These Are the 19 Best Korean Skincare Products We've Tried

If you can think back to the first Korean skincare product you’ve ever tried, what was it? For me, it was an overnight sleeping mask—scroll down to find out which one (hint: it’s best overall)—and it changed the way I viewed and treated my skin.

“The world of Korean skincare brings a lot of awareness and excitement when it comes to caring for your skin,” says Marisa Garshick, MD a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. “It also offers exposure to a variety of ingredients that can give you a glowing complexion.”

The K-beauty market also gave us some of our most popular trends of all time, including sheet masks, BB cream, the 10-step routine, and more. But, like all skincare, regimens and products should be tailored to each person. “What works [for] one may not work for others, so when building a skincare step-by-step routine, it’s important to introduce new products slowly to your skin,” says Garshick.

And when it comes to the best Korean skincare products on the market, we’ve rounded them up right here.

Courtesy of Laneige

What We Like

Quick results
Non-greasy
Cooling

With a cooling gel texture, this light overnight mask is just what’s needed after a long day. As the last step in your nighttime skincare routine, your skin will quickly drink it up before bed. Plus, the formula will deliver major moisture all throughout the night.

What Our Testers Say

“I felt a sense of relief. I had finally found a product that hydrated my dry skin and fought against potential breakouts.” — Celeste Polanco, Product Tester

Courtesy of Primera

Right after you cleanse, swipe on this super potent formula to prep your skin and allow it to absorb the serums and creams that follow. Reviewers find that it’s hydrating immediately after use and brightening over time.

Price at time of publish: $47

Courtesy of Soko Glam

This gentle cleansing water is a cult favorite—and not just because of its chic, minimal packaging. It’s laced with papaya extract and hazel water meant to help brighten and smooth your skin. Use it all throughout the day whenever your skin needs a quick refresh.

Price at time of publish: $25

Ulta Beauty

What We Like

Cooling
Lightweight
Non-greasy

Described as a gel-cream, users report that the texture feels more like a plush serum. And all you need is a small amount to hydrate your entire face.

Price at time of publish: $38

What Our Testers Say

“Belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb definitely delivers on the promise of a hydration burst. It glides onto the skin, melts in quickly, and has a cool, gel-cream finish. It’s bouncy but not sticky, and works really well under makeup.” — Emily Algar, Product Tester

Courtesy of Cosco

What We Like

Non-greasy
Reduces redness
Travel-friendly

This handy, bright tube is easy to tote around, and the formula inside helps to target redness, sensitivity, and dryness. Reviewers also find that while it’s ultra moisturizing, it doesn’t leave a heavy, greasy residue behind.

Price of time of publish: $36

Courtesy of Sephora

What We Like

Quick results
Smells good
Absorbs quickly

This formula, with star tightening ingredient red ginseng, works to strengthen and firm the delicate skin around the eyes while reducing puffiness. Pro tip: Stick your eye cream in the fridge overnight to help de-bloat a puffy face.

Courtesy of Ulta

Get a double cleanse in one product. Apply this rose-infused oil all over dry skin, then add water to transform the formula into a foam that effectively cleanses away impurities.

Active Ingredients: Damask rose oil, soapberry extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 5.9 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Then I Met You

What We Like

Removes tough makeup
Smells good
Softens skin

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and oil often found in anti-oxidant blend topicals or moisturizers. It also helps soothe the skin and protects the lipid barrier.

What starts off as a balm quickly turns into an oil as you massage it into your skin. The thick and powerful formula—with ingredients like vitamin E and olive oil—melts makeup and debris. Add warm water to emulsify the product and wash off.

Price at time of publish: $38

Active Ingredients: Sea buckthorn, persimmon extract, olive oil, vitamin E | Size: 3.17 oz. | Scent: Fresh | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Byrdie / Faith Xue

Courtesy of SokoGlam

What We Like

Includes a spatula
Removes tough makeup
Award-winning formula

Get nourishing hydration and a relaxing cleanse all at once. Scoop out the luxurious balm with the included spatula and apply all over the face—it’s even gentle enough to remove stubborn eye makeup the right way.

Price at time of publish: $19

Active Ingredients: Centella, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Asian knotweed extract, Chinese liquorice extract, green tea extract, rosemary leaf extract, chamomile extract, vitamin E, hot springs water, vitamin C | Size: 3.38 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Sephora

What We Like

Lightweight
A little goes a long way
Fragrance-free

Key Ingredients

Amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins and have a role in virtually all the biological processes that occur in our bodies, including the reparation of skin.

Streamline your beauty routine with the newest K-beauty trend. “Cream skin combines a toner and moisturizer, so it offers lightweight hydration that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin,” says Garschick. This one is packed with amino acids meant to boost the skin’s barrier. Simply shake the product onto your hands and lightly pat into the skin.

