jinwoo Kim, Isntree looks to science to formulate products that centre pure and clean ingredients. With eco-friendly packaging and a focus on green ingredients, Isntree products are designed for all skin types, especially the more sensitive among us.

Fan-favourite: Customers love the Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser, which gently cleanses while maintaining skin’s hydration level.

 

14. Klairs

 

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An affordable brand with high-quality formulations, Klairs is loved by dermatologists and refuses to test on animals. Founded in 2010, Klairs originally set out to create thoughtful products for people with sensitive skin. All these years later its skin-soothing qualities have hit cult status.

Fan-favourite product: The Supple Preparation Unscented Toner is intensely hydrating, sans any irritants.

 

15. Belif

 

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Favouring anti-inflammatory naturally-derived ingredients, Belif finds its way on the yearly lists of beauty favourites for good reason.

Fan-favourite product: Say goodbye to puffiness with the Aqua Bomb Eye Gel and its concoction of caffeine, hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, and Vitamin C.

 

16. Cosrx

 

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COSRX Snail Mucin Essence. Famed for its use of snail secretion to repair and hydrate skin, all products provide the skin with a wonderful glow and bounciness. Apart from calming and relaxing the skin, it's also an excellent form of hydration. Check out the sunscreen collection when you have another moment.

Fan-favourite product: The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is an easy winner.

 

17. Banila Co 

A Korean beauty brand that's amassed a cult-like following, Banila Co. has revolutionised the art of the cleaning balm. After all, the first step to good application of make up is good skin. Equal parts smoothening oil and cleansing balm, there's a 3-for-1 purpose in a singular disc.

Fan-favourite product: Hands down, the Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm.

 

18. I'm From

Transparency, honesty, and a Korean philosophy of minimalism, these are all touchpoints of skincare brand I'm From. The Honey Mask and Ginseng Toner are sell-outs, and for good reason. Fine line reductions and rejuvenation, we're all about.

Fan-favourite product: The I’m From Rice Mask buffs away dead skin to reveal softer, supple skin.

 

19. Amore Pacific 

AMORE PACIFIC wants 'to send its love out to the West'. Antioxidant rich, most of the skincare line draws from green tea extracts with a native botanical focus. The extracts are sourced singularly from plants in private gardens of the brand's. Signed, sealed and delivered.

Fan-favourite product: When winter rolls around, lather us in the Time Response Skin Reserve Intensive Cream, please.

 

20.  Skin1004

Skin1004 is bursting with 100 % Centella Asiatica Extract, offering intense hydration and complexion-toning for dark spots. Perfect for sensitive skin, the brand is a pioneer of mild skincare.

Fan-favourite product: Get a pack of their Zombie beauty masks and thank us later.

 

21. A'Pieu

With a focus on calming balms, toners and Mulberry extracts in their range of skincare, A'Pieu is the latest in the game revolutionising Korean skincare. Masks, sunscreen, lipbalms and tinted SPF foundations are all enhanced with their top-tier list of natural ingredients.

Fan-favourite product: The Honey & Milk Lip Oil is basically supple lips in a bottle.

 

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Featured products are selected editorially. Our opinions are our own. Occasionally, we may receive a standard affiliate partner fee if you make a purchase using the links we feature.