If you are even remotely interested or in the beauty hemisphere, it’s likely that you would have noticed the buzz around Korean beauty over the past few years. Thanks to an overall commitment to pure hydration and an approach that respects the integrity of skin barrier (hello double cleansing!) K-beauty brands have made a name for themselves as go-tos for glowing, dewy skin. In fact, no matter your skin concern, you’ll be sure to find a K-beauty option that works for you.
From brands like Cosrx all the way to beauty’s skincare darling Dr. Jart+, across the K-beauty space you can expect a few recurring themes: Gentle yet effective ingredients, innovative formulas and accessible price points. A trio that gets my, as well as many other's, approval, I'm sure.
Allison's glowy skin is what I'm aiming for!
Eager to begin your K-beauty exploration but prefer brick-and-mortar beauty? Then thankfully shops like Tonic15 and Pure Soul are havens for all things K-beauty. And for those of us that love an online beauty scroll, the online retailer Skin Library has it covered.
But knowing which brands, and then even what products from said brands, are worth it, can be tricky. So, I've done the hard work for you. Scroll for some of the best Korean beauty brands you can buy from right now, as well as my favourite products from each.
Monikh is all over the skincare revolution.
1.Laneige
Don’t let the Parisian name fool you, Laneige—which means "fresh snow” in French—was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 1994 by Korean beauty heavyweight Amorepacific and is one of the most notable K-beauty brands you can shop right now.
Although, thanks to TikTok, the brand has become best known for their iconic sleeping lip mask, you can still rely on them for hydrating face moisturisers, brightening toners, essences, and more.
The Cult Buy:
Show of hands, who wouldn't want super moisturised lips? Well this nourishing sleeping lip mask (that can be used both in the AM and PM) uses a blend of vitamin C, exfoliating fruit complex and a hint of coconut oil to leave you with your best lips yet. I've got one in every bag.
Branching out from a cult beauty buy and into the brand's other offerings can sometimes end in disappointment, but thankfully I can testify that this ultra-light moisture with its silky (thanks to an injection of Hyralonic) feel and sleek packaging was worth the risk.
2.Cosrx
Cosrx (which stands for Cosmetics + Rx) is a true labour of K-beauty love as although first developed in 2002, the brand only officially launched in 2013. Since then Cosrx has gone on to create ranges best known for their simplified packaging and demystified ingredient lists that help you get to the root of all skincare concerns. Oh, and they’re the minds behind the uber-viral snail mucin essence...
The Cult Buy:
Yes, it really is the excretion from the snail. However, initial apprehensions aside, this product is packed filled with properties like glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, all of which have long-documented benefits for the skin. This might just be the key to dewy glory...
Pimple patches may now come in all sorts of colours and styles but Cosrx's has innovated the space even further with different sized patches; Perfect for those awkwardly placed hormonal breakouts around your lip or chin.
3.Beplain
"This brand has formulated stress-free skincare which helps to target varying skin concerns without harming the planet," explains Abiola Renee, cosmetic scientist and founder of online K-beauty retailer Skin Library. The aptly named platform specialises in curating a wide range of the best beauty products from South Korea via team of ‘librarians’ have devoted themselves to curating the best skincare products, ensuring that everyone can attain the best version of their skin - making Renee’s take on k-beauty one to note.
Speaking of the brand, Renee says "it is really a skincare option that was made for anyone, anywhere. Regardless of your age and gender it has the added plus of having eco-friendly packaging right down to it's easy to remove labels which makes recycling process so straightforward".
The Cult Buy:
"Although the use of Ampoule is only just growing over here in the UK, this is by far one of our best K-beauty bestsellers," says Renee.
"From the range, I love the Beplain Chamomile Ph Balanced Toner for it's a deeply hydrating formula that allows you to press reset and balance the pH of your skin" Which for reference should sit at around pH of 5.5.
4.Axis-Y
"As a solutions-based Korean skincare brand made to provide solutions to climate-based problems, Axis-Y is all about effectiveness," says Renee. "I particularly love, their 6+1+1 line which combats oily and acne-prone skin in humid climates" she goes on to say. Axis-Y products are also both Vegan and Halal.
The Cult Buy:
Dark spots and hyperpigmentation can often have a negative effect on skin self esteem. If you can relate, try rotating in this correcting serum packed with ingredients like Niacinamide, that work to even out darker areas leaving only radiant glowing skin in their wake.
This nourishing gel mask is enriched with Heartleaf Extract, a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia that has been shown to protect skin against damaging UV radiation -for best result try using 2-3 times a week.
5.Acwell
"Acwell is another great all-rounder" explains Renee. "Both for its hypoallergenic natural ingredients, including wildcards like Liquorice, formulations and the brand's ability to create functional skincare to target varying skincare". The brand's formulations are perfect for all skin concerns and types, including sensitive skin.
The Cult Buy:
Cleansers are a foundational part of skincare so it makes sense to invest in a soothing option like this one from Acwell, to both start and end the day.
Eye creams although far from always necessary in a basic skin health routine - are a great way to make sure that one of the delicate (and thinnest) parts of your face is well-nourished and radiant. In this formulation it's Licorice extract that works to soothe any redness from any late nights.
6.Dr Jart
Before K-beauty became the duchess of dewyness across the beauty industry, it’s likely that you would already be familiar with Dr Jart+. Thanks to the brand's commitment to bridging the gap between art and dermatological science—the name that it means Doctors Joins Art—the ranges have become famous for innovative delivery systems that give you the very best of Korean skincare.The Cryo Rubber Mask or the viral Tigergrass colour correcting system that had everyone talking are tow of the best-known and loved products.
The Cult Buy:
Although viral products often get a bad rep for being a little so so this is the product - when used as directed- for banishing any signs of redness and roseca.
Skincare shouldn't feel like a tedious chore, but if you are ever in want of a fun switch up- this rubber - yes rubber - mask from Dr Jart is sure to be an injection of joy.
Up Next: Trust Us—These Are the 12 Skincare Brands That You Can Always Rely On
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