Price at time of publish: $33

Amazon

What We Like

Provides sun protection
Hydrating
Travel-friendly

One of my favorite trends to come from K-beauty is the skincare and makeup hybrid. This compact fits the bill—it provides some serious skincare benefits that hydrate and brighten, while it delivers seamless coverage that looks and feels like your skin.

Price at time of publish: $75

What We Like

Easy to use
Fades discoloration
Smells good

Hate to choose between a physical and chemical exfoliation? With these exfoliating pads, you don’t have to. Lactic and glycolic acids provide the chemical exfoliation, while the innovative 3-layer pad delivers the physical component.

Price at time of publish: $27

Type: Pads | Active Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, lemon fruit extract, sodium hyaluronate, papaya fruit extract | Size: 30 single-use pads | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Ulta

What We Like

Lightweight
Absorbs quickly
Fragrance-free

This gel texture slides on to give you that coveted “glass skin” complexion—a poreless, clear, and radiant look. The formula—a mix of peptides, hyaluronic acid, and peach extract—promises to give you firmer, brighter skin over time.

Price at time of publish: $39

What We Like

A little goes a long way
Affordable
Pump bottle

Don’t let this small bottle fool you—it’s packing a powerful punch of Jeju green tea that essentially creates a layer of protection over your skin. All it takes is one pump for the product to work its magic on your complexion.

Courtesy of Glow Recipe

What We Like

Smells good
Absorbs quickly
Quick results

Garshick gives this mask her stamp of approval. “Not only does it include hyaluronic acid to help hydrate the skin, but it also contains alpha-hydroxy acids to help exfoliate, so it leaves my skin looking renewed and refreshed,” she says.

Price at time of publish: $44

What Our Testers Say

“This stuff works! Whether overnight or just for 10 minutes, it 100% plumps and brightens the skin.” — Emily Algar, Product Tester

Courtesy of Lucky Vitamin

What We Like

Eco-friendly
Easy to use
Affordable

Formulated with firming and brightening properties—like fermented coconuts—this mighty mask is an essential pick-me-up. Simply place over each breast and let the serum work for 30 minutes for the best results.

Benefits: Hydrates, firms, boosts radiance | Active Ingredients: Volufiline, pomegranate extract, hydrolyzed marine collagen | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 fl. oz. (single pair) or 4 fl. oz. (4-pair boxed set) | Byrdie Clean: Yes

What We Like

Potent
Quick results
Absorbs quickly

An amplified version of a serum, ampoules contain higher concentrations of active ingredients. This one in particular contains 10 probiotics and promises to improve the look of wrinkles, strengthen skin’s elasticity, and smooth skin’s texture.

Price at time of publish: $23

Sephora

Here’s another hybrid to fall in love with. It works as both a hydrating serum and lightweight primer to repair dullness and dryness. Smooth over skin right before you apply makeup.

Price at time of publish: $32

Courtesy of TONYMOLY

What We Like

Hydrating
Plumps lips
Smells good

“It’s important to remember to take care of your lips, and this patch definitely emphasizes that,” says Garshick. Infused with vitamin C, strawberry extract, and collagen, this super cute lip mask helps to soften and plump your lips. Apply after cleansing and remove after 30 minutes for a strong pout.

Active Ingredients: Collagen, witch hazel extract | Size: 2 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What to Look For in a Korean Skin Care Product

Oil-Based Cleansers

“The hallmark of any Korean skin care routine is starting off with the double cleanse method, and many Korean skin care brands carry oil-based cleansers which you can use as the first step of this,” says Michigan-based dermatologist Fatima Fahs, MD, founder of Dermy Doc Box. These formulas contain hydrating and gentle oils such as jojoba, grape seed or macadamia; massage the cleanser onto dry skin to emulsify and remove makeup and sunscreen, rinse, then follow with a second cleanser, she suggests.

Facial Essences

These are also very popular Korean skin care products. Think of them as a hydrating and strengthening step you can apply before your moisturizer, says Dr. Fahs.

Herbs and plant extracts

“These are often the star ingredients in Korean skincare products, because of their ancient powers for healing and regenerating the skin, serving as nature’s antioxidants,” explains Dr. Fahs.

FAQ

“There is definitely a ritualistic process when it comes to applying Korean skincare. These products are meant to be applied with purpose and intention,” says Dr. Fahs. “It’s a nice reminder to slow down and enjoy the ceremonial practice, even if it just means not allowing yourself to rush through the steps,” she adds. You may also see a lot of emphasis on gently tapping products into the skin versus rubbing them in. This is partially because the tapping is thought to help increase circulation to the skin to aid in absorption, she explains.

Some, but not all. “While many Korean skincare products do not test on animals, this is not the case across the board. Certain countries, including China, require testing on animals in order to sell products in the country, so some K-beauty brands that sell products in the region are required to do so in compliance with the country’s law,” says Dr. Fahs. Check for the cruelty-free or Leaping Bunny Certified label (for US and Canadian brands) to be certain.